We are excited about this issue of the Religious Educator, which includes Elder F. Enzio Busche’s thoughtful address from last year’s BYU Easter Conference. Everyone present on that occasion was moved by the depth of feeling he provided while discussing the most important days in world history—the Passion and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We follow with BYU President Cecil O. Samuelson’s insightful essay “Holy Habits and Righteous Routines,” based on a talk given at the BYU Marriott Center at a multistake conference. He provides timely counsel for us to strengthen our faith in the Savior and retrench against the adversary.

In 2008 members of the Church focus their attention on the Book of Mormon as the Gospel Doctrine course of study. Jared W. Ludlow, a member of the ancient scripture faculty at BYU, discusses what the Book of Mormon contributes to our understanding of the power of the Atonement.

We continue with a provocative and current teaching essay that raises questions about how we teach as Rob Eaton discusses why participation is important in many classroom settings.

Many decades ago the Richard L. Evans Chair was established at BYU. One of our former student employees at the RSC provides a history of the chair and some of its accomplishments. Specially endowed chairs at the university come about because of generous donors who divert some of their personal funds to help BYU do more. We are reminded again of the impact of donor contributions in this essay.

Next Roger K. Terry gives an opportunity to consider the nature and power of God’s in his essay, “The Love of God.”

During this presidential election year in the United States, we are fortunate to have Timothy G. Merrill provide us with a fascinating look at the U.S. Constitution and its religious implications in relation to the Second Coming of the Lord.

Jack L. Rushton, a Church Educational System teacher until a swimming accident left him paralyzed and on a respirator, reflects on his own missionary service in Central America to provide insights about what it means to heed a call to serve and the implications of such service in our lives.

Finally, we conclude with part 2 of a roundtable discussion on the Dead Sea Scrolls highlighting both their use and misuse by Latter-day Saints.

Enjoy!

Richard Neitzel Holzapfel

Editor