Anthony R. Sweat grew up in West Valley City, Utah, and served a mission in Bolivia, La Paz. He received a BFA in painting and drawing from the University of Utah and his MEd and PhD in curriculum and instruction from Utah State University. Prior to joining the religion faculty at BYU, he worked for thirteen years with Seminaries and Institutes of Religion as a teacher and administrator. He loves to teach the gospel, especially to the youth and young adults of the Church. His outside interests include basketball, triathlons, and painting. He and his wife, Cindy, are the parents of six children and reside in Springville, Utah.