Brent L. Top was a professor of Church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University and was dean of Religious Education when this was written. He serves as a Richard L. Evans professor of Religious Understanding. Born and raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho, he served a full-time mission in the Denmark Copenhagen Mission. He received all of his degrees from BYU: a BA in history, an MA in instructional media, and a PhD in instructional science and technology. Prior to joining the BYU Religious Education faculty in 1987, he worked for the Church Educational System as a released-time seminary teacher, an institute teacher, and an administrator.  Dr. Top served as associate dean of Religious Education from 1997 to 2002. He held the endowed Professorship in Moral Education for two years prior to his call as president of the Illinois Peoria Mission (2004-2007). He was appointed department chair in June 2009. He and his wife, Wendy, are the parents of four children and reside in Pleasant Grove, Utah, where Brother Top served as the president of the Pleasant Grove East Stake.