Religious Studies Center Books

In Oxford, Britain’s most ancient seat of learning, a series of events commemorated the visit of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles just before Christmas. Elder Holland spoke at the university and in Pembroke Chapel at a “Nine Lessons and Carols” celebration. Eminent speakers from the Catholic, Anglican, and nonconformist traditions joined him to commit enthusiastically to common service and exploration, and an agenda has been set for further dialogue, action, and deeper friendships. Featured speakers in this volume include the Reverend Dr. Andrew Teal, Lord David Alton, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, former Archbishop Rowan Williams, and the Reverend Professor Frances Young. At the conclusion of his visit, Elder Holland delivered a moving address titled “Christ­mas Comfort.” This book celebrates the marvelous start of deeper commitment, dialogue, and friendship.

Built amid sugarcane fields on the island of O‘ahu and dedicated in 1919, the Lā‘ie Hawai‘i Temple was at the forefront of a Churchwide shift away from gathering to the Intermountain West. This temple was among the first brought to the people, and for decades it stood as the closest temple geographically to half the planet. One of the first Latter-day Saint temples to accommodate large numbers of patrons from different cultures speaking different languages, it has been one of the most ethnically prodigious temples of the latter days. It was an early physical symbol of the boldness of a relatively young and provincial church to take the fullness of the gospel, realized only in temples, to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Commemorating the Lā‘ie Hawai‘i Temple’s one hundredth anniversary, this volume shares the remarkable history and contributions of this beloved temple.

Tonga has by far the highest percentage of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of any country in the world. How did this come to be? At first, missionary work in Tonga appeared to be a failure. Then after the mission was closed for a decade, the Church returned and began harvesting the fruits from the seeds that were planted earlier amid tremendous official opposition. The truths of the gospel resonated with the Tongan people, who exhibited tremendous faith and sacrifice. The Church grew to be a strong influence in the Kingdom of Tonga and with the people of the country.

Historians have increasingly examined how economics and business have influenced religion and religious practices, and these examinations have provided better understandings of race, gender, and ethnicity within American religion. This volume highlights the research of fifteen presenters at a BYU Church History Symposium, including keynote addresses by Bishop Gérald Caussé and Sharon Ann Murphy. The remaining essays examine the prac­tice of consecration and cooperation by the Church, specific case studies of business and economics in Utah Territory, and financial issues pertaining to the institutional Church. These essays illuminate topics such as plural marriage, immigration, the Saints’ relation­ship to the federal government, and the creation and demise of Church programs. The BYU Church History Symposium highlighted that the field of economics and finance have much to offer to Latter-day Saint history.

Today, it’s hard to imagine Apostles not being able to visit any part of the world. But the Saints in South America waited twenty years between visits. Follow the experiences in 1948 of Apostle Stephen L Richards and his wife Irene in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay that changed the course of the Church in Latin America. In addition, the book has a prologue and epilogue that tell the history of the Church in Latin America before and after the Richardses’ visit.

Surely no subject has captured the attention of men and women like that of death and the life beyond. Millions have sought with Job for answers to the timeless question, “If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14). And if there is a future state, what is its nature? How best may mortal men and women prepare for it? Indeed, death has ever remained life’s most awesome mystery. In this book, representatives of different Christian faiths draw on their distinctive religious traditions to address the topics of death and what lies beyond the grave.

This volume offers valuable perspectives from biblical scholars on the background of the New Testament texts, including the Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures of the time. The book is divided into several themes, including Jesus in the Gospels, the Apostle Paul, New Testament issues and contexts, and what transpired after the New Testament. It ranges from the intertestamental period to the First Jewish Revolt of AD 66–73 and the canonization of the New Testament. Over forty New Testament scholars and experts contributed to this comprehensive volume, which identifies further readings and has detailed general and citation indexes.

Joseph Smith taught, “Don’t let a single corner of the earth go without a mission.” In response to the Prophet's counsel, years later, Brigham Young and his counselors in the First Presidency planned a special missionary conference in 1852. At this conference, one hundred Latter-day Saint men were called to proselytize in distant lands—the largest cohort of full-time elders in the church’s three-decade history. This book tells the stories and adventures of eight men called to Wales, Prussia, Gibraltar, the Cape of Good Hope, the Sandwich Islands, China, Siam, and Australia. These faithful missionaries left their families, possessions, and newly settled homes in the West to “seek to fulfill the initial obligation given to that church in the very opening of the New Dispensation, namely, to preach the gospel of the kingdom to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.”

This volume is a compilation of inspiring presentations given at BYU​'s annual Easter Conferences, which have become a popular tradition at the university. Well-known speakers discuss such essential concepts as teaching about that life which is in Christ, the role of the Savior in our lives, the power of the Atonement, how to help those with doubts, and his life and mission. This volume includes talks given by Elder Bruce C. Hafen, Susan W. Tanner, Richard Lyman Bushman, Thomas A. Wayment, Anthony R. Sweat, and Barbara Morgan Gardner.