We are pleased to present this issue of the Religious Educator based on presentations made at the second annual Church Educational System Religious Educators Conference on June 12–13, 2025. Whether you are a Gospel Doctrine teacher in your ward, a full- or part-time seminary or institute teacher, or a faculty member at one of the Church’s institutions of higher education, I believe you will find the articles contained herein of meaningful benefit to you and those you teach.

The conference began with a wonderful presentation by President D. Todd Christofferson (then Elder Christofferson) on helping those we teach become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ. This was followed by Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, General Authority Seventy and current president of Brigham Young University–Idaho, presenting on the related theme, “Lifelong Discipleship Is Our Goal.” The final presentation of the opening conference was a panel discussion led by Elder Clark G. Gilbert, General Authority Seventy and the current commissioner of the Church Educational System, focused on inviting learner engagement.

This issue of the Religious Educator also includes several articles that flowed from presentations given at the two-day conference. Included articles address the role of Emma Hale Smith in the Restoration, the Joseph Smith Translation as a Christ-centered framework for teaching the Old Testament, the ways Saints qualify for the blessings of the temple, the importance of and methods to stay doctrinally aligned with the prophets as religious educators, a study of the section 138 on the redemption of the dead, and the connection of eternal marriage, plural marriage, and prophetic reliability.

The conference was deeply inspiring and filled with important lessons that can assist religious educators better teach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope you find the included articles helpful in your understanding and service as well.

Michael A. Goodman
Editor in Chief