Two thousand years after the mortal life of Jesus and the expansive global spread of Christianity, we must be careful to not overlook the fundamental nature of Judaism in Christianity, and that Jesus himself was Jewish. In the latest episode of Y Religion, BYU religion professor Avram Shannon helps us understand how Jewish Rabbinic literature—which are the texts written by early Jewish sages—can help better enlighten certain aspects of the New Testament, Jesus’s mortal ministry, and Christianity. https://rsc.byu.edu/media/y-religion.

Happy November! We’re grateful for our beautiful campus and for our wonderful religion professors! What are you grateful for? Photo: @baileestonesphotography

In the Fall 2019 edition of the “BYU Religious Education Review” magazine, Andrew H. Hedges said, “Perceived conflicts between religion and other fields of study are causing many to either abandon their faith or, in an effort to keep their faith, to throw away inspired methodologies and conclusions that have brought about so much good in the world. Never has there been such a need for an honest, faithful, and humble reappraisal of these questions in light of each discipline’s best, most careful methodologies and the light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.” Subscribe to the magazine here: https://rsc.byu.edu/subscribe.

Today we spotlight Carter Charles, assistant professor of Church history and doctrine at BYU. Dr. Charles is the author of several articles and book chapters and teaches Foundations of the Restoration, Doctrine and Covenants, and Introduction to Haitian Creole Literature at BYU.

In one of this week’s “Come, Follow Me” resources, “The Nauvoo Temple, 1841,” Richard Neitzel Holzapfel highlights revelations regarding the Nauvoo temple and priesthood ordinances. Read the article here: https://rsc.byu.edu/joseph-smith-prophet-seer/nauvoo-temple-1841. Photo: Michael Provard

Check out the latest Y Religion podcast by visiting https://rsc.byu.edu/media/y-religion!

The revelation in Doctrine and Covenants section 124 was given in Nauvoo, Illinois following Governor Lilburn W. Boggs’s extermination order directed toward the Saints. This time period is rich with history, and the RSC’s “Come, Follow Me” resources are too! Visit https://rsc.byu.edu/my-gospel-study/come-follow-me to view these supplementary materials!

On Tuesday, October 26, 2021, Rev. Andrew Teal will address BYU campus in the weekly forum. He has previously authored the BYU Religious Studies Center’s book “Inspiring Service: Interfaith Remarks with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland at Oxford” and spoken on several occasions on BYU campus. We look forward to hearing his upcoming address.

Each year, the Religious Studies Center publishes a book that coincides with the Sidney B. Sperry Symposium. This volume focuses on the concept of compassion and how it relates in both ancient scripture and our day. To purchase the book, visit: https://rsc.byu.edu/book/covenant-compassion.

Symposium refers to a conference on a specific topic of interest. We are really looking forward to the Sidney B. Sperry Symposium, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year! For more details about the conference, visit https://rsc.byu.edu/conferences/sperry.

The keynote speaker for this year’s Sidney B. Sperry Symposium is Sharon Eubank, first counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency. She explains the importance of the covenant of compassion and how it applies to us today. Come this Friday to view the prerecorded address.

Join us for the 50th annual Sidney B. Sperry Symposium! Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the symposium focuses this year on “Covenant of Compassion: Caring for the Marginalized and Disadvantaged in the Old Testament.” Please note that BYU requires masks in classrooms, in any indoor space when physical distancing isn’t maintained, and in other areas when directed. To purchase the book associated with this event, visit: https://rsc.byu.edu/book/covenant-compassion. For more information about the symposium, visit: https://rsc.byu.edu/conferences/sperry.