Andrew C. Skinner, who is retiring in July, is a professor of Ancient Scripture. Born and raised in Colorado, he earned a BA in history from the University of Colorado, an MA from the Iliff School of Theology in Jewish studies, a ThM from Harvard University in biblical Hebrew, and a PhD from the University of Denver in European and Near Eastern history specializing in Judaism. He did graduate work at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is a former chair of the Department of Ancient Scripture (1997-2000), former dean of the College of Religious Education (2000-2005), founding executive director of the Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship (2005-2008), and holder of the Richard L. Evans chair of Religious Understanding (2010-2013). Dr. Skinner is the author or co-author of 21 books, over 200 articles on religious and historical topics, editor or co-editor of seven books, a member of the Board of Directors of the Dead Sea Scrolls Foundation, and a member of the Baskerville Institute for Religious Diplomacy. Dr. Skinner has filled six assignments with his family at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, where he served as a faculty member, teaching scripture and ancient Near Eastern history, and as associate director for academics and dean of students. He is married to Janet Corbridge Skinner, and they are the parents of six children and grandparents of ten.

The newest episode of Y Religion, “Mosaics of Faith,” with Matthew Grey, is out now!  Since 2012, archaeologists at the Galilean village of Huqoq have been uncovering an intricate mosaic floor of an ancient synagogue. This fifth-century mosaic depicts biblical scenes of Samson, Jonah, Noah’s ark, Pharaoh’s army, and snapshots of daily life in antiquity.  In this episode, BYU religion’s Dr. Matthew Grey—who was supervising the synagogue excavation when it was uncovered—discusses details from this discovery and how the archaeology of Roman Galilee can inform our understanding of the Bible.  Visit https://rsc.byu.edu/media/y-religion to listen to it directly on the web!

Steven C. Harper, professor of Church history and doctrine, is speaking at this week’s BYU devotional! Attend or tune in on BYUtv TOMORROW to hear his address! https://www.byutv.org/player/7e808f2d-cfd2-48f9-a696-6a1a39c00782/byu-devotional-address-steven-harper-6821

The law of consecration, as practiced in the early days of the Church, has an elaborate history. Learn about it by watching “Consecration” on the BYU Religious Education YouTube channel! https://youtu.be/mydbrzSfvDw

ATTENTION STUDENTS Are you unsure of which religion classes you want to take in the fall? Visit https://religion.byu.edu/credit-requirements for detailed information about required courses and frequently asked questions!

Our “Come, Follow Me” recommended reading for this week features “Gathering the Lord’s Words into One: Biblical Intertextuality in the Doctrine and Covenants,” by Lisa Olsen Tait. This article discusses the significant intertextuality between the Bible and Doctrine and Covenants. Click here to read it: https://rsc.byu.edu/you-shall-have-my-word/gathering-lords-words-one-biblical-intertextuality-doctrine-covenants

Robert T. Smith joined the faculty of Religious Education in 1999 after serving as mission president in Argentina. Previously, Bob served ten years as managing director of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies at the J. Reuben Clark Law School. He managed conferences and scholarship in Africa and the United States and lectured in numerous countries: Argentina, Australia, China, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Namibia, Nepal, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United States. Professor Smith is a coauthor of the four-volume treatise Religious Organizations and the Law, 2d ed. He has testified before Congress and has represented Brigham Young University and members of the Utah Legislature before the United States Supreme Court. He holds a JD from BYU and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. He is married to Kristine Scoville Smith. They are the parents of eight children and have seven grandchildren.

Did you know that BYU religion professors Barbara Morgan Gardner and Daniel Becerra moderate “Come, Follow Me” discussions on @byutv‘s show, “Come Follow Up”? Every week they welcome a new guest, taking a deep dive into the spiritual truths found within the scriptures, inspired by the weekly “Come, Follow Me” resources. Check it out by visiting https://www.byutv.org/comefollowup?gclid=Cj0KCQjwwLKFBhDPARIsAPzPi-J8KFtq2zJlAndT4HmAVjOZQ1sirmImfrxXyXuy9S6G6RKmDbTHbecaAv5YEALw_wcB

Are you looking for more Church history or Book of Mormon videos resources? Check out the John A. Widtsoe Foundation’s YouTube channel! Their newest video, “Church History and the World: The Missouri Mormon Experience,” is worth a watch! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbNk2c9p4rXcyHkY3sy980g

Have you listened to the Y Religion podcast yet? Listen for free! It’s research to enlighten your mind. Click this link to listen directly from the web: https://rsc.byu.edu/media/y-religion

Brent L. Top, who is retiring July 1, is a professor of Church history and doctrine and former dean of Religious Education (2013–18) and chair of the Department of Church History (2009–13). He was born and raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He received all of his degrees from Brigham Young University—a BA in history, a master's degree in instructional media and ancient scripture, and a PhD in instructional science and technology, graduating with honors. Before 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 from 2002 to 2004. His love for teaching and effectiveness in the classroom has been recognized with the Robert J. Matthews Award for Teaching Excellence in Religious Education and the BYU Student Association's Teacher of the Year Award. In addition to his teaching and involvement in inter-religious endeavors, he is widely published. He is the author or co-author of twenty gospel scholarship and family relationships books directed primarily to the Latter-day Saint audience. Some of his books have been translated into German and Spanish. He is a co-author and co-editor of two academic books published with a university press. He has published articles for the Ensign, as well as scores of peer-reviewed articles and chapters in books. He hosted over 60 episodes of "Past Impressions" a series of interviews with scholars and experts of Church History on the Mormon Channel. For the past two years, he has held the Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding. He is married to the former Wendy Cope from Idaho Falls, and they live in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

The Religious Educator celebrated its twentieth anniversary last year! Read ”Twenty Years of the Religious Educator, ” by Brad Wilcox and Timothy G. Morrison, to learn about the history of the publication! https://rsc.byu.edu/vol-21-no-1-2020/twenty-years-religious-educator