Dana M. Pike, who is retiring July 1, has taught at BYU since 1992. He received his BS in Near Eastern archaeology and anthropology from Brigham Young University (1978) and his PhD in the Hebrew Bible and ancient Near Eastern studies from the University of Pennsylvania (1990). After serving two years as publications director of the RSC, seven years as the coordinator for the interdepartmental ancient Near Eastern studies major and four years as an associate dean of Religious Education, he served three years as chair of the Department of Ancient Scripture. He was one of the international editors of the Dead Sea Scrolls for seven years, and he taught two different years at BYU’s Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies.

Are you familiar with BYU’s religious outreach efforts? Visit https://religiousoutreach.byu.edu/ to learn more about the Religious Outreach Council and the things BYU Religious Education is doing to support other faiths!

“Doctrine” has many definitions. Anthony Sweat, Michael Hubbard MacKay, and Gerrit J. Dirkmaat dissect and clarify these definitions in “Evaluating Latter-day Saint Doctrine.” The article can be found here: https://rsc.byu.edu/foundations-restoration/evaluating-latter-day-saint-doctrine

The word “liminal” isn’t in most people’s everyday vocabulary. Although the word is rare, the experience it summarizes is not, particularly in religious life. Liminality means to be in an in-between space, on the verge of transformation, or at a threshold—like a doorway. In this insightful episode, Dr. Charles Swift analyzes the brother of Jared’s liminal experience in Ether 2 and 3 and what it can teach us today about our own interactions with and answers from the Lord. New episode: https://rsc.byu.edu/media/y-religion/32

If you haven’t checked it out already, go watch “Supporting Visualizing Learning Exhibit: Student Artwork From BYU Religion Classes” on YouTube or by going to https://religion.byu.edu/visualizing-learning-art-exhibit Recognizing that student learning occurs in a variety of ways, BYU Religious Education has decided to recognize some of the outstanding artwork that students have created as part of their assigned projects in various religion classes. The result is a new student exhibit called Visualizing Learning: Student Artwork from BYU Religion Course Projects.

Looking to improve your ministering? The RSC’s “Come, Follow Me” resources this week features “Discerning and Meeting Needs: The Essence of Our Ministry,” by Peter B. Rawlins.  To read it, go to https://rsc.byu.edu/vol-7-no-1-2006/discerning-meeting-needs-essence-our-ministry

BYU Religious Education’s mission is to assist individuals in their efforts to come unto Christ by teaching the scriptures, doctrine, and history of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ through classroom instruction, gospel scholarship, and outreach to the larger community. The BYU Religious Studies Center supports this mission by encouraging, sponsoring, and publishing serious, faithful, gospel-related materials. Visit rsc.byu.edu and religion.byu.edu for thousands of resources, including books and articles, to enhance your gospel study!

Are you familiar with the significance of the Chamber of Father Whitmer in early church history? Listen to the newest episode of Y Religion to learn about it! https://rsc.byu.edu/media/y-religion

The BYU Religious Education website has received a major update! Be sure to check it out by going to https://religion.byu.edu/

Lloyd D. Newell, BYU professor of Church history and doctrine, just marked 30 years as host of "Music & the Spoken Word."

Exciting things are happening at BYU Religious Education! In the coming months, our social media accounts will come alive with new book trailers, “Come, Follow Me” resources, Instagram and Facebook stories, giveaways, live videos, account takeovers, and even more interesting posts! What would you like to see more of from us? Comment below and let us know!

Shirley Ricks, who is retiring this week, transferred to the Religious Studies Center in 2017. She has been an editor since 1989 for the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies and the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship. As an undergraduate, Shirley received on-the-job training at the BYU Press. She earned three degrees from BYU—her PhD was in family studies. She has helped produce numerous books and periodicals, including several volumes of the Collected Works of Hugh Nibley. Shirley has published a number of articles and reviews. A native of Provo, Shirley and her husband, Stephen, have attended over 100 temples and derive great joy from their six children, twenty grandchildren, and great-grandson.