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

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.

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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!

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

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

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

“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