Have you listened to the newest Y Religion episode yet? Check out this insightful podcast by going to https://rsc.byu.edu/media/y-religion The most recent episode, “Mosaics of Faith,” with Matthew Grey, discusses details from a recent synagogue excavation, and how the archaeology of Roman Galilee can inform our understanding of the Bible.

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 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.

Congratulations to Anthony Sweat, who won the Association for Mormon Letters Award for his book “Repicturing the Restoration.” This volume explores Sweat’s paintings of some of the underrepresented events in order to expand our understanding of the Restoration. http://associationmormonletters.org/blog/2021/06/2020-aml-award-winners/

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!

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

We’re really excited for the newest edition of the Religious Educator, which is coming soon! Follow @byu.rsc or go to https://rsc.byu.edu/ to learn more about it!

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

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