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.

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

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!

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!

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.

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 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

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

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