Brigham Young University. Division of Religion
Dates
- Existence: 1940 - 1959
Administrative History
The Division of Religion (1940-1959) was an administrative unit at Brigham Young University. The division administered religious education at the university.
The Division of Religion, established in 1940, required that all students enroll in a two-credit-hour religion class each semester as a prerequisite to graduation. It was the responsibility of the division to supervise all religious teaching and activity on campus, and provide instruction in scripture, doctrine, Church history, and religious leadership. Although the Head of the Division of Religion was the President of the University, there did exist a director of Religious Activities, J. Wyley Sessions, who served from 1940 to 1950. Sidney B. Sperry was a prominent religious professor beginning in 1939, and later Director of Religious Instruction.
The Division of Religion was composed of the following four departments: Bible and Modern Scripture, Church History, Theology and Philosophy, and LDS Church Organization. There were also graduate degrees offered in the areas of Bible and Modern Scripture, Semitic Languages, Church History, and Philosophy of Religious Education. The Division of Religion focused mostly had behavioral, rather than intellectual, objectives.
Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:
College of Religious Instruction records
Includes the official correspondence of B. West Belnap, David H. Yarn, Roy W. Doxey, and Daniel H. Ludlow, all deans of the College of Religious Instruction. Includes correspondence from Chauncey Cazier Riddle, Assistant Director of Graduate Studies. Dated 1937 to 1976.
Joseph Smith Memorial Building construction time books
Includes six time books of paid and volunteer hours spent on the construction of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building between 1939 and 1940.
College of Religious Education recordings
Contains sound recordings of firesides, devotionals, forums, and talks from Religious Education about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church history and doctrine, Communism and the Church, the Church and the US government, and spiritual matters. Dates range from 1955 to 1977.
Russell R. Rich papers
Includes talks, correspondence, class lectures, and research. Also included are research notes and chapter drafts for "Ensign to the Nations."
Russell R. Rich research and drafts for Ensign to the Nations, 1966-1972
Contains research, chapter drafts, and other materials used in the production of Rich's book Ensign to the Nations (1972). Dates from between 1966 and 1972.