Skip to main content

Brigham Young University. Division of Religion

 Organization

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 1 Collection or Record:

College of Religious Instruction records

 Collection
Identifier: UA 584
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1937-1973