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 1 Collection or Record:
Russell R. Rich papers on Mormon splinter groups, 1951-1981
Contains research files on the numerous offshoots of Mormonism, including a list of groups and their leaders, questionnaire, scriptural warnings, articles and periodicals, correspondence, files on each group, printed literature of the various groups, and other materials.