“The Glory of God Is Intelligence”: Exploring the Foundations of Latter-day Saint Religious Education

Abstract

In recent years the educational programs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) have received praise for their role in the high rates of religiosity and denominational retention among their youth. This study offers a historical summary of the efforts of LDS to develop the most effective methods of engaging their youth in religious education. It tracks the development of LDS religious education from its origins in the United States, to its efforts on the global stage. Ultimately, LDS educators adopted a flexible approach utilizing volunteer teachers to meet the needs of this growing global faith.

Notes

Commonly referred to as “Mormons” or “Latter-day Saints.” For the purposes of this article the organization will be referred to as the “LDS Church” or more simply “the Church.”

”Revelations” as the term is used here, refers to divine communications given to Joseph Smith through several different mediums and recorded in written form. Many of them are recorded in the Doctrine & Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (Salt Lake City: Intellectual Reserve, 1981) and, together with the Bible and the Book of Mormon, form the canon of the Church. See Chauncey C. Riddle, “Revelation,” in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, (New York: MacMillan, 1992), 1225.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Casey Paul Griffiths

Casey Paul Griffiths is a visiting professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University.

Scott C. Esplin

Scott C. Esplin is an Associate Professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University.

E. Vance Randall

E. Vance Randall is a professor of Education Policy at Brigham Young University. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected]