editor’s note
“someday” has come SCOTT C. ESPLIN (SCOTT_ESPLIN@BYU.EDU) IS PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR OF THE BYU RELIGIOUS STUDIES CENTER.
O
ur offices in the Religious
and edification (see Doctrine and
like this, especially gospel teaching,
Studies Center share BYU’s
Covenants 88:122–23). The instruc-
is more than simply dispensing
Heber J. Grant Building with the
tions even outlined their manner of
knowledge. “A gospel teacher will
more well-known campus testing
greeting—saluting each other in the
never be satisfied with just delivering
center. During the peak times of
name of Jesus Christ in a covenant of
a message or preaching a sermon,” he
midterm and final exams, hundreds of
immutable fellowship and brother-
taught. “A superior gospel teacher
students pack the hallways, snaking
hood “through the grace of God in
wants to assist in the Lord’s work to
their way in a line that extends out
the bonds of love,” walking “in all the
bring eternal life to His children.”1
the door and down the sidewalk,
commandments of God blameless,
That human interaction transforms
cramming one last time and likely
in thanksgiving, forever and ever”
all involved.
offering silent prayers before facing
(v. 133).
their academic fates. As a staff, we
I am eager to help them figure out
occasionally grumble under our
emphasized that relational teaching
President Dallin H. Oaks
I pray for the return of students.
on the first day of class that the JSB
breath at students who sit on the floor against our doors, not knowing they open periodically, or at the crowds these busy times bring to the building’s limited restroom facilities.
After joining campus in the
retreat to remote instruction in March owing to Covid-19, then slowly returning to our offices throughout the summer to move forward our publishing work, we miss those stressed-out students with whom we used to share close quarters.
Religious education is relational.
When the Lord organized the School of the Prophets in Kirtland, Ohio, in the winter of 1833, he gave direction regarding student and teacher interactions. They all were to listen, participate, and love one another, facilitating equal privilege
2
BY U R EL IG IOU S EDU C ATIO N R E VIEW
BYU’s Heber J. Grant building, home of the Religious Studies Center. Photograph by Brent R. Nordgren.
