Ancient Scripture
Department of Ancient Scripture
Administration
Chair: Shon David Hopkin
Department Information:
375A JSB
801-422-2445
Message from the Chair
As an integral part of Brigham Young University and Religious Education, the Department of Ancient Scripture exists to "assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life" by teaching the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. In this context we seek to help students reach the aims of a BYU education through providing instruction and experiences that are spiritually strengthening, intellectually enlarging, character building, and leading to a commitment of lifelong learning and service. The central means utilized by the faculty and staff of the department to help students obtain these goals is teaching and research concerning the doctrines, covenants, ordinances and history found in the scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In addition to assisting students to increase their "faith in God and in the restored gospel," those who successfully complete Ancient Scripture courses will have been instructed concerning the "reason for the hope" (JST 1 Peter 3:15, italics added) that is within them, thus emphasizing the importance of "learning, even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:118).
