Department of Religious Education
Department Chair: Bob Marcum
Department Secretary: Gloria Bradshaw (208) 496-1430
Department Faculty: Philip Allred, Ron Anderson, Don Bird, David Christensen, Steve Clark, Scott Ferguson, Jerry Glenn, Todd Hammond, Jerry Hansen, Randy Hayes, Roy Huff, James Keller, Brian Kinghorn, Doug Ladle, Bob Marcum, Robert Marrott, Greg Palmer, Leonard Petersen, Gary Purse, Lon Pyper, Bruce Satterfield, Neal Southwick, John Thomas, Larry Thurgood, Bill Torngren, Greg Wightman, Greg Williams, Nate Williams, Lori Woodland

 
Graduation Requirements
 
Majors
The  study  of  religion  is  the  core  of  academics  at  BYU-Idaho.    It  provides  the  basis  for  our  very  existence  as  one  of  the  Lord's  universities  and  every  student  is  expected  to  make  Religion  classes  an  integral  part  of  their  studies.

Requirements  for  Religion  as  a  general  education  credit  are  detailed  in  the  chart  following  the  course  descriptions.    Every  student  should  read  them  carefully  so  as  to  be  sure  they  have  the  credits  necessary  for  graduation  from  BYU-Idaho.    Please  refer  any  further  questions  to  the  Dean  of  the  College  of  Religion  and  Social  Science,  Taylor  202-C.
 
 
Course Descriptions

REL 090W  (2:0:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
 
REL 100 Introduction to Mormonism (2:2:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
Prerequisite: For individuals of other faiths and new members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
A fundamental course concerning the doctrines, history and organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This class is for those individuals belonging to religions other than the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and new members of the Church.
 
REL 121 Book of Mormon (2:2:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
Required for graduation. A study of the origin, content and teachings of the Book of Mormon from 1st Nephi through Alma 29.
 
REL 122 Book of Mormon (2:2:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
Required for graduation. A study of the content and teachings of the Book of Mormon from Alma 30 through Moroni.
 
REL 130 Missionary Preparation (2:2:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
A course designed to help prepare students for missionary service, utilizing principles that reflect and supplement the emphasis taught in the "Preach My Gospel" missionary approach. This course is highly recommended for all pre-missionaries.
 
REL 150 Provident Living (2:1:2)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
A course designed to assist students in applying gospel principles in their personal lives. It is composed of classroom instruction in doctrinal and temporal matters, coupled with a lab where principles of provident living are put into practice.
 
REL 190 Special Topics in Scripture (1-3:0:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
Prerequisite: By permission of Instructor only.
For BYU-Idaho travel study students, taught in the term of the travel study with topics selected which will focus on history, scripture and culture of those lands visited. Emphasis is on areas that will enhance other courses taught.
 
REL 211 New Testament (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
A study of Matthew through Revelation, and Joseph Smith-Matthew.
 
REL 212  (2:2:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
 
REL 215 Scripture Study Skills - The Power of the Word (2:2:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
A course designed to help students gain confidence in understanding the scriptures. The focus is on gaining skills for successful personal scripture study.
 
REL 221 Book of Mormon For Prospective Missionaries (4:4:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
A study of the origin, content and teachings of the Book of Mormon from 1st Nephi through Moroni from a missionary viewpoint. This class may not be taken, or retaken by returned missionaries. This class also fills the requirement for Religion 121 and 122.
 
REL 234 Preparing for Eternal Marriage (2:2:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
Prerequisite: For unmarried students.
This class allows the student to examine the many different issues that lead to one's being successfully sealed in the temple of the Lord.
 
REL 235 Building an Eternal Marriage (2:2:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
Prerequisite: For married students.
A study of the doctrines, principles and practices which will establish a successful, gospel-centered eternal marriage.
 
REL 260 History of Western Religion (4:4:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
A history of religion in the western world from the beginning to the modern period. This course starts with Genesis and examines--through art, literature, and myth--the religious traditions of ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Canaan, and Rome, as well as, Norse mythology. It then traces the development of Judaism and Christianity up through modern times.
 
REL 261 Introduction to LDS Family History (2:2:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
Introduction to the Family History program of the Church, which emphasizes identifying ancestors in the first few generations for whom temple ordinances have not been completed and the use of resources to simplify temple and family history activities.
 
REL 264 Family History Research (2:2:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
Prerequisite: Rel 261, or competency with PAF, or consent of instructor.
Using documents or original records of various countries to identify and submit names for temple ordinances.
 
REL 301 Old Testament (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
A study of the books of Moses, Abraham, and Genesis through Deuteronomy.
 
REL 302 Old Testament (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
A study of the Old Testament from Joshua through Malachi.
 
REL 324 Doctrine and Covenants (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
The entire Doctrine and Covenants, including the Official Declarations, will be covered in this course.
 
REL 325  (2:2:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
 
REL 327  (2:2:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
 
REL 333 Teachings of the Living Prophets (2:2:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
This course is concerned with the calling and function of the living prophets, with emphasis on principles taught in recent conference reports.
 
REL 341 Latter-day Saint History from 1805-1844 (2:2:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
A study of the history and doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints up to and including the martyrdom of the prophet Joseph Smith.
 
REL 342 Church History (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
A study of the history and development of the Church from 1844 to the present.
 
REL 343  (2:0:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
 
REL 351 The Gospel and World Religions (2:2:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
A study of religions of the world such as Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism. Designed to introduce members of the Church to the beliefs of other world faiths and their development with an emphasis on their relationship to the doctrines of the restored church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
 
REL 352 The Gospel and Christian History (2:2:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
A study of the history and doctrines of Christianity from the Roman period through the early development of the Catholic and Orthodox churches, the Middle Ages, the Reformation, and up to modern times. Emphasis is placed upon principles and doctrines regained through the restoration.
 
REL 370 Introduction to Teaching Seminary (2:2:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
This course is an introduction to religious education as a profession. It focuses on basic teaching concepts and the CES hiring process. Students taking this course should be in their junior year.
 
REL 372  (2:0:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
 
REL 431 Doctrines of the Gospel (2:2:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
A study of the basic doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as taught in the scriptures and by Latter-day prophets.
 
REL 471 Methods of Teaching Seminary (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
Prerequisite: Rel 370 and Instructors consent. For prospective Seminary teachers only.
This course helps trainees become more effective teachers. It prepares trainees to teach the scriptures and involves them in a brief seminary teaching experience.
 
REL 475 Seminary Teaching Seminar (2:1:0)
Fullfills GE Religion requirement.
Prerequisite: Rel 471 and Instructors consent. For prospective Seminary teachers only.
This course deals with current teaching issues and needs. Trainees are also employeed part-time and may teach from one to three classes of seminary each day. Trainees are evaluated to determine whether they should be considered for a full-time seminary teaching position.