BYU Studies

<p>Joseph M. Spencer provides an engaging exploration into the Book of Mosiah, highlighting how its narratives can captivate readers and enrich their spiritual understanding through a profound sense of wonder and awe.</p><p><a href="https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/struck-with-wonder-and-amazement-on-reading-the-book-of-mosiah" target="_blank">Read the full article online.</a></p>

Explore the vivid personal writings of Brigham Young, offering intimate insights into his life, conversion experience, and profound faith. LaJean Purcell Carruth presents his unfiltered perspectives, enriching our understanding of this prominent historical figure.Read the full article online.

Love as a Law: Love is described as the substance of God’s law, not a reward to be earned. It is a commandment to love God and others unconditionally.Parable of the Prodigal Son: Both sons in the parable misunderstand love as a reward. The younger son feels unworthy, while the elder son feels entitled. The father represents God’s unconditional love.Perfectionism vs. Perfect Love: Perfectionism is seen as a backward approach to love, focusing on being lovable rather than loving perfectly. God’s perfect love is unconditional and not based on merit.Righteous Judgment: True judgment is about how to love others, not about who deserves love. Love should be given freely, even to enemies.Practical Application: The article encourages readers to stop treating love as a reward and start obeying it as a law, participating in the work of loving others without conditions.For additional information see:https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/love-is-a-law-not-a-reward

This article wraps up this special issue of BYU Studies focusing on Latter-day Saints and perfectionism.Read the article here.

1. Religious Teachings: Explores how religious teachings can influence perfectionistic tendencies, both positively and negatively.2. Spiritual Perfectionism Differentiates between striving for spiritual growth and unhealthy perfectionism that leads to guilt and anxiety.3. Role of Grace: Emphasizes the importance of understanding and accepting grace to counteract the negative effects of perfectionism.4. Community Support: Highlights the role of religious communities in providing support and reducing perfectionistic pressures.5. Balancing Effort and Faith: Encourages balancing personal effort with faith in divine assistance to achieve a healthier approach to perfectionism.For additional information see:https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/religion-and-perfectionism

What influence does religion have on toxic perfectionism? Michael A. Goodman explores research findings in this important article.Read the full article online.

This article by Ryan S. Gardner introduces the Oracles of God collection at the David O. McKay Library at Brigham Young University–Idaho, which compiles documents relating to prior declarations, statements, etc. from the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It discusses the criteria for documents that are included in this new digital collection and how it can be helpful to church membership.

This article by Mark D. Ogletree was published in BYU Studies 63, no. 4 (2024). Key points from this article: Types of Perfectionism: Adaptive (positive outcomes) vs. Maladaptive (negative mental health outcomes). Mental Health Impact: Maladaptive perfectionism increases anxiety, depression, stress, and burnout in adolescents. Influences: High parental expectations and societal pressures contribute to perfectionistic traits. Interventions: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness can help manage perfectionism. Supportive Environment: Creating a supportive environment and encouraging balance can mitigate negative effects. To read this article online for free, go to https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/perfectionisms-influence-on-adolescent-mental-health

This poem by Kevin Klein received an honorable mention in the 2021 Clinton F. Larson Poetry Contest, sponsored by BYU Studies.

This article from Noel B. Reynolds discusses the use of covenant as a concept in religious tradition and scripture, and consider how it has been discussed in scholarship up to the current day. Reynolds then discusses how these ideas can tie to the understanding of covenant in the Book of Mormon and how this study can "enrich those teachings for a modern reader."