The BYU Connections

BYU uniquely allows for professors to connect what they teach with what they believe. Just today in my Mission Prep class I read from the Book of Moses about the creation and particularly in chapter three, verse five, we learn that all things were created spiritually before physically. I enjoy having a course centered on studying what we believe but learning in a spiritual context is not restricted to a religion course. After the bell rang I went to my Honors Lecture class and was privileged to hear a lecture from Professor Handley who was speaking on Nature. I began listening and before long Dr. Handley was quoting the scriptures that I was reading only 20 min before. He linked Nature with its divine origins and saw nature built on a foundation of spirit which rejuvenates our spirit by being in contact with a trace of the divine. wow He applied his field of study to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in his life and was able to share those spiritual insights he has gained in his discipline of study.
This happens quite often and in my American class we spent a good 30 min on the Origin of the Book of Mormon and the idea of how non-members view it as a product of 19th century America. We quoted the beginnings of the Book of Mormon and went through the rhetoric of Nephi in grabbing our attention(Lehi might die...) then a thesis (the mercy of God to those who he has chosen and will deliver) and then evidence ( story after story after story) which exemplifies that thesis. As a class we discussed some other proofs of this book of scripture like chiasmus, the name Alma, and others all in my American history class!!

I love this opportunity at BYU which takes into account my entire well being. By recognizing how each dimension of my life builds on the others the professors can apply my learning to other fields and help me develop my complete character.