BYU Studies

A brief history of the Japan Mission from 1937-1950 tells of the LDS proselyting in Japan and Hawai'i during some of the most tumultuous times in recent history. Though the mission had many hills to overcome, it not only helped LDS members then, but its legacy is still felt in those islands today.

Published in BYU Studies 65 no. 1 in 2026.

Read the full article here.

Before Spring is a poem by Roger Terry. This poem was a finalist in the 2025 BYU Studies Poetry Contest. Terry takes on the night and translates his experience for others to see.

Published in BYU Studies 65 no. 1 in 2026.

Read the full poem here.

This article is based on an address given on August 25, 2025, at the annual Brigham Young University Conference, general faculty session. To celebrate the sesquicentennial year of BYU, Justin Collings takes the life of Joseph Smith through the lens of various school lessons.

Published in BYU Studies 65 no. 1 in 2026.

Read the full article here.

Eve, Learning of Pregnancy is a poem by Susan Elizabeth Howe. Howe takes in her new knowledge of pregnancy into the world around her.

Published in BYU Studies 65 no. 1 in 2026.

Read the full poem here.

It is hard to escape the beauty standards of today, but what do they mean in the eyes of God? This article gathers the religious ideology on bodies and translates the findings into a helpful guide for members living in a highly aesthetic world.

Published in BYU Studies 65 no. 1 in 2026.

Read the full article here.

The Week of the Cancer Diagnosis is a poem written by Marilyn Bushman-Carlto. This poem was a finalist in the 2025 BYU Studies Poetry Contest. Bushman-Carlto tries to come to terms with being diagnosed with breast cancer and begins to see the world with new eyes.

Published in BYU Studies 65 no. 1 in 2026.

Read the full poem here.

Taking a step back in time, Take My Yoke Upon You explores how Christ's followers might have interpreted his Yoke Metaphor. Similarly, Jared T. Marcum contemplates what we can learn from that interpretation today.

Published in BYU Studies 65 no. 1 in 2026.

Read the full article here.

A poem by William Powley. This poem was a finalist in the 2025 BYU Studies Poetry Contest. It is a reflective piece on rain and the impact it leaves behind... as well as what it can bring forth.

Published in BYU Studies 65 no. 1 in 2026.

Read the full poem here.

Is Jesus's Yoke Easy? takes the well-known biblical phrase, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light," from Matthew 11:30 and breaks down the word "easy". Lincoln H. Blumell draws on his knowledge of ancient scripture to interpret the translation of the original "chrēstos". To understand chrēstos is to better understand this phrase, and therefore better understand Christ.

Published in BYU Studies 65 no. 1 in 2026.

Read the full article here.

Mik Johnson plays on the word and metaphor of mothership as she brings a child into the world.

Published in BYU Studies 65 no. 1 in 2026.

Read the full article here.