BYU Studies

Roger Terry delves into Royal Skousen's landmark Critical Text Project, emphasizing its scholarly significance in enhancing our comprehension and appreciation of the Book of Mormon.

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Cassidy Nichole Pyper argues compellingly that Alma's teachings intentionally include and elevate women, illuminating a more inclusive perspective of Book of Mormon narratives and their enduring spiritual significance.

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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.

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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.

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1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Righteous Judgment: True judgment is about how to love others, not about who deserves love. Love should be given freely, even to enemies.

5. 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.

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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.

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This article by Mark D. Ogletree was published in BYU Studies 63, no. 4 (2024).

Key points from this article:

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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.

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