Dean's Office

Message from the Dean

Years ago, President J. Reuben Clark, a member of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, delivered an address entitled "The Charted Course of the Church in Education." Therein he spoke of the "two prime things which may not be overlooked, forgotten, shaded, or discarded" by any member of the Church. They are, "First: That Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh, the Creator of the world, the Lamb of God, the Sacrifice for the sins of the world, the Atoner for Adam's transgression; that He was crucified; that His spirit left His body....that He was laid away in the tomb; that on the third day His spirit was reunited with His body, which again became a living being; that He was raised from the tomb a resurrected being...and that because of His death and by and through His resurrection every man born into the world since the beginning will be likewise literally resurrected."

The second of the two prime things is "that the Father and Son actually and in truth and very deed appeared to the Prophet Joseph [Smith] in a vision in the woods; that other heavenly visions followed to Joseph and to others; that the Gospel and the holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God were in truth and fact restored to the earth from which they were lost by the apostasy of the Primitive Church; that the Lord again set up His Church, through the agency of Joseph Smith; that the Book of Mormon is just what it professes to be."

These "two prime things" are the very foundation of all we do and teach in Religious Education at Brigham Young University. And because Religious Education is at the heart of what Brigham Young University is and does, the two prime things are foundational to the existence of BYU. As President Clark ultimately said, "There is neither reason nor is there excuse for our Church religious teaching and training facilities and institutions, unless the youth [and Church members] are to be taught and trained in the principles of the Gospel, embracing therein the two great elements that Jesus is the Christ and that Joseph was God's prophet."

It is our sincere hope that the experiences and association students have with Religious Education, however great or small, will ultimately strengthen their conviction of these two prime things.

Terry B. Ball

Terry B. Ball
Title: Dean of Religious Education
Office: 370A JSB
Phone: 801-422-2736
Email: Send Message

Dr. Terry B. Ball is a Professor of Ancient Scripture and the Dean of Religious Education at BYU. Prior to teaching at BYU he worked twelve years as a Seminary and Institute teacher. He received his B.S. from BYU in Botany and Education. He received an M.A. from BYU in Ancient Near Eastern Studies, and a Ph.D. from BYU in Archaeobotany with an emphasis in the Ancient Near East. He has taught and traveled extensively in the Holy Land, including teaching at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies.

Brother Ball's recent Ancient Scripture research has focused primarily on the prophet Isaiah. For the past ten years he has researched, lectured, and written extensively about this prophet. In addition to teaching and researching in ancient scripture, Brother Ball is an active researcher in the field of Archaeobotany. He is married to the former DeAnna Hill. They have six children.

Kent P. Jackson
Title: Associate Dean of Religious Education
Office: 370B JSB
Phone: 801-422-3290
Email: Send Message

Kent P. Jackson is a professor of ancient scripture at BYU, where he has been on the faculty since 1980. He has a B.A. in ancient history and languages from BYU and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Old Testament and ancient Near Eastern studies from the University of Michigan. Among other courses, he teaches the Pearl of Great Price, the Old and New Testaments, and an introduction to Islam.

Brother Jackson's research interests include Latter-day Saint scripture, doctrine, and history, as well as biblical and ancient Near Eastern topics. His recent books include Joseph Smith's Commentary on the Bible, The Restored Gospel and the Book of Genesis, Joseph Smith's New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts, and Lost Tribes and Last Days: What Modern Revelation Tells Us about the Old Testament.

Brother Jackson and his wife, Nancy, have five children and nine grandchildren.

Portfolio: Administrative responsibilities include the Religious Studies Center, Religious Education graduate program, research and publication, and the Faculty Support Center.

Dennis A. Wright
Title: Associate Dean of Religious Education
Office: 370C JSB
Phone: (801) 422-6981
Email:Send Message

Brother Wright has served as the Associate Dean of Religious Education since February 2006. He received his B.S. From the University of Idaho and M.Ed. from Brigham Young University, both in special education. He also earned a Ph.D. from Arizona State University in clinical education. Prior to his employment at BYU, Brother Wright served as a teacher and administrator in the Church Educational System. As a young man, Brother Wright served a Mission in Great Britain. He has served as a bishop and stake president, and is currently serving in a branch presidency at the Provo Mission Training Center. Brother Wright and his wife Kaye are the parents of five children and grandparents of nine. As a professor of Church history and doctrine, Brother Wright's current academic interests relate to the Saints at War project, scripture literacy, LDS children's literature, and early educational practices of the LDS Church.

Portfolio: General Duties and Responsibilities: Professor Wright serves on the Religious Education Administrative Council and chairs the College Curriculum and Instruction Council. He is also responsible for matters related to instructional technology and student relations.

Joseph Smith Building Provo, Utah 84602 801.422.2735 Send Message