• Basic understanding of the scripture, doctrine, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Analyze and interpret Church scripture, doctrine, and history
• Use Church scripture, doctrine, and history in problem-solving and life application tasks
• Deepened discipleship and conversion

Course Objective

Considering the learning outcomes listed above, will use the scriptures and the teachings of latter-day prophets to: (1) increase our knowledge of God, the Father, his son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost; (2) increase our knowledge of the basic principles and doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ, giving special emphasis to the centrality of the Atonement of Jesus Christ; (3) increase our ability to find answers to life's questions and trials in the word of the Lord; (4) increase our knowledge of the principles necessary to magnify present or future callings in carrying out the threefold mission of the Church.

Teaching Philosophy

When I look at my students I see not only who they are today but also who they may--and in most cases very likely will--become in the future. I envision parents, grandparents, missionaries, leaders in communities, governments, and in the Church.

Whatever the central subject-matter of my classes, I always focus on the ways to apply the doctrines and principles contained in the scriptures to achieve two goals:

• Provide immediate answers to issues relevant to my students' present experience--e.g. relationship with roommates, full-time missions, temple ordinances, dating, and marriage.
• Give my students a sample of gospel-based answers to the main problems they are likely to be asked in the present and in the near future by investigators, fellow Church members, and neighbors--problems such as: financial difficulties, different forms of addiction, domestic problems, divorce, and different manifestations of spiritual apathy.

I do not lecture--in the traditional sense of the word--very often. Instead, most of my classes are typically dialogue-driven; more like a group conversation, or like a Q&A (question-and-answer) session.

Therefore, it is essential that you read and think about the assigned materials before coming to class, so you will have good questions to ask me, or insights and experiences related to the readings to share with the class.  Our discussions should focus on ways to apply the information in the lessons to analyze real-life situations or issues and propose solutions (currently feasible or not) to them.

Speaking of questions, we often hear the old cliché "That question is not important to our salvation", with which I agree when applied to regular Church meetings. But in a university class, questions are important to our education. Therefore, if you want to learn something gospel-related that will be important--either to your salvation or to your education--I'll teach you, always based on official doctrine or church policy, and also on my own research.

In my opinion, at the end of the day the relevant factors are:

• 1) Was the discussion academically stimulating at a college level?
• 2) Were my explanations accurate, intelligent, and defensible from a doctrinal standpoint?
• 3) Did those explanations bring you to a higher level of understanding of the doctrines of the restored gospel, and inspire you to study and learn more?
• And above all: (4) Did you eventually feel by the power of the Holy Ghost that what you learned is true? (This last factor is outside of a teacher's control, and in some cases it may take some time to happen).

This way we may accomplish the Apostle Peter's counsel that we "... be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15)

• The Doctrine & Covenants - We will also use other scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon
   
• Supplemental Readings for Doctrine & Covenants 324 Available online (click on the hyperlinks on the Course Schedule page)
 
• Electronic device (laptop computer, tablet, or mobile phone) with Internet access

• Handout: A Few Ideas for Outstanding Academic Papers  (mandatory reading)
   
• Accessory: Online Dictionary 
(highly recommended for consultation--at least once a week)

• Student Manual for the Doctrine & Covenants (2017 edition)
  The manual is available online in both HTML and PDF formats at the Seminary & Institute website
  
  You may download the entire manual to your own electronic device.

 




• You and your brain, equipped with "a sound understanding" (Alma 17:2)

I like to use BYU-H's Honor Code to our advantage. This Honor Code is based on mutual trust. That implies a commitment to be "... honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous ..." (The 13^th Article of Faith). In practice, that requires us to give credit to others' ideas, to speak the truth and accept full responsibility for our actions--or for the lack of them. That commitment also requires us to respect and to develop love for each other as children of the Most High and heirs of eternal kingdoms, independent of our differences in ideas, beliefs, gender, race, or national origin.

As a consequence of the commitment to accept full responsibility for our actions, there will be no make-up exams, and no assignments for extra credit. The exercises (or exams, if you prefer) will not be given on dates different than the ones mentioned here, except in cases of extenuating circumstances.

Extenuating circumstances do not include the following: forgetfulness, early travel arrangements, homesickness, your best friend's wedding, a mid-semester family vacation, the death of your family's dog, a great surfing day, the discovery of your eternal companion, assignments for other classes, pizza parties, and other similarly unholy and impure excuses.

Cases of conflicting final exam schedules, serious infirmities, or other truly extenuating circumstances, should be reported immediately and not postponed until the day before an exam. If you are planning to get married within the next 2 months, please, schedule your ceremony for a non-conflicting date. (This request does not apply to births, of course ...)

Classroom Etiquette

I believe that the university's dress and grooming standards reflect the standard that any educated and civil person should adopt anywhere in the world.  As a professor as well as a Church high priest I adhere to that standard and expect all my students to do the same.

Since our classes are held in a sacred building, we must display the proper reverence and demeanor suitable to a house of worship. I ask you to refrain from wearing hats, beachwear, and from enjoying foods and drinks in the classroom.  Falling asleep--occasionally--is forgivable, but chatting during lectures is not.

To avoid distractions to you and others, while in class, please turn off cell phone ringers--and do not take calls or messages while in class.  If you are expecting an emergency call, it might be better for you to miss class and take care of the emergency.  Just be sure to send me an e-mail explaining the nature of that emergency.  By the way, talking to an old friend, or to your sweetheart in Bangkok, Beijing, or Boston does not constitute an "emergency"--unless he/she is about to undergo brain surgery.

Laptops and Cell Phones in Class

For those among you who are "techno buffs": you are welcome to download the readings to your laptop or access them online in class.

Feel free to share online your ideas, opinions, questions, or short accounts of non-confidential experiences in response to any of the assigned readings or to an idea shared during classroom discussion.  In fact, you are welcome to include your Facebook friends in our discussions--but your interactions must be about the topics being discussed in class, not unrelated matters.  I count on you to honor this requirement!

You are welcome to share with the class the comments and questions your online friends may send you.  All such communications must be intelligent, respectful of others, and real contributions to our education.

Other than the interaction described above, be sure that during class you will use your computer or cell phone to explore that day's reading assignment, not for mindless social networking, e-mail, games, or work for other classes.

Those who use their cellular phones to browse the web are welcome to access the readings in class that way, but the ringer must be silent during class. No phone calls or text messaging are allowed!  Any exceptions to this must be due to a (real) emergency and cleared with me before each class.

I will not constantly monitor what you do with your electronic devices in class, but if I catch you indulging in stuff unrelated to class, well ... "Houston, we'll have a problem ..."

Disabilities & Special Circumstances

If you have a diagnosed disability or believe that you have a disability that may require reasonable accommodation, let me know right at the beginning of the semester.

My role and function as a teacher are to assist you in achieving spiritually enriching, rewarding, and intellectually stimulating experiences in and out of the classroom. Your concerns and suggestions--whenever you have them--will always be appreciated.

For more information, go to https://disability.byuh.edu/

Class participation will be judged on both the amount and the quality of your questions, comments and contributions to the progress of your peers. The breakdown for those 100 precious points is the following: 

• Attendance     up to 50 points

A lot of money and resources are spent in your maintenance in college. So, the least one can do is to attend classes and try to gain the most from them. Occasionally, circumstances may lead you to miss one class period.  Absences due to illness (with a doctor's note), job interview, field trip in another class, or due to university performance groups, will be waived, but you need to inform me immediately.  In all other cases there will be a penalty of minus 15 points for each absence.

If you need to leave class early, please let me know at the beginning of class.  But if you leave class less than 25 minutes after the roll call, or if you sneak out, you will be considered absent on that day, and will lose 15 points.  Arriving in class more than 15 minutes late--without a reasonable explanation--will also be considered an absence.
 

• Comments in Class      up to 50 points

Our objective with this exercise is to learn from insights shared in class as we study the doctrines of gospel of Jesus Christ and apply them to our lives.

These "comments" may take the form of ideas, opinions, questions, or short accounts of experiences, and they can be made in class or electronically via e-mail to me.

Our class periods should be seen as opportunities for mutual enlightenment. I encourage and expect many exchanges of ideas and gospel-based life experiences.

If you consider yourself shy, I recommend that you put your shyness in a box and mail it to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean (the Pacific isn't far enough). While in college, take advantage of the resources available to you and "re-engineer" yourself, thus becoming an active participant in a society. Semester-long silence will be rewarded with 0 (zero) points.

Frequent "parallel conversations" (i.e. chatting with classmates often about matters unrelated to the class) may be penalized with a 5-point discount.

What If English Is Not Your Native Language?

No problem.  You are welcome to pray in class in your own language ... provided that there is someone available to translate your words into English--for the benefit of all those present.  Take a look at the Apostle Paul's words on the subject:

"For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.  ... [When] thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room ... say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?"  (1 Corinthians 14:14, 16)

What If You Belong to Another Faith?

No problem at all.  I am a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I respect whatever religious background you come from.

I will never be my intention to offend you or hurt your feelings.  I will teach you according to my beliefs in the hope that if you do not accept the restored gospel, at least you will understand the core beliefs of the Latter-day Saints, and help dispel many of the myths and misconceptions about those beliefs.  We still would like you to be a good friend of the Church.

Official Communications

Class announcements will be made via e-mail.  You are responsible to check your BYU-Hawaii e-mail "inbox" regularly.  E-mail messages sent to BYU Hawaii e-mail addresses are considered official notification of course policies and procedures.