Ancient Scripture

Message from the Chair

As an integral part of Brigham Young University and Religious Education, the Department of Ancient Scripture exists to "assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life" by teaching the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. In this context we seek to help students reach the aims of a BYU education through providing instruction and experiences that are spiritually strengthening, intellectually enlarging, character building, and leading to a commitment of lifelong learning and service. The central means utilized by the faculty and staff of the department to help students obtain these goals is teaching and research concerning the doctrines, covenants, ordinances and history found in the scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In addition to assisting students to increase their "faith in God and in the restored gospel," those who successfully complete Ancient Scripture courses will have been instructed concerning the "reason for the hope" (JST 1 Peter 3:15, italics added) that is within them, thus emphasizing the importance of "learning, even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:118).

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Dennis L. Largey Title: Department Chair Department: Ancient Scripture Office: 375A JSB Phone: (801) 422-2102 Email: Send Message

Dennis L. Largey is a professor in the Department of Ancient Scripture at BYU.  He has worked in the Church Educational System for nearly 30 years, first as a seminary teacher, then as a faculty member on both the BYU-Hawaii and BYU-Provo campuses.  He received his Ed.D. degree in Physical Education from Brigham Young University.  Dr. Largey teaches Old and New Testament courses, and has taught at the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies; however, his teaching, research, and publication interests are centered primarily in the Book of Mormon.  The Book of Mormon Reference Companion, an encyclopedia/dictionary of the Book of Mormon, was published in 2003.  Professor Largey was the general editor of this work, as well as one of its contributing authors.  While at BYU, Dr. Largey has been a member of the Faculty Advisory Council, the University Academic Athletic Committee, Associate Chair of the Department of Ancient Scripture, and he is currently surving as the Chair of the Department of Ancient Scripture.  He and his wife Kristene are the parents of four children.

Portfolio: Member of Religious Education's Administrative Council and the Curriculum and Instruction Committee, and assists the Chair of Ancient Scripture in his duties.

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David M. Whitchurch Title: Associate Department Chair Department: Ancient Scripture Office: 303D JSB Phone: (801) 422-2796 Email: Send Message

 

David M. Whitchurch was born and raised in Salt Lake City.  He received his B.S. from Utah State University in Wildlife Sciences.  Shortly after completing his undergraduate studies he began teaching seminary.  During the next several years earned his M.Ed. in Educational Administration and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, both from Brigham Young University.  Since 1998 he has been part of the full-time faculty at BYU in the Department of Ancient Scripture.

 

Dr. Whitchurch and his family moved numerous times during his twenty years with the Church Education System.  He and his family have lived in the Southwest United States, Western Canada, the Middle  East where he taught at BYU's Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern studies, and various places throughout Utah.  He is married to Tina Rigby.  Together they have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and five grandchildren.

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Jeanine Ehat Title: Department Secretary  Department: Ancient Scripture Office: 375 JSB  Phone: (801) 422-2067  Email:  Send Message

Jeanine Ehat serves as the department secretary for Ancient Scripture. She is the executive assistant to the chair and assists department faculty with travel, budgeting, and scheduling issues. She also manages student hiring and maintains KRONOS, serves as the key rep for scheduling and classroom changes, and handles textbook requests. She serves as the office manager and supervises department receptionists. Jeanine earned a bachelor's degree in English from BYU. She is married to Stephen Ehat, and they have five sons and eight grandchildren.

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Joseph Smith Building    Provo, Utah 84602    801.422.2735     Send Message