Outmigration and the Mormon Quest for Education

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On Thursday and Friday of last week, The UVU religious studies department hosted the tenth annual Mormon Studies Conference entitled “Outmigration and the Mormon Quest for Education.”

Speakers at the conference talked about the relationships members of the church have in the national and worldwide community. The conference looked at the way members of the LDS church have participated in prestigious institutes of education, leading many individuals to high positions of political influence.

In one session, D. Michael Quinn spoke about a significant leader in the 1930’s by the name of J. Ruben Clark. Quinn shared insights from Clark’s life saying, “Intellectual thirst drove Ruben.” Quinn further pointed out that this intellectual thirst, “shaped him as much as his religion did.” Along with Quinn, members and former members of the LDS church, including UVU’s President Mathew Holland, were invited to contribute to the conference.

In efforts to encourage UVU students to engage in the global community, the Humanities department offers a wide variety of courses in Mormon studies as well as other theologically-based classes. The classes range from studies in Western and Eastern religions, to Jewish and Indigenous religions. Students at UVU can also receive a Minor in Religious Studies.