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BYU Studies BYU Studies publishes scholarship informed by the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Contributions from all disciplines.

BYU Studies publishes scholarship that is informed by the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Submissions are invited from all scholars who seek truth “by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118), discern the harmony between revelation and research, value both academic and spiritual inquiry, and recognize that knowledge without charity is nothing (1 Cor. 13:2). BYU Studies Quarterly features learned per

spectives relevant to Latter-day Saints. We also publish personal essays, short studies, poetry, art, and significant historical documents. Comments are moderated and will remain posted if they are on topic, use clean language, and show respect for others. Please note that comments that are profane, crude, insensitive, off topic, or contain personal attacks will be removed. BYU Studies also reserves the right to remove comments that contain commercial solicitations.

On March 7 (151 TNRB, BYU Campus), Dr. Barry Bickmore will be giving the annual Quey Hebrew lecture put on by the BYU De...
03/01/2025

On March 7 (151 TNRB, BYU Campus), Dr. Barry Bickmore will be giving the annual Quey Hebrew lecture put on by the BYU Department of Geological Sciences. The topic will be “Science as Storytelling: Teaching the Nature of Science and the Science-Religion Interface.” If you can’t come in person, it will be live-streamed on YouTube!

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with allthey mind… Thou shalt love thy ...
02/25/2025

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all
they mind… Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments
hang all the law and the prophets." (Matt. 22:37–40). Love is the substance of God’s
law.
God has never commanded us to contort ourselves into someone He could finally
love. God has commanded us to love Him, ourselves, and our neighbors.
When we misinterpret God’s command to love as a command to be loveable, we
misuse a great gift from Him. If we understand God’s law as a telescope, it is
intended to magnify and reveal love to us. When we adopt a perfectionist lens, we
look through the wrong end of the tool. In this, God’s love appears tiny and out of
reach.
“Perfectionism is a bitter and frustrating project. Perfectionism withholds love and
disobeys the command to love. In this way, perfectionism is a crippling form of
disobedience and an arrogant dismissal of God’s law. Perfectionism is a sour form of
moral relativism that undercuts God’s law by rendering love relative to some
imagined scale of merits. God is perfect. God is not a perfectionist.”
When we learn to judge ourselves and others righteously, understanding that we
are commanded to love all, we live as God has intended and commanded.

From Love is a Law, Not a Reward by Adam S. Miller. Read the full article on our website!

The gospel of Jesus Christ offers tools for healing from unhealthy perfectionism in three doctrinal principles:a. We don...
02/17/2025

The gospel of Jesus Christ offers tools for healing from unhealthy perfectionism in three doctrinal principles:
a. We don’t perfect ourselves
b. We become perfected in Christ
c. Perfection only comes in and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ after the
Resurrection

We don’t perfect ourselves:
Though we may feel that God expects us to “be ye therefore perfect” (Matt 5:48), it is
unreasonable and futile to attempt to achieve this on our own. God reminds us that
“by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph 2:8–9).

We become perfected in Christ:
Perfection is a worthy goal to strive for and it is possible, but not by our own merit.
By His power, we may obtain. We are invited “yea, come unto Christ, and be
perfected in him” (Mor 10:32).

Perfection only comes in and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ after the
Resurrection:
In November, 1995, then Elder Russell M. Nelson taught that the word ‘perfect’ was
derived from the Greek words teleios and its derivative telos, meaning ‘complete’
and ‘end’, respectively. Therefore “the word [perfect] does not imply ‘freedom from
error’; it implies ‘achieving a distant objective.’” Perfection can only be attained
when we have completed our mortal assignment and been received into the
presence of the Lord.

Read the full article on our website.


Toxic perfectionism is frequently mistaken for simply having high standards; However, it is more accurately characterize...
02/10/2025

Toxic perfectionism is frequently mistaken for simply having high standards; However, it is more accurately characterized by feelings of worthlessness when standards are not achieved.

Because religion encourages individuals to strive to live by high standards, there is a common misconception that religious beliefs cause toxic perfectionism. However, religion is actually associated with lower levels of toxic perfectionism and higher levels of healthy perfectionism.

Still, there are some approaches to religion, such as legalism, that increase toxic perfectionism in believers. Legalism is believing “that God’s love, his help, and his influence cannot be experienced unless they are earned.” This can lead to the development of an insecure attachment with God, which results in toxic
perfectionism.

Thus, while religion itself often promotes healthy perfectionism, which leads to
greater accomplishment and development, some approaches to religion can be
damaging, leading to toxic perfectionism.

To learn more, read Religion and Perfectionism by Michael A. Goodman on our website!

Though seeking to be perfect seems motivating, our study found a significant link from adolescent toxic perfectionism to...
02/03/2025

Though seeking to be perfect seems motivating, our study found a significant link from adolescent toxic perfectionism to depression and even suicidal thoughts.

Discrepancy perfectionism, the focus on the gap between actual and ideal self, was a strong predictor for younger children (12-14), with each increase in discrepancy raising the odds of considering su***de by up to 86%.

As individuals get older, socially prescribed perfectionism becomes more common and impactful. “Fitting in” and “being cool”, gain new traction and importance, along with higher rates of depression and lower self-esteem.

Across mental health measures, all types of perfectionism have been found to strongly correlate with low self-worth, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Recognition of the impact of perfectionism, whether self or societally imposed, is the first crucial step in combatting it.

A compassionate approach to teaching adolescents that no one is expected to be perfect could help reduce the mental health impact of perfectionism. Leaders and parents can foster a healthy perspective, emphasizing progress and love over flawlessness.

As Brigham Young taught “whether [we] can do little, or much, if [we] do the very best [we] know how, [we] are perfect.” Letting go of the misconceived notion of “earning” salvation brings peace to those struggling with perfectionism.

From “Perfectionism’s Influence on Adolescent Mental Health” by Dr. Mark Ogletree

Experiences in family life, beginning early, can have an influence on the development of toxic perfectionism. Parents of...
01/28/2025

Experiences in family life, beginning early, can have an influence on the development of toxic perfectionism. Parents often impact the development of perfectionism in their children via modeling perfectionism or psychological control.
Parents can influence the development of toxic perfectionism by modeling it themselves. When parents are overly critical or unaccepting of themselves for not meeting a certain high standard, children are susceptible to imitating these behaviors and internalizing them.
Parents can also enable the development of toxic perfectionism through psychological control, which involves shaming or withdrawing love from children to pressure them to meet the parents’ standards.
To battle these tendencies in parenting and protect children from developing toxic perfectionism, parents can create predictability and structure in their family’s lives and a sense of closeness between family members through supporting and caring about what is going on in their lives. Parents should take President Monson’s words to heart: “Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.”
“The promise of a parent’s covenant relationship with God is that we can leave behind the perfectionistic effort to continually prove that we are lovable and that we meet the assumed requirements to be acceptable. We can join God in the work of truly loving our children by doing what is needful and right to enable their growth.”

From “Parental Influence on Adolescent Perfectionism” by Jenet Jacob Erickson, Olivia Forsberg, and McKenna Schmidt

Mental and emotional difficulties like perfectionism often develop over time. One study found that nearly half of all li...
01/20/2025

Mental and emotional difficulties like perfectionism often develop over time. One study
found that nearly half of all lifetime disorders begin at age 14. But why does perfectionism tend
to increase across adolescence?

One reason found may be that teenagers today have access to nearly unlimited options
as they develop their self-identity. With this great advancement however, comes often stifling
pressure on youth who fear making a wrong decision.

The choice overload that now exists in our culture certainly broadens options, but may
intensify perfectionism in our youth. Social media is a prime example of such an effect.

By promoting a distorted image of reality in which everyone else has apparently perfect
lives, social media has become a catalyst for perfectionism development. Unrealistic ideals lead
youth to expect this same picture-perfect existence for themselves, without recognizing how
unnatural such a life would be.

Other factors, such as geographic region, cultural values, and various social identities
can also contribute to the development of perfectionism in youth.

To learn more, read
Perfectionism Across Adolescence by W. Justin Dyer

Despite its prevalence, perfectionism is poorly understood. Healthy perfectionism encourages growth and emotional resili...
01/13/2025

Despite its prevalence, perfectionism is poorly understood. Healthy perfectionism
encourages growth and emotional resilience. However, toxic perfectionism can be extremely
debilitating. Toxic perfectionism can be categorized in three different ways.

Discrepancy, or self-oriented, perfectionists set irrationally high standards for
themselves. When they inevitably do not measure up to these expectations, they fixate on the
discrepancy between where they are and where they want to be.

Other-oriented perfectionism is when an individual expects perfection from those
around them. Other-oriented perfectionists often struggle to build close relationships because
they avoid people who do not meet their unrealistic standards of perfection.

Socially prescribed perfectionists believe that they must be perfect to be acceptable to
others. Individuals who experience socially prescribed perfectionism are overly critical of
themselves and are dependent on validation from others.

Toxic perfectionism is crippling; it stunts growth and cultivates a fear of failure.
However, one of the first steps to combating toxic perfectionism is to understand it. Read
Understanding Perfectionism by G.E. Kawika Allen, Jacelin Clayton, Emma Moore, and Debra
Theobald McClendon to learn more!

Merry Christmas from BYU studies!
12/25/2024

Merry Christmas from BYU studies!

BYU Studies 12 Days of Christmas: Day 1Christ's entry into this world in an inn in Bethlehem was not grand, but Luke’sac...
12/24/2024

BYU Studies 12 Days of Christmas: Day 1
Christ's entry into this world in an inn in Bethlehem was not grand, but Luke’s
account of the nativity makes it clear that Jesus Christ is the Son of the God, or the “Son of the Highest,” come to earth to redeem us from the fall.
Ultimately, it is Christ’s declaration that He is the Son of the Highest that the Jewish
leaders use as an excuse to indict Him. Yet throughout the agony of His Atonement, Christcontinued to refer to God as His Father. His last words spoken before His death- “Father, it is finished, thy will is done”- provide an additional witness of His identity as the Only Begotten Son, the only one who could perform an infinite and eternal sacrifice.
From Jesus’ Atonement Foretold through His Birth by Lynne Hilton Wilson.

BYU Studies 12 Days of Christmas: Day 4The wise men were following this new star in search of the Christ child, who they...
12/21/2024

BYU Studies 12 Days of Christmas: Day 4
The wise men were following this new star in search of the Christ child, who they
respectfully referred to as the King of the Jews. In contrast, as Christ hung on the cross, thissame title was used scornfully by the Roman soldiers (Matthew 27:37).
Thus, Matthew’s accounts of Christ’s birth and death both use this title to witness
of Jesus Christ’s divine identity as a king.
From Jesus’ Atonement Foretold through His Birth by Lynne Hilton Wilson.

Luke 2:8-118.And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night...
12/19/2024

Luke 2:8-11
8.And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flocks by night.
9. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round
about them: and they were sore afraid.
10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.
11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Like Matthew, Luke records several angelic visitations in his account of Christ’s
birth, but only one outside of the nativity. This occurs as Christ performs His Atonement in
the Garden of Gethsemane, where “there appeared an angel unto him from heaven,
strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as
it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

The angel that appeared to the shepherds in the field is one of the few seen in the
book of Luke. The rarity of angels in Luke’s gospel creates a clear connection between
Christ’s birth and Atonement, and once again makes it clear that angel’s attended Christ’s
birth and death, two critical moments in human history.

From Jesus’ Atonement Foretold through His birth by Lynne Hilton Wilson.

BYU Studies 12 Days of Christmas: Day 7The Greek term translated to “inn” in this verse could also be translated as “gue...
12/18/2024

BYU Studies 12 Days of Christmas: Day 7

The Greek term translated to “inn” in this verse could also be translated as “guestroom.” Because Joseph had family in Bethlehem, this guest room was likely within the home of a relative. However, by the time he and Mary arrived, the room had already been given to other guests.
Though He was the Son of God with a divine purpose that was essential to every
person who had ever or would ever live upon the earth, Christ lived a very humble life. This is seen in Matthew 8:22 when Christ warns the scribe who wishes to follow Him that “the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
Thus, we see that throughout His life, Christ gave little attention to temporal
issues; rather, He devoted His time and attention to accomplishing His Father’s work and fulfilling His own divine mission.
From "What do we know about the inn at Bethlehem?" By S. Kent Brown.

In Matthew’s account of Christ’s birth, Joseph is directed by an angel of the Lord several times. However, outside the n...
12/16/2024

In Matthew’s account of Christ’s birth, Joseph is directed by an angel of the Lord
several times. However, outside the nativity, Matthew does not use the phrase “angel of the
Lord” again until the morning of Christ’s Resurrection.

Thus, at both Christ’s birth and death, “angels are reported as watching, protecting,
and preparing the way for Jesus to fulfill his mission as our Savior and King.”

From Jesus’ Atonement Foretold through His birth by Lynne Hilton Wilson.

BYU Studies 12 days of Christmas: Day 9

BYU Studies 12 Days of Christmas: Day 10In Mary’s encounter with an angel, she demonstrates submissive service to God.Th...
12/16/2024

BYU Studies 12 Days of Christmas: Day 10
In Mary’s encounter with an angel, she demonstrates submissive service to God.
Throughout His life, Christ displayed this same submission. Nowhere was Christ’s
obedience more apparent than in the Garden of Gethsemane when He plead with God
“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42).
Mary’s obedience to God’s will was a reflection of the same obedience that her Son, Jesus Christ, demonstrated through His Atonement. Thus, the account of Christ’s birth
foreshadows an essential aspect of Christ’s Atonement: His perfect submission to the will of His Father.
From "Jesus’ Atonement Foretold through His birth" by Lynne Hilton Wilson.

On Christmas day we celebrate Christ’s birth. However, President Nelson has taught that the reason we celebrate Christ’s...
12/13/2024

On Christmas day we celebrate Christ’s birth. However, President Nelson has
taught that the reason we celebrate Christ’s birth is because of His Atonement.

Ancient scriptures all point back to Christ’s Atonement; the accounts in Matthew
and Luke of Christ’s birth are no exception. In fact, there are several aspects of the nativity
that foretell Christ’s Atonement.

Over the next 12 days, we will highlight some of the connections between the New
Testament accounts of Christ’s birth and His Atonement.

BYU Studies 12 days of Christmas: Day 12

Happy Thanksgiving from BYU Studies 🦃
11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from BYU Studies 🦃

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Visit byustudies.byu.edu/contests/ to add your last minute entry and a chance to win! #poetrycommunity #essaycontest #creativewriting #BYU #latterdaysaints #writersofinstagram

More than a simple baby, the Babe of Bethlehem carries messianic titles, as seen in Isaiah 9:6. Scholars once sought the prophecy's fulfillment in Hezekiah, a righteous king, but details didn't align. Instead, Isaiah's vision finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, hailed as the Wonderful Counselor – embodying awe-inspiring wisdom and the ability to guide and console in all things. Learn more from the article "Titles of the Messiah from Isaiah 9:6" by Eric D. Hunstman, found at the link in our bio!

Presendia Lathrop Huntington Buell was delighted to become a member of the new Relief Society even though she lived too far away from Nauvoo to participate regularly in the meetings. Listen to Kate and Sam discuss the fourth meeting of the Relief Society in Nauvoo in the latest episode of Committed Conversations. https://bit.ly/3vzsiak ... #byustudies #ccks

Our recent book, Artifacts Speak, reports on selected buildings and objects that bring to life important events that took place in the first two decades of the Restoration. https://byustudies.byu.edu/product/artifacts-speak-revisiting-old-stories-about-treasured-latter-day-saint-heirlooms/ ... #byustudies #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #artifactsspeak #churchhistory #churchartifacts #historicplaces #therestoration

In this personal essay, historian Claudia L. Bushman shares the story of her and Richard Bushman's courtship. She is a social and cultural historian of the nineteenth-century United States and has delved deeply into women's history. Listen to the full recording of "Courtship" on popular streaming services, including Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. #byustudies #byustudiespodcast #courtship #claudiabushman #podcasts

Who was the first woman to vote in Utah? What happened to women's suffrage after Utah women voted for the first time 151 years ago? Listen to our latest audio article, "First to Vote: Utah's Unique Place in the Suffrage Movement," on the BYU Studies Podcast to learn more about the journey toward equal voting rights in the United States. BYU Studies on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/byu-studies/id1485283393 ... #byustudies #womenssuffrage #historypodcast #womensrights #suffrage #podcastseries

Podcast ep. 29: Working for a More Divine Model
Podcast ep. 29: Working for a More Divine Model

Today we're happy to share a new episode of the BYU Studies podcast! The full episode is available on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. This episode comes from a special issue of our quarterly journal, Celebrating Women's Suffrage. (Volume 59, number 3) ... #byustudies #byustudiespodcast #womenssuffrage

New Testament Commentary: Epistle to the Hebrews is OUT NOW! Head on over to our website to buy your copy today!

Podcast ep. 28: Burning the Couch: Some Stories of Grace
Podcast ep. 28: Burning the Couch: Some Stories of Grace

Robbie Taggart tells of the couch he and some youthful friends found one day and decided to burn. When the fire got out of control, a fire truck showed up fortuitously, and a firefighter with a large extinguisher put out the flames. “So. What’s going on here?” he then asked. “I, uh,” the young Taggart stammered, “we were just being idiots.” The firefighter smiled broadly and said, “Well, sometimes being an idiot catches up to you.” He then walked away. This is his first example of grace, a concept he brings to life. Check out the full story on our streaming services or using this link: https://buff.ly/3jso50w

The History of the Name of the Savior's Church
The History of the Name of the Savior's Church

Our newest podcast episode, "The History of the Name of the Savior's Church: A Collaborative and Revelatory Process," is available on all our streaming services! Here is a sneak peek into the full episode!

Check out our newest podcast episode “Moramona: the Mormons in Hawai’i, second edition” on any of our streaming services or our YouTube channel! It discusses early Mormon figures in the Hawaiian islands 🌴 🌺 • • #podcastepisode #newpodcastepisode #newepisode #newepisodealert #byustudies #byustudiespodcast #byustudiespodcastepisode

“The Expanded Canon: Perspectives on Mormonism and Sacred Texts” is our newest podcast episode and is live on our streaming services! 🎙 • • #byustudies #byustudiespodcast #byustudiespodcastepisode #podcast #episode #newepisode #newpodcastepisode

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