Educating for Eternity: Higher Education and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Abstract

The role and place of religion in institutions of higher education in America have largely disappeared except for institutions sponsored by religious organizations. Even here, questions are raised as to whether these religiously oriented colleges and universities can retain their religious identity in an increasingly secular society that is often hostile towards religion. The marginalization and even dismissal of religious worldviews in the public square make the survival of religious institutions of higher education even more critical in our efforts to educate the whole person. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints embraces the belief of a dualistic human nature. A holistic approach to education includes the spiritual with the secular, teaching and learning by faith and by reason. The Church sponsors four institutions of higher education: Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University”Hawaii, Brigham Young University”Idaho, and LDS Business College. The challenge for these four institutions of higher education with religious mission is how to integrate faith and knowledge, the sacred with the secular.