From 1991 through 2000, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints experienced a greater volume of national periodical attention than ever before in its history. This thesis surveys what was written about the Church in national magazines during that time and provides analysis of the effect of those writings on the Church's public image. National periodicals may serve as an important gauge of the Church's public image because they address topics of national interest and also help to formulate public opinion on those topics. This study thus provides a basis for determining how the Church fared in terms of public perception by indicating which Latter-day Saint topics received the greatest attention. It also shows how magazine coverage of these topics may have reflected favorably or unfavorably on the Church. This thesis is preceded by four similar studies. Richard O. Cowan completed a doctoral dissertation using national periodicals to analyze the Church's image from 1850 through 1961. Thereafter, Dale P. Pelo, Adam H. Nielson and Matthew E. Morrison respectively completed theses covering the three decades from 1961 to 1990. This thesis is a continuation of those studies, and implements the same research methodology.

Latter-day Saints are recognized throughout the world by their peculiar dietary code known as the Word of Wisdom. It is accepted by the Church as revelation and contains both proscriptions and prescriptions. Different levels of interpretation, understanding and observance of the principles in the Word of Wisdom make it a unique Latter-day Saint religious health code. The study population consists of college-aged male and female members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Brigham Young University and a Latter-day Saint student stake affiliated with Utah Valley University. A questionnaire was conceptualized, designed and validated over a one year rigorous process. The responses of 720 participants were evaluated using frequency distributions and measures of central tendency. The t statistic was used for testing the null hypothesis of equality of means between independent groups and computed using approximate degrees of freedom from Satterhwaite's approximation when the variances between the two groups are unequal. Logistic regression was used with the stepwise option to identify demographic variables associated with selected interpretation variables. Two-sided tests of significance were based on the 0.05 level against a null hypothesis of no association. Participants generally interpret and comply with the proscriptions in the Word of Wisdom. Participants can identify the prescriptions, but actual behaviors are far below scientific and government recommended minimums. The interpretations and behaviors of this sample provide valuable insights for those interested in the Word of Wisdom and its connection to the standards of the Church.

This is a study of an institution. Institutions are established to meet basic human needs, some of which are shelter, association, protection, and self-expression. They formulate vi.thin the group patterns of behavior which are intended to guide and develop habits of conformity in the individual. An institution is made up of traditions, habits and attitudes, leaders and members, symbols, regulations, and property.(19,p.8)

Many students appear to be disinterested and unengaged in traditional classroom settings. Numerous educational theorists suggest that students need current technology and communication in order to get students more involved in classroom discussion. This study examined a group of Latter-day Saint (LDS) students who were not involved vocally in the classroom (communication apprehensive), yet were highly involved in peer-to-peer communication via technology outside of the classroom. Issues of power are critically examined utilizing LDS and Freirean lenses of student voice, democracy, and empowerment. These issues are consistent with the LDS Church Educational System’s efforts to help students to explain, share, and testify of gospel truths. Student surveys concerning the use of technology and communication were instrumental in selecting a purposeful sample of five students for further study. These students, ranging from grades ninth to twelfth, were interviewed regarding their perceptions of the potential of educational technology implementation in LDS seminary classrooms in an effort to engage the communication apprehensive students. The data derived from this multiple case study design were analyzed using constructed grounded theory. Several key findings emerged through the analysis. The participants felt that some form of communicative technology could be empowering and advantageous to apprehensive students. However, the technological tool selected should be innovative and independent of currently existent resources. The participants also noted that some degree of communication apprehension still exists when using communicative technology. Ultimately, it is people who empower and give voice to the apprehensive student, not technological mediums alone.

Mosiah 18:2 lists the ascension of Jesus Christ as one of the atoning acts that brings about redemption. Although many faith traditions have developed a theology about the significance of the ascension, the topic has not been covered at length within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This thesis explores the ascension of Jesus Christ and its implications for humanity from the perspective of Latter-day Saint beliefs.The ascension of Jesus Christ can be considered the culmination, even the capstone of His atonement. There are sufficient sources within Latter-day Saint canon and the teachings of general authorities to support a theology of redemption through ascension and to expound on the implications of this final salvific act for humanity. This thesis serves as a prolegomenon for further insightful study and discussion.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are a minoritized and marginalized population in the United States and on most college and university campuses (Rockenbach, Bowman, et al., 2017). Recent studies highlight the negative characteristics of campus environments that affect Latter-day Saint undergraduate students' experiences. Furthermore, non-Latter-day Saint college students know little about Latter-day Saint beliefs and do not dedicate time to learn about them during college (Rockenbach et al., 2020). This qualitative study aimed to explore the question: How might interfaith engagement take shape for Latter-day Saint undergraduate students in the context of the interfaith learning environment? I used a post-intentional phenomenological research approach (Vagle, 2018) to investigate the research question and guide my study. The findings revealed that students' Latter-day Saint identity and the context of their experiences shaped their interfaith engagement. Additionally, both intrafaith and interfaith engagement influenced students' interfaith learning and development while in college. This study has implications for university administrators, faculty, and staff, Latter-day Saint Institute Directors, and Latter-day Saint students. The findings also have implications for future research on interfaith engagement, interfaith learning and development, and experiences of Latter-day Saint undergraduate students. / Doctor of Philosophy / Students who belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are not as accepted in the United States or on college campuses. However, they also hold privileges other religious groups do not, including Christian privilege and the ability to choose when and with whom they tell about their religion. This study aimed to explore Latter-day Saint undergraduate students' interfaith engagement. Interfaith engagement means having intentional experiences where people from different religions interact. As a result, educators can create places for students with different religious beliefs to engage in meaningful ways. In this study, I examined how Latter-day Saint students' faith identity shaped their interactions with others and how interfaith engagement influenced their faith identities. This research shows that faith identity and environment affect Latter-day Saint students' interaction with other faith traditions. Moreover, the extent of their engagement within and outside of their religion helps shape their interfaith learning and development in college. This study is important because it helps us learn more about what Latter-day Saint students experience within an interfaith learning environment. In addition, this study is the first of its kind, filling an essential gap in the literature about the interfaith learning and development of Latter-day Saint college students.

This study investigates the development of, and relationships between, religiosity, spirituality, moral thinking and social attitudes among religious adolescents participating in an early morning weekday religious education program in Australia. Students participating in the Early Morning Seminary program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints form the population of interest for this study. These students demonstrate high levels of religious practice, making them an important group to research when seeking greater understanding of the outcomes of religious and spiritual developmental arising from such programs and when investigating how religiosity relates to moral and attitudinal aspects in the lives of religious youth. The research is survey based and entails the administering of four waves over a two-year period, enabling longitudinal observations to be examined. A sample of convenience is used consisting of Seminary students from South Australia and Victoria. Various survey instruments are used to measure characteristics such as family background, educational background, student religious activity, Seminary program involvement, relationships with God, moral decision making and social attitudes. Data analysis includes the use of Rasch scaling procedures, path analysis and Hierarchical Linear Modelling software in order to investigate multilevel effects on change in key dimensions over time. The fact that specific research regarding highly religious youth in Australia is not common and that research regarding Latter-day Saint youth in Australia is almost non-existent makes this study an important and seminal contribution in the Australian religious research field. This study provides several other important contributions to the field as it explores developmental outcomes of a specific religious education program across a range of religious and psychosocial dimensions. The oft-reported strong influence of the family on the religiosity of teenagers is reflected in the findings of this study. There is also evidence to indicate that private religious activity is especially important for the level of spirituality among students. The findings indicate that spirituality, rather than public or private religious practice, influences moral reasoning. Furthermore, private religious practice tends to have more positive influence than spirituality on social attitudes. Participation in the Seminary program appears to influence religiosity and spirituality significantly and independently of other variables included in the study, although the influence of participation is mediated by the feelings of students concerning the program. Generally, students show a decline in both participation levels and feelings towards the Seminary program over time. However, there is evidence of increased positive attitude toward a religious lifestyle, religious belief and awareness of God’s influence in life. Religious practice appears to influence change in several practical, attitudinal and spiritual dimensions positively. The findings indicate that the developmental role of Seminary participation is largely through the influence of the class environment. From this study it appears that religious participation in both public and private forms can have a major influence on key dimensions of spirituality and that religious and spiritual characteristics can have some influence on moral decision making and the forming of social attitudes. Participation in a religious education program, such as the Latter-day Saint Seminary program, can influence these dimensions especially if there is a positive attitude towards the program on the part of students and the class the environment is appropriate. In recent decades, the role of religion in psychological and social reality has seen greater attention and acceptance in academic circles. Accordingly, the body of academic research regarding religion and associated fields has increased and diversified opening the way for further exploration of the role of religion in the broader context of human life as is found in this study.

Particularities of nursing care for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints This work deals with the issue of multicultural care because this topic is very relevant at present. It is probable for the staff of health-care facilities to meet members of minorities more and more frequently. To provide high-quality nursing care, the needs must be known and the cultural and the religious differences of members of other minorities must be respected. The nurse provides nursing care adapted to specific needs of minority members on the base of the ascertained data. This work is focused on the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are called "Mormons". The goal of the work was to find out the particularities of provision of nursing care to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Further to map the approach to health and the particularities of life style of the members of that Church. Interviews with the Church members were made in order to give a thorough picture of the relevant issue. The second part of the research investigation was focused on nurses. We ascertained whether the nurses knew the issue of multicultural nursing and whether they knew the particularities of provision of care to the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In order to obtain a base for solution of the above stated tasks, a questionnaire was elaborated. 94 respondents took part in the questionnaire inquiry. The research showed lack of the nurses{\crq} knowledge on the given issue. That results in the finding that it would be suitable to deepen the nurses' interest in the relevant issue. Special nursing care will be culturally adequate and better acceptable for the Church members. The nurses{\crq} training will lead to increasing quality of nursing care. The goal of this work was to unify the information on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The research showed that the Church members were satisfied with the care provided. In spite of that, more interest and respect to their religion by health care workers would be appropriate.

The call of Church leaders to "raise the bar" placed direct attention on the preparation of future missionaries. Also, the new Preach My Gospel missionary guide emphasized effective personal scripture study in order for missionaries to fulfill their purposes of teaching by the Spirit and inviting others to come unto Christ. Thus, "raising the bar" and Preach My Gospel together created an important focus on the personal scripture study of prospective missionaries. However, available social research offered little indication of the state of scripture study among future missionaries. Consequently, this study maintained an exploratory design and utilized qualitative research methods to discover the nature of personal scripture study among prospective missionaries. The aim of this study was to find descriptive data that would be useful to parents, trainers, leaders, and future researchers in helping prospective missionaries to improve their personal scripture study. From February to April 2006, six respondents participated in repeated interviews and eleven others informed two focus groups. This study reported results and conclusions with rich description—involving ample use of evidence and quotations from the narrative data. Findings of this study include the following: They all knew scripture study was the right thing to do. None of them studied well while in high school. They all had improved their scripture study during the year prior to their mission. Their upcoming missions served as a prime motive for wanting to improve their scripture study. They all had experienced blessings from scripture study. Reading the scriptures out of obligation or for an extrinsic reward is less-effective scripture study. Particular methods and factors produced meaningful results. Primarily, this research found that personal agency, a structured routine, and knowledge of why and how to study the scriptures were vital to effective scripture study.

Since the beginning of Christianity, the debates over the nature of God have been frequent and ardent. Augustine, John Calvin, and John Wesley, with others, supplemented the generally accepted view of the Godhead as established at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. Correctly understanding the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost is one of the most critical aspects of religious worship. The Savior said, "And this is life eternal, that they may come to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3). Joseph Smith, the first Latter-day Saint Prophet, taught a correct understanding of God was required for any man or woman to receive eternal life. The Latter-day Saint teachings regarding the Godhead were fitted into place one piece at a time. Those that followed Joseph Smith, over time, added to the doctrinal foundation that he established from 1820 to 1844. Elder James E. Talmage added to the foundation left by previous Church leaders. The leaders of the Church utilized James Talmage's abilities, specifically as a writer, to explain and clarify important principles of the gospel. The efforts of Elder Talmage resulted in three monumental works. First, his book Articles of Faith was published and publicly endorsed by President Lorenzo Snow, the fourth President of the Church. Next, Jesus the Christ was published by the Church and endorsed by Lorenzo Snow's successor, President Joseph F. Smith. Finally, at the request of President Joseph F. Smith, Elder Talmage authored "The Father and The Son: A Doctrinal Exposition by The First Presidency and The Twelve" in 1916. The official declaration is still referred to by Church leaders when they comment on the relationship between Jehovah and Elohim. The document answered questions regarding the Book of Mormon's use of "Father" when referring to Jesus Christ. Generally, members of the Church today understand these teachings. Nearly a century passed before Church leaders taught them in their entirety and they could be compiled into one declaration. Elder Talmage's efforts, as directed and overseen by the First Presidency, assisted in clarifying his predecessors' teachings on the Godhead.