editor’s note
beginnings and endings JARED W. LUDLOW (jared_ludlow@byu.edu) IS THE PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR OF THE BYU RELIGIOUS STUDIES CENTER.
O
ur lives rotate through endless
scholars of Islam from around the
who because of his thesis project
cycles of beginnings and endings.
world to tackle issues related to Islam
work was able to make an important
A day ends; another begins. A month
in the modern world. It also provided
presentation to military chaplains and
ends; a new one begins. A year comes
the opportunity for Church leaders
leaders on moral injury. Chaplains are
to an end; then we celebrate a new
such as Elder David A. Bednar and
at the forefront in the efforts to assist
year.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong to share the
soldiers who suffer moral injuries due
importance of building interfaith
to traumatic episodes they experi-
Pearl of Great Price, the Lord states
relationships of friendship. Our
ence while deployed that go against
that part of the reason for the creation
graduate chaplaincy program in BYU
their previous moral values. We also
of the sun, moon, and stars was “for
Religious Education keeps growing
highlight the interesting intercultural
signs, and for seasons, and for days,
and getting stronger thanks to the
work done by Kerry Hull and Lincoln
and for years” (Moses 2:14; see also
efforts of its advisers. In one piece,
Blumell, who found ancient Near
Abraham 4:14). What many of these
we feature Matthew Ikenoyama,
Eastern and Mayan texts in Japanese
In the Creation accounts in the
changing cycles offer is an opportunity to reflect and renew. We can take a moment to reflect on that day, that week, or that year and resolve to accomplish better things the next day, week, or year. Part of being on a covenant path is the opportunity to prepare, repair, and renew our commitments to God and Jesus Christ as we strive to be faithful disciples. In this issue we feature the groundbreaking Islam conference held on the BYU campus in the fall. Organized and hosted by Grant Underwood, the Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding, this conference brought together
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BY U R EL IG IOU S EDU C ATIO N R E VIEW
A panel discussion during the “Islamic World Today” conference. Photo © Intellectual Reserve, Inc.