Faculty of Religious Education Skip to main content

Faculty of Religious Education

"May we learn what we should learn, do what we should do, and be what we should be."
Thomas S. Monson, "To Learn, To Do, To Be," Ensign, November 2008
Jesus next to the well

Welcome to the Faculty of Religious Education

Instruction in the Faculty of Religious Education combines both intellectual and spiritual aspects of testimony and faith, focusing on learning, doing, and becoming. Although there is no minor granted, all students enroll in Religious Education courses as part of their degree program with 8-14 credits, depending on transfer credits.

Following the same curriculum as Institute and other Church Universities, these graded academic courses will be on the transcript and GPA. Through rigorous engagement with this material, including tests, papers, and other assignments, BYU–Hawaii students deepen their knowledge, skills, and discipleship, preparing them for further service.

Mission Statement

Our efforts are part of the University mission to prepare students to be lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ and leaders in their families, communities, chosen fields, and in building the kingdom of God.

We uphold and affirm:

"The purpose of religious education is to teach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ from the scriptures and modern prophets in a way that helps each student

  • Develop faith in and a testimony of
    • Heavenly Father and His “great plan,”
    • The Savior, Jesus Christ, and His infinite atoning sacrifice, and
    • The restored gospel of Jesus Christ, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; the Prophet, Joseph Smith; and the other modern prophets, seers, and revelators.
  • Become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ, who make and keep covenants, who love God and others, and who are able, willing, and committed to gather Israel on both sides of the veil.
  • Strengthen their ability to find answers, resolve doubts, respond with faith, and give reason for the hope within them in whatever challenges they may face"

(Strengthening Religious Education in Institutions of Higher Education, CES, June 12, 2019).

We seek to help them increase their knowledge and understanding of Church scripture, doctrine, and history, develop their skills in analysis, interpretation and application, and deepen their conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Program Learning Outcomes of Religious Education focus on knowing, doing, and becoming:

Know—Basic knowledge and understanding of the scripture, doctrine, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Analyze—Ability to analyze and interpret Church scripture, doctrine and history

Apply—Ability to use Church scripture, doctrine and history in problem-solving and life application tasks

Become—Deepened discipleship and conversion