REL 275 Syllabus- The Teachings and Doctrine of
the Book of Mormon
Note:This course code has changed from FDREL 275 to REL 275. You may occasionally see references to the old course code or title.
Outcomes
1. Students will better understand the Book of Mormon as another witness of Jesus Christ and deepen their love for and testimony of Him.
2. They will increase their ability to study the scriptures in context and will strengthen their gospel scholarship, leading to greater understanding and personal discipleship.
3. They will be prepared to explain and testify of the doctrine, importance, and divine origin of the Book of Mormon.
4. They will deepen their ability to manage ambiguity while still acting in accordance with revealed doctrine.
5. They will learn to recognize that revelation is ongoing and that God, as of now, has not revealed all things.
6. They will learn the art of diligent inquiry - "ask and ye shall receive" while being disciplined to not publicly give reason to revelation when the Lord has not done so (i.e., keep personal insight and revelation personal).
7. They will learn to be source-critical, consulting scripture text and other authoritative sources to find answers to difficult questions.
8. Recognize how each person's premises affect conclusions (even examining our own
Description
Come unto Christ by reading, studying and applying the teachings of the Savior as found in the Book of Mormon. This will require you to:
- Read each assignment, ponder and pray about the teachings.
- Submit assignments on time.
- Participate in the discussions with your heart, mind, and soul. Ask thoughtful questions, share insights and testimonies.
- As the Spirit directs, apply the principles of this course to your life.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Course Architecture
In an online course, regular and sustained attention is critical. Unsuccessful students try to cram learning into short, intensive bursts of study. Plan to spend 6 to 8 hours every week for this course (3 to 4 hours per credit).
Attend to the reading assignments, course activities, and deadlines. Most assignments cannot be made up once the deadline has passed. However, if you feel you have extenuating circumstances that warrant special consideration, let your instructor know early. The earlier you inform your instructor, the more discretion he/she has to work with you. Any accommodations to course material and/or deadlines will be made at the sole discretion of your instructor.
Lesson 01 orients you to the course. You will wrap up the course in Lesson 14 and submit your final assignments.
This course runs using a two-week cycle (or module). For example, some activities start in Lesson 02 but are submitted in Lesson 03; do not procrastinate those activities. Each module has an overarching theme that spans two weeks. If you keep that in mind, you will glean more from this class.
Each week you read scriptural blocks in the Book of Mormon, statements by General Authorities and other officers of the church, and additional, related material to gain a doctrinal understanding of the truths. Place emphasis on studying the material rather than reading it.
In weekly activities, you will be both a learner and a teacher. The activities provide scriptural insights as you share what you are learning with others, respond to their questions, and find ways to incorporate gospel principles into your daily life. Every activity helps you draw closer to Jesus Christ.
Finally, pondering what you learn allows you to see your own growth and improvement.
Even though this course is online, it is not an independent study course. Learning research shows that talking to others strengthens both your learning and teaching capacity. This is the role of a disciple of Jesus Christ. President Spencer W. Kimball reminded us that “God does watch over us and does notice us, but it usually through someone else that he meets our needs.” Let your classmates, family, and friends meet your needs as you study and learn from the scriptures together.
Course Activities
Non-Graded Activities
- Lesson Overview - Reading. Each lesson has an overview page that explains the flow for that week (assignments, due dates, instructions, etc.). Use these pages to know what to do in this course.
- Questions and Conversations - Discussion Board. This board is open all semester and provides space for class questions or concerns. Before posting, read other questions. Teach one another by answering each others' questions. Posting on this discussion board is the most effective and efficient way to get issues resolved. Contact your instructor through email if your question is personal.
Graded Activities
Even Weeks (Lessons 02, 04, 06, 08, 10 and 12)
- Searching for Truth - Reading. Read and study the recommended scripture references throughout the week.
- Inspired Questions - Assignment. Submit questions or discussion ideas about the specific gospel topics. Your instructor will use some of these questions to start small group discussions. You will earn extra credit if your question is chosen. (Due Wednesdays at 11:00 PM Mountain Time)
- Testify - Project. During the even weeks, you begin creating a teaching tool that shares the principles or doctrines you are studying. This is a personal way to share your testimony.
- Doctrinal Review - Quiz. Each week you complete a brief quiz on the scriptures studied. (Due Saturdays at 11:00 PM Mountain Time)
- Weekly Report - Quiz. Each week you report your participation and assess what went well and improvement plans. This allows you to report on the testify project that runs two weeks. (Due Saturdays at 11:00 PM Mountain Time)
Odd Weeks (Lessons 03, 05, 07, 09, 11 and 13)
- Searching for Truth - Reading. Read and study the recommended scripture references throughout the week.
- Rejoicing Together - Small Group Discussion Board. This activity runs the second week of each module. Early in the week, post initial thoughts about the questions. Later in the week, read your classmate's thoughts and respond to two. Add something that deepens everyone's understanding and love of the Book of Mormon. Support your comments with scriptural references or teachings from church leaders. Grading emphasizes sincere, quality posts. Avoid speculation. Discussion groups change every four weeks. (Initial thoughts due Wednesday at 11:00 PM Mountain Time, Responses (2) due Saturday at 11:00 PM Mountain Time)
- Testify - Project. Complete and share your teaching tool with a friend(s), family, or ward members. Ensure that your project includes principles and doctrines from both weeks. (Due Saturday at 11:00 PM Mountain Time)
- Doctrinal Review - Quiz. Each week you complete a brief quiz on the scriptures studied. (Due Saturdays at 11:00 PM Mountain Time)
- Weekly Report - Quiz. Each week you report your participation and assess what went well and improvement plans. This allows you to report on the testify project that runs two weeks. (Due Saturdays at 11:00 PM Mountain Time)
Required Materials
1. Holy Bible
The Book of Mormon Institute Manual is NOT required but is an excellent resource for supplemental reading.
Grading
The general breakdown of course points is as follows:
| Searching for Truth (Accounted for in the Weekly Report) | x14 | 20 |
| Lesson 01 Activities | ||
| Syllabus Quiz | x1 | 10 pts. |
| Course Etiquette Quiz | x1 | 5 pts. |
| Getting Acquainted Discussion Board | x1 | 10 pts. |
| Lesson 02-13 Activities | ||
| Inspired Questions | x6 | 10 pts. |
| Rejoice Together Discussion Board | x6 | 10 pts. |
| Testify (project) | x6 | 20 pts. |
| Doctrinal Review | x12 | 10 pts. |
| Weekly Report (questions other than Searching for Truth) | x14 | 20 pts. |
| Lesson 14 Activities | ||
| Hold to the rod | x1 | 5 pts. |
| Total Points | 670 pts. |
Grading Scale
|
A |
93 - 100% | C | 73 - 76% |
| A- | 90 - 92% | C- | 70 - 72% |
| B+ | 89 - 87% | D+ | 67 - 69% |
| B | 83 - 86% | D | 63 - 66% |
| B- | 80 - 82% | D- | 60 - 62% |
| C+ | 77 - 79% | F | 59% and below |
Late Work Policy
Assignments are due when indicated. Work that is late hampers both your and your classmates' ability to fully participate in the course, and will be accepted only at your instructor's discretion. No late work is accepted without first obtaining permission from the instructor. Inform your instructor f your extenuating circumstance before the due date. Accepted late work is subject to a penalty as determined by your instructor.
Other Policies
The University has established and posted policies concerning the topics below. Please review the following University documents:
Your instructor reserves the right to change your grade if your communication is disrespectful. Courtesy is expected. It is acceptable to respectfully disagree.
Final Note: Your instructor reserves the right to change any part of this syllabus at any time and adapt course expectation. You will be notified prior to any changes, pay attention to your Instructor's announcements and communication.