Church History and Doctrine

Message from the Chair

As an integral part of Brigham Young University, the Department of Church History and Doctrine seeks to assist individuals in their quest for both intellectual and spiritual growth. We endeavor to foster lifelong attitudes of character improvement and service to church and community. We focus our efforts in two general areas.  First, we seek to teach with verve and spirit, and thereby assist students in learning and internalizing important historical and doctrinal truths of the restored gospel. Second, we desire to become skilled researchers and writers, to publish materials which help others understand our history, our faith, and our people.

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Arnold K. Garr  Title: Department Chair  Department: Church History and Doctrine  Office: 375B JSB  Phone: (801) 422-3363  Email: Send Message

Arnold K. Garr is currently a Professor of Church History and Doctrine. He received a B.A. from Weber State College, and an M.A. from Utah State University, both in history. He also earned a Ph.D. in American History with a minor in LDS Church History from Brigham Young University. He is editor of the Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History. He is also the author of the books Joseph Smith: Presidential Candidate and Christopher Columbus: A Latter-day Saint Perspective. Brother Garr is currently a member of the Church Correlation Committee, Materials Evaluation Division. He has also served as a Stake President's Counselor, High Councilor, Bishop and Branch President. As a young man, he served a mission in Finland. He is married to the former Cherie Burns, from Ogden, Utah, and they are the parents of five children.

Portfolio: Professor Garr is responsible to the faculty of the department and to the students they teach.  He insures that the requisite number of classes are taught and that they are taught professionally and properly, thereby satisfying the needs of our students.

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John P. Livingstone Title: Associate Department Chair Department: Church History and Doctrine Office: 303E JSB Phone: (801) 422-8931 Email: Send Message

John P. Livingstone is a Canadian who came to BYU in 1998 following his service as president of the Michigan Detroit Mission.  He is a "Chartered Psychologist" in two Canadian provinces.  John and his wife Linda are the parents of six daughters and one son and an ever-growing number of grandchildren.  He began employment with the Church Educational System in 1972 and is currently Associate Professor of Church History and doctrine at BYU.  His interests lie in creating virtual tours of church history sites, early missionary work in the church, the simplified "Basic Unit Program" of the Church for developing areas, and in presenting mental illness issues to the general Church public.  He is serving at the Provo MTC currently.  John also serves as the President of the Association of Mormon counselors and Psychotherapists (AMCAP).  John and Linda became Americans in May of 2005. 

Portfolio: Religious Education Administrative Council, Curriculum and Instruction Committee, Associate Department Chair, Church History & doctrine, BYU Pre-dental Committee.

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Linda Godfrey Title:  Department Secretary Department:  Church History & Doctrine Office:  375 JSB Phone:  (801) 422-3691 Email:  Send Message

Linda Godfrey serves as the Department Secretary of Church History & Doctrine.  She is the executive assistant to the Chair and assists department faculty with travel, budgeting, and scheduling issues.  She also manages student hiring and maintains KRONOS, serves as the key rep for scheduling and classroom changes, and handles textbook requests.  She serves as the office manager and supervises department receptionists.

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Joseph Smith Building    Provo, Utah 84602    801.422.2735     Send Message