Biography
Background. Derek R. Sainsbury grew up in Taylorsville, Utah and Sunbury, Australia. Hereceived a BA in Political Science from the University of Utah, a MPA from Brigham Young University, and a PhD in American History from the University of Utah. He taught and administered in Seminaries and Institutes for twenty-seven years before joining the Religious Education faculty at BYU. Brother Sainsbury is the author of the first monograph on Joseph Smith’s 1844 presidential campaign entitled Storming the Nation: The Unknown Contributions of Joseph Smith’s Political Missionaries (2020). He has published several articles on Joseph Smith’s campaign and on religious liberty. He is currently researching and writing a dual biography of Joseph Smith and Robert F. Kennedy as the only two assassinated US presidential candidates. He is married to his high-school sweetheart Meredith Pettit, and they are parents ofthree sons. They reside in Bountiful. Brother Sainsbury enjoys reading, golf, 80s music, and playing with his dogs.
BYU Courses Taught: Foundations of the Restoration (REL C 225), Doctrine and Covenants (REL C 324), The New Testament: The Gospels (REL A 211), and Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel (REL A 250)
Areas of Expertise: 19th century Church history, Joseph Smith’s politics, political interactions in Church history, religious liberty, historical and modern American politics
Research interests: Political interactions in Church history, religion and politics in American history, Nauvoo Church history, Australian Church history
Languages: Italian
Research Interests
Nineteenth-century intersections of Latter-day Saints and politics, particularly Joseph Smith’s presidential campaign and assassination, and their effects on the Latter-day Saint movement.Twentieth-century intersections of Latter-day Saints and politics. Political and social contexts of the Nauvoo and Utah Territory eras. Latter-day Saints and religious liberty. Restorationist understanding and praxis of ancient ideas of royal priesthood. History of Latter-day Saints in Australia.Teaching Interests
I teach Rel C 225 Foundations of the Restoration, Rel C 343 Modern Church History, and Rel 393R Seeking Answers to Your Questions.I am interested in teaching Rel C 341 Joseph Smith and the Restoration, Rel C 342 The Church in the West.
Education
- PhD. American History, Nineteenth Century American History , Modern European, Political Science, University of Utah (2016)
- Masters of Public Adminstration, Organizational Leadership , Brigham Young University (2002)
- Bachelors of Political Science, International Relations , Minors in History and Italian, University of Utah (1996)
Memberships
- American Political Science Assocation (2023 - Present)
- John Whitmer Historical Association (2023 - Present)
- Mormon History Association (2023 - Present)
Professional Citizenship
- Media Interview, Scriptural Mormonism Podcast (2025 - Present)
- Publications-outreach, Y-Religion Podcast (2025 - Present)
- Publications-outreach, Book of Mormon Perspectives (2025 - Present)
- Media Interview, Follow Him Podcast (2025 - Present)
- Guest Speaker, BYU Education Week (2025 - Present)
- Media Interview, Marriot Student Review "Measuring Success Right" Podcast (2024 - Present)
- Publications-outreach, Book of Mormon Perspectives (2023 - Present)
- Guest Speaker, Ogden Weber Institute of Religion (2023 - Present)
- Guest Speaker, Mueller Park Stake (2024 - 2024)