Biography
Scott C. Esplin was born in Richfield, Utah, and raised in Washington and Ohio before finally finding home in southern Utah. After serving in the Italy Catania Mission, he earned a BS degree in business administration from Southern Utah University (1997). Scott later received an MEd and PhD in educational leadership and foundations from Brigham Young University (2001, 2006), focusing his studies on the history of Church academies. Before joining Religious Education at BYU, Brother Esplin taught for the Church Educational System for nine years. His current research continues to examine the history of Latter-day Saint education as well as the development of Church historic sites. He also serves as the publications director for the Religious Studies Center. He and his wife, the former Janice Garrett, live in Lindon, Utah, and are the parents of four children.
Courses Taught: Doctrine and Covenants (REL C 324, 325), Foundations of the Restoration (REL C 225)
Areas of Expertise: Doctrine and Covenants, Church educational history, 20th-century Church history
Areas of Research: Doctrine and Covenants, Church academies, 20th-century Nauvoo Church history, Church history in Ohio
Languages: Italian
Research Interests
Doctrine and Covenants, 20th Century Church history, Latter-day Saint educational history, Church historic sites, pilgrimage, historical and religious tourismTeaching Interests
Doctrine and Covenants, Foundations of the Restoration, Latter-day Saint Church historyHonors and Awards
- Harvey and Susan Black Outstanding Academic Publication Award - Church History and Doctrine, Religious Education, Brigham Young University (2019 - 2019)
- Smith-Pettit Best Book Award , John Whitmer Historical Association (2019 - 2019)
- Best Article on International History, Mormon History Association (2015 - 2015)
- Harvey and Susan Black Outstanding Academic Publication Award - Church History and Doctrine, Religious Education, Brigham Young University (2015 - 2015)
- Mormon History Fellow, Huntington Library (2014 - 2015)
- Nick Yengich Memorial Editors' Choice Award, Utah State Division of History (2013 - 2013)
- B. West Belnap Citizenship Award, Religious Education, Brigham Young University (2012 - 2013)
Administrative Assignments
- Religious Studies Center: Director (2018 - Present)
- Church History and Doctrine: Other (Move to BYU Citizenship?) (2013 - 2016)
Memberships
- International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Group (2018 - Present)
- John Whitmer Historical Association (2011 - Present)
- History of Education Society (2010 - Present)
- Mormon History Association (2006 - Present)
- Utah State Historical Society (2006 - Present)
Professional Citizenship
- Board Member, John Whitmer Historical Association (2017 - Present)
- Board Member, BYU Studies Academy Board (2014 - Present)
- Conference-Related Role, John Whitmer Historical Association (2017 - 2017)
- Committee/Council Member, John Whitmer Historical Association Conference Committee (2016 - 2017)
- Committee/Council Member, CES Curriculum Task Commitee (2014 - 2016)
- Committee/Council Chair, Mormon History Association (2015 - 2016)
- Other, Mormon History Association (2012 - 2016)
- Editorial Review Board Member, Journal of Mormon History (2011 - 2015)
- Committee/Council Member, John Whitmer Historical Association Conference Committee (2014 - 2015)
- Conference-Related Role, Mormon History Association (2014 - 2014)
- Reviewer, Ad Hoc Reviewer, Journal of Mormon History (2010 - 2011)
- Conference-Related Role, History of Education Society (2011 - 2011)
- Conference-Related Role, Mormon History Association (2010 - 2010)