Biography
Scott C. Esplin is the dean of Religious Education and a professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University. A native of southern Utah, he earned both a doctoral degree (2006) and master’s degree (2001) in Educational Leadership and Foundations from Brigham Young University. He joined the faculty of Religious Education in 2006 after teaching seminary and institute in the Church Educational System. His research and teaching interests include the Doctrine and Covenants, the history of Latter-day Saint education, and church historic sites. He is the author of numerous publications on these subjects, including an award-winning book on the restoration of Nauvoo. He is married to Janice Garrett and they 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 historyEducation
- Ph.D., Educational Leadership and Foundations , Brigham Young University (2006)
- M.Ed., Educational Leadership and Foundations , Brigham Young University (2001)
- B.S., Business Administration , Southern Utah University (1997)
Honors 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 Education: Dean (2021 - Present)
- Religious Studies Center: Director (2018 - 2021)
- 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)
- Mormon History Association (2006 - Present)
- Utah State Historical Society (2006 - Present)
Professional Citizenship
- Board Member, John Whitmer Historical Association (2017 - 2022)
- Board Member, BYU Studies Academy Board (2014 - 2020)
- 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)