The Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship at Brigham Young University has announced the appointment of Brian M. Hauglid as director of the Laura F. Willes Center for Book of Mormon Studies.
He replaces Paul Y. Hoskisson, who, after five years as director, is returning to full-time teaching in the Department of Ancient Scripture in Religious Education.
“Dr. Hauglid is uniquely positioned to make the most of the Willes Center by cultivating the highest level of scholarship on the Book of Mormon,” said M. Gerald Bradford, executive director of the Maxwell Institute.
“We also recognize the work and effort that Dr. Hoskisson has put into directing the Center these past years. We especially appreciate his work as editor of the Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture,” said Bradford.
As director, Hauglid will oversee the publication of several of the institute’s publications, including the Journal and Studies in the Bible and Antiquity. He will also oversee the institute’s annual Laura F. Willes Book of Mormon Lecture, as well as other campus-wide events focusing on scripture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In addition to studying the Book of Mormon, the Willes Center focuses on the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price and other related subjects in their ancient and modern settings.
“I’ve been working with the institute for a number of years now, and I’m honored with this appointment,” Hauglid said. “I look forward to providing up-and-coming scholars with a valuable venue to pursue and publish solid research worthy of the Maxwell name.”
Hauglid is an associate professor of ancient scripture at BYU. He received his bachelor’s degree in Near Eastern studies from BYU and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Utah in Arabic and Islamic studies.
He is a member of the editorial advisory board for the Eastern Christian Texts series in the Institute’s Middle Eastern Texts Initiative. He was also a general editor of the institute’s Studies in the Book of Abraham series.
For questions about this appointment, contact Blair Dee Hodges at blairhodges@byu.edu or (801) 422-8283.
Writer: Blair Hodges
