BYU announces formation of Laura F. Willes Center for Book of Mormon Studies - BYU News Skip to main content
Intellect

BYU announces formation of Laura F. Willes Center for Book of Mormon Studies

President Cecil O. Samuelson has announced the formation of the Laura F. Willes Center for Book of Mormon Studies at Brigham Young University.

“The Willes Center, as it has already come to be known, will form an integral part of BYU’s Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship,” he said.

President Samuelson made the announcement at a recent luncheon attended by family members of Mark and Laura Willes and accompanied by Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In commenting on the establishment of the Willes Center, Elder Oaks said, “It’s a remarkable combination to have the resources, the inspiration of what to do with them and the faith to do it, and that’s the story of Mark and Laura Willes in bringing this Willes Center to Brigham Young University.”

Mark Willes, the former CEO of Times-Mirror, noted the counsel from President Gordon B. Hinckley of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he received his call to serve as a mission president: “Just read the Book of Mormon.” That counsel, and a lifetime of devoted reading in the book, helped spark Willes’s interest in founding a center whose purpose would be to encourage and support the pursuit of research on this volume of scripture.

He chose to name it for his wife, Laura F. Willes, who, he said, “has taught our children and our grandchildren and our missionaries to love the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon.”

In her response, Laura Willes said that the idea came as a complete surprise to her, especially because she prefers to remain out of the spotlight. But, she said, she hopes that she represents “all of the brothers and sisters in the Church and all of the men and women in the world who desperately need the Book of Mormon and its teachings.”

The Willes Center began functioning immediately, according to Andrew C. Skinner, executive director of the Maxwell Institute.

“We want to open opportunities for capable researchers to begin and continue research efforts on the Book of Mormon,” Skinner said, adding that the Center will “promote the study of the Book of Mormon both as an ancient text and as a publication in the modern world.” The Willes Center “will award scholarships, sponsor lectures and symposia, and assist in publications and media productions.”

For more information, contact the Maxwell Institute at (801) 422-9229.

Writer: Brittany Leonard

Related Articles

data-content-type="article"

BYU animation, AdLab students shine once again at Student Emmys

April 08, 2025
Students take top national honors in animation and commercial categories at the 44th College Television Awards
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

BYU professional programs land high marks, engineering makes big jump in U.S. News grad ranks

April 08, 2025
BYU’s law and business programs remained highly ranked in the 2025 U.S. News Best Graduate School Rankings released today, while BYU’s engineering graduate programs made major jumps over previous marks.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

BYU landscaping students dig their way to 10th national championship

April 03, 2025
BYU’s landscaping team is the best in the field, literally. While most national championships are won on the court or the gridiron, this one was claimed with pruned shrubs, expertly placed pavers, and top-tier irrigation systems.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText=