Brigham Young University Religious Education has issued a call for paper proposals which focus on the themes of temple, worship, and praise in the text of the Old Testament to be presented at the 42nd annual Sidney B. Sperry Symposium on the Scriptures in October 2013.
Proposals are due electronically on or before May 1 and may be sent to patty_smith@byu.edu.
Topics may include temple worship, sacrifice, offering, ritual, hymns/psalms, prayers, expressions of praise or moments of divine communion as found in the Old Testament. All should explore the significant messages, teachings, doctrines and themes of the chosen topic.
Proposed research is expected to demonstrate critical thinking and make an original contribution to the understanding of this ancient book of scripture.
Proposals should take the form of a 300-word abstract of the paper stating the thesis, outline, methodology and conclusions. Please include:
• The main proposition of your paper/presentation
• The significant components supporting your main proposition
• The primary and secondary sources you expect to consult as evidence and support.
Following the abstract, please include a short separate statement (25-50 words) outlining your background, qualifications or preparation to address this subject. Please include the following information in the heading of your proposal: name, address, phone number, e-mail address and a working title for your paper.
Proposals must be submitted electronically as an attached Word, WordPerfect or PDF document. Submitters will be notified of their proposal’s status by June 1. Those whose proposals are accepted for presentation at the symposium must submit final papers, ranging from 15 to 25 pages in length, by Oct. 1. Some of the selected papers will also be featured in the symposium publication to be released prior to the conference.
Proposals and papers must be consistent with the doctrines and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
For more information, contact Patty Smith at (801) 422-3611.
Writer: Charles Krebs
