Students can get a first-hand look at the past through an honors church history class.
Honors 341 gives students the unique opportunity to visit sites from the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as part of the class curriculum. From Oct. 23 through 28, this year’s class visited key places in the history of the church. 

“This is the third time we’ve done this trip,” said Richard E. Bennett, professor of church history and doctrine who guided the students. “The purpose is to provide an onsite learning experience in the principles of the gospel through visiting church history sites.”

This year the class visited Palmyra, the Sacred Grove, the Hill Cumorah, the Grandin printing shop, Fayette, Kirtland, the John Johnson home, Nauvoo and Carthage jail.

“It is not a tour, it is a field study trip,” Bennett said. “What started out as a class on wheels has become a laboratory of faith.”

Students are not simply touring the sites, they are also learning. Each student presented a research paper in connection with the trip, as well as doing other assignments throughout the trip.

“I liked that they taught along the way because it also brought the spirit more into it,” said Greta Martino, a sophomore from Denton, Texas.

Students say they enjoyed learning in this field study format.

“My favorite part of the experience wasn’t just to learn church history, but to live it,” said Philip Volmar, a junior in public relations from Fullerton, Calif.

Thirty-one students, two faculty members and their wives attended the field study. Each participant paid $750 for the experience. Anyone can take the class, and Bennett said that in all likelihood, a similar trip will take place in fall of 2010.

Those who participate come away with far more than knowledge of dates and names.
“It fulfills, in many ways, the aims of a BYU education,” Bennett said. “[It is a] very effective teaching instrument that is unique to BYU.”

Students say their testimonies were strengthened, and lives changed, by this field study.

“On a spiritual level, I have a greater understanding of how Jesus Christ influenced the Restoration,” Volmar said.

Martino said this experience had an immense impact on her life.

“I was really able to gain relationships both earthly and heavenly through this,” she said. “I really think this is one of the experiences in my life that has had a great effect on me.”