By Kris Boyle
kris@newsroom.byu.edu
Imagine taking a religion class without worrying about tests or even grades.
Each Fall and Winter semester, noncredit adult religion classes are offered to the public by Continuing Education.
Gary Bauer, general overhead with the Church Education System, said 95 percent of the classes are taught by BYU faculty. Teachers from the CES are occasionally used, he said.
Bauer said Continuing Education chooses what classes to offer by looking at what interests local members at the time.
They do this by talking to local bishops and stake presidents.
Brinley said usually one of the classes offered each semester parallels with the Gospel Doctrine subject at the time.
Two faculty members and a former dean will each be teaching a course this fall.
Douglas E. Brinley, a professor of church history and doctrine, will discuss the behaviors and attitudes that contribute to a successful marriage in his class LDS Marriage and Family.
The class will run every Tuesday starting Sept. 19 through Nov. 14.
Byron Merrill, associate professor of ancient scripture, will be teaching a class this fall on the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
Merrill, who taught the first half during last Winter, will emphasize Alma 30 through Moroni 10.
Merrill said he enjoys the opportunity to teach members of the community and other adults what he shares with students.
'This is my chance to share with them my love of the Book of Mormon,' he said.
There are differences between teaching regular BYU students and teaching adults, Merrill said.
In the adult classes, Merrill said he has to do more lecturing and asking questions because the class members aren't as apt to participate.
He also has to cover more material in less time because he only has 16 hours to do it instead of 25.
However, Merrill said the atmosphere is more relaxed because the participants don't have to worry about grades and credit.
Merrill is a former estate tax attorney and spent a year teaching at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies.
Merrill's class will begin on Thursday and run every Thursday until Nov. 16.
Robert J. Matthews, a former dean of religious education, will be teaching a class titled Doctrines of the Restoration.
Matthews is a former president of the Mount Timpanogos Temple and an authority on the Joseph Smith Translations of the Bible.
Matthews said the goal of his class is to help create an awareness.
'The objective is to enlarge people's appreciation of the doctrines,' he said.
Matthews, who has taught the noncredit adult classes for more than 20 years, said there is a difference from regular BYU religion courses.
He said the difference lies in the student's incentive.
'Those people are there only because they want to be,' Matthews said.
Matthew's class is being taught every Wednesday starting Sept. 20th through Nov. 8th.
The tuition costs are $15 per person, $12 for those 62 and over, or $25 per couple.
Each class is from 7 to 9 p.m. in 2254 HCEB.
Those interested in taking a course can call 378-2528.