By Lauren Lewis
Today''s campus Forum will highlight the Prophet Joseph Smith, as BYU continues its celebration of the 200th anniversary of his birth.
Terryl Givens, professor of literature and religion at the University of Richmond, will speak on the topic 'Lightning out of Heaven: Joseph Smith and the Forging of Community.'
A native of upstate New York, Givens received a degree in comparative literature from BYU. Following graduation, he studied at Cornell University and received his doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Givens was named the BYU College of Humanities Honored Alumnus in 2002. He is the James A. Bostwick chair of English at the University of Richmond and was recently named 'Distinguished Educator of the Year.' A published author, he has written books on Mormonism and the Latter-day Saint experience in America, including 'By the Hand of Mormon: The American Scripture that Launched a New World Religion.
'Dr. Givens is a first-rate scholar, a superb author and a gifted speaker,' said Daniel Fairbanks, dean of Undergraduate Education. 'He understands the ''Book of Mormon ''better than anyone I know.'
The Church of Jesus Christ of Lattery-day Saints is celebrating the anniversery of its founding prophet''s birthday this year, with commemorative activities including a scholarly conference at the Library of Congress. The church has set up an official site dedicated to teaching about Joseph Smith at josephsmith.net.