Scot Facer Proctor was raised in Rolla, Missouri, the youngest son of Paul Dean and Martha Facer Proctor. He is the co-founder and publisher of Meridian Magazine. In his youth he was given the extraordinary opportunity to live in Ankara,…
Maurine Jensen Proctor is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Meridian Magazine. With her husband, Scot, she has written several photographic books including Witness of the Light, a Photographic Journey in the Footsteps of the American Prophet, Joseph Smith; Source of…
Mark Albright is currently an Institute Teacher and Stake Mission Preparation Teacher. He has been a mission president, temple ordinance worker, stake president, bishop, high councilman, and seminary teacher. He is a partner in the Las Vegas, Nevada, law firm…
Carolyn Allen is the Author of 60 Seconds to Weight Loss Success - One Minute Inspirations to Change Your Thinking, Your Weight and Your Life. She has been providing mental and spiritual approaches for weight loss success both online and…
Robert graduated from BYU with a B.A. in 1972 and an MBA in 1974. Immediately thereafter, he began investing in real estate. He is the author of some of the most influential financial books of all time including the #1…
A member of the BYU-Idaho Religion Department Faculty. 15 years as faculty member in the BYU-Idaho Religion Department at BYU-Idaho, 8 years teaching in Seminary and Institutes for the Church Educational System in Utah and south-eastern Idaho. Born in Ankara,…
Margaret Anderson is the mother of seven young children. When they make her laugh, she writes about it. When they make her cry, she writes about it so she can laugh later. She is a contributing writer for Meridian Magazine,…
Catherine Keddington Arveseth is a full-time mother to five young children, including two sets of twins. She has published articles at Meridian, Deseret News, Power of Moms, Segullah, Multiply Goodness, and Reader's Digest. She has co-authored two books with Power…
Michael R. Ash is a veteran staff member of the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR), former weekly columnist for the Mormon Times and has presented several papers at LDS-related symposiums. Ash is the author of Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One's Testimony In the…
Larry Barkdull is the author of number of books, including a seven-book series called Pillars of Zion (www.pillarsofzion.com) and Rescuing Wayward Children, a subject that he teaches at BYU Education Week. He is a regular fireside speaker and loves to teach Gospel Doctrine…
Kevin Beckstrom is a native of Salt Lake City, served a mission in Korea and is a graduate of BYU. Beckstrom has been publishing cartoons since he was 16, and his work has appeared in numerous newsletters, trade publications, newspapers…
âAuthor of Jacob T. Marley and the newly released, Last Man At the Inn.â
Jane Birch, PhD, is Assistant Director for Faculty Development at the Brigham Young University Faculty Center where she enjoys helping BYU faculty members become their best. She was born in Sacramento, California and now resides in Provo, Utah and happily…
Holly lives in Germany with her husband, Markus. She served in the Russia St. Petersburg mission. She graduated from BYU with a BA and MA in English and from the University of Edinburgh with a MSc in book history and…
Prior to returning to academia this year, Ashby Boyle was an entrepreneur and attorney, beginning his career at the Washington, D.C. office of Sullivan & Cromwell.  He is currently a research fellow at Yale, at work on two books. One is…
Jeff has written extensively on the Book of Moses, Genesis, and the temple. His most recent books are âFreemasonry and the Origins of Temple Ordinancesâ and âEmer and Dennison Lott Harris: Owner of the First Copy of the Book of…
RoseMarie Briggs is a former syndicated radio reporter for over 200 stations and an international radio network. She continues to have stories published in print and on the internet. She is the former executive director of Family Leader Network. RoseMarie…
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Certified Sex Therapist (CST), Laura M. Brotherson, is the author of the best-selling book, And They Were Not Ashamed: Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment, and her latest book Knowing HER Intimately: 12 Keys…
Joel Campbell is an associate teaching professor of journalism in the Brigham Young University School of Communications. He has researched, written and taught about the intersection of media and religion. His peer-reviewed articles include, "Mitt Romney's Religion: A Five Factor…
Jodi is the creator and host of âOur Modern Heritageâ a podcast discussing ways families can create an intentional family culture. She is on a mission to support families to cultivate their traditions, vision, and standards while treasuring the heritage…
McKay Christensen is a Gospel Doctrine teacher in the Alpine Utah 2nd ward. He and his wife Jennifer are the parents of five children. In his professional career McKay has served as Managing Director of External Relations at BYU, management…
Roger Connors is a four-time New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author with over 35 years of expertise in organizational culture, and is recognized as a top ten culture guru. He has co-authored many books including The Oz…
Jonathan Decker is a licensed marriage and family therapist available for online sessions throughout Utah and face-to-face sessions in St. George. He was the co-host of The KJZZ Movie Show, winner of the campus-wide BYU Talent Show, performer with Divine…
Meghan Decker is a writer, public speaking consultant, teacher, wife/mom/grandma, 12-Stepper, and aspiring good person. In her book Reaching for Hope: An LDS Perspective on Recovering from Depression she recounts her experience with clinical depression; in addition, she has published…
David C. Dollahite is Professor of Family Life at Brigham Young University where he teaches classes and conducts research on the links between religion and family life. He is Co-Director (with Dr. Loren Marks) of the American Families of Faith…
Becky Douglas is the Founder and President of Rising Star Outreach, a charity dedicated to serving the leprosy-affected of India. Her work with Rising Star has been featured on TV, radio, magazines and newspapers throughout the U.S. and internationally. Becky…
William C. Duncan is director of the Marriage Law Foundation. He previously served as the director of the Marriage Law Project at the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America.
Rodger Dean Duncan is a descendant of 19th century Baptist evangelists and a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has served as bishop of three wards, as a stake president, and as a stake mission…
Breck England, product architect and consultant for FranklinCovey Company, earned a bachelor's degree in Medieval History and master's and PhD in English and literary theory from the University of Utah.An appointment in his college years as an assistant researcher to…
Richard and Linda Eyre are among the most popular speakers in the world on parenting and families. Their clients and audiences range from The Young President's Organization (YPO) and major corporations and associations to a wide array of school, civic,…
James L. Ferrell was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. He graduated from Brigham Young University with degrees in economics and philosophy and went on to receive a law degree from Yale Law School. He serves as managing director of…
Bill Fortune is a cartoonist, artist, graphics designer, and history buff. After spending nearly 45 years in advertising as an Art Director/Creative Director, he spent the last 15 years on the corporate side of business. In March of 2014 he…
Craig R. Frogley, DC is married to Janet and they are the parents of 8 children and 21 grandchildren. He is currently retired from 35 years with the Churchâs institute program, BYU continuing education, and private practice as a chiropractic…
Dr. Stan is the medical director of the Keys to Healing Medical Center, located at 2332 West 12600 South, Suite 2B in Riverton, UT 84065. You may reach him at 801-302-5397. As an M.D., Dr. Gardner practiced conventional Western medicine…
Nathaniel Givens is a writer and Gospel Doctrine teacher from Virginia. In addition to Meridian, he has written for Public Square, Real Clear Religion, First Things, and Square Two. He also blogs at Nauvoo Neighbor, Times and Seasons, and his…
Wally Goddard is a retired professor of Family Life having served in Arkansas and Alabama. He developed programs on personal well-being, marriage, and parenting. He is well known for his many creative family programs, including The Marriage Garden, The Parenting…
Chris Hallâs creativity and energy were evident in her earliest childhood. Her grade school teachers often commented, âShe has tremendous energy â if we could just get it channeled!â Her parentâs instilled in her a belief that good can come…
Taylor Halverson is an aspiring master learner who has discovered his life purpose is to help people find and act on the best ideas and tools in order to experience enduring joy. He currently is an Entrepreneurship Professor in the…
Ralph Hancock (PhD Harvard) is Professor of Political Science at Brigham Young University, where he teaches the tradition of political philosophy as well as contemporary political theory. He has taught three times as Visiting Professor at the University of Rennes,…
Jennie Hansen graduated from Ricks College in Idaho, then Westminster College in Utah. She has been a freelance magazine writer, newspaper reporter, editor, and librarian. Her published novels fall in several genre categories, including romantic suspense, mystery, historical, and western.…
Colleen C. Harrison is the author of He Did Deliver Me from Bondage , the LDS 12 Step study guide that was used by LDS Family Services for 10 years from 1995 to 2005, during the A pilot program @…
Cassandra S. Hedelius studied political science and mathematics at the University of Oklahoma and law at the University of Colorado. She has practiced domestic and business law for profit, and researches and writes about Mormonism for pleasure. Her main focus…
Jacob Hess is a mindfulness teacher and writer focused on exploring long-term, sustainable healing from depression. He is on the board of the National Coalition of Dialogue & Deliberation and co-author of "Youâre Not as Crazy as I Thought, But…
Joni Hilton holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Professional Writing from USC. She has written five award-winning plays and 25 books, including her most recent, A Little Christmas Prayer (Covenant). Sheâs also the author of the bestselling As…
Daris Howard, an award winning author and playwright, grew up on an Idaho farm. He was a state champion athlete, competed in college athletics, and served a mission to Rochester, New York.  He has worked as a cowboy, a mechanic,…
Kelly Schrum Hutchins is a stay-at-home mother of ten, who served a mission in Kobe, Japan (â87-88), and has, so far, supported five of her children on missions. She has worked with the youth in various assignments and organizations over…
For over 40 years, United Families International has worked on the national and international level to strengthen and defend the family. Our mission includes educating and empowering citizens and decision-makers to protect the family as the foundation of society, marriage…
Darla Isackson believes that writing is part of her "heavenly assignment" and has been a professional writer for four decades. In her twenties she found great joy and success serving in the California Mission, where she was asked to write…
Gary Lawrence is a public opinion pollster who received a B.A. from BYU and a Ph.D. from Stanford. He is the author of three books: How Americans View Mormonism, Mormons Believe ⊠What?!, and The War in Heaven Continues. His…
Sharon Lee received her bachelor's degree from BYU in American Studies with an emphasis on literature and history. She studied in Novosibirsk, Siberia; Vienna, Austria and Jerusalem, Israel. In her twenties, she was a contributing writer for the LDS curriculum…
Shalissa Lindsay is the author of Answers Will Come: Trusting the Lord in the Meantime. She worked as a senior instructional designer within the MTC, creating a temple square display and refining language learning software. She also worked in change…
Marilynne Todd Linford has a passion for historyâthe Reformation, Colonial America, the Restoration of the Church, and writing family histories. She knows those who write history make history because only those things that are recorded are remembered. She has been…
Gary and Joy Lundberg live in Provo, Utah and are parents of five children and have thirteen grandchildren. Gary is a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice, and is a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage…
Loren Marks is a professor in Brigham Young Universityâs School of Family Life. His research interests have included religion and families, minority families, and family finance. He is Co-Director (with Dr. David Dollahite) of the American Families of Faith Project.
Dr. W. J. Marsh has written curriculum materials for seminaries and institutes in the Church Educational System. He has also prepared Melchizedek Priesthood manuals and the current Gospel Doctrine courses of study. He and his wife Kathie have conducted Church History…
About Ron McMillanRon McMillan is the four-time New York Times best-selling co-author of Crucial Conversations, Crucial Confrontations, Influencer, and Change Anything. For more than 25 years, he has served as an expert in behavior change, interpersonal communication, and corporate training. A…
Ron Millett and his wife Rhonda live in Cedar Hills, Utah. They have six energetic children and three wonderful grandchildren. Ron has BS and MS degrees in Computer Science from BYU and also a MA degree in Linguistics from BYU. …
A U.S. Air Force veteran, William Monahan is a 1980 graduate of BYU Law School. He practices law in Gilbert, Arizona. A former stake and mission president, he teaches gospel doctrine class in his ward. Brother and Sister Monahan are…
Derek Monson graduated from Brigham Young University in August 2007 with bachelorâs degrees in economics and political science, and began working for Sutherland Institute as a policy analyst in May 2007. Derek has co-authored a research study on Utah government…
Reid Moon graduated from BYU in 1985. He is an antiquarian book dealer who specializes in rare Mormon books, documents, early Bibles [1250-1899 AD], classics in literature and important historical books and artifacts. He has traveled over a million milesâto…
Heather B. Moore is the author of Women of the Book of Mormon: Insights & Inspirations as well as the award-winning historical novels: Abinadi and Alma.
We build enduring faith in Jesus Christ by making the Book of Mormon accessible, comprehensible, and defensible to the entire world.
Kerry received his B.S. from BYU in Psychology with a Hebrew minor. As an undergraduate he spent time at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies in the intensive Hebrew program. He received an M.A. in Ancient Near Eastern…
Some of Tanyaâs earliest memories were traipsing through cemeteries, knocking on doors of potential relatives, and looking at giant books in courthouses. Many of the family âvacationsâ were devoted to reunions and visiting extended family. It seems as if doing…
Holly Newton has been reviewing childrenâs books for 18 years. She reviewed weekly on NBC for 8 years in both Columbia, Missouri and Phoenix, Arizona. Holly wrote weekly for the Columbia Tribune for 14 years and received the Literacy Award…
Carolyn Nicolaysen grew up in New Jersey where she loved baking with her grandfather, swimming, singing in school choirs, and visiting the Jersey Shore. Carolyn joined the Church while attending Central College in Pella, Iowa, where she earned a degree…
D. Kelly Ogden is professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University. He has taught courses in Hebrew, Old and New Testament, writings of Isaiah, the Bible as literature, history of the ancient Near East, biblical and modern geography of…
Rynna Ollivier is a life long member of the Church who has served as a Stake Young Womenâs President for 15 years, Ward Relief Society Presidency, Stake Missionary, Church Public Affairs for the South Bay area of Southern California, and…
Rosemary Palmer is a wife, mother of two children, and a grandmother of four.  After teaching elementary and secondary school, Rosemary was a professor in the College of Education, Department of Literacy, at Boise State University . She has published articles…
Marvin Payne is a professional actor, wordcrafter, songwriter, and recording artist.
Nicholeen Peck is a popular public speaker around North America who most often addresses the subject of parenting. Her parenting methods clam tantrum toddlers to tough teens while creating a family structure which invites the spirit of love and good…
Steven Kapp Perry is a Pearl Award-winning songwriter, playwright, and broadcaster - the host of "Soft Sunday Sounds" on FM100 in Salt Lake City. Steve loves music, cream cheese on bagels, his wife Johanne, and whichever of their 4 children…
Janice Kapp Perry was born in Ogden, Utah, raised in Vale, Oregon, and currently lives in Provo, Utah. She and her husband, Douglas, have five children and 13 grandchildren. Through the years, they have also had many foster children. Janice…
Daniel C. Peterson is a professor of Islamic studies and Arabic in the Department of Asian and Near Eastern Languages at Brigham Young University, and editor-in-chief of BYU's Middle Eastern Texts Initiative.
Janet Peterson has served on the Church Correlation Committee (Materials Evaluation) for the past decade. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in English from BYU. A free-lance writer, she has published over 100 articles in Church magazines, including "Friend to…
Carol Kostakos Petranek has been hooked on non-fiction writing since childhood, and on family history research for the past 30 years. Melding the two has been a joyous adventure which has led her to journeys of discovery and introspection, and…
James W. Petty, AG, CG is the Board-Certified and Accredited Professional Genealogist, "Climbing the Family Tree Professionally Since 1969". He is President of HEIRLINES Family History & Genealogy, Inc. (www.Heirlines.com), a professional genealogy research services firm, providing professionally-standardized and verified…
John P. Pratt writes a monthly column for Meridian Magazine giving one LDS perspective on current science. He has a Ph.D. in astronomy and specializes in religious chronology and ancient calendars. He has authored several articles in the Ensign and…
Anne Hinton Pratt is a composer and writer. After doing graduate work at BYU, she married her best friend, had five children in three different countries, (Saudi Arabia, the U.S. and Mexico), and now divides her time living in El…
Mariah Proctor received her Masters in Creative Writing from Oxford University. She is a graduate of BYU with a Bachelors in Theater and German. She considers herself a citizen of the world and particularly loves writing about her travels. She…
After receiving her education from University of Utah and Harvard, Maurine Jensen Proctor, the Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of Meridian Magazine, began her writing career with McGraw Hill Magazines and the Chicago Sun-Times. She has created award-winning television documentaries, has written…
Michaela Proctor Hutchins grew up in the Washington D.C. Metro area then spent her last two years of high school in Alpine, Utah. During that time she formed âThe Africa Clubâ and led the effort for two major humanitarian projects…
Joanne Patterson Rich has lived in Salt Lake City most of her life, attending Olympus High School and graduating with a BA in Communications from BYU! She married the most wonderful man on earth, Jim Rich, who passed away valiantly in…
Larry Richman writes daily articles at www.LDS365.com to help Latter-day Saints become more aware of helpful resources from the Church and from others. He regularly encourages people to hasten the work of the Lord by sharing the goodness of the…
Bruce K. Satterfield Bruce Satterfield is a professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Brigham Young University - Idaho where he teaches Old and New Testament. He also teaches Biblical Hebrew in the Honors Program. Bro.Satterfield did his undergraduate…
Franz was born in Italy and lives in Norfolk (UK) with her two children, Alex and Kim. Her passions include illustration, cartoons, photography, fitness, wholistic health, skating, writing novels and much more. She loves life and nature and she tries…
JeaNette G. Smith is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (L.M.F.T.) and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (L.M.H.C.) in private practice in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. She is the author of the recently released book, Unsteady: What Every Parent Absolutely Must…
Seth Adam Smith was born in Alaska and raised in Utah. He has edited and produced many short LDS films for the internet and runs several popular blogs and YouTube channels. He enjoys gardening, politics, writing, film, running marathons and…
Rod Smith is a constitutional scholar and has served as a law school dean and as President at Southern Virginia University. Rod currently directs the Center for Constitutional Studies at Utah Valley University and is the author of numerous books…
 Don H. Staheli holds a bachelor's degree in history and master's degrees in international management and social work. He has lovingly assisted thousands of people in his work as a licensed clinical social worker and trainer. He has served for…
Geoff Steurer is a licensed marriage and family therapist in St. George, Utah. He specializes in working with couples, pornography/sexual addiction, betrayal trauma, and infidelity. He is the founder of Lifestar of St. George, Utah and Alliant Counseling and Education.…
For more than 30 years Mark has been a successful entrepreneur, marketer, and educator. In 1990, the USSRâs Deputy Minister of Higher Education brought Mark teach free market business principles to leaders of the presidentâs cabinet, got him to be…
James T. Summerhays has served as Senior Editor for the academic journal BYU Studies Quarterly, Editor and Instructional Designer in the Continuing Education Department at BYU, and as New Media Editor at Deseret Book. James and his wife Mary have…
Vickey is a songwriter/producer, vocalist, and professional speaker, who has spoken for more than two decades Church Education Systems, including BYU Education Week and Best of Especially for Youth. She is a Billboard award winning songwriter, with hundreds of songs…
During the past 25 years, Dian Thomas has delivered more than 5000 media appearances. She is the author of 18 books, including the New York Times Best Seller Roughing it Easy, which has sold more than a million copies. She…
Devin D. Thorpe, author of Building Wealth for Building the Kingdom: A Financial Planning Guide for Latter-day Saint Families and other books, recently served as a business professor at South China University of Technology in Guangzhou, China for BYU's Kennedy…
Rachel J. Trotter is a senior writer/editor at Evalogue.Life â Tell Your Story. She tells peopleâs stories and shares hers to encourage others. She loves family storytelling. A graduate of Weber State University, she has had articles featured on LDSLiving.com…
G.G. Vandagriff is the full-time writer of eleven books, including the Whitney Award Winner The Last Waltz: A Novel of Love and War. A Meridian columnist for ten years, she is a survivor of bi-polar disorder and has written, with…
Dennis has been in love with food since he was given a cookbook for his eighth birthday. Since then, he has burnt food from Miami, Florida to Point Barrow, Alaska. He is the general manager of The Prepared Pantry in…
Diana Webb was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah.  She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Utah in 1972 with a degree in English Education. She got a job teaching school at John F. Kennedy Junior…
A graduate of BYU in Philosophy, Kimberly White is a public speaker and author of The Shift: How Seeing People as People Changes Everything (published by Berrett-Koehler). The Shift demonstrates how the principles of the Arbinger Institute have been appliedâwith…
Dr. Lynne Wilson lives in Palo Alto, California with her husband Dow. She is mother to seven children--all with red hair. Lynne received her master's degree in the New Testament, and a PhD in Theology and American Religious History at…
