University of St Andrews, Scotland

As you may know, I am an LDS graduate student about to begin a PhD program in Religious Studies at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. I will be studying ancient temple themes and how they were perpetuated over time, both in the Scriptures and in other religious literature, including intertestamental literature such as the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Books of Enoch.

When I was a teenager, Truman Madsen sometimes taught my priests quorum and I was inspired by his stories of the Holy Land. I was later blessed to go on a tour of Israel.  As I walked where Jesus walked, the Spirit testified to me of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I desired then to better know my Savior, the lands of the Scriptures, their languages and texts.

I earned a BA in Near Eastern Studies from BYU and an MA in Theology from Marquette University (see my full CV here). During this time, I was fortunate to receive the Hugh Nibley Fellowship from the Neal A. Maxwell Institute at BYU as well as other scholarships to help me pursue my studies. I have felt the Lord guiding me and putting special people in my path who have helped me and my family in other ways. I am now heading to St Andrews in the Fall for my PhD studies. The university there is Scotland’s oldest (est. 1413) and its program for religious studies is one of the best in the world. I will be studying under the supervision of Professor Jim Davila, Head of the School of Divinity (see bio here). After completing my PhD, my goal is to share what I’ve learned through teaching, research, and Church service.

St Mary's College, home of the School of Divinity

I have recently been thinking about another Truman—Truman O. Angell—the architect who was sent on a mission to study some of the great monuments in Europe, and returned to turn Brigham Young’s vision for the Salt Lake Temple into a reality. Brother Angell could not have completed his mission without the generous contributions of fellow Saints who supported him financially. Though, of course, I have not been officially called on a mission as was Brother Angell, I face similar financial challenges as I begin this new phase of my studies.  My scholarships and my personal income can only pay a portion of the costs, and I am hoping that kind friends who share my interest in LDS scripture scholarship will be willing to help with one-time or monthly contributions. Donations to my PhD research will naturally support the Heavenly Ascents website as I continue to share with you all the exciting things I am learning.

I believe that my studies at St. Andrews will put me in a position to advance in the field of temple studies and ancient texts in ways that will be of value to the LDS community.  I have a testimony that the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored in our day, and particularly of the fact that temple ordinances are of ancient origin. Since those lessons with Truman Madsen and my time in the Holy Land, I knew that this was the cause to which I should devote my studies and professional life.   Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

David J. Larsen

If you would like to contribute, you can contact me at:

Email: davidjlarsen01@gmail.com

You can also contribute through PayPal to david@heavenlyascents.com, or simply click on the button “Donate” below.

Also, purchasing any of the great Amazon.com “recommended books” I have posted throughout the site (for example, see here)will give me a small (but helpful) commission.