Richard N. Holzapfel
Richard Charles Neitzel Holzapfel is an American Professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University (BYU) and a prolific author on topics related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
Biography
Holzapfel was born in Blackfoot, Idaho, and moved regularly as a child, due to his father's naval career. In addition to his native town, his family resided in Southern California, Maine, and Hawaii. He attended Castle Park High School (Chula Vista, California) and graduated from York High School (York, Maine) in 1972. Holzapfel served as a missionary for the LDS Church for two years in Italy and Switzerland.
Holzapfel attended BYU, Hebrew Union College, and the University of California, Irvine, receiving his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. respectively, with an emphasis in each of the following areas: Middle Eastern Studies, Jewish History, Ancient History, American History, and Nineteenth Century American Religious History.
Holzapfel met Jeni Broberg at BYU, and they were married in an LDS temple in 1978. A year later their first child, was born. At that time, Holzapfel moved his young family to Irvine, California to pursue his doctorate at the University of California, Irvine, where he simultaneously worked for the Church Educational System (CES). His first book, Old Mormon Nauvoo 1839-1846 was released in 1990.
Holzapfel came to BYU as an assistant professor in 1993, teaching in the Church History, Ancient Scripture, and History departments. His courses then included the Honors sections of the Doctrine and Covenants and New Testament. He taught at the BYU Jerusalem Center from 1997 through 1998. He is a world traveler, often lecturing around the country and abroad.
Holzapfel currently serves as the Publications Director of the Religious Educator, a quarterly journal publication of the Religious Studies Center at BYU. In addition to teaching and filling various committee assignments at the university, Holzapfel continues a heavy research, writing, and publication agenda. He has written over 32 books and countless articles.
Holzapfel and Jeni currently reside in Provo, Utah. They have five adult children. He is a professor in the BYU Religious Education Department.
In 2007, Holzapfel assisted the More Good Foundation to launch Christ.org, a website intending to bring visitors closer to Jesus Christ.
Works
Holzapfel has written a large amount of books. Many of these have been biographies with large focus on various are and photographic works.
Holzapfel also edited with Thomas A. Wayment a three volume series The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ.
Sources
External links
- Holzapfel's blog hosted by the BYU Religious Studies Center.
- Holzapfel's faculty page for BYU Religious Education.
- Interview with Holzapfel on the Doug Wright Show on KSL radio.
- Holzapfel's vita