Baby books and Structuralism

Recently, Brigham Young University held an English Symposium.  There were many different panels and speakers to choose from.  You could listen to keynote speakers, which included Jennifer Adams and Ally Condie, or from a variety of students presenting their works.  I chose to attend one of the keynote addresses and a session called Reading the Book of Mormon.

My experience with Jennifer Adams was amazing.  Ms. Adams is most known for her work on a series of children’s books referred to as BabyLit.  These books are not simple retold stories in classic literature.  They are primer board books which cover topics such as colors, counting, and even sea creatures.  They are absolutely brilliant.  They even include "Easter eggs" for parents to enjoy.  Go and buy all 30 today.  You won't be sorry!  She spoke on her successes in publishing and her work as an editor.  She shared great pieces of wisdom with us which included:

-It’s possible to have a job in publishing!

-Writers write.

-Fuel yourself creatively.

-Writers read.

-Writers work hard.

-Writers can let go.

-Writers work on more than one project at a time.

The advice that stood out the most to me is that writers work hard.  She pointed out that it’s common sense for us to think if we want to get better at a sport or instrument we should practice.  Writing is the same way.  The only way to get better at writing is to do it daily. 

I also appreciated her words of encouragement.  I would love to be an editor someday.  She gave me confidence that achieving that dream is possible.

The second session I attended was titled Reading the Book of Mormon.  In this gathering, four students of Professor Kylie Turley shared papers they had written in her English 268 class.  Each was unique and thought provoking.  My favorite presentation was given by Marcus Reynolds and was titled, “The First Principles of the Gospel: Repentance and Faith.”  His idea was focused on the structuralism of the Book of Mormon and how often these two concepts are presented in this order.  He shared that the words “repentance” and “faith” are found together fifty-eight times in the Book of Mormon and that fifty of those times “repentance” is placed before “faith.”  Because of this fact, Marcus proposed that a popular cycle in the Book of Mormon looks like this:

Unrighteousness-Desire to change-Repentance-Faith

I enjoyed this new take on a gospel principle I have learned about my entire life.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the BYU English Symposium and look forward to attending for years to come.