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GERALD E. JONES

Gerald E. Jones (born 1933) is a Mormon scholar and retired Institute Director with the Church Education System of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His primary scholarship focused on animals and religion and he pioneered the study of animals and their role in Mormon Theology.

Education and career

Jones studied at the University of Utah for one year before transferring to Brigham Young University for his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. After leaving the University of Utah, he served as a missionary for the LDS Church in the North Central States mission (1952-1954). After returning from his mission, he transferred to Brigham Young University. He earned a PhD in The History and Philosophy of Religion from Brigham Young University in 1973. His dissertation focused on the role of animals in 5 Christian traditions (Bible Christian, Shakers, Latter-day Saint, Church of Christ-Scientist, Seventh Day Adventists). During his studies, he attended courses also at the University of Iowa and the University of Minnesota where he took courses from Alan Watts and Paul Tillich. In 1998, Jones published Animals and the Church, which centered on the unique role of animals in LDS doctrine.

Career

Jones began his teaching career with the Church Education System as a seminary teacher in St. John's Arizona. He subsequently taught LDS Seminary in Tooele, Utah, Rexburg, Idaho and Pocatello, Idaho. Following his master's degree, Jones began teaching in the CES Institute of Religion. He first taught at Idaho State University, the University of Wyoming, followed by UC Berkeley (including UC San Francisco), Stanford and concluding with Yale University. He retired from teaching in 1995.

Interfaith Work

While teaching in Berkeley, Jones became involved with the local interfaith efforts. He sat on the Berkeley/Oakland interfaith council and also the local chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ). In the 1980's, Jones became the first Latter-day Saint to serve on the national board of the NCCJ. Jones also wrote articles on interfaith understanding, including "Respect for Other People’s Beliefs" featured in the October 1977 LDS Church Magazine, The Ensign. Jones also worked closely with the Unification Church students at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. This interaction culminated in being invited to be a tour leader for the 1984 Youth Seminar on World Religions, sponsored by the Unification Church.

Personal life and church service

Jones was born and raised in Gettysburg, South Dakota on the family farm. His grandfather, Roscoe T. Gorman, founded the now defunct town of Gorman, South Dakota, He met and married Joyce Lindstrom while at BYU. Together they had six children. Along with working for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jones also served in numerous teaching positions as part of his church service.