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For university students studying religious history, theology, or medieval studies, understanding the lives of saints is a crucial part of their education. Acta Sanctorum, available through ProQuest, is an exceptional resource that provides access to an extensive collection of hagiographies—biographies of saints—spanning from the early days of Christianity to the sixteenth century. This database is a treasure trove of primary sources that can deepen your understanding of Christian traditions and the historical contexts in which they developed.

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What is Hagiography?

Hagiography is the study and writing of the lives of saints. These biographies often highlight the virtues, miracles, and martyrdoms of holy figures, aiming to inspire devotion and provide moral examples for the faithful. Hagiographies are not just religious texts; they are also valuable historical documents that offer insights into the cultural, social, and political landscapes of the times in which they were written.

Acta Sanctorum compiles these hagiographies into a comprehensive collection, making it an indispensable resource for students and scholars alike. By studying hagiographies, students can explore the ways in which saints were venerated and how their stories were used to reinforce religious beliefs and practices throughout history.

Key Features of Acta Sanctorum

1. Extensive Hagiographical Collection: Acta Sanctorum is one of the most exhaustive databases of hagiographical texts. It includes detailed accounts of saints’ lives, their miracles, and their martyrdoms, providing a rich source of material for understanding the role of sainthood in Christian history. The collection covers the entire liturgical calendar, offering biographies of saints for each day of the year.
2. Latin Texts with Scholarly Annotations: The original Latin texts are preserved in Acta Sanctorum, accompanied by critical scholarly annotations. These annotations provide context, explain difficult passages, and offer interpretations that enhance the reader’s understanding of the texts. For students proficient in Latin, this feature allows for direct engagement with the primary source material.
3. Searchable Database: The digital format of Acta Sanctorum makes it easy to navigate through the vast collection. The searchable database allows students to quickly locate specific saints, feast days, or themes, making research more efficient and focused. This feature is particularly useful for students working on specific research projects or papers.
4. Multidisciplinary Resource: While Acta Sanctorum is primarily a resource for religious studies, it also has significant value for students in history, literature, and cultural studies. The hagiographies offer glimpses into medieval life, art, and thought, making the database a versatile tool for exploring various academic disciplines.

Benefits for University Students

1. In-Depth Exploration of Saints’ Lives: By accessing Acta Sanctorum, students can delve into the rich narratives of saints’ lives, gaining insights into their significance within Christian tradition. This deep exploration aids in understanding how these figures were perceived and why they were revered.
2. Enhancing Research Skills: Acta Sanctorum provides an opportunity to engage with primary sources, fostering the development of critical research skills. Students learn to analyze historical documents, assess the reliability of sources, and interpret texts within their historical and cultural contexts.
3. Broadening Academic Perspectives: The study of hagiography through Acta Sanctorum allows students to appreciate the complex interplay between religion, culture, and history. This broader perspective enriches their academic experience and contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the past.

Conclusion

Acta Sanctorum is an invaluable resource for university students interested in the study of hagiography, religious history, and medieval culture. With its extensive collection of Latin texts, scholarly annotations, and user-friendly search features, it offers a unique opportunity to engage deeply with the lives of saints and the historical contexts in which they were venerated. Exploring Acta Sanctorum not only enhances your research capabilities but also broadens your understanding of the rich tapestry of Christian history.

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The library provides online access to The Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) for students and researchers who aim to produce polished, professional, and academically rigorous writing. The CMS is a comprehensive guide that addresses every aspect of the writing process, from grammar and punctuation to citations and manuscript preparation. Its thoroughness makes it an indispensable resource for anyone involved in academic or professional writing.

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Two Citation Styles for Different Disciplines

One of the standout features of the Chicago Manual of Style is its flexibility in citation formats, offering two distinct styles: the Notes and Bibliography system and the Author-Date system.

1. Notes and Bibliography System: This style is commonly used in the humanities, particularly in disciplines like history, literature, and the arts. It emphasizes the use of footnotes or endnotes for citations, along with a corresponding bibliography at the end of the document.

   • Example:
     • Footnote:
       1. Jane Doe, The Art of Writing (New York: Publishing House, 2020), 45.
     • Bibliography Entry:
       Doe, Jane. The Art of Writing. New York: Publishing House, 2020.

   This system is especially useful for writers who wish to provide extensive commentary or cite multiple sources within a single note. It allows for a detailed exploration of sources, providing readers with a rich understanding of the material.

2. Author-Date System: This style is preferred in the sciences and social sciences, where brevity and clarity are essential. Citations are included in the text, with the author's last name and the publication year in parentheses, followed by a complete reference list at the end of the document.

   • Example:
     • In-Text Citation:
       (Doe 2020, 45)
     • Reference List Entry:
       Doe, Jane. 2020. The Art of Writing. New York: Publishing House.

   The Author-Date system streamlines the citation process, making it easier for readers to follow the text without the interruption of footnotes. It’s particularly effective in fields where current research is frequently referenced.

Beyond Citations: Comprehensive Writing Guidance

While the Chicago Manual of Style is renowned for its citation guidance, it also offers extensive advice on grammar, usage, and manuscript preparation. For instance, it provides clear rules for handling tricky punctuation issues, such as the correct use of commas and semicolons, and offers guidance on dealing with digital sources, including websites, e-books, and social media.

The CMS also includes sections on preparing a manuscript for publication, from formatting to editing and proofreading. This comprehensive approach ensures that your work adheres to the highest standards of academic integrity and readability.

Why Use the Chicago Manual of Style?

Whether you're writing a research paper, a thesis, or a journal article, the Chicago Manual of Style is an essential tool that can help you communicate your ideas clearly and effectively. It not only ensures that your work is properly cited and formatted but also enhances the overall quality of your writing.

Incorporating the Chicago Manual of Style into your writing process will give you the confidence to produce work that meets the rigorous demands of scholarly communication, all while maintaining a professional and polished presentation.

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In today’s world, where wellness and alternative health practices are increasingly popular, having access to reliable information is essential. EBSCO's ALT HealthWatch database offers a wealth of resources specifically tailored to those interested in alternative health and medicine. Whether you’re a student, researcher, or simply curious about non-traditional health practices, ALT HealthWatch is a valuable tool that makes exploring this field both accessible and straightforward.

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What is ALT HealthWatch?

ALT HealthWatch is a specialized database that focuses on complementary, holistic, and integrated approaches to health and wellness. It provides full-text access to over 200 journals, reports, and other publications related to alternative health practices. This includes content on acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, chiropractic care, and more. The database covers a wide range of topics, from scientific research to consumer health articles, offering a comprehensive view of alternative health practices.

Resources Available

1. Scholarly Journals: ALT HealthWatch includes peer-reviewed journals that provide in-depth research and studies on various aspects of alternative medicine. These journals are essential for students and professionals looking to support their work with credible, evidence-based information.
2. Magazines and Reports: In addition to scholarly journals, the database also includes popular magazines and reports that cater to both health professionals and the general public. These resources offer a more accessible overview of topics, making them ideal for those new to the field or seeking practical advice.
3. Pamphlets and Fact Sheets: ALT HealthWatch offers a variety of pamphlets and fact sheets that provide quick, easy-to-digest information on specific health practices. These resources are particularly useful for educators and practitioners who need to share information with patients or clients.
4. Conference Proceedings: The database also includes conference proceedings, which provide insight into the latest research and developments in alternative health practices. This feature is valuable for staying up-to-date with emerging trends and innovations in the field.

Ease of Use

One of the standout features of ALT HealthWatch is its user-friendly interface. EBSCO’s intuitive search tools make it easy to navigate the database, whether you’re looking for specific articles or browsing general topics. The platform allows users to filter search results by publication type, date, and subject, ensuring you find exactly what you need quickly and efficiently. Additionally, the option to save searches and set up alerts ensures that you can stay informed about new research in your areas of interest.

Why Use ALT HealthWatch?

For anyone interested in alternative health practices, ALT HealthWatch is an indispensable resource. It combines the depth of scholarly research with the accessibility of consumer-friendly articles, making it suitable for a wide audience. The database’s easy-to-use interface ensures that even those new to online research can find valuable information with ease.

Explore EBSCO's ALT HealthWatch today and tap into a world of knowledge on alternative health practices that can enhance both your personal and professional understanding of wellness.

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For business students seeking to excel in their studies and gain a competitive edge in the marketplace, access to reliable and comprehensive resources is crucial. One such resource is EBSCO's Business Source Premier database, a powerful tool designed to support your academic and professional growth. Available through the BYU-Pathway Worldwide library website, this database offers a wealth of information tailored specifically for business research.

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What is Business Source Premier?

Business Source Premier is a premier database that provides full-text access to more than 2,300 journals, including peer-reviewed titles. It covers all areas of business, including marketing, management, accounting, finance, and economics. In addition to journal articles, the database also includes company profiles, industry reports, market research, and SWOT analyses, making it a one-stop resource for business students.

Key Features and Benefits

1. Comprehensive Coverage: With content spanning various business disciplines, Business Source Premier is an invaluable resource for coursework, research papers, and case studies. Whether you're analyzing market trends, researching corporate strategies, or exploring financial data, you'll find the information you need in this extensive database.
2. High-Quality, Peer-Reviewed Content: The database includes a wide range of peer-reviewed journals, ensuring that the information you access is credible and up-to-date. This is particularly important for academic research, where the reliability of sources is paramount.
3. Company and Industry Information: Business Source Premier provides detailed company profiles and industry reports, which are essential for understanding the business landscape. Whether you’re conducting a SWOT analysis or preparing for a business presentation, these resources offer valuable insights into the companies and industries you’re studying.
4. Market Research Reports: The database includes access to in-depth market research reports that analyze current trends, forecast future developments, and provide data-driven insights. This is particularly useful for students working on projects that require an understanding of market dynamics.
5. User-Friendly Interface: EBSCO’s platform is designed with ease of use in mind. The intuitive search features allow you to quickly locate relevant articles, reports, and data. You can also save searches, set up alerts, and export citations, making it easy to manage your research efficiently.

Why Business Source Premier is Essential for Business Students

For business students, staying informed about the latest trends, research, and industry developments is key to success. Business Source Premier not only provides access to critical academic and industry resources but also equips you with the tools to excel in your studies and beyond.

Access the Business Source Premier database and start exploring the wealth of information available to you.

Aviation has always been a symbol of human innovation, courage, and the spirit of exploration. For many, the sky represents endless possibilities and a frontier that beckons the bold. Interestingly, some leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been deeply connected to this world of flight, seeing in it not just a means of transportation, but a metaphor for spiritual journey, progress, and missionary work.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the lives of three influential Latter-day Saint leaders—Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, President George Albert Smith, and President Joseph Fielding Smith—who each had a unique relationship with aviation, and how their stories are captured in the photographs preserved in BYU's Religious Education collection.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: A Pilot at Heart

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s name is almost synonymous with aviation in the minds of many Latter-day Saints. Before his call as an Apostle, he was a pilot and later became a senior vice president for flight operations and chief pilot of Lufthansa Airlines. His passion for aviation wasn’t just a profession—it was a calling that informed much of his teaching and worldview.

Elder Uchtdorf often draws parallels between his experiences as a pilot and the journey of faith. In many of his talks, he uses flight metaphors to teach principles such as navigation through life’s storms, relying on instruments (faith) when visibility is low, and the importance of following a pre-determined flight plan (God’s plan).

One memorable talk, titled "Continue in Patience," likens turbulence in flight to the challenges of life. He teaches that just as a pilot must trust the instruments and remain calm, so too must we trust in the Lord’s guidance during our personal trials. His insights, born of thousands of hours in the cockpit, bring a unique and powerful perspective to spiritual teachings.

The connection between Elder Uchtdorf’s love for flying and his spiritual insights provides a vivid example of how one’s passions and professional experiences can enhance and deepen religious teachings. His story is a testament to the idea that faith can be found in all aspects of life, even in the skies.

Elder George Albert Smith: A Visionary Advocate for Air Travel

Long before air travel became commonplace, Elder George Albert Smith recognized its potential to connect the world and advance the missionary work of the Church. Elder Smith, who would later become the 8th President of the Church, was an early proponent of aviation. His enthusiasm for this new mode of transportation was not just about convenience—it was about the broader implications for spreading the gospel.

In a time when traveling by plane was still a novelty, Elder Smith prophetically stated, "I am sure that the day is not far distant when nearly everyone will go by air when they have any distance to travel." His forward-thinking view of aviation as a tool for global communication and connection was revolutionary.

A photograph preserved in our collection captures Elder Smith’s pioneering spirit. In the image, he stands with his wife in front of an express mail plane bound for Salt Lake City, dressed in aviator’s clothing—a symbol of his embrace of this new technology. The image is not just a historical artifact; it is a visual representation of his vision for the future.

Elder Smith’s advocacy for air travel highlights the Church’s longstanding interest in using technology to further its mission. His early support for aviation reflects a broader pattern of Church leaders who have seen the potential in new technologies to connect people and spread the gospel message.

Joseph Fielding Smith: A Prophet’s Love for Flight

Joseph Fielding Smith, the 10th President of the Church, also had a deep love for flying. He saw in aviation not just the marvels of modern technology, but the fulfillment of ancient prophecy. In Isaiah 11:11, 14, the scriptures speak of the gathering of Israel and the people “flying as the birds” to return to their lands. Joseph Fielding Smith saw the development of aviation as a modern fulfillment of these prophetic words.

His enthusiasm for flight was more than symbolic. He actively supported the use of airplanes for missionary work, understanding that this new technology could dramatically speed up the spread of the gospel. Missionaries could now reach distant lands quickly, fulfilling the commandment to take the gospel to all the world.

The photographs in our collection capture Joseph Fielding Smith’s passion for flight. One particularly striking image shows him gazing at an airplane, his expression one of admiration and awe. For him, the ability to fly was not just a human achievement but a divine blessing—a tool given by God to further His work on earth.

Joseph Fielding Smith’s perspective on aviation illustrates how technological advancements can be viewed through the lens of faith. He saw airplanes not just as machines but as instruments of divine purpose, enabling the Church to fulfill its global mission.

The Legacy of Faith and Flight

The stories of Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, President George Albert Smith, and President Joseph Fielding Smith show how aviation has played a unique role in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For these leaders, flight was more than a means of travel; it was a metaphor for spiritual ascent, a tool for missionary work, and a fulfillment of prophecy.

The photographs in our collection offer a visual record of this fascinating intersection between faith and flight. They remind us that the gospel can find expression in all aspects of life, including the skies above. As we look back at these images and the stories they tell, we see not just the history of aviation, but the unfolding of divine purpose through the inspired leadership of the Church.

As you continue to explore the Religious Education collection from BYU, we invite you to reflect on the ways in which technology and faith have intersected in your own life. How has modern innovation inspired you to think differently about your spiritual journey? And how can we, like these leaders, use the tools at our disposal to further the work of the gospel?

We are excited to announce the launch of our new library website, designed specifically for students enrolled in BYU-Pathway Worldwide. The website, accessible at https://library.byupathway.edu/, serves as a comprehensive portal to essential library resources, databases, and services tailored to support your academic journey.

This new platform is streamlined to provide easy access to a wide range of library databases, ensuring that students have the research tools they need to excel in their studies. Whether you’re working on a research paper, preparing for exams, or simply exploring topics of interest, the BYU-Pathway library website is your go-to resource.

Key features of the website include:

• Access to Library Databases: Find and utilize a variety of academic databases that are critical for your coursework and research needs.
• User-Friendly Interface: The site is designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind, making it easy to find what you need quickly.
• 24/7 Accessibility: The library website is available around the clock, so you can access resources whenever and wherever you need them.

Our goal with this new website is to make it as easy as possible for BYU-Pathway students to access the resources and information they need to succeed. We invite you to explore the site and take advantage of all the tools and materials it offers.

Visit https://library.byupathway.edu/ today to start exploring!