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VICTOR L. LUDLOW

Professor of Ancient Scripture

Brigham Young University

Office: 210-G JSB, BYU

Provo, UT 84602

Tel. 801-422-3356

Dr. Victor L. Ludlow is a teacher, scholar, author, and popular lecturer. His classes provide thought-provoking insights into the scriptures, especially the book of Isaiah. His extensive scholarly research into Judaism, his three semester abroad programs in Jerusalem, and his two dozen trips to the Middle East qualify him as an expert in Near Eastern studies. His authorship of three books and numerous articles explore the areas of Bible studies, the Middle East (both ancient and modern), Jewish history and theology, and comparative Latter-day Saint (Mormon) theology. His extensive travels and lectures throughout the United States and Canada demonstrate his popularity as a speaker over a wide range of topics. Foremost, however, Brother Ludlow considers himself as a teacher--an activity he has pursued since 1961.

Personal Information

After his birth in Spanish Fork, Utah, Dr. Ludlow lived in California, Indiana, Michigan, and New York until his family settled in Provo, Utah. After high school and a stint in the U.S. Army, he entered Brigham Young University. He served a thirty month LDS mission in Duesseldorf, Germany (1962-1964), and then returned to the "Y" and married the girl from Chicago who had waited for him.

Seven years of student poverty followed. He graduated with high honors from BYU and was recognized as a Danforth Fellow at Harvard and Brandeis Universities where he received his Ph.D. in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies. In 1972, he was invited to teach at Brigham Young University, where he recently served as the Director of Bible Studies for the Religious Studies Center. He is currently a Professor of Ancient Scripture and the Coordinator for Near Eastern Studies at BYU.

Professor Ludlow has taught a variety of classes at BYU and in Jerusalem, with an emphasis in Bible, Isaiah, Book of Mormon, Judaism, and related topics. He has received the Sidney B. Sperry Award, Professor of the Month, and other teaching awards. He has also served as chair of the Faculty General Education Council, on the Faculty Advisory Council (faculty senate), and on the Executive Committee for the Near Eastern Studies & Semester Abroad Programs at BYU. He currently is on the Jerusalem Center Academic Coordinating Committee. He also received the Commissioner's Research Fellowship (1980-81), which resulted in a major research manuscript and book about Isaiah.

Brother Ludlow's church callings have included branch president, high councilor, bishop, stake young men's president, counselor in a stake presidency, and mission president of the Germany Frankfurt Mission (1983-86). His most common callings have been as a gospel doctrine teacher, Aaronic Priesthood advisor, and Varsity Scout team coach. Bishop Ludlow is currently serving for the second time in the BYU 10^th Stake as the bishop of a freshman ward; this time, the BYU 12^th Ward with 158 freshmen members.

He has served the community as the BSA Provo District Scout Chairman and Varsity Commissioner, in the Provo Rotary Club on its Board of Directors and as its President in 2000-01, as a certified first-aid & CPR instructor with the American Red Cross, as a Little League Baseball and Youth Basketball Association coach, and in minor political offices.

Prof. Ludlow has authored numerous articles and the books: Unlocking the Old Testament, Isaiah: Prophet, Seer, and Poet, and Principles and Practices of the Restored Gospel. He has also prepared audio library editions on a variety of topics, including: Making and Keeping Covenants, The Middle East and the Latter-Days, Isaiah's Message for the Latter Days, and Finding Christ in the New Testament.

He and his wife, V-Ann (Virginia Ann), enjoy golf, bowling, camping, hiking, and traveling to the Middle East. They are the parents of four sons and two daughters, who filled their home with love & laundry, friends and fun, and a host of enriching experiences. Adjusting to V.A.R.S. (Vacated Avian Residence Syndrome), they are just learning how to be loving, patient, spoiling grandparents of thirteen grandchildren (seven of whom, including a set of triplets, were born within one year). He especially looks forward each summer to the times when he backpacks into the wilderness area of the High Uintas for some fishing and frisbee golf and when he goes camping/fishing/bonding together with all his "potty-trained" grandkids. When you are having good times like these, you don't have to die to enjoy heaven!

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The "3 Amigos"	Vic at Lodgepole Lake