Quick Facts
Biography
Brent LaMar Top (born 1953) is a professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University (BYU). In 2013 he was made dean of religious education at BYU and the director of BYU's Religious Studies Center.
Biographical background
Top is a native of Idaho Falls. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in Denmark. He holds a bachelor's degree in history, a master's degree in instructional media and a Ph.D. in instructional science and technology all from BYU.
Prior to joining the BYU faculty in 1987, Top was a seminary and then an institute instructor for the Church Educational System. He currently holds an endowed professorship in moral education at BYU.
Among other callings, Top has served as a bishop and a member of a stake presidency in the LDS Church. He is currently (as of July 2013) president of the Pleasant Grove Utah East Stake. Top was the president of the Peoria Illinois Mission from 2004 to 2007.
Publications
Top has written several books. Among these are Ten Secrets Wise Parents Know: Tried and True Things You Can Do To Raise Faithful, Confident Responsible Children (written with Bruce A. Chadwick), When You Can't Do It Alone and Why Bad Things Happen to Good People. He has also written articles for such publications as The Elementary School Journal.