BRENT & WENDY TOP

Brent & Wendy were both born and raised in Idaho Falls, ID and yes, they were "high school sweethearts"...(long story).  After Brent's mission to Denmark Copenhagen Mission, they married in the Idaho Falls Temple and began their wild and wonderful journey together. Besides the incredible memories, experiences and opportunities they have been blessed with through the years, they also are blessed to have four children, 25 grandchildren, and so far 3 great-grandchildren.  They have twice served as mission leaders together.  First they presided over the Illinois Peoria Mission (2004-2007) and most recently they led the missionaries and operations of the Mormon Battalion Historic Site in San Diego (2022-2024).  Together they have authored five books.  They love traveling, working together, playing pickleball and riding their e-bikes (Wendy wishes Brent was better at both of those) and soaking in the scenery of the beautiful red mountains near their home in St. George, UT.

Wendy attended Brigham Young University and is continually "seek(ing)  out of the best books words of wisdom; and seek(ing) learning even by study and faith" (D&C  88:118).  In addition to her love of  the "best books"  she also consumer the "best podcasts"  that not only increase her knowledge of the scriptures, but also inspire her to deeper discipleship.

She has been a speaker at BYU Education Week and Women's Conference and in many other settings.  She is the author of Getting Past the Labels-How the Truth Makes Women Free.  She loves reading and researching Latter-day Saint Church History and has published articles and chapters in books from her historical research, including a book entitled, Emma Smith-Elect Lady.  Family history is one of her great passions in life.  She has served the Church in many capacities, including mission leader and twice as Relief Society President.

Brent received all three of his degrees from Brigham Young University and then after 10 years in Seminaries & Institutes he joined the BYU  Religious Education faculty where he taught for the next 35 years finally "graduating" into retirement in 2021 after teaching religion for 45 years.  Dr., Professor, Brother Top has authored (or edited) over 20 books.  For many years he could be seen on BYUTV engaging with colleagues in the popular "Scripture Roundtable Discussions."  He is a popular speaker and for many years he was involved with BYU Education Week, Women's Conference, and scripture symposia with many of his talks and presentations still broadcast on BYUTV and available on the web.  His BYU address entitled, "What is this thing that men call death?" is one of the most watched and downloaded talks on the BYU website.  During his tenure at BYU, he served as Church History and Doctrine department chair of and dean of Religious Education for many years.  He has a great passion for engaging in interfaith dialogues with scholars and leaders of other faith traditions.  The last few years of his career at BYU, he was the Richard L. Evans Professor of Religious Understanding.

Much of Brent's adult life has been in Church leadership positions, including service as a bishop and stake president.  Currently, he is a temple sealer.