Robert J. Matthews, key to LDS edition of Bible, dies

dictionary.Matthews' work wasn't

limited to the JST. He was one of four senior editors of the

"Encyclopedia of Mormonism," reporting to editor Daniel Ludlow. He

taught religion at BYU until he retired in 1992.

"I

used to sit in on his classes when I was at BYU," Charles D. Tate, a

retired English and religion teacher at BYU and former editor of BYU

Studies, said. "His insights were amazing and his research was

thorough."

Jackson said his impact

also included involvement as a curriculum writer for the church's

seminaries and institutes before joining the BYU faculty, scores of

lectures at BYU's Education Week, Know Your Religion classes, firesides

and special summertime classes for instructors in the Church Educational

System.

"He never ever wanted

anything in his life to be about him," Matthew's son Robert D.

Matthews said. "Most of the things that he has done in his life I have

learned about from other people."

After his father died on Sunday, Robert D. Matthews said hundreds of people have shared their experiences with him.

"I

have a good friend of mine who said, 'I took a class from your dad when

I was in college.' One semester (my friend) got mono and missed a bunch

of time. And he said, 'Your dad was the only teacher that called me on

the phone and asked how I was doing and who brought me my coursework.'"

Funeral

services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Lindon 6th Ward

Chapel, 56 E. 600 North in Lindon. A viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday at Olpin Mortuary, 494 S. 300 East in Pleasant Grove.

Interment will be at the Lindon City Cemetery, 550 N. 200 East in

Lindon following the service.

E-mail: mdegroote@desnews.com