Apply to Present

We welcome applications from individuals who will offer excellent, uplifting, and testimony-building instruction in a wide variety of topics that are related to loss. These topics include, but are not limited to daily life, the gospel, family and relationships, communication, finance, personal development, mental health, and more. 

As we review the needs for the upcoming program, we will consider all applications and proposed topics. Thank you for your interest and support. We look forward to hearing from you! 

—BYU CE Events staff 

Before beginning the application process, please read this page thoroughly. If you have questions regarding the application process or your submission, please contact byulifeafterloss@byu.edu.

Presenter Selection Criteria:

Our goal is to provide a conference experience that offers more than shared stories of loss. We seek presentations that combine meaningful personal experiences and relevant expertise with practical guidance, encouragement, and hope. We want attendees to leave feeling understood, strengthened, and better equipped with tools and strategies to navigate their grief and move forward in their lives. 

Presenter applications will be evaluated based on the following qualifications and considerations:

Presenter Qualifications 

  • Personal experience with the loss of a loved one and/or relevant professional experience supporting individuals and families who are grieving. 

  • Relevant education, professional experience, or specialized knowledge in the proposed subject area. 

  • Thorough preparation and demonstrated expertise in the proposed topic. 

  • Effective teaching and communication skills, sensitivity to those grieving, and the ability to deliver a Christ-centered message that builds faith and offers hope. 

  • Willingness to comply with BYU Continuing Education policies and acknowledgement that presenters may not promote personal goods or services, organizations, or products. 

  • Ecclesiastical endorsement. BYU will contact each applicant’s ecclesiastical leader as part of the review process. 

Topic and Program Considerations 

  • Relevance, timeliness, practicality, and appropriateness of the proposed topic for individuals and families experiencing loss. 

  • A thoughtful balance of relevant personal experience, professional insight, and practical application. Personal stories and experiences should establish connection and provide context while emphasizing actionable strategies, helpful resources, or specific steps participants can take as they navigate grief. 

  • An emphasis on hope, healing, and meaningful progress while honoring individual grieving processes. 

  • Sensitivity to the diverse circumstances and experiences of individuals and families navigating loss. 

  • Contribution to a balanced program addressing the emotional, spiritual, relational, and practical challenges associated with loss. 

  • Alignment with BYU’s mission and faith-centered environment, including a commitment to sharing a Christ-centered message that builds faith. 

  • Willingness to revise presentation titles and outlines as needed through the CE Events review process. 

Potential presentation formats:

Classroom: A traditional presentation in which one or more presenters share knowledge, insights, and practical ideas on a specific topic. 45 minutes. 

Panel: A moderated discussion featuring multiple presenters who share different perspectives, experiences, and insights on a common topic. 45 minutes. 

Workshop: An interactive, hands-on session that invites participants to actively engage in activities, practice skills, or explore ideas they can apply in their own lives. 90 minutes.

NOTE: Things to remember:

  • All titles and content must be consistent with the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 

  • Avoid dealing in absolutes. There is rarely a “best,” “most important,” or “easy” anything. 

  • Avoid dealing in lists of things someone “must do” to overcome a. b. or c. We each walk different paths. 

  • Avoid wording that implies that you have "secret" or "never-before-known" information, or that you have knowledge that is unavailable to the general populace. 

  • Be concise and to the point, but keep in mind that each title should reflect accurately what you intend to teach rather than just being an enticement or a clever adage. 

  • If your title is of a religious nature, consider as models the titles of presentations given at LDS General Conferences. 

  • Please do not submit titles that are subject to misunderstanding, misinterpretation, or which are speculative. 

  • Titles dwelling on the negative aspects of subjects, titles that encourage playing the devil's advocate, and titles that can lead to disagreement among participants are not appropriate. 

  • Titles of distributed or published DVDs, CDs, books, podcasts, workbooks, etc. should not be used as class titles. 

  • Titles that suggest a specific relationship with a single member of the Godhead are not appropriate. 

  • When considering titles and content about subjects of a sacred nature, avoid a frivolous, joking, or sarcastic slant. 

To apply to teach at the 2027 BYU Life After Loss Conference, we must receive the following items between October 22 and December 18, 2026:  

  1. Online application. Please complete the online application. 

    Note: Presenters wishing to speak together can submit an identical title and outline, but should each submit a separate presenter application.  

  1. Titles and outlines. For each proposed class or workshop, please submit a Microsoft Word document listing a class title, brief description of the class/workshop, and a list of 3-5 key teaching points. For each teaching point listed, please also list any resources (quote, scripture, or other source) you plan to use. For workshop presentations, please also include a proposed supply list.  

    Note: The use of AI often generates inaccurate quotes. Please verify all the quotes you use against original sources. 

    Title and outlines of proposed classes should be submitted via email to byulifeafterloss@byu.edu. 
     

  1. A video (minimum of 15 minutes in length) of one of your presentations (not required of current full-time BYU or Seminary and Institute faculty). Post the presentation on YouTube or another site that does not require a login, then email the link to byulifeafterloss@byu.edu.  
     
    Note: The required video does NOT need to be a professional taping; we just need to observe how you approach your topic. Presentation skills, applicable educational qualifications, and life experience are major considerations in our evaluation of prospective presenters 

Once all of your information is received by our office, your video and outline will be reviewed. If selected to present, you will receive an email and link to begin your ecclesiastical clearance. The ecclesiastical release authorizes BYU to contact your ecclesiastical leader regarding eligibility. 

Once completed, a member of the staff will contact you about your availability during the conference. If you are not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the director will call you to discuss the ecclesiastical questions and your availability. 

PLEASE NOTE: There is no compensation for teaching at the BYU Life After Loss conference. There is a small travel stipend for those that would need to drive from the areas near Logan or St. George, or fly in from out-of-state. On-campus housing is not available for the conference, however, there are several hotels available near campus that are listed on our Lodging & Travel page.