Jack Weyland
Encyclopedia
Jack Arnold Weyland is a professor of physics at Brigham Young University–Idaho
(BYU–Idaho) and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He is a prolific and well known author of fiction for LDS audiences
, including many novels and short stories, mostly placed in contemporary settings. His novel Charly was made into a feature film in 2002.
. He graduated from Billings Senior High School and then attended Montana State University
where he majored in Physics
. Upon graduating he served a mission
for the LDS Church in New York
and Pennsylvania
. After completing his mission he went to BYU
and received his Ph.D. in Physics.
While attending BYU Jack decided to take an elective course in creative writing. After a few weeks Jack realized he was in trouble, he was not a very good writer. Jack Weyland said, "The one time I ventured to tell my instructor I wanted to write LDS fiction
, he said, 'You’re not serious, are you?' Certainly a fair question based on what he had seen of my writing. I became discouraged and dropped the course and didn’t think about writing again for several years."
Jack married his wife Sherry and they had a daughter named Barbara. After Barbara was born they left BYU and went to South Dakota
where Jack taught physics at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
. While in South Dakota they had four more children, Dan, Brad, Jed, and Josie.
In the summer 1971 Jack had the opportunity to work for the BYU physics department doing high-pressure research. While at BYU Weyland decided to take a correspondence writing course. "Especially I wanted it to be by correspondence. Never again would I tell anyone face to face that I wanted to write. The course cost me, as I remember it, $37.50. In addition there was the typewriter to rent." (Jack Weyland) Jack decided that he wanted to write an article for the New Era
magazine.
Weyland's first two stories that he sent into New Era were accepted, but his third entry was rejected. After having this rejection he was done writing, but the next summer he found himself submitting another article to New Era that was accepted.
Each summer Jack found himself writing in his spare time. In 1979 Weyland made a goal to write a novel that would be published by October, he finished his first novel, Charly. After completing his goal of writing a novel Weyland said, "The Lord blesses us richly for any service we give. He helps us discover talents we never know existed within us." In his writing career, Weyland has published about three dozen books and more than 50 short stories in the New Era.
Although successful in his LDS publications, Weyland has continued to teach physics. He taught at Ricks College, (now BYU–Idaho) from 1993 to 2005, and has even continued teaching after retirement as a "campus service missionary". He explained "I enjoyed physics then and still do today. It is, after all, what I spend most of my time doing." He and his wife have also served as missionaries for the Church Educational System
on Long Island, New York.
Weyland also writes a column on science topics for the local newspaper, the Rexburg Standard Journal.
Brigham Young University–Idaho
Brigham Young University–Idaho is a private university located in Rexburg, Idaho. Founded in 1888, the university is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and transitioned from a junior college to a four-year institution in 2001, known for the greater part of its...
(BYU–Idaho) and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He is a prolific and well known author of fiction for LDS audiences
LDS fiction
LDS fiction is an American niche market of fiction novels featuring themes related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
, including many novels and short stories, mostly placed in contemporary settings. His novel Charly was made into a feature film in 2002.
Biography
Weyland was born in Butte, MontanaButte, Montana
Butte is a city in Montana and the county seat of Silver Bow County, United States. In 1977, the city and county governments consolidated to form the sole entity of Butte-Silver Bow. As of the 2010 census, Butte's population was 34,200...
. He graduated from Billings Senior High School and then attended Montana State University
Montana State University - Bozeman
Montana State University – Bozeman is a public university located in Bozeman, Montana. It is the state's land-grant university and primary campus in the Montana State University System, which is part of the Montana University System...
where he majored in Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
. Upon graduating he served a mission
Missionary (LDS Church)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most active modern practitioners of missionary work, with over 52,000 full-time missionaries worldwide, as of the end of 2010...
for the LDS Church in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. After completing his mission he went to BYU
BYU
-Education:* Brigham Young University, a university located in Provo, Utah, USA administered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.**BYU Salt Lake Center, a satellite center in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA...
and received his Ph.D. in Physics.
While attending BYU Jack decided to take an elective course in creative writing. After a few weeks Jack realized he was in trouble, he was not a very good writer. Jack Weyland said, "The one time I ventured to tell my instructor I wanted to write LDS fiction
LDS fiction
LDS fiction is an American niche market of fiction novels featuring themes related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
, he said, 'You’re not serious, are you?' Certainly a fair question based on what he had seen of my writing. I became discouraged and dropped the course and didn’t think about writing again for several years."
Jack married his wife Sherry and they had a daughter named Barbara. After Barbara was born they left BYU and went to South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
where Jack taught physics at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public institution of higher learning in Rapid City, South Dakota governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents. Founded in 1885 as the Dakota School of Mines, Tech offers degree programs in engineering and science fields. 2,354 students were...
. While in South Dakota they had four more children, Dan, Brad, Jed, and Josie.
In the summer 1971 Jack had the opportunity to work for the BYU physics department doing high-pressure research. While at BYU Weyland decided to take a correspondence writing course. "Especially I wanted it to be by correspondence. Never again would I tell anyone face to face that I wanted to write. The course cost me, as I remember it, $37.50. In addition there was the typewriter to rent." (Jack Weyland) Jack decided that he wanted to write an article for the New Era
New Era (magazine)
New Era is an official magazine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. First published in January 1971 along with the Ensign and the Friend, the New Era's intended audience has always been the youth of the Church...
magazine.
Weyland's first two stories that he sent into New Era were accepted, but his third entry was rejected. After having this rejection he was done writing, but the next summer he found himself submitting another article to New Era that was accepted.
Each summer Jack found himself writing in his spare time. In 1979 Weyland made a goal to write a novel that would be published by October, he finished his first novel, Charly. After completing his goal of writing a novel Weyland said, "The Lord blesses us richly for any service we give. He helps us discover talents we never know existed within us." In his writing career, Weyland has published about three dozen books and more than 50 short stories in the New Era.
Although successful in his LDS publications, Weyland has continued to teach physics. He taught at Ricks College, (now BYU–Idaho) from 1993 to 2005, and has even continued teaching after retirement as a "campus service missionary". He explained "I enjoyed physics then and still do today. It is, after all, what I spend most of my time doing." He and his wife have also served as missionaries for the Church Educational System
Church Educational System
The Church Educational System of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints consists of several institutions that provide religious and secular education for both Latter-day Saint and non-Latter-day Saint elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students and adult learners...
on Long Island, New York.
Weyland also writes a column on science topics for the local newspaper, the Rexburg Standard Journal.
Publications
- 1980 Charly
- 1981 Sam
- 1982 The Reunion
- 1983 Pepper Tide
- 1984 A New Dawn
- 1985 The Understudy
- 1986 Last of the Big-Time Spenders
- 1987 Sara - Whenever I Hear Your Name
- 1988 Brenda at the Prom
- 1989 Stephanie
- 1990 Michelle & Debra
- 1992 Kimberly
- 1993 Nicole
- 1994 On the Run
- 1996 Lean On Me
- 1997 Brittany
- 1998 Jake
- 1999 Emily
- 2000 Ashley & Jen
- 2001 Megan
- 2003 Cheyenne in New York
- 2004 Adam's Story
- 2003 Saving Kristen
- 2006 Alone, Together
- 2008 As Always, Dave
- 2009 Brianna, My Brother, and the Blog
- 2009 The Samaritan Bueno