The Community of Christ, formerly known as the “Reorganized” Church or “RLDS,” is a global restoration faith which traces its origins to the life and ministry of Joseph Smith.  In this episode, Dr. Keith Wilson of BYU Religious Education provides a fascinating historical and doctrinal journey of two different restoration faiths that share the same roots by comparing each church’s respective views of Joseph Smith’s First Vision throughout the years. 

Publications:

“The First Vision and Continuing Revelation,” in Restorations: Scholars in Dialogue from Community of Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (forthcoming in press RSC/Deseret Book, 2022).

Click here to see Dr. Keith Wilson present on a comparative analysis of The First Vision

Click here to learn more about professor Keith Wilson

For over sixty years, BYU Studies Quarterly has published scholarship informed by the restored gospel of Jesus Christ on a broad range of topics that are of interest to Latter-day Saints.  In this episode, Dr. Steven Harper, the current editor of BYU Studies, discusses some of the most significant articles in the history of BYU Studies.

Publications:

“Sixty Years of BYU Studies Quarterly, 1959–2019,” (BYU Studies, 2021)

Click here to learn more about professor Steven Harper

Because we live in a day where prejudice and discrimination of all kinds remain fundamental problems across the globe, members of the Church have been counselled “to abandon all personal prejudices.” In this episode, Jan Martin of BYU Ancient Scripture shares her research publication about Samuel the Lamanite and what a past prophet’s experience with discrimination can tell us about confronting and eliminating prejudice in our personal lives.  

“Samuel the Lamanite: Confronting the Wall of Nephite Prejudice” in Samuel the Lamanite: That Ye Might Believe (RSC, 2021)

Click here to learn more about professor Jan Martin

Although it is common to cite Isaiah’s remarkable prophecies about the Savior, Isaiah’s repeated teachings related to the poor usually don’t receive as much attention.  In this episode, emeritus BYU Ancient Scripture professor Dana M. Pike shares his latest publication that magnifies Isaiah’s teachings to provide “a strength to the poor” (Isa. 25:4)—a timeless message applicable today.  Dr. Pike also shares about his work on the Dead Sea Scrolls and insights about studying the Old Testament from his years of training and experience over his career. 

Publications: “The Poor and the Needy in the Book of Isaiah” in Covenant of Compassion (RSC, 2021)

Latter-day Saints are a covenant-centric faith, led by the oft-repeated messages of President Russell M. Nelson to continue “on the covenant path.” But what is this covenant path, and how is it a Restoration of “the covenants of the Father of heaven unto Abraham” (1 Nephi 22:9)?  In this episode, BYU professor of Ancient Scripture, Kerry Muhlestein, shares insights from his recent publication to help us better understand the blessings that come to those who enter and live the Abrahamic covenant.

Publications:

God Will Prevail (Covenant Communications, 2021)

Click here to learn more about professor Kerry Muhlestein

This April, the newly remodeled Washington D.C. Temple will hold its public open house for hundreds and thousands of visitors, marking the latest in a long line of historical events related to the Latter-day Saints’ presence in the nation’s capital.  In this episode, Dr. Ken Alford reviews his co-edited research publication covering many of those notable events, along with his specific chapter on Latter-day Saints in Arlington National Cemetery.  

Publications:

“Latter-day Saints at Arlington National Cemetery,” in Latter-day Saints in Washington D.C. (RSC/Deseret Book, 2021)

Click here to go to the Church’s website on the Washington DC Temple open house

Click here to read more about professor Alford

April 6^th is commonly taught by Latter-day Saints to be Jesus’s birth date.  Some Church leaders, however, have explored other options, saying the date “is not a settled issue.” In this episode, Professor Jeff Chadwick discusses his publications that academically explore the dates of Jesus Christ’s birth and death, highlighting important aspects of our faith that arise from dating theses scriptural events.  

Publications:

Dating Scripture Events: A Trilogy of Articles from BYU Studies Quarterly (BYU Studies, 2019)

“Dating the Birth of Jesus Christ” (BYU Studies, 2010)

“Dating the Death of Jesus Christ” (BYU Studies, 2015)

“Dating the Departure of Lehi from Jerusalem” (BYU Studies, 2018)

Click here to learn more about professor Jeff Chadwick

In the summer of 1830, the Prophet Joseph Smith began an audacious undertaking: to translate the Holy Bible.  But what was this Bible “translation”? Was he reading from other languages? Was he restoring the Bible text to its earliest condition? Was it an inspired commentary? Is the JST canonized scripture? And, did Joseph ever finish the complete translation? In this episode, Dr. Jared Ludlow shares his recent publications tackling these questions and more.

Publications:

“The Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible: Ancient Material Restored or Inspired Commentary? Canonical or Optional? Finished or Unfinished?” (BYU Studies, 2021)

“'Enoch Walked with God and He was Not': Where Did Enoch Go After Genesis?” (The Interpreter Foundation, 2020)

Click here to learn more about professor Jared Ludlow

Like complementary colors, women and men are meant to work in harmony to bring their inherent and unique qualities to parenting.  Dr. Jenet Erickson specializes in research related to the distinct contributions of mothers and fathers in child development. In this episode, she shares some of her research about what the spring 2020 Covid pandemic illuminated about the work and family desires of men and women and ways their complementary contributions can be harmonized.

Publications:

“Homeward Bound: The Work-Family Reset in Post-Covid America” (Institute for Family Studies, 2021).  Click here for the research report and here for a IFS blog summary.

Click here to learn more about professor Jenet Erickson

For centuries, some readers of Genesis have blamed Eve for the evils of the world because she ate the forbidden fruit in Eden. But Latter-day Saint scripture opens the way for different views, including seeing Eve’s decision as visionary and courageous. Our interpretations of Eve have not always been this positive, however, and historical Christianity’s interpretations haven’t always been that negative. In this episode Drs. Amy Easton-Flake and Mark Ellison expand our understanding of Eve.

Publications:

"Reimagining and Reimaging Eve in Early Christianity” in Material Culture and Women's Religious Experience in Antiquity (Lexington, 2021).

“Mormon Women and Scripture in the Nineteenth Century” in The Routledge Handbook of Mormonism and Gender (Routledge, 2020).

Click here or here to see some of the historical images of Eve that were discussed in the podcast episode.

Click here to learn more about professor Amy Easton-Flake, and here to learn more about professor Mark Ellison.