Throughout the history of the Christian church, people have found ways to create space for worship. But what did these worship spaces look like? And how do these ancient worship spaces connect to our Church buildings today? In this episode, Professor Matthew Grey takes us through the history of Christian worship spaces—and shows us why the examples of these early Christians are so vital to us today.

Publications: 

“Sacred Spaces and Places of Worship: From House Churches to Monumental Basilicas” in Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints (BYU Maxwell Institute, 2022)

Click here to learn more about professor Matthew Grey

In the temple endowment ceremony, Latter-day Saints make sacred covenants with God. But what are the holy promises that are made therein? In this episode, professor Anthony Sweat discusses his recent book publication that helps us understand the covenants of the temple and how living these covenants can help us to better come unto Christ and be endowed with his heavenly power.

Publications: 

The Holy Covenants: Living Our Sacred Temple Promises (Deseret Book, 2022)

“We Need an Endowment” (BYU Devotional, 2022)

Click here to learn more about professor Anthony Sweat

The idea that people can become like God is not unique to Latter-day Saints, nor is it new. In this episode, Professor Daniel Becerra takes us back to early Christianity to learn more about ancient teachings of deification—and why our becoming like God is so integral to the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Publications: 

“Becoming Like God: Incarnation, Moral Formation, and Eternal Progression,” in Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints (Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, 2022)

Click here to learn more about professor Daniel Becerra.

Joseph Smith famously said that the Book of Mormon is "the most correct book” on Earth.  But what does this really mean? Was he referring to the perfection of the grammar and English in his translation? Or was something else meant? In this episode, Professor Nick Frederick, a Book of Mormon scholar himself, examines the textual variants in the Book of Mormon, highlighting the vital work done by Royal Skousen in the Critical Text Project—and how the book can be spiritually "the most correct" despite variations in its translation over the years.

Publications: 

“’It is Not an Easy Task, But It Cannot Be Avoided: On the Contribution of Royal Skousen’” (Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, 2022)

Click here to learn more about professor Nick Frederick

Cain needs no introduction for most of us as Latter-day Saints. He hearkened to the voice of Satan and murdered his brother, Abel. However, is there more to the experience than just that great sin? Professor Shon D. Hopkin of the department of ancient scripture takes us back to one of the earliest episodes in the scriptures to help us understand why God requires us to have not only clean hands but also pure hearts and motives in order to come unto Him.

Publications: 

“’If Thou Doest Well: Sacrifice and Correct Motives in the Story of Cain and Abel,” in Old Testament Insights (Covenant Communications, 2021)

Click here to learn more about professor Shon Hopkin

As Latter-day Saints, we commemorate Easter Sunday as the occasion of the Savior's Resurrection. But how often do we take time out of the week before Easter—Holy Week—and commemorate the events that happened during those days? In this episode, Professor Eric Huntsman of BYU's Department of Ancient Scripture talks about his recent book co-written with Trevan Hatch, Greater Love Hath No Man. He explains how the book focuses on the days of Holy Week, counting down to Easter Sunday—and why each of us can benefit from celebrating Easter as a season rather than just a single day.

Publications: 

Greater Love Hath No Man: A Latter-day Saint Guide to Celebrating the Easter Season (RSC/Deseret Book, 2023)

Click here to access a FREE resource guide for Latter-day Saints to celebrate Holy Week from the book 

 Click here to learn more about professor Eric Huntsman 

In many cities around the world, the temple stands as a symbol of Christ and the purity and spiritual growth He offers. But how can we access that purifying power for ourselves—and why is it such an important goal? Professor Gaye Strathearn, who currently serves as an Associate Dean of BYU Religious Education, takes us metaphorically up Mount Sinai and into the mountain of the Lord—the temple—to discuss ways that God and Christ can purify and prepare a holy people.

Publications: 

“Holiness to the Lord’ and Personal Temple Worship” in Approaching Holiness: Exploring the History and Teachings of the Old Testament (2021, RSC).  Click the following link to get a full copy of the full text of the original article: “‘Holiness to the Lord’ and Personal Temple Worship” in The Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament (2009)

Click here to learn more about professor Gaye Strathearn

Elder Robert D. Hales taught, “We need to know the official doctrine of the Church so we are not diverted from Christ’s leadership.” But how can we know what constitutes Church doctrine? That has been the driving question behind the research of Professor Michael Goodman of BYU’s Church History and Doctrine department. In this podcast, he shares how church doctrine has been defined historically and highlights three specific criteria prophets, seers and revelators have consistently used to define it over the last four decades.

Publications: 

“‘Oh Say, What is Truth?’ Approaches to Doctrine” (BYU Studies, 2021)

Click here to learn more about professor Michael Goodman

How should we understand and live the law of consecration today? In this episode, Professor Steven Harper, a professor of Church history and doctrine, explains his research on the law of consecration. He articulates the revealed principles of the doctrine (rather than the “folk doctrine” surrounding it)—and helps listeners understand why the law of consecration is the ultimate expression of discipleship for Latter-day Saints. 

Publications: 

Let’s Talk About The Law of Consecration (Deseret Book, 2022)

“‘All Things are the Lord's’: The Law of Consecration in the Doctrine and Covenants” in The Doctrine and Covenants: Revelations in Context (RSC/Deseret Book, 2008)

Click here to learn more about professor Steven Harper

We have all inherited things from our parents: everything from genetics to family values. But how do parents pass on religious belief and faith to their children? Church history and doctrine professor Byran Korth talks about his research on religion and families, the parenting styles that help parents to transmit their faith to the next generation—and why this understanding is so crucial in our modern world. 

Publications:

“The how and what of modern religious transmission and its implications for families,” (Journal of Family Psychology, 2021)

Click here to learn more about professor Byran Korth