Since the introduction of missionary work in 1830, Saints have used a variety of tools and practices to share the good news of the gospel and bring people unto Christ. Some of the most common methods have included standing on a collapsible soapbox, knocking on doors, using flannel and flip charts to illustrate lessons, sharing slideshows and videos, and utilizing a primary guide, like Preach My Gospel, to teach prepared discussions. The recent introduction of social media and the use of smartphones are two of the latest tools reserved for the youth of this generation as they engage in missionary service. President Harold B. Lee taught that “the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ are divine. Nobody changes the principles and [doctrine] of the Church except the Lord by revelation. But methods change as the inspired direction comes to those who preside at a given time.” In this episode Dr. Scott Howell, assistant teaching professor of Church history and doctrine, discusses the recent shifts in methodology for the gathering of Israel. He provides insight on how the youth might craft their digital dossiers prior to their service, details safeguards for using technology before, during, and after missionary service, and previews a number of phone apps and Church resources for engaging with the gospel online. In melding traditional and modern approaches, we can further the reach of this marvelous work and wonder. 

Publications:

• “‘Knocking on People’s Computers’: Missionary Work in the Digital Age” (Religious Educator, 23.3, 2022)
• “Preparing Missionaries in the Digital Age” (Liahona, February 2023)
• “Same Purpose, New Approach: A Case Study of the North Dakota Bismarck Mission using Social Media during COVID-19” (BYU ScholarsArchive, Faculty Publications, 6153, 2022)
• “‘How Beautiful Are the Feet’: The Use of Footnotes in General Conference Reports” (Religious Educator, 24.2, 2023)
• “The Diachronic Usage of Exclamation Marks Across the Major Book of Mormon Editions” (Interpreter, 53, 2022)

Click here to learn more about Scott L. Howell

Since its release on September 23, 1995, The Family: A Proclamation to the World has become a needed doctrinal anchor during a time of confusion and opposition regarding the centrality of the family. In this episode Dr. Byran B. Korth, professor and associate department chair of Church history and doctrine, discusses his article on the divine origin and inception of the family proclamation and details its inextricable connection to seership and revelation. “But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed . . . ” (Mosiah 8:17). Dr. Korth discusses the revelatory process used by prophets and seers to craft the proclamation precept upon precept during the nearly year-long process. Additionally, he explains two profound truths about the proclamation: first, that it serves as a response to the rise of the antifamily movement at world conferences of the United Nations in the latter quarter of the twenty-first century, and second, that it was divinely designed by the Lord’s watchmen to declare to the world the role of the family in God’s plan.   

Publications: 

• “Seership and World Conferences: The Divine Origin and Inception of the Family Proclamation” (in Religious Educator, Vol. 24, No. 2, 2023)
• “Staying by the Tree of Life” (in Book of Mormon Insights: Letting God Prevail in Your Life, Religious Studies Center, 2024)
• “Becoming as Little Children: Participating in the Household of God” (in The Household of God: Families and Belonging in the Social World of the New Testament, Religious Studies Center, 2022)
• “The How and What of Modern Religious Transmission and Its Implications for Families” (Journal of Family Psychology, 35.4, 2021)
• “Parents Teaching Children to Believe in Christ: ‘An Echo of a Celestial Pattern’” (in Give Ear to My Words: Text and Context of Alma 36 – 42, Religious Studies Center, 2019)
• “Joseph Smith’s 1839 – 40 Visit to Washington” (in Latter-day Saints in Washington, D.C.: History, People, and Places, Religious Studies Center, 2021)

Click here to learn more about Byran Korth

The title Jesus preferred to use for himself more than any other in the New Testament Gospels was “Son of Man.” According to the Bible Dictionary, this title was used approximately eighty times in the Gospels and used exclusively by the Savior to reference himself. “And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath” (Luke 6:5). But why would this simple descriptor be chosen as a majestic title of the Lord? In this episode Dr. Jared W. Ludlow, professor of ancient scripture and publications director of the Religious Studies Center, answers this question and provides greater insight to the eschatological context by discussing his article, “‘One Like the Son of Man Came with the Clouds of Heaven’: The Context and Influence of the Son of Man Prophecy in Daniel 7.”  Professor Ludlow outlines the characteristics of apocalyptic literature within the book of Daniel, deconstructs the elements of the Son of Man prophecy, and connects both to Restoration scripture and the teachings of early Church leaders. In examining this work, we might learn ways to prepare and pray for the building up of God’s eternal kingdom.  

Publications 

• “‘One Like the Son of Man Came with the Clouds of Heaven’: The Context and Influence of the Son of Man Prophecy in Daniel 7” (in Religious Educator, 24.1, 2023)
• “The Influence of the Figure of Moses in the Book of Mormon” (in They Shall Grow Together: The Bible in the Book of Mormon, Religious Studies Center, 2022)
• “Enoch in the Old Testament and Beyond” (in From Creation to Sinai: The Old Testament through the Lens of the Restoration, Religious Studies Center, 2021)
• “Alma’s Loving Counsel to His Sons about the Law of Justice” (in Give Ear to My Words: Text and Context of Alma 36—42, Religious Studies Center, 2019) 

Click here to learn more about Jared W. Ludlow.

Throughout the Book of Mormon, the Savior pronounces fifty-three “I am” statements as he details his purpose and declares his divine identity. In 2 Nephi 29: 8 – 9 he explains that he does so for a particular reason, “Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. […]. And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever […]” (emphasis added). In this next episode Dr. Joshua M. Matson, assistant professor of ancient scripture, discusses his recent article “Coming to Know Christ through the ‘I Am’ Statements in the Book of Mormon” and explains the significant presence of these statements in the Bible and Restoration scriptures. He outlines how the Savior utilizes two forms of “I am” statements—metaphorical (depicting what he does) and absolute (his titles or depicting who he is)—throughout the scriptures to proclaim his role and character. Professor Matson explains that the “I am” statements in the Book of Mormon serve as another witness of Jesus Christ, alongside similar “I am” statements presented in the Old and New Testaments, and that they are spoken by both the premortal Jehovah and the resurrected Jesus Christ. In studying the “I am” statements we may come to know the Savior in his own words and through his own perspective.

Publications

• “Coming to Know Christ through the ‘I Am’ Statements in the Book of Mormon” (in I Glory in My Jesus: Understanding Christ in the Book of Mormon, Religious Studies Center, 2023)
• Essential Tools for Interpreting the New Testament (BYU Studies, 2024)
• “The Fourth Gospel and Expectations of the Jewish Messiah” (in Thou Art the Christ, the Son of the Living God: The Person and Work of Jesus in the New Testament, Religious Studies Center, 2018)
• “Covenants, Kinship, and Caring for the Destitute in the Book of Amos” (in Covenant of Compassion: Caring for the Marginalized and Disadvantaged in the Old Testament, Religious Studies Center, 2021)
• “From Jewish King to Islamic Prophet: Interreligious Conversations about Solomon in Antique Jewish and Islamic Literature” (in The Journal of the School of Religious Studies, Vol. 48, McGill University, 2020
• Personal Website https://joshuammatson.com/

Click here to learn more about Joshua M. Matson

“Latter-day Saints believe in the pursuit of truth through ‘study and faith’ and are thus not opposed to intellectual examination of scripture” (Dr. David R. Seely). One way we might examine the scriptures is through the use of biblical criticism, or historical criticism, an approach regularly used by biblical scholars to assess the meaning of a text—it's original context, audience, and authorship. In this episode Dr. Jason Combs, associate professor of ancient scripture, discussed his chapter “Historical Criticism of the Bible among the Latter-day Saints.” He outlines the history of biblical criticism and explains how it may serve as a tool to aid our scripture study. Further, Dr. Combs details how such approaches may provide a more well-rounded vision of the scriptures, especially in studying the Old and New Testaments and comparing multiple accounts of the same events. In doing so we should balance biblical criticism with the application of scriptures and the gospel to our daily lives.  

Publications 

• Jason Robert Combs, “Historical Criticism of the Bible among the Latter-day Saints” (in The Bible and the Latter-day Saint Tradition, eds. Taylor G. Petrey, Cory Crawford, and Eric A. Eliason (Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 2023), 202–16.).Used courtesy of the University of Utah Press.
• Jason R. Combs, et al., eds. Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints (Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, 2022) 
• “‘Christ’ after the Apostles: The Humanity and Divinity of the Savior in the Second Century” (in Thou Art the Christ, the Son of the Living God:  The Person and Work of Jesus in the New Testament, Religious Studies Center, 2018)
• Professional Website, https://www.jasonrobertcombs.com/
• “A Modern Perspective on Ancient Christians” (Y Religion, episode 70, 2022)
• “The Humanity and Divinity of Jesus Christ” (Y Religion, episode 37, 2021)

Click here to learn more about Jason Combs 

In his October 2021 general conference talk President Ballard expressed, “We must always remember that our true happiness depends upon our relationship with God, with Jesus Christ, and with each other.” How do we build and shape these relationships? In this episode assistant professor of Church history and doctrine Brian Mead discusses his article “The Important Role of Relationships in Our Heavenly Father’s Plan of Salvation.” Dr. Mead defines doctrinal and relational approaches to the Plan of Salvation and examines how they strengthen our understanding of eternal relationships. Further, he addresses how using a relational approach to teach the Plan of Salvation aids in answering a number of why questions: Why do we need a mortal experience? Why must we repent? Why do we need a Savior? Such an approach builds upon our personal understanding and connections to our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, family, and others. 

Publications: 

• “The Important Role of Relationships in Our Heavenly Father’s Plan of Salvation” (Religious Educator, 23.3, 2022)

Click here to learn more about Brian Mead

For thousands of years the Sabbath as an institution has remained a core aspect of religious life, and people have constantly fought to keep it holy. The prophet Isaiah declared the Sabbath “a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable” (Isaiah 58:13). How can we observe the Sabbath and keep it holy? How might rituals of neighboring religions inform Latter-day Saint experiences with making the Sabbath a delight? In this episode Dr. Andrew Reed, associate professor of Church history and doctrine, discusses his chapter “‘The Erosion of Sabbath Worship Is Now Extensive’: The Imperative to Learn Holiness from Other Religious Traditions.” Dr. Reed presents an interfaith approach for slowing the erosion of Sabbath worship. He outlines efforts by religious communities to reengage believers with the Sabbath (including thinking about the secular), analyzes the ways both Jews and Christians think about sacred time, and examines potential applications for Latter-day Saints. 

Click here to learn more about Andrew Reed

Publications:

• “‘The Erosion of Sabbath Worship is Now Extensive’: The Imperative to Learn Holiness from Other Religious Traditions” (in Sacred Time: The Sabbath as a Perpetual Covenant, Religious Studies Center, 2023)
• “The Influence of Rose Marie Reid” (Y Religion Podcast, episode 21, December 2020)
• “A History of the Jewish—Latter-day Saint Academic Dialogue” (in Understanding Covenants and Communities: Jews and Latter-day Saints in Dialogue, Religious Studies Center, 2020)
• “Framing the Restoration and Gathering: Orson Hyde and Early Mormon Understandings of Israel, Jew, and the Second Coming” (in Foundations of the Restoration: Fulfillment of the Covenant Purposes, Religious Studies Center, 2016)

According to a 2023 U.S. News & World Report, Utah’s economy continuously ranks first across all 50 states. Experts have even deemed the state’s noteworthy economic growth, strong business climates, and high rates of economic mobility a miracle. But what are the major contributing factors for this “Utah economic miracle”? In this episode Dr. Jenet Erickson, associate professor in the Department of Church History and Doctrine, and Dr. Jason Carroll, family initiative director of the Wheatly Institute and a professor in the School of Family Life, discuss one of the strongest predictors of state economic success: strong families. In examining the “Utah family miracle,” they detail the foundation of strong, resilient relationships and highlight which factors make relationships more fragile. They emphasize how the blessings of religion help us develop the characteristics and virtues to strengthen relationships and marriages.

Click here to learn more about Jenet Erickson and here to learn more about Jason Carroll

Jenet Erickson Publications:

• “The Utah Family Miracle: Five Policy Ideas to Keep Utah Families Strong and Stable” (Sutherland Institute & Institute for Family Studies Policy Publication, 2023)
• “The Complementary Nature of Mothers and Fathers” (Y Religion, episode 48, year)
• “Motherhood: Restoring Clarity and Vision in a World of Confusing Messages” (in By Divine Design, Religious Studies Center, 2014)
• “Homeward Bound: The Work-Family Resent in Post-Covid America” (Institute for Family Studies, 2021)

Jason Carroll Publications

• “The Soulmate Trap: Why Embracing Agency-Based Love is the Surest Path to Creating a Flourishing Marriage” (Wheatley Institute, 2024)
• “A Not-So-Good Faith Estimate: Why Many Studies Underestimate the Full Benefits of Religion” (Wheatley Institute, 2022)
• “A True Temple Marriage” (BYU-Idaho Devotional, BYU-Idaho Speeches, 19 March 2024)
• The Marriage Compass (BYU Academic Publishing, 2018)