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

As we seek truth, we are asked to harmonize seeming paradoxes: balance the mind and the heart; learn by study and faith; be in the world but not of the world. How do we do this? In this episode, Dr. Casey Griffiths introduces us to the fascinating life of a scientist, educator, and apostle who exemplified this approach—Joseph F. Merrill—and why his work continues to influence Church members today.  

Publications:

Truth Seeker: The Life of Joseph F. Merrill, Scientist, Educator, and Apostle (RSC, 2021)

Click here to learn more about professor Casey Griffiths

It is easy to assume that the records of the early Christians fall silent after the end of the New Testament.  However, abundant information exists describing the lives, faith, and sacrifices of these earliest believers, details which are often overlooked by Latter-day Saints. In this episode, Jason Combs explores the world and worship of the ancient Christians in the centuries after the New Testament, helping us to learn from their experiences and to recognize them as our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Publications:

Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints (BYU Maxwell Institute, 2022)

Click here to learn more about professor Jason Combs

Joseph Smith once said, “It is the love of liberty which inspires my soul, civil and religious liberty to the whole human race.” This sentiment is equally relevant today. Dr. Robert Smith has dedicated much of his professional life to the study of religious liberty and the law. In this episode he discusses the campaign for religious liberty in our modern day—and why it is crucial to keep it.

Publications:

Religious Organizations and the Law, 2d (Thompson Reuters, updated 2021)

Click here to read the Church Newsroom article referenced about Church leaders speaking on Religious Liberty

Click here to learn more about professor Robert Smith

In 1841, after years of sacrifice and travel, Orson Hyde arrived in Jerusalem. His brief but impactful mission had innumerable effects on the Church in the Holy Land. In this episode, Professor of Ancient Scripture David Whitchurch takes us through Orson Hyde’s journey, which paved the way for the miraculous opening of the BYU Jerusalem Center. Professor Whitchurch also reflects on his own journey of learning about this spiritual giant—and shows why Orson Hyde’s story is such an important example to us all. 

Publications:

“The Restored Church of Jesus Christ and the Holy Land” (BYU Studies, 2020)

Click here to watch David Whitchurch’s BYU Devotional, “Orson Hyde, the Holy Land, and Brigham Young University”

Click here to learn more about professor David Whitchurch

America’s history with slavery is complicated and controversial, especially when considered in a religious context. On this episode, Professor Jordan Watkins takes us into antebellum America, showing how views over slavery were shaped by interpretations of the Bible and the country’s founding documents, such as the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. He also examines ways these nineteenth-century interpretations continue to influence people today.  

Publications:

Slavery and Sacred Texts: The Bible, the Constitution, and Historical Consciousness in Antebellum America (Cambridge University Press, 2021)

Click here to learn more about professor Jordan Watkins