During his conversation with the woman at the well, Jesus set forth the invitation that “whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). The living water that is offered to the Samaritan woman and to each of us is “the words of eternal life, the message of salvation, the truths about God and his kingdom; it is the doctrines of the gospel.”[1] The Guide to the Scriptures clarifies that living water is “a symbol of the Lord Jesus Christ and His teachings. As water is essential to sustain physical life, the Savior and His teachings (living water) are essential for eternal life.”[2] The Lord has and will continue to provide multiple wells of living water for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Each year, students, faculty, staff, and community members tap into the aquifers of living water through the classes, events, and faculty publications from BYU Religious Education. The mission of Religious Education is to “assist individuals in their efforts to come unto Christ by teaching the scriptures, doctrine, and history of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ through classroom instruction, gospel scholarship, and outreach to the larger community.”[3] The faculty use a variety of publication mediums and social media platforms such as the Y Religion podcast to reach local and global audiences. Access to these reservoirs of truth provide nourishment as we study the scriptures, Church history and doctrine, and gospel living principles.

Nearly one hundred years after the Latter-day Saint University in Salt Lake City acquired the first US broadcast license for an educational institution,[4] Religious Education launched the Y Religion podcast in February 2020. BYU and the Church have enjoyed a long history of using multimedia facets to share the gospel and testify of Christ. Now entering its sixth season, Y Religion has produced 119 episodes (and counting), highlighting the publications and research of Religious Education professors on subjects related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With over 2.3 million downloads from listeners in 193 countries, Y Religion helps fulfill the university mission “to assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life”[5] and the Churchwide mission “to invite all people to follow Jesus Christ by teaching his gospel”[6] by connecting listeners with gospel resources. Audiences have spent over 1.8 million hours listening to over 91 hours of content since Y Religion’s initial launch. Each episode is organized in three parts: why the research was done, why it matters, and why the researcher continues to follow Christ. New episodes are published on the first and fifteenth of each month across multiple podcast platforms, and faculty guests discuss a wide variety of gospel topics.

For those unable to attend BYU or other Church-led religion courses, or for those wanting to explore supplemental resources for their personal study, Y Religion provides free, direct access to gospel scholars. Some of the common themes or topics covered by faculty include scriptural insight and interpretations, translations, historical context, doctrinal studies and analysis, interfaith dialogues, family and social dynamics, and mental health and wellness.

Scriptural Insight and Interpretations

In these episodes, faculty members provide in-depth analysis, historical context, and textual interpretations of scriptures from antiquity and from the Restoration. With these materials, seekers of truth can come to know Christ, better understand his gospel, and receive personal revelation. “The scriptures contain the words of Christ and are a reservoir of living water to which we have ready access and from which we can drink deeply and long. . . . By reading, studying, searching, and feasting upon the words of Christ . . . , we can receive both spiritual direction and protection during our mortal journey.”[7] Audiences might use the episodes and featured resources in their Sunday School discussions, religious education classes, or personal and small-group study. A few episodes to explore include the following:

• Ep. 118: The Doctrine and Covenants as Living Scripture (Casey Griffiths)
• Ep. 61: Refugee Treatment Under the Mosaic Law (Krystal Pierce)
• Ep. 54: Confronting Prejudice with Samuel the Lamanite (Jan Martin)
• Ep. 20: The Greek Texts of the New Testament (Lincoln Blumell)
• Ep. 5: Women Expounding Scripture (Amy Easton-Flake)

Church History and Doctrinal Studies

Audiences can connect with a rich array of narratives and gain a more holistic view of the Restoration by listening to these episodes. Scholars of Church history and doctrine discuss the need for and the processes of restoring the primitive Church. Some of the research topics covered include exploring sacred places, analyzing scripture of the restored gospel, understanding historical figures, embracing ongoing modern revelation, organizing and governing the Church, initiating missionary work, spreading the gospel to a global audience, and so on. Further, individuals might find answers to questions they have about sensitive topics and gospel principles, as well as applications to their own lives, by engaging more deeply with the principles of salvation. Scholars discuss both historical and contemporary issues through a faith-based lens that models how we might also examine such topics.

We give place for learning history by thinking about our relationship to the past. We plant the seed in our minds and hearts through careful reading and reflection. We can discern the importance of our reading by considering how authentic and reliable the source is, placing our answers in proper historical contexts, and identifying eternal principles that can be applied to our personal circumstances.[8]

A few examples of episodes centered on Church history and doctrine include the following:

• Ep. 115: A Woman’s Influence on the Delivery of The Family Proclamation (Barbara Morgan Gardner and Olivia Osguthorpe)
• Ep. 93: Search, Ponder, and Pray in Holy Places (Mary Jane Woodger)
• Ep. 82: The Saints of Las Vegas (Fred Woods)
• *Ep. 66: D&C 84 and the Priesthood Power of Women (Barbara Morgan Gardner)
• Ep. 8: The Spirit of Sacred Sites (Craig Ostler)

Interfaith Dialogues and Learning

Prophets and apostles have called for worldwide religious liberty and harmony since the organization of the Church. “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may” (Articles of Faith 1:11). Interfaith dialogues and relationships allow for fellow believers to view each other as contemporaries and partners of good causes, rather than competitors, in caring for God’s children. People of different faiths and beliefs are invited to build common ground and unify in peacemaking efforts. “The spiritual and physical needs of the world require goodwill and cooperation among different faiths. Each of them makes a valuable contribution to the larger community of believers.”[9] Some excellent resources on building interfaith relationships while maintaining our doctrinal foundations include

• Ep. 114: Learning from People of Other Faiths (Joshua M. Sears)
• Ep. 103: An Interfaith Approach to Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy (Andrew Reed)
• Ep. 76: Commemorating Holy Week (Eric Huntsman)
• Ep. 56: Community of Christ and the First Vision (Keith Wilson)

Personal and Spiritual Development

Sister Kathleen H. Hughes explains that “the living water is the gospel of Jesus Christ; its communicator is the Holy Ghost.”[10] Studying the scriptures, Church history, and gospel doctrine aids in our development of personal revelation through the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Audiences can learn more about recognizing the prompting of the Holy Ghost using tips from faculty research and insights. As such, the Holy Ghost can “guide us in our decisions and protect us from physical and spiritual danger.”[11] As the great Comforter, the Holy Ghost can “calm our fears and fill us with hope”[12] as we navigate through our lives.

• Ep. 119: Hear Him! The Restored Voice of the Lord (Anthony Sweat)
• Ep. 96: Helping Students Grow Without Growing Their Stress (Rob Eaton)
• Ep. 85: A Guide to Book of Mormon Studies (Joseph Spencer)
• *Ep. 80: Living Our Temple Covenants (Anthony Sweat)
• Ep. 75: Holiness to the Lord (Gaye Strathearn)
• *Ep. 46: “Answers About Patriarchal Blessings” (Brad Wilcox)

Family and Social Dynamics

“The family is sacred in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is the most important social unit in time and eternity.”[13] In the following episodes, faculty discuss the influence of family in religious practice, parental responsibility, the eternal perspective of family, and family history, along with home evening and Come, Follow Me practices for supporting a home-centered, church-supported gospel.

• Ep. 108: Intentional Fatherhood (Mark D. Ogletree)
• Ep. 102: Strengthening Marriage (Jenet Erickson and Jason Carroll)
• Ep. 84: Models of Motherhood (Avram and Thora Shannon)
• Ep. 72: The Transmission of Faith from Parents to Children (Byran Korth)
• *Ep. 52: Living the Abrahamic Covenant (Kerry Muhlestein)
• *Ep. 47 Expanding Understanding of Eve (Amy Easton-Flake and Mark Ellison)
• Ep. 24: Joseph Smith’s Growing Understanding of the Eternal Family (Devan Jensen and Michael Goodman)

Mental Health and Physical Wellness

In addition to nourishing our spiritual needs, the Lord provides guidance for nurturing our mental, emotional, and physical wellness. President Russell M. Nelson has taught that “we are dual beings. Each soul is comprised of body and spirit, both of which emanate from God.”[14] Leading researchers, such as Professor Justin Dyer, combine scientific research with gospel principles and scripture as they discuss the impact of religion on mental health and similar topics. They provide messages of love, hope, compassion, and understanding as they explore ways in which nourishing our spirits can aid in nourishing our physical, mental, and emotional needs. “Spiritual habits don’t necessarily make our challenges go away, but they do give us the strength, mental clarity, eternal perspective, hope, and courage to move forward.”[15] Audiences can gain a variety of tips, practical steps, and personal applications by reviewing the episodes below:

• Ep. 101: Jacob and Mental Health (Jared Halverson)
• Ep. 97: The Power of Stillness (Ty Mansfield)
• Ep. 87: Mental Health and Latter-day Saints (Justin Dyer)
• Ep. 42: God’s Grace and Mental Health (Daniel Judd)
• Ep. 13: Wildlife and the Word of Wisdom (Andrew Hedges)

Conclusion

The Lord has instructed, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7: 37–38). Y Religion is one reservoir that brings together the research, insights, and testimonies of BYU Religious Education faculty for the everyday seeker of truth.

The Y Religion podcast is led by host and producer John Hilton III. The committee includes BYU Religious Education faculty Jenet Erickson, Casey Griffiths, Jared Halverson, Travis Searle, Ryan Sharp, Hank Smith, and Brad Wilcox. Promotional materials are created and posted by Leigh Ann Copas and Bekah Black from the Religious Studies Center. Y Religion would not be possible without the generous contributions of BYU students; the sound recording, mixing, and original music from Alec Galloway and Ethan Arkell; and original music and scoring by Grant Kaggle, Sam Claussen, Collette Jones, and Alastair Scheuermann.

*Indicates the top five most downloaded episodes

Notes

[1] Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary (Bookcraft, 1965), 1:151–52.

[2] “Living Water,” Guide to the Scriptures, www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

[3] “About Us,” Religious Education, https://religion.byu.edu/about-us.

[4] Elizabeth Mott and Sherry Pack Baker, “From Radio to the Internet: Church Use of Electronic Media in the Twentieth Century,” in A Firm Foundation: Church Organization and Administration, ed. David J. Whittaker and Arnold K. Garr (Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2011), 339–60, https://rsc.byu.edu

[5] “BYU Mission Statement,” www.byu.edu.

[6] “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/about-us.

[7] David A. Bednar, “A Reservoir of Living Water,” Brigham Young University devotional, February 4, 2007, https://speeches.byu.edu.

[8] Keith A. Erekson, “A Pattern for Learning Church History by Study and Faith,” www.churchofjesuschrist.org; emphasis in original.

[9] “Interfaith Relations,” Newsroom, www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

[10] Kathleen H. Hughes, “Blessed by Living Water,” general conference talk, April 2023, www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

[11] “What Are the Roles of the Holy Ghost?,” Come Follow Me—For Aaronic Priesthood, www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

[12] “What Are the Roles of the Holy Ghost?”

[13] “Organization and Purpose of the Family,” Family Guidebook, www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

[14] Russell M. Nelson, “We Are Children of God,” general conference talk, October 1998, www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

[15] Michael Gardner, “A 3-Step Guide to Maintaining Your Mental Health,” Ensign, September 2020, www.churchofjesuschrist.org.