Faith Matters

George Handley, a professor at BYU, discusses the life of Lowell Bennion, an inspiring figure in our faith tradition. They explore Bennion's commitment to intellectual integrity and prioritizing people over ideas. They discuss Bennion's projects, such as founding the Institute of Religion and the Bennion Teton Boys Ranch. They also talk about the forgotten teachings of Bennion and the importance of blending secular learning with gospel principles.

Adam Miller and Rosalynde Welch discuss their new book, 'Seven Gospels: The Many Lives of Christ in the Book of Mormon.' They explore the different witnesses of Christ in the Book of Mormon and how they reflect our personal questions and circumstances. They emphasize the importance of close reading scripture and how it can teach us unexpected things. The podcast also delves into topics such as belief versus faith, Mary's perspective and the condescension of God, the role of prophets, confession and withholding the sacrament, and the uniqueness of Christ's teachings in the Book of Mormon.

Jared Halverson, an enthusiastic scholar of the Latter-day Saint canon, talks about gaining something from engaging with the Book of Mormon regardless of faith. They discuss the ongoing relevance of scriptures and the importance of balancing perspectives and embracing faith. Additionally, they address doubt, apathy, and faith crisis while emphasizing empathy. They explore the world in front of the text, the power of scripture, and the value of teaching.

Terryl Givens, a scholar and advisor, explores the peaceable things of Christ including three names of Christ: Creator, Emmanuel, and Paraclete. He discusses the uncertainty of life and finding security and peace through scripture and personal experiences. Givens also delves into the theology of ascent, the purpose of creation, and the concept of God inhabiting our world. The podcast explores witnessing goodness, redefining justice, and finding comfort and joy in the gospel.

Patrick Mason, an expert in religious studies, discusses the question of who the Church is for. Topics include the tension within the Church, the focus on the end goal versus loving others, different visions of God in the Doctrine and Covenants, the expansiveness of the vision of heaven, and the tension, alignment, and growth within the Church.

Melissa Inouye, with remarkable empathy for marginalized individuals, discusses struggle, alchemizing it into connectedness. She explores finding meaning in pain, addresses intimate relationships, delves into theology of suffering, and offers a global perspective. The podcast reflects on building Zion, inclusivity, recognizing dissonance, and the importance of empathy and understanding.

Eric Huntsman, a professor with deep intellectual curiosity and academic research into the historical development of Christmas, shares the background and purpose behind Advent and its symbolism. He discusses the organic development of celebrations, the power of ritual, and the significance of family and personal rituals. The true meaning of Advent as a penitential period of spiritual preparation for the feast of nativity is explored, as well as the speaker's fascination with Mary and their recent reflections on peace, love, and joy.

Tom Christofferson, experienced joining a new ward and found that being different was the point. He shares his personal journey with the church, discovering the goodness in a new ward, reflections on participation and appreciation, and the caring community of the ward.

Thomas McConkie, an author, developmental researcher, and meditation teacher, discusses transformative spiritual practices and challenges traditional beliefs in his new book 'At-One-Ment'. Topics include embracing the present moment, recognizing vulnerabilities, falling as a metaphor for faith, and trusting wholeness and opportunities for growth.

We’re very excited about this week's episode. In early 2021, in the wake of January 6th, McKay Coppins contacted Mitt Romney with a bold request: he wanted to write a biography about him. But McKay had stipulations: not only would he have full access to the Senator  — he’d also retain full editorial control. To his surprise, Romney agreed, and shortly had given him stacks of journal entries, emails, and texts. They met over 45 times over the coming years for lengthy interviews, and McKay also interviewed many of Romney’s closest friends, family, and colleagues.That unprecedented access has now turned into a book called Romney: A Reckoning, which just debuted at #3 overall on the New York Times Bestsellers list. We hoped that this interview would offer a unique take on this subject, and we spent some real time on questions of integrity, culpability, and faith. McKay brought not only deep insight into the psyche of one of the most fascinating—and in some cases polarizing—political figures of our time, but he also brought really clear-eyed discernment of his own. He helped us work through some other fascinating questions: what does it take to live on the edge of inside, and what does it cost? Is it possible to stave off cynicism while remaining pragmatic about having impact for good?McKay Coppins is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where he covers politics, religion, and national affairs. He’s a former visiting fellow at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics and has won the Aldo Beckman Award from the White House Correspondents Association for his coverage of the Trump presidency and the Wilbur Award for religion journalism.