In July 1835, members of the Church donated money to acquire four Egyptian mummies and a collection of papyrus scrolls from a traveling exhibition. Through revelation, the Prophet Joseph Smith identified that one scroll contained “the writings of Abraham.” But what do we know about the history and context of the papyri? How was it translated? Why was it important for God to reveal the history of Abraham? In this episode, Professor Kerry Muhlestein, an Egyptologist and Abrahamic scholar, discusses his recent book Let’s Talk about the Book of Abraham. He highlights stories of the Book of Abraham, examines the common criticism of authenticity and translation of the papyri, and offers ways to examine the divine text on our own.  Publications: Let’s Talk About the Book of Abraham (Deseret Book, 2022) A Guide to the Book of Abraham (BYU Studies, 2023) Click here to learn more about professor Kerry Muhlestein

In the Bible, the prophet Nathan used a story about lambs to help King David recognize his errors with Bathsheba. Why did he take that approach rather than being direct? In this episode, Dr. Stephan Taeger shares his research on the power of teaching using the concept of “distance” in stories to help learners recognize truth and overcome self-deception, leading to positive Christ-like change.  Publications: “Alive to the Other: Using Distance to Help Listeners Overcome Self-Deception” (Homiletic, 2023) “Using Narrative Distance to Invite Transformative Learning Experiences” (Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning, 2020) “Using Elements of Narrative to Engage Students” (Religious Educator, 2015) Click here to learn more about professor Stephan Taeger

Do members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have better, the same, or worse mental health when compared to members of other religions, or those of no religion?  Despite some popular narratives, what does peer-reviewed academic research find? In this episode, professor Justin Dyer takes us into what the collective scholarly publications between 2005-2022 have to say on this important subject, and the reasons why more active Latter-day Saints tend to have better mental health.  Publications: “Religion, Mental Health, and the Latter-Day Saints: A Review of Literature 2005–2022” (Religions, 2023) “Perspective: What 18 years of research tells us about the mental health of Latter-day Saints” (Deseret News, 2023) “Perspective: Faith is a factor in good mental health. Why are so many people unable to see this?” (Deseret News, 2023) “Choosing Christ’s Light Burden” (BYU Devotional, 2023) Click here to learn more about professor Justin Dyer

About one third of the book of Isaiah is quoted in the Book of Mormon. A challenge can arise, however, with what is known as Deutero-Isaiah. This is a theory that there were additional authors who wrote portions of Isaiah after Lehi and his family fled Jerusalem with the brass plates. Because the Book of Mormon quotes from these portions, some have thought that these quotations are out of place. In this episode, professor Joshua Sears summarizes Latter-day Saint approaches to Deutero-Isaiah in the Book of Mormon. Publications: “Deutero-Isaiah in the Book of Mormon: Latter-day Saint Approaches” in They Shall Grow Together: The Bible in the Book of Mormon (RSC, 2022) Click here to learn more about professor Joshua Sears

Readers often approach the Book of Mormon spiritually, seeking for inspiration and application, or apologetically to know or defend its truthfulness. Those are excellent and needful ways to approach the text. But they aren’t the only ways.  The Book of Mormon can also be approached narratively, literarily, theologically, historically, politically, or socially, to name a few. In this episode, Dr. Joseph Spencer guides listeners into the current world of Book of Mormon studies and the myriad ways the inspired text can, and should be, explored. Publications: Book of Mormon Studies: An Introduction and Guide (RSC/Deseret Book, 2022) Click here to learn more about professor Joseph Spencer

"Mother" is a role that takes on many forms as women guide and nurture the human family. While many of us have mother figures we admire in the present day, what about our motherly role models from the past? In this episode, Professor Avram Shannon from the BYU department of ancient scripture and his wife Thora Shannon examine the examples of several mother figures in the Old Testament, how these women shaped and blessed the whole human family and the House of Israel--and why their examples are crucial for us today. Publications: “Models of Motherhood: Expansive Mothering in the Old Testament” (Religious Educator, 2022) Click here to learn more about professor Avram Shannon

Lehi, Nephi, Amalickiah, Korihor—These are just a few of the many names readers encounter in the Book of Mormon. Just where did these names come from? Research has shown that individuals have certain naming preferences.  If Joseph Smith were making up the Book of Mormon, would its names reflect natural naming preferences and patterns? In this Episode, professor Brad Wilcox takes us into his decade of research on this subject and its fascinating findings. Publications: “Book of Mormon Names: A Collection that Defies Expectation“ in Perspectives on Latter-day Saint Names and Naming (Routledge, 2023) “Comparing Phonemic Patterns in Book of Mormon Personal Names with Fictional and Authentic Sources: An Exploratory Study” (Interpreter, 2019) “Absence of ‘Joseph Smith’ in the Book of Mormon: Lack of the Name Letter Effect in Nephite, Lamanite, and Jaredite Names (Religious Educator, 2016) “Identifying Authors by Phonoprints in Their Characters’ Names: An Exploratory Study,” (Names: A Journal of Onomastics, 2013) “188 Unexplainable Names: Book of Mormon Names No Fiction Writer Would Choose” (Religious Educator, 2011) Click here to learn more about professor Brad Wilcox

The city of Las Vegas is known for its casinos, but there is also something to be said for its communities of Saints. In the mid-1800s this city was a hub for Latter-day Saints and others travelling from California to Utah. Today, a temple stands in Las Vegas with a second one on its way. In this episode, Professor Fred Woods takes us through the history of this vibrant religious community, and how Latter-day Saints have lived, worshiped, and influenced the culture of Las Vegas for good. Publications: Bright Lights in the Desert: The Latter-day Saints of Las Vegas (University of Nevada Press, 2023).  Bright Lights in The Desert: The Latter-day Saints of Las Vegas (BYU TV documentary video) “Bright lights in the desert: How Latter-day Saints have shaped Las Vegas culture, community, and politics” (LDS Living, 2023) Click here to learn more about professor Fred Woods

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 Matt 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.