Episodes

Dr. John B. White, a visiting research fellow at BYU’s Maxwell Institute, joins Rosalynde Welch to discuss his remarkable journey to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He reflects on the spiritual experiences that influenced his conversion, including reading the Book of Mormon, visiting the Sacred Grove, and finding a welcoming community among Church members. Despite significant personal and professional sacrifices, these experiences led him to choose baptism. Drawing on his backgr...

Two research assistants at the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship at Brigham Young University join Rosalynde F. Welch to reflect on the questions, ideas, and mentorship that shaped their work. Melissa Faith Jensen shares what her study of miracles in the Book of Mormon taught her about divine help, faithful action, and the way scripture shapes how we see God at work in our lives. Sam Petersen explores Joseph Smith’s teachings on sacred matter, pointing to a vision of the world i...

In this classic Maxwell Institute Podcast episode, Kristian Heal explores the profound connections between Easter, Christian tradition, and the Old Testament, emphasizing the importance of understanding the historical and spiritual significance of the resurrection. Guests share personal insights, theological reflections, and cultural experiences that deepen faith and appreciation for Easter's meaning.

What if your daily scripture study is actually ethical training? In this episode Rosalynde Welch sits down with editor and scholar Dr. Courtney Campbell to unpack Moral Visions: Ethics and the Book of Mormon (edited with Kelly Sorensen). They take the Book of Mormon seriously as an ethical text: not just a list of dos and don’ts, but a set of moral visions that shape who we are, how we live together, and what kind of communities we build. Campbell and Welch walk through three big moves in the b...

In this interview, Rosalynde Welch and Andy Reed explore the impact of the information age on religious understanding, the importance of religious literacy, and how interfaith engagement can foster mutual respect and reduce conflict. Andy Reed shares insights on navigating religious diversity, the role of authentic sources, and practical steps for fostering deeper interfaith relationships. Key Topics Impact of the information age on religious understanding Krister Stendahl's three rules of in...

In this episode, Rosalynde Welch speaks with Dr. Miranda Wilcox about the Maxwell Institute’s Living Faith book series—nineteen volumes and counting—written for thoughtful Latter-day Saints seeking to integrate scholarship and discipleship. They discuss peacemaking and practical forgiveness in Seventy Times Seven, vocational discipleship in Counsel, Please Rise, and the enduring wisdom of Kate Holbrook’s Both Things Are True. Along the way, Miranda offers a moving new reading of the mustard seed...

Join Rosalynde Welch for an interview with Dr. Kristian Heal. Reading scripture is one of the fundamental spiritual practices of Latter-day Saints. Dr. Heal shows how scholarship on the Bible can enrich our understanding of the ancient book that connects us to other faith traditions across the globe. We talk about what biblical studies is and is not; its gifts and its challenges for believing readers of the Bible; and what Latter-day Saints scholars, with our understanding of the Book of Mormon ...

In this conversation, we talk about what it means for a revelation to become scripture--a topic theologians call “canonization.” Steve shares a view of canonization that is less a single historical event and more a social process driven by countless individuals--men and women, adults and children--who return again and again to the text as a place to hear the voice of Christ. We talk about the Restoration’s unique view of revelation and scripture: for Latter-day Saints, it’s not the earliest divi...

How can we best care for the beautiful planet God has given us for our home? And why do our relationships with other humans matter so much in the work of stewardship and conservation? Today on the podcast, Rosalynde talks to Ben Abbott, a professor of Plant & Wildlife Sciences at BYU. As a scientist, Ben specializes in ecosystem ecology — the complex ways that living and non-living components interact in a given place. But he’s found that his work as a teacher and mentor has shaped his research ...

Welcome to The Questions We Should Be Asking, a new season of the podcast from the Maxwell Institute that explores faith-building questions. In this episode, Rosalynde interviews Kimberly Matheson, a scholar at the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religion. She asks the question: why do we pray? And what does prayer look like in our lives? Kimberly Matheson is a Research Fellow at the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, with current projects focusing on gender in the Book of Mormo...

Meet Rosalynde Frandsen Welch, our new host for the MIPodcast. Rosalynde is the Associate Director of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, where she coordinates faculty engagement and co-leads a special research initiative. Her research focuses on Latter-day Saint scripture, theology, and literature. She holds a PhD in early modern English literature from the University of California, San Diego, and a BA in English from Brigham Young University. She is the author of Ether: a ...