Maxwell Institute Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Learning to Sit with Sacred Discomfort: Reflections on Genesis 18–23 Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

What do we do when scripture makes us uncomfortable? In this reflection on Genesis 18–23, Katie Paxman considers the story of Abraham and Isaac through the lens of empathy, friendship with God, and the courage to feel. Rather than rushing toward tidy theological explanations, she invites readers to linger in sacred discomfort—and discover how God may be teaching us through it.

Maxwell Institute Podcast #196: Caring for a Living Faith, featuring Dr. Miranda Wilcox Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

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 parable and shares why books—slow, sustained, carefully shaped—still matter. A thoughtful conversation about faith that shelters, truth that binds, and the patient work of making discipleship real.

Passage in Christ: Reflections on Genesis 15 with Terryl Givens Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

Terryl Givens reflects on Genesis 15 and its profound connection to the everlasting covenant fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Through a striking and singular sacrificial ritual, Abraham witnesses a symbol of divine passage—a pattern later realized when Christ consecrated “a new and living way” through the veil of His own flesh. Givens traces how this imagery helps illuminate the Restoration’s temple theology, where disciples move step by step through covenantal life toward adoption, sanctification, and the presence of God. A thoughtful, beautifully drawn meditation that complements your Come, Follow Me study of the Old Testament.

Avoiding a Confounding of Languages: Reflections on Genesis 6–11 and Moses 8 with Jamie L. Jensen Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Jamie Jensen explores Genesis 6–11 and Moses 8 through both scientific understanding and spiritual insight. Drawing on her work at the intersection of faith and science, she examines how the “confounding of languages” in our modern discourse can distract from the core messages of Noah’s story—God’s love, prophetic warning, covenant obedience, and our responsibility to care for His creations. With personal experiences, scientific context, and heartfelt reflection, Jensen invites listeners to see the Flood narrative not as a battleground between disciplines but as a source of enduring spiritual truth.

The Lord Weeps for His Children: Some Questions from Moses 7 Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

Evolutionary ecologist and novelist Steven Peck brings scientific reasoning, theological imagination, and Restoration scripture into conversation as he examines one of the most striking scenes in all scripture—God weeping in Moses 7. Peck challenges traditional readings that frame God as the direct cause of suffering and instead portrays a compassionate Deity who mourns with creation and calls His children to alleviate pain alongside Him. Thoughtful, probing, and deeply pastoral, this reflection enriches your Come, Follow Me study with a renewed vision of God’s empathy and the sacred responsibility of human agency.

Walk with God, Abide in Spirit: Reflections on Genesis 5 and Moses 6 with Rosalynde Welch Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we explore the rich spiritual insights found in Genesis 5 and Moses 6—two scriptural texts that tell the same story in strikingly different ways. Drawing on Rosalynde Welch’s reflections, we look at how a seemingly simple genealogy becomes a profound meditation on creation, covenant, and the divine potential embedded in every human life. Why does the brief, enigmatic line “Enoch walked with God” stand out so powerfully amid a long list of father‑to‑son repetitions? And what can Moses’ expansive, revelatory retelling teach us about what it means to truly abide in the Spirit? Join us as we unpack ancient patterns, trace the echoes of the Creation story through generations, and contemplate what it means—practically and spiritually—to walk with God today.

The Mother of All Living: Reflections on Genesis 3–4 and Moses 4–5 Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we explore the profound meaning behind Eve’s name and her pivotal role in the story of humankind. Drawing on linguistic insights, ancient Hebrew, and Restoration scripture, scholar Morgan Davis uncovers how the original sound and symbolism of Ḥawwah—Eve—reveal a richer, more hopeful understanding of the first mother. We’ll examine how modern Bible translations shed light on wordplay long hidden in English, how divine breath and life echo through the Genesis narrative, and why Adam’s naming of Eve after the Fall is an act filled with honor, prophecy, and gratitude. Far from being a figure of blame, Eve emerges as a model of courage, wisdom, and forward‑moving faith. Join us as we rethink a familiar scripture story and rediscover Eve as the mother of all living—a title that carries beauty, depth, and enduring spiritual power.

Creation Accounts in Genesis, Moses, and Abraham Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

In this author-read episode, Steven C. Harper explores the creation accounts found in Genesis, the Book of Moses, and the Book of Abraham, using the idea of “noise” in communication to explain why scripture can be difficult to interpret. He introduces a Restoration-based hermeneutic—the tools and practices Joseph Smith used to read the Bible with reverence, honesty about its limits, and openness to revelation. Listeners will be guided through: How language and culture affect our reading of Genesis Why Genesis includes more than one creation account What the Books of Moses and Abraham add to our understanding of creation How restored scripture clarifies God’s purposes without claiming to explain every detail of how creation occurred Rather than resolving every question, this episode offers perspective, context, and hope. It invites listeners to approach the Old Testament thoughtfully, combining careful study with spiritual inquiry, and to trust that God revealed enough about creation to help us understan

Glory: Reflections on Moses 1 with Philip Barlow Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

Explore the meaning of Moses 1:39 and the concept of God’s “work and glory” in this episode of Old Testament Reflections. Philip Barlow examines the theological depth of immortality and eternal life, the significance of “glory” in scripture, and how these ideas shape Latter-day Saint understanding of God’s purpose. Perfect for listeners interested in Restoration scripture, biblical interpretation, and faith-based insights.

A Chorus of Voices with Joshua Sears Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

What do fast and testimony meetings and the Old Testament have in common? Both invite us to listen to a rich diversity of voices—each with its own perspective on God and life. In this episode, Joshua Sears explores how the varied experiences shared in Latter-day Saint worship mirror the multiplicity of viewpoints found in scripture. From contrasting creation accounts to differing attitudes toward foreign nations, the Old Testament challenges us to expand our understanding of God through the lens of others.

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