Maxwell Institute Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Maxwell Institute Podcast #187: How to Read the Bible Like a Pilgrim, featuring Dr. Kristian Heal Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

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 and modern scripture, can add to the discussion. These are the kinds of questions we hope to advance in coming years with the Institute’s Bible initiative.

Maxwell Institute Podcast #186: More to Question, More to Believe, with Dr. Katie Paxman Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

Join Rosalynde Welch for an interview with Dr. Katie Paxman, BYU professor of philosophy visiting the Maxwell Institute to work on a book tentatively titled "More to Question, More to Believe." Questions and belief aren't opposites, but partners that expand and build on each other. Dr. Paxman explores the difference between doubt and questioning: doubt is a disposition, while questioning is a tool for seeking knowledge. And she offers a fresh take on Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s famous admonition to “doubt your doubts.”

Maxwell Institute Podcast #185: What beauty reveals about God, featuring Dr. Steve Peck Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

Join Rosalynde Welch for an interview with Dr. Steven Peck, a professor of biology at BYU, a naturalist, and a novelist. Steve is at the Maxwell Institute to work on a project that explores relationship between beauty, nature, science, and faith. He argues that our universe possesses an excess of beauty over and above what is strictly necessary for its operation, and that an understanding of evolution can point to God's presence in the universe. In fact, Steve goes so far as to say that we live in an aesthetic universe, and that beauty is God’s signature. Join me for this surprising conversation with the brilliant Steven L. Peck.

Maxwell Institute Podcast #184: From Revelation to Scripture Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

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 divine word that is privileged, but the most current--and how this changes things for historians and believers. We talk about the future of the Doctrine and Covenants in our rapidly globalizing church, where the historical context of Joseph Smith’s revelations becomes ever more remote. And Professor Harper shares some thoughts on section 132, perhaps the most difficult of sections in the Doctrine and Covenants, and how frustration can be a gateway to revelation.

Maxwell Institute Podcast #183: Remembering President Russell M. Nelson, with Justin Collings (Special Episode) Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode, Rosalynde Welch converses with Dr. Justin Collings on the ministry of President Russell M. Nelson. Dr. Collings is the academic vice president of Brigham Young University, and the author of the volume Divine Law in our Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants series. We invited him on the podcast in the wake of the prophet’s passing to reflect on what the Nelson ministry meant to him and what it will mean going forward. Join us for his thoughtful perspective on prophetic revelation and the life of President Russell M. Nelson.

Maxwell Institute Podcast #182: The Future of Religion in the United Kingdom with Thomas Russell Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

Church bells still ring across the United Kingdom—often to thinner congregations. In this episode, host Rosalynde Welch speaks with filmmaker and BYU media-arts professor Tom Russell, the Maxwell Institute’s newest associate and a two-year fellow, about his mini-series Congregation—a thoughtful portrait of worship in the UK. Rather than tallying decline, Russell turns the camera toward those who still choose to gather: students and vicars, parish choirs and families. Together they ask: Why do people still come? What do they find here that’s hard to find elsewhere? Along the way, they explore how art, nature, and beauty—from green fields to stained glass—can deepen our connection with God and renew covenant-shaped community. The fellowship, purpose, and hope many discover at church remain vibrantly alive.

Maxwell Institute Podcast #181: Seventy Times Seven: Jesus's Path to Conflict Transformation with Chad Ford Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

Do we really need to forgive our enemies? Take a deep dive into the topic of forgiveness, with Dr. Chad Ford, the author of 70x7: Jesus's Path to Conflict Transformation. Learn how forgiveness can transform your life and bring you peace, as you heed Jesus's call to forgive.

As a professor of peacebuilding, Dr. Ford offers valuable perspectives on how to avoid or reconcile contention when life's inevitable disagreements arise, repair relationships, and transform destructive conflict into constructive peace.

Maxwell Institute Podcast #180: Revelation (Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants) with Janiece Johnson Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

This is the last in a series of seven author interviews with the writers of our new book series, “Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants.” I hope you’ve caught them all, but if not, make sure you listen to all seven.

Janiece is a terrific historian who has written about the religious experience of women converts to the Church and about how the earliest Saints understood the Book of Mormon and applied it in their lives. She brings all this historical expertise to her new book, titled simply Revelation.

Maxwell Institute Podcast #179: Time (Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants) with Philip Barlow Jun 01, 2025

Show notes

Today I have a terrific interview with my colleague Philip A. Barlow on his new book Time, just out from the Maxwell Institute. Phil is a senior fellow and my colleague here at the Maxwell Institute.

You’ll notice his kindness and humor during the interview, and you’ll also notice his wisdom and creativity. Phil is a legendary teacher: he taught for many years at Hanover College, and then served for more than a decade as the Leonard J. Arrington Chair of Mormon History & Culture at Utah State University. He’s the author of an important book, Mormons and the Bible, and lots of other notable publications. He’s currently working on a fascinating study of the war in heaven.

Maxwell Institute Podcast #178: Divine Aid (Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants) with Amy Easton May 12, 2025

Show notes

I'm delighted to share with you an interview with Dr. Amy Easton, who authored the volume Divine Aid in our new Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants series. Amy is an associate professor of ancient scripture at BYU, where she also teaches in the global women's studies and American studies programs. Amy did her graduate work in literature, just like I did, and in addition to her work on the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, she studies topics as diverse as 19th-century women's poetry and transatlantic travel literature.

At the time of this recording, Amy was directing a study abroad program in London and we're grateful that she could join us despite having only a laptop to record on. Amy's book, Divine Aid, is all about the relationship Jesus wants to build with each of us. The Doctrine and Covenants shows us the Savior working in real time to build a parent-child relationship with real individuals.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected