Episode 133: Wrestling with the Restoration–Learning to Think Slow So You Know How You Know What You Know (Steven C. Harper)

Episode 133: Wrestling with the Restoration–Learning to Think Slow So You Know How You Know What You Know (Steven C. Harper)

Author: BYU Religious Education November 1, 2025 Duration: 1:06:57

In a world obsessed with speed, what if the answers we need come only when we slow down and listen? In this episode, Professor Steven C. Harper invites us to pause, reflect deeply, and attune ourselves to the voice of God. Drawing from his book Wrestling with the Restoration: Why This Church Matters, Dr. Harper combines rigorous scholarship with faith to thoughtfully address critiques of the Restoration. He explores complex questions–such as the translation of the Book of Mormon and the origin of the Book of Abraham–and counsels us to slow down and carve out time to ask, "What do I know?" and "How do I know it?" Ultimately, Dr. Harper offers practical ways for us to develop our own personal of witness of Jesus Christ and the Restoration through careful study, sincere reflection, and spiritual seeking.

Publications:

Click here to learn more about Steven C. Harper


Behind the academic papers and detailed studies produced by the faculty at Brigham Young University, there are personal journeys of faith and intellectual curiosity. Y Religion, from BYU Religious Education, opens a window into that process. Each episode sits down with the professor behind the research, moving beyond the published conclusions to explore the human questions that sparked the inquiry. Conversations delve into why a particular historical detail, scriptural insight, or theological concept demanded a closer look, and what it means for both scholarly understanding and personal belief. This isn't about dry lectures; it's about the intersection of rigorous scholarship and lived discipleship within the context of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The podcast serves as a unique bridge, making specialized academic work accessible and relevant to anyone pondering deeper spiritual truths. You'll hear scholars articulate the challenges and rewards of their dual commitment to the mind and the heart, offering listeners a richer appreciation for the ongoing dialogue between faith and learning. Tune in for thoughtful discussions that illuminate how dedicated study can deepen, rather than distance, one's spiritual journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Y Religion
Podcast Episodes
Episode 126: Women Witnesses of the Easter Events (Gaye Strathearn) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:17
The first witnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ were some of his female disciples. Mary Magdalene witnessed the empty tomb and was the first to encounter the risen Savior. Additionally, Joanna, Mary the mother of…
Episode 125: Envisioning the Last Supper (Matthew Grey) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:42
According to the earliest gospel accounts, on the night before his crucifixion, Jesus dined with his disciples to observe the feast of the Passover and institute what would later become the Christian eucharist (or sacram…
Episode 124: Sacramental Connections (Matthew O. Richardson) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:20
How does understanding the interconnected purposes of the sacrament, as presented in Doctrine & Covenants 27, deepen our appreciation for this sacred ordinance? In this episode Matthew O. Richardson, professor of Church…
Episode 121: The Family Proclamation in Context (Michael A. Goodman) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:25
Contemporary views on marriage and family have changed significantly over time. How much of our understanding of marriage and family is shaped by societal norms versus prophetic guidance? In this episode, professor of Ch…
Episode 120: The True Identity of Christ (Krystal V. L. Pierce) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:51
On the day after his Resurrection, the Savior appeared to those who knew him best during his mortal ministry—Mary Magdalene, Cleopas, ten of the apostles, and many other followers. While they saw him physically, they did…
Episode 119: Hear Him! The Restored Voice of the Lord (Anthony Sweat) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:00
As Professor of Church History and Doctrine Anthony Sweat dropped off a recent painting entitled Jesus of Nazareth, he was met with the response, "That's not what Jesus looks like." After a few laughs, Professor Sweat re…
Episode 117: Kenneth L. Alford (Using the Book of Mormon Art Catalog) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:20
In an address to religious educators, Elder Richard G. Scott taught that "the use of an appealing visual aid can clarify truth." One platform for accessing such righteous and clarifying images is the Book of Mormon Art C…