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 106: Jesus Christ as a Revealer of Ordinances (David Calabro) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:54
In 3 Nephi and Moroni, the resurrected Savior provides specific directions to the Nephites regarding four rituals: baptism by immersion, the bestowal of the gift of the Holy Ghost, communal prayer, and the sacrament. Why…
Episode 101: Jacob and Mental Health (Jared Halverson) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:42
The word anxiety (or anxious) is used nine times in the Book of Mormon, and it appears in both positive and negative forms. In the positive form it refers to something more akin to "eagerness" (see Mosiah 29:38 and 3 Nep…
Episode 100: I Know That My Redeemer Lived (Tyler J. Griffin) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:33
As we prepare for the Easter season and celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, we often sing the hymn "I Know That My Redeemer Lives." But what if we temporarily shift our focus from rejoicing that the Redeemer live…
Episode 99: Mourning with Hope (Hank R. Smith) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:51
In John 11:35 we learn that "Jesus wept" with Mary and Martha as they mourned the loss of their brother Lazarus. Like the Savior, we too might experience "the sting of death" (Mosiah 16:7-8) as we bereave our loved ones.…
Episode 98: Unique Voices in the Book of Mormon (John Hilton III) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:28
Some 150 voices unite in the Book of Mormon to provide a clear witness of the Savior Jesus Christ. What insights might we gain from examining their distinctive voices? And what meaning can studying unique voices of the p…
Episode 97: The Power of Stillness (Ty Mansfield) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:41
Elder M. Russell Ballard expressed, "It is important to be still and listen and follow the Spirit. We simply have too many distractions to capture our attention, unlike any time in the history of the world." The Restorat…