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In this episode, Richie T Steadman and Taylor Westbrook discuss a variety of topics including their experiences at a recent live show, aspirations for podcasting and stand-up comedy, and the dynamics of dating. They also delve into church experiences, the appointment of a new apostle, and the implications of artificial intelligence within the church. The conversation touches on declining birth rates, workplace culture, and the balance of religious expression in professional settings, emphasizing the need for community and awareness in these discussions.

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Orson F. Whitney’s Elias—An Epic of the Ages stands as Mormonism’s most ambitious literary achievement, a sweeping poetic retelling of the plan of salvation and the Restoration. First published in 1904 and refined in Whitney’s 1914 edition, the ten-canto epic draws upon scripture, history, and inspired imagination to place the life and mission of Jesus Christ at the center of a cosmic narrative that spans premortality, the Savior’s mortal ministry, the apostasy, and the dispensation of the fulness of times. In the tradition of Milton’s Paradise Lost and Dante’s Divine Comedy, Whitney sought to give his faith a literary monument equal to its spiritual grandeur—an epic in which doctrine, history, and prophecy meet in verse.

This new critical edition, edited by Reid L. Neilson, presents the definitive text of Whitney’s 1914 revision alongside rich historical context, literary analysis, and contemporary responses that situate Elias in the cultural and religious landscape of turn-of-the-century Mormonism. Both a devotional masterpiece and a literary artifact, Elias—An Epic of the Ages invites modern readers to encounter Whitney’s soaring vision anew.

Dr. Neilson joined the BYU faculty in August 2022, when he began leading as the assistant academic vice president for religious scholarly publications, a newly created position at the university. He oversees three organizations on campus: the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, the Religious Studies Center, and BYU Studies.

Prior to rejoining the faculty at BYU, Dr. Neilson and his wife, Shelly, served as the leaders of the Washington DC North Mission. Before his mission presidency, Neilson was appointed Assistant Church Historian and Recorder of the Church in 2015. He also worked as the managing director of the Church History Department from 2010 to 2019.

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While there is peace and simplicity in Latter-day Saint doctrine, there are also many complexities that leave many with thought-provoking questions. Infinite Contingencies invites all to explore these complexities, and it shows that gospel discussions can spark discovery, challenge assumptions, and deepen faith.

Through rigorous scholarship and deeply personal insights, Michael Hawkins, PhD, takes you on a journey through some of the most thought-provoking topics in Latter-day Saint theology and practice.

Infinite Contingencies will guide readers through:

This book will challenge your perspective, expand your faith, and ignite new gospel discussions. Whether you are a lifelong scholar or a curious seeker, Infinite Contingencies will equip you with new tools for exploring the mysteries of eternity.

Purchase the Book

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In Imagining and Reimagining the Restoration, Robert A. Rees embarks on an imaginative and profound exploration of Latter-day Saint theology and culture. Through essays, poems, and midrashic interpretations, Rees sheds new light on foundational doctrines, the roles of prophetic imagination, and the divine narratives within the Restoration. He reexamines figures like Joseph Smith and Heavenly Mother, urging readers to embrace a creative and expansive faith perspective that transcends mere tradition.

This captivating work brings readers into a visionary discourse that emphasizes the power of imagination as a spiritual gift. With poetic interludes and scholarly insight, this volume is a transformative invitation to both imagine and reimagine faith, theology, and cultural belonging.

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