Y Religion

As General Conference approaches, this episode of Y Religion highlights an inspiring way to enrich your conference experience. Assistant teaching professor Scott L. Howell and project manager of BYU Research Technology Group Lauryn Wilde discuss their research on thousands of general conference footnotes, revealing how these often-overlooked references contain additional doctrinal insights, personal experiences, historical context, and prophetic counsel. Their findings invite listeners to engage more deeply with conference messages and discover how studying beyond the spoken word can strengthen testimony and deepen gospel understanding.

Publications:

• "'How Beautiful Are the Feet': The Use of Footnotes in General Conference Reports," with Scott L. Howell, Jesse Vincent, and Lauryn Wilde, Religious Educator, 24.2, Religious Studies Center (2023)
• "The Untold Story of Mission Plaques: Fifty Years of Selected Scriptures," with Scott L. Howell, Maclane E. Heward, Gregory L. Snow, Annalyn Sorensen, and Emmalia Cieslewicz, BYU Studies, 65.2, BYU Studies (2026)
• "'Knocking on People's Computers': Missionary Work in the Digital Age," with Scott L. Howell, Liberty Howell, and Camellia Hill, Religious Educator, 23.4, Religious Studies Center (2022)
• "Intentional Function and Frequency of Reporting Verbs Across Six Disciplines: A Cluster Analysis," with Jacob D. Rawlins, Grant Eckstein, Elizabeth Hanks, Emily W. Lester, Lauryn Wilde, and Ryan Bartholomew, International Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 4.1, Liverpool University Press (2024)
• "Introducing TrackEDT: A Tool to Accelerate Empirical Editing Research," with Jordan Smith, Matthew J. Baker, Lauryn Wilde, and Scout McMillan, IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, 68.4, IEEE (2025)

Click here to learn more about Scott Howell

Click here to learn more about Lauryn Wilde

If God loves His children, why does He allow suffering? In this episode, David B. Ridge, assistant professor of ancient scripture, explores one of the most difficult questions of mortality. Drawing on the book of Job, Professor Ridge explains that scripture does not offer easy answers but instead invites us to deepen our faith and understanding of God through life's trials. He examines Job's devastating losses, the misguided counsel of Job's friends, and the Lord's powerful response from the whirlwind, showing that suffering is not necessarily a sign of sin or divine disfavor. Rather, Job teaches that God's justice, love, and mercy often transcend our mortal understanding. Professor Ridge emphasizes the importance of mourning honestly, resisting the temptation to explain away others' suffering, and continuing to turn to God even when answers do not come. Ultimately, Job's story teaches that faith grows as we trust God, hold fast to what we know, and learn to see His love amid adversity.

Publications:

• "Seeing God's Love in Suffering: Lessons on Faith from Job," in Tender Mercies and Loving-Kindness: The Goodness of God in the Old Testament, Religious Studies Center (2025)
• "Loving Our Neighbor: Ammon and the Lamanite Queen," in Book of Mormon Insights: Letting God Prevail in Your Life, Religious Studies Center (2026)
• "How Nephi Defended His Kingship," in In the Eyes of the Ancients: Historical Perspectives on the Book of Mormon, Religious Studies Center (2026)

Click here to learn more about David B. Ridge

In this episode, Michael J. Biggerstaff, assistant professor of ancient scripture, invites listeners to see Proverbs as far more than a collection of memorable sayings. He explains how Proverbs serves as a practical guide to navigating life's hardest decisions, combining faith, reason, observation, and experience to help us develop true wisdom, or "skill in living." He explores how Proverbs teaches us to think deeply, embrace complexity, and exercise agency wisely as we choose between the paths of wisdom and folly. Along the way, he discusses the book's ancient roots, the meaning of the "fear of the Lord," the symbolism of Lady Wisdom, and the role of repentance as a continual course correction back toward God. Professor Biggerstaff shows that Proverbs is not about finding simple answers but about becoming the kind of disciple who can recognize truth, make better choices, and grow through both successes and mistakes. Ultimately, Proverbs teaches that choosing wisdom is choosing Jesus Christ.

Publications:

• "The Wisdom of Proverbs," in From Wilderness to Monarchy: The Old Testament Through the Lens of the Restoration, Religious Studies Center (2025)
• "An Unconventional Mercy: Prophecies of Destruction as Divine Instruction," in Tender Mercies and Loving-Kindness: The Goodness of God in the Old Testament (2025)
• "Korihor as a Religious Bully," in Book of Mormon Insights: Letting God Prevail in Your Life, Religious Studies Center (2024)
• "An Intertextual Reading of Amos 3:7," Vetus Testamentum 76.2, Brill (2026)

Click here to learn more about Michael J. Biggerstaff

How can parents find hope and resilience when children make difficult choices? In this episode, Dr. Justin Dyer and Dr. Philip Allred address the heartache parents feel when children take unexpected or contrary paths — and share faith‑centered principles that restore hope and strengthen families.

How is technology shaping modern family relationships? In this episode, Dr. Laura Padilla-Walker and Dr. David Schramm tackle the impact of smartphones and social media on today's families, revealing the pitfalls, possibilities, and practical strategies for raising kids in a hyper‑digital world.

What impact do fathers have on children and family life in the world we live in today? In this episode, Dr. David Dollahite and Dr. Justin Dyer explore the meaningful and often underrecognized influence of fatherhood in emotional, spiritual, and social development.

What makes the influence of motherhood both unique and sacred, and how does it shape children, families, and society? In this episode, Dr. Jenet Erickson and Jennifer Thatcher explore the role of mothers in nurturing identity, fostering development, and strengthening both family and community life.

What do effective parents consistently do to help their children thrive? In this episode, Dr. Craig Hart and Dr. Stephanie Sorensen explore practical, research‑backed parenting habits that foster healthy development and strengthen family well‑being."

What creates a strong and lasting marriage? In this episode, Dr. Brian Mead and Gaylamarie Rosenberg explore the habits, skills, and principles that contribute to healthy, enduring marital relationships.

How does faith in Jesus Christ strengthen marriage and family life? In this episode, Dr. David Dollahite and Dr. Loren Marks discuss how discipleship and shared spiritual commitment create resilience and unity in marital and family relationships.