Y Religion Episode 133: Wrestling with the Restoration–Learning to Think Slow So You Know How You Know What You Know (Steven C. Harper)
Nov 1, 2025
Steven C. Harper, a historian and BYU professor, dives deep into early Latter-day Saint history and the complexities of the Restoration. He emphasizes the need to slow down in a fast-paced world to truly understand faith. The conversation tackles topics like the translation intricacies of the Book of Mormon and the historical context of the Book of Abraham. Harper also explores how our conceptions of God shape belief and the connection between Masonry and the temple endowment. Personal witness and spiritual seeking emerge as key components of understanding.
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Episode notes
Pause Before Accepting Fast Answers
- Identify when you are replacing a hard question with a simpler heuristic and pause.
- Deliberately apply slow, systematic thinking until you know what you know and how you know it.
Student Email Clarifies God’s Change
- A student asked why Joseph Smith's portrayal of God changing conflicts with scriptures saying God doesn't change.
- Slow, textual study showed 'God doesn't change' refers to covenant faithfulness while other passages depict change.
Facts Versus Interpretations
- Distinguish historical facts from interpretations when studying the Book of Mormon translation.
- Harper stresses piling up verifiable facts first, then seeking interpretations that best fit all evidence.
