Maxwell Institute Podcast #203: Student Spotlight, with Melissa Jensen and Sam Petersen

About this episode

Melissa Faith Jensen and Sam Petersen discuss their research and insights on faith, scripture, and scholarship.

Two research assistants at the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship at Brigham Young University join Rosalynde F. Welch to reflect on the questions, ideas, and mentorship that shaped their work. Melissa Faith Jensen shares what her study of miracles in the Book of Mormon taught her about divine help, faithful action, and the way scripture shapes how we see God at work in our lives. Sam Petersen explores Joseph Smith’s teachings on sacred matter, pointing to a vision of the world in which material things can hold deep spiritual meaning. Together, they discuss disciple scholarship as a way of seeking truth with Jesus Christ at the center through curiosity, rigor, and faith. Their conversations offer a thoughtful look at how serious study can shape belief, deepen discipleship, and prepare people to live lives of service and purpose.

People in this episode

Host: Rosalynde F. Welch

Guests: Melissa Faith Jensen, Sam Petersen

Topics covered

• miracles
• Book of Mormon
• divine help
• faithful action
• sacred matter
• disciple scholarship
• spiritual meaning

Keywords

• miracles
• divine help
• Book of Mormon
• Joseph Smith
• disciple scholarship
• spiritual meaning
• faith
• mentorship

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, Brigham Young University

Books & works: Book of Mormon

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