BYU’s Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship launched a scripture focused lecture series on Thursday, Sept. 19, intended to exemplify disciple scholarship.
The Wonder of Scripture lecture series seeks to bring to light to the Maxwell Institute's efforts to inspire religious study and thought.
Kristian Heal, a senior research fellow at the Maxwell Institute and co-organizer of the upcoming lecture series, said he sees the series as a way to help students and faculty remove the dull regularity from scripture study and revitalize it with more care and focus.
“This lecture series is trying to model a kind of reading which will enrich our lives,” Heal said. “One thing we really tried to focus on ... was what is possible when we read scriptures carefully.”
Kimberly Matheson, the Laura F. Willes research fellow at the Institute and a co-organizer of the lecture series, said the series is a way for “joy and awe” to be injected into the study of scripture.
“I think it’s important that we’re not forgetting that it’s a ‘marvelous work and a wonder,'" Matheson said.
For Matheson, this lecture series reflects the BYU academic atmosphere.
“This is a place where I can study scripture as scripture,” Matheson said. “A place where the people on either side of me are believers, where I can commit to the reality of the words.”
Matheson will be giving a lecture as part of the series on Dec. 6, focused on her studies of Book of Mormon theology.
Sharon Harris, associate professor of English at BYU and another upcoming speaker on Oct. 18, said she feels the lecture series is a “valuable and welcome addition to campus.”
“We have only begun to scratch the surface of what the Book of Mormon can teach us as individuals, as a Church and across the world. It deserves our best efforts of mind and heart as part of a BYU education,” Harris said.
Additionally, Harris sees the value of scripture study for individuals in their personal lives.
“The more I am immersed in diligent and faithful scripture study, the better I treat others,” Harris said. “We all need that power in our lives.”
The Wonder of Scripture lecture series began with an inaugural lecture on Thursday, Sept. 19 in the WSC Varsity Theater at 7 p.m. The regularly scheduled Friday lectures will begin at 11a.m. in 3714 HBLL.
A full schedule of speakers for the fall semester can be found here.