I look forward to the new focus on themes from the Doctrine and Covenants. The first in the series was very good. The discussion on agency was interesting and helpful to think in broader ways in today’s world. It inspires me to get the book to learn even more.

Excellent topics and great discussions. Only downside is the audio quality has suffered the last few episodes. It sounds like something like AM radio and someone talking underwater.

I love the podcast. It is super informative and interesting. It pushes me to think of things in new ways. That said, I would get more out of it if Rosalynde Welch’s microphone was better. During the last few episodes, it has been very difficult to hear her. Please don’t waste her insights with a bad mic!

The last two episode, the host microphone has an issue. She keeps cutting in and out. It makes the audio difficult to listen to.

It’s a shame to present such solid scholarship through such primitive audio technology. The latter makes it needlessly difficult to listen to the former.

Rosalynde Welch guides this podcast with such stunning expertise and grace. She is a fabulous interviewer and, I would argue equally important, listener. She brings such energy to the Maxwell Institute and I’m deeply grateful for her and all she does to bring this podcast about. Each episode is a must listen!

Such a great podcast. It puts words to so many things I love about the gospel. Enlightening, exciting, creative, inspiring, and thoroughly good.

Blair Hodges was one of the best interviewers in the podcast universe. He was always well-prepared, asked pithy questions, and allowed the guest tell his or her story. He never got in the way of the guest, or was preachy. Too bad he’s gone. Dr. Joey Stuart when confined to Come Follow Me topics was fine, but he often found a way to insert his vision of social justice and diversity into the conversation. The recent podcast with the new host and Stuart on MLK’s Christian views, which were compared to a talk by Elder Uchtdorf, was a vapid discussion on the importance diversity and Christian responsibilities to the global community. This podcast amounted to a call for serving diverse ethnic groups or else our eternal souls will be imperiled. The points offered are not exactly pearls of wisdom as the US is a very diverse culture and many of us have lived in and served in diverse communities and countries where our particular ethnicity is the minority. Many of us have been serving in these communities for decades. America has changed quite a bit since the 1960s, but Stuart and the new host seem stuck in a time warp. The Maxwell Institute is another part of the BYU enterprise that appears to have been captured by the social justice warriors and Woke culture. Please bring back Hodges.

To be honest, I miss the Blair Hodges era of the podcast, they truly were “Camelot times.” Critical scholarship from divers backgrounds was shared and discussed. Difficult Latter-day Saint topics were broached from thoughtful and honest places. New books that were moving and shaking the fields of religious scholarship were highlighted. I felt my faith and intellect grow each week. “Christianity” as a whole was better probed and elucidated. I felt more connected to my Christian cousins. I miss those times!

Came here for religious scholarship and what I ended up getting was leftist politics in a LDS skin suit. Shame on the institute for staining Maxwell’s name, and shame on BYU for allowing it.

I love this podcast. It asks the listener to consider challenging questions. I truly miss the Abide discussions which followed the weekly Come, Follow Me scriptural readings. I’ve tried listening to other podcasts and find there are far too many who seek to entertain and tell jokes rather than provoke meaningful thought and conversation. Please bring back weekly podcasts featuring Kristian Heal.

So needed to hear that. Thank you!

Janiece Johnson got me hooked on this podcast a few years ago. I haven’t missed a week since, and I’m going back through former episodes as well. Thank you for helping me think deeper and more tangibly about the gospel, the church, the scriptures, our Heavenly Parents, and Jesus Christ.

Looking forward to having Rosalynde Welch lead the podcast now =] When seeking revelation, the right questions lead us to the sources that have the actual answers which will help us love and serve the people that we (and/or God) are trying to help. 🤲

One of my favorite faith podcasts. I loved the interviews with brief theological introductions to Book of Mormon authors. Love the Abide series related to come follow me curriculum. I hope you do more episodes with Christian Heal and others for NT 2023!

ABIDE has the most eloquent intros and outros I’ve heard from any podcast. It is obvious to the listener, there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes. The intros are a masterful work of succinct summaries pulling out the most important elements, history, and and outlines of any given book in the Old Testament. Many of the insights and conclusions have had me pondering for weeks after I listened. I especially remember and have captured much of the dialogue from the discussions in Psalms and Proverbs, and the beautiful, soul searching conclusion from Job! These podcasts have become a must listen to for my weekly study. Thank you for all the time and energy you all put into producing these precious podcasts.

Love the insights. I especially enjoyed Blair Hodges. He was a gifted interviewer.

This podcast of scholars and saints helps me to see the scriptures in new ways. After reading the block of scripture myself, I then listen to the Abide podcast. Centering my study on the scriptures and then listening to excellent commentary on what I’ve read and pondered helps my testimony grow, it really exercises my spiritual muscles.

I listen to a lot of religious podcasts aimed specifically for an LDS audience. The Maxwell Institute podcast series is by far the best. Reasons: erudite scholars, especially an inclusion of women’s voices, at the forefront in research! Excellent technology, making it easy on the ears; Hot topics that pique my interest; not silly, but fresh & fun; minimal navel starring (speakers aren’t talking about themselves). Thanks so much for uplifting and educating me in ways that strengthen my testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Listening to The Maxwell Institute podcast is a treat!

I love the insights I gain from this podcast.

The podcast never fails to deliver a potent spiritual uplift. Time well spent with every episode!

This podcast does a really good job of asking the right questions, providing research from diverse sources including Hebraic scholarship, and generally preparing a spiritual buffet to feed our spirits well. I rate the economy of the podcast a thumbs up.

From hosts Blair Hodges and Joseph Stuart, the MI Podcast has been a favorite of mine through the past few years. I find their preparation and curiosity rewarding to me as a listener. The guests on this podcast—including Adam Miller, Sam Brown, and George Handley—are some of Mormonism’s best thinkers and commentators. I’ve also appreciated the recent addition of Christian’s commentary and student guests to the podcast.

I found your podcast on Judges 11 troubling. The idea that God would allow a human sacrifice to Him by a flawed mortal does not seem right to me. I am not a scholar. You should read Andrew Skinner’s Commentary of the Old Testament’s explanation of Judges 11. It clarifies this chapter better.

First, let me say that I very much enjoy the Maxwell Institute Podcast and have for some years. I do enjoy the weekly discussion of the Come Follow Me lesson. I would agree that other reviewers that while some of the interns are very good others not so much and I would much rather hear from the host of experienced scholars that BYU has to offer than even the intelligent undergrads. I’m specifically writing now about this weeks discussion of Judges. It seems odd and somewhat antithetical to what I just said that it was only Rachel who made any mention of the idea that Judges is a book about a group or very flawed people. I was particularly disturbing to listen to the lengthy discussion about Jephthah and his daughter. There was nothing in the discussion that I found particularly objectionable or that I disagreed with except for the fact that it seemed that you all were trying to make Jephthah’s actions right and even righteous. I don’t agree with that insinuation at all. I realize and you mentioned that there is a lot we don’t know. Given that every character in the book of Judges, with the possible exception of Deborah, is flawed to put it mildly it seems that you should start with that and repeat it often. Why not start with the idea that knowing what we know about God today Jephthah’s vow was rash and that God most likely did not approve of it. In the case of Abraham God spoke to Abraham. In the case of Jephthah he rashly pulled his idea out of the air. There is much in the story to show how God punishes him for his rashness by having the daughter be the sacrifice. I don’t think however that that is proof that the daughter had to be the sacrifice. If anything it shows how little imagination Jephthah had, a problem I’m sure God has to deal with a lot. Thank you for your work on this. I’ll do my best to write more often when I completely agree with your thoughts.

I really enjoy the viewpoints of the student guests as well as Christian I loveThe expounding of ideas and learnings from the Scriptures both intellectually and spiritually. I especially love the young guest ideas As well as their enthusiasm for the Scriptures.

I agree with others that the discussion would be much better if Christian were given a lot more time, and undergraduates much less! What is the priority here? Is it for the benefit of a student guest, or the listening audience? Thank you

The Abide series podcasts are focused and provide thoughtful questions and interesting insights into the scripture reading for the week. The half-hour or so time frame is also helpful. It is easier to fit in a busy schedule. I always find something to think about that I missed in my own studies.

A great podcast. Insightful and brief. I love how BYU students are given the opportunity to add to the discussion as well.

I would give this podcast 5 stars if Dr. Kristian Heal had more of a role. Instead, he is introduced as a random research assistant from the back office and not the well-educated, deep thinker that he is. Unfortunately, more time is given to the special guest speaker who is usually an undergraduate. This new format makes no sense to me.

I used to listen to every episode of this podcast. Lately when I listen, however, I have been experiencing pseudo-epileptic cringes. Comparing Moses to social-justice warriors? Quoting John Maynard Keynes (why???). I just can’t take it anymore.

I always anticipate every Thursday! Thank you For the music. Very dramatic and fitting this Podcast. The host is wonderful and all the guest. Each topics is so thoughtful and helps me to thirst for more.

Great podcast. Love the Abide series. Nice balance of scholarship and devotion.

Thank you for providing a podcast that is spiritually uplifting, intellectually engaging, thoughtful, sensitive, and which always leaves me better off for having listened. Thanks for providing us access to these thoughtful individuals and their scholarly contributions. I love the new Abide format. I always come away with new insights relating to the current Come Follow Me scripture block. Each week brings a new inspiring discussion. Keep up the good work

I’m not sure what the mission of the Maxwell Institute is, but I wish they would provide better access to the scholars that have spent decades studying Hebrew/religion and provide much more commentary on the Bible. Kristian is great, but he’s limited to 10-15 minutes. I know he has much more to say! Instead, the void in the podcast world has been filled by non scholars. I wish the MI would do more to fulfill their obligations as the foremost scholars in religion.

I have been a faithful and happy learner from the Abide podcast since it began last year, and of the Maxwell Institute podcast for a long time. Blair, Joseph, Spencer, Janice, Christian and so many others build not just my understanding of important scriptural and gospel topics but more importantly, my faith in Jesus Christ and in the foundations of the restoration of the New and Everlasting Covenant in these troubled and tumultuous times. Please keep up the wonderful work!

Today’s podcast was absolutely excellent. These podcasts about the study of the Old Testament are just beginning, but already have proven themselves to be invaluable. The combination of scholarship and insight, and the consistent delving into the scriptural text itself, is more than just impressive. Thank you once again, Maxwell Institute!

Thank you for opening up our minds and hearts this week! Kristian, your reference to Alma 36 really touched me….relating Alma’s experience back to Adam and Eve’s forgiveness for what happened in the garden. Brilliant! Can’t wait for next week!

This show presents the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed through His Prophet, Joseph Smith, through the paradigm of intellectual understanding with an emphasis on historical accuracy. The doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is explained in both current and historical context using the vast archive of Church records, journals, publications, and recorded thoughts and actions. This is one of my few must-hear podcasts, because I am always informed, educated, and spiritually moved by this podcast.

A great podcast for this looking to spend time in the nexus between spiritual, doctrinal and intellectual aspects of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

My #1 go-to podcast. I learn so much, am uplifted and inspired and I really like the interviewer, Joey.

I’m really enjoying this podcast and taking my knowledge another level deeper in gaining perspective and a better understanding of the context and content of the scriptures.

Thank you for posting this interview. It was soul nourishing. I’m sharing it with all my friends who are grateful for Eugene England’s influence. I am always uplifted and educated by this podcast.

I love the Maxwell Institute podcast! When I first started listening the audio struggled but they have improved dramatically & it is so easy to listen to. These are scholars who can often be confusing but on this podcast they bring things back to the average Latter Day Saints level. There is a taste of depth without drowning in deep religious thought. Incredible. I love it.

I used to listen to this podcast the moment it came out. The interviews were fascinating and thought-provoking. I tried listening to the “Abide” podcasts, but I just can’t anymore. The conversation is stilted. The sound quality isn’t great. The presentation of the material is boring - and I love history and in-depth scripture study. It’s really unfortunate, because it was a great podcast.

I love your show, but you seriously need to get a better microphone. The audio quality is very distracting.

I have to agree with previous reviews. Blair Hodges is interesting, enthusiastic and engaging. I listened to nearly all of his podcasts - many times more than once. The Abide With Me hosts are at the other end of the spectrum. They are so boring that I haven’t been able to get through one episode. Disappointing

Update (with previous review below): I’m no longer listening to this podcast and it hurts my heart. The new format of “Abide” episodes isn’t intellectually enriching, it’s another come follow me lesson. And what happened to Blair Hodges? Please go back to the old format and amazing guests. Previous review: Today I became a completist! I waited until I had heard all of the episodes before writing my review. 18 months ago I had only heard a handful of podcasts, but after listening to "The Sin of Certainty" (#54) and "Forgiveness" (#81), I've had an almost insatiable hunger for the Maxwell institute podcasts. Now that I've listened to them all, I'll have to wait patiently for each new episode. They have provided me with an intellectual and spiritual lifeline to religous studies broadly and provided new perspectives on theology that strengthen my personal private faith. I routinely send these episodes to friends because of their insights. I can't say enough great things about the podcast and Blair's interviews. Thank you for this wonderful resource!

This podcast used to be a 5+ for me; it was my favorite podcast. The new “Abide” format just isn’t the same. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the new format, but there are already several good options for a “Come Follow Me” type lesson/podcast. The old format, with Blair Hodges, was truly unique. The Maxwell Institute is such an important institution for the church, a place where high quality scholarship AND faith can more than coexist, but enrich each other. Where else does that happen? Where else COULD it happen? The institute is really one of a kind, and I think its podcast should reflect that. This new format just doesn’t seem to fulfill that mission.

A great diversity of guests and topics. I love the beautiful combination of academia and faith.