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Robert Millet, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and professor of ancient scripture and emeritus Dean of Religious Education at Brigham Young University. Author of 76 published works, Millet has been involved in BYU Education Week for many years and is well-known as a commentator on the BYUTV Scripture Discussions program. He is also Manager of Outreach and Interfaith Relations for the LDS Church’s Public Affairs Department.
Highlights
6:45 Experiences with the scripture discussion series on KBYU
10:00 Teaching and administrative experience at BYU
11:45 His experience writing 77 books
13:30 What led him to write The Atoning One and the growth of a Christ-conscious movement in the LDS Church
24:30 Teaching doctrine in Sunday School
29:00 Importance of knowledgeable teachers
31:45 Creating an environment where class members feel safe to be vulnerable
37:30 The leader’s role in correcting doctrine and creating safety at church
43:00 The Atonement and grace in the Bishop’s office
44:00 The Bishop should always be teaching kindly
45:00 The Bishop as a channel for God’s grace
53:00 Teach what the steps of repentance mean and give study assignments
55:30 Bring closure to the individual
58:15 Don’t take the fast track to repentance
1:01:30 Leadership offers the opportunity to see others as the Lord sees them
Links
BYUTV Scripture Discussions
The Atoning One
Image: LDS Living/Deseret Book
While the interview was great (even exceptional), what is Robert’s Millet position on the hot topics?
He hint towards grace and compassion toward LGBT issues, but is it possible that the church is wrong on this subject. Is God not trying to communicate to us that it is acceptable but we as members of the church are hard of hearing. Unwilling to adapt or change to the new information that comes in via peer reviewed scientific studies.
Sure we are gradually changing, but have we taken the time to study this topic for ourselves and not just assume the church has it right on it’s default position (which dates back from old testament times).
What a great podcast episode with a brother and gospel scholar that I sincerely respect. His insights were wonderful. I especially enjoyed his response to the last question (I know you did too Kurt.). This quote also caught my attention, “Don’t be so eager to shower mercy, that justice doesn’t have a chance to run its course.” James E Faust What great counsel.
I wish we would have stayed more on the topic of grace, mercy and Jesus Christ (maybe you can bring him on for another podcast for that topic). I’ve been ponder a LOT lately about guilt versus inspiration in regards to people’s experience with church. What I mean by that is the guilt people feel when we talk about how we should be better ministers, better temple goer’s, better family historians, better commandment keepers in general.
As was said in the podcast, our protestant neighbors, generally speaking, talk more about Jesus Christ and his mercy in their meetings than we do. When they leave their meetings they “probably” feel better about their weaknesses than Mormons do because they talk so much about grace and mercy.
In the Mormon church we talk a LOT about the importance of keeping the commandments, being holy and being more active and obedient in our religious responsibilities. I’m sure many of our members walk out on Sundays not feeling as though they measure up.
And so my recent ponderings are about where is the happy medium. I’m an EQ President and I want the Elders in my quorum to know the Savior loves them and that his mercy is wide and deep. But I also want them to know we have have been commanded to magnify our priesthood and be active and anxious ministers. Sometimes, it’s not easy to strike that balance.
But I know if I err, I’d rather err on the side teaching Jesus’ mercy for our weaknesses rather than God’s punishment (i.e. consequences) for giving into our weaknesses. (and when I say weaknesses, I mean like not going out ministering or arguing with your spouse or willfully not showing up to service projects etc.)
Okay, I’m rambling. Thank you for interview Brother Millet. I hope you have him back. He’s a bottomless pit of wonderful gospel knowledge and experience.