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Anthony Sweat is an assistant professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU, teaching approximately 1000 students each semester. Previously he taught seminary and institute for 13 years. With an early interest in art he obtained a BFA from the University of Utah before pursuing religious education, earning an M.Ed and Ph.D in curriculum and instruction from Utah State University. His sustained interest and skill in art provides him an avenue of expression that he often blends into his teaching of religion, especially by painting church history scenes previously undepicted. He has authored books including a recent one regarding the temple endowment. His outside interests include basketball and triathlon. Dr. Sweat and his wife Cindy are the parents of seven children. 
Highlights
07:20 Discussion of what constitutes official Church doctrine? Doctrine of Christ; other doctrines.
10:23 Culture or doctrine?
13:00 Where do we find doctrine? Church handbooks, standard works, official correlated Church publications; Family Proclamation. Multiple witness concept versus “outliers.” Unanimous (by the Brethren) declarations. Cohesive, cumulative statements from Church leaders acting as the Lord’s agents. Reference to D&C 107:27.
19:00 Types of doctrines. 2011 official Church statement during the campaign season involving presidential candidate Mitt Romney. What about a single statement by a single leader on a single occasion—binding? Avoid pitting one general authority against another. Are some doctrines more important than others? Are core doctrines unchangeable? What are “supportive doctrines” according to the model (four rings) developed by Dr. Sweat and his colleagues? Can faithful members have differing views on supportive doctrines? Progressing in the next life? Discussion of policies or doctrines that are authoritative, timely and unique to a given time period. Are they “mere policies?” Can they be clarified/amplified?
30:13 Don’t try to get ahead of or undercut prophets/revelators. Scriptures authenticate that God honors His prophets. Example of tribes of Israel that were required to wait to receive the priesthood. Orthodox today but heterodox tomorrow. Brigham Young said Section 76 was a “great trial” to him, but he did not reject it and later understood.
33:42 Fourth ring: “Esoteric doctrine” is obscured or ambiguous. Role of Mother in Heaven? Is Jesus married? Is there kingdom progression in the next life? What’s on sealed portion of Book of Mormon?
34:33 Section 128:9 relates to receiving revelation and is “bold doctrine.” Prophets who hold sealing keys, acting truly and faithfully as the Lord’s agents, have the authority to record on earth and bind in heaven. The role of “agents.”
39:51 Dealing with ambiguity in a church classroom setting. Clarity can come through the “wrestle.” Inviting discussion without straying from doctrine. Teaching what is declared and known without shutting off sincere comments about things that are not. “Managing opinions.” Listening without agreeing.
49:30 Leaders need to be dialed into core doctrines and official policies.
50:25 There are clearly things that have not yet been revealed. Embrace ambiguity. Just as artists don’t always reveal precisely what they had in mind in their work of art, God seems to want us to grow by wrestling with some things where only hints are provided. He wants “seekers” who ask and knock.
53:35 Gratitude for Joseph’s role as a called, inspired, and revelatory prophet who nonetheless had mortal weaknesses. Each of us, though weak, can be instruments in the Lord’s hands.
Links
anthonysweat.com Instagram: brotheranthonysweat The Holy Invitation: Understanding Your Sacred Temple Endowment Doctrine: Models to Evaluate Types and Sources of Latter-day Saint Teachings Approaching Mormon Doctrine
Evolution as the evolutionists “Believe,” is that all life including Man…..evolved from lower life forms…this is not a known scientific fact as evolutionists will have you believe… Adam and Eve were placed here as the scriptures and the Endowment Creation movie state ….they did not evolve from lower life forms…That is CORE doctrine….the wisdom of man is foolishness before God and thats exactly what the theory of evolution is…Foolishness
As Professor Sweat mentions in the interview. The Church has no official position on evolution and therefore it is not a core doctrine. https://www.lds.org/new-era/2016/10/to-the-point/what-does-the-church-believe-about-evolution?lang=eng
Fantastic podcast, I learned a lot! Thank you.
As to the above comments around Adam & Eve vs Evolution. Please help me understand. Professor Sweat talks about the harmony and multiple authoritative voices (I’m sure I got the terminology wrong but hopefully you know what I am referring to that he mentioned) to establish doctrines. How do I reconcile the multiple scriptures and conference tasks including by Russell M Nelson “Lessons Frim Eve” that mention that Eve was formed from Adams rib, and explains that God Literally did just that and placed her there with Adam against the ambiguity of it just not being known. I read the link on LDS.org you referenced and recognize that is from a talk by Elder Holland, but now I am confused as to why with so many references that meet the criteria of creation and our teaching of God creating Eve from Adams rib that we then do not consider that doctrine. I know I can’t convey tone so let me just say, no confrontation here, just honest confusion for me in applying the litmus test spoken of by Professor Sweat versus the link and statement on Lds.org???