Hidden Leadership Principles in the Lives of Nephi & Jacob | An Interview with Joseph Spencer

Joseph M. Spencer is a philosopher and an assistant professor of
ancient scripture at Brigham Young University. He has a BA in
philosophy from BYU, an MLIS in library science from San Jose State
University, and an MA and PhD in philosophy from the University of
New Mexico. Joseph is the author of six books, including the
recently-published Book of Mormon Studies: An Introduction and
Guide. He serves as the editor of the Journal of Book of Mormon
Studies, as the associate director of the Latter-day Saint Theology
Seminar, and a vice president of the Book of Mormon Studies
Association. In the church, Joseph has served as an early morning
seminary teacher, Gospel Doctrine teacher, a counselor in a variety
of presidencies, and currently serves as a bishop. He and his wife
Karen have been married 20 years and have five kids. Highlights
01:00 Introduction to Joseph Spencer 03:40 Advice Joseph would give
to his younger self about teaching. 04:30 How Joseph got into
philosophy and how he ended up at BYU teaching religion. 08:00
Advice to make scripture study better. Slow it down. 09:50 Joseph
talks about his experience as a Bishop and things that have worked.
13:50 Joseph’s perspective on repentance and how he compares it to
the sabbath. 19:50 What are we missing when we read the Book of
Mormon? We are good at connecting with the divine but we aren’t
actually paying attention to what is said. We are really bad at
getting the big picture. 26:00 Leadership in the Book of Mormon.
Nephi’s leadership and struggle to be a leader. 37:30 The dynamic
between Nephi, Laman and Lemuel. 44:00 Asking questions and
figuring out what your role is as a leader. We tend to want to
follow a formula or rely solely on the handbook. 46:20 Going deeper
into Nephi. Joseph shares his perspective on Nephi’s leadership.
56:40 Nephi and Jacob were able to tell their own stories in the
Book of Mormon. They didn’t portray themselves as perfect. They
showed us their imperfection. 59:20 The passage of scripture that
Joseph shares with people most often is Ether 12. Links Book of
Mormon Studies: An Introduction and Guide Y Religion: Hugh Nibley’s
Contribution to Book of Mormon Studies Art: Go and Do, by Jorge
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