Biography
Jared Halverson is an associate professor of Ancient Scripture, coming to BYU after 24 years of serving in the Church Educational System. Raised in Texas and Southern California, he came to BYU originally as a Presidential Scholar and wide receiver on the football team, leaving to serve a mission in Puerto Rico and returning to teach at the Missionary Training Center. He earned a BA in History and an MA in Religious Education from BYU, and an MA and PhD in American Religious History from Vanderbilt University, focusing on secularization, faith loss, and anti-religious rhetoric. He is frequently involved with interfaith dialogue, has been a featured speaker in both devotional and academic settings from coast to coast, and hosts a popular YouTube channel and podcast called "Unshaken." He also works one-on-one with people around the world experiencing faith crisis.
Jared's wife, Emily, is a writer, editor, and substance abuse disorder counselor. They were married in 1999 and have five children. In addition to his family, Jared loves sports, architecture, the ocean, and anything covered in BBQ sauce.
Areas of Research: Scriptural Reception and Rejection History, Secularization, Faith Loss, Anti-Religious Rhetoric, Canonization, LDS Scripture and History, and the Philosophy of Humor.
Research Interests
Areas of Research: Scriptural Reception and Rejection History, Secularization, Faith Loss, Anti-Religious Rhetoric, Canonization, LDS Scripture and History, and the Philosophy of Humor.Education
- PhD, American Religious History , Rhetoric, Vanderbilt University (2022)
- MA, American Religious History , Homiletics and Liturgics, Vanderbilt University (2012)
- MA, Religious Education , Brigham Young University (2005)
- BA, History , Religion, Brigham Young University (1999)
Honors and Awards
- Udo Keller Stiftung Forum Humanum Grant, Udo Keller Foundation (2017 - 2017)
- American Philosophical Society Fellowship, American Philosophical Society (2016 - 2016)
- Mormon Scholars Foundation Summer Seminar Fellowship, Mormon Scholars Foundation (2011 - 2011)
Memberships
- Society of Biblical Literature (2023 - Present)
- Mormon History Association (2011 - Present)
Professional Citizenship
- Media Participation, Come Follow Up (2023 - 2023)
- Media Interview, Faith Matters Podcast (2023 - 2023)
- Guest Speaker, Weber State Institute of Religion (2023 - 2023)
- Reviewer, Ad Hoc Reviewer, Sperry Symposium (2023 - 2023)
- Guest Speaker, Utah Valley Institute of Religion (2023 - 2023)
- Guest Speaker, Idaho Pocatello Mission, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2023 - 2023)
- Other, Priesthood Department, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2023 - 2023)
- Reviewer, Ad Hoc Reviewer, BYU Religious Education Student Symposium (2023 - 2023)