Jared Halverson is the chair of the Book of Mormon Academy, an affiliate scholar at the BYU Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, and an associate professor of Ancient Scripture. He joined BYU after 24 years of service in the Church Educational System.
Raised in Texas and Southern California, Jared originally came to BYU as a Presidential Scholar and wide receiver on the football team. He left to serve a mission in Puerto Rico and returned to teach at the Missionary Training Center. He earned a BA in History and an MA in Religious Education from BYU, followed by an MA and PhD in American Religious History from Vanderbilt University, where he focused on secularization, faith loss, and anti-religious rhetoric.
Jared is frequently involved in interfaith dialogue and has been a featured speaker in both devotional and academic settings across the country. He also hosts a popular YouTube channel and podcast called Unshaken, and works one-on-one with individuals around the world who are experiencing faith crises.
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.
Research Interests
Scriptural Reception and Rejection History, Secularization, Faith Loss, Anti-Religious Rhetoric, Canonization, LDS Scripture and History, and the Philosophy of Humor.