Joseph M. Spencer is a philosopher and an associate professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University. He has degrees from Brigham Young University, San Jose State University, and the University of New Mexico, having earned his PhD in philosophy from the University of New Mexico in 2015. He is the author (or co-author) of seven books, most recently A Word in Season: Isaiah’s Reception in the Book of Mormon (University of Illinois Press, 2023). His work focuses on philosophy, theology, and scripture. Professor Spencer serves as the President of the Book of Mormon Studies Association, as the associate director of the Latter-day Saint Theology Seminar, and as a coeditor of the book series, Introductions to Mormon Thought (published by the University of Illinois Press).
The Wonder of Scripture series, sponsored by the BYU Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, invites thoughtful speakers from diverse disciplines to reflect on how sacred texts inspire wonder, deepen understanding, and shape lives. Each lecture offers a unique perspective on engaging scripture with curiosity, reverence, and intellectual depth.