Wheatley Institute
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Fortifying institutions of family, religion, and constitutional government to strengthen society
Named for Jack and Mary Lois Wheatley, the Wheatley Institute at Brigham Young University enhances the reputation and scholarship of BYU by seeking creative and powerful ideas which lead toward practical and constructive solutions to real societal issues. The Institute broadly disseminates those motivating ideas and policy recommendations to the wider world and is guided in all its work by enduring, bedrock values. The purpose of the Institute is to produce consequential scholarship in key topics consistent with its core mission. The Institute will convene leading scholars and experts from BYU and from beyond campus to research and publish on these topics. This convening and collaboration will enrich the academic environment for BYU students and faculty. Application of sound scholarly work to important real-world problems and meaningful implementation of the results of research are top priorities. The Institute also seeks, through recognized scholarship, to influence the scholarly agenda and scholarly discourse in areas relevant to its mission both on campus and in the wider world. The Institute will expand its contribution and influence through the dissemination of scholarly products, exchange of academic personnel and ideas through conferences and seminars, and the results of applied and programmatic research. As part of BYU, the Institute follows university policies and procedures as set by BYU’s Board of Trustees, including those governing Institute appointments. The Institute is supported entirely by donated funds to fulfill its mission and purpose.
With the NFL season underway, billions of dollars are being wagered on a weekly basis.
In a fantastic recent lecture, McKay Coppins explored America's new obsession with gambling apps: how prevalent sports betting has become, how far the odds are stacked against the players, and how we might rein in a runaway gambling industry.
Watch the full lecture at wheatley.byu.edu.
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09/23/2026
What's the connection between faith and human flourishing? 🤔
Join us tomorrow to hear from Dr. Byron Johnson, director of the Institute for Global Human Flourishing, as he uses groundbreaking data to explore surprising insights about the pathways to a thriving life.
Livestream link available at wheatley.byu.edu.
09/14/2026
We are pleased to host a special lecture on religious liberty and the Constitution at the Washington National Cathedral. The livestreamed event will feature an address from President Dallin H. Oaks and other constitutional scholars as they reflect on faith and freedom. Visit wheatley.byu.edu for livestream details!
08/28/2026
Our Fall 2026 lecture lineup is officially live! Join us for an enriching autumn full of lectures from distinguished scholars and national thought leaders.
For more details, visit wheatley.byu.edu/events
07/24/2026
On this day in 1847, the first pioneers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reached the Salt Lake Valley after a 1,300 mile trek to find safety and religious liberty.
Their dedication to their new faith and their pioneering spirit connect us to a much broader legacy of religious conviction. Today we celebrate religious pioneers from a variety of faith traditions and their contributions to our communities.
This Independence Day, we reflect on the core ideals that define the American experiment—and the Constitution designed to secure them. Hear insight from Tyson Reeder, a BYU history professor and Wheatley Affiliated Scholar. He emphasizes how honoring our past means actively strengthening the civic and social institutions that guard our future.
Happy Independence Day! 🎆
Gain insight from Loren Marks, Wheatley Fellow and report author, on The Religion and Social Health Connection. It is the final report in a three-part series on religion and health. Read the full report at wheatley.byu.edu.
In a review of more than 500 of the most rigorous scientific studies looking at the connection between religion and social health, Wheatley Institute found a striking 33:1 positive-to-negative ratio linking religion to social health. Religion goes far beyond private belief—it helps build the habits, relationships, and communities that actively hold society together.
The Religion and Social Health Connection is the final report in a three-part series on religion and health. Read the full report at wheatley.byu.edu.
06/14/2026
Wheatley Institute is proud to announce that Director Paul Edwards was recently named to the newly formed Braver Angels Advisory Council.
Joining him on the counsel are figures such as Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Cornel West, Jonathan Rauch, and Mónica Guzmán-- a selection of 23 prominent politicians, academics, thought-leaders, and executives from across the political spectrum who, despite their diverse ideological viewpoints, share a commitment to bridging partisan divides through curiosity and mutual respect. The council will work together to support Braver Angels in its mission to foster courageous citizenship and constructive cross-partisan dialogue.
Learn more at: https://wheatley.byu.edu/constitution/wheatley-institute-director-paul-edwards-joins-new-braver-angels-advisory-council
06/09/2026
What defines the American “elite”?
Wheatley Institute recently hosted Pulitzer-prize winner and New York Times columnist Bret Stephens as the opening keynote speaker for this year’s BYU Peacemaking Conference. Stephens shared important insights on the American elite, why the "economy of words" and the "economy of stuff" don’t understand each other, and how it’s driving America’s polarization even further.
Watch the full lecture on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgQv96aFVLk
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392 Hinckley Center, BYU
Provo, UT
84602
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