2 Kings 2-7 with Professor Ken Alford

2 Kings 2-7 with Professor Ken Alford

Two Point Conversion with BYU Football: A Gospel Discussion Podcast • Season 3, Episode 24
Jul 6, 2026 • 1h 13m

What do a Cold War Army colonel, a BYU religion professor, and an NFL wide receiver have in common? More than you'd think. This week, Connor Pay and Chase Roberts sit down with Professor Ken Alford — a retired U.S. Army colonel, West Point computer science professor, and now BYU Ancient Scripture instructor in his 19th year — to dig into 2 Kings 2–7 and the ministries of Elijah and Elisha. In this episode, Ken traces his remarkable dual career: from commanding troops in West Germany during the Cold War, to managing $5.5 billion in government IT contracts, to teaching church history at BYU. The trio also discuss the meaning behind the names Elijah ("Jehovah is my God") and Elisha ("God shall save") — and why that matters. And what does it really mean to receive a "double portion" of the Spirit? Plus, a deep dive into the story of Naaman: what a million dollars in silver, a dirty river, and seven baths teach us about humility, obedience, and stopping at wash number six.