This episode celebrates a new book by Charles Randall Paul, Converting the Saints: A Study of Religious Rivalry in America (Greg Kofford Books), but even …
467–468: The Work of Peace in Mormonism and the Religious World: An Interview with Charles Randall Paul
Many long-time Mormon Matters listeners will recognize the name Charles Randall Paul, (or, as host Dan Wotherspoon calls him 90 percent of the time, “Randy” Paul). He …
534–535: “The Covenant Path”: Reflections and Extensions
No term to date has been more associated with the leadership tenure of President Russell M. Nelson than “Covenant Path.” It’s become ubiquitous in his …
519–520: (Encore) The Living Nature of Mormon Covenants
This is an encore presentation of an important and still very relevant two-part episode first released on 24 April 2017. Covenanting is a huge feature …
479–480: (Encore) Mormon Views on Satan and the Origins of Evil
Most religions, cultures, and philosophies contain stories or theories about human evil and its origins. Some, including Mormonism, place a major portion of the blame …
403–406: Revelations of Joseph Smith and Others: A Naturalistic Hypothesis
In her very important new book, Revelatory Events: Three Case Studies of the Emergence of New Spiritual Paths, historian and religion scholar Ann Taves offers a naturalistic framing for …
395: Spiritual Mentors and Heroes
Most of us have someone special in our lives, or with whom we’ve become acquainted through reading or listening to, whose spiritual insights, wisdom, compassion, …
382–383: The Living Nature of Mormon Covenants
Covenanting is a huge feature of Mormon theology and group life. Beginning at age eight with baptism, and extending through the temple endowment and sealing …
323–324: New/Old Wisdom from Mormonism and Other Traditions for Facing the End of the World
Charles Shiro Inouye has just written a fantastic book, The End of the World, Plan B: A Guide for the Future (Greg Kofford Books, 2016). …
255: New Church Video on LDS Temple Clothing and Garments
Through its Newsroom website, the LDS Church recently released a new video and essay that depicts Mormonism’s sacred temple clothing, along with the garments worn …
188–189: Hugh Nibley—Part 3: Prophet of Zion
In this third and final installment of our Hugh Nibley series, we look at Nibley’s powerful, far-ranging, and definitely direct/hard-hitting/deliciously skewering social critiques. Ranging from …
178–179: Tolerance
Tolerance is a tricky virtue. In a list of ways one might interact with others, it’s certainly better than active persecution but falls far short …
128: The One True Church
One of the most difficult things for many who have begun to think deeply about religion—their own as well as others and the relationship between …
Matters of Perspective 2: The Sacred Secret Open to All: Ye Are Gods
In this second episode of the “Matters of Perspective” series, Charles Randall Paul reads his May 2009 Sunstone article, “The Sacred Secret Open to All: …
102–103: Pragmatism, William James, and Mormon Sensibilities
Pragmatism is the name of a philosophical approach for judging between competing truth claims. It essentially says that if you are presented with two ideas …
75–76: Communicating About the Temple
Mormon temple practices have come under renewed scrutiny recently as it has come to public attention that Mitt Romney’s father-in-law, a known non-religious person, had …
65: LDS Views on Christ’s Second Coming and the End Times
Elder Boyd K. Packer’s October 2011 General Conference encouragement to youth to not fear that because of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ they will …
61: Mormon Views on Satan and the Origins of Evil
Most religions, cultures, and philosophies contain stories or theories about human evil and its origins. Some, including Mormonism, place a major portion of the blame …
50: The Call to Be Peacemakers
The tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks provide an important moment for all of us to reflect on life’s most precious things and what …
27: Mormons and Their Leaders
This episode, which was recorded a couple of days after the close of the April 2011 General Conference, explores the interplay between Latter-day Saints and …
Episode 12: Inoculating the Saints (with Kevin Barney, Blake Ostler and Mike Ash)
With this episode we begin a 3-part series dealing with the idea of “Inoculating the Saints.” This first episode hails from the 2007 Salt Lake …