The classic theological puzzle known as the “problem of evil” arises when we assert the existence of an all-powerful God who is also perfectly loving, …
532–533: What Is the “Good News” Jesus Taught?
As they begin to experience shifts of faith, many Latter-day Saints and others within the Christian tradition come to think of Jesus Christ differently than …
529: A Mystical Approach to the Christmas Story
This episode suggests layers of depth to the Christian Nativity story and the insights it has for our own individual spiritual paths. It features meditation …
527–528: (Encore) A Christmas Primer: Exploring the Nativity in Scripture, Legend, History, and Hearts
527: (Encore) A Christmas Primer: Exploring the Nativity in Scripture, Legend, History, and Hearts, Part 1 [ 1:20:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 528: (Encore) A Christmas Primer: Exploring the Nativity in Scripture, Legend, History, and Hearts, Part 2 [ 1:15:44 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis is an encore presentation of a December 2011 two-part Mormon Matters podcast episode examining the Christmas story as it traditionally gets told—looking closely at …
521–524: The Enneagram for Mormons
The Enneagram is a powerful tool for coming to know ourselves and others. Emerging in the mid-twentieth century and refined during the ensuing years, interest …
519–520: (Encore) The Living Nature of Mormon Covenants
519: (Encore) The Living Nature of Mormon Covenants, Part 1 [ 55:58 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 520: (Encore) The Living Nature of Mormon Covenants, Part 2 [ 47:46 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis 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 …
518: Looking at Joseph Smith through Fresh Eyes
This episode features two wonderful and creative thinkers and religious souls whose lives have been deeply influenced by Joseph Smith. But here is the kicker: …
516–517: Becoming Powerful: Dr. LaShawn Williams on Her Faith Journey and Path to Spiritual Confidence
516: Becoming Powerful: Dr. LaShawn Williams on Her Faith Journey and Path to Spiritual Confidence, Part 1 [ 55:15 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 517: Becoming Powerful: Dr. LaShawn Williams on Her Faith Journey and Path to Spiritual Confidence, Part 2 [ 54:48 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadTW: Brief mentions of sexual assault in this conversation Dr. LaShawn Williams (EdD., LCSW, MPA) is on the faculty at Utah Valley University, where she …
514 –515: Thoughts on the October 2018 General Conference
514: Thoughts on the October 2108 General Conference, Part 1 [ 1:39:06 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 515: Thoughts on the October 2108 General Conference, Part 2 [ 1:14:17 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThe October 2018 General Conference has just ended, but certainly not the discussion of it! Not for many, many months in our wards, stakes, and …
505: The Heart and Depth of Father Tom Roberts: How the Things He Sees, Studies, and Shares Might Prove a Great Boon for Many Latter-day Saints
505: The Heart and Depth of Father Tom Roberts: How the Things He Sees, Studies, and Shares Might Prove a Great Boon for Many Latter-day Saints [ 1:25:45 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadNo one who has appeared on Mormon Matters has a more interesting, diverse, and ecumenical religious journey than Father Tom Roberts—one that also includes Mormonism from …
503–504: Reflecting on Major Themes in 500-plus Mormon Matters Episodes
503: Reflecting on Major Themes in 500-plus Mormon Matters Episodes, Part 1 [ 51:51 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 504: Reflecting on Major Themes in 500-plus Mormon Matters Episodes, Part 2 [ 57:40 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadEarlier this month, Mormon Matters released its 500th episode. In this two-part podcast, host Dan Wotherspoon speaks about the show’s evolution, but mostly he re-introduces …
501: Centering in God: Experiences and Insights from the Living School for Action and Contemplation
501: Centering in God: Experiences and Insights from the Living School for Action and Contemplation [ 1:36:25 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis episode features reflections on a wonderful experience the two panelists and I shared this past week in Albuquerque, NM. All three of us—Jana Spangler, …
499: Faith Journeying with Matt Jones — Rambunctious Youth to LDS Bishop and Wise Soul
499: Faith Journeying with Matt Jones — Rambunctious Youth to LDS Bishop and Wise Soul [ 1:48:49 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadJust two weeks ago, Matt Jones was released as an LDS bishop. How he came to be someone who might be called to that position …
488–490: Resurrecting Atonement
The concept of “atonement” is powerful: being “at one” with God, others, and ourselves. But the panelists on this episode, Mark Crego and George Andrew …
483: The Prayer Wheel: “An Early Christian Handheld Device”
483: The Prayer Wheel: "An Early Christian Handheld Device" [ 1:26:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadAt Mormon Matters we will occasionally focus on the importance of sticking with (though often with changed forms) spiritual practices even while in the midst …
479–480: (Encore) Mormon Views on Satan and the Origins of Evil
479: (Encore) Mormon Views on Satan and the Origins of Evil, Part 1 [ 1:08:13 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 480: (Encore) Mormon Views on Satan and the Origins of Evil, Part 2 [ 1:07:12 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadMost religions, cultures, and philosophies contain stories or theories about human evil and its origins. Some, including Mormonism, place a major portion of the blame …
467–468: The Work of Peace in Mormonism and the Religious World: An Interview with Charles Randall Paul
467: The Work of Peace in Mormonism and the Religious World: An Interview with Charles Randall Paul, Part 1 [ 1:24:02 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 468: The Work of Peace in Mormonism and the Religious World: An Interview with Charles Randall Paul, Part 2 [ 1:00:31 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadMany 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 …
462–463: Lessons From the Historical Jesus
James and Judith McConkie have taken a deep dive into something relatively few Mormon scholars and teachers have researched: the historical Jesus. Latter-day Saints have …
438–440: Prayers for the New Year
Happy New Year, Mormon Matters listeners! To start 2018, I asked many of my friends if they would consider writing prayers for the new year …
363–364: Mormonism’s Wonderful, Vulnerable God
For many who find themselves in the middle of a faith crisis, casting about for new footing and ways of orienting to life and others, …
222–223: Becoming Like God
The most recent entry in the Gospel Topics series at lds.org, “Becoming Like God,” represents the LDS church’s newest attempt to help clarify (for members, …
182–183: Is Mormonism’s God Worthy of Worship?
182: Is Mormonism’s God Worthy of Worship? (Philosophy Nerd Version) [ 1:52:05 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadMormonism has a distinctive view of God that differs quite a bit from that of traditional theism. And though we as Latter-day Saints recognize and …
166–169: The Couplet (and Teachings about Theosis) in Today’s Mormonism
The 2013 LDS Priesthood and Relief Society manual, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow, features a lesson, “The Grand Destiny of the Faithful” …