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 …
In this episode, Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon shares his experiences with the Christmas Nativity stories presented in the New Testament, moving from literal belief, …
525: "Table Manners" — In What Manner Oughte We Engage with Others this Holiday Season? Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis episode, “Table Manners” is a short reflection by Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon about ways we might interact with others during this season of …
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: (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 …
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: 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: 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 …
512: Wrestling with the Obedience vs Conscience Dilemma, Part 1 [ 56:08 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 513: Wrestling with the Obedience vs Conscience Dilemma, Part 2 [ 1:09:32 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadWe’ve all heard statements such as, “Obedience is the first law of heaven.” We’ve also been charged to seek our own light and revelation on …
510: Upcoming General Conference--Rumors, Hopes, Worries, and Preparing Ourselves for Whatever Unfolds, Part 1 [ 1:08:05 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 511: Upcoming General Conference--Rumors, Hopes, Worries, and Preparing Ourselves for Whatever Unfolds, Part 2 [ 1:04:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadIn just over a week after the release of this podcast episode, millions of Latter-day Saints from around the world will gather in person or …
508: The LDS Church's New Official History Volume, Saints: The Standard of Truth, Part 1 [ 1:11:46 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 509: The LDS Church's New Official History Volume, Saints: The Standard of Truth, Part 2 [ 1:04:09 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadJust two weeks ago, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released the first volume of its long-awaited history of the church series, Saints: …
506: What Do Latter-day Saints Consider Authoritative?: Wrestling with Scripture, Prophetic Utterance, Personal Conscience, and an Expanding and Changing Canon, Part 1 [ 1:09:04 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 507: What Do Latter-day Saints Consider Authoritative?: Wrestling with Scripture, Prophetic Utterance, Personal Conscience, and an Expanding and Changing Canon, Part 2 [ 1:03:51 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadAt this moment, with the 2018 October General Conference just weeks away, many Latter-day Saints are—consciously and unconsciously—going through in their minds and hearts how …
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: 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 …
502: The New Push to Use the Church's Official Name: An "Impression" Becomes an "Official Statement"— But What about "Implementation"? [ 1:28:32 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadOn 16 August 2018, the Newsroom website for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released an official statement that set off a significant …
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, …
500: Making It Safe Again for Open Proselytizing: Charles Randall Paul and HisVery Practical Conflict Engagement Theories [ 1:39:45 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis episode celebrates a new book by Charles Randall Paul, Converting the Saints: A Study of Religious Rivalry in America (Greg Kofford Books), but even …
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 …
498: Mormon Difference Makers: Celebrating Lisa Scott and Richard Ostler [ 1:19:14 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis episode arrives on the heels of the release of a marvelous short video, “Do Better, which features LGBT+ Latter-day Saints and allies sharing reflections …
496: (Encore) Mormonism As a "Religion"--Part 1 [ 1:14:37 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 497: (Encore) Mormonism As a "Religion"--Part 2 [ 1:21:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis is an encore presentation of a two-part Mormon Matters episode first recorded in March 2015. Of course, we all know that Mormonism is a …
494: “What Do We Do with All This?”: Sunstone and Today’s Uncorrelated Mormon Discussions, Part 1 [ 1:04:19 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 495: “What Do We Do with All This?”: Sunstone and Today’s Uncorrelated Mormon Discussions, Part 2 [ 50:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadMost Mormon Matters listeners are, as consumers of LDS-related websites, blogs, podcasts, Reddits, Facebook groups, and other social media platforms, enmeshed in the world of …
492: Women's Ordination and Congregational Leadership: Exploring New Research, Part 1
[ 55:02 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 493: Women's Ordination and Congregational Leadership: Exploring New Research, Part 2 [ 49:13 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadOn July 2nd, a terrific new book was released by Oxford University Press: She Preached the Word: Women’s Ordination in Modern America. Co-authored by Benjamin R. …
491: Mormonism and Depression, Suicide, and Medication: A Larger Context [ 1:51:19 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadIn recent years, Mormonism has been doing much better when talking about depression and mental health struggles, helping destigmatize them and encouraging its members to …
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 …
This episode wrestles with exclusivist claims in religion, including Mormonism, as well as in our psyches. How does the idea of chosenness, specialness, uniqueness, and …
485: An Open-Hearted Wrestle with Temples, Tithing, and Other Church and Personal Priorities, Part 1 [ 54:28 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 486: An Open-Hearted Wrestle with Temples, Tithing, and Other Church and Personal Priorities, Part 2 [ 1:00:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadEvery time a new temple is announced, especially when it is to be built in the developing world, it’s not very long before discussions begin …
484: Robert Kirby: Mormonism's Lampoonist Extraordinaire [ 1:29:38 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadWere there an official calling within Mormonism of “Church and Culture Lampoonist” (and there should be!), Robert Kirby would be magnifying the heck out of …
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 …
481: Mental and Spiritual Gymnastics: Might Something Deeper Be Going On?, Part 1 [ 58:17 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 482: Mental and Spiritual Gymnastics: Might Something Deeper Be Going On?, Part 2 [ 1:12:34 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadWe all have different temperaments, and there are many combinations of elements that affect our spiritual journeys—including how recently we’ve entered into a time of …
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 …
477: Improving the Way Mormons Discuss Anger, Part 1 [ 1:06:34 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis episode begins with a description of occasions in which one of our guests expresses feelings of anger over something only to be told one …
476: A Healer's Healing Journey: An Interview with Dr. Julie de Azevedo Hanks [ 1:23:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadDr. Julie de Azevedo Hanks has over the past decade-plus become a leading voice in mental health, marriage and family, women’s issues, and faith journey …
475: "Revelation" and "The Will of the Lord": Changing Rhetoric and Its Effects in Today's Mormonism [ 1:36:32 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThe April 2018 General Conference confirmed a trend that some have noticed in recent years that, as they speak about various policies, practices, and teachings, …
473: First Reactions to the April 2018 General Conference and Its Big Announcements, Part 1 [ 54:51 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 474: First Reactions to the April 2018 General Conference and Its Big Announcements, Part 2 [ 1:07:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThe April 2018 General Conference just closed. It was a monumental one, with many interesting features and announcements. From the Solemn Assembly that it led …
471: Reflections on the Recently Revealed MTC Sexual Abuse Cases, Part 1 [ 1:10:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 472: Reflections on the Recently Revealed MTC Sexual Abuse Cases, Part 2 [ 1:26:28 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadWithin the past ten days, Mormonism has been rocked by a recoding and transcript released through MormonLeaks that depicts the confessions of a former president …
This very short episode features several announcements about an upcoming Mormon Matters one-day workshop that Dan Wotherspoon and Jana Spangler will be leading, as well …
Understanding human development—its tremendous scope, typical progressions, and reasons for its slowdowns or ways various forms of harm can hinder our growth—has many benefits. Because …
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 …
465: Deeper Readings of Misunderstood and Under-Appreciated Scriptures, Part 1 [ 59:54 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 466: Deeper Readings of Misunderstood and Under-Appreciated Scriptures, Part 2 [ 50:30 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadVery few of us give deep consideration to the nature of scripture and how it should be read and understood. We grow up (or come …
464: Protecting Ourselves and Loved Ones in Ecclesiastical Situations [ 1:38:37 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadIssues surrounding sexual, physical, and emotional harassment and abuse, or of persons not feeling safe in certain institutional environments, have received fresh attention in the …
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 …
449: Teaching the Old Testament to Latter-day Saints [ 1:44:45 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadLinks to the remaining episodes below _________ These episodes are encore releases of seven different Mormon Matters podcast shows from the last time the LDS …
This episode is a supplement to the previous two-parter on “sustaining” within Mormonism—which concentrated especially on times when we find ourselves in some sort of …
446: What Does it Mean to "Sustain" Our Leaders and Fellow Church Members?, Part 1 [ 1:21:22 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 447: What Does it Mean to "Sustain" Our Leaders and Fellow Church Members?, Part 2 [ 1:24:59 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadOne of Mormonism’s most attractive features is the wonderful chance all members are given to both formally and informally “sustain” each other as we play …
On 14 January 2018, twelve days after the passing of Thomas S. Monson, the long-serving prophet-president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, …
443: Seeking a Good Death: Spiritual Practice and Framings to Help Us Prepare Now for Our Eventual Deaths [ 1:29:39 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadIn this follow-up episode to our early December shows titled “Mormons Encountering Death”(MM 430–432), former hospice chaplain and meditation and contemplation teacher Phil McLemore joins …
441: Living in (and Growing through) Tension: An Interview with Bill Reel, Part 1 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 442: Living in (and Growing through) Tension: An Interview with Bill Reel, Part 2 Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadBill Reel is widely known within the Mormon podcast world as a fellow traveler on the road many of us have found ourselves on—often quite …
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 …
On 14 December 2017, a new directive from the First Presidency was released outlining changes to certain things related to youth performing baptisms for the …
Mormonism hangs its hat, so to speak, on the reality of revelation. It claims that God the Father and Jesus Christ visited a teenage boy …
“People tend to die the way they’ve lived.” So say two of the guests from different segments of this podcast. Both Dr. Samuel Brown, a …
428: Restoring a Lost Jesus and Beautiful Vision of God’s Work and Glory, Part 1 [ 1:30:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 429: Restoring a Lost Jesus and Beautiful Vision of God’s Work and Glory, Part 2 [ 34:56 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadFiona Givens‘ and Terryl Givens‘ most recent book, The Christ Who Heals: How God Restored the Truth That Saves Us, is remarkable. But it’s not because very …
This is an encore presentation of a fantastic May 2014 episode by the same name. In it, philosopher-theologian Adam Miller and narrative studies specialist Stephen Carter join Mormon Matters …
424: Celebrating the Different Spiritualities of the Two Halves of Life, Part 1 [ 52:47 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 425: Celebrating the Different Spiritualities of the Two Halves of Life, Part 2 [ 50:21 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 426: Celebrating the Different Spiritualities of the Two Halves of Life, Part 3 [ 53:09 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThe four people on this three-part podcast episode love Richard Rohr’s book, Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life. If you find …
421: Examining Mormon Apologetics, Neo-Apologetics, and Informational Obligations to Church Members and Investigators, Part 1 [ 1:00:28 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 422: Examining Mormon Apologetics, Neo-Apologetics, and Informational Obligations to Church Members and Investigators, Part 2 [ 1:14:13 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 423: Examining Mormon Apologetics, Neo-Apologetics, and Informational Obligations to Church Members and Investigators, Part 3 [ 57:43 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadIn this, the second installment in a series of co-hosted and co-released shows related to Mormon Apologetics, Mormon Matters and Mormon Stories hosts Dan Wotherspoon …
The sexual assault and abuse scandals rocking Hollywood these days, along with the “Me, too” campaign that is encouraging victims of unwanted or abusive sexual …
418: Exploring the Messages in and Responses to Elder Dallin H. Oaks's Recent General Conference Talk, Part 1 [ 1:14:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 419: Exploring the Messages in and Responses to Elder Dallin H. Oaks's Recent General Conference Talk, Part 2 [ 59:32 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadDuring the recent October 2017 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Council of Twelve …
416: Assessing the History and Value of Mormon Apologetics, Part 1 [ 1:12:04 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 417: Assessing the History and Value of Mormon Apologetics, Part 2 [ 1:06:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadDoing “apologetics,” which means to “speak in defense,” has been a longstanding tradition within Christianity, including Mormonism. Some forms of apologetics are often labeled “negative,” …
415: "That We May Be One": A Gay Mormon's Perspective on Faith and Family [ 1:15:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadIn his new book, That We May Be One: A Gay Mormon’s Perspective on Faith and Family (Published by Deseret Book), Tom Christofferson shares his story …
414: (Encore) Engaging Constructively with General Conference [ 1:25:25 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThe October 2017 General Conference season is upon us. Having started last weekend with the Women’s session, it continues September 30th and October 1st with four general …
413: The New Plan for Relief Society and Adult Priesthood Meetings [ 1:46:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadOn 25 August, the Church announced a new plan for Relief Society and Priesthood meetings to begin January 2018. Instead of focusing two weeks each …
412: Announcing the October 2017 Mormon Matters Retreat [ 16:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis short episode, a conversation between Natasha Helfer Parker and Dan Wotherspoon, offers descriptions and registration details about the upcoming Mormon Matters Retreat, to be …
410: (Encore) Theologies of Nature: Mormon Resources for Thinking about Natural Disasters, Part 1 [ 1:18:17 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 411: (Encore) Theologies of Nature: Mormon Resources for Thinking about Natural Disasters, Part 2 [ 1:07:20 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis is an encore presentation of a podcast conversation we had in April 2011 on the heels of the then-recent Japanese earthquakes and tsunamis. With …
This three-part episode features Kim Puzey and Lisa Scott, two brilliant and insightful people who are deeply familiar with both wilderness living and faith journeying. Drawing on their backgrounds as …
403: Revelations of Joseph Smith and Others: A Naturalistic Hypothesis, Part 1 [ 54:09 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 404: Revelations of Joseph Smith and Others: A Naturalistic Hypothesis, Part 2 [ 59:52 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 405: Revelations of Joseph Smith and Others: A Naturalistic Hypothesis, Part 3 [ 1:04:59 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 406: Revelations of Joseph Smith and Others: A Naturalistic Hypothesis, Part 4 [ 1:02:41 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadIn 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 …
401: The Uncontrolling Love of God—Talking Theology and Community, and Meeting a Fellow Traveler in Thomas Jay Oord, Part 1 [ 56:06 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 402: The Uncontrolling Love of God—Talking Theology and Community, and Meeting a Fellow Traveler in Thomas Jay Oord, Part 2 [ 58:19 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis two-part episode features a wonderful conversation with Thomas Jay Oord, an author, teacher, theologian, and elder in the Church of the Nazarene. Jim McLachlan …
400: Yep, We're Fringe . . . and So Are You!— Rejecting Toxic Acceptability Scripts Sunstone Style! [ 1:19:13 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThe 2017 Salt Lake Sunstone Symposium convenes in two weeks (July 26–29), and this episode introduces some of its highlights. But far more than just …
This two-part episode is a co-release with the Mormon Stories Podcast. It is a discussion that took place on 29 June 2017 in front of …
396: Spiritual Journeys Outside of Mormonism, Part 1 [ 1:00:14 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis episode features two wonderful teachers, pastors, scholars, and clergy from non-Mormon faith traditions sharing their own spiritual journeys and the ways that God has …
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, …
Living faith is a growing faith. It is faith in a living God. It is trust in a trustworthy being (or beings). It is striving …
390: Mormon Women Gaining Spiritual Confidence within a Patriarchal Church, Part 1 [ 1:16:45 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 391: Mormon Women Gaining Spiritual Confidence within a Patriarchal Church, Part 2 [ 59:10 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 392: Mormon Women Gaining Spiritual Confidence within a Patriarchal Church, Part 3 [ 51:40 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThe title of this three-part episode says quite a bit about it. Several weeks ago, Mormon Matters released a conversation, “Gaining Spiritual Confidence,” featuring three men sharing …
Our faith lives, including how we orient toward the world, God/Spirit (or whatever we consider the highest center(s) of value and power), and ourselves, are …
On May 11, 2017, the LDS Church announced it is dropping Varsity and Venturer Scouts as the primary program for its U.S. and Canadian young …
A MORMON MATTERS RETREAT! “Understanding and Navigating Healthy Perspectives and Journeys within Mormonism” Led by Dan Wotherspoon, Ph.D. Natasha Helfer Parker, LCMFT, CST, Marty Erickson, …
All religions point adherents toward gaining knowledge and insights for themselves through their own spiritual dives. Religious cultures, however, often (overtly but more often subtly) …
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 …
Ritual is strange—or so it seems to our rational minds—yet, strangely, for many of us who participate in these often highly stylized and repetitive actions, …
Mormonism provides numerous opportunities for us to teach each other. But, as we know, many times our Sunday classes fall short of being wonderful, too …
378: Engaging Constructively with General Conference [ 1:22:52 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThe April 2017 General Conference season is upon us. Having started last weekend on March 25th with the Women’s session, it continues April 1st and …
Encore presentation of a great discussion of all things Easter. First released 12 March 2013. Enjoy the old bumpers and their music! With a forty-day …
John B. Cobb is one of the world’s most renowned theologians and philosophers, noted especially for his Christological pluralism and work across many disciplines, and …
371: New Perspectives on Joseph Smith and Translation [ 1:01:41 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadAs Richard Bushman mentions in this podcast episode, one of the very first things Joseph Smith did in announcing himself to the world was to …
369: Helping Children Plant Lasting Seeds of Faith, Part 1 [ 1:15:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 370: Helping Children Plant Lasting Seeds of Faith, Part 2 [ 1:05:20 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadEvery person is different, and this is completely true with children, as well. Often we as parents will assume our children are picking up ideas, …
367: Faith within a Mormonism that Points Beyond Itself, Part 1 [ 1:01:07 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 368: Faith within a Mormonism that Points Beyond Itself, Part 2 [ 1:02:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadWe all sort of “know” but still very often forget that God and religious and spiritual truths are couched in symbols, language, propositions, metaphors, stories, …
Because it’s so central to Christianity, and because of the concerns so many have about “salvation,” the concept of “sin” deserves fresh consideration. What does …
365: More on the Mormon God (with help from Process Theology) [ 1:29:16 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadIn somewhat of a continuation of our previous episodes (363 & 364), Jim McLachlan and Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon are joined by David Ray Griffin, a world-renowned philosopher and theologian …
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, …
Meet in this podcast two wonderful, active Latter-day Saints who are “alive in Christ,” Jesus focused, and modeling in their wards and circles a robust faith in …
361: Joy Amidst Sadness: Kim Puzey's Journey to Peace [ 1:45:56 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis episode continues a conversation with one of the panelists from the previous installment, Kim B Puzey. Picking up where we left off in his life …
360: Faith and Doubt: Balancing Truth, Goodness, and Beauty [ 1:38:11 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadDoubting our long-held views of the world, especially if firm faith positions are part of it, is a high stakes matter. Not only do enter …
358: Improving Our Conversations about Important and Emotional Topics--Part 1 [ 1:11:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 359: Improving Our Conversations about Important and Emotional Topics--Part 2 [ 1:22:35 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadHow many times have we inadvertently offended a person or group of persons because we simply aren’t thinking about how the things we say might …
356: (Encore) A Christmas Primer: Exploring the Nativity in Scripture, Legend, History, and Hearts--Part 1 [ 1:20:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 357: (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 podcast episode examining the Christmas story as it traditionally gets told—looking closely at what the scriptures …
355: Personal and Spiritual Renewal Following a Difficult Election Season [ 1:09:43 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadMany people are feeling beat-up emotionally and spiritually right now on the heels of such a difficult and ugly election season. Regardless of whether “our” preferred candidate …
353: Championing the "Addiction" Paradigm with Regard to Pornography/Sex Addiction, Part 1 [ 1:47:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 354: Championing the "Addiction" Paradigm with Regard to Pornography/Sex Addiction, Part 2 [ 1:10:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis two-part episode is a response to a panel of therapists and a neuroscientist who in an earlier episode (347–348) challenge the idea that pornography …
On Thursday afternoon, November 5th, 2015, a leak of new directives regarding LGBT Latter-day Saints was made public, kicking off a tumultuous year within many Mormon …
Let your views be heard about current LDS policies and teachings about LGBT persons and issues! Two social psychologists, Michael Nielsen and David Wulff, have …
On October 25, 2016, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a new website, “Mormon and Gay” (www.mormonandgay.lds.org) an update of its previous site …
349: The Leaked Videos: A Church That Is Also a Corporation [ 2:00:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadOn October 2nd 2016, the final day of the LDS Church’s October General Conference, a dozen or so videos were leaked online that show the briefings of various …
347: Challenging the "Addiction" Paradigm with Regard to Pornography, Part 1 [ 1:09:04 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 348: Challenging the "Addiction" Paradigm with Regard to Pornography, Part 2 [ 1:32:16 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThe past two weeks featured two opposing Op-Eds in the Salt Lake Tribune (here and here) focusing on the issue of pornography, and especially if an “addiction” …
Mormon theology, including temple covenants, along with pulpit and lesson rhetoric and cultural and community discourse place a strong emphasis on the family. It also …
We are excited to continue our celebration of the 50thanniversary of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought through a conversation with its current editor, Boyd …
Something wonderful with long-lasting effect on Mormonism began in 1966 with the publication of the inaugural issue of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. Beginning …
A new book edited by Julie M. Smith, As Iron Sharpens Iron: Listening to the Various Voices of Scripture, does something wonderful. It takes something we …
342: Mormon Women's Position and Organization Names and Titles [ 1:15:48 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThe Summer 2016 edition of the online journal SquareTwo features the results and a discussion of a recent poll of Mormon women about the ways …
As the LDS Sunday School Gospel Doctrine curriculum turns in coming weeks to the later chapters of the book of Alma and the stories they …
This episode (in two parts) is a continuation of an earlier discussion of Mercy (Episode 332, March 2016) but also very different, focusing this time …
Listen to the following conversation about this upcoming Mormon Matters retreat and others that take place under the Open Stories Foundation umbrella and that will …
Are Mormons funny? Do we Mormons have a good sense of humor—in general, or, more importantly, when it focuses on ourselves? In introducing Mormonism to those …
Standout Mormon author, scholar, and commentator Jana Riess is working on her next book, which will focus on Mormonism’s “Millennial” generation (those now between ages …
In this episode, author Carol Lynn Pearson joins Mormon Matters host, Dan Wotherspoon, for a one-on-one conversation about her new and extremely powerful book, The …
In commenting about Hope, Patrick Mason writes: “The three great Christian virtues are faith, hope, and charity. The first and the third receive significant attention, …
Once someone has begun to explore ideas and have experiences that are not outlined explicitly within the typical Mormon curriculum, it is often very difficult …
In a wonderful new book, Future Mormon: Essays in Mormon Theology, Adam Miller sets his spirit and intellect loose on the important task of helping clear …
Mercy is a fundamental tenet of the Christian gospel and its descriptions of the attributes of God, and it certainly is a topic familiar to …
331: Reflections on Two Recent Talks and the Online Reactions They Generated [ 1:49:42 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Chelan Hunt Clason: "Where Can I Turn for Peace?" [ 3:40 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadExcerpts from two talks by prominent General Authorities (one by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, and the other by Elder Richard J. Maynes) have in the …
John G. Turner’s recent book, The Mormon Jesus: A Biography (Harvard University Press, 2016) presents a wonderful overview of the various ways Mormon scripture, leaders, …
329: Addiction and Recovery Series—Part 4: Being an Addict and Mormon [ 1:48:39 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis episode, the fourth in the Mormon Matters series on Addiction and Recovery, features the stories and insights of two wonderful people, James Cottrell and …
327: Explorations in DepthThe Two Lost Sons and Growing in God, Part 1 [ 1:00:56 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 328: Explorations in DepthThe Two Lost Sons and Growing in God [ 1:52:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis episode departs from the typical Mormon Matters pattern in that it features a conversation with just one guest rather than a panel. But what …
326: Addiction and Recovery Series—Part 3: One Family’s Story of Overcoming Pornography Addiction and Its Negative Effects [ 1:40:12 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis episode, the third in our Mormon Matters Addiction and Recovery series, features another hopeful story, though it takes us through some very dark times …
325: Addiction and Recovery Series—Part 2: Effects on an Addict’s Family [ 1:29:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis episode contains a hopeful story, though one difficult to hear in all of its details. Ultimately the marriage of Christian and Kelle Smith has …
323: New/Old Wisdom from Mormonism and Other Traditions for Facing the End of the World, Part 1 [ 1:06:18 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 324: New/Old Wisdom from Mormonism and Other Traditions for Facing the End of the World, Part 2 [ 1:05:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadCharles Shiro Inouye has just written a fantastic book, The End of the World, Plan B: A Guide for the Future (Greg Kofford Books, 2016). …
322: How Does Apocalyptic Thinking Factor into the Recent LGBT Policy Change and Reactions to It? [ 1:19:30 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadIn the three months since the Church announced its new policy regarding LGBT persons and their children, we seem to increasingly encounter talk among LDS …
320: Addiction and Recovery—Part 1 (First half): Personal, Family, and Spiritual Dynamics [ 1:04:32 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 321: Addiction and Recovery—Part 1 (Second half): Personal, Family, and Spiritual Dynamics [ 1:06:54 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadIn this two-part episode, the first in a Mormon Matters podcast series on the many dynamics of addiction and the processes of recovery, often including …
319: Is There Good News for Faith in Today’s Mormon Crises?—Part 2 [ 1:47:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis episode is the second part of a co-released (with Gina Colvin and A Thoughtful Faith podcast) podcast discussion with Patrick Mason and Boyd Petersen …
318: Are There Fresh and Productive Ways to View the New LGBT Policy/Revelation? [ 1:46:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadFor many of us, the discovery and confirmation in early November 2015 of a new Church policy regarding LGBT couples and their children have led …
317: Is There Good News for Faith in Today’s Mormon Crises?—Part 1 [ 1:54:10 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadIn his recent book, Planted: Belief and Belonging in an Age of Doubt, Patrick Q. Mason offers an optimistic vision for the future of Mormonism, …
A long-awaited survey of LDS attitudes toward gender relationships and women’s ordination has begun to yield intriguing snapshots of just where we are within Mormonism …
Mormonism, like most religions, has many teachings about sex and intimacy. But, like everything else, teachings interact with persons, each with her or his own …
312: The Positive Spiritual Effects of Disenchantment and Demythologizing, Part 1 [ 1:11:56 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 313: The Positive Spiritual Effects of Disenchantment and Demythologizing, Part 2 [ 1:10:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThroughout our life cycle, we are all called to reexamine the truths, values, beliefs, and stories that suggest key purposes for living and give meaning …
310: Making Sense of the Research on Homosexuality—Part 3: Social and Psychological Factors [ 1:15:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 310: Making Sense of the Research on Homosexuality—Part 4: Social and Psychological Factors [ 1:11:18 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadWith the renewed conversation in Mormonism about homosexuality initiated by the November 6th policy changes, it has become clear that many Latter-day Saints have never …
308: Making Sense of the Research on Homosexuality—Biological Factors, Part 1 [ 51:16 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 309: Making Sense of the Research on Homosexuality—Biological Factors, Part 2 [ 1:00:16 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadWith the renewed conversation in Mormonism about homosexuality initiated by the November 6th policy changes, it has become clear that many Latter-day Saints have never …
307: Church Handbook Change Regarding LGBT Men and Women and their Children. Part 3—“Yes, and . . .” Activism and Renewal in a Tragic World [ 37:30 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadWe all recognize that there is a significant distance between the “real” world we live in and the “ideal” one we’d love to see instantiated. …
306: Church Handbook Change Regarding LGBT Men and Women and their Children. Part 2—Why? Why Now? Analyses and Possibilities [ 1:37:57 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadIn this second episode examining the new policies regarding LGBT women and men and children, Brad Kramer, Nancy Ross, and Rob Vox join Mormon Matters …
305: Church Handbook Change Regarding LGBT Men and Women and their Children. Part 1—Thoughts on How to Move Forward with Faith and Hope [ 1:39:03 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadOn Thursday, November 5th, we learned of several new additions to the Church Handbook of Instructions, Volume 1, which guides members of stake presidencies and …
On October 21st, Brian Whitney wrote a post for the “Worlds Without End” blog in which he offers a contextual framing of LDS Church history …
Matters of Perspective 4: What the Church Means to People Like Me [ 38:08 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis classic sermon by former BYU history professor Richard D. Poll, read here for Matters of Perspective by Curt Bench, introduces themetaphors of “Iron Rod” …
