This three-part episode consists of a recording of a live event held Sunday evening, March 24, 2019 in Salt Lake City. It is an interview …
540: Millennial Mormons—Beliefs, Practices, and Authority Structures
In the brilliant and fascinating new book, The Next Mormons: How Millennials Are Changing the LDS Church, Jana Riess, with collaboration from Benjamin Knoll shares …
537–538: Being “Good and Mad” within Mormonism
In this two-part episode, a conversation between Kristine Haglund and host Dan Wotherspoon, Kristine shares insights and distillations from various sources and her own thinking …
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 …
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
TW: 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
The October 2018 General Conference has just ended, but certainly not the discussion of it! Not for many, many months in our wards, stakes, and …
506 –507: What Do Latter-day Saints Consider Authoritative?: Wrestling with Scripture, Prophetic Utterance, Personal Conscience, and an Expanding and Changing Canon
At 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 …
503–504: Reflecting on Major Themes in 500-plus Mormon Matters Episodes
Earlier 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”?
On 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 …
500: Making It Safe Again for Open Proselytizing: Charles Randall Paul and His Very Practical Conflict Engagement Theories
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 …
498: Mormon Difference Makers
This 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 …
494–495: “What Do We Do with All This?”: Sunstone and Today’s Uncorrelated Mormon Discussions
Most 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 …
484: Robert Kirby: Mormonism’s Lampoonist Extraordinaire
Were there an official calling within Mormonism of “Church and Culture Lampoonist” (and there should be!), Robert Kirby would be magnifying the heck out of …
481–482: Mental and Spiritual Gymnastics: Might Something Deeper Be Going On?
We 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 …
477–478: Improving the Way Mormons Discuss Anger
This 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
Dr. 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
The April 2018 General Conference confirmed a trend that some have noticed in recent years that, as they speak about various policies, practices, and teachings, …
471–472: Reflections on the Recently Revealed MTC Sexual Abuse Cases
Within the past ten days, Mormonism has been rocked by a recoding and transcript released through MormonLeaks that depicts the confessions of a former president …
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 …
465 –466: Deeper Readings of Misunderstood and Under-Appreciated Scriptures
Very few of us give deep consideration to the nature of scripture and how it should be read and understood. We grow up (or come …
446–447: What Does it Mean to “Sustain” Our Leaders and Fellow Church Members?
One 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 …
444–445: A New LDS First Presidency
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, …
87–88: Pacific Island Mormon Identities
This two-part episode features a fascinating, dynamic, and soaring discussion that takes us into the experiences, cultures, and elements of the worldviews of Latter-day Saints …
79-80: How Can We Truly Confront Racism within Mormon Thought and Culture?
A recent Washington Post article that discussed the origins and history of Mormonism’s racialized teachings and policies has caused quite a stir, launching important conversations. …
56: Mormonism and Wealth
The recent Occupy Wall Street movement and its ongoing spread, along with the cover essay in the October 2011 issue of Harper’s that draws what …
47: When Worldviews Go Haywire: Breivik, Jeffs, and the Religion/Mental Health Matrix
The recent tragedy in Oslo and the Warren Jeffs trial provide two recent examples that remind us of the way various personality traits and/or mental …
42: Pros and Cons of Keeping Mormonism “Weird”
Recent decades have seen a decrease in emphases of and public and internal discussions of many of Mormonism’s most distinctive doctrines and practices–especially some that …
38: Illegal Immigration and Religion
On 10 June 2011, the LDS Church released an official statement on immigration that calls for Latter-day Saints and others to honor families and treat …
29: David Brooks, The Book of Mormon Musical, and Rigorous Religion
New York Times columnist David Brooks very much enjoyed the Broadway musical “The Book of Mormon,” but, as he articulates in his 21 April 2011 …
22: The Suspension of BYU Basketball Player Brandon Davies and the BYU Honor Code
A spirited and in-depth discussion of the suspension of BYU basketball player Brandon Davies for an Honor Code violation. After reviewing the basic issues at …
21: Sex and Immigration
In this re-launching of Mormon Matters podcast, Dan Wotherspoon leads a panel consisting of Joanna Brooks, Heather Olson Beal and John Dehlin, to discuss: Sex …
Episode 1: An Introduction, PBS’s “The Mormons”, and an Ensign Article
Panelists: Julianne Hatton, J. Nelson-Seawright, Ann Porter, John Hamer, and John Dehlin (Moderator) Topics: An introduction to Mormon Matters, PBS’s “The Mormons”, and an Ensign …