Mormon.ish

How involved is the LDS church in Utah politics? Has it always been this way? In a recent LDS Conference talk, we learned about President of the Seventy, B. H. Roberts and his run for an 1895 congressional seat. This chapter in church history needs more daylight shone on it. At odds with the brethren over the church’s interference with the election, B.H. Roberts was suspended from ecclesiastical o...

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by Dr. John Lundwall to discuss the taking of heads in ancient cultures and the correlation, if any, to The Book of Mormon. Dr. Lundwall clearly demonstrated the predominant cultures that existed before, during, and after the stories in The Book of Mormon took place. Cultures and cultural practices which seem to be entirely unment...

On this special Halloween episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by a favorite returning guest, Ganesh Cherian to explore the tall tales surrounding the gruesome deaths of members of the mob at Carthage Jail who martyred Joseph and Hyrum Smith. Many stories have been told and compiled detailing the horrible fates of members of the mob. But are these stories accurate? And what...

Would you like an inside look at LDS temple building? On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are so honored to be joined by Laurie Lee Hall to discuss her career building temples for the LDS church. Laurie Lee was the chief LDS temple architect for 15 years, and also served as the director of design and construction for special projects and temples. She oversaw the design and bui...

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by author Mark Lines to delve into the mysterious Book of Enoch and its influences on the emerging theology of Joseph Smith. Mark's book, "Joseph Smith and the Book of Enoch:The Influence on Mormon Theology" explores Enoch as one of the sources of Joseph Smith's literary works. Joseph's "translation projects" the Book of Mormon, B...

Can Mormons celebrate Halloween? It depends on who you ask! On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by the wonderful Lila Tueller to explore LDS Halloween traditions and the dos and don'ts of this delightfully terrifying holiday from an LDS perspective. ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to su...

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast we are joined by returning guest, Jessica Rule to discuss a question posed by an person investigating the LDS church. "Does the church have a "Joseph Smith problem?"" As investigators learn more and more about church history, they also become aware of some of the more troubling aspects to Joseph Smith's legacy, But never fear, faithful LDS are ready with all th...

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast we update our viewers and listeners on the latest developments with the ongoing saga of Lori Vallow. Just last week he son, podcaster Colby Ryan recorded a chilling hour long conversation with his mother. Lori explains why Jesus has been guiding her actions every step of the way and the rest of the world just doesn't understand. This episode is disturbing but i...

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast we are joined again by a favorite recurring guest, Kendel Christensen, as we explore the concept that caring less, or not giving a f*ck, actually makes you a happier person and makes life more meaningful. The bestselling book, "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life" by Mark Manson provides a roadmap for exactly w...

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by Master Peace and the Backyard Professor as we discuss the LDS Church's Gospel Topic Essay, "Peace and Violence among 19th-Century Latter-day Saints" The relationship between Mormons and "Gentiles" was complex and sometimes deadly. All we know for sure is that there's more to the story than we were taught in Primary when it come...

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Landon and Rebecca are joined by the wonderful Cultural Hall to explore the question, "do Mormons actually worship the prophet?" The question was posed on faithful social media recently after the 100th birthday celebration and we are on a quest to find the answer! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast,...

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by the wonderful Lee Krähenbühl as we discuss mystery, sex, and intrigue in early Nauvoo. A missionary liaison, a secret affair, a love child, a concealed identity, and a pleading letter to Emma Smith are all part of this incredible tale. The lives of the wives of Nauvoo are every bit as complex as anything you can watch on Hulu!...

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by Australian barrister Neville Rochow as we explore a new anti discrimination bill in Queensland Australia that the LDS believes could negatively impact their ability to control who can and can’t enter the Brisbane temple. But is this really the case? The LDS church is rallying members to send emails and reach out to elected offi...

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by attorney Kolby Reddish to discuss the possibility of the proposed Fairview TX LDS temple becoming a test case for RLUIPA in the higher courts. Drawing on an excellent blog post by Lisa Torcasso Downing, creator of the “Life Outside the Book of Mormon Belt” blog, we explore Dallin H. Oaks’ involvement in the precursor to RLUIPA...

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In this important episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by Ray, a former BYU student who underwent electroshock in the late 1970's therapy while President Dallin H. Oaks was the president of the university. This episode is difficult to watch or listen to but it's extremely important to understand what happened to Ray. He has never shared his story before and we are so honored...

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by the wonderful Yvonne Harrell to discuss the question of science, morality,and values as posed by Sam Harris in his book "The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values." This is a fascinating topic as we dive into what human values are, how they are determined, and what role science increasingly plays in this proce...

On this special episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by Mormon News Round Up's Dives as we celebrate President Nelson's upcoming 100th birthday by listing the top 50 cringeworthy statements made over the pulpit by church leaders over the years. You'll need a big piece of birthday cake to get you through this one! ;) ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to...

On this episode of Mormonish podcast Rebecca and Landon are joined by Lila Tueller to discuss a new study showing that Gen Z women are now leaving religion at a higher rate than men. Our discussion focuses on reasons why women leave organized religion and specifically Mormonism, as we draw on personal experiences shared by women on social media. This was a fascinating discussion as we try to inter...

On this breaking news update, Mormonish Podcast's Rebecca and Landon are joined by attorney Kolby Reddish as we dissect the district court's August 26th ruling in favor of the LDS church in the suit over the Cody WY temple. This has been a long process that Mormonish has covered every step of the way. We will continue to bring you coverage of the Cody LDS temple as the Preserve Our Cody Neighborho...

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast Rebecca and Landon are joined by Radio Free Mormon as we take a look at a notice of intent to sue received by the town of Fairview Texas the day after their August 6th vote to deny the LDS church's application to build a 43,000 sq ft, 173 ft tall LDS temple. The details of the proposed lawsuit might surprise you as well as who is actually suing. ****WE HAVE MER...

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by attorney Kolby Reddish as we discuss RLUIPA, a key component in the Fairview LDS temple situation. RLUIPA stands for the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. The LDS church uses this law to intimidate towns by insinuating that their zoning ordinances and laws are superseded by RLUIPA and the church can sue town...

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by Kendel Christensen to discuss the science behind changing your mind or changing other people's minds. Kendel originally presented this info at one of our The Good Book Club Meetings and we thought it was so important and relevant, we asked him to bring it to Mormonish. Kendel draws from the insights found in Dave McKraney's boo...

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon delve into the LDS church's rocky relationship with the town of Nauvoo and learn not much has changed in almost two centuries. In a scenario that will sound familiar to everyone who follows LDS temple building with Mormonish, the underhanded tactics used by the church to push through a new temple visitors' center follow the same playbook. Yo...

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon discuss the LDS quest for perfection not only in their spiritual lives but perhaps in their appearances too. How much do the words of church leaders influence this ideal of beauty? Let's take a look at the subtle and not so subtle messages to LDS members that influence their attitudes and actions. ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If yo...