Welcome to the MormonNewsRoundup where Dives ruminates on the great and spacious Beehive!

In this episode of the Mormon News Roundup, we take a deep dive into one of the most dramatic LDS purity culture talks imaginable as former Sunday School General President Tad R. Callister delivers a fire-and-brimstone sermon about Satan, prayer, scripture study, morality, and “spiritual offense.”But this time, every major claim gets challenged in real time with rational skepticism, secular humani...

I spent hours joining random TikTok Lives just to ask them one simple question: "Are you Mormon?" ...The results were absolute chaos. 💀Welcome to the ultimate supercut of what happens when you catch people completely off guard on livestream. From pure confusion ("Wait, what?") and absolute offense ("Get a life!"), to the people who just straight-up laughed in my face...

In this new Visibly Unseen teaser, Rene Steelman discusses the cultural impact of recent LDS garment shifts and what they may signal about the future of Mormonism. How are younger members reacting differently than Baby Boomers? Why do garment changes feel symbolic to so many lifelong members? And what happens when a practice once treated as sacred and unchangeable suddenly evolves? Rene shares her...

In this episode, an ex-Mormon responds directly to questions from believing members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about why they chose to leave. We talk honestly about faith, doubt, personal experience, and the process of deconstruction—without avoiding the hard topics. Whether you're a believing member, a former member, or simply curious about different perspectives, this...

🔥 THROWBACK THURSDAY 🔥Enjoy this 13-minute highlight compilation from Episode 89 of the Mormon News Roundup featuring exMormon TikTok sensation Rob Tobler. In these highlights, Rob discusses:⚡ Alleged Mormon Church child sex abuse cover-ups⚡ Why LDS Giving Machines may be more about image than impact⚡ ExMormon TikTok and online activism⚡ Mormon culture, criticism, and much moreThis is just a...

Thinking about moving to Utah but not part of the LDS (Mormon) community? In this video, we break down what it’s really like living in Utah as a non-Mormon—based on personal experience growing up around the culture and community. Utah is known for its strong LDS influence, but millions of residents come from different backgrounds, beliefs, and lifestyles. Whether you're relocating for work, fa...

Were there warning signs before the MTC scandal? In 2018, a shocking recording surfaced of a woman confronting former Provo Missionary Training Center President Joseph Bishop about sexual assault. The story gripped the community—but many asked: How did this happen? Could he have been stopped sooner? It turns out, the red flags were there decades ago. Before the MTC, Bishop was the President of Web...

This video examines the tragic case of Kip Eliason, a 16-year-old who died by su*cide in 1982 after struggling with intense guilt and shame tied to teachings about s*xual morality within his religious upbringing. Kip’s story has become a widely discussed example of how ordinary adolescent development—especially s*xual curiosity and masturbation—can be reframed as profound moral failure, leading to...

Chris once served a mission in Japan and remembers the spiritual experiences and feelings from that time very vividly. His journey through spirituality, God, and religion became a lifelong pursuit of discovery, reflection, and truth. Over the years, he found that studying these subjects deeply enriched his life and expanded his understanding of light, truth, and human nature. In this powerful pers...

In this episode, I respond to FairMormon’s infamous “The CES Letter is Too Awful for Satan” video and break down the arguments, tone, and apologetic tactics used in their attempt to dismiss the CES Letter. This is a full exmormon rebuttal and takedown of the “This is the Show” style response promoted by FAIR. We examine the claims, the rhetoric, and whether mocking sincere faith crises actually he...

Legendary ab*se attorney Tim Kosnoff joins the show for a powerful and eye-opening conversation about how survivors of s*xual abuse can fight back against powerful institutions. From churches and youth organizations to the Boy Scouts and other major entities, Tim breaks down the legal strategies, institutional coverups, and hard truths behind winning abuse cases against organizations with massive...

Ex-Mormon stand-up comedian Michaela Chung opens up about her journey out of the LDS Church — from being baptized by a memorable Mormon missionary to navigating faith, identity, and life after Mormonism. In this raw and funny conversation, Michaela breaks down how her comedy became a survival tool through deconstruction, what it’s like going through an LDS divorce, and whether she still believes i...

In this video, I wanted to dive a little deeper into the kinds of responses people often give when they see someone leave the Mormon Church. We look at a lengthy social media post reacting to ex-Mormons and break down some of the key arguments, assumptions, and emotional appeals inside it. Some parts may resonate with believing members. Other parts may feel deeply offensive, dismissive, or condesc...

What leads someone to step away from a lifetime of belief? In this powerful episode of The Emancipation of a Molly Mormon, Teri shares her personal journey through faith, doubt, and ultimately, transformation. This video is part of a series designed to help individuals and families navigate faith transitions in an emotionally and psychologically healthy way—offering insight, validation, and hope t...

[GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING: This video contains discussions of abuse and ritualistic trauma.]For years, David served as a dedicated worker inside the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Today, he is finally breaking his silence. In this exclusive tell-all, David peels back the curtain on the "sacred" rituals kept hidden from the public and reveals shockin...

Dives here with the Mormon News Roundup. In this episode, we’re covering a supercut of reactions to reports that Mormon Stories is being sued by the LDS Church. I also break down the Church’s initial press release from April 18th, 2026, which outlines concerns around branding, names, and potential confusion with official Church content. As many know, I am also currently involved in legal proceedin...

In this episode of Understanding Mormonism, John Dehlin explores one of the most controversial questions in Latter-day Saint history: why do some critics label Joseph Smith a fraud? Drawing from historical claims and critical scholarship, this discussion outlines five major areas often cited by skeptics, including:• Joseph Smith’s early treasure-digging and “seer stone” practices• The golden plate...

The LDS (Mormon) Church Seems to Be Addicted to Accelerating Its Own Demise (in the U.S.)Every time the LDS Church publicly targets a vulnerable group or outspoken critic, a predictable cycle unfolds—and it may be fueling its own decline. In this episode, we break down the repeating pattern:• Public crackdowns bring attention• Members discover critical resources (like Mormon Stories, CES Letter, e...

In this episode, I reflect on how profoundly the internet has reshaped Mormonism and the LDS Church over the past 25 years. From the rise of social media and ex-Mormon influencers to viral documentaries, podcasts, Reddit communities, and YouTube commentary, the digital world has fundamentally changed how Mormonism is discussed, criticized, defended, and experienced. I explore key themes including:...

From 2009 to 2011, Kayden served as a Mormon missionary in Russia, believing that strict obedience was the path to heaven. Fifteen years later, after leaving the Church, he reflects on how that experience shaped his faith, sense of self, and relationships with his family. In this video, Kayden shares the pressures, doubts, and struggles he faced while trying to follow the rules, and how the pursui...

Hey guys, it’s Throwback Thursday! Today we’re revisiting one of my favorite conversations on the show—my sit-down with Mormon feminist powerhouse Abby Hansen. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, Abby has been a bold and influential voice in Mormon feminist spaces for years, involved with Ordain Women and featured in the documentary Where We Stand (Journeyman Pictures). She dives into tough conversa...

For this Throwback Thursday, I’m revisiting my appearance on Episode 111 of the Glass Box Podcast with Bryce Blankenagel and Shannon Grover. In this highlight reel, we dive into Mormon history, doctrine, culture, and some of the bigger questions surrounding the Church in a conversation that was equal parts thoughtful, funny, and brutally honest. The Glass Box Podcast is known for its deep-dive for...

Was Noah’s flood truly global, as described in the Bible and Mormon scriptures, or is it a symbolic story influenced by ancient myths? In this video, we examine:The Genesis flood narrative and its parallels with the Epic of GilgameshHow the Book of Mormon, Book of Abraham, and Book of Moses rely on a literal global floodScientific evidence from geology, archaeology, and paleontology challenging a...

Today I respond directly to a talk given by Jeffrey R. Holland at Harvard Law School — not a devotional, not a church sermon, but a presentation delivered in one of the most prestigious academic settings in the world. In this talk, Holland claims that Mormonism represents the restoration of original Christianity, not a deviation from it. He makes sweeping assertions about:Apostasy and priesthood a...

Join Dr. Julie Hanks and Valerie Hamaker, two feminist therapists, as they dive into the latest changes in the LDS Church:Updates to garmentsShifts in female missionary agesNew rules for women entering the templeThey also discuss the future of the church and how patriarchy impacts both men and women, exploring what these changes mean for members and ex-members alike.🎥 Don’t forget to like, subscr...