The Mormon Newscast Archives - Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup

Tonight on the Mormon Newscast our top story covers LDS apologist Jasmine Rappleye’s alleged public apology regarding her controversial remarks on Mormon sexual abuse and clergy privilege. What does this apology really mean, and how is the broader community responding? We’ll also dive into several other big stories making headlines in Mormonism this week: Polygamy Deniers Under Fire – Critics push...

Our lead story dives into a controversial change to Utah law altering CSA Law. A move critics say may have been crafted to protect the family of a powerful GOP senator. We’ll break down the bill, the political fallout, and the serious questions it raises. Also tonight: Dallin H. Oaks gives a bizarre and telling dedication speech you have to hear to believe Psychedelics and Religion — exploring the...

LIVE Mormon Newscast | August 5, 2025 | With Studio Audience! Watch Live @ 6pm Mountain / 8pm Eastern Join us live in front of a studio audience for a jam-packed episode of The Mormon Newscast! This week has been a wild ride in the world of Mormonism, and we’re covering all the headlines, scandals, surprises, and statements that dropped like seer stones from the sky. From legal showdowns to leader...

How Did Joseph Smith Convince So Many? Exploring Hypnosis, Visions, and the Birth of a Movement How did Joseph Smith inspire thousands to not only believe in his prophetic gifts but also claim their own divine visions and supernatural encounters? Could hypnosis or altered states of consciousness explain part of the story? Tonight, we explore the controversial theory that Joseph Smith may have used...

Tonight on The Mormon Newscast, we’re diving into a disturbing and heartbreaking headline: A former Mormon missionary has been arrested in Pittsburgh, accused of sexually abusing multiple minors. We’ll break down the details of the case, how he allegedly used his church affiliation to gain trust, and what this means for the LDS Church’s ongoing struggle with abuse scandals. Also in this episode: T...

Tonight on Mormon Newscast: LDS Temple Training Raises Eyebrows Over Possible LGBTQ Targeting In our lead story, we dive into concerning reports about recent temple worker training in the LDS Church—allegedly singling out LGBTQ members in ways that raise serious questions about inclusion and policy enforcement. What exactly is being taught behind closed temple doors? We also cover: Recent Court Ru...

What happens when a U.S. senator’s politics start clashing with his religion? In this explosive episode of Mormon Newscast, we unpack the controversy surrounding Senator Mike Lee’s latest moves and the growing tension between LDS teachings and far-right ideology. Has Mike Lee become a liability for the Church—or is he just saying the quiet part out loud? We also cover: The IRS quietly gives church...

Something major just happened to the LDS Church in one of the world’s most powerful—and most tightly controlled—nations. A quiet move by a foreign government has suddenly upended worship for hundreds of members and raised serious questions about the future of the Church in a place it’s long tried to operate under the radar. Why now? Why there? And what does this mean for the Church’s global...

This week on the Mormon Newscast, BYU’s starting quarterback is back in the spotlight—but this time, it’s not for what’s happening on the field. With serious legal allegations and academic questions piling up, the playbook in Provo is getting complicated. Is this a career-ending fumble or just a temporary timeout? We break down the latest developments, the unexpected moves behind the scenes, and w...

Of all the misleading tactics used by Latter-day Saint apologists, this one might just take the crown. It’s sneaky, it’s calculated—and even after being called out repeatedly, they still keep doing it. Why? Because when it comes to defending Mormonism and the LDS Church, it seems the ends justify any means. But not this time. We’re calling it out publicly—and you need to see it for yourself....

In this episode of Mormon Newscast, we dive headfirst into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ bold claim that baptisms are skyrocketing. Is this truly a sign of global revival, or is there more going on beneath the surface? Bill Reel, Radio Free Mormon, and Rebecca Bibliotheca break down the numbers, and question whether we’re witnessing genuine growth—or strategic optics. [Jun...

[The Mormon Newscast 6.16.25] In a stunning shift, the LDS Church has officially acknowledged the existence of a once denied Revelation—where Jesus Christ appeared and imposed doctrines that have long been abandoned. For decades, leaders downplayed or outright dismissed its authenticity. So what changed? In this episode of Mormon Newscast, we break down the Church’s new admission, explore the timi...

In this explosive episode of Mormon Newscast, we break a major developing story that could have legal and reputational consequences for the LDS Church: allegations of tax filing fraud that may have violated IRS regulations. What was hidden, who knew, and what comes next? [June 9th 2025] Plus, we dive into new national survey data showing Utah among the fastest-growing states in religious disaffili...

[June 2nd 2025] Tonight on the Mormon Newscast, we lead with a headline that’s rocking Cougar Nation—BYU starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff has been charged with a civil sexual assault lawsuit. The accusations include rape, strangulation, and biting, with the alleged victim claiming police discouraged her from pressing charges. As the university balances Title IX compliance, public perception, and...

Tonight on the Mormon Newscast: Billions vanish from the LDS Church’s investment portfolio and we will tell you why. We’ll dive into what triggered the drop, what it could mean for the future for both the Church’s assets and their feelings about the stock market generally. Also in this episode: a Utah politician launches a bold new effort to redefine what’s “obscene”, and i...

Tonight on the Mormon Newscast, the LDS Church quietly agrees to a landmark settlement involving over 100 sexual abuse lawsuits in California. We’ll break down what the “settlement in principle” actually means, how it connects to a new Utah law aimed at child protection, and whether any real accountability is on the horizon—or if this is just more institutional damage control. Also in the lineup w...

[The Mormon Newscast May 5th 2025] Tonight on the Mormon Newscast, we begin with a major update from Michelle Stone, the face of the polygamy denier movement and host of the “132 Problems” podcast. In a surprising turn, Stone has announced she’s stepping away from her Podcast and it’s YouTube Channel. We’ll unpack what led to her departure and if the Church played a role. Also in...

On this Special Episode of the Mormon Newscast, the battle for Fairview’s future isn’t over. On April 29th, the Fairview Town Council takes center stage as the LDS Church’s controversial temple proposal moves from planning to politics. Will the Council uphold the town’s building codes—or bend to pressure from one of the world’s wealthiest religious institutions? In this episode of The...

Our Main story tonight centers around Fairview, Texas, where the Planning Zoning Committee approved the LDS Temple with a bunch of provisions. And now its up to the Town Council — led by Mayor Henry Lessner — to vote on the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendations regarding the controversial proposed Mormon temple. After weeks of intense debate over height regulations, neighborhood impact,...

In this special episode of The Mormon Newscast, we turn our focus to Fairview, Texas, where tensions rise as the Planning and Zoning Commission holds a pivotal session regarding the proposed construction of the Fairview McKinney LDS temple that far exceeds local zoning height restrictions. With community members voicing concerns and the Church exerting its influence, the battle over skyline, sover...

[The Mormon Newscast April 21st 2025] Is religion actually… good for you? In this episode of The Mormon Newscast, we dive into a powerful New York Times article exploring whether Americans who left religion are now realizing what they lost. From loneliness epidemics to the hunger for awe, we break down the data behind belief, belonging, and the return of spirituality—even among the secular....

In this episode of the Mormon Newscast, we delve into a pivotal legal development: the LDS Church’s recent loss in a lawsuit concerning the payment of sexual abuse settlements. This case has sparked widespread discussion about institutional accountability and the mechanisms in place for addressing such serious allegations.​ We examine the details of the lawsuit, the court’s findings, a...

[The Mormon Newscast 4.7.25] In the wake of General Conference, Elder Neil Andersen’s talk is creating a buzz. We’ll break down the story that has social media awry—a woman raising the child her husband fathered in an affair—as Andersen’s message on compassion collides with real-world questions about boundaries, forgiveness, and institutional tone-deafness. He also waded into abortion, doubling do...

Religion professor and popular LDS podcaster and apologist Jared Halverson set off a firestorm this week with a video urging women to stay in the Church, even if they feel unseen, unheard, and second-class. The backlash was swift and fierce, with women from across the Mormon spectrum calling out the spiritual harm embedded in his message. On Mormonism After Dark, RFM and Bill Reel brought in power...

BREAKING: The LDS Church has quietly updated its official Gospel Topics essay on Race and the Priesthood — and yes, the shift is significant. In this episode of Mormon Newscast, we take a deep dive into the newest revision to one of Mormonism’s most controversial topics: the Church’s historic ban on Black men holding the priesthood and Black members entering the temple. The Gospel Topics essay has...