Jana Riess
Senior columnist Jana Riess is the author of many books, including "The Prayer Wheel" (Random House/Convergent, 2018) and "The Next Mormons: How Millennials Are Changing the LDS Church" (Oxford University Press, 2019). She has a PhD in American religious history from Columbia University.
All Stories by Jana Riess
The first Mormon women: Polygamy, healings, and more
By Jana Riess — April 6, 2016
Membership in Relief Society used to be something you had to apply for, and several other surprises from the first 50 years of Mormon women's history.
5 Mormon General Conference highlights in tweets
By Jana Riess — April 4, 2016
I was bracing myself to be disappointed by General Conference, but it was uplifting and (dare I say it?) EVEN FUN AT TIMES. Here are my fave tweets.
Mormons to open Starbucks locations inside LDS temples
By Jana Riess — April 1, 2016
A surprising new arrangement to put a Starbucks inside every LDS temple has Mormons wondering: Is coffee now kosher?
Bracing myself for LDS General Conference
By Jana Riess — March 31, 2016
The opening session on Saturday was amazing, so why am I apprehensive about this weekend's LDS General Conference?
Dear Mormon bullies: Haters NOT gonna hate on my watch
By Jana Riess — March 26, 2016
They imagine they help the LDS Church by abusing its teachings and covering their unethical verbal assaults by feigning prayerful affection. They're wrong.
8 quotes from Mormon leaders on independent thinking
By Jana Riess — March 23, 2016
Mormons have likely heard the adage that when the prophet speaks, the thinking has been done. These LDS leaders beg to differ.
4 Mormon missionaries injured in Brussels attacks
By Jana Riess — March 22, 2016
The hospitalization of three Mormon missionaries in Brussels prods me to remember: *Every* victim of terrorism could be my child, my sister, or my parent.
5 reasons Donald Trump has a Mormon problem (COMMENTARY)
By Jana Riess — March 22, 2016
(RNS) In Tuesday's Utah caucuses, Trump faces an uphill battle with Mormons, who form the majority of the electorate.
Mormon church denounces ‘abusive’ LGBT therapy (COMMENTARY)
By Jana Riess — March 18, 2016
(RNS) After a Salt Lake City TV station aired a segment about a gay Mormon youth's trauma from conversion therapy, the LDS church finally spoke up.
5 reasons Donald Trump has a Mormon problem
By Jana Riess — March 18, 2016
Start with his misogyny, profanity and his antipathy toward immigrants. And there are still more reasons why he trails in Utah polls.
Mormon statement officially denounces ‘abusive’ conversion therapy for LGBTs
By Jana Riess — March 17, 2016
Well, hallelujah. This is quite a turnaround for Mormon culture.
Mormon seminary teacher responds to blogger’s 6 ideas for helping teens
By Jana Riess — March 15, 2016
Seminary teacher Doug Christensen admits he's not a gamer and he doesn't Snap Chat -- but that doesn't mean he's oblivious to the needs of the Mormon teenagers he encounters every day.
Does a new study show a link between teen suicide and Mormon populations? (COMMENTARY)
By Jana Riess — March 14, 2016
(RNS) A new study looks at teen suicide rates in Mormon-heavy states. Does it prove there's a problem? Not so fast.
Study shows link between teen suicide and Mormon populations
By Jana Riess — March 12, 2016
A new study shows that teen suicide is higher in states with substantial Mormon populations -- in Utah, it's twice as high. What does this mean?
A letter to my daughter’s Mormon seminary teacher
By Jana Riess — March 10, 2016
Six things that Mette Harrison wishes her child's seminary teacher would do -- or stop doing -- to make the Mormon church a more hospitable place for teens.
