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

Thank you, Ken Jennings, for speaking out against new Mormon policies on same-sex families

By Jana Riess — December 1, 2015
"Jesus is on the record about how he treats children, and that’s not usually it," said Jeopardy champion Ken Jennings, referring to the new LDS policy barring children of same-sex marriages from being baptized.

Mormon views on evolution are evolving, says biologist

By Jana Riess — November 30, 2015
BYU biology professor Steve Peck says Mormons' views on evolution have "changed very significantly" since the 1980s, especially among students, but there's still work to do in becoming less suspicious of science.

What’s wrong with Lewis Black’s anti-Mormon rant

By Jana Riess — November 19, 2015
Lewis Black recently skewered Mormonism based on a letter he received from an 18-year-old who resigned from the LDS Church. The letter is funny, but is it accurate?

Mormonism at its best: The sacrament of helping other people move

By Jana Riess — November 17, 2015
Mormonism is at its finest on a Saturday morning when the ward turns out to help someone move. "This is service in its raw form," writes guest blogger Mette Harrison. "It should always feel sacred."

Mormon leaders soften policy on same-sex families, but controversy continues

By Jana Riess — November 14, 2015
Yesterday, the LDS Church narrowed the scope of its controversial ban on children of same-sex marriage. However, many are not appeased.

A “mass exodus” of Mormons? Maybe. But here’s why I’m not among them.

By Jana Riess — November 13, 2015
The LDS Church is not perfect and never has been. The church is flawed individuals. It is us. There is no magical institution outside of ourselves, no foundation that we get the luxury of imagining we do not pour.

Mormon boy denied priesthood ordination because his mom is living with a woman

By Jana Riess — November 10, 2015
“When you’re raised in the church, you’re raised to sustain your leaders," says Alyssa Paquette, whose twelve-year-old stepson has just been denied priesthood ordination. “But I don’t know how we’re supposed to sustain something that tears our family apart.”

Mormon apostle stands by new policy barring children of same-sex marriages

By Jana Riess — November 7, 2015
In the face of widespread criticism, the LDS Church is defending its new policy that bans children of same-sex marriage from baptism.

Mormon policy excludes children of same-sex marriages. And I am livid.

By Jana Riess — November 6, 2015
I thought I belonged to a church that teaches that people will be punished for their own sins, and not for the sins of others. Apparently that theology does not apply to children of same-sex marriages.

The gift of Mormon doubt

By Jana Riess — November 5, 2015
All this Mormon emphasis on correct knowledge and possessing the fullness of the truth misses the point: Amassing knowledge is not our job. Having faith is. And faith absolutely requires uncertainty.

Mormons 50% more likely to accept homosexuality than in 2007, says new Pew study

By Jana Riess — November 3, 2015
Mormon support for homosexuality is low overall but growing faster than any other religion's, says a new Pew study out today. But other findings show Mormons very resistant to change.

Mormon feminists mark 40 years of women speaking up and speaking out

By Jana Riess — October 30, 2015
A new book by Joanna Brooks, Hannah Wheelwright and Rachel Hunt Steenblik looks at 40 years of Mormon feminism, showing that the questions being raised now about women in the LDS Church have a long history.

Mormon leaders announce help for refugees

By Jana Riess — October 29, 2015
This Sunday, Mormon wards around the world will hear a First Presidency letter on helping refugees. It's a brief statement, but a welcome and powerful one.

5 key takeaways from the new Mormon essays on women, priesthood, and Heavenly Mother

By Jana Riess — October 26, 2015
New LDS Church statements on women clarify that belief in Mother in Heaven is official doctrine, and acknowledge the historic role that Mormon women have had in healing by the laying on of hands.

Mormon apostle criticized for anti-Catholic remarks

By Jana Riess — October 23, 2015
To say that Catholics “don’t know who God is" is simply untrue—and unworthy.
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