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
Mitt Romney hopes the third time’s the charm
By Jana Riess — January 13, 2015
Two-time presidential contender Mitt Romney told major donors on Friday that he is once again running for the nation's highest office. Color me stupid, but I did not see this coming.
2015: The year of transgender
By Jana Riess — January 12, 2015
Last night's Golden Globes win for the TV series "Transparent" is helping to raise awareness of transgender identity, but it's an uphill battle for social acceptance.
“My wife’s not gay, but I am”: A Mormon responds to TLC show “My Husband’s Not Gay”
By Jana Riess — January 9, 2015
Guest blogger Ron Raynes says it is possible for a gay man and a straight woman to enjoy a happy marriage. He and his wife have done so for 34 years.
Mormon missionaries, mental illness, and coming home early
By Jana Riess — January 8, 2015
Yesterday's terrific Deseret News article went a long way toward destigmatizing mental illness and the "early return" missionary. Bravo.
Where are all the Mormon women blog commenters?
By Jana Riess — January 6, 2015
Google says my readership is about 46% female and 54% male. So why do 90% of the comments on this blog come from men?
Protests mount against Mormon-themed TLC program “My Husband’s Not Gay”
By Jana Riess — January 5, 2015
When the denial of a person’s sexual identity leads to the extreme measure of taking on a “straight” marriage in order to remain fully in the fold, it is, ironically, damaging to the family, the very institution that the LDS Church claims to be defending.
Spiritual classic “Soul Feast” updated for a new generation
By Jana Riess — January 2, 2015
After 20 years, one of my favorite spirituality books has been refreshed for a new generation of readers. Author Marjorie Thompson explains why.
7 Mormon books that changed the conversation in 2014
By Jana Riess — December 31, 2014
The funniest Mormon memoir, the wisest Dear Abby advice book, and the most gripping suspense novel: here are my picks for 7 game-changing Mormon books of 2014.
Mormon feminist explores gender roles in new mystery novel
By Jana Riess — December 30, 2014
"The structure of patriarchy—and this is not unique to Mormonism at all—tells men that it’s appropriate for them to wield power over women," says mystery novelist Mette Harrison. "This can lead to abuse over and over again."
Mormon outrage by the numbers, 2014
By Jana Riess — December 22, 2014
Traffic on this blog increased significantly this year. (Yay you!) I’m not as thrilled that my top-ranked posts were often the most negative. Here's 2014 by the numbers.
The fallout of Mormon fixations with what we eat, wear, and say
By Jana Riess — December 18, 2014
Sometimes I feel like I belong to a religion that would be less likely to rebuke a member who made millions designing torture techniques than it would to censure that same man if he uttered the F word in public.
“Keeping Christ in Christmas”: Let’s all just relax
By Jana Riess — December 15, 2014
In the person of Jesus, the sacred and the secular fused in a new and powerful way. Why should our celebration of Christmas be any different?
Mormons hate polygamy thiiiiiiiiis much
By Jana Riess — December 12, 2014
How many Mormons confess to hating polygamy, yet imagine themselves practicing it for all of eternity? How many believe on the one hand in a loving God who desires their eternal happiness and, on the other, that this same God would make them grit their teeth and be obedient to a practice they consider immoral?
Is Mormonism responsible for torture?
By Jana Riess — December 10, 2014
Mormons Jay Bybee and Bruce Jessen dehumanized others . . . and then went to church on Sundays to partake of talks and lessons on basic morality. How did this happen, and what can Mormons do about it?
Mormonism, warts and all
By Jana Riess — December 8, 2014
Paradoxically, Mormons improve our public image when we stop being so concerned with appearing perfect.
