Flunking Sainthood
Mormon woman launches #EmbraceYourAND social media campaign
By Jana Riess — September 18, 2015
Family or career? These options are too often seen as an either-or proposition by Mormon women, says today's guest blogger. She's launched a social media campaign to show women who are embracing both.
More Mormon men are leaving the LDS Church, say researchers — but especially in Utah
By Jana Riess — September 16, 2015
A new study shows that Mormon men are leaving the fold in greater numbers, but it's particularly noticeable in Utah. Why is this happening, and what are the long-term ramifications?
Mormon “prepper” group says the end is coming this month. Oh boy howdy.
By Jana Riess — September 14, 2015
A growing number of conservative Mormons believe the end is nigh. I think it's bogus, but there's still a valuable lesson to be learned from all their doomsaying.
Read our lips: No new Mormon hymnal :-(
By Jana Riess — September 11, 2015
Readers came up with great suggestions last weekend about Mormon hymns to offload, and others to add. The problem is that there's not going to be a new LDS hymnal anytime soon.
The Mormon Introvert
By Jana Riess — September 9, 2015
So much about the Mormon experience -- from missionary service to Correlation to families being together forever -- is geared for extroverts. What's a Mormon introvert to do?
It’s the Fantasy Mormon Hymnal!
By Jana Riess — September 4, 2015
What would a first-rate LDS hymnal look like for the early 21st century? What hymns would need to go, and what would be added?
Are single Mormon women “screwed”?
By Jana Riess — September 3, 2015
New statistics suggest that there are 150 single Mormon women for every 100 single Mormon men. So are single Mormon women "screwed"? Answer: only if other people keep telling them they are.
Public radio show looks at Mormon women’s new leadership roles
By Jana Riess — August 31, 2015
NPR's "Interfaith Voices" devotes a segment to the LDS Church's recent announcement of expanded roles for Mormon women leaders, and wonders aloud if change is afoot.
Do Mormons worship the family?
By Jana Riess — August 28, 2015
"Mormons need to stop acting as if family is the only way to God," says guest blogger Mette Harrison. And if we're going to defend the family, we need to defend *all* kinds of families.
Three cheers for Mormon decision to stay with the Boy Scouts of America
By Jana Riess — August 26, 2015
Three cheers for the LDS Church for being willing to compromise. Other than "guilt by association," there was no reason not to, since the BSA was already making accommodations to allow Mormon troops to select their own local leaders.
The Mormon “assault on the family”
By Jana Riess — August 21, 2015
Mormons are witnessing an “assault on the family,” all right. In fact, we’re often leading the charge.
Mormon double-speak in historic announcement about women’s leadership
By Jana Riess — August 19, 2015
Last night's announcement about Mormon women's new leadership role was indeed historic, but only if we are honest about their lack of leadership opportunities prior to the change. We don't get to have it both ways.
A year off from Mormonism
By Jana Riess — August 18, 2015
I took a year-long sabbatical from going to church because I knew that if I didn’t, the alternative was probably to leave Mormonism for good.
“Women’s Radio Network”: A total scam authors should avoid
By Jana Riess — August 14, 2015
Yesterday I was interviewed by the "Women's Radio Network" . . . which turned out to be a total scam.
When should Mormons say no to a church calling?
By Jana Riess — August 12, 2015
Is it ever OK for Mormons to override the bishop and say no to a calling? If so, when is it permissible -- or even for the best? Guest blogger Mette Harrison offers straight talk on an important topic.
Jana Riess
Flunking Sainthood
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.
