Flunking Sainthood
Mormon author says “we just can’t shame women” for not following the wife-and-mother script
By Jana Riess — August 11, 2015
Many Mormon women “have this ideal of who they’re supposed to be in order to be good and to be loved," says author Jamie Zvirzdin. But what happens when they go off script? Enter the new book "Fresh Courage Take."
Giveaway! Share your own PTCS history and win a signed copy of “Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome” — and a $50 Amazon gift card
By Jana Riess — August 7, 2015
Do you have Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome? If so, enter to win a copy of Reba Riley's memoir, and possibly an Amazon gift card. You totally deserve something for all that past trauma. You're welcome.
Mormons react to first-ever photograph of Joseph Smith’s seer stone
By Jana Riess — August 5, 2015
The 2003 "South Park" depiction of the Book of Mormon's translation process turns out to be more accurate than sanitized LDS images of Joseph Smith poring over the golden plates. What will be the fallout?
Attendance triples at progressive Mormon Sunstone Symposium, despite hiccups
By Jana Riess — August 3, 2015
Ed Smart bears his testimony while Kate Kelly has a diva moment; Denver Snuffer represents the unorthodox right and and young transgendered Mormons speak to life on the left. It was all at Sunstone ... and I missed it.
“Despicable Me” creator on Mormonism, Minions, and “the best calling in the church”
By Jana Riess — July 9, 2015
Meet the guy behind the Minions: Cinco Paul, one of the creators of the "Despicable Me" franchise, talks about how his Mormon faith has influenced his two decades of screenwriting.
What Mormons mean by “religious freedom”
By Jana Riess — July 8, 2015
Throwing around language about religious freedom means Mormons had better be prepared to cast a much, much wider net than protecting one minority religion (which, surprise, is ours!) on one issue in one nation.
6 great beach reads for summer
By Jana Riess — July 7, 2015
2 adult novels, 2 memoirs, 2 YA picks: here's everything you need to bring to the beach this summer. (Towel and picnic not included.)
5 reasons why Mormons are happier, says researcher
By Jana Riess — July 2, 2015
Mormons are tied for first place in well-being among all religious groups. A recent master's thesis outlines 5 reasons for this, and also explores a paradox: How can Mormons be so happy while having high rates of antidepressant use?
More fun and games for liberal Mormons! It’s “Testimony Meeting Bingo: Marriage Equality Edition”
By Jana Riess — July 1, 2015
Yesterday's Mormon drinking game isn't much use on Fast Sunday, as a reader pointed out. But never fear: Jerrilyn Hassell Pool has created Marriage Equality Bingo instead!
The progressive Mormon’s survival guide to this Sunday’s testimony meeting: A drinking game!
By Jana Riess — June 30, 2015
Given the divided reaction to the SCOTUS decision, this weekend's testimony meeting could be a rough hour for progressive Mormons. In these polarizing times, we need a good drinking game to get us through church.
Mormons respond to Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage
By Jana Riess — June 26, 2015
Like many Mormons, I'm rejoicing at the news that the Supreme Court has lifted the ban on same-sex marriage. The LDS Church, however, continues to be opposed.
Mormons praised — and criticized — this week for race relations
By Jana Riess — June 24, 2015
White Mormons in the United States live in a bubble of racial privilege. What changes need to happen to make the Church more sensitive to diversity?
“Who’s on the Lord’s side?”: Mormon apostle’s comments generate discussion, questions
By Jana Riess — June 22, 2015
"I worry that when we proclaim ourselves the only righteous humans, we plant the seeds of pride," writes guest blogger Mitch Mayne. Responding to Elder Oaks's question, "Who is on the Lord's side?" Mayne affirms: "A lot of us."
Mormon leaders announce changes to sacrament meeting: Will they be enough?
By Jana Riess — June 17, 2015
We need to decide, finally, that sacrament meeting is so important to us that we are ready to devote two women and two men to do this, and only this, as their sacred calling in the church.
How to Read the Book of Mormon . . . S-L-O-W-L-Y
By Jana Riess — June 15, 2015
I'm in New York to read the Book of Mormon: a single chapter, over and over again, for two weeks. And the slow, careful pace has been exhilarating.
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.
