Flunking Sainthood
African American Mormon convert: LDS Church needs to “make amends” for past racism
By Jana Riess — March 19, 2015
The LDS Gospel Topics statement about race should have laid to rest the folk doctrines that once propped up Mormonism's racist priesthood ban. But convert Bryndis Roberts says racism still exists, and asks the Church to help more Mormons get the memo.
Mormon leaders softening on LGBT issues — to a point
By Jana Riess — March 17, 2015
The LDS Church is walking a tightrope, wanting to stand firm on its doctrinal opposition to same-sex marriage while also (a bit belatedly) affirming equal rights for LGBT persons.
Mormon novelist Mette Harrison says her visiting teacher may have saved her life
By Jana Riess — March 12, 2015
"I don’t know if my visiting teacher literally saved my life, but she very well may have," says novelist Mette Ivie Harrison. Now, she gets to return the favor.
Mormon author says “grace is not God’s backup plan”
By Jana Riess — March 10, 2015
Adam S. Miller says Mormons are doing a better job nowadays thinking about grace, but we need to stop seeing it as God's backup plan to deal with human sin. To do this, he offers a fresh interpretation of Romans, a book of Scripture historically neglected in the LDS curriculum.
Mormons and evangelicals, again. Sigh.
By Jana Riess — March 9, 2015
I just experienced a sad and ugly reminder of how far Mormons and evangelicals have to go in understanding each other.
If Utah passes a Mormon-approved LGBT anti-discrimination bill, who will be exempt?
By Jana Riess — March 6, 2015
This week's historic compromise between LGBT leaders in Utah and the Mormon Church means that gays will be protected against most discrimination, with exemptions for religious conscience. What does that mean in concrete terms?
Men aren’t the only Mormons who struggle with porn
By Jana Riess — March 5, 2015
In the LDS Church, counsel against porn has almost always been directed at men and boys, but the idea that this is a “men’s problem” is naïve. At the very least, it is out of date.
5 reasons why conservative Mormons would win from having Heavenly Mother be the Holy Ghost. Wait for it.
By Jana Riess — February 27, 2015
Today on Speculative Theology Day: Having Heavenly Mother and the Holy Ghost be one and the same isn’t some left-wing feminist program to empower women. It's actually a brilliant conservative strategy. Here are five semi-serious reasons why.
On Mormon excommunications and official Church apologies
By Jana Riess — February 24, 2015
"If we are going to do something as drastic as cut off fellowship, we had better have a darn good reason for it," Mormon blogger Katie Langston wrote yesterday. "And someone pointing out the problems in our community is not that reason."
Mormon Relief Society president on LGBTQIA rights: “I must choose”
By Jana Riess — February 20, 2015
Atlanta attorney and Relief Society president Bryndis Roberts says that Mormon leaders' recent announcement of qualified support for LGBT rights reignited the turmoil she once felt over the Church's involvement in Proposition 8.
Mormon Nazis: New book uncovers LDS support for the Third Reich
By Jana Riess — February 19, 2015
A startling new book argues that German Mormons in the 1930s were not just tolerant of Hitler, but often enthusiastic about his policies. Color me depressed.
The Ash Wednesday Mormon
By Jana Riess — February 18, 2015
Rumblings in various pockets of Mormondom suggest I'm not the only Latter-day Saint who finds our cheerful omission of Christ's suffering strange, even theologically impoverished. More Mormons are giving Lent a try.
Will Mormon missionaries lead the way out of racism?
By Jana Riess — February 13, 2015
“'My' missionaries were part of an experiment," says guest blogger Margaret Blair Young. "Previously, Anglo missionaries had been paired with Anglos. Now, they were paired with Congolese and other Africans. How would they all fare?"
On Mormon excommunication: So quick to judge
By Jana Riess — February 11, 2015
Instead of pointing fingers at my church for telling someone whose work has been important in my life that they are no longer considered part of the fold, I am forced to point that finger at myself.
Mormon podcaster John Dehlin excommunicated from LDS Church, say early reports
By Jana Riess — February 10, 2015
My heart goes out to John, Margi, and their children. I know that in the last weeks people on all sides have made accusations and counter-accusations, not always with the most charitable voices. I am not at all surprised by the Church's decision, and I'm sure John isn't either. But it's a loss nevertheless.
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.
