Flunking Sainthood
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.
Watch Marilynne Robinson’s “Lila” redeem every tired, stupid plot in Christian fiction
By Jana Riess — December 5, 2014
The eligible widower, the plucky heroine, the superiority of life in a small town: Marilynne Robinson's novel "Lila" has all the usual tropes, but she manages to make all things new.
Mormons don’t know everything, says Mette Harrison
By Jana Riess — December 3, 2014
"It is one thing to believe that Mormonism is the right church for you," says guest blogger Mette Harrison. "But I find it arrogant to say that this is the 'one true church.'”
Advent ideas, crafts, and activities for your family
By Jana Riess — December 1, 2014
"NO red and green, NO Christmas trees, NO Santas appear in my house before at least December 20," says author Sybil MacBeth. "I guess this is extreme."
Thanksgiving shopping: Gobble, gobble
By Jana Riess — November 26, 2014
Of course we have to pile into the car on a national holiday in order to shop because if we don’t buy that flat screen today, right now, the terrorists will win.
Women: Just 1% of the Bible
By Jana Riess — November 25, 2014
Women's words account for just over 1% of the Bible, but author Lindsay Hardin Freeman is determined to tell their stories. "These woman are real, dynamic, challenging, and fallible," she says. "God’s love for them, and us, is as strong as the world’s foundations."
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.
