Flunking Sainthood
Mormon polygamy explodes in the news. Why now?
By Jana Riess — November 12, 2014
A number of Mormon blogs and websites discussed the polygamy statements when they came out in October. So why did it take the mainstream media three weeks to pursue the story?
Mormon leaders give women mixed messages, say sociologists
By Jana Riess — November 11, 2014
New research suggests that every time Mormon leaders emphasize the fragility of womanhood, they undermine the notion that femininity is innate.
Mormon bishop apologizes for political gaffe — sort of
By Jana Riess — November 10, 2014
Bishop Paredes seems to have realized that serving as an LDS bishop doesn't give him the right to sit in judgment on Harry Reid. However, his apology doesn't cover the overall Democrat-bashing of the original post.
Staying Mormon when God is silent
By Jana Riess — November 7, 2014
I prefer answers to prayer to be delivered at regular intervals by owl post, or possibly skywritten over my house. But what happens when God is silent for months, or years, or even a lifetime?
Mormon Mia Love makes history as America’s first black Republican Congresswoman
By Jana Riess — November 5, 2014
Last night, Mia Love made history. I disagree with her positions on guns, healthcare, education, and just about everything else, but the woman has moxie. I'll give her that.
Gay Mormons and the Island of Misfit Toys
By Jana Riess — November 4, 2014
I don’t know what it’s like to be gay, but I do know what it is to feel like a freak in the heart of Mormondom, a fellow castaway on the Island of Misfit Toys.
Mormonism and the “only true and living church”
By Jana Riess — October 31, 2014
Mormons teach universal salvation and stress love for all . . . and also claim that the LDS faith is the "only true and living church" on the earth. Which is it? Can it be both?
The grief that keeps on giving
By Jana Riess — October 30, 2014
These episodes don’t happen very often anymore, more than a year and a half after losing Mom. But the grief is always there, gently submerged, biding its time.
In the Mormon heaven, friends are forever too
By Jana Riess — October 29, 2014
“For me, heaven is just as inconceivable without my friends as it is without my family,” says guest blogger Mette Harrison. “If Christ viewed friendship as one of the greatest loves, why wouldn’t we Mormons think the same?”
Young, Mormon, and Republican
By Jana Riess — October 28, 2014
Many people get more conservative, at least politically, as they age. Unless they are Mormons under age 30, who affiliate overwhelmingly as Republicans.
The dangers of idolizing Mormon prophets
By Jana Riess — October 24, 2014
The Church teaches us on the one hand that a living prophet is more valuable to us than even the scriptures (!), and instructs Primary children to follow the prophet and never "go astray." But then it also tries to emphasize that a prophet is only a prophet "when he is acting as such," and that not every teaching is doctrine. Which is it?
5 facts about Mormon polygamy from controversial new LDS statement
By Jana Riess — October 23, 2014
Some used to consider it "apostate" to say that Joseph Smith married women who were already married to other men. Now the LDS Church has acknowledged it openly.
Mormon women and the “Sisterhood of the Modest Pants”
By Jana Riess — October 22, 2014
D. Miller describes the "culturally rule-breaking pants" her younger sister wanted to wear to church growing up. As an adult, Miller ventured forth to church in her own transgressive trousers on Wear Pants to Church Day, wondering what kind of reception she would receive.
Mormon underwear: Church says there’s “nothing magical or mystical” to see here, folks
By Jana Riess — October 20, 2014
I can understand why it seems strange to non-Mormons that our holy garment is underwear, but to me that is exactly the most beautiful thing about it. What article of clothing could we choose that would be more profane, at the end of the day? What could be more tied to the messiness of being human?
“I know the Church is true,” and other Mormon muddles
By Jana Riess — October 17, 2014
When Mormons say we "know the Church is true," what do we mean? Does it merely *contain* truth, or is it the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
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.