Flunking Sainthood
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?
Love that cries with you: A plea for Mormon compassion
By Jana Riess — October 15, 2014
"Inactive people like me don’t need cookies and a half-hearted note," says guest blogger Alexandra Michelle Rucinski. "We don’t need letters telling us the light is missing from our lives. We need you Mormons to do the thing you sang about in Primary. We need you to try to be like Jesus."
Seattle Mormon leaders to gays: Come back to church
By Jana Riess — October 14, 2014
“Seattle is mirroring what we've done in [the] San Francisco Bay Area: throwing the doors open for anyone who wants to join with us on Sunday,” says Mitch Mayne. “That means LGBT individuals are welcome to come to church regardless of where they are in their personal lives -- single and living under the confines of the policy as we understand it today, married to a partner of their same gender, or dating someone new every night."
Mormon missionaries break dance, save baby ducks, and more on YouTube
By Jana Riess — October 13, 2014
These YouTube videos show us a Mormonism that's fun, spontaneous, and caring -- a religion that's out in the streets, helping the world reunite its many lost baby ducks.
Mormon doubts
By Jana Riess — October 10, 2014
What are your doubts about Mormonism, and how comfortable are you with the idea that you may not receive an answer? This week in our book club, we tackle the introduction and first two chapters of "The Crucible of Doubt."
Pork Belly-up: Eric Facer’s winning “New Mormon Voices” contest entry
By Jana Riess — October 9, 2014
Despite Brother Facer's objections to the stake's buying a pig farm, "the train for hog heaven was leaving with or without him." Read Eric Facer's winning entry about his dad in the New Mormon Voices blog contest.
Mixed reviews for “Meet the Mormons”
By Jana Riess — October 8, 2014
The "Village Voice" asks who would want to pay $14 to see the new "Meet the Mormons" documentary in theaters. Fellow Mormons, that's who. Is that enough?
Mormon leader condemns same-sex marriage, but urges civility — just in time for SCOTUS ruling
By Jana Riess — October 6, 2014
It’s ironic that a talk about how Mormons should be more civil to those who are different closes with a story about those differences being magically erased when the person who was regarded as being in error simply decided to stop being different and become Mormon instead.
Mormon General Conference stresses obedience . . . and freedom
By Jana Riess — October 4, 2014
Some LDS conference talks in the past have gone out of their way to hammer home the point of obedience, but today's morning session gave equal weight to how Mormons choose to use their own agency.
Mormon doubts? Let’s talk about them
By Jana Riess — October 3, 2014
If you're a Mormon who struggles with doubt, join our book club. Over five Fridays, we'll be reading "The Crucible of Doubt" in chunks and discussing it.
Mormon feminism makes slow progress — but it IS progress
By Jana Riess — September 30, 2014
A black woman prayed from the pulpit! References were made to Heavenly Mother! So why are some Mormon feminists saying the progress is too little, too late?
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.
