Flunking Sainthood
In defense of moderate Mormon feminism — even without priesthood
By Jana Riess — August 26, 2014
Moderate Mormon feminists like Neylan McBaine are taking flak from both sides -- those who think they go too far and those who criticize them for not going far enough. But small changes are never, ever nothing.
I need Mormon anger management
By Jana Riess — August 25, 2014
A Book of Mormon story reminds me to keep my anger in check even when (especially when?) I'm feeling righteous indignation, as I have this summer over women's ordination and same-sex marriage.
5 “Simpsons” religion episodes that are worth another look
By Jana Riess — August 22, 2014
25 years, man! Pass the doughnuts. Then settle in for these 5 "greatest hits" Simpsons episodes that feature religion in all its hilarious diversity.
Mormonism: Coming soon to a theater near you
By Jana Riess — August 20, 2014
The Church's "Meet the Mormons" film, which will hit theaters on October 10, appears to take the popular "I'm a Mormon" campaign to a logical extreme, using half a dozen ordinary/extraordinary Latter-day Saints around the world as the calling card for our religion.
Mormon money and the end of “full disclosure”
By Jana Riess — August 19, 2014
There is a healthy accountability in Mormon leaders standing up before the membership twice a year to go over the budget. Boring? Yes, certainly. But boring is kind of the idea.
Mormon apostle: “Disciples of the Lord are defenders of marriage”
By Jana Riess — August 15, 2014
Taking exception to Elder Nelson's talk from yesterday. I can be a disciple of Christ and a supporter of nontraditional marriage. In fact, I can support nontraditional marriage precisely *because* I am a follower of that good shepherd.
“Should I marry a non-Mormon?”
By Jana Riess — August 14, 2014
A Mormon reader asks whether she should marry her Greek Orthodox boyfriend.
Robin Williams: Requiem for a dead poet
By Jana Riess — August 12, 2014
Robin Williams is one who seized the day, who sucked the marrow out of life, who gifted the world with a barbaric yawp.
Just HOW do Mormon women hold the priesthood?
By Jana Riess — August 11, 2014
The overall argument that women (and children, and cats, and possibly guppies) can receive all the blessings of the priesthood just by having hands laid on their head and some lovely words spoken is, at best, only partially true. And without intending to, these sincere and well-meant justifications actually undermine the power of the priesthood.
Pop quiz: Taylor Swift, or Book of Lamentations?
By Jana Riess — August 8, 2014
"She cries herself to sleep at night, tears soaking on her pillow." Is this a quote from Taylor Swift, or the biblical Book of Lamentations?
Dumbledore writes to Mormon teen shooting victim
By Jana Riess — August 7, 2014
What did Albus Dumbledore write to teen shooting victim Cassidy Stay? This is the man who said, "It is important to fight and fight again, and keep fighting, for only then can evil be kept at bay though never quite eradicated.”
Mormon missionaries and the stigma of early return
By Jana Riess — August 5, 2014
With the surge in very young Mormon missionaries, it's likely we will see an uptick in early returns. This is an opportunity for the Mormon people, a chance to stop using language of failure when someone comes home early and instead show our admiration for their willingness to try something new and difficult.
Why are Mormon women terrified to speak in sacrament meeting?
By Jana Riess — August 4, 2014
Of course Mormon women are terrified. Of course they spend half their allotted time explaining why they’re not worthy to speak their mind. They're expected to give talks they have not been trained to deliver in settings in which it would never otherwise be considered appropriate to have them stand up front.
I’m joining the “Book of Mormon challenge.” And no, watching the musical doesn’t count.
By Jana Riess — August 1, 2014
Today I signed up to read the Book of Mormon with a group over the next 239 days. Yes, pathetically enough, I need an entire freakin' village to keep me on the spiritual straight and narrow.
R-rated content in a PG Mormon life
By Jana Riess — July 30, 2014
It’s true that some R-worthy movies, books, and music have little to offer, either in artistic value or moral strength. But others absolutely do. For Mormons to close ourselves off to those cultural truths sight unseen is ridiculous.
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.
