Flunking Sainthood
Mormon apostle criticized for anti-Catholic remarks
By Jana Riess — October 23, 2015
To say that Catholics “don’t know who God is" is simply untrue—and unworthy.
11 challenges for the Mormon introvert
By Jana Riess — October 21, 2015
From three straight hours of church to testimony meeting and girls' camp, Mormonism can sometimes be an introvert's nightmare, says guest blogger Mette Harrison.
The rebirth — finally — of Mormon cinema
By Jana Riess — October 16, 2015
After a promising start 15 years ago, Mormon cinema sputtered and died. Now, Arthur Van Wagenen hopes to raise the bar of Mormon filmmaking -- and he has the pedigree, platform, and talent to make it happen.
Are Mormon missionaries being denied health care? How Slate dropped the ball
By Jana Riess — October 14, 2015
Yesterday's Slate article alleged that the LDS Church is denying health care to Mormon missionaries, but the article's shoddy journalism only serves to trivialize a potentially important conversation.
Mormon single woman’s loves, losses & laughter chronicled in new memoir
By Jana Riess — October 13, 2015
If you grew up thinking that by your 40s you'd be a Mormon mom with a brood of kids and a minivan, what happens when Mr. Right never shows up? In a funny new memoir, Julie Rowse explores the ups and downs of Mormon single life.
Letter to a doubting Mormon
By Jana Riess — October 9, 2015
Here I try to explain to a reader why I stay Mormon even when I sometimes disagree with or question the LDS Church. Good changes are happening, even if they are slower than I would like.
Religion scholar Mark Juergensmeyer boycotts BYU conference to protest university policy; cites religious freedom
By Jana Riess — October 6, 2015
"I could not speak at a conference that is devoted in part to religious freedom, at an institution that seemed to be denying that freedom to its own students," says UC Santa Barbara scholar Mark Juergensmeyer.
Naming of 3 new Mormon apostles raises questions about race, international diversity
By Jana Riess — October 5, 2015
Mormons need to think carefully when there is such a growing discrepancy between the beautiful racial and international diversity that characterizes our religion around the planet and the much narrower range that is evidenced among our most visible leaders.
5 themes Mormons can watch for in this weekend’s LDS General Conference
By Jana Riess — October 2, 2015
Will Mormons get an apostle of color this weekend, someone who represents the broadening international base of the LDS Church? And four other possible themes of General Conference.
Gay Mormon says article on “choosing” heterosexuality is irresponsible and dangerous
By Jana Riess — October 1, 2015
This week's Meridian article on raising children to "choose" to be heterosexual is damaging, says guest blogger Mitch Mayne. What's more, it misrepresents the LDS Church's current position on sexual orientation.
The Mormon modesty wars: No more “slut-shaming,” please
By Jana Riess — September 28, 2015
I see positive signs that we may have turned a corner in the Mormon modesty wars. Pass the root beer, people, and let's celebrate.
New movie “Just Let Go” tells Mormon man’s unlikely story of forgiveness
By Jana Riess — September 25, 2015
Could you forgive the person who killed your family? Mormon bishop Chris Williams did. This Monday, a special national screening of "Just Let Go" aims to show us how.
Rest in peace, Phyllis Tickle
By Jana Riess — September 22, 2015
Rest in peace, darling Phyllis . . . with gratitude for all the love and nourishment you have given to so many writers, artists, church people, not-church-people, and assorted basset hounds.
Mormon woman launches #EmbraceYourAND social media campaign
By Jana Riess — September 18, 2015
Family or career? These options are too often seen as an either-or proposition by Mormon women, says today's guest blogger. She's launched a social media campaign to show women who are embracing both.
More Mormon men are leaving the LDS Church, say researchers — but especially in Utah
By Jana Riess — September 16, 2015
A new study shows that Mormon men are leaving the fold in greater numbers, but it's particularly noticeable in Utah. Why is this happening, and what are the long-term ramifications?
