Flunking Sainthood
Mormon leaders want to “avoid an alcohol culture” by keeping Utah’s strict liquor laws
By Jana Riess — January 29, 2014
A legislator wants to soften Utah's liquor laws, but he's up against the full weight of the authority of the LDS Church.
The Exhausted Mormon
By Jana Riess — January 27, 2014
The Mormon "Sabbath" has devolved into a ragged and unhealthy focus on meetings, meetings, and more meetings.
Christian authors’ new publishing option: Amazon
By Jana Riess — January 24, 2014
Yesterday, Amazon launched a new Christian publishing imprint. It's great for authors to have this new option, but is Waterfall providing the best deal?
The moral hazard of Justin Bieber
By Jana Riess — January 23, 2014
Justin, if you want to get drunk, do it in your own mansion with your sports car safely in the multibay garage. Don't mess with the precious lives of innocent people.
Why the ‘Tiger Mom’ claims Mormons are more successful
By Jana Riess — January 22, 2014
In "The Triple Package," Chua and her co-author spot three main factors behind Mormons' well-publicized success business. If anything, they don’t press their points hard enough.
Shouldn’t Mormons be vegetarians?
By Jana Riess — January 20, 2014
The Mormon Word of Wisdom emphasizes not once but twice that meat is to be reserved for unusual situations like famine or winter. So why aren't we all vegetarians?
LDS Church responds to the Book of Mormon musical in Cincinnati
By Jana Riess — January 15, 2014
Cincinnati Mormons take a positive approach to the "Book of Mormon" musical now playing in our city.
The Twible on Fox News
By Jana Riess — January 14, 2014
Lauren Green of the Fox News video program "A Spirited Debate" interviewed me about "The Twible."
The Mormon Modesty Police go to the Golden Globes
By Jana Riess — January 13, 2014
Articles like “15 Modest Golden Globe Dresses” don’t explore what women do, say, or contribute to society. The women pictured in "LDS Living" are not directors, professional actors, singers, writers, or producers; they are bodies.
What if Phyllis Tickle and Nadia Bolz-Weber had a Freaky Friday moment?
By Jana Riess — January 10, 2014
While you weren't looking, Phyllis Tickle and Nadia Bolz-Weber went to the C21 conference AND SWITCHED PLACES. It's true.
Mormons react to Utah man’s hunger strike to oppose same-sex marriage
By Jana Riess — January 7, 2014
I certainly don't agree with a Utah man's hunger strike against same sex-marriage, but I'm more discouraged that he's been receiving death threats because of his views.
Get SMART with your New Year’s resolution. Er, goal.
By Jana Riess — January 2, 2014
I'm going public with a new dream and goal: I want to write a YA novel. Here's how I'm going to break it down into steps I can actually achieve . . . and how you can help with with some swift kicks in the butt.
Mormons can now discuss the P word — polygamy — at church
By Jana Riess — January 2, 2014
What is different about the LDS Church's new statement about polygamy in the nineteenth century? How will it contribute to people's understanding of Mormonism and plural marriage?
My worst New Year’s Eve ever . . . one year later
By Jana Riess — December 31, 2013
The month of January is named for the Roman god Janus, the god of two faces—one looking forward, the other gazing back. Whatever your dreams are for the coming year, may you be able to gaze at the past without regret and the future without fear.
My 5 favorite religious books from 2013
By Jana Riess — December 30, 2013
This year, my favorite religious books included a riff on power from Andy Crouch, ruminations on birds and holiness from Debbie Blue, and a "Job through the ages" commentary from Mark Larrimore, as well as great novels by Mary Doria Russell and Lisa Samson.
