Mormon.ish

Mormonish and The Good Book Club are joined by the wonderful Matthew Harris to discuss his book "The Founding Fathers and the Debate over Religion in Revolutionary America" co-authored with Thomas S. Kidd.) Our discussion explores whether America was built as a secular republic or a Christian nation. Matt's book shows the Founders' beliefs varied widely. Some were skeptics like Thomas Paine, while others were traditional Christians like Patrick Henry. Despite these differences, most rallied around core religious principles such as: Human Equality: The belief that people were created equal.Religious Liberty: The separation of church and state, requiring the disestablishment of state-backed religions. And Public Virtue: The necessity of strong moral character for a republic to survive. This is a fascinating and timely discussion as Matt shares many stories and insights into the founding of America and what the lens of Mormonism does to the narrative.

Can Mormons celebrate Halloween? It depends on who you ask! On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by the wonderful Lila Tueller to explore LDS Halloween traditions and the dos and don’ts of this delightfully terrifying holiday from an LDS perspective. From ward parties and trunk-or-treats to witch costumes and spooky decorations, Halloween offers plenty of opportunities for fun—and some interesting questions about where to draw the line. When does a harmless scare become an invitation to something sinister? Why do some families embrace the holiday while others approach it with caution? And who decides which Halloween traditions are a little too spooky for the Saints? With humor, personal stories, and lively conversation, we explore the intersection of faith, fear, folklore, and fun. Grab your candy, put on your favorite costume, and join us for a Halloween conversation with plenty of Mormonish treats!

What goes bump in the night in Mormon history? And why do stories of spirits, mysterious encounters, and messages from beyond continue to fascinate us? Join us for a special Halloween episode of Mormonish Podcast as we explore spooky stories from Mormon history alongside ghost stories submitted by our social media community. From encounters with departed loved ones to experiences that are a little harder to explain, these stories offer a glimpse into the mysterious side of Mormon belief and culture. We also talk about why people tell ghost stories in the first place. They can bring us together, offer comfort about life after death, pass along warnings, and help us make sense of experiences we don’t fully understand. What happens when those stories are viewed through a Mormon lens, with its teachings about spirits, ancestors, and the world beyond the veil? Turn down the lights, grab some Halloween candy, and join us for an evening of eerie tales, thoughtful conversation, and a few good chills!

Could a new data center put an important piece of Mormon history at risk? On this episode of Mormonish, John Hajicek and Ron Yorgason join us to explore John’s research into the historic Arthur plantation property near Liberty, Missouri, where a data center development raises questions about preserving the past. John shares his findings connecting the property to early Mormon history, Book of Mormon witness graves, and accounts of a reburied bone attributed to Zelph. We discuss the evidence, what remains uncertain, and what could be lost if these historical connections are overlooked. Will the LDS Church weigh in or take steps to help preserve this site? Could other Mormon denominations, historical organizations, or preservation groups get involved? We explore who might advocate for protecting this history—and whether there’s still time to make a difference.

In this episode, Ron Yorgason and Sarah Smith join Mormonish to discuss the Facebook support group they’ve started for parents who have stepped away from Mormonism while their children are serving—or preparing to serve—LDS missions. The group offers a place for post-Mormon parents to connect, share experiences, and talk through the challenges of navigating faith differences between themselves and their children. Many of these parents raised their children in Mormonism and encouraged them to want to serve missions, but later stepped away from the faith themselves. The group can also offer practical advice for situations that may arise during an LDS mission. At the group’s heart is a shared goal: loving and supporting their missionaries while maintaining positive, meaningful relationships across differing beliefs.Products