Mormon.ish

In recent years, many observers have noted a quiet shift within Mormon communities: a decline in strictly orthodox adherence and a rise in what some call “cultural Mormons.” While orthodox members continue to ground their identity in traditional doctrine and practice, growing numbers of people maintain a connection to Mormon heritage, values, and community without fully embracing institutional expectations or literal belief. This shift reflects broader social trends—such as increased access to information, changing family dynamics, and evolving views on identity—that allow individuals to reinterpret their relationship with faith. The result is a more diverse spectrum of Mormon experience, where cultural belonging and personal spirituality often coexist alongside, or apart from, orthodox belief.Mormonish is joined by Unoriginal Jim to unpack all the nuance of orthodox v. cultural Mormons!Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: mormonishpodcast@gmail.com

The new movie Truth & Treason (released October 17, 2025) brings to life the courageous story of Helmuth Hübener, a 16-year-old Latter-day Saint in Nazi Germany who used a secret shortwave radio and a typewriter to distribute anti-Hitler pamphlets. The movie doesn't deal with Hübener's excommunication from the LDS church for his activities and eventual posthumous reinstatement into the LDS church.This part of the story was covered in a previously adapted play called Huebener by Thomas Rogers, which was performed at BYU and dramatizes how Helmuth and his friends risked everything to speak truth under a repressive regime and faced excommunication and death.Mormonish is joined by Rob Lauer who shares his insights about the play and the current movie.Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: mormonishpodcast@gmail.com

On this special Halloween episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by Dr. John Lundwall to discuss the custom of taking of heads in ancient cultures and the correlation, if any to The Book of Mormon.Dr. Lundwall has clearly demonstrated in previous episodes the predominant cultures that existed before, during, and after the stories in The Book of Mormon took place. These cultures and cultural practices including taking of heads seem to be entirely unmentioned in the LDS founding scripture. Or are they?This episode was originally aired on November 1, 2024Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: mormonishpodcast@gmail.com #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple

The Covenant Path narrative has become a major way to track the milestone that members of the LDS must reach or attain to fully participate in the LDS church. A new app lets multiple people from the ward and mission watch and track stats on new converts as they attend meetings, get temple recommends, pay tithing, etc. It also identifies friends in the ward who can step in to encourage the new member to move forward on The Covenant Path if they aren't making progress.What are the potential ramifications of sharing personal data like this? And who exactly can see this data? Mormonish is joined again by Suspicious Might and Unoriginal Jim to explore this new app.(This is the new episode we tried to air last week but due to a tech glitch (ok, my fault) we accidentally aired a previous episode with the same guests on a similar topic. Thanks for understanding!)Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: mormonishpodcast@gmail.com #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstempleFAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video.

Does the LDS church still make the claim that they are the "one true church?" Or has that rhetoric taken a backseat as they move to be more closely aligned with mainstream Christianity? What do faithful LDS think about this claim and how do they explain it when other people pray and get a confirmation that a religion other than Mormonism is true.Rebecca and Landon delve into the "one true church" claim and explore the conversion experiences of other religions that sound an awful lot like a conversion to Mormonism.Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: mormonishpodcast@gmail.com

The LDS church makes a big effort to find people who are on the membership roles that are not attending the congregation where their membership records are.Ward, clerks and other auxiliary leaders are tasked with finding the whereabouts of these wayward members and either moving their membership records to their new location or sending the records to sort of a dead letter file in Salt Lake. Just what lengths will the LDS church go to find you? Special guest Suspicious Might brings the receipts as we go through information on the various real methods the LDS church uses to track people down. This episode was originally aired on September 2, 2025.Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: mormonishpodcast@gmail.com

Have you noticed the overwhelming number of ads for the LDS church lately? Ads that don't indicate they are from the LDS church up front? There's a reason for this. In this episode, Mormonish Podcast is joined by Dr. Glen Randy Bell to explore the similarities between and MLM and the LDS church.The LDS Church uses advertising tactics similar to those seen in multi-level marketing (MLM) by promoting an idealized lifestyle and emphasizing personal transformation and community belonging. Its ads often showcase happy families, clean living, and emotional fulfillment—selling a vision rather than a doctrine. Like MLMs, the Church leverages personal stories and testimonials to create emotional appeal and social proof, subtly encouraging viewers to “join the fold” for personal and spiritual rewards. This approach prioritizes connection over theology, drawing people in through relatable, aspirational messaging rather than direct religious instruction.Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!**How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: mormonishpodcast@gmail.com

Religious trauma occurs when a person’s religious experiences cause deep emotional, psychological, or spiritual harm. It can stem from controlling or fear-based beliefs, strict religious environments, or experiences of shame and rejection tied to faith. This kind of trauma often affects how people see themselves, others, and even the world around them—leaving lasting wounds that take time, compassion, and understanding to heal.Mormonish is joined by religious trauma coaches Bill Reel and Teresa Hobbs to explore systems in place to move beyond religious trauma to a healthier life.Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: mormonishpodcast@gmail.com

The Truth About Missionary Ad Campaigns

Rebecca and Ganesh discuss the upcoming LDS General Conference in light of all the events of the past week. Will the tragedy in Michigan and the death of President Nelson change what happens at General Conference? Will President Oaks officially take the reigns? Will a new apostle be called? Will tributes to Michigan be given? Could the Family Proclamation be canonized on its thirtieth anniversary? Rebecca and Ganesh explore all the angles and more!

The 1988 Christian "Family Manifesto"

Is the Master Plan Jesus Land?

Mormon and Transgender: Former Chief Temple Architect Speaks Out

Joseph Smith was influenced by the free love and spiritual wifery he saw around him.

Does the LDS church collect data on members who have left the church? You might be surprised at the lengths they go to.

From celebrating Holy Week and Palm Sunday, to wearing cross jewelry, using mainstream Christian terminology, listening to Christian rock music, old Christian hymns in the new LDS hymn book, a cross replacing the Moroni icon on Google Maps, talking about grace, and more, the LDS church seems to be moving in a direction that our grandparents and even parents wouldn't recognize.Mormonish sits down with our favorite Evangelical, Steve Pynakker to discuss this apparent shift closer to mainstream Christianity and what it means for the LDS membership. We also discuss the "hard stops" that exist in the LDS church when it comes to reframing or replacing existing doctrines. Are there some things they just won't or can't give up even if it means never fully being considered Christian?

Most of us have heard about Brigham Young‘s 15 year-old wife Clarissa Decker. Until now she is thought to be the youngest wife of Brigham Young‘s 56 wives. The age gap between them was 27 years.More recently, confusion over the birthdate of Brigham’s wife Elizabeth Fairchild, or maybe outright manipulation of the dates, could indicate that Brigham Young actually had a wife who was only 13 years old and there was a 29 year age gap.We encourage all amateur historians and armchair genealogist to follow the records like we did. Don’t take our word for it. (Graphic on thumbnail is not Elizabeth Fairchild, but represents a 13-year-old child of the era.)

Author Dane Campbell joins Mormonish to discuss his new book "Growing Up With Satan" and the larger framework of the LDS theology surrounding Satan that was very, very real to those who were raised in the LDS faith.Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: mormonishpodcast@gmail.com #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple

When you belong to a strong religious tradition the questions of life after death are often very clearly delineated for you. You know what's coming next. When you step away from your faith tradition, life after death, or what comes next, often becomes the biggest question you will wrestle with.The Good Book Club read the book, "Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande and we're bringing the insights and information from our discussion to Mormonish. Special guest Kate Flint, Landon and Rebecca open up about their previous and new perspectives on the great unknown of death in this very important episode.Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: mormonishpodcast@gmail.com #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstempleFAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video

Mormonish is joined once again by Kendel Christensen for a part two of his exploration of Mormons, post Mormons, and the difficulty of recognizing, setting, and enforcing healthy boundaries.This is an important topic because healthy boundaries are at the root of relationships and can determine success, satisfaction, dissatisfaction, or failure of relationships. Being raised in the LDS church often did not allow us to set, respect, or even understand healthy boundaries or their importance.Kendel brings a wealth of sources, resources, and knowledge to this topic in this very important part two of our discussion on healthy boundaries.I've linked part one in the show notes if you missed it.Part 1: https://youtu.be/5iNJ1LgHK9UKendel's Book "Life Simplified: Handy Lifehacks for Ordinary People" https://a.co/d/7QhOxA4Kendel's Website: www.LearnedEmpowerment.comSubscribe to Kendel's channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDnagDIp2q6AohqxuklvF1g?sub_confirmation=1Follow Kendel on x: https://x.com/KendelCThanks so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: mormonishpodcast@gmail.com #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstempleFAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video.