The Cultural Hall Podcast

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6:56 Taking the call to be President Clark 10:39 The Value of #HearingHim 14:58 This silly little thing called the web 22:55 Getting the call back to BYUI 27:48 Here’s an idea 30:27 Presidents in their own right 33:27 Rexburb – The Boston of Idaho 37:34 What is BYU Pathway 43:24 Three forms of Education 51:56 How is the Church changing The post Get to Know the Newest Apostle Clark Gilbert The Cultural Hall Way appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

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Sacred Scar is a luminous, unflinching collection of poems that moves effortlessly between the sacred and the everyday. Drawing on the lives of saints, pioneers, ancestors, and the poet’s own family, Scott Hales explores the way faith, memory, and suffering shape a human life. These poems travel from ancient deserts to modern suburbs, from battlefield soil to baptismal fonts, revealing how holiness can emerge from pain, curiosity, humor, and the fragile work of living. With a storyteller’s eye and a historian’s care, Hales invites readers into a space where past and present speak to each other in striking, unforgettable ways. At once intimate and expansive, Sacred Scar is a meditation on belief-how it breaks, heals, transforms, and returns. Whether confronting grief, wrestling with doubt, or celebrating the strange grace of ordinary days, Hales writes with compassion, wit, and a deep reverence for the human impulse to remember. Purchase Sacred Scar Loved Ones is a luminous collection of forty poems that trace the arc of human devotion through the Christian virtues of faith, hope, charity, and love. With a voice both reverent and playful, Kevin Klein explores the everyday sacred—chapel cleaning and youth soccer, midwinter pruning and middle-school band concerts, pioneer grit and parental tenderness. Each poem invites readers to notice grace in unexpected places, discovering how holiness often hides in humor, hardship, and the humble rituals that bind us to one another. Rooted in scripture yet grounded in modern life, Klein’s work is rich with vivid imagery, spiritual introspection, and disarming warmth. Whether he is contemplating the nature of prayer, celebrating family, or mourning with those that mourn, his poems open the heart to deeper compassion and connection. Loved Ones is a gentle but profound reminder that the divine is found not only in miracles, but also in the people who teach us to believe, endure, give, and love. Purchase Loved Ones The post Poet Death Match – Kevin Klein – Scott Hales – 1015 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Temple Dedication  Alabang Philippines Temple – #213 January 18, 2026 – presided by David Bednar (Husband of Susan) The dress stole the show Dedicatory Prayer 15 Stakes and 1 District assigned to temple district Second Manila Metro Area Temple, a third is planned in Northern Manila 4th temple of 14 temples planned in the Philippines Second to last temple announced by President Monson dedicated (last is below) Temple Open House Begins Harare Zimbabwe Temple Temple Media day on January 19th  President of Zimbabwe tours the temple Open House Through February 7th  Interior Photos Released Design features: the flame lily, aloe ballii, Yoruba bologi, African lettuce, terracotta gazania, aspilia mossambicensis and wentzel’s sugarbush. Temple Groundbreakings  João Pessoa Brazil Temple January 24th, presided by Joni L. Koch  Jacksonville Florida Temple January 24th, presided by Massimo De Feo Temple Site Locations Announced Kahului Arizona Temple 7.6 acre site: Maui Lani Parkway, Kahului, Hawaii Next to existing meetinghouse Single Story, 19,000 sq. ft. building Renovations continue in Kona, No site announced in Honolulu.  Flagstaff Arizona Temple 10.43 Acre Site: southwest corner of Butler Ave. and South Fourth St., in Flagstaff Single Story, 18,850 sq. ft. building Puerto Montt Chile Temple 5.8 Acre Site: Avenida Chamiza, in eastern Puerto Montt Single Story, 18,500 sq. ft. building Construction Update Tarawa Kiribati Temple Modules installed on foundation  Heber Valley Utah Temple Utah Supreme Court will allow temple construction to continue  Church is assuming the risk of tearing down progress if they lose an appeal Plaintiff failed to prove irreparable harm, only inconvenience Salt Lake Temple Removal of scaffolding begins and will continue until mid-March Featured video from the B1M engineering youtube channel Original Moroni Trumpet on display at BYU HBLL Communications director gives a lecture at BYU Proposal to close North Temple and West Temple and parts of South Temple to vehicles adjacent to the temple during the extent of the open house Reportably, the church would need to pay $2.3M to lease the roads. Interesting Does temple construction boost property values? No discernable effect… The post Behind all that Scaffolding is…. Temple Ticker 1014 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

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Justin Pack’s Grace or Money: Rediscovering the Gift of Grace in an Age of Greed is a provocative and timely exploration of two fundamentally different ways of understanding the world: the divine “order of grace” and the human-made “order of money.” Drawing from scripture, anthropology, and philosophy, Pack challenges the modern assumption that scarcity is natural, arguing instead that God created a world of abundance meant to be shared. Through engaging analysis of ancient societies, biblical teachings, and contemporary economic systems, he reveals how our obsession with meritocracy and wealth distorts relationships, erodes integrity, and blinds us to the generosity woven into creation. With wit and clarity, Pack exposes how money—far from being a neutral tool—breeds thoughtlessness and even “BS,” turning life into a game of status and calculation. At once a celebration of grace and a critique of capitalism’s spiritual emptiness, Grace or Money calls readers to rediscover a more life-giving order rooted in gift and community. Whether reflecting on his own Latter-day Saint upbringing, unmasking the myths of progress, or examining the moral hazards of meritocracy, Pack offers a compelling vision of how rejecting the logic of money can heal our societies and souls. For anyone seeking a deeper understanding of faith, justice, and what it means to truly flourish, this book is a bracing, hopeful invitation to choose grace over gain. Buy the Book The post Grace or Money: Rediscovering the Gift of Grace in an Age of Greed – 1011 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

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In Covenant Power, teacher Sharla Goettl uses captivating storytelling to bring key endowment principles to life, presented in the imagined voices of the scriptural figures who taught each principle best, such as Peter, Eve, Nephi, & Mormon. Through these stories, you’ll gain an understanding of how the endowment prepares us to receive Christ’s covenant power. They also highlight connections between the scriptures and the endowment. God designed temple covenants to enable lasting success, calm deep fears, and build steady confidence. This book teaches how each covenant you make helps you to connect with Christ’s power: – Law of Obedience: The action of seeing Christ’s power – Law of Sacrifice: Embrace the process to gain Christ’s power – Law of the Gospel: Learn how to retain Christ’s power – Law of Chastity: Discover the key to increase in Christ’s power – Law of Consecration: An opportunity to share Christ’s power Be inspired by the endowment through this unique reading experience—one that will testify of Christ’s firm foundation built upon covenant guarantees. Whether you are preparing for the endowment or eager to learn more, Covenant Power will empower your love and knowledge of the temple. Covenant Power Amazon Purchase ovenant Power Cedar Fort Purchase Spiritual Resilience The post Covenant Power: Transform Fear into Faith through the Power of Jesus Christ 1009 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Part history, part annotated bibliography, and wholly enlightening, this book also provides an extensive catalog of the office’s diverse publications—from Sunday School cards to bound catechisms and spiritual treatises. Ideal for historians, bibliophiles, and anyone interested in the intersection of faith, media, and regional identity, The Juvenile Instructor Office offers fresh insights into how one press helped define the literary voice of a people. It’s a vital addition to the study of both American religious publishing and Utah’s cultural development during a pivotal era. Craig S. Smith is a retired archaeologist living in the Salt Lake Valley. He is an avid book collector mainly focused on Utah and the Mormons, and especially interested in nineteenth-century printing in Utah. He has collected items published by the Juvenile Instructor Office for the past twenty-five years. The post The Juvenile Instructor Office – Craig Smith – 1008 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

You’re trying to figure out what you should do next. How can you make sense of a heartbreaking loss? How can you look ahead after things end unexpectedly? With every unanswered question, you lose yourself a little more. Author Ganel-Lyn Condie was facing a myriad of tough situations like these when she decided to learn how to make sourdough bread—and in the process gained a deeper love and trust of the Savior. Sourdough and the Savior: The Breads of Life is much more than a primer on how to make sourdough bread. It is a conversation about identity, faith, loss, transitions, and a powerful testimony of how the Savior meets us where we’re at.  The reader will learn: – How to recognize when the Lord succors us – How to share our unique spiritual gifts to bless those around us – How to grow closer to the Savior The insights and wisdom Ganel-Lyn offers are for every heart and soul, not just those in the kitchen. Each chapter blends helpful baking tips with a delightful narrative of her journey, creating a riveting and relatable story readers will enjoy. The post Sourdough and the Savior – Ganel Lyn Condie – 1007 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

More of Mormonism’s canonized revelations originated in or near Kirtland than any other place. Yet many of the events connected with those revelations and their 1830s historical context have faded over time. Barely twenty-five years after the first of these Ohio revelations, Brigham Young lamented in 1856: “These revelations, after a lapse of years, become mystified [sic] to those who were not personally acquainted with the circumstances at the time they were given.” He gloomily predicted that eventually the revelations “may be as mysterious to our children . . . as the revelations contained in the Old and New Testaments are to this generation.” Now, more than 150 years later, the distance between what Brigham Young and his Kirtland contemporaries considered common knowledge and our understanding of the same material today has widened into a sometimes daunting gap. Mark Staker narrows the chasm in Hearken, O Ye People by reconstructing the cultural experiences by which Kirtland’s Latter-day Saints made sense of the revelations Joseph Smith pronounced. This volume rebuilds that exciting decade using clues from numerous archives, privately held records, museum collections, and even the soil where early members planted corn and homes. From this vast array of sources he shapes a detailed narrative of weather, religious backgrounds, dialect differences, race relations, theological discussions, food preparation, frontier violence, astronomical phenomena, and myriad daily customs of nineteenth-century life. The result is a “from the ground up” experience that today’s Latter-day Saints can all but walk into and touch. Mark Lyman Staker was a senior researcher in the Church History Department of the LDS Church when this was written. He received his PhD in cultural anthropology from University of Florida. For more than fifteen years, Mark has been involved in historic sites restoration and nineteenth-century expressions of the Latter-day Saint experience. He received the J. Talmage Jones Award of Excellence for an Outstanding Article on Mormon History from the Mormon History Association, and he has been involved in numerous museum exhibits. He and his wife, Kimberly, are the parents of seven children and live in West Bountiful, Utah. The post Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith’s Ohio Revelations – Mark Staker – appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Standout tells the inspiring story of Ben Kjar, born with Crouzon Syndrome, a rare craniofacial disorder. From birth, doctors warned that his life would be dominated by limitations, bullying and harsh scrutiny. Despite that prognosis, Ben yearned for an ordinary life free from judgment and harassment. However, each experience of adversity, including relentless bullying and a series of painful surgeries, ignited a fire within him. Wrestling became his proving ground, a place where he learned to transform his facial difference into a source of power. Determined to succeed, he pushed himself relentlessly, breaking through physical, social, and even romantic barriers that once seemed insurmountable. But as unexpected challenges arose and ridicule resurfaced, Ben found himself at a defining crossroads: fade into the background of a “normal” life, or fully embrace his difference and boldly stand out. The post Standout – Ben Kjar – Tanner Christensen – 1005 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Temple Dedications Burley Idaho Temple – #212 January 11, 2026, Presided by Dallin Oaks Oaks lived in Twin Falls for 5 years after the death of his father President Nelson passed a list around to sign up for temple dedications Included an interview in the lobby of the temple “It has occurred to me for a long time” to make local announcements by the “file leader” “That was a strong impression that came to me early in my knowledge that President Nelson had transferred to heaven” Local temple announcements will occur “as long as I have influence in determining those things” Hopes marriage ages of returned missionaries will reduce Dedicatory Prayer 8 Stakes from the Mini-Cassia region assigned to the temple district 7th of 11 temples in Idaho Temple Dedication announced  Yorba Linda California Temple June 7, 2026 by an unannounced presiding authority Same day and time as Willamette Valley Oregon Temple Open House: April 30 to May 23rd Media Day on April 27 Temple Groundbreaking announced Huehuetenango Guatemala Temple March 14, 2026, presided by Patricio M. Giuffra 5th of 6 planned temples in Guatemala Temple Sites Announced  Beira Mozambique Temple  2.5-acre site located at Avenida 24 de Julho, Beira Near a historic landmark single-story temple of approximately 10,000 square feet along with patron housing and arrival facilities. Next to existing Meetinghouse Spanish Fork Utah Temple 8.7 acres 100 South and 2550 East in Spanish Fork Located on a site next to two meetinghouses  Across the street from Maple Mountain High School and Seminary multistory building of approximately 80,000 square feet Matrons and Presidents of New Temples Pago Pago American Samoa Temple Tuputausi May Asayo Hirata Hunt and Kalilimoku Sola August Hunt Auto Ward, Pago Pago Samoa Stake Bacolod Philippines Temple Maria Luisa Arnaiz Nain Lagaña and Gregorio Horlador Lagaña Roxas 4th Ward, Roxas Capiz Philippines Stake  Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple Marcia Maria Ferreira de Salles and Victor Pereira de Salles Sousas Ward, Campinas Brazil Flamboyant Stake Construction Updates Colorado Springs Colorado Temple  City Council to consider restrictions on proposed LDS temple Salt Lake Temple First Presidency Tours Temple Construction  Demolition of the WOB (West office building) New Elijah statue  New Temple Model in new Visitors Center Congressman Mike Kennedy invites congress to the 2027 Open House Temple Square Mission to be discontinued More candid reaction shots by photographer The post Willamette Valley, Yorba Linda In THAT ORDER Temple Ticker 1004 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

00:00Introduction and Musical Nostalgia 00:59First Concert Experience: Cheap Trick 05:14Skipping Church: Personal Stories 07:53Caffeine and Conference Adventures 10:17Faith and Fellowship at Conferences 12:54Sports Talk: BYU Basketball and Rivalries 16:47Wrap-Up and Transition to Articles of News 18:37Boating Accident and Legal Implications 23:19Missionary’s Sudden Death 27:31Security Concerns in Rexburg 40:20The Dark Side of Wellness Gurus 42:35The Controversial Mormon Doctor 45:30Dora Young: A Life of Rebellion 49:49Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary Through Service 54:14The Church’s Lease with Utah Valley University 58:11MrBeast and the Church: A Partnership Under Scrutiny 01:01:08Remembering Dean Jesse and His Legacy The post When did you first ditch out on church AoN 1003 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

A 1,200-year-old piece of history has finally returned home. In a significant act of cultural repatriation, a 2,500-pound boulder bearing ancient Fremont petroglyphs was restored to its original mountainside location near the Utah-Idaho border this past December. The artifact, created by ancestors of the Shoshone people, had spent nearly 80 years sitting in the yard of a chapel belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tremonton. Church members originally removed the rock from its natural setting in the 1940s, a decision attributed to a lack of understanding regarding its sacred nature at the time. Its return marks the culmination of a multi-year collaborative effort between the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation, the Utah State Historic Preservation Office, and the Church. Tribal leaders view the restoration as a vital step toward historical accuracy and cultural healing. A Delicate Restoration Before the rock could be returned, it underwent a careful preservation process. Conservators worked to remove decades of lichen growth using a gentle combination of soap, water, bamboo, and steam, successfully revealing the intricate ancient engravings beneath. Once cleaned, the massive stone was airlifted by helicopter to an undisclosed location in the mountains. There, members of the tribe gathered for a private, sacred ceremony to welcome the ancestor rock back to the land where it was originally carved. The post Petroglyph Returned – Brad Parry – 1002 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Fatal Shooting at Salt Lake City Meetinghouse The Story: A tragic shooting occurred in the parking lot of a meetinghouse on Redwood Road during a funeral, leaving two men dead and six wounded. Why it’s first: It is a violent event on church property involving the death of members. It touches on issues of safety at houses of worship. Key Detail: The victims were part of Utah’s Tongan community. The Tongan population in Utah is significant; per the 2020 Census, Utah has the largest Tongan population of any state, with over 18,000 residents identifying as Tongan alone or in combination with other races. Angle: Focus on the tragedy of violence interrupting a “celebration of life” and the community response. Funeral of President Jeffrey R. Holland & Leadership Changes The Story: Following President Holland’s passing in late 2025, his funeral is set, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has been named Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve. Why it’s important: This is a major shift in the “ecclesiastical org chart.” With President Oaks now President of the Church and Holland passing, the leadership dynamic changes significantly. Visual Aid: Because the hierarchy has shifted rapidly (Nelson passing, then Holland passing), a visual aid helps the audience visualize the new seniority. “The Next Apostle” Speculation The Story: With the vacancy left by President Holland, there is speculation on who President Oaks will call next. Angle: Discuss the Op-Ed suggesting “history making” picks like a Black apostle or someone from a non-traditional background (like a sports coach, though that is unlikely). This is great engagement fodder for listeners. Dissolving the Temple Square Mission The Story: After 30 years, the all-female Temple Square Mission is ending. Sisters from surrounding missions will now rotate in. Why it matters: This is the end of a specific cultural era. The Temple Square sisters were a unique fixture of Church headquarters. Angle: The shift toward “hybrid” missionary work (tours + traditional proselytizing) and the hiring of paid guides to assist. 2026 Mission Leadership Assignments The Story: 188 new mission presidents and companions called; 55 newly created missions. Angle: The sheer volume of new missions indicates the growth or reorganization efforts previously announced by the late President Nelson. Love is Blind Villain “Disowned” The Story: Kacie McIntosh, a cast member on Season 9, claims her LDS family “shunned” her due to her appearance and discussion of sex on the show. Why it matters: This hits the intersection of pop culture and “faith crisis/family dynamics” that resonates with many listeners. Angle: The tension between reality TV fame and conservative religious family values. The “Mysterious” Youth Vote (Data Heavy) The Story: Young Latter-day Saints are identifying less as Republicans, though they still lean conservative on social issues. The Stats: 40% of LDS voters aged 18-29 identify as Republican. 35% identify as Democrat. 25% identify as Independent. Despite the shift in labels, 56% of older Gen Z/Young Millennial members still supported the Republican presidential candidate in 2024. BYU “Hot Mic” Moment The Story: BYU player Therrian Alexander III was caught swearing on a hot mic during the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Angle: A lighthearted but debated topic—the pressure on BYU athletes to represent the “Honor Code” perfectly on national TV versus the reality of high-stakes sports. Ruby Franke & Jodi Hildebrandt Update The Story: An update on the aftermath of the abuse case. Kevin Franke has remarried; Ruby is still in prison; Shari Franke has written a memoir. Why it matters: This story gripped the Mormon internet (and the world). The update provides closure on the family’s attempt to heal. The post Fatal Shooting – Dark Horse Candidate – AoN 1001 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

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