The Latter Day Lens

Shawn & Matt
  • 4.9 (18)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Latter Day Lens, a weekly faith-based podcast where we explore the intersection of Mormonism, global news, and political science. Hosted by Shawn Record and Matthew Miles, a professor of political science, this is your home for an authentic and nuanced LDS perspective on the world’s toughest topics. Each episode provides thoughtful Latter-day Saint commentary on current events, ranging from Christianity and politics to social identity and economic policy. Whether you are an active LDS member seeking a deeper religious podcast experience or a listener interested in Mormon studies, we apply a "gospel lens" to move beyond the headlines. Join us every Wednesday for LDS perspectives that are faith-promoting, intellectually honest, and designed to help you navigate your faith in the modern world. From Come Follow Me 2026 insights to deep dives into LDS history and doctrine, we tackle the conversations most people avoid.

  1. 11H AGO

    Episode 166 Secret Combinations, the Voting Rights Act, and a River of Regret

    Send us Fan Mail In this high-energy episode, Matt, Shawn, and Marc dive into the deep end of American law and cultural shifts. The trio tackles the Supreme Court’s recent pivot on the Voting Rights Act, questioning whether dismantling 60-year-old protections is progress or a step backward into historical patterns. The conversation heats up as they move to the Middle East, debating the $25 billion price tag of the Iranian stalemate and whether the U.S. is chasing ghosts or legitimate security threats. Finally, the guys bring it back to the Book of Mormon, applying the lens of "Secret Combinations" to modern corporate and political power, and reflecting on whether classic stories of manhood—like A River Runs Through It—can still find a home in today’s digital world. Chapter Markers 00:00 — The "Big 5-0": Shawn’s birthday and the Pacific Coast lobster debate.03:36 — Mailbag: Does democracy require multiple religions?06:55 — The Voting Rights Act: Racism, representation, and the Supreme Court’s Louisiana ruling.22:50 — The $25 Billion Stalemate: Is it time to pull out of the Iranian conflict?30:18 — Secret Combinations: Corporate corruption and the Trump administration through a Gadianton lens.40:34 — Literature & Modernity: Could A River Runs Through It be published in 2026?46:40 — Disenfranchised Men? Jordan Peterson, Charlie Kirk, and the future of storytelling.Key Takeaways Democracy and Respect: A deep dive into how religious liberty and diverse viewpoints are a "no-brainer" for a functioning democratic society.The Ethics of Gerrymandering: A heated debate on whether "racial quotas" in voting districts are a necessary remedy for history or a form of modern segregation.Geopolitics vs. Domestic Needs: Comparing the cost of military intervention in Iran to domestic programs like healthcare and NASA.The "Secret" in Combinations: Analyzing if modern corruption is hidden (secret) or happening in broad daylight (public combinations).Cultural Shifts: Why the "human experience" in literature might be shifting away from traditional masculine narratives toward broader perspectives.Featured in this Episode Matt Miles: Professor of Political Science and "River Runs Through It" enthusiast.Shawn Record: The newly 50-year-old skeptic and music lover.Marc: The historian in a closet with a penchant for Bob Ross paintings and Bruce Springsteen.Follow the Lens: Website: latterdaylens.comYouTube: @LatterDayLensListen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts every Wednesday!

    49 min

  2. APR 22

    Episode 165: Cancel Culture at UVU & the Legacy of Charlie Kirk

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt, Shawn, and Levi return to the lens to navigate the intersection of public safety, free speech, and the personal transformation that religion is supposed to provide. The guys dive into the recent controversy at Utah Valley University regarding the cancellation of Sharon McMahon's speech following the death of Charlie Kirk. They also tackle the resurgence of measles in the U.S. and whether governments have a moral obligation to mandate health protocols. Finally, the team discusses Matt’s new book, exploring the vital difference between religious "behaving" and religious "becoming." In this episode, we discuss: The UVU Controversy: Is it hypocritical for free-speech advocates to call for the cancellation of speakers they dislike?Public Health vs. Liberty: As measles cases rise in 31 states, where does the government's moral obligation begin and end?Gender Bias in Sports Journalism: The fallout of the Diana Rossini and Mike Vrabel story.Religious Becoming: Matt explains the "Fourth B" from his new book and why democracy might actually need a variety of religions to thrive.Resources Mentioned: Latter Day Lens Website: latterdaylens.comTake the "Religious Becoming" QuizChapter Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome back Levi & Wedding Announcements01:30 – Who is the GOAT? Sam’s Radio Legacy03:40 – YouTube Comments: The Military Draft Debate05:45 – Thought Provoker: The UVU Speaker Controversy10:15 – Nazis on Campus? Defining the Limits of Free Speech15:20 – Shifting the Overton Window22:30 – Measles Outbreak: The Morality of Vaccine Mandates28:10 – The "Cold Sore" Debate: How contagious is too contagious?32:45 – Double Standards: Diana Rossini and Mike Vrabel41:40 – The Big Question: Believing, Belonging, Behaving, & Becoming52:45 – In-Groups, Out-Groups, and the Global Neighbor01:00:10 – Closing RemarksKeywords: LDS Podcast, Latter-day Saints, Charlie Kirk, UVU, Free Speech, Vaccine Mandates, Measles 2026, Political Science, Religious Identity, Overton Window, Critical Race Theory, Sharon McMahon, Journalism Ethics, Christianity and Democracy, Matthew R. Miles

    1 hr

  3. APR 15

    Episode 164: The Future of Marriage and the Ethics of the Automated Draft

    Send us Fan Mail  This episode of Latter Day Lens features a heavy-hitting discussion between Matt, Shawn, and Porter. The trio dives into the complexities of the social contract, starting with the ethics of a military draft and the "lukewarm" nature of libertarianism. The conversation shifts to the digital frontier, exploring whether dangerous AI tools like "Claude Mythos" should be regulated like nuclear weapons. Finally, they tackle the historical and future trajectory of marriage doctrine within the context of Latter-day Saint theology.  In this episode, we discuss: The Libertarian Dilemma: Is a "hands-off" political approach actually "lukewarm" according to scripture?The Ethics of Compulsion: A deep dive into the morality of a military draft. Does the social contract justify forced service, or does it violate the fundamental principle of agency?AI as a Superweapon: With the rise of tools like Claude Mythos, we ask if AI has reached a level of danger that requires government restriction similar to nuclear proliferation.Line Upon Line: A look at how attitudes toward marriage have shifted—or grown—over the last century and what the next 100 years might hold for Church doctrine.Chapter Markers [00:00] Welcome back, Porter! Semester updates and AI in the classroom.[02:20] Is Libertarianism "Lukewarm"? Responding to a YouTube listener.[08:10] The Automated Draft: Is a military draft ever morally justified?[10:30] Moroni’s Draft vs. Vietnam: Compulsion in the Book of Mormon.[18:45] Standing Armies vs. Citizen Militias: What is the more moral path?[24:50] Claude Mythos & AI Security: Should the government regulate code like nukes?[33:00] The Free Market vs. Bad Actors: Can the invisible hand stop a hack?[41:15] Rhetoric and Negotiation: Trump, the Pope, and the morality of threats.[44:20] The Artemis Mission: Why the space program represents the best of humanity.[47:45] The Evolution of Marriage: Analyzing 19th-century temple sealings and future doctrine.[56:30] Line Upon Line: Is our understanding of marriage complete or still growing?Keywords Latter Day Lens, Social Contract, Military Draft, Selective Service, Libertarianism, AI Ethics, Claude Mythos, Anthropic, Captain Moroni, Agency vs Compulsion, Artemis 2, Marriage Doctrine, Polygamy History, D&C 132, Latter-day Saint Podcast.

    1h 6m

  4. APR 8

    Episode 163: The LDS Political Shift: MAGA, Birthright Citizenship, and General Conference

    Send us Fan Mail In this post-General Conference episode, Matt, Shawn, and Melanie tackle the intersection of faith and friction in modern America. The team starts with a listener's defense of FDR before diving into a high-stakes comparison of religious expression in professional sports. They also dissect the legal arguments surrounding President Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship and the 14th Amendment. Finally, the hosts explore recent data showing a historic shift of Latter-day Saints toward the Democratic Party and share their personal takeaways from the April 2026 General Conference. In this episode, we discuss: The FDR Debate: Is Japanese internment a "straw man" argument or a defining moral failure?Faith on the Court: Comparing the public reception of BYU’s Delaney Gibb and the NBA’s Jaden Ivey.Birthright Citizenship: Analyzing the 14th Amendment and the legal consistency of excluding certain immigrant groups.The "Trump Effect": Why LDS voters are moving toward the Democratic Party faster than any other group.Peace and Revelation: Personal reflections on the messages from President Nelson and President Oaks.Chapter Markers 00:00 – Introduction and General Conference Recap01:50 – Listener Feedback: Defending FDR and Historical Context04:00 – Religion in Sports: Delaney Gibb vs. Jaden Ivey10:30 – Style vs. Substance: Is Expression Conduct Detrimental?14:15 – The 14th Amendment: Birthright Citizenship and Legal Consistency21:20 – Native American Sovereignty and the Jurisdiction Clause26:45 – The Shift: Why LDS Voters are Leaving the GOP31:10 – Is MAGA Inconsistent with Church Morality?35:45 – The Generation Gap: Diversity and Political Sophistication45:40 – General Conference Takeaways: Charity, Peace, and Personal Revelation52:10 – Closing Thoughts: Changing Society through Individual ChangeKeywords Latter-day Saints, LDS Politics, General Conference 2026, Birthright Citizenship, 14th Amendment, MAGA and Religion, BYU Basketball, Political Polarization, President Nelson, President Oaks, Civil Discourse.

    53 min

  5. APR 1

    Episode 162: Gerrymandering, The SAVE Act, and the Non-Citizen Audit: Who Actually Controls the Vote?

    Send us Fan Mail If only 15 non-citizens were found on a voter roll of 6 million, why is the SAVE Act the biggest debate in Washington? This week, Matt and Shawn are joined by David Brown to dissect the "big numbers" of 2026—from the $56 billion LDS Church reserve fund to the microscopic reality of non-citizen voting. We start with Matt’s 50th birthday milestone: a high-altitude, weightless flight that sparked a profound conversation on why "death is not the final enemy." Matt shares a personal temple experience that reframed his view on the resurrection and our attachment to the mortality of this life. The Thought ProvokerThe Billion-Dollar Consonant: David contextualizes the Ensign Peak filings. Is it a "hoard" or a masterclass in modern stewardship? We look at what $56 billion actually looks like per member. The Voting "Smoke Screen": We merge the data from audits in Idaho, Utah, and Michigan with the 214-year history of Gerrymandering. Are we solving a non-existent fraud problem while ignoring how politicians pick their own voters? Labor and the Hireling: Is it ever moral to force essential workers, like TSA agents, to work without pay during a government shutdown? We debate the "hazard of the job" vs. the biblical condemnation of oppressing the hireling. The Happiness Trap: Why did a French study rank San Francisco as the happiest US city while Salt Lake City vanished? We discuss why "government-led happiness" might be a fundamental misunderstanding of the Latter-day lens. Addendum from David:I may have named dropped Albert Brooks as a happiness researcher, and while he may loosely qualify, I intended to direct the audience to Arthur Brooks. If this feels like a meaningful extension of the April Fools theme, then I’ll take full credit.   Side note — Albert Brooks (the actor, and voice of Nemo’s dad in Finding Nemo) was actually named Albert Einstein at birth. Nobody is going to believe that though, if the SAVE act passes, and he shows up with that paperwork  [Keywords for Search] LDS Church Finances, Ensign Peak, Gerrymandering History, SAVE Act 2026, Voter Fraud Audit, TSA Shutdown, San Francisco Happiness Index, BYU History, Faith and Resurrection, Political Science. Chapter Timestamps [00:00] Intro: Flying an Airplane & The Physics of Weightlessness.[02:15] Reframing Death: A Temple Experience and Eternal Perspective.[04:20] Mailbag: Addressing Accusations About Church Spending.[06:20] Ensign Peak Breakdown: What $56 Billion Looks Like Per Member.[08:15] BYU History: The Financial Tensions of Ernest Wilkinson & Dallin H. Oaks.[10:30] TOPIC 1: Gerrymandering & The "Salamander" Map of 1812.[28:01] TOPIC 2: The SAVE Act & The Audit Data (15 out of 6 Million).[46:15] TOPIC 3: Labor Ethics—Forcing TSA Agents to Work Without Pay.[50:15] TOPIC 4: 2026 Happiness Index—Why San Francisco Beat Salt Lake.[56:45] Closing: Why Government Can’t Remove Every Obstacle.

    1h 1m

  6. MAR 25

    Episode 161: Latter-day Stewardship: From Balanced Budgets to Defending the Constitution

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Latter-Day Lens, Matt and Shawn dive deep into the tension between calculated risk and eternal perspective. Starting with Matt's recent dive into the safety statistics of private aviation versus winter sports, the conversation quickly shifts from the physical risks of flying to the spiritual and social risks of how we live our lives. They explore the "theology of the afterlife" through the lens of the film Eternity, debating whether heaven is defined by our location or our relationships. The hosts then pivot to a "Thought Provoker" segment on the morality of the modern marketplace—tackling everything from AI bot manipulation and "earned" reviews to the massive scale of the US national debt. Finally, Matt offers a masterclass in political engagement, challenging listeners to stop being "acted upon" by political parties and instead use their agency to shape the parties to match their values. In this episode, we discuss: The Risk Assessment: Why Matt would rather face a plane crash than a torn ACL.Defining Heaven: Is the Celestial Kingdom about where you are, or who you're with?Market Morality: Are bots and paid reviews a form of "bearing false witness"?The Debt Dilemma: Stewardship versus the "magic money" of government spending.Constitutional Crisis: Why the Bill of Rights applies to everyone on US soil, not just citizens.Political Agency: How to stop being a "lukewarm" partisan and start leading from within.Chapter Timestamps [00:00] Intro: Matt’s Birthday and the "Dangerous" New Hobby.[01:21] Injuries vs. Death: Choosing Flying over Skiing.[02:40] The "Famous People Who Died in Small Planes" List.[04:35] Movie Review: Why Matt Hated Eternity (and the Premise of Heaven).[08:50] The "President Nelson/Oaks Dilemma": Eternal Marriage and Choice.[13:00] Weird Movie Recommendations: Doubt, Project Hail Mary, and Joe Versus the Volcano.[14:35] The Ethics of Bots: Cultural Manipulation and Market Deception.[16:30] Paid Reviews: Good Marketing or Immoral Lying?[27:15] Macroeconomics 101: The $38 Trillion National Debt.[35:35] Stewardship: Is the US Government a "Bad Steward"?[38:40] Immigration and the Constitution: Protecting Rights for All.[51:00] The Moral Agency of Politics: Why No Party Fully Represents the Church.[54:00] Closing: How to Take Over a Political Party.Keywords LDS Podcast, The Latter-Day Lens, Political Science, Private Pilot Safety, Eternal Marriage, US National Debt, Stewardship, Constitutional Rights, Immigration Enforcement, Political Agency, Marketing Ethics, AI Bots, Christian Morality.

    1h 1m

  7. MAR 18

    Episode 160: LDS Perspectives on Wealth Taxes, Media Trends, Conflict in Iran, and Faith-Based Usury

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Latter Day Lens, Matt, Shawn, and guest Levi Barnes dive into the complex intersections of modern headlines and eternal principles. The conversation starts light with Matt’s upcoming 50th birthday plans—including a discovery flight—and Levi’s bruised attempts at snowboarding. The team then tackles the serious stuff: the shift of major media platforms toward the right and whether a "middle ground" actually exists in politics. They debate Senator Bernie Sanders’ proposed 5% wealth tax on billionaires and whether it aligns with the Christian duty to care for the poor. The discussion takes a somber turn as they examine the tragic consequences of international conflict in Iran and Venezuela, questioning the cycle of justice versus the higher law of mercy. Finally, they wrap up with a fascinating "Big Question" about the law of usury in Deuteronomy: Is it morally wrong to charge interest to your "brothers"? Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome back Levi: Snowboarding vs. Skiing.00:54 – Matt turns 50: Flying planes and private pilot dreams.05:11 – Media Ownership: Are billionaires moving legacy platforms to the right for profit or politics?06:40 – Defining the "Middle": Is centrism a virtue or just being "lukewarm"?16:05 – The 5% Wealth Tax: Bernie Sanders, Robin Hood, and the ethics of funding healthcare.28:40 – Conflict and Consequences: Retaliation in Iran and the "Latter Day Lens" on mercy over justice.40:15 – The Big Question: Usury in Deuteronomy. Should members of the church charge each other interest?54:20 – The Higher Law: From debt equity to ownership and the "Marxist" connection.Keywords Latter-day Saints, Politics, Wealth Tax, Bernie Sanders, Usury, Biblical Law, International Relations, Private Pilot, Middle Ground, Christian Ethics, Humanitarian Aid, Economic Justice, Personal Finance.

    58 min

  8. MAR 11

    Episode 159: Scandal, Fiction, and Faith: The Epstein Files Distraction and Evolving Gender Roles

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt, Shawn, and Porter tackle a series of high-stakes headlines and "The Big Question" regarding the future of traditional norms.  Chapter Headings 0:00 – Introduction and Audio QualityMatt discusses the recent technical fixes to the podcast audio and the importance of listener feedback.10:04 – The Epstein Files and Iran Bombing TimingA discussion on the DOJ's missing files and Republican Representative Thomas Massie’s comments on military timing.The DOJ's release of missing Epstein files and the geopolitical justifications for the strikes in Iran.25:56 – Daryl Hannah and the Morality of Fictionalized HistoryDiscussing Daryl Hannah’s guest essay criticizing her portrayal in Love Story and the ethics of "bearing false witness" in media.36:10 – The Texas Senate Primary and Trump's Influence Analyzing the runoff between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton and the nature of political party power. The implications of Trump's demands for unendorsed candidates to drop out.46:30 – The Big Question: Theology and Traditional Gender NormsUnpacking the KCL global study on Gen Z attitudes and exploring the doctrinal shift toward equal partnership.Keywords mormon podcasts, faith-based podcast, religious podcast, christianity podcast, christian podcast, secret lives mormon wives podcast, Epstein files, Trump allegations, Iran bombing, Daryl Hannah, Texas Senate primary, Gen Z gender roles, theology and equality, Latter-day Lens. Epstein Files and Trump Google Trends This video analyzes the surge in public interest regarding the connection between the Epstein files and Donald Trump, providing visual context for the search trends mentioned in the episode.

    1 hr
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4.9
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Latter Day Lens, a weekly faith-based podcast where we explore the intersection of Mormonism, global news, and political science. Hosted by Shawn Record and Matthew Miles, a professor of political science, this is your home for an authentic and nuanced LDS perspective on the world’s toughest topics. Each episode provides thoughtful Latter-day Saint commentary on current events, ranging from Christianity and politics to social identity and economic policy. Whether you are an active LDS member seeking a deeper religious podcast experience or a listener interested in Mormon studies, we apply a "gospel lens" to move beyond the headlines. Join us every Wednesday for LDS perspectives that are faith-promoting, intellectually honest, and designed to help you navigate your faith in the modern world. From Come Follow Me 2026 insights to deep dives into LDS history and doctrine, we tackle the conversations most people avoid.

Information

  • Creator
    Shawn & Matt
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    168
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Latter Day Lens Podcast 422139
  • Show Website
    The Latter Day Lens

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