The Mormon Newscast: Mormonish Edition

Mormonish
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Christianity

Podcasters Rebecca Bibliotheca, Bill Reel, and Radio Free Mormon bring you an exciting and informative weekly news podcast covering timely and important topics in the Mormon space.

  1. 3d ago

    The LDS Church Made $7 Billion & Still Lost to the S&P 500

    Tonight on Mormon Newscast, we’re following the money—and asking what the latest numbers actually tell us about the LDS Church. We begin with Ensign Peak’s newly released Q2 2026 investment report. The Church’s publicly disclosed U.S. securities climbed from roughly $53.67 billion to $60.82 billion in a single quarter, with enormous exposure to Nvidia, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Micron, AMD and the broader AI boom. But how impressive is that performance when compared with the S&P 500—or a simple momentum ETF? We dig into what Ensign Peak bought and sold, its increasingly AI-heavy portfolio, and whether prophets, seers and portfolio managers are actually beating the market. Also tonight: • President Dallin H. Oaks turns 94—and a seemingly innocent birthday photo involving some suspiciously fancy glassware sparks a wonderfully Mormon debate about the old commandment to “avoid the appearance of evil.” • A Provo man is sentenced in a child sexual abuse material case after an FBI investigation uncovered disturbing online conversations, including statements about wanting access to young children. • Let the Christ-centered demolition begin! The Church appears to be experimenting with redesigned meetinghouses intended to create a more explicitly Christian worship environment. • Why won’t these darn kids just get married? Marriage rates at BYU are dropping sharply, and Church and university leaders are trying to figure out how to get young Latter-day Saints off the dating apps and onto actual dates. Is Mormon dating culture collapsing—or are LDS young adults simply beginning to behave more like everyone else their age? • An LDS local leader in Scotland is sentenced after admitting offenses involving sexual communications with people he believed were 13- and 14-year-old girls. The Church says it unequivocally condemns abuse. • The Church is celebrating a record 88,500 full-time missionaries, but falling birthrates and the recent missionary-age change for women raise an important question: is this sustainable growth—or another temporary demographic surge? • Tim Ballard’s former organization, Our Rescue, lands a federal contract worth as much as $244 million to provide immigration-related legal services for roughly 24,000 unaccompanied children—even as critics argue the organization lacks the experience and legal infrastructure for the assignment. • More than 400 Salt Lake Tribune readers answered the question: What question should be added to the LDS temple recommend interview? Their answers raise a fascinating distinction between institutional worthiness and actual moral character—and we'll imagine what a temple recommend interview might look like if its central concern were producing healthy, compassionate, accountable human beings. • And finally: Want to star in an LDS Church movie? The Church is recruiting volunteers for a new Temple Square production—and apparently this could be your big break. All of that, plus what’s happening across the Mormon podcasting world, tonight on Mormon Newscast.

    The LDS Church Made $7 Billion & Still Lost to the S&P 500

  2. Aug 12

    LDS Church Lawsuit Gets Pushback From ACLU & EFF

    Tonight on Mormon Newscast, our lead story centers on a significant development in the LDS Church’s trademark and copyright lawsuit against Mormon Stories Podcast. The ACLU of Utah and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have filed amicus briefs supporting Mormon Stories, raising concerns about the implications of the Church’s lawsuit for free expression, criticism, and online speech. We’ll break down what these organizations are arguing, why they decided to enter the case, and what their involvement could mean going forward. We’ll also cover several stories pointing toward the continuing challenge of Latter-day Saint disaffection and what may be driving younger generations—particularly women—away from the Church. Along the way, we’ll examine the controversy involving a Mormon beauty queen, the arrest of an LDS leader in Russia, and an Arizona court decision tossing out a child sexual abuse case against the LDS Church. We’ll also look at the Church’s newly announced Sunday School and Sunday meeting changes. Church leaders are emphasizing a more Christ-centered, home-centered approach with shorter classes and greater participation from members. Is this another meaningful step toward decentralization and member autonomy—or does the substance of authority remain largely unchanged even as the structure evolves? Finally, we pause to acknowledge two recent deaths in the broader Mormon community. We remember Carol Lynn Pearson, whose writing, poetry, advocacy, and willingness to confront difficult issues within Mormonism influenced generations of Latter-day Saints and former Latter-day Saints. We’ll also acknowledge the tragic death of 27-year-old LDS apologist Chandler “Chuck” Hendry, creator of Restored Truth, whose growing influence was evident in the considerable grief and affection expressed throughout the LDS apologetic community following his passing. Tonight on Mormon Newscast — August 10, 2026. News, context, analysis, and the Mormon stories behind the headlines. 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) DONATE HERE: 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 You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ 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 Podcast is not associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR 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.

    LDS Church Lawsuit Gets Pushback From ACLU & EFF

  3. Aug 6

    "You Will Stay" - When Loyalty Matters More Than Abuse !

    Can a church become so important that no amount of bad leadership, toxic culture, or personal harm should ever cause someone to leave? Recently, Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge made a striking statement: "Darth Vader could be your bishop. The culture could be like Alcatraz... If you see the Church as the kingdom of God on earth, then you will stay." At first glance, this sounds like a call for faith. But beneath the surface lies a powerful psychological framework—one that asks members to separate their lived experience from their evaluation of the institution itself. In this popup Newscast, Radio Free Mormon, Rebecca Bibliotheca, & Bill Reel, examine why this way of thinking can be deeply unhealthy, how it shifts accountability away from institutions and onto individuals, and why it mirrors patterns commonly found in high-demand groups. We'll explore questions like: • When does loyalty become unhealthy? • Should abuse or toxic leadership count as evidence about an institution? • Why do some organizations teach people to distrust their own experiences? • How does this mindset contribute to spiritual abuse, learned helplessness, and institutional protection? • Would we accept this reasoning from a corporation, a political party, a marriage, or a therapist? Rather than simply criticizing one Church leader, this episode investigates the psychology of institutional loyalty and asks whether truth should ever require us to ignore reality. Whether you're an active Latter-day Saint, someone navigating faith transition, or simply interested in the psychology of belief and high-demand organizations, this conversation offers a thoughtful framework for evaluating one of the most consequential questions anyone can ask: Should commitment to an institution ever come before evidence, experience, and conscience? Join the conversation below: Do you think Elder Corbridge's statement reflects healthy faith—or unhealthy institutional loyalty? What was your reaction when you first heard it? #Mormonism #LDS #ExMormon #FaithCrisis #ReligiousTrauma #Psychology #SpiritualAbuse #HighDemandReligion #MormonDiscussion #MormonNewscast 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) DONATE HERE: 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 You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ 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 Podcast is not associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR 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.

    "You Will Stay" - When Loyalty Matters More Than Abuse !

  4. Jul 28

    All The News That's Fit To Podcast!

    This week on the Mormon Newscast, we’ll cover the arrest of a BYU professor accused of creating AI-generated CSA images. And we’ll examine the latest developments in the Reese Riggins case, where members of his LDS ward have continued to rally around him despite new allegations while on parole. We’ll also bring you updates involving three different mission presidents, look at the Church’s decision to replace Gospel Principles with Gospel Foundations, discuss Stephen King’s reaction to having one of his well-known books banned in Utah, explore the latest batch of newly released LDS hymns and why they sound even more traditionally Christian, and finish with a lighter story about why the Church seems to be emphasizing “less coffee and more Jesus.” Stay with us—we’ve got a lot to cover. This and much more on tonight's Mormon Newscast! 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) DONATE HERE: 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 You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ 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 Podcast is not associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR 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. #MormonNews #LDSNews #Mormonism #ExMormon #LDSChurch #FaithT#Mormon #LDS #MormonNews #MormonNewscast #MormonDiscussion #LDSChurch #ChurchNews #BYU #MittRomney #Rexburg #CSA #Mormonism

    All The News That's Fit To Podcast!

  5. Jul 21

    Utah Flash Flood Takes Family's Life

    This week on A Mormon Newscast, we begin with the heartbreaking flash flood tragedy in Wayne County, Utah, where five members of one family lost their lives in one of the state's deadliest natural disasters in recent memory. We also clear up confusion that spread through early media reports regarding the family's relationships and discuss why these tragic events serve as a sobering reminder of the dangers of Utah's flash flood season. Then we dive into another week of Mormon news and controversy. We examine the Church's celebration of fashion designer Pono, bring you the latest temple developments, discuss Jana Riess' newest article about Jesus and what it says about modern Mormonism, and cover the backlash surrounding Pawley's Christian church comments. We also report on Mormon manslaughter charges, an alleged child sexual abuse offender getting married, and why the upcoming publication of William Clayton's journals has thrust polygamy deniers back into the spotlight. Finally, we look at a proposal that could transfer ownership of Martin's Cove from the federal government to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, raising interesting questions about stewardship, history, and one of Mormonism's most sacred pioneer sites. Join us live as we unpack the week's biggest stories, add historical context, and explore what they mean for members, former members, and anyone interested in 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) DONATE HERE: 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 You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ 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 Podcast is not associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR 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. #MormonNews #LDSNews #Mormonism #ExMormon #LDSChurch #FaithT#Mormon #LDS #MormonNews #MormonNewscast #MormonDiscussion #LDSChurch #ChurchNews #BYU #MittRomney #Rexburg #CSA #Mormonism

    Utah Flash Flood Takes Family's Life

  6. Jul 14

    Mormon Apostle's Brother Pleads Guilty 07.13.2026

    Tonight's Mormon Newscast is packed with major developments affecting the LDS Church, Mormon culture, and the communities surrounding it. Our lead story examines the guilty plea entered by the brother of a sitting LDS apostle, D. Todd Christofferson. We also cover: • A news article asking why many gay Latter-day Saints choose to remain in the Church despite teachings that often place them in an impossible position. • BYU Football's surprising new sponsorship deal with an energy drink company, and why some members see it as a notable cultural shift. • Mitt Romney says 80 years old is simply too old to serve in public office. We'll discuss what that might mean for American politics and Church leadership. • Another arson scenario at BYU-I is resolved in court • A job removing annotations shed light on the process Join us live as we separate fact from speculation, provide historical and psychological context, and explore the stories shaping Mormonism today. Leave your thoughts in the comments. Which story do you think has the biggest long-term implications?

    Mormon Apostle's Brother Pleads Guilty 07.13.2026

  7. Jul 7

    Charlie Kirk Preliminary Hearing Starts Today 07.06.2026

    The preliminary hearing has begun for the man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, and prosecutors are laying out the evidence they believe justifies taking the case to trial. We examine the latest developments, the Mormon connection to the accused, and what this case says about America's increasingly volatile political climate. Also tonight: • The LDS church seems to be highlighting a male fashion designer, ballet dancer whose controversial style has generated discussion among Latter-day Saints. • Pete Hegseth's spiritual adviser argues that Latter-day Saints shouldn't hold public office in his vision of America. • Elder Rasband delivers a patriotic address that seems to be a throw back to past Mormon ideas • The Church releases a new Child Protection document in Australia. What does this do to bishop's interviews? • The Church announces its temples are now engineered to withstand the most severe earthquakes. • A unified fast for religious freedom was held on Sunday, July 5th, the same day as National Potluck Day. • A Teancum Story No Mormon Expected. Join Bill Reel, Radio Free Mormon, Rebecca Bibliotheca, and the Mormon Newscast team as they break down the week's biggest stories involving Mormonism & The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offering context, analysis, and commentary you won't find in the official narrative. If you value independent journalism covering Mormonism, please consider supporting our work. IDONATE TO SUPPORT THE MORMON NEWSCAST: https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast https://donorbox.org/the-mormon-newscast Please like, subscribe, and share this episode to help us continue bringing thoughtful, evidence-based coverage of Mormonism and its impact. 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) DONATE HERE: 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 You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ 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 Podcast is not associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR 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. #MormonNews #LDSNews #Mormonism #ExMormon #LDSChurch #FaithT

    Charlie Kirk Preliminary Hearing Starts Today 07.06.2026

  8. Jul 1

    No Prison? No Registry? LDS CSA Case Sparks Outrage 06.30.2026

    Another week, another breakdown of stories from the world of Mormonism. This week we begin with a story of an LDS bishopric counselor accepting a plea deal that could allow him to avoid prison and registration. We'll break down the allegations, the plea agreement, and why so many are questioning the outcome. We'll also cover a Young Women's activity that many are calling an example of normalizing grooming behavior, another Utah dentist accused of using trust and religious influence to prey on a teenage intern, the ongoing visa debacle involving the Mongolia Mission President, and a fascinating new portrait of Joseph Smith based on the controversial daguerreotype believed by some to be the only photograph of the Mormon founder. We'll also discuss rumors of confirmation ordinances being performed before baptism in the temple, a new BYU study on retention and the growing gender gap in the Church, another temple name change, President Dallin H. Oaks' latest missionary guidance and reaffirmation of exclusive LDS truth claims, the Church's expanding LDS praise music concerts, and the opening of the new Nauvoo Visitors' Center. Join Rebecca Bibliotheca, and Bill Reel as we examine another week of Mormon news, history, and the stories shaping the Church today. DONATE TO SUPPORT THE MORMON NEWSCAST: https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcasthttps://donorbox.org/the-mormon-newscast

    No Prison? No Registry? LDS CSA Case Sparks Outrage 06.30.2026
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5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Podcasters Rebecca Bibliotheca, Bill Reel, and Radio Free Mormon bring you an exciting and informative weekly news podcast covering timely and important topics in the Mormon space.

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