Salty Saints

Hayden Holm

Inspiring Latter-day Saint content, without the spirit voice or green jell-o, to strengthen your faith, family, and community. Join us as we navigate staying faithful in spite of the world, the culture, and social media. Tune in for debunkings, discussions on gospel topics, missionary stories, cultural callouts, and navigating questions faithfully.

  1. 1d ago

    Why A "Gay Ex-Mormon" Goes to Church + LGBT Conferences for LDS Youth

    Why would a gay former Church member actively choose to attend Latter-day Saint ward meetings every Sunday? And how does true Christian fellowship contrast with progressive organizations marketing "faith-affirming" youth conferences to teens?In this episode, we are joined by Tember Harward—a Latter-day Saint who previously lived in the homosexual lifestyle before choosing baptism, temple covenants, and traditional marriage. Together, we analyze the rising trend of independent "LGBT Conferences for LDS Youth" like Gather for Youth (GFY), deconstruct their study guides instructing families to "reframe" canonized scripture like D&C 131, and examine why standing on prophetic truth is the ultimate act of Christlike love.From viral counter-narratives of real ward belonging to the hidden traps of "untethered empathy," we break down what parents, leaders, and youth need to know to navigate the modern "Shadow Faith."Check out our community for dads: strengthofdads.com.Tember's Bloghttps://latterdaymusings.com/ Sign up for our retreat!https://strengthofdads.com/retreat Chapters00:00 Introduction to GFY and its controversy02:00 Guest introductions and their backgrounds04:08 Initial impressions of GFY marketing materials05:59 Discussion on the role of allies and community support07:55 Concerns about the content and teaching at GFY10:10 Analysis of the scriptural and doctrinal messaging11:53 The impact of leadership and influence in GFY14:12 Resources for LDS parents and youth safety16:08 The end goal and potential future of GFY17:59 How to protect faith and family from risky programs20:04 Final thoughts and resources for parents#lds

  2. 4d ago

    I Stood Up for the Church's $1 Million Donation (feat. Maddy Packer)

    Why did The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints make a historic $1 million donation to oppose Idaho's Proposition 1? In this episode, Hayden Holm sits down with pro-life advocate Maddy Packer — recently featured in the Salt Lake Tribune — to discuss the high-stakes ballot initiative, institutional moral advocacy in politics, and why she is taking a public stand. Together, we break down Maddy's viral campaign against Prop 1, how Latter-day Saints are reacting to the Church's financial involvement, and the core philosophical question driving the debate: Does the right to choose depend on the right to life?In this episode, we cover:• The $1M Donation: Unpacking the Church's financial involvement in Idaho's Prop 1 ballot fight.• Maddy Packer in the Media: How the Salt Lake Tribune framed her advocacy and the member response to her public platform.• "Right to Choose" vs. "Right to Life": Analyzing Maddy's viral video response to Idaho's ballot initiative.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to the debate on church and Prop 1 in Idaho03:36 Church's financial support for anti-abortion initiatives09:56 Media portrayal and language manipulation in social issues14:49 Members' reactions and the polarization within the church19:46 The church's doctrinal stance on abortion and morality25:02 How members can navigate political differences in faith30:09 The importance of voting and civic engagement35:01 Church's involvement in political issues and separation of church and state39:58 The role of clear communication and avoiding word salad45:00 The moral responsibility of members in political participation49:51 Final thoughts and call to action for members—Learn more about For The Strength of Dads: https://strengthofdads.comJoin us at the FSD Men's Retreat — March 4–6, 2027, Rockville, Utah: https://strengthofdads.com/retreat

  3. Oct 15

    LDS Bishop Calls Cops on Trans Person + Confronting Conference Protestors

    What really happened when a bishop called the police on a transgender member at church? In this episode, Hayden Holm sits down with Juliet Ingram to analyze the viral video surrounding the incident, as well as Juliet’s firsthand experience approaching and interviewing street protesters outside General Conference.Together, we unpack the stark difference between aggressive, performative outrage tactics and genuine, Christlike dialogue. From high-stakes local boundary decisions to street evangelists holding "burning in hell" graphics, we discuss how Latter-day Saints can defend their faith, respect sacred spaces, and disarm hostility with calm, quiet curiosity.In this episode, we cover:• The Viral Police Incident: Unpacking the video of an LDS bishop confronting and calling law enforcement regarding a transgender attendee.• Confronting Conference Protesters: Juliet shares what happened when she brought a microphone directly to street evangelists outside the Conference Center.• Aggressive Tactics vs. True Evangelism: Do fear-based signs, megaphones, and online outrage ever actually convert anyone?• The Social Media Echo Chamber: How algorithms amplify outrage culture, apologists, and sensationalized clips during General Conference.• Navigating Sacred Spaces & Boundaries: Balancing compassion, institutional guidelines, and gospel principles in modern church life.• How Members Can Respond: Practical advice for handling public hostility, standing firm in doctrine, and engaging others with love and sincere testimony.Guests & Resources:https://www.instagram.com/mjuliet_ingram/ https://x.com/ThoughtfulSaint/status/2109292220012486694?s=20 📌 Timestamp Chapters:00:00 Introduction to the episode and main themes04:34 Juliet Ingram's perspective on the bishop's response and love in action08:11 The bishop's handling of the protest and calling police11:16 Juliet's interaction with the protester and his reaction15:20 Members' strategies for engaging with protesters at General Conference18:25 The impact of protest tactics on faith and community environment22:13 The spirit of conference and the role of protestors25:20 Effectiveness of protest tactics in converting members30:39 Advice for protesters and engaging with faith respectfully34:00 The importance of understanding and compassion in evangelism37:35 The value of questions and disarming tactics in conversations39:41 The role of protests in strengthening faith and community42:03 The example of Alma and the Zoramites in love and service43:00 Reflections on Lehi's vision and the spirit of conference44:14 Advice for fathers and families in faith and defense45:56 The importance of strong relationships and sincere testimony46:41 Preparing youth for challenging social media and protest encounters47:04 Juliet Ingram's projects and social media presence47:48 Updates on Jeff Borders' book and upcoming projects48:11 Closing remarks and encouragement for faith and kindnessJoin our community and check out our upcoming retreat:https://strengthofdads.com/ 🔔 Subscribe for more faithful discussions on LDS doctrine, church culture, and gospel analysis!#lds

  4. Oct 12

    Why Didn't Conference Mention the Family Proclamation?

    Why wasn't "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" explicitly mentioned at General Conference? In this episode, Hayden Holm and Kimball Call dive into the nuances of LDS doctrine, church culture, and how members can navigate complex social topics like LGBTQ+ issues and the Family Proclamation with deep humility and faith.From Jim Bennett’s viral tweet to David Archuleta’s recent interviews, we explore the difference between changing cultural practices and unchanging eternal doctrine—and why trusting prophetic stewardship is key to staying grounded.In this episode, we cover:• Bringing Questions to Christ: How to navigate doubt, hard questions, and online noise without losing your faith anchor.• The Family Proclamation Debate: Unpacking members' reactions, Jim Bennett's tweet, and why the core principles remain foundational.• Doctrine vs. Culture: Identifying the boundary between eternal covenant standards and evolving church practices.• LGBTQ+ & Church Standards: A thoughtful look at modern cultural conversations, David Archuleta’s interview, and gospel-centered family ideals.• Prophetic Stewardship: Why trust in church leadership matters when culture pressures standards to shift.Check out:https://strengthofdads.com/ 📌 Timestamp Chapters:00:00 - Introduction & Episode Overview01:52 - Kimball Call's Background & Perspective04:00 - Faith Questions & The Example of Harris Quavius07:05 - Bringing Your Hardest Questions to Jesus Christ09:08 - Conference Reactions & The Family Proclamation12:08 - Jim Bennett’s Tweet & The Online Response14:12 - Is The Family Proclamation Unchanging Doctrine?17:57 - Ideal Families vs. Real-World Challenges21:57 - Church Standards, Eternal Doctrine & Cultural Shifts26:53 - David Archuleta’s Interview & LGBTQ+ Discussions30:06 - The Subtlety of Subtle Rebellion vs. Faithfulness33:51 - Temple Ordinances & Doctrinal Consistency38:05 - Stewardship & Trusting Church Leaders42:58 - The Danger of Changing Standards to Appease Culture48:09 - Faith, Love & Humility in Church Discussions52:12 - Final Thoughts: Navigating Your Faith Journey🔔 Subscribe for more faithful discussions on LDS doctrine, church governance, and gospel culture!💬 Drop a comment below: How do you balance holding fast to core doctrine while maintaining love and humility in tough conversations? Let's talk in the comments!#lds

  5. Oct 8

    The Lost Symbolism of Eden and Lehi’s Vision (feat. D.J. Butler)

    Why did Lehi’s vision of the Tree of Life mirror the Garden of Eden? In this deep dive, author D.J. Butler breaks down the lost symbolism behind ancient myths, American folklore, nursery rhymes, and scriptural boundaries—revealing how ancient prophets used Edenic imagery as a master blueprint for human potential and crossing into the divine.In this episode, we cover:• The Lost Eden Symbolism: Why ancient stories aren't false myths, but precise symbolic maps of reality.• Lehi’s Vision Decoded: How the Tree of Life functions as a direct parallel to the Garden of Eden.• Crossing Divine Boundaries: What sacred texts teach about stepping beyond spiritual barriers.• Folklore & Mythology: Re-evaluating nursery rhymes, American tall tales, and ancient archetypes.About D.J. Butler: D.J. Butler is an acclaimed author of epic fantasy and historical fiction (including Witchy Eye), known for his deep exploration of folk magic, ancient religion, and narrative symbolism.Check out the Witchy Wars Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hapaxpress/the-witchy-war/ Dads, you weren’t meant to do this alone. Join the brotherhood at https://strengthofdads.com,and join us at the For the Strength of Dads men’s retreat📌 Timestamp Chapters:0:00 Lehi’s Vision and the Gods0:27 Welcome to Salty Saints1:26 Dash of Salt: The BYU LARPing Party8:55 Miss Rachel and Rewriting Kids’ Stories13:54 The Power of Myth: Br’er Rabbit and Song of the South19:08 Eden: The Great Myth of the Nephites22:21 The Border Between Mankind and the Gods23:47 Lehi’s Vision and the Tree of Life27:28 Gardens, Grim Fairy Tales, and Soul Work30:32 Witchy Eye and the Witchy War Trilogy33:23 American Folklore, Cahokia, and the Mound Builders36:46 Giants in American History45:20 Who Decides What a Story Means?49:20 Myth Isn’t False: D.J.’s Path to Writing51:28 Jordan Peterson and the Power of Symbols52:53 The Kickstarter and New Press Announcement60:08 World-Building: Whose Facts Are the Facts?61:53 Read More Stories: Temple, Story, and Your Kids69:13 Where to Find D.J. and the FSD Men’s Retreat🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into scriptural symbolism, theology, and ancient history!💬 Drop a comment below: What part of Lehi’s vision or Eden’s symbolism stood out to you the most?

  6. Oct 5

    Why an Ex-Mormon Critic Just Came Back to the Church

    After running a popular anti-LDS YouTube channel for over two years and spending a decade as an atheist, Dave Sylvester set out to disprove the Church using original 1800s source material. Instead, he ended up converting himself back.In this episode, Dave sits down with us to share his incredible journey from critic to believer. We dive deep into his "wrestle with God," why his deep-dive research dismantled his own arguments, how he rebuilt his faith on a sure foundation, and his vision for bringing all the good together.---📌 KEY DISCUSSION POINTS:• From 10 years of atheism to running the "Mormon Auditor" channel• The unexpected moment deep research stopped his criticism and restored his faith• Balancing logic and spiritual experiences: "God pinned me in the ring"• Dealing with church history, Joseph Smith, and human flaws without losing your testimony• Putting faith in principles over people & avoiding the "arm of flesh"• Ongoing restoration vs. ongoing apostasy in a changing world---🤝 JOIN THE STRENGTH OF DADS BROTHERHOOD:Connect with intentional LDS fathers and leaders building real strength, covenant homes, and deep brotherhood:👉 https://strengthofdads.comFollow:@BringAllTheGood Chapters: Chapters00:00 Introduction and Dave's background02:16 Starting the Mormon Audit channel08:29 Journey out of and back into the church11:32 Critical content creation and motivations20:28 Initial goals and paradigm shifts21:18 The Charlie Kirk moment and paradigm shift23:19 Impact of debates and social media28:44 Returning to church and family reactions36:19 First experience back at church48:24 New channel: Bring All the Good50:16 Deep dives into church history51:53 Advice for active members facing doubts52:49 The importance of engaging with ideas55:33 Final thoughts and where to find Dave---#LDS

  7. Oct 1

    Ep. 157 - Why Women Wore Purple To Church

    Are modern cultural movements quietly reshaping how members view the gospel, family, and covenant roles? In this episode, we sit down with Fellowship of Eve to break down the rise of modern feminism within the LDS culture, how social media algorithms fuel ideological drift, and why so many are trading eternal covenants for secular moral frameworks. We discuss the root ideologies threatening traditional homes, how anti-male and anti-family rhetoric impacts young men and women, and how faithful Saints can stand firm in Christ against shifting cultural tides.Key Topics Covered:The "Wear Purple" Campaign: Analyzing political activism in Sunday worship spaces.Irreverence in the Chapel: Reacting to modern social media trends in primary rooms.Feminism vs. Divine Womanhood: Restoring covenant order and family leadership with Fellowship of Eve.Links:https://strengthofdads.com/programs#retreat Fellowship of Eve - https://www.instagram.com/fellowshipofeve/ @TheFellowshipofEve Chapters00:00 Introduction to the topic of feminism at church04:29 Reactions to women dancing in church settings07:19 Discussion of 'wear purple' day and its implications11:28 Church leaders' directives on pro-life support20:11 Responses from church members and leadership28:37 The role of elders quorum and local leadership39:28 Historical roots of feminism and its influence50:49 Moral frameworks: Gospel vs. feminist ideology53:56 Resources and where to find more information#lds

  8. Sep 28

    Ep. 156 - I Debated 10 Creedal Christians At Once (Here's The Playbook)

    If God is all-powerful and perfectly good, why does He allow suffering, natural disasters, and evil to exist? In this episode of Salty Saints, Hayden Carroll breaks down his intense 4-hour debate against 10 Creedal Christian scholars, focusing on the creation dilemma, presuppositional logic, and how to hold your ground under high-pressure questioning. Beyond the debate tactics, we dive deep into the philosophy of theology: how God’s nature defines goodness, why common objections against Christian doctrines fall short, and how Latter-day Saint fathers can teach their kids to navigate these heavy faith questions with total composure. What We Cover in This Episode:The Creation Dilemma & God’s Attributes: Unpacking the logic behind why God allows evil and suffering. Presuppositional Apologetics: How to examine the core assumptions behind tough theological objections. Maintaining Composure Under Fire: Practical strategies for keeping your cool when debating 10 people at once. The Fatherhood Playbook: How to prepare youth to defend their faith without losing Christlike graceFeatured Links and Resources: Grab a copy of Hayden's Book: https://a.co/d/032SS9IQGrab your spot at our upcoming men's retreat: https://strengthofdads.com/event-retreatChapters:Chapters00:00 Introduction to Hayden Carroll and debate background03:59 Jeff Durbin's street apologetics and critique07:10 Two main approaches to apologetics: accept or question presuppositions14:53 Handling aggressive opponents and maintaining composure19:59 The importance of preparation and knowing your arguments26:01 The creation dilemma and God's attributes30:00 Dealing with weak arguments and unprepared opponents35:00 The role of logic and questioning in debates40:04 The significance of understanding different faith perspectives45:08 The impact of online apologetics and future resources

About

Inspiring Latter-day Saint content, without the spirit voice or green jell-o, to strengthen your faith, family, and community. Join us as we navigate staying faithful in spite of the world, the culture, and social media. Tune in for debunkings, discussions on gospel topics, missionary stories, cultural callouts, and navigating questions faithfully.

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