Welcome to the weekly MormonNewsRoundup where Al & Dives ruminate on the great and spacious Beehive!

Mormon News Roundup
  • 3.7 (54)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Dives and crew are to enlighten the world with all the best weekly updates on what's going on in Mormondom! We embrace controversy because we know our listeners crave hearing all the latest LDS news. We bring you all the facts mingled with insightful opinions of the hosts. A humorous and entertaining podcast looking at LDS related current events. We find the news articles that you just can't find anywhere else. Failing to listen to this podcast is a major victory for Satan! So please join us in the great and spacious beehive where no loud laughter is allowed! kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org

  1. MAR 27

    They Said “I’m a Mormon.” We Said “I’m an Ex-Mormon.”

    In 2010, the LDS Church launched the “I’m a Mormon” campaign—a sleek, high-budget public relations effort designed to normalize Mormon identity and counter negative stereotypes. Through billboards, ads, and professionally produced videos, members introduced themselves by name, profession, and family role before confidently declaring, “I’m a Mormon.”The message was clear: Mormonism was diverse, optimistic, mainstream, and culturally safe. What was less visible were the distinctive doctrines, historical controversies, and institutional practices that didn’t fit the brand. Critics later argued the campaign wasn’t transparency—it was image management.Then, in 2018, church leadership abruptly reversed course, discouraging use of the word “Mormon” altogether—effectively disavowing the very branding the campaign had spent years promoting.Ex-Mormons responded in their own way.The “I Am an Ex-Mormon” movement emerged as a grassroots counter-campaign, replacing polished talking points with lived experience. Former members shared stories of doubt, harm, loss, growth, and awakening—often at great personal cost.This video is a compilation of some of my favorite Ex-Mormon vignettes from that era. These are real people, from all walks of life, living full and happy lives—telling their stories in their own words.No rebranding.No corporate messaging.Just truth.I hope you enjoy.Please consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

    1h 28m

  2. MAR 25

    Is the Mormon Stories Podcast in Trouble? | Declining Subscribers & Controversies Analyzed

    Is the Mormon Stories Podcast actually in trouble—or is it simply entering a new phase of its lifecycle? Over the past few years, Mormon Stories has been one of the most influential voices in the post-Mormon and faith-crisis space. But recent trends in subscriber growth, viewership, and organizational behavior have raised questions about what’s really happening.In this video, we break down the numbers:* 2023: ~117K new subscribers, ~46.8M new views* 2024: ~57K new subscribers, ~35M new views* 2025: ~28K new subscribers, ~20M new viewsWe also explore possible reasons for the decline, including:* Controversies involving staff and public incidents* Criticism from former colleagues and community members* Increasing competition in faith-based and ex-Mormon content* Shifts in audience attention spans and content preferences* Cultural and societal trends affecting religious engagementFinally, we ask the big question: is this a real decline, or a natural plateau after years of rapid growth?💬 **Share your thoughts:**If you’ve followed Mormon Stories, how has your viewing behavior changed over time? Do you think long-form podcasts still have a future, or are audiences moving toward shorter, more structured content?Watch, analyze, and discuss with us. Your perspective matters.Based on this video: https://youtu.be/n3XKBypEhTs?si=_qbUvyyZK42v3VfZPlease consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

    9 min

  3. MAR 23

    10 Lies Mormons Tell Themselves | Hidden Truths of the LDS Church EXPOSED By Insider!

    Millions of Mormons cling to faith despite contradictions, cover-ups, and corruption in church history, doctrine, and leadership. In this video, The Hidden Files of the Mormon Church exposes 10 common lies Latter-day Saints tell themselves — the mental gymnastics used to defend the LDS Church — and explains why each one falls apart under scrutiny.Watch as we break down these familiar apologetic excuses and reveal the truth behind the narratives. These aren’t harmless misunderstandings; they’re deliberate strategies to shield faith from facts.📺 Original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrtLxHNsTu0#ExMormon #MormonismExposed #LDSChurch #FaithCrisis #HiddenFilesPlease consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

    11 min

  4. MAR 20

    LDS Leaders AVOIDING Hard Questions on Church Truth Claims | Elder & Sister Rasband Face-to-Face

    On September 13, 2020, Elder and Sister Rasband spoke to youth in a Face-to-Face event hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When asked by a young member named Harry about serious doubts regarding the church’s truth claims, Elder Rasband avoided providing a direct answer.Instead, the Rasbands:Encouraged reframing questions toward reasons to stay in the churchShowed a highly emotional video connecting leaving the church with suicidal strugglesEmphasized generational consequences and eternal family obligationsWarned against engaging with “anti-church literature” onlineThis response mirrors a broader LDS pattern of discouraging doubt and minimizing historical or doctrinal concerns, seen in other devotionals by leaders such as Elder Renlund, Elder Corbridge, Elder Soares, Elder Christensen, and Elder Eyring.In this analysis, we explore how the Rasbands’ approach:Avoids substantive answers to historical or doctrinal questionsRelies on emotion and spiritual manipulation rather than evidenceFails to acknowledge that youth today have access to church history, Gospel Topics essays, and critical resources like LDS Discussions, Mormon Stories, and Radio Free MormonWatch to understand what leaders say—and don’t say—when addressing doubts, and why emotional appeals cannot replace honest engagement with tough questions.🔗 Additional Reading (Based on): https://www.ldsdiscussions.com/rasbands📺 Related analysis:Doubts Are Not Dangerous — They’re Necessary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKi2OOrh6kYPlease Don’t Look Under the Hood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSEsLtwKzvwPlease consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

    21 min

  5. MAR 17

    The Tower of Babel & the Book of Mormon: Why the Story Doesn’t Add Up

    The Tower of Babel story in Genesis is one of the Bible’s most famous myths, explaining the origin of different languages. But what happens when we examine the historical and linguistic evidence?In this video, we break down:Why biblical and secular scholars agree the Tower of Babel was not historicalEvidence of diverse languages long before the Tower of Babel supposedly happenedConnections between the Tower of Babel and the Jaredite story in the Book of MormonHow the historicity of the Book of Mormon depends on a literal Tower of BabelApologetic attempts to defend the story and why they fall shortIf the Tower of Babel is mythical, then Jared’s story, the Nephite interpreters, and even Joseph Smith’s translation claims are also non-historical.We explore why accepting the evidence doesn’t mean fear—it means clarity. As James Talmage said, “No opinion that cannot stand discussion or criticism is worth holding.”Additional Reading/Adapted From: https://www.ldsdiscussions.com/babelPlease consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

    17 min

  6. MAR 14

    The LDS Church Called “Mormon” Satanic… Now They’re SUING Me for Saying It!?

    In this video, we expose the full story:Why Russell M. Nelson suddenly declared “Mormon” satanic in 2018 after nearly 200 years of church usageThe massive rebrand campaign (choir renamed, Mormon.org shut down, members told to correct everyone)How the church quietly kept trademark registrations alive through Intellectual Reserve, Inc.The 2025 legal letters targeting Mormon Stories Podcast, Radio Free Mormon, Mormon Discussions Podcast, and other independent creatorsThe impossible trademark renewal problem coming in 2026–2027What happens when they have to prove in court they still use a word their prophet called evilThe hypocrisy exposed:They say “Mormon” offends God — but won’t let anyone else use it.They claim to defend free speech — but weaponize trademark law against critics.They preach honesty — but hide behind shell companies and legal threats.Trademark attorneys explain why this case could force the church into a corner:👉 Let the trademark lapse and lose control of 200 years of brand equity👉 Or prove they still use “Mormon” in commerce and admit the rebrand was never about revelationTargets of the 2025 legal letters:Mormon Stories Podcast (hosted by John Dehlin)Radio Free MormonMormon Discussions PodcastMormon News Roundup!The trademark renewal deadlines in 2026–2027 may force the church to explain under oath how a word can be both “satanic” and legally owned.If you want to understand institutional hypocrisy at its highest level — this video breaks down the legal manipulation, the censorship disguised as trademark enforcement, and the gap between what the church says and what it actually does.🔔 Subscribe to Mormon Deep Dive for daily investigations into the history, beliefs, money, and power of the Mormon Church.In 2018, Russell M. Nelson stood before millions of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and declared that using the word “Mormon” was not just incorrect — it was a literal “victory for Satan.”The church immediately launched a massive rebrand:The Mormon Tabernacle Choir was renamedMormon.org was shut downMembers were told to correct anyone who used the word “Mormon”Fast-forward to 2025… and the church began sending legal letters to podcasters, critics, and former members demanding they stop using the word “Mormon” because the church claims trademark ownership — through its corporate shell Intellectual Reserve, Inc..Yes.The same word they called satanic.The same word they publicly abandoned.The same word they spent millions telling people not to use.Now they’re claiming exclusive legal control over it.🎥 Full original video referenced:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I2naIDLBa8Please consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

    13 min

  7. FEB 13

    Breaking Down the LDS Identity Crisis | She Became Visible React & Analysis w/Rene Steelman

    In this video, we break down Rene Steelman’s powerful analysis of the LDS Identity Crisis from her original She Became Visible video.Rene explores whether the Church is trying to reshape history, redefine the past, or tighten obedience, and what that means for everyday lived experience.👉 Original Video — Rene Steelman / She Became Visible:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOzD6pOiAp0📌 In this reaction & commentary:• What Rene Steelman means by a LDS identity crisis• How institutional narratives impact personal faith• Why lived experiences still matter• The tension between obedience and authenticity✦ Whether you’re doubting, questioning, or just curious, this discussion is about how people make meaning of their history, identity, and belief.💬 Let me know in the comments:Do you agree that there’s an identity crisis in the LDS world? What experiences shaped your perspective?🔔 Subscribe for more analysis, reaction, and thoughtful conversations on Mormonism & belief.#LDS #Mormon #SheBecameVisible #IdentityCrisis #ChurchHistory #FaithJourneyPlease consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

    20 min

  8. FEB 11

    A Question for the Most Famous ExMormon on the Internet

    This is not a hate video.It’s an attempt to engage honestly with the arguments being made.In this long‑form discussion, we examine:Whether criticizing Mormonism constitutes “hate” or legitimate scrutinyThe difference between testimony, feelings, and evidenceWhy former members continue speaking out after leavingThe moral and historical record of the LDS ChurchTrauma, indoctrination, authority, and the cost of silenceWhy truth claims must meet the same evidentiary standards as everything else in lifeThis video addresses Mormonism’s:Racism, sexism, and polygamyTreatment of LGBTQ+ peopleFinancial secrecy and hoardingShifting doctrines and prophetic failuresSupernatural claims that fail independent verificationIf the Church’s claims are true, investigation should not threaten them.Truth does not fear questions.This conversation is not about clout, bitterness, or tearing people down—it’s about whether an institution that demands obedience, money, identity, and loyalty can actually justify those demands with evidence.If you want my trust, devotion, or morality, feelings and testimony aren’t enough.Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.Please consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

    24 min
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3.7
out of 5
54 Ratings

About

Dives and crew are to enlighten the world with all the best weekly updates on what's going on in Mormondom! We embrace controversy because we know our listeners crave hearing all the latest LDS news. We bring you all the facts mingled with insightful opinions of the hosts. A humorous and entertaining podcast looking at LDS related current events. We find the news articles that you just can't find anywhere else. Failing to listen to this podcast is a major victory for Satan! So please join us in the great and spacious beehive where no loud laughter is allowed! kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org

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