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

Mormon News Roundup
  • 3.7 (55)
  • 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. 16H AGO

    A Mormon Apostle at Harvard: Debunking Jeffrey Holland’s Dubious Restoration Claims

    Today I respond directly to a talk given by Jeffrey R. Holland at Harvard Law School — not a devotional, not a church sermon, but a presentation delivered in one of the most prestigious academic settings in the world.In this talk, Holland claims that Mormonism represents the restoration of original Christianity, not a deviation from it. He makes sweeping assertions about:Apostasy and priesthood authorityThe nature of God and JesusWhy Latter-day Saints shouldn’t be considered creedal ChristiansThe First Vision, Adam and Eve, revelation, and divine authorityIn this video, I engage directly with Holland’s own words — no strawmen, no caricatures, no social-media summaries. I examine:Whether these claims hold up historicallyWhether they make sense biblicallyWhether they stand up logicallyAnd whether emotional conviction can substitute for evidenceWhen someone makes global historical claims and cosmic authority claims in an academic setting, the standard of evidence should be higher — not lower. In this response, I walk through why Holland’s presentation leans heavily on rhetoric and tradition, but offers no verifiable support for the extraordinary claims being made.If you care about truth, evidence, and how religious claims hold up outside the bubble of faith, this one’s for you.👍 If you found this useful, hit like💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments🔔 Subscribe for more critical breakdowns of Mormon claims and LDS leadership narrativesPlease 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.

    16 min

  2. 1D AGO

    ExMormon Therapists Talk LDS Changes & Church Future! Dr. Julie Hanks & Valerie Hamaker

    Join Dr. Julie Hanks and Valerie Hamaker, two feminist therapists, as they dive into the latest changes in the LDS Church:Updates to garmentsShifts in female missionary agesNew rules for women entering the templeThey also discuss the future of the church and how patriarchy impacts both men and women, exploring what these changes mean for members and ex-members alike.🎥 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated with thoughtful discussions on Mormonism, feminism, and reform.#MormonNews #FeministMormon #LDSChanges #JulieHanks #ValerieHamaker #ExMormonPlease 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.

    43 min

  3. 2D AGO

    Deconstructing ExMormon Patriarchy | Shots FIRED at Bill Reel, RFM, John Dehlin, Thrive and...

    What happens when ex-Mormonism starts looking a little too much like the patriarchy it claims to have escaped?In this explosive conversation, Joe Rawlins of The Hellfire Agency and Rene Steelman of She Became Visible sit down to deconstruct ex-Mormon patriarchy—and nothing is off limits.🔥 Shots are fired at some of the most recognizable names in the ex-Mormon space, including Bill Reel, Radio Free Mormon, John Dehlin, and others.🔥 Power dynamics, visibility, gatekeeping, and gender imbalance are put under the microscope.🔥 Tough questions are asked: Is Thrive sexist? Who gets amplified—and who gets sidelined?🔥 They name names, challenge sacred cows, and refuse to play nice.This isn’t a pile-on. It’s a hard conversation about accountability, influence, and whether ex-Mormon communities are truly dismantling patriarchy—or quietly rebuilding it.If you care about transparency, equity, and honest critique within post-Mormon spaces, this episode is required viewing.👇 Jump into the comments—but bring receipts.Original Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds19tegYFFU&t=703sPlease 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

  4. 3D AGO

    Kate Kelly: From Mormon Insider to Excommunicated Feminist Firebrand | Full Story!

    Many people have heard of Kate Kelly—the Mormon feminist who challenged church power—but few know her full story.In this episode of Mormon News Roundup, we trace her journey in chronological order: from a faithful member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the founder of Ordain Women, and ultimately to a nationally recognized advocate for gender equality and the Equal Rights Amendment.This video covers:The founding of Ordain Women and the 2013 General Conference protestThe theological and ethical arguments for women’s ordinationThe events leading up to her 2014 excommunicationNational media coverage and public reactionLife after the LDS Church, including activism in feminism and reproductive rightsHer evolution into a broader political and cultural voiceThrough interviews, speeches, and key moments, you’ll see how Kate Kelly’s story reflects the power—and cost—of challenging institutional authority from within.🎥 Featured clips:Ordain Women protest (2013)Mormon Stories early dialoguePre- and post-excommunication interviewsNPR, CBS, and long-form reflectionsLater activism and ERA advocacy👉 Watch the related shorts:Kate Kelly overview: https://youtube.com/shorts/6wJlt7x1z1A?feature=shareWhy Ordain Women mattered: https://youtube.com/shorts/ZF3ngJZ3268?feature=share📌 This is the complete story—from belief to dissent to national influence.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.

    44 min

  5. 4D AGO

    Did Joseph Smith Fake the Gold Plates? Dan Vogel Breaks It Down

    Hey everyone, I’m Dives, and welcome back to The Mormon News Roundup.Today, we’re breaking down a fascinating deep-dive from historian Dan Vogel on one of the most iconic claims in Mormonism: the Book of Mormon gold plates.His original video runs over an hour—but in this episode, I cut through the noise and give you the most important insights in a clear, digestible format.🎥 Watch Dan Vogel’s Original Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEwzcMEzOaU&t=1s👇 What This Video Covers👉 If Joseph Smith fabricated the plates… how would he have actually done it using 1820s technology?In this breakdown, we explore:The real-world difficulty of creating metal plates in the 1820sWhy most witnesses never saw the plates uncoveredHow materials like tin, copper, or shingles could match descriptionsThe strange “greenish” appearance reported by early witnessesA modern tin plate replica experiment matching reported weightWhy the plates may only have needed to look convincing through a cloth or inside a boxAnd what Joseph Smith’s neighbors didn’t say that might matter🧠 Key TakeawayDan Vogel argues something nuanced:Fully gold, engraved plates? Highly implausibleA partially concealed, convincingly weighted object? Much more plausibleThis aligns with historical accounts suggesting the plates were often covered, boxed, or only partially seen, which lowers the bar for what needed to be physically created.💬 Join the DiscussionDo you think the plates were:Genuine ancient artifacts?A physical prop?Something more complicated?Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇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.

    18 min

  6. 5D AGO

    Escaping Mormonism Isn’t Simple | Jimmy Snow (Mr Atheist) Tells His Full Story

    Leaving the Mormon Church isn’t just about stopping attendance—it’s about undoing a lifetime of conditioning, shame, fear, and identity control.In this episode, Jimmy Snow (Mr Atheist) shares his full Mormon timeline: growing up deeply embedded in LDS leadership culture, early childhood indoctrination, purity shame, priesthood pressure, sexual guilt, Proposition 8, and the slow, painful realization that the church’s truth claims simply don’t hold up to reality.Jimmy walks through:Why “leaving the church” isn’t the same as escaping MormonismChildhood indoctrination and the illusion of choice at baptismSexual shame, guilt cycles, and priesthood hypocrisyThe moment belief finally collapsedHiding atheism, family fallout, and identity crisisWhy life after Mormonism—despite hardship—became happier and healthierThis is not an attack—it’s an honest account of deprogramming, rebuilding values, and learning how to live without fear of eternal punishment.If you’re questioning, transitioning out, or trying to understand why leaving Mormonism is so hard, this story may sound uncomfortably familiar.🧠 Skepticism over shame❤️ Community over control🕊️ Freedom over fearSubscribe for more ex-Mormon stories, atheist content, and critical thinking.Leave a comment—especially if you’re on your own exit journey.Original Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rRjW6VXk5kPlease 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.

    22 min

  7. 6D AGO

    The Mormon Word of Wisdom: How the LDS Church Skirts History in Misleading "Now You Know" Video

    In 2019, the LDS Church released a new video on the Word of Wisdom, also known as the Lord’s Law of Health. With over 200,000 views, the video attempts to explain why Latter-day Saints abstain from alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea, and drugs—but it glosses over the messy historical reality.From its origins in 1833, the Word of Wisdom was shaped by the temperance movement, early 19th-century cultural habits, and practical concerns—like Emma Smith confronting Joseph Smith about tobacco in the School of the Prophets. Yet early church members, including Joseph Smith himself, continued to drink alcohol and smoke for decades.This Mormon News Roundup episode highlights how the 2019 video uses simplified imagery and cartoony narration to:Portray early leaders as polished and scholarlyPortray outsiders as bumbling or immoralAvoid explaining that the Word of Wisdom was not a commandment until the 1920sSkip over real historical issues, like cholera outbreaks, boiling water, and inconsistencies in “hot drinks” definitionsWe break down the historical context, the real social influences behind the Word of Wisdom, and why the Church continues to present a sanitized version of history—even in 2019.📌 Watch as we expose the gap between official LDS presentation and the historical record.Based on: https://www.ldsdiscussions.com/wowPlease 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. MAY 3

    The Book of Mormon Gold Plates Problem: Breaking Down the LDS “Now You Know” Propoganda Video

    In April 2020, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a “Now You Know” video explaining the gold plates—the foundation of the Book of Mormon. But how complete is that explanation?In this video, we walk through the Church’s presentation line by line, comparing it with historical sources, primary documents, and modern scholarship. What emerges is a pattern: simplified storytelling, selective framing, and major unanswered questions.We examine:The evolving accounts of Joseph Smith’s First VisionThe timeline inconsistencies surrounding Moroni’s visitThe physical plausibility of the gold plates (weight, size, transport)The seer stone in a hat vs traditional translation narrativeThe “caractors” document vs stylized “reformed Egyptian”The role (or lack thereof) of the plates during translationContradictions and complexities in the witness testimoniesThe absence of archaeological support for large metal recordsAnachronisms within the Book of Mormon itselfIf the gold plates were meant to serve as tangible evidence, why were they rarely used in the translation process—and why were they never made broadly available for examination?This video doesn’t just critique—it compares claims to evidence, and narrative to historical record.📚 Sources referenced include historical documents, early accounts, and the work of historians such as Dan Vogel.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.

    18 min
See All (232)

3.7
out of 5
55 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

Information

You Might Also Like