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Richie and Verlin, hosts of the Cultural Hall podcast, discuss a wide range of topics including upcoming changes to the show, personal experiences with finances and travel, reflections on church history and current events, and humorous anecdotes about church culture. They delve into Lavina’s excommunication story and the church’s handling of her posthumous readmission, Richie’s fictional White House appointment, and the recent election results. They also touch on Elder Holland’s health, the Book of Mormon Musical, mission policy changes, and the possibility of serving at Church historical sites. Their conversation is casual and wide-ranging, reflecting their personal interests and perspectives on faith and life.

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On September 13, 2017, less than two weeks after her wedding, 21-year-old Lindi Marcusen’s life was changed forever. That Wednesday morning Lindi was involved in a head-on collision with a Ford F350 towing a backhoe. Her little car didn’t stand a chance as it was torn in half. Lindi’s right leg was amputated at the scene, she suffered a traumatic brain injury, and the rest of her body was battered and broken. The doctors weren’t sure if she was going to make it, but Lindi is a fighter.

After weeks in the ICU, months in the hospital, and many miracles, Lindi was finally well enough to go home to Spokane, Washington where she began the grueling journey of physical therapy. She had to learn how to walk again. How to get up and sit down. How to function and be able to live her life. It was tough.

It was during these grueling months of physical therapy that Lindi was introduced to the idea of the Paralympics and competing, and this gave her hope. Lindi had been a high-level gymnast from elementary school through high school and had competed in body-building competitions while in college, so Lindi was really drawn to the idea of participating in athletic competitions at a high level. First, she just needed to learn how to walk.

With grit and determination, Lindi learned how to walk again. Then she got special prosthetics and learned how to run and to long jump. It was a long road, but since Lindi had grown up spending hours every day pushing her body to the extremes, driving herself seemed natural. And she loved it.

Lindi joined ParaSport Spokane and started competing in events. And she kept getting better as she pushed her limits. In 2022, Lindi became the T63 National Long Jump Champion. In 2023 Lindi became the National Champion in the T63 100-meter sprint and the Long Jump silver medalist. Then in 2024 Lindi set the American record in the T63 100-meter on her way to qualifying for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Lindi’s record time for the 100-meter sprint was 14.95 seconds, a far cry from the 44 seconds that she ran in her first 100-meter race. And she’s still pushing. She has her sights set on breaking the world record next. She’ll have a shot at it at the Paris Paralympics games.

“Instead of building the destination, build yourself for the journey. You can’t ever rely on knowing what will come your way, but what you can rely on is building the skills to emotionally, mentally, and physically adapt to find yourself in a grounded state connected to your Divine Power.” Lindi Marcusen

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Jason, a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Northern Ireland, concluded his remarkable athletic career this past March. Despite being legally blind due to Stargardt’s disease, he competed at the highest levels of Paralympic sport (T13 classification) and even in elite non-paralympic events. Known for his incredible speed, Jason was once dubbed “The Fastest Paralympian on the Planet,” a title earned by shattering world records at both the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Paralympics. He retires with an undefeated record, leaving behind an inspiring legacy of achievement.

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Nathan B. Oman is the Rita Anne Rollins Professor of Law at William & Mary Law School.  He was educated at Brigham Young University and Harvard Law School.  Oman has spent much of his career studying Latter-day Saint legal history and the place of law in the Restoration, publishing works for both a scholarly audience and for active Latter-day Saints.  Within the Church, he has served in bishoprics, high councils, as a regional director of public affairs, a seminary teacher, and — most importantly — as ward librarian.  He lives in Williamsburg, Virginia with his wife.  They have two children and a dog.

Law and the Restoration: Law and Latter-day Saint Thought and Scripture is a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationship between legal principles and the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Author Nathan B. Oman delves into the profound ways in which Mormon theology intersects with legal concepts, offering readers a detailed analysis of church doctrines, their authority, and their implications for members’ daily lives. In doing so, Oman addresses foundational questions about the nature of church authority, the role of personal judgment, and the dynamic interplay between divine law and secular legal systems. The book is not just an academic treatise but a thoughtful discourse aimed at elucidating how Mormons navigate complex moral and legal landscapes in their quest to reconcile faith with modern societal norms.

Each chapter in Law and Latter-day Saint Thought and Scripture serves as a deep dive into specific aspects of Mormon doctrine and its legal ramifications. From the examination of Nephi’s actions in the Book of Mormon to the contemporary debates surrounding same-sex marriage and civil disobedience, Oman provides a balanced and respectful analysis that seeks to understand rather than critique. This book is an invaluable resource for scholars, legal practitioners, and anyone interested in the intersection of religion and law, providing a rich narrative that underscores the ongoing dialogue between faith and jurisprudence within the Latter-day Saint tradition.

Law and the Restoration: Law and Latter-day Saint History is a profound exploration of the intricate legal history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this first of two volumes, Nathan B. Oman delves into the unique intersection of law and religion, uncovering how legal frameworks have shaped and been shaped by the experiences of Latter-day Saints. Through a series of meticulously researched essays, Oman reveals the profound impact of legal conflicts and developments on the growth and identity of the Church. From the early struggles for legal recognition and the battles over polygamy to the establishment of corporate entities and the role of religious courts, this book offers a comprehensive and enlightening narrative of the Church’s legal journey.

Oman’s scholarly work extends beyond mere historical recounting; it situates the Mormon legal experience within the broader context of American legal history. By examining the ways in which the Latter-day Saints navigated the legal challenges posed by a predominantly Protestant legal system, Oman provides invaluable insights into the broader themes of religious freedom, church-state relations, and legal pluralism. Each chapter is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the Church, highlighting pivotal moments and key figures who influenced its legal standing.

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An adopted viking orphan becomes a carpenter’s apprentice to Jesus. The orphan, Oren, fights as a side hustle. His experience training as a carpenter with Jesus as his mentor changes his lifestyle.

The Carpenter Movie Website

Daz Crawford was born in Liverpool, England. Having a disrupted childhood with no mother or father to speak of. Coming from a broken family Daz turned something negative in his young life to a positive and successful career in sports. He joined the Royal Air Force and through his training he learned team work and sportsmanship. Crawford traveled extensively in the Royal Air Force including the Falkland Islands, Germany, Italy and the Desert Storm Campaign. He became successful playing National League Basketball (UK) and becoming ranked 10th in the world as an amateur boxer. He was then invited to join the Seoul Olympic Team representing England.

Daz spent years searching for his father and when found, began a personal and challenging journey reuniting with him. After only knowing him a few years his father passed away. He returned to London and started a modeling career. As an extra in a film he got the acting bug and took part in drama workshops challenging his emotions & vulnerability and found a new Daz Crawford. He studied at the “Madder Market Theatre” in Norwich England and then onto the “Actors Centre” in London and at the “LA Actors Centre” studying the “Meisner Technique”.

Garrett Batty is an independent film producer and director known primarily for his involvement in faith-based content. In 2013 Batty wrote, produced, directed and edited The Saratov Approach, about two American missionaries kidnapped in Russia. The award-winning thriller grossed 2.1 million at the domestic box office and made Batty an indie director to watch. In 2015 Batty wrote, produced, directed, and edited Freetown, filmed entirely in Africa. The film received domestic and international theatrical releases and was nominated for 11 Ghana Film awards – Ghana’s equivalent to the Academy Awards. Batty has since produced and directed pilots for See the Good (BYUtv), Let’s Get Epic (VidAngel), and directed the feature-length Vietnam doc The Journey Home, starring Jon Voight, produced by Go Films. He has produced and directed several successful commercial campaigns including “Stories of Change” for Mitsubishi Electric, and “Meet the Missionaries” for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 2019 Batty wrote, directed, and edited the period western, Out of Liberty, distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films. Batty has worked in over 30 countries but normally works from home so he can be near his wife and their four children.

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Laurie Lee Hall’s growing-up years were defined by the conflict between her physical condition as a boy and her inherent identity as a girl. Unable to explain or resolve her gender dysphoria, she committed to living her adult life as a male. She joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, eventually becoming chief architect of its temples and an ecclesiastical leader. In her church and community, rigid adherence to gender roles is not only the norm, but the defining issue of a faith that doctrinally declares one’s gender as an “eternal identity.” Against this traditional backdrop, Hall finally received spiritual confirmation and personally accepted that she was transgender and always had been. In this remarkable memoir, Laurie Lee details how she risked everything to live true to her long-suppressed gender identity.

Through the power of lived experience, Laurie Lee’s story affirms the reality of gender identity and the strength and joy of self-acceptance.

Order Dictates of Conscience

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