August 22, 2025

From Utah to Utopia

45 minutes

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit wisdomofcrowds.live

American Primeval on Netflix. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on Hulu. Ballerina Farm on Instagram. American culture is living through a Mormon moment. It is a sign that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is growing in confidence and strength. But what are the drawbacks to becoming mainstream? What are the trade-offs involved in American liberalism? What can those of us who are not part of the LDS Church learn from the Mormon moment?

Here to discuss this and more is Zachary Davis, the Executive Director of Faith Matters and Editor of the LDS magazine Wayfare. Zach is also a veteran podcaster, having hosted the podcasts Ministry of Ideas and Writ Large.

The discussion begins with Santiago Ramos asking Zach for an account of LDS history, contrasting it with its depiction in American Primeval, the Netflix show. Christine Emba then asks about the various pop culture phenomena that have emerged within LDS culture. The conversation covers recent LDS history, as well as reflections on the costs of assimilation and how American liberalism can benefit from the growth of the LDS Church.

In our bonus section for paid subscribers, Christina and Zach discuss Ballerina Farm; Zach explains LDS attitudes toward Trump; Santiago asks Zach whether he has hope for the future of America; Zach explains that Mormons believe the American Constitution is a sacred document; why Mormons love Muslims; rethinking first (theological) principles; and more!

Required Reading:

* Wayfare magazine.

* McCay Coppins, Romney: A Reckoning (Amazon).

* Jonathan Rausch, Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy (Amazon).

* Jon Krakauer, Under the Banner of Heaven (Amazon).

* Public polling re: LDS (Pew Research).

* American Primeval (Netflix).

* Ballerina Farm (official website).

* Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (Hulu).

* The Soloists (Substack).

* Romney’s 47 percent comment (MSNBC).

* Utah rankings (U.S. News and World Report).