Glass Box Podcast

We went to Sunstone Symposium in SLC, like we try to do every year! It was fantastic and a great place to meet good folks, visit old friends, and learn new things along the way. We discuss some of our favorite sessions and experiences from this year's Mormon conference.

Check out Sunstone and consider attending next year! https://sunstone.org/

Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism on his Speaking of Cults series. He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpGuS7GcsgA&list=PLGrPM1Pg2h72ADIuv8eYmzrJ-ppLOlw_g

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod

Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast

BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social

Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/

Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop

Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html

One time Paypal donation: [email protected]

Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10

Your two favorite long winded podcasters are talking about word vomit and verbosity today, which is particularly fitting since today's Sword of Laman segment covers the last part of the 2nd Givens book, The Crucible of Doubt. We then cleanse your palette with some good news out of Illinois. Enjoy!

Sword of Laman:

https://freshairarchive.org/segments/richard-dawkins-argument-atheism

Happy News: Illinois keeps 988 lifeline for LGBTQIA+ youth even after national extension hangs up: https://khqa.com/news/local/illinois-to-keep-988-suicide-crisis-lifeline-for-lgbtqia-youth-after-national-extension-hangs-up-federal-funding-cuts-trump-administration-governor-jb-pritzker-idhs-secretary-dulce-m-quintero-mental-health-behavioral-services-counseling-support-teens

Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism on his Speaking of Cults series. He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpGuS7GcsgA&list=PLGrPM1Pg2h72ADIuv8eYmzrJ-ppLOlw_g

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod

Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast

BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social

Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/

Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop

Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html

One time Paypal donation: [email protected]

Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10

The Church History Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just dropped a revelatory bomb on the Mormon history community and we're gunna talk about it. John Taylor (prophet 1880-1887) wrote a revelation saying that the new and everlasting covenant is actually "everlasting" and cannot be revoked or abrogated. However, the prophet after Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, wrote the First Manifesto bringing the church into compliance with the law of the land. However, plural marriages continued to be performed. The Reed Smoot hearings turned the eyes of the nation to the kingdom of god in Deseret and every clandestine plural marriage put a lie to the Manifesto. Church leaders are excommunicated and it leads to the formation of the Fundamentalist Latter-day Saints. The church has suppressed this revelation in its vaults for nearly a century while openly denying that it even existed. After that we chat about more secrets hiding in plain sight with the movie National Treasure. We wrap with happy news about diabetes therapy and a gaggle of listener mail.

Show Notes:

https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/3aec2ea6-fdeb-4866-9529-47e27f9cd3b9/0/0?lang=eng

https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/record/71550f40-40e2-4f22-a513-d9efed66649a/0?view=browse

https://mormonr.org/qnas/vFgD6f/john_taylors_1886_revelation?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22720170685&gbraid=0AAAAAoS5E7acFZisa2VHLpSqmjwjxuxAo&gclid=Cj0KCQjw953DBhCyARIsANhIZoZY8hL6lOziHIlmcVnNbCHkiECSLz8brsdbJy0ni61rrba3Qcklb8oaAkVpEALw_wcB

https://www.dialoguejournal.com/articles/lds-church-authority-and-new-plural-marriages-1890-1904/

https://mormonr.org/qnas/vFgD6f/john_taylors_1886_revelation/research#re-fbkJxk-qnXgKg

https://bhroberts.org/records/fbkJxk-bB2xDk/byu_religious_studies_center_publication_on_john_taylor_discusses_the_1886_revelation

https://bhroberts.org/files/bHthmd/scan-bB2xDk-bHthmd.pdf?r=bB2xDk&t=eyJhbGciOiJkaXIiLCJlbmMiOiJBMjU2R0NNIn0..Ljnea7CqFcI514tv.MWAtt1USKQyIBx5hJeD1he-VlQl6HV5eDevc9XGHctIBqDnl3hQ6UY9uGlOYy3cJoJ6SG7H9UgXWNRtSHGg4AWQTt76BTFyruwynbZPv-ta9Sqwc1MiNTMA4D5bJ0wDKNLqn1I1ZW96aQh9fE3XonduR9AeovvqRkhlf80-xZsjjnHaGWGILhfe6hlbWunSLVvMxtMKbcmJywR4aR8z_2aD9_NRxC1-fb0e3If80Vy9otGsidu2NjHcmecljQwblGIFvHsSDUoBKqB8NH7VohmRAoJxTnqjoy8vYxcyw0j7Q8HcUBPyzQmLSU_lvRxvRly2pxjTCo6Ng-OlNVohEmFSQAWXo80Qi7R54xy1xIvW2_lP0pXMRw9VRIizzbfUcmspMcRwqC0aBtSI9_QhVFAiom1w.DIL9f7HVhjoKTWkeFO1Sqw

https://mormonpolygamydocuments.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/1886-Revelation-article.pdf

https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/answers/John_Taylor%27s_statements_regarding_polygamy

https://rsc.byu.edu/champion-liberty-john-taylor/john-revelator-written-revelations-john-taylor#_note-40

https://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2025/06/john-taylor-and-the-1886-revelation/

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/john-taylor

https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/first-annual-message-first-term

https://josephsmithfoundation.org/john-taylors-last-days-vision-1877/

https://www.fromthedesk.org/john-taylor-revelations/#_ftn1

https://rsc.byu.edu/champion-liberty-john-taylor/john-revelator-written-revelations-john-taylor#_noteref-14

https://web.archive.org/web/20080309131303/http://gainesjunction.tamu.edu/issues/vol3num1/ishin/ishin.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JYcVJKnfmg

https://rsc.byu.edu/prophets-apostles-last-dispensation/john-whittaker-taylor

https://historicalgeneralconferences.weebly.com/john-w-taylor.html

https://tokensandsigns.org/betrayed-for-loyalty-john-w-taylor-and-polygamy/

https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/John-W.-Taylor-Trial.pdf

https://sunstone.org/john-w-woolley-as-a-highly-trusted-mormon-from-september-1886-to-december-1913/

https://mormonfundamentalism.com/history/lorin-c-woolley-and-his-council-of-seven-friends/

https://mormonpolygamydocuments.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/MF0273.pdf

https://mormonfundamentalism.com/1886-revelation-importance/

https://www.fromthedesk.org/joseph-white-musser-mormon-fundamentalist/

https://prophetsseersandrevelators.wordpress.com/2022/09/01/third-manifesto/

https://www.intermountainhistories.org/items/show/704

https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/first-annual-message-first-term

MOGP: National Treasure: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368891/?ref_=tt_rvi_i_7

Where it's streaming: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/national-treasure

Information about Charles Carroll: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Carroll_of_Carrollton#

Explore the Knights Templar: https://www.centreofexcellence.com/the-knights-templar/#

Happy News: A new diabetes treatment could free people from insulin injections: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/type-1-diabetes-cell-therapy-insulin

Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here's the most recent episode on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsofor4IgR8&list=PLGrPM1Pg2h72ADIuv8eYmzrJ-ppLOlw_g&index=65&t=3640s

And here is our discussion about Mormon succession https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDxjD7ucajI&list=PLGrPM1Pg2h72ADIuv8eYmzrJ-ppLOlw_g&index=56

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod

Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast

BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social

Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/

Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop

Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html

One time Paypal donation: [email protected]

Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10

Let's talk leaders. What qualities does a great leader have? What's the difference between a good and great leader? And we talk about three leaders in history. In our Sword of Laman segment, we cover the next few chapters of the Givens' book. And to clear your palette, we share a news article about a charitable move Bill Gates is making. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

What is Ethical Leadership and Why is it Important?: https://professional.dce.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-ethical-leadership-and-why-is-it-important/#The-6-Main-Principles-of-Ethical-Leadership

What Great Leaders do that Good Leaders Don't: ​​https://www.forbes.com/sites/dougsundheim/2023/04/13/what-great-leaders-do-that-good-leaders-dont/

Elizabeth I: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_I#

Queen Elizabeth I: The controversies and accomplishments: https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/queen-elizabeth-l-0011092

Elizabeth I, Religious Questions and the fate of Mary, Queen of Scots: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elizabeth-I/Religious-questions-and-the-fate-of-Mary-Queen-of-Scots

Bloody Mary: The Marriage, Reign, and Death of a Queen of England: https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/bloody-mary-marriage-reign-and-death-queen-england-004122

Catherine the Great: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_the_Great#

Legacy of Catherine the Great: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Catherine-the-Great/Legacy

Imperial Crown of Russia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_crown_of_Russia

The Story of Catherine the Great: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/true-story-catherine-great-180974863/

Hypocrite, reactionary, usurper, sex maniac: is Catherine the Great's reputation justified?: https://www.historyextra.com/period/georgian/catherine-great-russian-empress-reputation-justified/

10 Reasons Lincoln was Secretly a Terrible President: https://listverse.com/2013/12/05/10-reasons-lincoln-was-secretly-a-terrible-president/

5 Ugly Facts about Abraham Lincoln that No One Likes to Talk About: https://www.moviemaker.com/abraham-lincoln/

The Great Writ, North and South: https://archive.nytimes.com/opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/14/the-great-writ-north-and-south/

Everything Wrong with the Lincoln Administration: https://www.libertarianism.org/everything-wrong-presidents/everything-wrong-lincoln-administration

Happy News:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4qg5gzgzxo

Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here's the most recent episode on

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod

Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast

BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social

Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/

Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop

Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html

One time Paypal donation: [email protected]

Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10

Not only is it Pride month but it's also been almost 10 years since the Mormon church issued their policy against the children of LGBTQIA+ parents. We take a look at the effects that policy had, the increasingly draconian measures the government is taking, and we read between the lines of Mormon church policies. We also look at the measures people are taking to improve the lives of LGBTQIA+. For Media of Great Price, we watched the lovely 2018 movie Rafiki about two lesbian women in Kenya. And we end with good news out of Paris about a new monument. Happy Pride Month!

Show notes:

https://www.aclu.org/news/lgbtq-rights/why-utah-no-utopia-lgbt-equality-despite-progress

https://archive.thinkprogress.org/the-utah-compromise-is-a-dangerous-lgbt-trojan-horse-db790ad3b69e/

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/handbook-changes-same-sex-marriages-elder-christofferson

https://kutv.com/news/local/group-holds-mass-resignation-from-lds-church-in-slc-saturday

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/local/2017/09/30/mormon-general-conference-resumes-for-the-first-time-monson-will-not-be-attending-any-sessions/

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/tag/good-news/

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-nelson-handbook-change

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2018/03/26/mormon-leaders-update-rules-to-allow-adults-in-the-room-for-interviews-with-children-women/

https://www.thechurchnews.com/2018/4/3/23221628/new-apostles-reflect-growth-diversity-of-the-church-2/

https://mormonmentalhealthassoc.org/resources/position-statements/november-5th-policy-reversal/

https://le.utah.gov/~2023/bills/static/HB0228.html

https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0521.html

https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0283.html

https://le.utah.gov/~2024/bills/static/HB0316.html

https://le.utah.gov/~2024/bills/static/HB0527.html

https://wheatandtares.org/2017/11/04/the-policy-remember-remember-the-5th-of-november/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality_and_the_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_teachings_on_homosexuality_in_the_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/blog/the-trevor-project-celebrates-utah-bill-protecting-lgbtq-youth-from-conversion-therapy/

https://www.deseret.com/utah/2023/2/17/23604347/conversion-therapy-ban-lgbt-utah-bill/

https://www.newsweek.com/utah-lgbtq-conversion-therapy-law-1483039

https://archive.org/details/Homosexuality1981/page/n3/mode/2up?view=theater

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/love-motivated-policy-changes-toward-lgbt-parents-children

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/11/06/455014520/mormon-church-declares-same-sex-couples-to-be-apostates

https://www.npr.org/2019/04/04/709988377/in-major-shift-mormon-church-rolls-back-controversial-policies-toward-lgbt-membe

https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=3144035&itype=CMSID

https://mormonleaks.io/wiki/index.php?title=File:Re-_Gay_Couples_and_Baby_Blessings-2015-07-21.pdf

https://mormonleaks.io/wiki/documents/2/28/Re-_Gay_Couples_and_Baby_Blessings-2015-07-21.pdf

https://protectldschildren.org/

https://goodmenproject.com/politics-2/mass-protest-against-sexually-explicit-interviews-by-mormon-bishops-wcz/

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2018/03/26/mormon-leaders-update-rules-to-allow-adults-in-the-room-for-interviews-with-children-women/

https://www.thechurchnews.com/2018/4/3/23221628/new-apostles-reflect-growth-diversity-of-the-church-2/

https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/asap/two-utah-laws-related-religious-expression-workplace-take-effect#:~:text=H.B.%20396%20%E2%80%93%20Workplace%20Discrimination%20Amendments&text=H.B.%20396%20generally%20prohibits%20an,employee's%20sincerely%20held%20religious%20beliefs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_SB_296_(2015)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obergefell_v._Hodges

https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/case-files/obergefell-v-hodges/

https://sblog.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/14-556_Major_Religious_Organizations.pdf

https://fedsoc.org/contributors/robin-wilson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26xMnkZCxoc

https://kutv.com/news/local/group-holds-mass-resignation-from-lds-church-in-slc-saturday

https://quitmormon.com/faq

https://equalityutah.org/advocacy/?search_year=2024#tracker

MOGP: Rafiki: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8286894/

Where it's streaming: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/rafiki-2018

Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafiki_(film)

Happy News:

https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/paris-unveils-memorial-lgbtq-victims-nazi-regime-persecutions-rcna207691

Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here's the most recent episode on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsofor4IgR8

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod

Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast

BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social

Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/

Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop

Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html

One time Paypal donation: [email protected]

Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10

We're talking about the bane of the Q15's existence! Doubts of the members. We discuss the terrible way they are dealt with which leads into the second installment of the Givens' trilogy — The Crucible of Doubt — Reflections on the Quest for Faith. Following that we have some good news out of El Paso where the Consulate General of Mexico gave out free measles vaccines to children and adults in El Paso, Texas.

Show Notes:

Jana Riess: Who is leaving the LDS church? Eight key survey findings: https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2024/03/08/jana-riess-who-is-leaving-lds/

When Doubts and Questions Arise by Adam Kotter, Ensign March 2015: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2015/03/when-doubts-and-questions-arise?lang=eng

Christ is Risen: Faith in him will move mountains, by Russell M. Nelson, April 2021 General Conference talk: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/49nelson?lang=eng

Happy News:

https://www.ktsm.com/news/consulate-general-of-mexico-in-el-paso-to-offer-free-measles-vaccines/

Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here's the most recent episode on ​​"What's with Mormon Underwear?" https://youtu.be/1s2h71-UfP8

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod

Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions

BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social

Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/

Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop

Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html

One time Paypal donation: [email protected]

Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10

Fasting! In all its forms and purposes. We take a wander through world religions to see how fasting plays a part in almost all of them. Mormon fasting is far less peculiar than we thought. Then a few episodes of South Park that provide wonderful commentary on fasting, the economy, and witch hunts. We round out with happy news about land being returned to Indigenous people and burn through listener mail that's been piling up.

Show notes:

Fasting: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasting

Fasting: https://www.britannica.com/topic/fasting

Religious Fasting: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_fasting

Fasting in Islam: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasting_in_Islam

Ramadan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan

Native Teachings are about a way of life: https://mushkiki.com/programs-services/fasting/

Fasting in Jainism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasting_in_Jainism

With Lent almost over, here's why religions fast: https://www.cnn.com/2017/04/07/world/religious-fasting-traditions-finding-jesus/index.html

Fasting in African Spirituality: https://asanee44.com/fasting-in-african-spirituality/

Sam Young: https://protecteverychild.com/

Hunger strikes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunger_strike

Nonviolent resistance: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonviolent_resistance

Civil disobedience: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_disobedience

Violet Bland: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violet_Bland

Emmeline Pankhurst: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmeline_Pankhurst

The Pankhurst Sisters: How suffragettes changed the world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax2wGWNco0k

Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-Health) Act 1913: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoners_(Temporary_Discharge_for_Ill-Health)_Act_1913

Intermittent Fasting: Fad or valid weight-loss solution: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/intermittent-fasting-fad-or-solution

The Effects of Fasting on Drug Metabolism

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17425255.2020.1706728#d1e326

MOGP:

South Park

Spontaneous Combustion S3E2

Margaritaville S13E3

Sons of Witches S21E6

Happy News:

https://apnews.com/article/potawatomi-illinois-treaty-reservation-805f5030d9abbac93ce3da3cec18a636

Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here's the most recent episode on ​​"What's with Mormon Underwear?" https://youtu.be/1s2h71-UfP8

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod

Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions

BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social

Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/

Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop

Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html

One time Paypal donation: [email protected]

Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10

We're finishing The God Who Weeps by Terryl Givens and Fiona Givens. This is the first book in a trilogy of Mormon theology and we want to leave room in the year to get through it all. What does today hold for us? We start with a long discussion on the pre-mortal existence, transitioning into existence, then ascending to perfection thanks to Mormon beliefs. We didn't realize until pretty late in the project that the 5 chapters of the book are structured around the different stages of the Mormon Plan of Salvation (PoS), but it become clear pretty early on in our discussion. All told, the book is a marker of modern orthodox Mormon belief: pray, pay, and obey. They even have an ultra-conservative take on abortion that makes the official stance of the church seem like bleeding-heart liberals in comparison. Then we talk about The Meaning of Life, a Monty Python movie from 1983 that has a much more healthy way of looking at the random cosmic soup that led to human existence. We wrap with some happy news about the success of a slightly higher tax in Massachusetts that raised a bunch of money for all the things for which taxes are used. We round out by going through some delightful listener mail from the April Fools episode!

MOGP:

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

Happy News:

https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/04/28/massachusetts-millionaires-tax-institute-policy-studies-newsletter

Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here's the most recent episode on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDxjD7ucajI

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod

Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions

BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social

Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/

Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop

Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html

One time Paypal donation: [email protected]

Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10

April 2025 General Conference Sunday Afternoon session. Patrons of the show get the appendix of Saturday Evening session at the end of the record.

Ulisses Soares – Reverence; Moses and the burning bush; you-damn-kids talk; pray for guidance from the Holy Ghost for AI, don't weaken your connection to God with AI!!!

Michael Strong Q70 – Killed a kid on a bike during his mission, was really sad that he had to spend the night in jail until a 'compassionate' fellow missionary stayed with him

Scott Whiting Q70 – Hazed as a deacon and sat on a cactus; Garden of Eden, "blessed Eve", crying repentance

Christopher Kim Q70 – JS translated an ancient record, includes God's dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas; Laman and Lemuel were sooooo evil and dumb; moral agency, we can choose to harden or soften our hearts, submission vs respect

Patrick Kearon – Gifts, "you really are that you might have joy," repent ye, repent ye

Benjamin M Z Tai Q70 – Cancellation of a sealing after divorce, pray daily, "Ask sincerely what you can do to help an individual feel god"

Rusty Nailz – The world is coming to an end; sooo many new temples that won't be built for another 3 decades

Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here's the most recent episode on what Mormons can teach us about organizing a cult: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDxjD7ucajI

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod

Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions

BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social

Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/

Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop

Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html

One time Paypal donation: [email protected]

Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10

April 2025 General Conference Sunday Morning session.

David A Bednar – Joseph Smith totally restored the one true church; and other sundry sacrament meeting talking points

Steven Shumway Q70 – Do your callings, no matter how demanding they may be

Tamara Runia FC YW GP – Cry for repentance; Jesus is excited every time he sees us on our knees

Gerald Causse PB – Dude who controls the church's wealth is moved by seeing people suffering in poverty

Gerrit Gong – Jesus Wept; Easter, Palm Sunday, holy week; mortal and moral agency and alignment with Bednar

John McCune Q70 – Tithing, temple attendance, the world is ending, Rusty is a terrible dad who abandoned his daughter on her death bed

Dallin Oaks – The most flacid GC talk he's given in years; Plan of Salvation, sacrament meeting talk, returning to the Celestial Kingdom, 10 virgins, trusting in the lord will keep you safe

Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here's the most recent episode on what Mormons can teach us about organizing a cult: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDxjD7ucajI

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod

Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions

BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social

Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/

Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop

Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html

One time Paypal donation: [email protected]

Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10