Why do so many active youth experience shock, disorientation, or confusion when entering the temple for the first time? In this episode of Salty Saints, host Hayden sits down with author Austin Falter to dissect the cultural flaw in modern LDS parenting: keeping temple preparation a silent secret until age 18, rather than building sacred, symbolic literacy early in childhood.We kick off with our "Dash of Salt" commentary reacting to Jasmine Rappleye's viral reel about her first temple experience, illustrating how surface-level prep leaves young adults flat-footed when facing the rich, symbolic landscape of temple covenants. Austin then breaks down his new children's book, Seek and Find with My Eternal Mind: Temple Symbols, demonstrating how fathers can teach foundational sacred iconography to 6-year-olds in a reverent, age-appropriate way. From Plato's Allegory of the Cave to the story of young Samuel in the tabernacle, this stream provides an actionable playbook for dads who want to prepare their children for covenant power long before they enter the MTC.Follow:  @SmallSimpleScreens  Featured Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:Featured Children's Book: https://plainandpreciouspublishing.com/products/seek-and-find-with-my-eternal-mind-temple-symbols Main Community Hub: https://strengthofdads.com/ Upcoming Event: https://strengthofdads.com/event-retreatChapters: 00:00 Introduction to Temple Symbolism and Preparation04:52 First Impressions and Common Reactions to the Temple08:30 Temple Prep Experiences and Missteps11:25 Talking About the Temple with Youth and Parents15:34 The Power of Ritual and Symbolism in Faith20:18 Understanding Justification and Sanctification in the Temple26:01 Creating Children's Books to Teach Temple Symbols30:06 Symbols on the Salt Lake Temple and Their Meanings40:10 The Significance of Gates and Boundaries in the Temple45:05 The Celestial Symbols: Sun, Moon, and Stars50:40 Stories and Symbols from Pioneer Temples

Is church-sponsored mission prep enough to prepare young men for the spiritual, mental, and physical friction of modern missionary work? In this episode of Salty Saints, host Hayden is joined by author Jeff Borders (The Antichrist Playbook) and his returned missionary son for an unfiltered breakdown of the gap between basic institutional preparation and true, habit-based mission readiness.Featured Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:Strength of Dads Community & Main Site: strengthofdads.comUpcoming November Men's Retreat: strengthofdads.com/event-retreatDash of Salt Opener Reel: Instagram - #SundayGunday ReelFeatured Mission Prep Reel: Instagram - Mission Prep Habits ReelChapters:00:00 - Intro1:58 — Welcome back and guest intro2:56 — “A dash of salt” and the garment tank-top discussion8:52 — Mason’s intro and post-mission update13:00 — Mission prep advice begins: building habits before the field19:41 — Scripture study vs. reading24:12 — Culture shock and adjustment in the mission field27:27 — How parents can help missionaries adapt32:10 — Jobs, hard work, and mission prep36:02 — Church prep vs. upbringing39:09 — Stripling Warriors and intentional parenting40:05 — Normalizing mission discomfort and the benefits of missions47:53 — Weekly calls, homesickness, and parental firmness52:54 — Key takeaways for dads and mission prep57:46 — Temple prep and spiritual readiness62:12 — Dating update and wrap-up

The YM Presidency just dropped a brand-new post highlighting how every activity should help young men build faith and become true disciples of Christ. But let's be honest—when left entirely unguided, the calendar too often defaults to empty routines, trivia, and "chair soccer."In this discussion, we break down the latest official resources from the Youth Activities Manual, examine why low-friction activities are failing our youth, and explore how strong father figures and purposeful, challenging adventures can transform young men. Joined by Jeff Borders (author of The Antichrist Playbook), we talk about modern distractions, the power of mentorship, and how moving from "Indoor Boy" comfort to real-world challenges builds lifelong resilience.Join our community of dads: https://strengthofdads.comResources Mentioned:Official Youth Activities: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/youth-activitiesThe Antichrist Playbook by Jeff Borders: https://plainandpreciouspublishing.com/products/the-antichrist-playbookChapters00:00 Introduction to the episode and main themes02:00 Discussion on church activity calendars and purpose04:11 Insights on state conference experiences and remote participation06:58 Tips for planning effective youth activities12:01 Brother Nichols on outdoor activities for young men14:00 The importance of outdoor adventures in character building16:51 Challenges and solutions for youth activity planning19:59 The role of outdoor activities in developing resilience22:05 The significance of mentorship and relationship building24:03 Examples of outdoor activities and their purpose32:57 Using purpose-driven planning to transform youth activities40:01 The importance of intentionality and purpose in activities44:07 Adapting activities for different settings and resources45:02 The value of outdoor challenges in youth development48:14 The importance of leader involvement and mentorship49:57 Closing remarks and resources for youth leaders#lds

With the upcoming shift to 25-minute Elders Quorum and Relief Society meetings, many leaders are making a critical mistake: trying to rush through traditional 45-minute lectures in half the time. But this schedule change isn't meant for faster talking—it’s designed to eliminate filler, increase fellowship, and refocus our gatherings on Jesus Christ.In this episode, we sit down with Justin Keate, a Utah high school principal and experienced educator, to unpack how to transform 25-minute quorum meetings into dynamic, life-changing councils. We trace the history of the early Elders Quorums as true brotherhoods of ministers, compare it to modern handbook guidance, and break down a practical 5-step blueprint that any presidency can implement immediately.In this episode, we cover:The Lecture Trap: Why talking faster to "get through the material" destroys engagement and connection.The Stated Purpose: Aligning your quorum with official Church guidance to deepen faith, home learning, and community.The Historical Brotherhood: How early Elders Quorums operated as circles of trust, ministering, and mutual support.The 5-Step Unbeatable Model: Actionable strategies—from pre-meeting feedback to small-group seating—that rebuild trust in 25 minutes.Resources & CommunityJoin our community of fathers, husbands, and leaders dedicated to building strong homes and brotherhoods:🌐 Website: https://strengthofdads.comChapters00:00 Introduction and episode overview02:01 Justin Keat's background and the focus on Elders Quorum03:21 Discussion on millennial dads and parenting time08:08 The spiritual strategy of just showing up at church10:24 Adapting to new formats and short meetings13:35 Step 1: Using anonymous forms to identify needs20:44 Step 2: Group seating and discussion dynamics22:45 Step 3: The power of snacks and informal bonding28:33 Step 4: Group discussion leaders and rules34:01 Step 5: Using conference talks and addressing concerns43:50 Historical context: Elders Quorum as a brotherhood of ministers45:14 Reviving the original purpose of Elders Quorum49:17 Summary of five steps and practical takeaways

When a professional therapist asks why the Church "struggles with mental health professionals," it raises a critical question: Where is the line between legitimate clinical care and ideological activism?In this episode, we are joined by a licensed male therapist to break down why so many Latter-day Saint families, parents, and leaders feel guarded around modern therapy culture. From therapists leveraging their professional credentials to target church history on social media, to high-profile cases like the Hamakers using mental health platforms during their exit from the faith, we expose how clinical authority is sometimes weaponized against family covenants.In this episode, we cover:The "Therapy vs. Activism" Divide: How to tell if a clinician is helping you heal or actively deconstructing your faith.The Weaponization of Credentials: Why therapists targeting Church doctrine online destroys trust for faithful practitioners.The High-Profile Shift: Examining how media outlets and online figures leverage mental health narratives during faith transitions.The Leader & Parent Playbook: Practical questions to vet a therapist so you can protect your marriage, home, and spiritual grounding.Resources & CommunityJoin our community of fathers and leaders dedicated to building strong, resilient homes:🌐 Website: https://strengthofdads.comChapters00:00 Introduction and episode overview02:01 Panel introduction and topic setup04:07 Mom's bathroom ice therapy trend discussion07:37 Critique of anti-religious social media content10:04 Church's relationship with mental health professionals14:30 Analysis of anti-LDS activism online15:27 How to evaluate therapists' credentials and motives20:27 Finding trustworthy therapists in the digital age27:09 The role of neutrality and bias in therapy37:00 Addressing religious trauma and faith deconstruction44:32 The importance of family and community support52:35 Practical advice for vetting therapists and supporting faith54:59 Closing remarks and resources for families

🚨 Is synthetic intimacy replacing real-world family, faith, and friendship?Recent studies reveal a shocking trend: nearly 30% of young people now say they prefer interacting with AI chatbots over real human friends. But this isn't just a screen-time issue for kids. From teens relying on digital companion tools to husbands confessing in counseling that they feel more emotional support from an LLM than their spouse, artificial intimacy is rapidly infiltrating our homes.In this livestream, we are joined by Austin Falter from  @SmallSimpleScreens  to break down the psychological hooks behind AI companions, the hidden spiritual dangers of non-judgmental digital validation, and—most importantly—the practical playbook fathers and ward leaders must use to restore real, unshakeable human connection in our homes.Chapters00:00 Introduction to AI's Impact on Youth03:56 Cultural Context of Breastfeeding in Public11:36 Rise of AI Companions and Their Market12:34 AI as a Source of Comfort and Support13:38 Risks of Dangerous AI Support and Support for Self-Harm23:32 Risks of AI in Social and Identity Development32:36 Parental Responsibilities in the Age of AI36:57 The Need for Resistance and Hard Things44:28 Trek and the Value of Hardship50:17 Building Self-Identity and Overcoming AI Dependency54:41 Creating Phone-Free Zones and Boundaries55:14 Future Solutions and Guardrails for AI Use56:27 Teaching Kids About AI and Its Limitations57:37 Guest Austin Falter and His Projects🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES📊 Children and Screens Research Report: https://www.childrenandscreens.org/learn-explore/research/ai-social-companions-and-youth-what-parents-need-to-know/📸 Children and Screens Summary Reel: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZNcw9kRNHN/🧂 Dash of Salt Opening Clip: https://www.instagram.com/p/Db1hg2gBRiV/🎬 Small & Simple Screens (Austin Falter):  @SmallSimpleScreens  🛡️ Strength of Dads Community: https://strengthofdads.com 🏔️ Register for the Upcoming November Retreat: https://strengthofdads.com/retreat

🚨 New data published today reveals a sharp drop in religious retention among younger generations—and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not immune.In this episode, data scientist Rylan Fowers (Ether’s Elephant) joins us to break down Ryan Burge’s latest report from Graphs About Religion. We dive deep into the numbers: Why is weekly church attendance no longer guaranteeing adult faith retention? What is driving Gen Z and young adults away? And most importantly, what must fathers and leaders do inside the home to build unshakeable, lifelong conviction in our youth?Join our community of Dads:https://strengthofdads.com/ Check out our upcoming retreat:https://strengthofdads.com/event-retreat Follow: @EthersElephant  Chapters00:00 Introduction and episode overview02:01 Meet the guests and episode context04:42 Discussion on sacrament tradition and cultural signals08:22 Introduction to the graph about LDS retention problem09:14 Analysis of retention data by faith tradition10:40 Initial thoughts on retention and graph interpretation13:14 Discussion on the meaning of membership and activity17:00 The styrofoam cup metaphor for religious retention18:36 Trends in retention across different faiths and generations22:21 Impact of social media algorithms on faith and retention28:15 Patterns of leaving the church and spiritual progression34:56 Attendance patterns and their implications44:00 Parental influence and childhood attendance50:12 Correlation between childhood attendance and retention55:10 Potential solutions: Elders' quorums and engagement56:38 Closing remarks and guest introductions#lds

Young men today are facing an unprecedented crisis. From screen addiction and isolation to young men checking out of education, faith, and duty entirely—the statistics are staggering: 1 in 4 young men report having NO close friends, 80% of suicides are men, and average daily screen time has reached 8 hours. In this episode, we sit down with Boad Swanson, author of "Great-Souled Men: Reclaiming Aristotle’s Vision for Building Character and Virtue." We unpack why what young men are missing isn't a diagnosis, but a direction—and how Aristotle’s classical 12 virtues provide the exact framework LDS fathers need to raise resilient, covenant-keeping sons in a digital world.Chapters00:00 Introduction and guest background02:26 The state of young men today and the need for virtue04:25 Boad's personal journey and turning point06:56 The importance of direction and virtue for young men08:53 Aristotle's 12 virtues and their relevance10:25 Courage: Types and stories of moral courage14:29 The courage to be a man in today's society20:21 Virtue of temperance and self-control23:17 The virtue of ambition and purpose26:51 The role of achievement and confidence33:21 The importance of virtue in education and society36:20 Living for something greater: Magnificence and legacy44:01 Moral authority and integrity48:03 Society's need for strong, virtuous men50:52 Practical steps for fathers and young men52:52 Closing thoughts and resourcesFollow:https://www.instagram.com/greatsouledmen/🤝 JOIN THE BROTHERHOOD:Don't fight the battle of fatherhood alone. Join our online community of men dedicated to building real brotherhood, standing strong, and leading their families:👉 https://strengthofdads.com🔥 UPCOMING EVENT (NOVEMBER):Ready to step away from the noise and build deep, lasting strength alongside other men? Register now for our upcoming November Men's Retreat:👉 https://strengthofdads.com/event-retreat📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED:• "Great-Souled Men" by Boad Swanson (Available September 1st)If this conversation brought value to you, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE it with another dad or leader who needs to hear this. #lds

A landmark new study from BYU researchers reveals alarming trends regarding LDS youth retention, smartphone ownership, and daily faith. Youth with smartphones are nearly 3X more likely to deidentify with the Church, and watching short video clips drastically increases faith decline—but the root cause might not be what you think.In this episode, we break down the latest data from "Latter-day Saint Trends in the United States" and explore why "not feeling God's presence in daily life" is the ultimate predictor of youth walking away. More importantly, we outline a practical playbook for fathers to reclaim their homes, protect their kids' quiet bandwidth, and foster deep, lasting conversion in a digital age.Join our community of dads: https://strengthofdads.com/Grab tickets to our upcoming retreat: https://strengthofdads.com/event-retreat📌 REFUGE & RESOURCES:• Read the full 56-page report: "Latter-day Saint Trends in the United States: Religiousness, Well-Being, and Retention" (Dyer et al., BYU Studies)If this conversation brought value to you, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE it with another dad or leader who needs to hear this. Let's build real brotherhood and raise resilient kids together.Chapters00:00 Introduction and episode overview02:05 Justin Keat introduces himself and his background in education04:04 The Utah church fire incident as a humorous 'Dash of Salt'07:23 Key findings from the BYU study on smartphones and de-identification14:31 Impact of screen time on religious commitment and faith17:14 The influence of social media and short-form videos21:06 The importance of stillness, silence, and meditation25:30 Quotes from President Nelson on social media and spiritual risk30:36 Strategies for parents to manage device use at home44:36 The debate over no phones vs. training kids to use technology responsibly54:48 The importance of teaching kids self-control and digital literacy#LDS #Fatherhood #Parenting #BYUData #LDSYouth #ChristianParenting #DigitalWellness #Dads

In this stream, we take a close look at a candid confession from a prominent online therapist known for her anti-LDS content. Despite built-in expectations around cultural competence and rigorous prep, a recent social media Reel revealed surprisingly shallow background work before treating LDS and post-LDS clients.Is this standard therapeutic practice, or does it signal a deeper issue in the online ex-Mormon therapy niche? Let's break down the implications together.Feel free to join our community for Dads: https://strengthofdads.com/ Check out our upcoming retreat: https://strengthofdads.com/event-retreat Chapters00:00 Introduction and Panel Greetings02:00 Discussion of Church News: Gospel Foundations Class04:14 Reactions to Sunday School Changes07:05 The Purpose of Sunday School: Facts vs. Community09:54 Personal Experiences in Sunday School15:06 Controversy: Ashley B Therapy and Online Trends20:33 The Dunning-Kruger Effect and Shallow Learning28:42 Critique of Online Therapists and Cultural Bias40:10 The Power of Deep Study and Personal Growth43:02 Closing Remarks and Future Events#lds