This week on Mormon Newscast, an LDS apostle has some surprisingly strong words about what “real men” do and the irony will stop you in your tracks. We’ll dig into that irony, plus a packed week of Mormon news. Tommy McKay is speaking up about the Mormon Stories lawsuit, and we’ll look at what he’s saying and why it matters. We also have the tragic story of a Latter-day Saint missionary from Tonga who died while serving. There are several temple developments this week, including vandalism connected to the controversial Fairview temple and a new development involving the Heber Valley temple court fight. We’ll also get into a fascinating—and potentially uncomfortable—Salt Lake Tribune discussion about sex, intimacy, and older LDS singles, along with a disturbing criminal case involving a former bishop and child sexual abuse material. And finally, FAIR appears to be gearing up for an absolutely massive 69-part series. Yes, sixty-nine. All that and more on this week’s Mormon Newscast—where we take the biggest stories in Mormonism, add the context that often gets left out, and try to figure out what they actually mean.

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Tonight on The Mormon Newscast, we dig into several stories making waves across the Latter-day Saint world. Our lead story returns to the LDS Church’s lawsuit against John Dehlin and Mormon Stories. A recent Church filing claims a Mormon Stories guest believed the podcast was “Church affiliated”—but when we go back to what the guest actually said, there appears to be an important difference between believing Mormon Stories was a faithful Mormon podcast and believing it was actually affiliated with the LDS Church. Did the Church misrepresent its own evidence?

We also cover the increasingly ugly backlash surrounding Charlie Bird and Ryan Clifford’s plans to become fathers through IVF, egg donation and surrogacy. What began as a debate among conservative Latter-day Saint commentators about same-sex parenting has now included disturbing personal messages and reported threats directed toward Charlie, Ryan and their future family. Also tonight: new data suggesting 22% of LDS college students surveyed identified as something other than heterosexual; Latter-day Saint creators using AI to produce cinematic Book of Mormon imagery; an update on the deadly Kearns LDS funeral shooting; a look back at the Church’s infamous “baseball baptisms” and what membership numbers actually tell us; and new research challenging some assumptions about women, ordination and religious retention. Finally, we look at the major restructuring happening inside BYU athletics surrounding Kalani Sitake and the football program, and Jana Riess takes a look at Ensign Peak’s investment performance—with outside analysts concluding that despite the Church’s enormous gains, its publicly reported stock portfolio has still lagged the S&P 500.

Join us as we break down the stories, the claims, and—most importantly—the details underneath the headlines on The Mormon Newscast.

The Book of Mormon Trailer – https://youtu.be/3fNZTgFLWLc?si=ZWgmnpHyXf-0X-Wf

If you want to support The Mormon Newscast, you can donate here:

And if you’re navigating faith transition or spiritual trauma and need support, 1-on-1 coaching and group work is available at: https://awakenandthrive.org/

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Can a church become so important that no amount of bad leadership, toxic culture, or personal harm should ever cause someone to leave? Recently, Elder Lawrence Corbridge made a striking statement: “Darth Vader could be your bishop. The culture could be like Alcatraz… If you see the Church as the kingdom of God on earth, then you will stay.” At first glance, this sounds like a call for faith. But beneath the surface lies a powerful psychological framework—one that asks members to separate their lived experience from their evaluation of the institution itself. In this popup Newscast, Radio Free Mormon, Rebecca Bibliotheca, & Bill Reel, examine why this way of thinking can be deeply unhealthy, how it shifts accountability away from institutions and onto individuals, and why it mirrors patterns commonly found in high-demand groups.

We’ll explore questions like:

Rather than simply criticizing one Church leader, this episode investigates the psychology of institutional loyalty and asks whether truth should ever require us to ignore reality. Whether you’re an active Latter-day Saint, someone navigating faith transition, or simply interested in the psychology of belief and high-demand organizations, this conversation offers a thoughtful framework for evaluating one of the most consequential questions anyone can ask: Should commitment to an institution ever come before evidence, experience, and conscience?

Join the conversation below: Do you think Elder Corbridge’s statement reflects healthy faith—or unhealthy institutional loyalty?

What was your reaction when you first heard it?

The post “You Will Stay” – When Loyalty Matters More Than Abuse ! appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

Tonight on Mormon Newscast, the LDS Church says its trademark lawsuit against John Dehlin and Mormon Stories isn’t an attempt to silence a prominent critic—it’s about preventing consumer confusion. But does the Church’s latest court filing tell quite the same story as its original legal arguments? Our lead story examines the Church’s new opposition to Mormon Stories’ motion to dismiss, and whether the Church is clarifying its case—or backpedaling what this lawsuit was about in the first place.

Also on tonight’s Newscast:

• Sunday School Schedule Problems — The Church is preparing members for its new September Sunday schedule, including weekly 25-minute Sunday School, Relief Society, elders quorum, Young Women and Aaronic Priesthood meetings. But have they considered all the potential problems? Well, Someone has.

All of that and more on the August 24, 2026 Mormon Newscast.

If you want to support The Mormon Newscast, you can donate here:

And if you’re navigating faith transition or spiritual trauma and need support, 1-on-1 coaching and group work is available at: https://awakenandthrive.org/

The post The LDS Church Changes Its Story ? appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

Tonight on Mormon Newscast, we’re following the money—and asking what the latest numbers actually tell us about the LDS Church. We begin with Ensign Peak’s newly released Q2 2026 investment report. The Church’s publicly disclosed U.S. securities climbed from roughly $53.67 billion to $60.82 billion in a single quarter, with enormous exposure to Nvidia, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Micron, AMD and the broader AI boom. But how impressive is that performance when compared with the S&P 500—or a simple momentum ETF? We dig into what Ensign Peak bought and sold, its increasingly AI-heavy portfolio, and whether prophets, seers and portfolio managers are actually beating the market.

Also tonight:

The post The LDS Church Made $7 Billion & Still Lost to the S&P 500 appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

Tonight on Mormon Newscast, our lead story centers on a significant development in the LDS Church’s trademark and copyright lawsuit against Mormon Stories Podcast. The ACLU of Utah and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have filed amicus briefs supporting Mormon Stories, raising concerns about the implications of the Church’s lawsuit for free expression, criticism, and online speech. We’ll break down what these organizations are arguing, why they decided to enter the case, and what their involvement could mean going forward. We’ll also cover several stories pointing toward the continuing challenge of Latter-day Saint disaffection and what may be driving younger generations—particularly women—away from the Church. Along the way, we’ll examine the controversy involving a Mormon beauty queen, the arrest of an LDS leader in Russia, and an Arizona court decision tossing out a child sexual abuse case against the LDS Church. We’ll also look at the Church’s newly announced Sunday School and Sunday meeting changes. Church leaders are emphasizing a more Christ-centered, home-centered approach with shorter classes and greater participation from members. Is this another meaningful step toward decentralization and member autonomy—or does the substance of authority remain largely unchanged even as the structure evolves? Finally, we pause to acknowledge two recent deaths in the broader Mormon community. We remember Carol Lynn Pearson, whose writing, poetry, advocacy, and willingness to confront difficult issues within Mormonism influenced generations of Latter-day Saints and former Latter-day Saints. We’ll also acknowledge the tragic death of 27-year-old LDS apologist Chandler “Chuck” Hendry, creator of Restored Truth, whose growing influence was evident in the considerable grief and affection expressed throughout the LDS apologetic community following his passing. Tonight on Mormon Newscast — August 10, 2026. News, context, analysis, and the Mormon stories behind the headlines.

The post LDS Church Lawsuit Gets Pushback From ACLU & EFF appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

This week on A Mormon Newscast, we begin with the heartbreaking flash flood tragedy in Wayne County, Utah, where five members of one family lost their lives in one of the state’s deadliest natural disasters in recent memory. We also clear up confusion that spread through early media reports regarding the family’s relationships and discuss why these tragic events serve as a sobering reminder of the dangers of Utah’s flash flood season. Then we dive into another week of Mormon news and controversy. We examine the Church’s celebration of fashion designer Pono, bring you the latest temple developments, discuss Jana Riess’ newest article about Jesus and what it says about modern Mormonism, and cover the backlash surrounding Pawley’s Christian church comments. We also report on Mormon manslaughter charges, an alleged child sexual abuse offender getting married, and why the upcoming publication of William Clayton’s journals has thrust polygamy deniers back into the spotlight. Finally, we look at a proposal that could transfer ownership of Martin’s Cove from the federal government to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, raising interesting questions about stewardship, history, and one of Mormonism’s most sacred pioneer sites. Join us live as we unpack the week’s biggest stories, add historical context, and explore what they mean for members, former members, and anyone interested in Mormonism. Leave your thoughts in the comments. Which story do you think has the biggest long-term implications?

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If you’re navigating a faith transition, religious trauma, or simply trying to make sense of your story after Mormonism, Bill also offers one-on-one trauma-informed coaching. You can learn more at: https://AwakenAndThrive.org

GoFundMe for Flash Flood Victims – https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-lydia-after-tragic-loss

The post Utah Flash Flood Takes Family’s Life – The Mormon Newscast appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

Tonight’s Mormon Newscast is packed with major developments affecting the LDS Church, Mormon culture, and the communities surrounding it. Our lead story examines the guilty plea entered by the brother of a sitting LDS apostle, D. Todd Christofferson, in a child sexual abuse case.

We also cover:

Join us live as we separate fact from speculation, provide historical and psychological context, and explore the stories shaping Mormonism today.

Leave your thoughts in the comments. Which story do you think has the biggest long-term implications?

Donate to Mormon Newscast:

If you’re navigating a faith transition, religious trauma, or simply trying to make sense of your story after Mormonism, Bill also offers one-on-one trauma-informed coaching. You can learn more at: https://AwakenAndThrive.org

#Mormon #LDS #MormonNews #MormonNewscast #MormonDiscussion #LDSChurch #ChurchNews #BYU #MittRomney #Rexburg #CSA #Mormonism

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Another week, another roundup of stories from the world of Mormonism. This week we begin with another disturbing case involving child sexual abuse. An LDS bishopric counselor accused of abusing multiple boys has accepted a plea deal that could allow him to avoid prison and sex offender registration. We’ll break down the allegations, the plea agreement, and why so many are questioning the outcome.

We’ll also cover a Young Women’s activity that many are calling an example of normalizing grooming behavior, another Utah dentist accused of using trust and religious influence to prey on a teenage intern, the ongoing visa debacle involving the Mongolia Mission President, and a fascinating new portrait of Joseph Smith based on the controversial daguerreotype believed by some to be the only photograph of the Mormon founder. We’ll also discuss rumors of confirmation ordinances being performed before baptism in the temple, a new BYU study on retention and the growing gender gap in the Church, another temple name change, President Dallin H. Oaks’ latest missionary guidance and reaffirmation of exclusive LDS truth claims, the Church’s expanding LDS praise music concerts, and the opening of the new Nauvoo Visitors’ Center and the story it chooses to tell.

Join Rebecca Bibliotheca, and Bill Reel as we examine another week of Mormon news, history, and the stories shaping the Church today.

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Need help navigating a faith crisis or rebuilding after Mormonism? Bill Reel offers trauma-informed coaching for individuals, couples, and families working through faith transitions, religious trauma, and personal growth. Learn more at: https://awakenandthrive.org/

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The post No Prison? No Registry? LDS Child Abuse Case Sparks Outrage appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

Tonight on A Mormon Newscast, a church leader’s playing on stereotypes about speech and singing style among people of color sparks discussion and controversy as members debate intent, history, and whether Church leaders should be held to a higher standard when engaging with material carrying a troubling past. We also examine the latest developments in the Livermore case, continuing questions surrounding claims that Latter-day Saints are—or are not—Christian, and a bizarre story involving an alleged church squatter that has people talking. Plus, a new Book of Mormon trailer generates reactions online, the Fairview temple dispute continues to evolve, and we take a look at a sacrament table story that has raised eyebrows among members. We’ll also discuss the recently acquired photograph believed by some to depict Joseph Smith, rumors claiming the Church plans to close storehouses and shift welfare efforts toward community food banks, and the growing controversy surrounding Jeremy Hoop’s claim that the long-awaited William Clayton journals have surfaced. As always, we’ll separate fact from rumor, examine the evidence, and give you the context you need to understand the stories shaping Mormonism this week. Join us live and be part of the conversation.

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If anyone needs support dealing with spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at https://awakenandthrive.org/

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