Welcome to the MormonNewsRoundup where Dives ruminates on the great and spacious Beehive!

Throwback Thursday to Episode 32 — one of the early, defining moments of the channel.

This was the first time Radio Free Mormon joined the podcast, back when the show was still audio-only and just starting to find its voice. In this episode, we covered a wide range of topics that sparked a lot of discussion and reflection later on.

We talked about David Archuleta stepping back from the Church, a LDS meetinghouse being repurposed into a food bank, and broader questions about church growth in Canada based on census data.

This video pulls together the key moments from that episode so you don’t have to dig through the full two-hour conversation.

If you’re new here, this is a good snapshot of where things started—messy, interesting, and evolving quickly.

Thanks for watching, and enjoy the throwback.

Full Episode: https://youtu.be/3Zdgt-hVtZU

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The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

For years, I've shared stories from my time as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some of these memories are funny. Some are awkward. Some were faith-promoting experiences that I understood very differently at the time. Others have taken on entirely new meaning as I've reflected on them years later.

Those two years shaped my life in countless ways. Even though my beliefs have changed, the experiences, the people I met, and the lessons I learned remain an important part of my story.

Over time, these missionary stories became scattered across dozens of different episodes on this channel. This supercut brings them all together in one place.

You'll hear stories about:

• Unexpected and humorous moments in the mission field

• Challenging experiences and difficult companions

• Spiritual experiences and how I viewed them then—and now

• Cultural surprises, memorable investigators, and everyday missionary life

• Lessons that have stayed with me long after my mission ended

Whether you're a current Latter-day Saint, a former member, served a mission yourself, or are simply curious about what Mormon missionary life is really like, I hope you find something meaningful, entertaining, or thought-provoking in these memories.

After you've watched, I'd love to hear from you. Which story resonated with you the most? Share your own mission experiences—or your thoughts—in the comments below.

If you enjoy long-form Mormon commentary, history, and discussion, be sure to subscribe for more content from Mormon News Roundup.

#Mormon #LDS #Missionary #ExMormon #MissionStories #MormonMission #LatterDaySaints #MormonNewsRoundup

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The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

After interacting with thousands of Latter-day Saints on X (formerly Twitter) since launching this channel in 2022, I've noticed some remarkably consistent patterns.

In this video I discuss:

• Why relatively few major Mormon critics actively engage on X

• How faithful Latter-day Saints rapidly amplify each other's accounts

• The role X Premium plays in expanding Mormon voices online

• Why evidence so often gets replaced with personal attacks

• The recurring accusations critics receive from believers

• Why feelings and testimony aren't reliable methods for determining truth

• The difference between utility and truth

• Why I continue engaging directly in comment sections

• The challenges of having productive conversations about Mormon truth claims

• The enormous gap between my short-form and long-form audiences

This isn't a criticism of every individual Latter-day Saint. Many members are thoughtful, kind, and sincere. Rather, it's an examination of recurring online behaviors I've observed after years of public conversations surrounding Mormonism.

Whether you agree with my conclusions or strongly disagree, I encourage you to engage with the actual arguments presented rather than assumptions about my motivations.

If you enjoy long-form discussions about Mormonism, religion, skepticism, and evidence, please consider subscribing. New videos are published regularly.

What has your experience been like discussing Mormonism online? Let me know in the comments.

#Mormon #LDS #ExMormon #Mormonism #Twitter #X #JosephSmith #Religion #Skepticism #CriticalThinking #SecularHumanism #MormonNewsRoundup

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The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Throwback Thursday to Episode 105 featuring journalist Jana Riess, one of the most respected reporters covering The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In this episode, we revisit some of the most significant and challenging reporting connected to her work—ranging from trnsgender baptism policy discussions, leadership accountability around abuse reporting, and legal disputes tied to tithing and financial transparency.

This is a curated highlight cut of a nearly 90-minute conversation, pulling together the most important moments so you can quickly catch up on the key topics and discussions.

If you follow Mormonism, church policy debates, or religious journalism, this one is worth your time.

🔗 Full episode: https://youtu.be/NDPG5KsLTtI

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The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

For years, Mormon News Roundup was built around cohosts, guests, and collaborations. I shared my platform with dozens—maybe hundreds—of creators from across the Mormon and ex-Mormon worlds. Many of them felt like genuine friends.

At least, that's what I thought.

In this deeply personal episode, I talk about the reality of online friendships, content creator relationships, and the hard lessons I've learned after years of podcasting and producing nearly 3,000 videos.

We discuss:

• Why many creator friendships turned out to be surprisingly fragile

• The difference between real friendship and professional convenience

• One-sided collaborations and platform dynamics

• Doxxing attempts, privacy concerns, and threats against my family

• The emotional toll of online drama and public controversy

• What happened when I announced the LDS Church had taken steps toward litigation

• Why I no longer bring regular cohosts onto Mormon News Roundup

• How my views on trust, loyalty, and community have changed

This isn't a callout video. I'm not interested in relitigating old conflicts or naming names. Instead, this is an honest reflection on what happens when online relationships collide with real life, and what I've learned about boundaries, privacy, and protecting the people I care about most.

Sometimes the hardest lessons come from the people you thought were closest to you.

If you've ever experienced friendship, collaboration, betrayal, or disappointment in online communities, I'd be interested to hear your perspective in the comments.

#ExMormon #MormonNewsRoundup #Mormonism #Podcasting #ContentCreator #ExMormonCommunity #LDS #OnlineFriendships #YouTubeCreator #FaithJourney #Doxxing #Commentary #PersonalStory #MormonDiscussion #YouTubeDrama

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New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM EST

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The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

D. Todd Christofferson is one of the most senior leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he has been one of the most recognizable voices in modern LDS leadership.

His brother, Wade Christofferson, has pleaded guilty in federal court in Ohio to charges involving coercion and enticement of a m*nor. He now faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence.

Wade Christofferson had previously been excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over CSA allegations, but was later rebaptized and returned to church membership. Reports have raised questions about his subsequent involvement in church settings and what safeguards were in place.

This video is a complete supercut of the latest news coverage, commentary, and public reactions surrounding the Wade Christofferson case.

The discussion has prompted difficult questions among both faithful Latter-day Saints and former members:

• What did church leaders know, and when did they know it?

• How were decisions regarding membership and church participation made?

• Could more have been done to protect ch*ldren?

• How should institutions respond when allegations of ab*se involve members with connections to leadership?

This episode examines the reporting, reactions, and ongoing conversation surrounding this case.

⚠️ Content note: This video discusses CSA and related legal proceedings.

Subscribe to Mormon News Roundup for commentary, analysis, and discussion of news and issues involving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

#MormonNewsRoundup #LDSChurch #WadeChristofferson #DarrenChristofferson

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The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Greg Matsen has become one of the most influential voices in the faithful Latter-day Saint online world through his channel, Quick Media.

But that isn't the version of Greg I originally subscribed to.

In this episode, I look at Greg's evolution from a creator focused on scripture study, historical context, and Come Follow Me lessons into a commentator increasingly centered on gender politics, LGBTQ issues, BYU controversies, and broader culture-war debates.

I discuss:

• How Quick Media originally attracted a large LDS audience

• Greg's shift away from scripture-focused content

• His criticism of BYU professors and academic freedom concerns

• His views on LGBTQ and transgender issues

• The relationship between religion, politics, and culture-war content

• How creators can build large audiences around ideological commentary

• Why Greg's approach has resonated with many conservative Latter-day Saints

I also share my broader thoughts on religious authority, evidence, morality, and the growing influence of online Mormon commentators.

What do you think? Has Greg Matsen changed over the years, or has his current content simply revealed priorities that were always there?

Leave your thoughts in the comments.

#Mormonism #LDS #ExMormon #GregMatsen #QuickMedia #BYU #Religion #CultureWar #LGBTQ #Commentary

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The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Jasmine Rappleye has quickly become one of the most recognizable voices in online Mormon apologetics. After spending years with Scripture Central, she built a growing audience by presenting faithful answers to difficult questions about Mormon history, doctrine, and Church leadership.

In this episode, I take a closer look at Jasmine's rise, her background in the LDS apologetics world, and why her content resonates with so many believing members of the Church. I also explore some of the criticisms frequently raised by former Mormons and skeptics who argue that apologetics often prioritizes defending institutional truth claims over following evidence wherever it leads.

Is Jasmine simply a sincere believer sharing her faith? Or is she part of a broader ecosystem designed to keep members committed to Mormonism?

We'll examine:

• Jasmine Rappleye's work with Scripture Central

• The role of LDS apologetics in modern Mormonism

• Why her content appeals to faithful audiences

• Common criticisms from ex-Mormons and Church critics

• The relationship between apologetics, doubt, and belief

Whether you agree with Jasmine or not, there's no question that she has become one of the most influential Mormon content creators on the internet today.

What do you think? Is Jasmine providing valuable answers, or simply repackaging institutional narratives? Let me know in the comments.

#Mormonism #ExMormon #LDS #JasmineRappleye #ScriptureCentral #MormonApologetics #FaithCrisis #MormonChurch #Religion #YouTubeCommentary

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New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM EST

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The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Throwback Thursday to Episode 117 — featuring Rob Cox, LMFT, an ex-Mormon therapist whose perspective brought a deeper, more human layer to this conversation than expected.

In this episode, we explored how church decisions don’t just stay abstract or institutional — they affect real people in real communities. From proposed LDS temple developments and how they can fracture local communities, to questions surrounding Ensign Peak and the Church’s financial transparency, Rob brings a grounded clinical lens to topics that are often discussed only at a surface level.

The full conversation runs about 90 minutes, but this video highlights the most impactful moments so you can get straight to the core ideas without the full watch.

If you haven’t seen Episode 117 before, this is a great entry point into one of the more thoughtful and layered discussions on the channel.

Enjoy the throwback.

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The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A few years ago, I criticized Jacob Hansen's fellow Mormon apologist Michelle Stone. But that's not what this video is about.

While browsing community clips from Mormon News Roundup, I stumbled across an obscure YouTube channel belonging to a user named "Jacob H 1986." After digging through the uploads, I became convinced the channel belongs to Jacob Hansen of the Thoughtful Faith channel.

What followed was an unexpected journey into the past.

These videos show a much younger Jacob Hansen long before he became one of Mormonism's most recognizable online defenders. Family gatherings, hunting trips in the Nevada mountains, missionary-era optimism, LDS youth activities, business ventures, and everyday life all combine to create what feels like a fascinating Mormon time capsule.

Watching these videos, I didn't see a villain. I saw a young believing Latter-day Saint who reminded me of my own younger self.

Unfortunately, that's where our paths diverged.

In this video, I discuss Jacob Hansen's defense of Joseph Smith's polygamy, racist LDS teachings, anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, criticism of ex-Mormon women, and support for the LDS Church's vast financial empire. I explore how Mormonism can shape otherwise decent people into defenders of ideas that many modern observers find harmful.

I also examine the broader role religious indoctrination plays in perpetuating belief systems across generations and why I continue speaking out against Mormon truth claims.

Most importantly, I ask a simple question:

What do YOU see when you watch these old videos?

Do you see a sincere believer?

A future Mormon apologist?

Or someone whose life might have looked very different outside the influence of the LDS Church?

Watch and let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Jacob H's SUPER SECRET Channel that no one could possibly know about: https://www.youtube.com/@hansenjacob1986

#Mormonism #JacobHansen #ThoughtfulFaith #ExMormon #LDSChurch #MormonNewsRoundup #JosephSmith #MormonApologetics #ReligiousDeconstruction #PostMormon #MormonStories #Religion #ExLDS #Nevada #MormonDiscussion

Original video discussed: https://youtu.be/ATJHUOyZ-rU?is=aEer7j6SUvdqP7uR: https://youtu.be/ATJHUOyZ-rU?is=aEer7j6SUvdqP7uR

👍 Like, Subscribe, and Share if you enjoy Mormon commentary, church history analysis, and discussions about faith, doubt, and deconstruction.

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The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.