Sunstone Magazine

In this episode, S. Richard Bellrock argues that the LDS proselytizing mission hits all the right buttons at all the right times to be a bona fide instance of hazing, with both hazing’s benefits and drawbacks.

As we continue our journey through Mormon succession contenders, Bryan and Lindsay offer up Sidney Rigdon for your consideration.

Most Mormons are suspicious of postmodernism. But Mormon apologists have actually made use of it to defend the faith. How in the world did they do it? Will it backfire? Taylor Petrey takes us on a tour of this fraught relationship in this 2019 Sunstone Summer Symposium recording.

For a time, he was THE Stake President and the biggest game in town… but not for long, especially after the death of Joseph Smith. Come learn about the rise and fall of Brother William Marks, another contender in the Mormon succession crisis.

Stephen Carter believes that a Canadian horror film holds the key to escaping any faith crisis. But will it turn you into a zombie?

As the podcast begins to gear up for the Mormon succession crisis, Bryan and Lindsay review the major players. One of the unlikely contenders to take over the church after Joseph Smith’s murder was his younger brother Sam. But Sam wouldn’t survive long himself and his cause of death remains a mystery.

In this episode, scholar Reza Aslan examines how the idea of gods arose in human evolution, was gradually personalized, endowed with human traits and emotions, and eventually transformed into a single Divine Personality. This episode was recorded at the 2019 Sunstone Summer Symposium.

Ten years ago, President Thomas S. Monson opened the City Creek Shopping Center across from Temple Square with the immortal words, “Let’s go shopping!” Where is the line between the sacred and the secular in Mormonism? Matthew Bowman explores that question in this week’s episode. Recorded at the 2019 Sunstone Summer Symposium.

The first time Mormonism encountered the Pacific Islands was in the 1840’s. Unfortunately for native Hawaiians, the Gospel wasn’t the only thing Mormons brought to the Islands. Bryan and Lindsay discuss the first mission to the Sandwich Islands, as well as the Smallpox epidemic. Show notes: John Hammond’s Sunstone speech on the Smallpox epidemic

According to Paula Baker, the LDS Church is trying to become more empathetic. But when is empathy real and when is it fake? Baker explores the differences and how they could apply to an LDS context. This episode was part of a session at the 2021 Sunstone Summer Symposium.

Come hear the diverging duet of two cousins, Joseph F. Smith and Joseph Smith III and how their paths mirrored and shaped two dominant Mormon sects.

As more people experience faith transitions, many LDS couples find themselves grieving over their suddenly mixed-faith marriages. In this episode, eight therapists and life coaches give both personal and professional insights into honoring the challenging and the beautiful aspects of differing beliefs in a marriage. This episode was recorded at the 2020 Sunstone Summer Symposium.

Joseph and Hyrum are shot dead in Carthage. Now what? Join Lindsay and Bryan as they discuss the aftermath of the events at Carthage.

A recent Pew Research poll showed that 72% of Americans believe in a literal heaven, 58% in a literal hell. Most people who hold these beliefs are Christian and assume they are the age-old teachings from the Bible. But eternal rewards and punishments are found nowhere in the Old Testament and are not what Jesus …

We are kicking off Season Three of the Sunstone Mormon History podcast. But before we do, Bryan and Lindsay discuss the state of the podcast: where it’s been and where it’s heading.

The largest massacre of Native Americans by federal troops in the history of the United States took place in Cache Valley, Idaho, and it was both invited and condoned by the Mormons settling the area. Darren Parry, author of “The Bear River Massacre: A Shoshone History,” tells the story of that day on this episode …

Heather Robertson and Christina Dee, both practicing members of the LDS Church, have experienced a significant shift in their approach to the LGBTQ community. This is their story. This episode comes from the 2020 Sunstone Summer Symposium.

Join Lindsay and Bryan for the final episode in season two of the Sunstone Mormon History podcast as they discuss the murder of Joseph Smith in Carthage.

Most people see their faith journey as taking them away from religion. But, using The Matrix, The Hobbit, and Star Wars, Stephen Carter uncovers evidence that faith journeys have something completely different up their sleeves.

Listen. Do you want to know a secret? Do you promise not to tell? Oh you’re going to love this episode on Joseph Smith’s secret Council of Fifty. It’s full of sacred, secret things and big plans for the entire world. In this episode, Bryan and Lindsay discuss the history of the Nauvoo Council of …