Sunstone Podcast

How did the one of richest Mormon polygamous groups get its start? With one man, Charles William Kingston. In this episode, his great-grandson, Charles Elden Kingston, tells his story. https://sunstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/SLP-157.mp3

Yes, the mothership temple of Utah County has been the butt of many jokes. But what will we lose if the LDS Church goes ahead with its renovation of the Provo Temple? Alan Barnett reveals surprising architectural aspects of the Provo and Ogden Temples, and argues that their loss robs us of an essential part of Mormon history and imagination. https://sunstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/156.mp3

Our intuition tells us that there must be humor in heaven, but the D&C has specific injunctions against laughter. Using theories of humor and stories from the Bible, Stephen Carter tries to figure out what kind of jokes gods make. And if they’re any good. https://sunstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/155.mp3

When Michael Stevens started teaching university courses in Utah, he noticed that passive-aggressive behavior was significantly higher there than at the midwestern universities he had taught at. His studies revealed that the behavior was highest among people with an LDS background. Where does this behavior come from? How does it manifest itself? And how does it affect Mormon culture? https://sunstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/154.mp3

Would Jesus pass muster to visit an LDS ward? Ryan Shoemaker doesn’t think so. But for reasons that have more to do with Whole Foods than the whole gospel. Episode includes bonus scripture from Jake Christensen. https://sunstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/153.mp3

The story goes that anyone who leaves the Good Ship Zion comes back all wet and half drowned. But in this episode, Stephen Carter argues that this is short-sighted, and that a journey away from the ship may actually be the best way to save both yourself and the ship. https://sunstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SLP-152.mp3

Mormonism used to pride itself on how different it was from other Christian sects. But it has since become part and parcel of the Evangelical movement. How did this happen? In this episode, Stephen Carter looks at recent LDS history through Kristen Du Mez’s book “Jesus and John Wayne: How Evangelicalism Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation.” https://sunstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SLP-151.mp3

Walking into the forest means walking into the unknown. Reverend Patty Willis has done so many times in her life, and is about to do it again. https://sunstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/150.mp3

When the Proclamation on the Family says “gender,” what does it mean? Ted Lee makes a case that using the academic, rather than colloquial, definition of gender opens the way to fitting transgender people into the Plan of Salvation. https://sunstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/149.mp3

In these two hilarious and compelling dialogues by Theric Jepson, Mormon Socrates explores the theology behind transgender people and reproductive rights. https://sunstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/148.mp3