

WARD RADIO
Cardon Ellis
We delight in truth. We Denounce Deception. We Have Fun! We talk anything and everything tangential to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!
DISCLAIMER: The Opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the radio hosts themselves and do not represent official positions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We are not apologists, we are just radio hosts who call it how we see it :)
#Mormon #LDS #christian #cardonellis #midnightmormons #exmormon #jesus #God #thechurchofjesuschristoflatterdayssaints
DISCLAIMER: The Opinions expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the radio hosts themselves and do not represent official positions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We are not apologists, we are just radio hosts who call it how we see it :)
#Mormon #LDS #christian #cardonellis #midnightmormons #exmormon #jesus #God #thechurchofjesuschristoflatterdayssaints
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 30, 2025 • 28min
We Need to Vibe Check Baptisms for the Dead
What do baptisms for the dead really mean—and why do so many outsiders get it wrong? 🤔Cardon sits down with the crew for a lively, funny, and honest discussion about one of Mormonism’s unique rituals.The panel breaks down misconceptions about proxy baptisms (no, it’s not necromancy 😅), compares LDS rituals to cultural traditions like Texas football, and debates whether “baptism for the dead” should be rebranded as “ancestral baptism” to make it more relatable.They also dive into how the Church communicates with the world today, from handling critics to connecting with New Age spiritual seekers. Along the way, expect humor, self-reflection, and some bold suggestions—like free seer stones as outreach gimmicks.Whether you’re a believer, skeptic, or just curious, this episode explores how to embrace “weirdness,” find common ground across cultures, and talk openly about faith without fear.

Sep 29, 2025 • 29min
Study Shows Mormons Have LESS Toxic Perfectionism
Is the LDS Church fueling “toxic perfectionism”… or protecting against it? 🤔 Cardon and Jonah Barnes take on one of the most common stereotypes about Latter-day Saints—that their faith drives unhealthy perfectionism, scrupulosity, and OCD-like tendencies. Referencing a major study by BYU professor Justin Dyer, they reveal surprising results: active Latter-day Saints actually report the lowest levels of toxic perfectionism and scrupulosity compared to other groups. The highest? Former members of religious communities, especially ex-Latter-day Saints. The hosts explore how faith, family ties, and community involvement act as protective factors against mental health struggles—and why leaving faith may leave some more vulnerable to societal pressures and isolation. They also highlight how authentic connection (hugging grandkids, going to church, showing up for people) builds resilience against consumer-driven perfectionism. This isn’t about minimizing real OCD or mental health challenges—it’s about looking at the data, rejecting stereotypes, and recognizing the power of strong faith communities in promoting well-being. 📌 Takeaway: Religion doesn’t make people more “toxic.” It might just make them healthier, happier, and more grounded.

Sep 27, 2025 • 56min
Why Every Young Person Needs Exposure To Apologetics
Joseph Gambot, a Young Latter-day Saint podcaster, shares his journey through a faith crisis sparked by anti-LDS content, ultimately finding strength in apologetics. Drew Scarborough, co-founder of the No Unhallowed Hand podcast, recounts his experience drifting into megachurch culture before rekindling his relationship with God through personal devotion. The discussion emphasizes the importance of combining intellectual defenses and emotional connections in faith, highlighting the need for honest conversations to support young believers facing modern challenges.

Sep 26, 2025 • 1h 49min
Dead Sea Scroll Stylometry Proves The Bible Was Forged and the Book of Mormon is True!
We are just trying to "follow the science" here, people... all the way to church. And, fortunately for us, stylometric A.I. has just figured out that Deuteronomy was basically forged, and the Book of Mormon wasn't... we don't make the rules.

Sep 25, 2025 • 28min
Top 3 Myths on the Book of Abraham with Kerry Muhlestein
The Book of Abraham is one of the most controversial parts of Latter-day Saint scripture. Critics claim Joseph Smith couldn’t have translated it, the facsimiles don’t match, and there’s no evidence supporting his account. Egyptologist Kerry Muhlestein joins Cardon to break it all down.Together, they tackle the top 3 “killer arguments” against the Book of Abraham and explain why they don’t hold up. From missing papyri to facsimiles and evidence that actually supports Joseph Smith, Kerry shows that the situation is far more nuanced than the sound bites suggest.This episode dives deep but stays practical and real — blending humor, faith, and scholarship to help you see the Book of Abraham with fresh perspective.👉 What do you think? Are the critics right, or is there more to the story? Let us know in the comments.

Sep 22, 2025 • 26min
Elder Rasband & President Oaks Go Bold on Family
Cardon together with Jonah and Austin dive into the unforgettable moments and key messages from the recent "Make Babies and Grow a Garden" General Conference talks. They explore why the phrase “have babies and grow a garden” is trending as the new “touch grass” in conservative LDS circles, and unpack Rasband’s deep dive on the origins and spiritual significance of the Family Proclamation. The discussion also highlights Dallin H. Oaks and President Nelson’s strong stance on family, marriage, and birth rates—along with their powerful calls to action.The hosts share how these talks encouraged listeners to live more deliberately through simple, meaningful choices like camping, gardening, turning off screens, and prioritizing family productivity. You’ll also hear personal reactions to the talks, including stories, memorable quotes, and tips for grandparents and families to stay engaged.

Sep 20, 2025 • 27min
Debunking a Christian Ambushing Grifter
Ambushing young LDS missionaries for YouTube clicks isn’t bold—it’s exploitation.Cardon Ellis, his son Ryder, and associate professor Jonah Barnes call out the rise of content creators like “Christian Muhammad” who build platforms by cornering missionaries with loaded questions, then editing the footage to make them look unprepared.But are the missionaries really stumped? Far from it. The panel reviews clips, giving “W’s” to solid answers about pre-Christian faith in Christ, biblical prophecy, and the legitimacy of ongoing revelation. Along the way, Jonah brands the tactic for what it is: profit-driven grifting disguised as apologetics.The team also breaks down why these debates rarely show the full picture—and why sincere seekers should welcome more scripture and honest dialogue, not ambush theatrics.

Sep 18, 2025 • 2h 14min
Peace-making Advice from a Libertarian.. and Jim Bennett!
As members of the church, we are constantly admonished to "be peacemakers", but that lofty ideal is difficult to distill into practical, every-day action. In this video we discuss with Loren Dean, the leader of the California Libertarian Party, who happens to be members, how to actually do this in real life.

Sep 18, 2025 • 52min
Top 5 MISTAKES People Make About the Book of Abraham (with Kerry Muhlestein)
Cardon sits down with Egyptologist Kerry Muhlestein to unpack the myths, assumptions, and lazy learning that dominate conversations about the Book of Abraham. Together, they challenge the sound-bite culture that treats skepticism as “objective” and faith as “biased,” showing how both sides often rely on unproven assumptions.Kerry explains why secondary sources and quick takes fall short, how Joseph Smith’s idea of “translation” was broader than critics assume, and why ancient texts resist simple, one-size-fits-all answers. The discussion tackles papyrus theories, scholarly blind spots, and the need for honest engagement with scripture itself—not just internet arguments.At its heart, this episode is about moving past surface-level debates to a deeper, more nuanced search for truth. Kerry’s scholarship and Cardon’s lively questioning create a compelling, accessible conversation that will challenge believers and critics alike to rethink what they thought they knew about the Book of Abraham.

Sep 18, 2025 • 1h 37min
Charlie Kirk's Legacy is Already Beginning...
If there is a silver lining in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, it is the entire new generation of movements of positivity and Christianity that have been inspired. Thomas Lundberg is one of those inspired men and his 501(c)3, "Gathering Israel", is doubling its efforts to introduce people to Christ worldwide.


