The Mormon Canon Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jim Bennett
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What has changed about the LDS temple—and what do those changes tell us about the Church itself?
Historian Greg Prince joins Jim Bennett and Ian Wilks for a wide-ranging conversation about the history and evolution of Latter-day Saint temple worship. Greg reveals that he has spent fifty years researching a comprehensive history of the temple endowment, tracing the idea of being “endowed with power from on high” back to the earliest days of the Church.
The conversation explores the difference between priesthood authority and spiritual power, the development of the temple recommend process, changes to recommend questions and the endowment itself, and the sometimes complicated experience members have when encountering the temple for the first time.
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Can your feelings tell you what's true? And what happens when the same feeling shows up during Star Wars, a favorite song, or a testimony meeting?
In this episode of Inside Out, Jim Bennett, Ian Wilks, and returning guest Greg Prince tackle one of the most important and challenging questions in religious life: How do we discern truth?
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Was there really a Mormon Mafia?
After Candace Owens revived the phrase while discussing the death of Charlie Kirk, social media exploded with jokes—and questions. But according to Jim Bennett, the "Mormon Mafia" wasn't just an internet meme. It was a very real network of influential Latter-day Saints whose connections reached into the worlds of Howard Hughes, Las Vegas, the CIA, Watergate, and American politics.
Drawing on his own family's remarkable firsthand experiences, Jim separates myth from history, explaining how his father became entangled in the Howard Hughes empire and why that bizarre chapter of American history continues to fuel conspiracy theories decades later.
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David O. McKay remains one of the most beloved—and influential—presidents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But how well do we really know the man behind the carefully curated public image?
In this special one-on-one episode, Jim Bennett sits down with acclaimed historian Greg Prince, author of the landmark biography David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism, for an in-depth conversation about President McKay's life, leadership, and legacy.
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Is America really "a choice land above all others" — or has that idea become a barrier to the church's future? In this episode of Inside Out, Jim Bennett and Ian Wilkes welcome back Greg Prince to dig into the doctrine of the promised land and what it would actually take for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to become a truly international church.
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When President Dallin H. Oaks recently reaffirmed that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the "only true and living church," it sparked a fresh round of discussion among members and former members alike. What does that claim actually mean? And how should Latter-day Saints understand it in today's religious landscape?
Ian and Jim welcome back historian Greg Prince for a thoughtful conversation about President Oaks' remarks and the broader implications of exclusivity claims in religion. Together they explore what it means to possess "the fullness of the gospel," how priesthood authority and a testimony of Christ fit into the Church's identity, and whether the Church's greatest strength lies in what it proclaims—or in what it demonstrates through the way it treats people.
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Is there a growing divide between the Trump administration and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
In this episode of Inside Out, Ian, Jim, and historian Greg Prince examine a recent Religion News Service article by Jana Riess arguing that the Church is quietly distancing itself from the MAGA movement—not through public denunciations, but through its actions.
The conversation explores the Church's expanding humanitarian efforts, its relationship with the U.S. Constitution, the influence of partisan politics on Latter-day Saints, and whether Church leaders have a responsibility to speak more directly about moral issues in the public square.
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What happens when faith becomes painful—but you still want to stay?
In this episode of Inside Out, Jim Bennett and Ian Wilks welcome author, speaker, and host of the Listen, Learn & Love podcast Richard Ostlerfor a candid conversation about belonging, compassion, and the power of creating space for people whose experiences don't fit neatly into traditional expectations.
Richard shares insights from years of listening to and supporting Latter-day Saints navigating faith crises, questions about church teachings, LGBTQ experiences, and complex family relationships. Together, the hosts and Richard explore what it means to lead with empathy rather than judgment, how authentic listening can build bridges across deep differences, and why creating a sense of belonging matters more than winning arguments.
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For more than two years, the small town of Fairview, Texas has been at the center of one of the most closely watched temple disputes in recent Latter-day Saint history.
What began as a proposal for a new LDS temple quickly grew into a controversy over steeple height, zoning laws, religious freedom, local governance, and what it means to be a good neighbor.
In this episode of Inside Out, Ian and Jim sit down with Fairview Mayor Dr. John Hubbard for an in-depth conversation about the conflict, the city's perspective, and the path that led from a denied permit to a controversial compromise.
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Ian and Jim sit down with renowned British investigative journalist John Sweeney, whose career has taken him from war zones and authoritarian regimes to some of the world's most controversial religious movements.
John discusses his acclaimed BBC documentary The Mormon Candidate, produced during Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, and reflects on his now-infamous interview with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. He shares behind-the-scenes insights into what happened before, during, and after the interview, how the Church responded, and how his views of Latter-day Saints evolved through the process.
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Ian sits down with Jeff Strong, author of the groundbreaking book Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What Can We Learn from Them?
Drawing on research involving more than 20,000 current and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jeff explores one of the most important and emotionally charged questions facing faith communities today: Why are so many people stepping away from organized religion, and what can those who stay learn from their experiences?
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What does it really mean to claim to be "the only true and living church on the face of the earth"? In this episode of Inside Out, Ian and Jim sit down with returning guest Greg Prince to wrestle with one of the boldest claims in Latter-day Saint theology — and the exclusive priesthood authority that underpins it.
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Ian, Jim, and historian Greg Prince explore the controversial history of the Nauvoo Expositor and its lasting implications for honesty, institutional transparency, and the modern LDS Church.
The discussion begins with a review of the Church’s official explanation for the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor printing press in 1844 and whether Joseph Smith’s actions as mayor of Nauvoo were legally or morally justified. Greg Prince argues that the expositor’s accusations—including plural marriage, theocratic leadership, secrecy, and theological innovation—were largely true, which made the publication uniquely threatening to Joseph Smith and the Church. The hosts discuss how the destruction of the press directly contributed to the events leading to Joseph Smith’s death at Carthage Jail.
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Ian and Jim welcome back historian and author Greg Prince for a deep dive into one of the most controversial topics in Latter-day Saint history: the multiple accounts of Joseph Smith’s First Vision.
Together, they explore the historical record surrounding the First Vision, including the differences between Joseph Smith’s 1832, 1835, and 1838 accounts, the evolution of LDS teachings about the nature of God, and why the First Vision was largely absent from early missionary work and Church discourse for decades. Greg lays out the historical facts that have caused many members to struggle with faith, while Jim and Ian wrestle openly with what those facts mean spiritually, historically, and personally.
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Ian, Jim, and returning guest Greg Prince tackle one of the most urgent and sensitive issues facing the Latter-day Saint community today: faith crisis.
Drawing on new research, personal experience, and candid discussion, the trio explores why so many members step away from the Church—and why common assumptions about sin, offense, or weakness often miss the mark. They examine the real drivers behind disaffiliation, including doctrinal concerns, historical questions, and a growing sense that the Church no longer resonates as it once did.
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Ian and Jim explore a “tale of the unexpected” that turns out to be far more universal than dramatic.
Jim shares the story of how he ended up serving a mission—not through a sudden, life-altering conversion, but through a lifetime of quieter spiritual experiences he once felt weren’t “enough.” Along the way, he opens up about growing up as an outsider, navigating identity across different social worlds, and the pressure to make his story more compelling—even to himself.
Through a pivotal moment on his mission, Jim realizes that the story he’s been telling isn’t true—and that the real story, the honest one, is far more meaningful.
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In this livestream, Ian and Jim are joined once again by historian and author Greg Prince for a candid, unfiltered conversation on one of the most talked-about developments in the Latter-day Saint world: the Church’s lawsuit against John Dehlin and Mormon Stories.
The conversation also touches on broader themes, including the “Streisand Effect,” the challenges of faith transitions, and the need for open, respectful dialogue—both inside and outside the Church.
In the final segment, the hosts briefly react to newly announced Young Women class names, raising questions about messaging, symbolism, and gender equity in Church programs.
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Ian shares one of the most disturbing—and unforgettable—experiences from his mission in Scotland.
What begins as a routine visit with a potential convert quickly turns into something far stranger. A blessing. A voice that isn’t hers. A sudden, violent shift. And a moment that leaves two young missionaries questioning everything they thought they understood about faith, the supernatural, and the human mind.
Jim responds with a story of his own—one that once felt like a clear case of spiritual possession, but now raises deeper questions about mental health, belief, and interpretation.
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Ian and Jim are joined by returning guest Greg Prince to explore his updated Roadmap 2.0 for improving Mormonism. Building on earlier discussions, the conversation dives deeply into one central question: Is the Church still relevant in today’s world—and if so, how?
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Ian and Jim are joined once again by returning guest Greg Prince to explore the evolution of his influential “Roadmap” for improving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Building on more than 20 prior conversations, Greg introduces Roadmap 2.0—a significantly expanded and refined version of his original work. Drawing on decades of research, personal experience, and deep reflection, Greg explains how the new roadmap goes beyond diagnosis to offer concrete, thoughtful solutions to some of the Church’s most pressing challenges.
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Ian and Jim reunite for a wide-ranging, candid conversation sparked by a recent Church policy change allowing women to serve as ward Sunday School presidents.
What begins as a discussion of a seemingly small shift quickly expands into a deeper exploration of authority, gender roles, and the nature of change within the Church. Jim and Ian examine whether this move represents meaningful progress or merely a symbolic “crack in the dam”—and what it might signal for the future.
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This is audio from a livestream discussion that took place on March 10, 2026. You can watch the original video here.
Ian and Jim are joined once again by historian and author Greg Prince for a candid discussion on one of the most difficult and urgent issues facing the Church today: abuse, accountability, and institutional responsibility.
Framed as “encouragement, not criticism,” Greg shares insights from his proposed roadmap for improving Mormonism—focusing on how the Church can better protect vulnerable individuals and confront systemic shortcomings. The conversation is sparked by recent headlines and expands into a broader examination of clergy abuse, legal structures, and the role of Church leadership.
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Ian and Jim welcome returning guest Michelle Brady Stone, along with historian Cheryl Bruno, co-founders of the Journal of Mormon Polygamy. Together, they explore the complex and often controversial history of polygamy in the early Church through the lens of scholarship, not soundbites.
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Ian and Jim welcome a longtime friend and Ian's former missionary companion, Byron Casper—the son of legendary golfer Billy Casper.
Byron shares what it was like growing up in the shadow of one of golf’s greatest champions, rebelling as a teenager, and eventually serving a mission in Scotland despite feeling completely unprepared for it. His story includes everything from PGA Tour life to culture shock in Aberdeen, a fiery missionary companionship with Ian, and a transformative final month serving among the poverty of Glasgow’s Easterhouse.
Along the way, the conversation is packed with unforgettable stories—mission legends, clashes of personality, encounters with witches in Scotland, a surreal moment in a bathroom with golf icon Jack Nicklaus, and Byron’s journey back into the professional golf world after his mission.
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Ian and Jim sit down with listener Chris Robinson to discuss faith, shame, addiction, and the long road toward self-acceptance.
Chris shares his deeply personal story growing up in the Church, serving a mission, and quietly battling a pornography addiction that filled his life with secrecy, guilt, and spiritual turmoil. Chris’s courage in sharing his story opens an honest conversation about topics that are often avoided but desperately needed.
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In this deeply personal episode, Ian shares a story he’s never told publicly before about an experience that changed his life forever.
Jim responds with a powerful mission story of his own, and together they reflect on what these sacred moments mean — inside faith, outside faith, and beyond religious boundaries. Does God show up only within organized religion? Or is divine love universal and available to everyone?
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This is the audio version of a live discussion with Greg Prince that took place on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
Greg Prince’s Roadmap for Improving Mormonism outlines how essential it is for the Church to adopt a positive philosophy of sex as it deals with the realities and the challenges of the modern world.
You can watch the video on YouTube by clicking here.
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How much do we really know? And how much should we claim to know?
Ian, Jim, and historian Greg Prince explore the role of mystery in faith. Beginning with a fascinating story about President David O. McKay’s reluctance to “paint Christ,” the conversation unfolds into a wide-ranging discussion about doctrine, certainty, humility, science, temple symbolism, and the danger of claiming too many answers.
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Ian shares a spontaneous with two young missionaries in a shopping mall — a conversation that quickly moved from small talk to polygamy, race and the priesthood, prophetic fallibility, and moral obedience.
What happens when one missionary says he would follow the prophet “even if it was wrong,” and his companion quietly says he wouldn’t?
Then the discussion turns to the recent calling of Elder Clark G. Gilbert as an apostle — a decision that has sparked both support and backlash. Is this a missed opportunity for broader representation? A signal of retrenchment? A strategic move by President Oaks? What does it mean to sustain a leader you don’t necessarily agree with?
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We're going to be one of the first podcasts out of the gate to discuss President Oaks's debut address as President of the Church, which he gave today at BYU!
Come be part of the discussion - it starts at 7:00 PM, about an hour from now!
Click here or visit https://www.youtube.com/live/yCpgfxzximk?si=RrZBJySGSaH3qjxz
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Ian and Jim welcome historian and author Greg Prince back to the podcast for a searching, urgent conversation about moral authority in the public square—and the growing silence of religious institutions at a moment of profound civic and ethical crisis.
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Ian and Jim sit down for a one-on-one conversation to examine recent remarks by Elder Ronald A. Rasband about missionary work, church growth, and the “hastening” of the Lord’s work.
Taking a close look at six “false narratives” Elder Rasband says need debunking, Jim and Ian explore what church growth really means—and how it’s measured. They discuss missionary numbers, retention rates, regional differences, and why broad claims often lack the hard data needed to evaluate them honestly.
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Ian and Jim are joined once again by historian and scholar Greg Prince to explore one of the most neglected and sensitive issues in modern Mormonism: disability. Drawing from Greg’s unpublished “roadmap” for institutional reform—and from deeply personal experience as the parent of an autistic adult—the conversation examines how church culture, doctrine, and silence have shaped the lived experiences of people with disabilities and their families.
Together, Greg, Jim, and Ian unpack harmful theological assumptions, patronizing narratives, and the human tendency to seek tidy answers for suffering. The discussion ranges from autism and physical disability to broader parallels with race, gender, and LGBTQ issues in the Church. At its heart, this episode is a call for humility, compassion, and honesty—centered on two simple principles: don’t judge, and ask how you can help.
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Ian and Jim are joined once again by historian and author Greg Prince to discuss the Church’s long-standing “us versus them” mindset — how it shaped missionary culture, theological certainty, and member identity, and how it continues to affect relationships with other faiths, former members, and the wider world.
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Richard Lyman Bushman, one of the most influential historians of Joseph Smith and early Mormonism, returns to Inside Out for a candid conversation about faith, doubt, and the complicated relationship between spiritual conviction and institutional history.
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In this New Year episode of Inside Out, Ian and Jim welcome back historian and scholar Greg Prince for a wide-ranging conversation centered on the recent passing of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and what his funeral revealed about the Church’s leadership transition and future direction.
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Ian and Jim welcome back renowned Mormon historian and author Greg Prince for a thoughtful, eye-opening conversation about one of the most debated elements of modern Mormon culture: the Word of Wisdom.
Together, they examine how a revelation originally given “not by commandment or constraint” became a central loyalty marker for temple worthiness—and why the Church’s modern enforcement looks very different from the actual text of Doctrine & Covenants 89.
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What does it really mean to be a Christian - or a Mormon - today?
Ian and Jim are once again joined by historian Greg Prince and author and former bishop Ganesh Cherian for an honest, unscripted conversation about faith, loyalty, identity, and the future of Mormonism.
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What happens when conscience collides with institution—and peace, not anger, is the result?
Ian and Jim sit down with Karen Hyatt, a lifelong Latter-day Saint whose deep devotion to Christ led her to one of the most controversial conclusions in modern Mormon discourse: that Joseph Smith was not a polygamist—and that the historical record has been profoundly misrepresented.
Karen shares her faith journey as a convert, missionary, wife, and researcher, culminating in her two-hour documentary Woe Unto You Scribes, which compiles primary documents from the Joseph Smith Papers and other contemporary sources. What follows is not a story of bitterness or rebellion—but of calm conviction, spiritual clarity, and integrity.
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Jim and Ian sit down with Pat Boisselle — an old friend of Ian's whose life in Mormonism was defined by devotion, service, and sincerity.
For decades, Pat was the kind of Latter-day Saint who quietly strengthened his community: a devoted husband, a dedicated missionary, a compassionate servant, and someone known for going above and beyond without seeking recognition.
But in recent years, Pat’s faith was shaken by troubling questions, institutional decisions, and personal experiences that made him reevaluate the church he once gave everything to.
It’s the heartfelt account of a good man seeking truth, wrestling with loss, and choosing integrity even when it hurts.
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Ian and Jim welcome back a favorite guest: Nemo the Mormon, joining Inside Out from the UK for a deep-dive conversation about one of the most defining—and difficult—topics in Latter-day Saint culture: fallibility vs. infallibility in the Church.
Using a homemade “Infallibility Meter” (complete with sound effects and a cardboard spinner), the three tackle several big topics at random—each framed around the question: What does the Church get right, and where does human fallibility show through?
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Ian and Jim welcome back historian and author Greg Prince for a deep dive into one of the most sensitive and consequential themes in Greg’s “Roadmap for Improving Mormonism”: gerontocracy—a system of governance led by the very old—and how it shapes the culture, leadership, and future of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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In one of our most anticipated conversations to date, Inside Out welcomes the remarkable Sandra Tanner — writer, historian, researcher, and the great-great-granddaughter of Brigham Young. For more than sixty years, Sandra and her late husband Jerald Tanner have been at the forefront of documenting and analyzing the origins, doctrines, and historical claims of the LDS Church. Their work has influenced generations of scholars, members, and truth-seekers across the faith spectrum.
In this candid, wide-ranging interview, Sandra recounts her journey from faithful Latter-day Saint to one of the most influential critical voices in modern Mormon history.
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What happens when a faith community quietly backs away from a doctrine without ever really owning the fallout? In this episode, historian and author Greg Prince returns to talk about the long shadow of Mormon polygamy - not just in the 19th century, but in the lived experience of Latter-day Saints today.
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Ian and Jim sit down with Jordan Broadbent, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Head of Humanitarian Efforts for Europe. From his early faith journey in England to his transformative shift from the corporate world into humanitarian service, Jordan shares the experiences and convictions that led him to dedicate his life to helping others.
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What happens when a Latter-day Saint bishop begins to ask deeper questions about faith, purpose, and the nature of God? In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Ian and Jim sit down with Stephen Hunter — former political lobbyist, bishop, and now Orthodox Christian — to explore his remarkable spiritual journey.
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What happens when faith, psychology, and the power of influence collide? In this extraordinary episode, Jim and Ian welcome Dr. Steven Hassan, one of the world’s foremost experts on cult dynamics, undue influence, and mind control. A former member of the Unification Church (“Moonies”) who has spent nearly fifty years helping people recover from coercive systems, Dr. Hassan brings deep insight and compassion to the conversation.
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In this post–General Conference discussion, Ian and Jim welcome back historian and author Greg Prince for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about what just unfolded during the Church’s apostolic interregnum since President Nelson’s passing.
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Our second livestream! We'll be recapping General Conference and hopefully taking questions from you guys!
Click here for the link to tonight's livestream at 8:00 PM MDT, or use the URL below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpm9vr8lW0A
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Ian and Jim welcome back historian and author Greg Prince for a wide-ranging and timely conversation about the tragic attack on a Michigan Latter-day Saint congregation, the passing of President Russell M. Nelson, and the future of President Dallin H. Oaks. Together, they wrestle with questions of faith, politics, and identity, asking whether the church can rise to meet this moment of polarization with clarity and courage.
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Tonight, we launch the Inside Out YouTube Channel with a livestream at 8:00 PM Mountain Time. We'll be talking about the passing of President Nelson, the tragic shooting in Michigan, and General Conference coming up, with speculation about what an Oaks presidency is likely to look like.
We welcome your comments and participation!
Just visit https://www.youtube.com/live/jY6belJfKsY or click here to participate!
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Ian and Jim sit down with scholar and author Ganesh Cherian, whose new book Joseph Smith: The Architect of Mormonism offers a topical biography of Mormonism’s founding prophet.
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This episode discusses grief and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.
Ian and Jim sit down with Bruce Butcher—a longtime listener and friend of the podcast—for a conversation that goes straight to the heart. Bruce shares his faith journey, family background, and mission experiences, but most poignantly, he opens up about the devastating loss of his son Taylor, who took his own life.
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Greg Prince returns to Inside Out to continue exploring his roadmap for improving Mormonism. Together, Greg, Ian, and Jim tackle urgent issues facing the Church today—from toxic polarization and the need for prophetic voices to speak out, to women’s leadership, LGBTQ inclusion, and the long history of reactive rather than proactive change.
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Ian and Jim have a conversation about the horrific assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
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Ian and Jim welcome back historian and author Greg Prince for a candid discussion about the newly released YouTube docuseries An Inconvenient Faith, which explores pressing issues facing members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — including polygamy, LGBTQ experiences, race, prophetic fallibility, women and authority, and the challenges of personal revelation.
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In this episode of Inside Out, Ian and Jim welcome back licensed professional counselor and host of the Latter-day Struggles podcast, Valerie Hamaker. Together, they dive into one of the most pressing questions facing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today: Do women really have authority in the church—or only the authority men allow them to have?
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Ian and Jim welcome special guest Clayton Settle, a lifelong Latter-day Saint who shares his journey of faith, questions, and resilience.
Clayton opens up about growing up in Corpus Christi, Texas, serving a mission in Nevada, and raising a family in Houston while staying actively involved in music callings at church. He also speaks candidly about the challenges he’s faced—particularly around polygamy, church history, and trust in leadership—and how he continues to navigate those struggles with honesty and faith.
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Ian and Jim welcome back one of their most popular guests, historian and author Greg Prince, for another deep dive into his roadmap for improving Mormonism. The conversation ranges from biblical literacy among Latter-day Saints to the Church’s historical aversion to higher criticism, the tension between science and scripture, and why boredom may be one of the institution’s biggest spiritual threats.
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A keynote. A controversy. And a defense you won’t hear anywhere else. Jim and Ian unpack the online backlash against Church Communications Director Aaron Sherinian after his FAIR conference appearance - tackling misquotes, double standards, and what it really means to sustain leaders.
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Ian and Jim welcome back special guest Steven Pynakker, founder and host of the popular Mormon Book Reviews podcast. Together, they tackle one of the most audacious questions in the Restoration movement: Where did the Book of Mormon come from?
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Ian and Jim welcome back distinguished scholar and author Greg Prince to unpack his groundbreaking essay, A Roadmap for Improving Mormonism. What begins as a bold comparison between Vatican II and a proposed "Salt Lake I" turns into an expansive, candid discussion about grassroots revelation, institutional resistance to change, and the urgent need for moral authority within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Ian and Jim dive deep into one of Mormonism’s most sacred — and least discussed — doctrines: the existence of a Heavenly Mother… or perhaps, Heavenly Mothers. Triggered by a recent offhand comment by President Dallin H. Oaks, the discussion focuses on the theological, cultural, and historical complexities of polygamy in the afterlife and the implications of multiple divine wives.
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Ian and Jim welcome back acclaimed historian and author Greg Prince for a follow-up conversation about the future of missionary work in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together, they explore how the Church's immense resources—real estate, membership, and financial strength—can be leveraged to transform communities through service rather than traditional proselytizing.
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Ian and Jim sit down with Jim's sister Julie Newton and her husband Marty Newton, who are serving as senior missionaries in Adelaide, Australia. Their mission? Not door-to-door proselytizing—but boots-on-the-ground humanitarian work across the country.
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Ian and Jim sit down with acclaimed Mormon historian and scholar Greg Prince—author of David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism and other pivotal works—for a sweeping discussion on the past, present, and future of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Ian and Jim dive into a remarkable and quietly released document that’s now been added to the official Joseph Smith Papers archive: a revelation received by LDS Church President John Taylor in 1886—long believed by many to be apocryphal, forged, and/or suppressed.
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Ian and Jim sit down with a lifelong friend — Kirk Hays, former Scotland Edinburgh Mission AP and bishop turned humanitarian, artist, and TikTok influencer known as The Vagabond Artist.
From his unexpected call to serve in Scotland in the 1980s to leading a ward as a non-believing bishop, Kirk shares his raw, honest, and often surprising story of wrestling with faith, church leadership, and personal integrity.
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In this bonus episode of Inside Out, Ian and Jim dive headfirst into today's explosive intersection of faith, politics, and morality. With Elon Musk accusing Donald Trump of being named in the Epstein files, the conversation turns to why so many Latter-day Saints still fervently support Trump.
Can the Church stay neutral forever? And what would Jesus actually do?
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Ian and Jim explore the bold steps taken by the Community of Christ—formerly the RLDS Church—in appointing its first female prophet-president, Stassi Cram, and reflect on how such actions contrast with the cautious approach of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Ian and Jim welcome renowned scholar and author Terryl Givens for a candid conversation about evolving faith, historical transparency, and the role of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a changing world.
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In this special anniversary episode, Ian and Jim reflect on two years of Inside Out—the guests, the gratitude, and the gut-punch moments that have defined their journey
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Ian and Jim discuss the election of Pope Leo the 14th and what it means for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Ian and Jim review a new Church survey asking about different ways people worship.
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Ian and Jim are joined by Lance Jackson, a champion hammer thrower, an accomplished opera singer, and a former bishop who discusses his experiences both in and out of the Church.
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Ian and Jim discuss the Church's evolving position on organic evolution.
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Ian and Jim recap General Conference and what parts stood out and which parts could have been an email.
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Ian and Jim are joined by Valerie Hamaker, host of the Latter Day Struggles podcast. She discusses her faith journey, her podcast, and the events that led to her resignation from the Church.
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Ian and Jim swap stories about how the Church has been a profound blessing in their lives.
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Ian and Jim discuss Spencer W. Kimball's book "The Miracle of Forgiveness" and the impact it has had on the Church.
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Beth Magnetic, host of the YouTube channel "Death by Patriarchy," joins Ian and Jim for a fascinating discussion about the dark side of patriarchy, the Church's approach to mental health, and true crime stories in and out of the Church.
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Ian and Jim have a conversation with Ian's old friend Daryl Watson, who, along with his wife, recently served as a mission leader of the Belgium/Netherlands Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Ian and Jim discuss America's abandonment of Ukraine and what the Church's role ought to be as the world devolves into chaos.
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Ian and Jim discuss Elder Boyd K. Packer's infamous "To Young Men Only" pamphlet.
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Ian and Jim continue to review the Church's recent survey questions and come up with some surprising answers.
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Ian and Jim discuss the ascendancy of the wickedest person ever to assume the Presidency of the United States.
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Ian and Jim take a Church survey that was mistakenly sent to a larger audience than the Church intended. Part one of a series...
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Sue Bergin, a former BYU adjunct faculty member, was one of the few people willing to go on the record for the Salt Lake Tribune's groundbreaking article about BYU's current hiring and firing practices. She joins Ian and Jim to tell her story and discuss what's happening at BYU.
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Ian and Jim greet the New Year with a discussion about plural marriage being included in this year's Primary manual.
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With Jim on vacation, Ian welcomes James Burnham back to Inside Out, as he shares some more of his unique perspectives and two new songs!
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Ian and Jim discuss the blessings and opportunities of Christmas, in and out of the Church.
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Last week's episode was a reminder that some in the Church continue to believe things the Church no longer teaches, which prompted Ian and Jim to discuss how to deal with change in a Church that paradoxically teaches both continuing revelation and unchanging doctrine at the same time.
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Ian and Jim are joined by Marcus Hutber, who, as a missionary, brought Ian Wilks into the Church back in the day. The robust discussion largely focuses on why Black people were denied the priesthood and temple blessings prior to 1978.
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Andrew and Carline Patterson served alongside Ian when he was the bishop in the Dalkeith Ward in Scotland. They share their story as to what led them to join the Church and then what led them to walk away from the Church.
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Ian and Jim review the horror film Heretic, which features Latter-day Saint sister missionaries in the starring roles.
Warning: Spoilers aplenty!
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Michelle Brady Stone joins Ian and Jim in an engaging and lively discussion to make the case that Joseph Smith was not, in fact, a polygamist.
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Ian and Jim have a raw and difficult discussion about America's election results.
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With the U.S. presidential just days away, Ian and Jim discuss what it means for America, the world, and the Church.
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Ian and Jim discuss the announcement from the Church of new designs for sleeveless temple garments.
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Ian and Jim are joined by preeminent historian Richard Bushman for a wide-ranging conversation about his life, his work, and his faith.
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Ian and Jim discuss their impressions and insights from the October 2024 General Conference.
Stephen Murphy, host of the Mormonism with the Murph podcast, joins Ian and Jim to discuss his faith journey that led him out of the Church and then led him back again.
Trigger Warning: Suicide
In this deeply moving episode, Kathryn Maddix and her sons, Matthew and Mitchell, join Ian and Jim to honor the life of husband and father Mike Maddix, who served alongside Ian and Jim as a missionary in Scotland.
Together, the Maddix family reflects on Mike's legacy while also bravely addressing the difficult realities and spiritual challenges that come with the experience of suicide in the family.
In the wake of new training about disciplinary councils such as the one upcoming for Nemo the Mormon, Ian and Jim discuss the Church's policies on membership restrictions and withdrawals, past and present.
Fresh off their conversation with Jim's son Samuel last week, Ian and Jim speak with Sam's identical twin Jeddy about his mission experience, which was, in many ways, quite different from Sam's mission experience.
Ian and Jim are joined by Jim's son Samuel for a powerful discussion about the mental health challenges he faced on his mission.
With the release of a series of new Church essays, Ian and Jim explore what it means to say that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living Church on the face of the whole earth.
Ian and Jim discuss the new updates to the Church's handbook, with particular focus on the controversial new transgender policies.
Ian and Jim are interviewed by Gustavo Hernández, a Latter-day Saint podcaster based in Mexico.
Going wear angels fear to tread, Ian and Jim discuss the Church's position on abortion.
With Ian on vacation in the UK, Jim flies solo with an excerpt from his recently finished book manuscript, "Fallibility: A Love Story."
Jim Bennett and an intercontinental Ian Wilks discuss Elder M. Russell Ballard's 2016 General Conference talk "To Whom Shall You Go?" and how the question feeds into a narrative of fear that is not persuasive to the rising generation.
Ian and Jim are joined by the brilliant Mette Ivie, bestselling author of, among other things, the "The Bishop's Wife" murder mystery series.
Mette offers a fascinating perspective on her own faith journey and struggles in the face of personal tragedy, and she explains why, even though she no longer attends church, she doesn't identify as an ex-Mormon.
Ian and Jim are joined by bestselling author and motivational speaker TJ Hoisington, who shares how his faith has informed his personal and professional life.
In the wake of Joe Biden's disastrous debate performance, Ian and Jim discuss today's geopolitical challenges and what they mean for the future of the Church.
Steven Pynnaker, who has previously hosted Ian and Jim on his Mormon Book Reviews Podcast, comes to Inside Out to discuss how an evangelical encounters the Restoration.
Ian and Jim are joined by Brett Palmer, an old friend and former mission AP who shares stories about his faith journey and his life in and out of the Church.
Ian and Jim are joined by Rebecca Bibliotecha and Landon Brophy of the Mormonish podcast to discuss how people are reacting to many of the Church's proposed temples in their communities.
Ian and Jim are joined by the one and only Nemo the Mormon for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of the Church and the world at large.
In this candid, powerful episode of Inside Out, Ian tells us where he was last week, and why the greatest health scare he's ever experienced was also the most profound spiritual experience of his life.
With Ian under the weather, Jim taps the one and only Oprah Winfrey to co-host an exploration of his musical adventures in and out of the Church, focusing on how music can bring us all closer to the Divine.
And yes, of course that's really Oprah Winfrey and not at all some weird AI digital replica.
Ian and Jim discuss General Relief Society President Camille Johnson's talk about motherhood, in which she discusses her decision to work outside the home at a time when Church leaders were condemning that decision.
In this heart-wrenchingly personal episode, Ian tells the story of his relationship with his brother Paul and the moment that gave him an undeniable witness of God's love and mercy.
Ian and Jim revisit Elder Ronald E. Poelman's infamous 1984 General Conference talk, which was altered and re-filmed after the fact. The talk serves as a model for how the Church deals with change and highlights the tension between the Church and the Gospel.
Trigger warning!
This episode focuses on the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with regard to suicide.
Ian and Jim discuss the reasons Jim deactivated his Twitter account, as well as what bad behavior by Latter-day Saints online means for the Church as a whole.
Ian and Jim review the highlights and lowlights of the latest General Conference and celebrate the long-awaited announcement of a new temple in Scotland.
Ian and Jim are joined by James Burnham, who shares his faith journey along with two lovely songs, one of which is an original James Burnham composition.
Ian and Jim speak with Graeme Stocks, who is currently serving as the bishop of the Dewsbury Ward in Yorkshire, England.
Ian and Jim discuss BYU's decision to bring Elder Holland's controversial "musket fire" talk out of mothballs and make it the subject of a new course for incoming freshmen.
Ian and Jim have a wide-ranging conversation with Peter Bleakley, one of the founding members of the Britvengers and a passionate advocate for reform in the Church.
Ian and Jim discuss the sale of the Kirtland Temple and other historical sites and artifacts, and they try to get to the bottom of the century-old question: who is Elias?
This episode includes an AI-enhanced version of Senator Robert F. Bennett's fireside on The Book of Mormon given on April 10, 2016, three weeks before his death. Ian and Jim discuss the fireside and the impact of The Book of Mormon on the Church and their individual lives.
Ian and Jim have a conversation with Anthony Miller, a former Church member in a mixed-faith marriage who provided support for Ian during his own faith transition.
Ian and Jim have a conversation with Roy and Emma Hann, a couple who were stalwarts of the Church in Scotland for most of their lives. They describe their time in the Church and the events in their faith journey that led them and their thirteen children to leave.
In a rare interview, former Area Authority Seventy Hans Mattson, a man that historian Greg Prince described as "the highest-ranking church official who has gone public with deep concerns" about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, joins Ian and Jim for a provocative discussion about his journey out of the Church.
Hans offers candid reflections of his interactions with apostles and other Church leaders, and he describes details of the Church's secretive ritual known as the Second Anointing.
Ian and Jim discuss a recent transgender baptism, as well as other developments that seem to signal greater LGBTQ inclusion in the Church.
Chelsea Goodrich, an integrative psychotherapist from Hailey, Idaho who was featured by the Associated Press for her compelling and heart-wrenching story of sexual abuse within the Church, returns to Inside Out to tell more of her harrowing story. Only this time, she is joined by her mother, Lorraine Goodrich.
Ian and Jim discuss the hiring of Aaron Sherinian as the Church's new Managing Director of Church Communications and what that means for the Church's position on LGBTQ rights.
Ian supervises as Jim goes off on why Donald Trump is a massive trial of his personal faith.
Irene Gilmour, a former Latter-day Saint from Scotland, joins Ian and Jim to recount her experience in the Church, most notably a service mission she served in Costa Rica that went traumatically awry.
In their final episode of 2023, Ian and Jim have a groundbreaking conversation with Chelsea Goodrich, an integrative psychotherapist from Hailey, Idaho who was featured by the Associated Press for her compelling and heart-wrenching story of sexual abuse within the Church.
Chelsea shares more details of her story and her own faith journey, focusing on what she calls the "weaponizing of forgiveness."
Ian and Jim confront the thorny issue of sexual abuse in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Breaking news! Ian and Jim discuss the exciting announcement of Patrick Kearon as the newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Ian and Jim revisit the topic of prophetic infallibility and discuss the reasons why agency and infallibility are wholly incompatible.
Ian and Jim go "straight through" the life of Elder M. Russell Ballard, sharing personal experiences with him and reviewing his complicated legacy.
(The "straight through" thing is clever in context.)
Ian and Jim are joined by Les Cairns, a Church leader in Scotland with a different perspective than George Stewart. The "robust" discussion focuses on Les's experience in the Church and the problems of the false doctrine of prophetic infallibility.
Ian and Jim begin a conversation about the CES Letter with a focus on the section discussing the Holy Ghost. When do you know it's really the Holy Ghost? And is Mufasa from The Lion King real?
In this episode, Ian and Jim have their first guest! George Stewart, a former bishop and former member of the Edinburgh Scotland Stake Presidency, discusses his faith journey and his decades of Church service, as well as his departure from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Ian and Jim discuss the age-old question of why God allows bad things to happen to good people. How often does God intervene in our lives? Does the Church provide any unique answers to these questions?
Ian and Jim examine recently released Church growth numbers and predict what this means for the Church's future. In the meantime, Ian commits his entire life to getting recognized by LDSBot.com.
Ian and Jim finish their discussion of General Conference with an in-depth analysis of President Nelson's "Think Celestial!" talk.
Spoiler: One of them liked it much more than the other one did.
Ian and Jim discuss the Church's recently concluded General Conference, with specific emphasis on the talk given by President Dallin H. Oaks.
Ian and Jim review Elder Holland's problematic 2012 interview with the BBC that was a pivotal moment in Ian's decision to leave the Church.
Ian and Jim reflect on how their missionary experience remains resonant in their lives 35 years after the fact.
Ian and Jim continue to recount their experiences in the Scotland Edinburgh Mission from 1987-1989. Beware of missionary couples with racist nicknames for Brazil nuts!
This episode is a discussion from the Mormonish podcast about recent changes in the UK's child protection laws and how they impact the Church. It features both Ian and Jim, as well as Mormonish's Rebecca Biblioteca and Landon Brophy, and a special appearance by Sam Young, who fought to keep Church leaders from asking sexually explicit questions in youth interviews.
Ian and Jim discuss the public and personal impact of the 2015 Church handbook policy that denied blessings and baptism to the children of gay parents.
Is the Church growing? What can be done to help it grow? Ian and Jim explore the stats, cask the hard questions, and come up with some possible answers. (Spoiler: counting baptisms for the dead as church growth is not the answer.)
Ian recounts the heartbreaking and compelling circumstances that led him from serving in a stake presidency to leaving the Church.
We continue with Ian Wilks's personal story, which involves his return from his mission and his call into church leadership. This touches on many of the themes we've explored in depth in previous episodes.
Jim recounts his contentious exchange with another podcaster and discusses the contention within the Church that has driven him off of Twitter. Ian and Jim then discuss the divisions within the Church that fall upon theological and political lines. How much do these divisions damage the Church? And could they lead to a significant schism at some point down the road?
Ian's story continues as he discusses his mission in Scotland, which is where Ian and Jim met. They commiserate over a particularly difficult mutual companion, and Jim recounts trauma that has spilled over to the next generation. There's also a dead cat, a practicing witch, and the incredible healing properties of Ian's used bathwater.
In this episode, Ian recounts his first experience going through the temple and goes on to discuss the beginning of his mission - and both Ian and Jim recount stories of what happens when missionaries tracting in a cold, wet country find themselves sitting in front of a roaring fire after a long day.
In Part II of Ian Wilks's conversion story, Ian shares his joy at being baptized and the pain of being rejected by his family as a result. He discusses being homeless alongside his dog Shep, and how the ward rallied around him to literally save his life.
The first of several episodes exploring Ian Wilks's conversion to and ultimate departure from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There's also a story about a live pheasant flying around inside a car...
Ian and Jim discuss the past, present, and future of the Church's missionary program, offering colorful tales from their own missions along the way.
Ian and Jim discuss the perfect and permanent memory of church records and the Strengthening Church Members Committee.
Politics and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have long been inseparable, and Ian and Jim try to make sense of it from both inside and outside the Church, as well as inside and outside the United States.
Ian and Jim discuss the things that you're allowed to discuss with regard to the recent changes to the temple endowment ceremony.
CORRECTION: In the original version of this episode, Jim erroneously stated that Dan McClellan had "resigned from the Church," when what he meant was that Dr. McClellan had resigned only from Church employment. The original audio file has been replaced with a version that no longer contains the erroneous statement.
Ian and Jim discuss how the Church is a remarkable force for good in the lives of so many people, as well as how and why that stops when people step outside the boundaries of the Church.
Using Elder Kevin Hamilton's comments about how references to the Church and Jesus Christ are interchangeable as a catalyst for discussion, Ian and Jim discuss the challenges of disunity at every level of the Church and consider different approaches to an age-old problem.
How should the Church handle problematic scriptures and teachings that we no longer believe?
In this episode, United Utah Party Chair Richard David and Communications Director Jim Bennett talk to Thomas McNeill, the UUP Candidate for Congressional District #3.
In this episode, Key and Peele's Ay-Ay-Ron gets the full Mormon Canon Project Treatment. We dive into the first three articles of Bruce R. McConkie's Mormon Doctrine: Aaron, Aaronic Priesthood, and Aaronites. As a result, we learn some surprising things about Old Testament historicity, the (un)importance of lineage in our assumptions about the priesthood, and the complete irrelevance of "Aaronites" in our understanding of what doctrine is. As always, please take the opportunity to weigh in at Canonizer.com as to what you think we got right and what we got wrong.
Episode 2 of the Mormon Canon Podcast!
Joseph Fielding McConkie once said the McKays and McConkies don't always see eye to eye. Could it have something to do with President McKay's chilly reception to Bruce R. McConkie's Mormon Doctrine when it was first published?
Is it possible to write a comprehensive and definitive encyclopedia about all aspects of the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Can apostles and prophets disagree? Why are agency and infallibility wholly incompatible?
This podcast coincides with the publication of the Mormon Canon Preface at Canonizer.com. Do you agree with Bruce R. McConkie's original preface? Do you prefer our 2019 revised preface? Or do you want to write a different preface altogether? Join a camp or create one of your own!
Welcome to the Mormon Canon Podcast, designed to build consensus around the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this episode, I introduce this project, which is an evaluation of Bruce R. McConkie's seminal work Mormon Doctrine and what Latter-day Saints believe on these subjects today. Using Canonizer.com's consensus-building technology, we can determine where members of the Church stand on everything from Kolob to card-playing.
In this episode, you will also learn about my Wikipedia edit wars, why I learned how to play Bridge with Rook cards, and who Elizabeth Taylor's husband will be in the Resurrection.