Latter-day Ramblings: Recent Episodes
Christina
Hi, I'm Christina and I'm an ex-Mormon! In this podcast, I'll ramble about whatever is on my mind as I stumble through my faith transition.
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
Today I'm discussing a youth devotional given in 2019 by Elder Dale G. Renlund on the topic of doubts. TL;DR: Don't think about it!
Today I discuss the way forgiveness is portrayed and advocated for in the church and how it is often harmful to victims of abuse.
In this episode, I analyze the problem of evil, its different forms, and the theist defenses given throughout history, as well as in Mormon doctrine.
Today I'll be discussing a few interesting talks from last weekend's General Conference. There's a lot to be said, so join me!
Today I'll be discussing a Deseret News article about the declining faith of Gen Z which seeks to blame their parents. Strap in, it's a real doozy.
Today I analyze a letter I wrote to myself three years ago, about my doubts and anxieties relating to Mormonism.
Ah, it's that time of year again. Seminary students all over the world are being forced to take a 'learning assessment'. Join me as I react and rant about the most recent one on the D&C!
Today I'll ramble about my experience learning about secular ethics and ethical consumption.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction (Warning: Spoilers for The Good Place Season 3)
9:02 - The Problem of Evil, suffering of innocent beings; The Brothers Karamazov
19:28 - Philosophical context: Utilitarianism and Deontology
25:30 - Veganism; ethics and environmentalism
45:52 - Giving to charity; Effective Altruism
56:05 - Fast fashion; Final ramblings on Capitalism
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
In this episode, I'll be playing the character of an overzealous Young Women's leader giving a lesson on agency.
Today I discuss how to deal with family after leaving the church. It's not easy, so let's talk about it.
Grab your popcorn, folks. Today I react to 1820: The Musical, a Mormon musical about Joseph and Emma Smith. Enjoy over an hour of me torturing myself and losing my sanity!
Today I'll discuss two clips from Brad Wilcox's recent youth fireside.
Sources:
Atheism vs Belief in God (youtu.be/jCxqDL7GSZA)
Personal Spirituality vs Organized Religion (youtu.be/E9mO1yOUfL8)
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
Today I'll analyze Ronald E. Poelman's censored General Conference talk of 1984!
Here's a video comparing the original and revised version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yq7-juu6uQ
Today I'll discuss the church's teachings on chastity and the sexual shame resulting from them.
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
Today I'll be reading a few old diary entries I wrote when I was Mormon. I'll discuss some early signs of disaffection with the church as well as phases of scrupulosity I experienced from ages 12-15.
Today I'll discuss three reasons why Mormons claim that their church is the "only true and living church," and debunk them one by one.
Sources:
The Only True and Living Church | Dallin H. Oaks
Why I Left the Mormon Church | Tom Johnson
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
Today I'll be going over some of the misconceptions Mormons have about why people leave the church.
Sources:
The Four Reasons Why People Leave the Church | Jeremy Goff
The Real Reason People Leave the Church | Jeremy Goff
Don't Leave Mormonism for Any of These Five Reasons | Greg Trimble
List of LDS Commandments | Recovering Agency
Correction at 13:41 - "I mean, the INTERNET is obviously not just a cesspool (...)"
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
Today I'll discuss modesty and why it's problematic.
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
Today I get a little personal. I'll talk about my faith crisis, what it's like being PIMO, and what I believe now.
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
Today I'll be analyzing Bo Burnham's brilliant song "From God's Perspective"! I'll discuss religion, morality, love, and much more!
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
Let's get philosophical! Why is good good? Because God commands it or because it just is?
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
Today I discuss general conference! There's a lot to unpack here. Join me as I cover the seven most controversial talks!
0:00 - Intro
2:39 - Joy D Jones (indoctrination)
7:49 - Renlund (unfairness)
10:47 - Rasband (miracles)
13:17 - Nelson (faith and doubt)
25:11 - Andersen (abortion)
31:18 - Oaks (constitution)
37:28 - Bednar (principles)
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
This week I'll be reading the Mormon Primer, a great and well-researched introduction to the most controversial issues in Mormonism. The document covers four different perspectives on these issues: mainstream, critical, apologetic, and reconciled.
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
Mormon Primer PDF
Today I'll talk about how doubt is portrayed and stigmatized in the church.
Sources:
When Doubts and Questions Arise by Adam Kotter
Come Join With Us - Dieter F. Uchtdorf
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
Today I discuss tithing; its history, its purpose, and where the money goes.
Sources:
Washington Post article
Ensign Peak stock investments
General Authority living allowance
LDS Church official statement
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
In this episode, I conclude my two-part series on Joseph's polygamy. Today I focus on the question "Was polygamy of God?". I'll discuss the revelation itself, teachings of later prophets, and my own opinion.
Sources:
josephsmithspolygamy.org
Polygamy Quotes | MormonThink
Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo | Gospel Topics Essays
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
Today I'll discuss Joseph Smith's practice of polygamy. In this first part, I'll cover the basic historical facts you need to know.
Sources:
MormonThink - Polygamy
Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo | Gospel Topics Essay
josephsmithspolygamy.org
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
Today I explain how the problem of evil can technically be solved through a Mormon theological framework.
NOTE: I don't agree with everything I said in this episode anymore, but it's still an interesting thought experiment. The kind of God I describe is based primarily on the King Follett Discourse, which isn't canon; the Mormon conception of God has shifted over time and is currently more in line with the mainstream Christian God than it was before. The theory on the nature of God that I set out in this episode is an interesting one, but not one that can fit into a present-day Mormon theological framework. TL;DR - Interesting theoretically, but kind of useless.
Sources:
The King Follett Discourse by Joseph Smith (April 7, 1844)
Joseph Smith and the Problem of Evil | David L. Paulsen
Brittney Hartley: Mormon Philosophy Simplified
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
Today I'll go over the problematic history of racism within the LDS church and my thoughts on it.
Sources:
Race and the Priesthood | Gospel Topics Essay
Quotes of Racial Teachings | MormonThink
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
Today I'll discuss how the church teaches conditional love and the effect it has on us.
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
Today I'll share a personal story and discuss the concepts of certainty and uncertainty from a religious perspective.
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com
In this first episode, I'll be discussing my thoughts on prophets and their fallibility. What does it mean to be a prophet?
You can reach me at: latterdayramblings@gmail.com