In the 19th and 20th centuries, Brigham Young and other LDS church leaders taught that Jesus was begotten by God the Father in a literal sense, in the same way everyone is physically conceived.

This is consistent with the broader view that God possesses a tangible, physical body. And that eternal sex and child bearing is part of the next life for those in the highest levels of the Celestial Kingdom.

Church leaders at the time did not provide a detailed or explanation of the encounter between God and Mary, but implied that Christ’s conception followed natural laws rather than being a nebulous, immaterial miracle.

Where did this idea of a physical conception come from?

Mormonish is joined by Ganesh Cherian and Master Peace to discuss the influence of polygamy (in this life and the next,) on the unique view of 19th and 20th century church leaders that Jesus was conceived by some sort of physical act between God and Mary.

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On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon explore the birth of Jesus narrative found in Matthew and Luke. Is the Christmas story just a story? What is true and what isn't true about both Matthew and Luke's accounts of the virgin birth.

This episode will change the way you think about the beloved nativity story.

This episode was originally aired in December 2024.

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Reclaiming your sense of "Awe" after a high demand / high control religion is important. For decades, many of us were told our feelings and transcendent experiences were tied directly to the LDS church and were confirmation that the church was true.

Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life by Dacher Keltner is a book that explores how experiences of awe—moments that spark wonder, vastness, and deep emotional resonance—can meaningfully improve our well-being.

Our own sense of individual awe helps us feel more connected, reduces stress, broadens our perspective, and inspires kindness. When you take control of your own feeling and experiences it's a whole new day.

Mormonish is joined by Steph H. and Lila Tueller as we discuss what it means to seek out awe in everyday life, whether through nature, creativity, spirituality, or human connection, as a path to greater fulfillment and resilience.

On this episode of Mormonish, Landon and Rebecca are joined by Kolby and Cami Reddish to discuss post Mormon parenting, especially regarding holiday traditions.

Kolby and Cami have a lot of insight when it comes to children and magical thinking and talk about many creative ways to foster critical thinking in children.

Whether you have children or grandchildren, this is a must see episode!

This episode was originally aired in December 2024.

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Latter-day Saints hold a variety of views about how the Book of Mormon was translated, often shaped by personal belief, historical study, and spiritual interpretation.

The most traditional view is that Joseph Smith translated the record directly by the “gift and power of God,” using tools such as the Urim and Thummim. Others emphasize accounts describing Joseph placing a seer stone in a hat and receiving the text spiritually rather than through a direct linguistic process.

Some members see the translation as a largely miraculous or revelatory experience, while others adopt a more nuanced approach, viewing it as a mix of divine inspiration and Joseph’s own language, culture, and understanding.

These perspectives reflect the broad range of ways modern Latter-day Saints reconcile faith, history, and the mystery surrounding the book’s origins.

Mormonish is joined by Ganesh Cherian to get to the root of it all!

Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!

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In recent years, many observers have noted a quiet shift within Mormon communities: a decline in strictly orthodox adherence and a rise in what some call “cultural Mormons.”

While orthodox members continue to ground their identity in traditional doctrine and practice, growing numbers of people maintain a connection to Mormon heritage, values, and community without fully embracing institutional expectations or literal belief.

This shift reflects broader social trends—such as increased access to information, changing family dynamics, and evolving views on identity—that allow individuals to reinterpret their relationship with faith.

The result is a more diverse spectrum of Mormon experience, where cultural belonging and personal spirituality often coexist alongside, or apart from, orthodox belief.

Mormonish is joined by Unoriginal Jim to unpack all the nuance of orthodox v. cultural Mormons!

Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!

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The new movie Truth & Treason (released October 17, 2025) brings to life the courageous story of Helmuth Hübener, a 16-year-old Latter-day Saint in Nazi Germany who used a secret shortwave radio and a typewriter to distribute anti-Hitler pamphlets. The movie doesn't deal with Hübener's excommunication from the LDS church for his activities and eventual posthumous reinstatement into the LDS church.

This part of the story was covered in a previously adapted play called Huebener by Thomas Rogers, which was performed at BYU and dramatizes how Helmuth and his friends risked everything to speak truth under a repressive regime and faced excommunication and death.

Mormonish is joined by Rob Lauer who shares his insights about the play and the current movie.

Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!

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On this special Halloween episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by Dr. John Lundwall to discuss the custom of taking of heads in ancient cultures and the correlation, if any to The Book of Mormon.

Dr. Lundwall has clearly demonstrated in previous episodes the predominant cultures that existed before, during, and after the stories in The Book of Mormon took place. These cultures and cultural practices including taking of heads seem to be entirely unmentioned in the LDS founding scripture. Or are they?

This episode was originally aired on November 1, 2024

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