Episode Details

Richie T and the News Wizard, Verlin, are back to break down the latest news in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While Verlan is holding things down in Arizona, Molly is off enjoying the waters of Lake Powell.

Verlin kicks things off with a recap of babysitting his seven- and four-year-old grandsons while his son Nate took a much-needed baby moon to the Caribbean. 

Things get interesting when Richie recounts a recent Sunday School experience. A substitute teacher with his own YouTube channel led an 80-chapter deep dive into Proverbs and the Songs of Solomon, heavily referencing a “thousand points of the true church”. Richie challenged the room on whether church is for heavy doctrine or building community, which resulted in an intense follow-up phone call from the teacher’s octogenarian father. The caller called Richie a jerk, sparking a great debate on whether facts or the Spirit actually convert people. The guys also tackle the “church of sameness,” using the identically dressed Tabernacle Choir as a prime example.

The guys tackle some listener questions, including a stake presidency discussion on whether to pay tithing on Social Security—ultimately landing on personal interpretation of the word “increase”. Music in the church is also evolving; a recent Stake Conference incorporated diverse cultural sounds with a guitar duo, brass instruments, percussion, and even a Primary kid playing the ukulele.

We highlight a few fascinating interviews and upcoming releases, including Robin Ritch’s insights on women as disruptors in the 70s, a new book about happiness, and the highly anticipated October documentary on the daguerreotype of Joseph Smith. Verlan’s guilty pleasure, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, gets a quick shoutout, and we play a reality TV edition of Smooch, Marry, Kill featuring Dancing with the Stars, Survivor, and The Amazing Race. Plus, a nod to the “Best DJ in Utah” and their impressive 705 star reviews.

In sports, BYU football is rolling at 3-0 and ranked #9 after taking on Colorado State and Arizona, with TCU up next. Utah is also holding strong at 3-0 with a #15 ranking. Finally, we mark a major historical milestone: September 21st is the 203rd anniversary of the angel Moroni appearing to Joseph Smith.

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