Episode 31 provided a solid initial framing of many of the issues faced by Mormon young single adults--of which group, some 80 percent are becoming inactive at least for a period of time, and many are deciding to leave the church altogether. This episode follows up on that discussion, but focuses on hearing the voices of those in this age group themselves, hearing in their own words about their spiritual journeys, their experiences in singles wards, the messages that are being taught from the pulpit, in classes, and through interactions with church leaders, and the ways these messages are being received. It also brings into clearer focus young single Mormon adults' sexuality and the messages about sex they are hearing and wish they would hear.
In this podcast, Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon and LDS family therapist and regular Mormon Stories contributor Natasha Helfer Parker engage in a far-ranging discussion with two Mormon young adults, Kayla Woodring and Cam Davis, as they share their experiences and thoughts about the church, its emphases, and how they’d like to see leaders, members, and gospel messages become more affirming as they negotiate the challenges that come during this pivotal time of life.

The most recent issue of BYU Studies features the article, "‘A Mother There’: A Survey of Historical Teachings about Mother in Heaven," co-written by David L. Paulsen and Martin Pulido. The article presents an overview of research that attempted to find every printed or recorded mention of Mother in Heaven or Heavenly Parents by LDS leaders. It is a great piece of scholarship and much needed. In this podcast discussion, host Dan Wotherspoon and panelists Martin Pulido (article co-author), Tresa Edmunds, and Joanna Brooks present an overview of the BYU Studies article's key findings, as well as significant statements and moments in the history of this doctrine, but then ventures beyond historical reporting and into broader territories. What is the nature of the discourse about Heaven Mother in today’s LDS Church? What ideas about God the Mother hinder vigorous discussion or advancement of this important doctrine, and how can these challenges be met gracefully? What might the future hold for this teaching? How does Mother in Heaven affect the panelists’ own faith? This podcast is a bit longer than most other Mormon Matters episodes. We think you'll find the extra listening time to be worth it, though! The podcast also contains what might possibly be the first one-liner joke in the history of this discussion topic. (It’s in good taste, of course, courtesy of the quick mind of Joanna Brooks.)

Official statistics are hard to come by, but it has become clear over the past several years that Mormonism is seeing many of its 18- to 30-year-olds reduce their participation in the church or leave the faith altogether. Two recent actions confirm this trend and reveal the church’s initial responses in trying to stem the tide. First, in an effort to better track singles and help them feel connected to a local unit by providing new opportunities for callings and meeting other singles without "ward hopping," the church has disbanded Utah student wards and reorganized them into singles wards in all-single adult stakes. And second, because it seems to recognize that it meets the needs of families better than it does singles, it has begun to strongly reemphasize the counsel for young adults to not delay marriage, to not be afraid of finding a worthy partner and starting a family right away even if this means possibly experiencing financial and other struggles not faced by those who marry later. In this podcast, host Dan Wotherspoon and panelists Joanna Brooks, Tresa Edmunds, and Jared Anderson explore this issue of a church seemingly in danger of losing a generation of young people. Why are today’s youth failing to feel connected to the church in the way members of earlier generations were? What has shifted in society, and the experiences and mindsets of today’s "Millennial" generation? Can this exit trend be slowed or stopped--and if so, how? This podcast contains no final "answers," but it sure is a lively discussion!

Michael Otterson, head of the LDS Church's Public Affairs department, recently wrote a short piece for the Washington Post's "On Faith" blog titled, "What Mormon Equality Looks Like." In his post, he cites three anonymous LDS women who assert their equality with men in terms of access to pulpits to teach and pray, their chances to preside over Church organizations, their equality "in the eyes of God, as equal halves of a divine pair and equal partners in his work, which includes the raising of families," as well as equality in their rights to "direct access to God through prayer for inspiration, personal guidance and forgiveness of sins." Women, he asserts, are "incredible," and the church "would not be nearly the organization it is today without the women who comprise more than half of its adult membership."

Otterson's depiction of equality led to a great deal of discussion on various LDS blogs, including a wonderfully executed piece of satire by Kristine Haglund comparing women's equality with the type of equality her children enjoy as a member of her family. In this episode, Haglund is joined by two other panelists, Jana Riess and Joanna Brooks, and host Dan Wotherspoon in an animated, broad, and very insightful discussion of Mormon women today. How can we raise the level of discourse on women beyond the issues of priesthood ordination and claims by many LDS women to be completely fulfilled? Are there theological insights or practices that might lead the Church to employ women's gifts more fully? What strategies do the panelists find most helpful as they boldly speak out on difficult issues while still maintaining full activity in the church and good relationships with members and leaders? What renews their faith and encourages them to remain engaged?