Jana Riess @janariess Twitter profile

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Jana Riess

@janariess

5 years

No. Please do not trivialize women's fear of being forced into polygamy in the afterlife. Please do not laugh at women who dare to ask that their eternal lives not be defined by polygamy. Women's anxiety is not a punchline. #GeneralConference

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Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

If you're looking for some good news this morning

The Hill

@thehill

4 years

New Mexico becomes first state to elect all women of color to House delegation

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@janariess

5 years

Dear Mormons, I have discovered our Zion and it is in Prague. There are 56 varieties of hot chocolate on this menu. I am going to come to this cafe every single day

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Jana Riess

@janariess

3 years

OAKS: 1) Sovereign power of the people does NOT mean mobs can take control of government 2) Members should consider voting for the other party at times & not conflating one political party with the absolute truth 3) Church meetings should be politics-free. #GeneralConference

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3 years

Very, very glad to hear a frank #GeneralConference talk on mental illness. So many people deal with this, our family included, and it's good for religious leaders to destigmatize it and assure church members that it's "not a character defect." #ElderKopischke

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5 years

Pres. Oaks emphasizes the two great commandments to love God and each other, but he worries that our emphasis on the second will erode our commitment to the first. I am equally concerned about the erosion happening the other way around. #GeneralConference

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@janariess

2 years

No apology from the @LDSchurch for the portions of Elder Bednar’s #GeneralConference talk that were taken word for word from the sermon of a Protestant pastor. Reporting by @RNS journalist @bobsmietana .

LDS elder — a former college president — may have plagiarized General Conference talk

(RNS) — Elder David Bednar, a former BYU-Idaho president, failed to tell listeners he was using material from an obscure religious teacher and other sources in his address.

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

2 years

It's one thing to tell church members not to pray to Heavenly Mother. There's scriptural basis for that. But what this last #GeneralConference talk seemed to say was far more draconian: Don't even seek to know more about her.

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@janariess

5 years

Liberal Mormons aren't clamoring for women's rights or LGBTQ equality because we oppose the LDS Church; we do so because we took the Church at its word. @RNS

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@janariess

3 years

This #GeneralConference talk by #ElderRenlund , with a concrete example of overcoming contention, is beautiful. We don’t talk enough about real examples of people who’ve worked through serious disagreements in the church; we too often pretend they don’t happen. Which doesn’t help.

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Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

An idol is the thing we believe we cannot live without, the object we feel it is our duty to defend, the machine that demands our regular sacrifices in order to keep it happy. For Mormons, the most consistent idol is actually the church itself.

When Mormons make an idol of the church

In Sunday School lessons at church, if we talk about idolatry, the expected answers to the question of “what are our idols today?” are things like celebrities, money, power and sex. But the most...

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

Trump is now just 7.5 points ahead of Biden in Utah. IN UTAH, where Romney and Reagan won by roughly 50-point leads. Women in particular seem fed up with him.

(RNS) Trump is still likely to win Utah, but given the usual fantastical margins of GOP candidates in this reddest of states, a single-digit lead is a disaster.

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

3 years

Wow, Oaks is coming down hard on those who follow power-hungry demagogues rather than the Constitution. I wonder who . . . #GeneralConference

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Jana Riess

@janariess

1 year

When Sara Delaney began lobbying LDS leaders in the UK to do a better job at preventing sexual abuse, she worried she’d be excommunicated for speaking out. Instead, starting July 1, the church in the UK will finally adopt many of her proposals. @RNS

British Mormons lobby for stricter safeguards against abuse — and succeed

(RNS) — ‘Somehow they've listened to two women that decided to say, ‘Hey, this is not good enough,’ ’ Sara Delaney said.

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

7 years

Wow. Bonnie Oscarson's voice breaks as she pleads for YW to have more responsibility in the @LDSchurch and to feel their contributions are valued. I hope leaders are listening. The longitudinal stats on teen girls leaving organized religion are now actually worse than for boys.

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Jana Riess

@janariess

3 years

“Jesus & John Wayne” author @kkdumez speaking at Notre Dame today, talking now about how Twitter contributed to the word of mouth success of the book (esp when @BethMooreLPM told her million followers about it).

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@janariess

3 years

LDS respondents in the US are among the religious groups least likely to agree that white privilege exists. Aaaaaaugh.

Ryan Burge 📊

@ryanburge

3 years

"White people in the U.S. have certain advantages because of the color of their skin" 86% of black Protestants agree. 84% of atheists. 69% of non-white evangelicals. 51% of mainline Protestants. 38% of Latter-day Saints. 25% of white evangelicals.

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Jana Riess

@janariess

3 years

Did anyone else cry with joy when you got vaccinated? I keep tearing up. Second shot today. It’s been a long year.

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Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

Lovely opening prayer from Elder Kearon for those who are unwell, who grieve, or who are marginalized. Especially “For all those who are sick from the COVID virus, and those working to defeat it.” Also (!!) for a return to grace & civility in public life. #GeneralConference

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Jana Riess

@janariess

3 years

New study: 1 in 5 GenZ Mormons are LGB+, with bisexuality being the most popular subcategory (1 in 10 say they are bi). With thanks to @benjaminknoll28 for his analysis of the Nationscape data. @rns

Rising numbers of young adult Mormons in the US are gay, lesbian or bisexual

(RNS) — So far, Gen Z Mormons look like millennials in their sexual orientation, only more so, according to the largest dataset we’ve ever had about Latter-day Saints in America.

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

7 months

What was that thing again about how the @LDSchurch doesn’t publicly support political candidates or parties . . . ?

Tamarra Kemsley

@tamarranicole

7 months

This Saturday:

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Jana Riess

@janariess

7 years

Finally finally finally: Gerrit Gong and Ulissez Suarez become the first apsotles of color for the @LDSchurch . Tears and shouts of joy here, so much so that the dog is worried about me. #ldsconf

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@janariess

7 months

And please, @Ch_JesusChrist , please allow it to continue as a historic site that’s led by trained guides/docents who can answer actual questions about history. Not by missionaries, however well-intentioned.

Jana Riess

@janariess

7 months

The @Ch_JesusChrist has bought the Kirtland Temple from its denominational cousin, the @CofChrist . Feeling grief for C of C members who’ve labored so well for so long to preserve this building, at great cost to themselves. Gratitude & respect. @RNS

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@janariess

2 years

Here’s something cool a reader sent me: basically a feminist LDS manifesto on the YW bulletin board of a ward in Provo. 😊 All quotations from wise women.

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Jana Riess

@janariess

3 years

Just so I'm clear -- the pres of the Utah state Senate went to the legislature yesterday after testing positive for Covid just so he could vote, unmasked, on a measure that would overturn county-level mask mandates . . .?!

Heidi Hatch KUTV

@tvheidihatch

3 years

Utah Senate president tested positive twice Tuesday for COVID-19

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Jana Riess

@janariess

2 years

At the little-c level, I have always felt that the church makes me a better person. I don’t feel this way about the Big-C LDS Church. One of the ways I've stayed Mormon is by focusing on what we do well: loving & serving at the local level. @rns

RNS | Covering the world of religion

RNS is an independent, nonprofit, and award-winning source of global news on religion, spirituality, and culture. Founded in 1934, RNS seeks to inform readers with objective reporting and insightful...

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

1 year

My timing in getting baptized into the LDS Church in September 1993 was spectacularly awful. It’s a strange thing, joining a church at precisely the time it’s busy excommunicating people who think & sound a lot like you. But I've never regretted it. @rns

On 30 years of Mormon belonging and not-belonging

(RNS) — I became a Mormon 30 years ago with both eyes open, and that has made all the difference.

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

3 years

I am a grandma! Welcome, little Ayden, born veeeery early this morning. Nana Jana loves you already.

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Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

Thanks to a reader who took screen shots, here's a new survey the @LDSchurch is doing of adults 18-35. Should we abolish singles wards, or radically change them? Rethink how we do General Conference? Be more LGBTQ+ affirming? Lots of questions. @rns

What the LDS church wants to know from young adult Mormons

(RNS) — A peek behind the scenes of a landmark survey of LDS church members reveals the stirrings of possible change.

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

5 years

I've postponed writing this for nearly a week because it is rarely helpful to lash out in anger. I like to take time to reflect. But I am so very tired of the ways my Church's structural sexism shuts down women's voices. @rns

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Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

Follow-up: Here are the screen shots from the portion of the survey about Mormonism & gender roles, if you're interested in what the Church was asking about.

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Jana Riess

@janariess

2 years

The @LDSchurch is being accused of skirting the tax laws in Australia. If true, this is a deeply disappointing financial practice. @RNS

LDS Church is under fire in Australia

(RNS) — If the reports are true, the government of Australia has every right to be angry. This kind of financial practice looks terrible for the church. It feels covert and deceptive.

religionnews.com

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@janariess

5 years

I'm not a fan of counsel to simply ignore someone's wishes that they not be contacted by the Church. It's lovely and important to want to minister, but if someone has specifically stated "no contact," we respect and love that person by honoring their wish. #GeneralConference

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Jana Riess

@janariess

6 years

Mormons too often handle doubt by blaming and shaming the victim. If the goal is to encourage doubters that the @LDSchurch is a loving and safe place, this weekend’s devotional missed the mark. @rns

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Jana Riess

@janariess

3 years

The overt, spoken message of BYU's faculty meeting was that inclusion is important; the unfortunate and unspoken subtext of Elder Holland’s talk was that the voices of non-white, non-heterosexual, non-male members of the Church are unimportant. @RNS

RNS | Covering the world of religion

RNS is an independent, nonprofit, and award-winning source of global news on religion, spirituality, and culture. Founded in 1934, RNS seeks to inform readers with objective reporting and insightful...

religionnews.com

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@janariess

2 years

The next time someone tries to say "we don't know why" the LDS Church had racist exclusion policies until 1978, point them to Paul Reeve's new book from Deseret. We do know why (racism) & we know who (BY, JFS). @RNS

Mormons know how the Church sanctioned racial exclusion. That policy has a paper trail.

(RNS) — Paul Reeve's new book argues the decision to ban Blacks from priesthood and the temple began with Brigham Young but wasn't fully entrenched until the early 1900s under Joseph F. Smith.

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

2 years

It's not fault-finding to expect a church that prides itself on "honest dealings" to honor that man's work. And to be transparent about its own process, like admitting that footnotes were not there until after publication, when someone complained about their absence. [END]

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@janariess

2 years

What did Joseph Smith really look like? Now we can have a better idea, because one of his descendants has discovered a long-lost daguerrotype, probably the only one ever made of the Mormon prophet from life. See it here: @rns

Mormon founder Joseph Smith's photo discovered by descendant after nearly 180 years

(RNS) — A great-great-grandson of Joseph Smith Jr. found the Mormon prophet’s photo tucked inside a locket passed down for generations.

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

2 years

Breaking news of $5 million in fines -- $4m from Ensign Peak Advisers and $1m from the LDS Church. The church expressed "regret" for "mistakes made" in misleading the SEC about its financial portfolio.

Mormon Church pays $5 million to settle accusations it covered up $32 billion investment portfolio

The Mormon Church agreed Tuesday to pay $5 million to settle charges involving disclosure failures and misstated regulatory filings.

abcnews.go.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

3 years

Last week, historian @BenjaminEPark was removed from the website of @BYUMaxwell , where he'd been a 2018 fellow. He doesn't know why, or whether someone at BYU made the decision or was acting on instructions from the @LDSchurch . @RNS @TheGrandScoobah

RNS | Covering the world of religion

RNS is an independent, nonprofit, and award-winning source of global news on religion, spirituality, and culture. Founded in 1934, RNS seeks to inform readers with objective reporting and insightful...

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

2 years

“The inability to apologize is damning to us spiritually, as a church, in that it impedes our progress. There is so much freedom in being able to say ‘I messed up and I am so sorry.’” @RNS

Mormon leaders and the fear of apologizing

(RNS) — The inability to apologize is damning to us spiritually, as a church, in that it impedes our progress. There is so much freedom in being able to say ‘I messed up and I am so sorry.’

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

7 months

Most people who leave Mormonism don't join another religion. They also overwhelmingly say they don't want to come back to the LDS Church. These are among the findings of a major new survey about current & former members. More here: @RNS @BHRobertsFound

Who is leaving the LDS church? 8 key survey findings

(RNS) — Among the findings: Most don’t join another religion after leaving but they also aren’t interested in coming back to the LDS church.

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

9 months

New study shows that only 42% of Utah adults say they're members of the LDS Church -- far lower than the 60%+ the church has on its rolls. Sociologists @rcragun , Rick Phillips, & @bethgull explain what's behind the drop: @RNS

Study: Utah is no longer a majority-Mormon state

(RNS) — With more nonmembers moving into the state and smaller Mormon birthrates, Utah is no longer a majority-Mormon state.

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

That was a lovely and heartfelt #GeneralConference talk by Pres. Joy Jones. But it's a sign of how deeply entrenched our patriarchy is that she can't speak about women's power without quoting one man after another to give authority to the claim.

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@janariess

1 year

US Mormons ranked first in many measures of personal religious devotion -- but also first in the percentage who said they've considered leaving the fold. @RNS @PRRIpoll

RNS | Covering the world of religion

RNS is an independent, nonprofit, and award-winning source of global news on religion, spirituality, and culture. Founded in 1934, RNS seeks to inform readers with objective reporting and insightful...

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

3 years

Brad Wilcox, a leader in the @Ch_JesusChrist of Latter-day Saints, has apologized — sort of — for one part of his remarks earlier this month. But it doesn't go far enough.

Mormon leader’s apology for racist remarks does not go far enough

(RNS) — Brad Wilcox, a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has apologized — sort of — for one part of his remarks earlier this month. But it doesn't go far enough.

religionnews.com

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@janariess

5 years

Sister Cordon to YW leaders: “You have been set apart by one who has priesthood authority. This means that as you fulfill the duties of your calling you are exercising the priesthood.” #GeneralConference 🔥🔥🔥

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Jana Riess

@janariess

5 years

Update: All meetings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including sacrament meetings, have been canceled the world over.

First Presidency: All church meetings temporarily canceled worldwide

The First Presidency made the announcement on the same day that Utah Gov. Gary Herbert asked churches to limit gatherings to fewer than 100 people.

www.deseret.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

We've yet to hear the LDS Church condemn the violence at the US Capitol, or the lies that precipitated it. @RNS

Will the LDS Church condemn the right wing's Capitol violence?

The problem is that if/when the Church issues a statement condemning the violence and reminding members of President Oaks’s wise counsel about accepting the results of elections, it will do little...

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

2 years

14 changes to the LDS temple endowment, implemented this week. (The list is still a work in progress as people report their observations.) @RNS

More Jesus, less touching: 14 changes to the Mormon temple endowment ceremony

(RNS) — Just four years after the most recent revisions, the LDS temple ceremony has undergone more changes.

religionnews.com

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@janariess

5 years

When Elder Christofferson references "merciless attacks" on social media, is he talking about the world mocking how Latter-day Saints look & behave, or about us trolling each other for not adhering to our own ideas of standards? I see more of the latter. 😟 #GeneralConference

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Jana Riess

@janariess

3 years

Good news: LDS temples will require masks. This should be a no-brainer, given that so many temple patrons are 65+ and the temple is an enclosed & windowless space. But common sense isn't so common anymore. I'm grateful the leaders of my church still have some.

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@janariess

4 years

This story from Elder Renlund of a 16-year-old saving the life of an elderly person could not be better timed than right now, when societies are mobilizing to protect the most vulnerable. #GeneralConference

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@janariess

4 years

Joe Biden just had the best showing of any Democrat in Utah since LBJ in 1964. Even parts of Provo turned purple this year. @RNS @JakeRugh

Joe Biden has best showing of any Democrat in Utah since 1964

(RNS) — Even heavily Mormon Provo, once reliably red, turned purple.

religionnews.com

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@janariess

3 years

Our ward is having testimony meeting tomorrow. Apparently it is also International Talk Like a Pirate Day. This could be interesting

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@janariess

1 year

"I'm Glad My Mom Died" gives us something new: a memoir by someone who happens to be an ex-Mormon, as opposed to an ex-Mormon memoir. P.S. It's a great read. @RNS

What 'I'm Glad My Mom Died' teaches us about ex-Mormons

(RNS) — Last year’s bestselling memoir of ‘a woman reckoning with love and violence’ was also a typically Mormon tale.

religionnews.com

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@janariess

4 years

Important reaction from the NAACP, who are refusing to be merely an upbeat photo op for the LDS church and saying that the church could & should be doing far more to actively combat racism.

Peggy Fletcher Stack

@religiongal

4 years

Actions speak louder that words: Despite joining President Nelson in call to end racism, NAACP would like to see the LDS Church do more, via @sltrib

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@janariess

5 years

Wise #GeneralConference thoughts from Elder Soares on relating to those who leave the fold: Love & embrace them; pray for their well-being; seek the Lord's help; rejoice in their success; be their friend; don't reject or misjudge them. IOW: Just. Love. Them.

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@janariess

2 years

1. Here is the first example of the text being taken mostly verbatim (the blue text) from John O. Reid. There were no quotation marks given, and no introduction before the comment to indicate that it was in fact from Reid.

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@janariess

2 years

This morning @_megconley , Donna Kelly & I were interviewed by NPR's @OnPointRadio about Mormonism, women & domestic violence. Heavy conversation. I'm still writing/processing.

On Point

@OnPointRadio

2 years

Listen: Mormon women on power and patriarchy in the LDS church. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, use a safe computer to contact help. Call 800-799-SAFE (7233), or visit .

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@janariess

5 years

I wonder, if we searched through all modern apostles' #GeneralConference talks, whether Elder Holland would win in how many times he has returned us to Adam, Eve, and the Garden. He keeps going there. And I usually learn something new.

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@janariess

4 years

"The Next Mormons" is a finalist for the 2020 best book award from the Religion Newswriters Association! That's a nice piece of news to receive on an otherwise largely depressing pandemic morning. @rns @ReligionReport

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@janariess

4 years

#GeneralConference had some lovely individual moments for me, but in the end I felt empty: That's it? In a time of global pandemic because of #COVID19 , our big revelation was a proclamation that our religion is the right one? @RNS

When the "big reveal" of General Conference feels tone-deaf in a pandemic

General Conference's focus on the way Latter-day Saints are unique recipients of the fullness of God’s truth came across as tone-deaf in a time of need.

religionnews.com

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@janariess

5 years

This is important. A UK bishop is offering instructions to his ward about not using the printed manual for next week (on the “curse” of dark skin), but the corrected digital one. I’m not sure why the Church has not yet proactively done this worldwide for all teachers.

Ross

@ldsbishopNoMo

5 years

I created the following for our Sunday School teachers which serves as a bare minimum of information required in case anybody brings up the incorrect statement from the printed manual

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@janariess

2 years

In 30 years as a Mormon, I've seen the LDS Church move from vilifying working moms to tolerating us...and now, sometimes even celebrating our professional lives. @RNS

Mormonism's slow shift away from demonizing working mothers

(RNS) — The LDS church used to vilify working mothers. Then it began to quietly tolerate them. Now it has begun to celebrate their achievements.

religionnews.com

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@janariess

4 years

An 80-year-old retired @BYU history professor denounced Trump in a video that's been viewed more than 450K times. He's taken flak for it & lost friends. But, he says, “I hope it helps Mormons to understand who and what Donald Trump really is.” @RNS

Retired BYU professor denounces Donald Trump in viral video

Fox’s video outlines five reasons why he thinks Trump is a threat to America’s democratic principles. He does not mince words.

religionnews.com

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@janariess

2 years

For years, Mormons have been taught to be “all in” the church—so when some have a faith crisis, they think there’s no choice but to be “all out” & leave. Christian Kimball says there’s a middle way: @RNS @BccPress

How to stay Mormon after a faith crisis (if staying is what you want)

(RNS) — Former LDS Bishop Christian Kimball has spent the last 25 years ‘on the inside of the edge’ of Mormonism.

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

“Latter-day Saints for Trump” are employing part of the name of the church to support a political cause, which violates the church’s handbook. What’s more, the cause they are backing is going to alienate a lot of people from the church.

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@janariess

5 years

Yes, my book recommendations pointing to the work of BYU professors are clearly apostate Also, all my Instant Pot recipes are secretly poisoned

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@janariess

5 years

Hallelujah!!!! This inequity has been a source of great frustration and sorrow for many women and girls. Rejoicing! #GeneralConference

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

@Ch_JesusChrist

5 years

The ward budget for youth activities will be divided equitably between the young men and young women according to the number of youth in each organization. A sufficient amount will be provided for Primary activities.

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@janariess

3 years

Is this the first #GeneralConference in which a woman has given a talk in every session (so far)?

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@janariess

1 year

Why do I gladly obey America’s @TestKitchen recipes to the letter but chafe when LDS leaders reiterate again & again that it’s my job to follow their orders? Some thoughts on #GeneralConference @RNS

The Mormon prophet's test kitchen

(RNS) — Why do mature adults practice obedience? Hint: It’s not because someone told them, again and again, to obey.

religionnews.com

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@janariess

5 years

I'm also very intrigued by the announcement that RS leaders can take a greater role in counseling with adults. This is potentially SO important. #GeneralConference

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@janariess

4 years

The domestic terrorist who dangled from the Senate balcony and occupied Mike Pence's seat is a returned missionary of the LDS Church, to our shame. But Mitt Romney, also a Mormon, showed some of the best qualities our religion is capable of. @RNS

At the Capitol, we saw the best and the worst of US Mormonism

(RNS) — The domestic terrorist who dangled from the Senate balcony and occupied Mike Pence's seat is a returned missionary of the LDS Church, to our shame. But Mitt Romney, also a Mormon, showed some...

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

6 years

Elder Oaks picks up right where he left off this morning. GO GET MARRIED AND HAVE CHILDREN and stop being so selfish. Sorry, friends, but I am signing off for the night. This battering is quite enough. I'm going to spend the rest of the evening with my family. #GeneralConference

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Jana Riess

@janariess

5 years

This made my day

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Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

Among Mormon anti-maskers I see 4 main rejections of Elder Renlund's message: 1) Science is bunk. 2) Machiavelli was really on to something. 3) This rule doesn't apply outside the temple. 4) Blame the #COVID victims. @rns

RNS | Covering the world of religion

RNS is an independent, nonprofit, and award-winning source of global news on religion, spirituality, and culture. Founded in 1934, RNS seeks to inform readers with objective reporting and insightful...

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

One year after the news story broke that the LDS Church had a $100 billion+ nest egg, I still pay tithing. Just not to the church. @rns @ReligionMag @mboorstein

Why I stopped tithing to the LDS Church

At tithing settlement this year, I declared myself a full tithe-payer and explained why none of that money has gone to the LDS Church.

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

3 years

Oh wow. So this is Covid, which I brought home as a souvenir from my trip to England. It’s… awful. Even after 3 shots. Even though this is supposed to be a mild variant. Even though I’m breathing fine (don’t worry). Going back to bed now. Tomorrow will be better, right?

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Jana Riess

@janariess

5 years

The death of @rachelheldevans this morning has me reeling; here is my small attempt to capture what her writing and example meant to me. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. @RNS @bobsmietana #PrayForRHE

Rest in peace, Rachel Held Evans

(RNS) — "Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is." — Psalm 39, as quoted by Rachel Held Evans in "Searching for Sunday"

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

Out of caution, Elder Gerrit Gong is going to deliver his remarks from home where he is quarantined after being exposed to Covid-19. It sounds like it's just a routine precaution, but my heart skipped anyway. Prayers for Elder Gong. #GeneralConference

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Jana Riess

@janariess

1 year

"This is not a church that should be teaching people to obey without thinking — or, worse, that they will be blessed for obeying a church leader when they know the leader is wrong." @rns #GeneralConference

The limits of Mormon obedience

(RNS) — LDS prophets have been on the wrong side of justice. When it is acceptable to disobey them?

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

A Mormon apostle says there’s no truth to the claim that more people are leaving the LDS Church — in an issue of the "Ensign" with article after article devoted to the topic of people leaving the LDS Church. Hmmm.

Dear Mormon parents, it’s not just your children who are leaving the church

(RNS) — In this month's Ensign, an apostle says it's ‘simply not true’ that more members are leaving. Why, then, devote an entire issue of the magazine to discussing how to talk to members who leave?

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

And this is why representation is so important, whether it's diversity in gender, race, or age. "You can't be what you can't see."

Luis Joel Rendon

@ljoelrendon

4 years

My kids (11 - 4yrs old girls ) suddenly got really quite when they heard and saw the young women speaker #GeneralConference

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Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

Fascinating to hear Pres. Jean Bingham tie the restoration of the church to the end of the sin of women's subjugation. Part of me is saying "Um, but, polygamy and LDS patriarchy" b/c we've furthered that sin, but the other part WANTS to believe this narrative. #GeneralConference

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Jana Riess

@janariess

1 year

I'm really hoping that the LDS Church's new embrace of Holy Week isn't merely a “we’re not weird, please like us” campaign: @RNS

Mormons have discovered Holy Week. Why now?

(RNS) — Here's hoping that embracing Easter isn't merely a 'we’re not weird, please like us' campaign.

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

3 years

In the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, the word is feminine. In the Greek New Testament, the word is neuter. In fact the variation that’s NOT biblical is the male non-binary one we have made into an idol.

Sam Vimes is a Lesbian

@SamVime07134041

3 years

The Holy Ghost has got to be non-binary, right? Thoughts?

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Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

Pres. Nelson: "God does not love one race more than another. His doctrine on this matter is clear." #GeneralConference

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Jana Riess

@janariess

6 years

I'm sure Pres. Oaks didn't mean it this way, but I am envisioning every LDS couple who struggles with infertility feeling absolutely gut-punched by this notion. #GeneralConference

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Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

Pres. Nelson's statement vs. racism is a step forward from the predominately white LDS Church's racist past (& there was nowhere to go but up...). But it's still inadequate at seeing the depth of the problem, which is a function of white privilege.

RNS | Covering the world of religion

RNS is an independent, nonprofit, and award-winning source of global news on religion, spirituality, and culture. Founded in 1934, RNS seeks to inform readers with objective reporting and insightful...

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

1 year

Joseph Smith's great-grandson Wallace B. died a few days ago. He's the leader who is largely responsible for women's ordination in the Community of Christ (RLDS) tradition. And for their temple in Independence, MO. May he rest in peace. @rns

Wallace B. Smith, great-grandson of Joseph Smith and pioneer for women’s ordination, dies at 94

(RNS) — The leadership of Wallace B. Smith, who headed the RLDS movement from 1978 to 1994, was a game changer.

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

5 years

"Notice the shift from 'we' to 'I' in the new YW theme," says Sister Cordon. I am also noticing the beautiful shift from "Heavenly Father" to "Heavenly Parents." #GeneralConference

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Jana Riess

@janariess

3 years

LDS apostle Dallin Oaks called Friday's address on religious freedom & LGBTQ rights "the most difficult" of his life. Why? @rns

Why was last week’s speech on LGBTQ rights 'the most difficult' of LDS apostle Dallin Oaks' career?

(RNS) — Oaks is trying to chart a middle course between religious freedom and LGBTQ+ rights. But in our terribly polarized times, I doubt many Americans are capable of the compromise and civility...

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

2 years

My (unsettled) tithing settlement: how it started, how it’s going. @RNS

On Mormon tithing and a $100 billion investment fund

(RNS) — Tithing can’t be reduced to checking a box that says you support an insanely wealthy institution with yet more wealth and are suddenly right with the Lord because of it.

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

3 years

Mormon social media has been buzzing about whether Pres. Oaks was sounding the alarm about recent actions of Trump supporters in the United States. I think there’s no question that he was, but liberals aren't off the hook either. #GeneralConference @RNS

Mormon leader blasts some right-wing US extremists, but will they know he’s talking to them?

(RNS) — Latter-day Saint apostle Dallin Oaks just sounded the alarm about the recent actions of some Trump supporters in the United States. But the talk did not let liberals off the hook, either.

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

3 years

When I paid tithing to the @LDSChurch / @Ch_JesusChrist , the logistics of sitting down to do it might take up 5 mins of my month. Now, it requires a good deal more time and consideration. And it's awesome. @rns

Mormon tithing, revisited

(RNS) — When I paid tithing to the church, the logistics of sitting down to do it might take up five minutes of my month. Now, it requires a good deal more time and consideration.

religionnews.com

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Jana Riess

@janariess

5 years

She finished 1st in the first part of the AA and qualified to compete in Every. Single. Event final. Plus she debuted two new skills for the Code of Points, skills that no one else in the world can do. Yeah, I’d say that Simone Biles is on target for Tokyo 2020.

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Jana Riess

@janariess

2 years

Bottom line: It's not OK to pass off someone else's ideas and words as your own, and those rules aren't different just because it's happening in a sermon rather than an academic paper.

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Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

Trump only has 6 horcruxes left now

Jana Riess

@janariess

4 years

ABC News is reporting that #twitter has locked Trump’s account for 12 hours.

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Jana Riess

@janariess

2 years

My heart is breaking too. Kate was so special to so many people and made us feel so loved. It’s hard to believe she’s gone from this world. I do enjoy thinking about all the wonderful conversations she’s going to have in heaven. She will be a light, even in that place of light.

Sam Brown

@SamBrown_LDS

2 years

Today I have no poetry, only a broken heart and the brutal fact that broke it. Kate died this morning. Funeral expected this Saturday in Salt Lake City.

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