Cwic Media

I have never heard this before." - Greg Trevan Hatch, professor at BYU focused on the Ancient Middle-East, lays out a framework for Matthew 5:48, "Be ye therefore perfect." I had never heard this approach before but Trevan backs this up with evidence from the scriptures. We can look at "perfect" through a modern, Western mind as we often have, or as "complete" which is more popular today and fits within a temple framework of the Sermon On The Mount. But Trevan's explanations given though the context of other verses of scripture using the Greek word, "Teleios" showing support for a completely new understanding of the verse. Website- www.cwicmedia.com

Political veteran Paul Mero and Greg Matsen discuss the hot topic of immigration in the US and the immigration "policy" of the Church. Do they match? Are they in conflict? Where has the Church stood previously on immigration law and enforcement? Where do they stand now? What is the ethical approach to immigration policy? Website- www.cwicmedia.com

John Hewlett is a regular on the Show. Today, we talk about tariffs, are they effective?, real miracles in Samoa, and MAHA. Great discussion! Website- www.cwicmedia.com

Gospel On The Nile Cruise - https://www.cwicmedia.com/gospel-on-the-nile  Paul Mero discusses his book, Defeated, and talks of the need to leave Babylon and focus on our homes. Does this mean leaving the culture wars alone? Does fighting the culture war diminish our ability to build Zion? Where do you stand on this? Website - www.cwicmedia.com  Alive and Intelligent Substack Articles - aliveandintelligent.substack.com  

Dave Butler and Greg Matsen team up again to discuss the temple writing of Nephi in 2 Nephi. Nephi knew of the ancient Israelite temple drama and the Royal Procession. Lehi knew of the temple ordinances and exhorted his sons in gospel instruction using temple ordinances. Did Nephi write all of his books as a temple poetry? Website- www.cwicmedia.com

On the Tuesday of the last week of Jesus' mortal life, He gave His last three parables. There seems to be a buzz about these parables today. Ambrosia Fox believes they are all about the temple. Listen to this interesting interpretation of the Ten Virgins, Talents, and Sheep and Goats. Website- www.cwicmedia.com

Recent scholarship by Noel B. Reynolds and Jeff Lindsay highlights passages in the Book of Mormon that parallel those in the Book of Moses. Since the Book of Mormon authors are pulling from the Brass Plates, this implies that the Book of Moses may be the Genesis of the Brass Plates. This is a segment from a full episode interviewing Jeff Lindsay on the lost Book of Gad The Seer. Website- www.cwicmedia.com

Jeff Lindsay and Greg discuss the scholarship on the lost Book of Gad The Seer. Jeff has been studying this story and the book for several years. A Jewish colony in India claims descent from the tribe of MANASSEH—and says they preserved a lost Old Testament book engraved on copper. Could this be the real ‘Words of Gad the Seer'? And, is the Book of Moses the Genesis of the Brass Plates. New scholarship suggests it is. To donate to the translation of Meir Bar Ilan's book click here - https://interpreterfoundation.org/foundation/donate/ Jeff Lindsay's Article - https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/the-words-of-gad-the-seer-an-apparently-ancient-text-with-intriguing-origins-and-content/ Website- www.cwicmedia.com

Interfaith dialogue can get messy. Many of us have been through it. In this video, Greg talks with two Evangelical pastors on specific topics such as Grace and Truth and hashes out how to communicate between us when we disagree. Website- www.cwicmedia.com

Politics is a strange business with the Church and BYU. Dan Ellsworth talks about author and columnist Jonathan Rauch and his "partnership" with the Church. He also covers some major structural differences between the Restored Church and Evangelicals.

With this Digital Missionary Program, 50 cents gets an interested person or family (looking for the missionaries) connected with the missionaries. This is incredibly exciting and may be the future of missionary work. Advertising dollars are tracked directly to the countries targeted and a newsletter shows photos of baptisms and success on the ground. Gathering Israel - https://www.gatheringisrael.org/

I was accused of being "bold" in my speech, so I used word "Bold" to describe our new Substack newsletter. If we are bold in speaking the truth with charity, others will do the same. If we live in a world of feelings that dictate our behavior and character, then we reject truth. If we stand for something that is true, then we can supersede those feelings anchored on solid ground. Website- www.cwicmedia.com

So, who is "Elias?" Is it John the Baptist? Is it just the Greek version of the name Elijah? Is it Noah? Is it all of them? But ultimately, who is the "Elias" who visited the Kirtland Temple in Section 110 of the Doctrine and Covenants and restored the keys of the Gospel of the Dispensation of Abraham? Bruce Porter joins Greg to give his idea on who this elusive character is. Isn't there a "Spirit of Elias" and a "Spirit of Elijah?" Website- www.cwicmedia.com

Mads Larsen, an expert demographer, is at the tip of the spear globally in research and messaging on the collapsing fertility rate in the West. He is the source on the issue for many other "experts." The direction of the shrinking fertility rate has undeniable consequences including a lack of human productivity, immigration, and even a new need for an AI driven economy. Website- www.cwicmedia.com

Years before President Nelson gave his talk on "Peacemakers," the word "Peace" had already been hijacked. Peace in the scriptures is not what you think it is. Peace is "Shalom" which is comparable to the Egyptian concept of "Ma'at." That is, order, truth, justice, and harmony. As Jesus is described in the New Testament and Book of Mormon, it is "Grace And Truth." Both are necessary. Without both, we end up with Untethered Empathy and Malevolent Compassion. Website- www.cwicmeadia.com

In the Book of Mormon, we hear of Secret Combinations and are warned against them. But what if some or many conspiracy theories are perpetuated by the Secret Combinations? Dan Ellsworth and Greg discuss the current environment of conspiracy theories. What causes us to have a plethora of lies, and in a world already full of lies, how do we know which ones are true? Dan Ellsworth's Article - https://publicsquaremag.org/faith/gospel-fare/truth-about-antichrist-last-days/ Website- www.cwicmedia.com

BYU chooses some interesting guest speakers. One recent speaker is Jonathan Rauch, a gay atheist supporting compromise between the LGBTQ agenda and institutional religion. Mostly Christianity. Political veteran Paul Mero and political influencer Eric Moutsos discuss the real fallout of this compromise and dissect its faults. A lot of new fluffy word are used but in the end, Rauch is simply asking the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to compromise on legally on an anti-family agenda. A compromise that strengthens churches' right to discriminate while removing rights from their members and all citizens.  Website- www.cwicmedia.com

Longtime Deseret News columnist, Lois Collins, joins Greg to discuss a recent study showing that Utah has the largest drop in fertility rate of any state in the country. What are the consequences? Why is it happening? Website- www.cwicmedia.com Lois Collins Deseret News Article - https://www.deseret.com/family/2025/04/07/utah-drop-fertility

The fruit of Feminism has not fallen far from the tree. Those that have pushed it the most, codified it, and made it a movement are anti-family, anti-freedom, and almost always anti-God. We play with this Philosophy of Men (Women) casually without understanding its core or goals. It has made significant headway in the church and will continue to grow. Website- www.cwicmedia.com

How do grace and works fit within a Restored Gospel framework? What does it have to do with eternal laws and Exaltation? How does it differ from a Protestant perspective? And why are they both necessary? Where is the church at on the Grace - Works pendulum? Greg and Bruce Porter discuss the scriptural basis for works and the difference between grace and mercy. Website- www.cwicmedia.com

Exciting new scholarship from Noel B. Reynolds sheds light on how the scriptures were produced and how many of the ancient prophets were trained. Beginning with Egypt, their scribal school taught both administrative and holy writing. But they were also taught many of the other skills such as metallurgy (think Nephi) and military stratagem and physical combat. Website- www.cwicmedia.com

Lance Weaver has done an immense amount of research—enough for me to put him on the Show. An experienced geologist, Lance shows through modeling where he believes the settlements of Zarahemla, the Land of Mulek, and other sites existed. Known trade routes in Mexico, the American Southwest, and all the way to New York can show common travel by the Nephites. And just for fun, we look at the dating of the Pharaohs, and how dating and numbers cause problems for history. Website- www.cwicmedia.com Lance's website - gatheredin.one

The "Spiritual Economy" is built on "the last shall be first, and the first shall be last." It is not top-down but bottom-up. It is built on those who "condescend" to lift others, not the world's power structure. For men, it is being the "Servant King." The love of God is not just feelings but opportunity. God did not die so that you would feel better about being loved. He died to allow you to become like Him, grow, put on the character of God, and be a joint heir with Christ. Website- www.cwicmedia.com

Michelle Stone, one of the thought leaders of the Joseph Smith Polygamy deniers, has gone silent and removed the videos from her YouTube channel. However, she still offers those videos on her website. We discuss Michelle's last video, her "Goodbye" video, which she says will be her last. Website- www.cwicmedia.com

Did Lucifer entice a third of the host of heaven with empathy and fairness? Did he try to show how an outcome of disparity is unacceptable and that if we surrendered our agency, he would guarantee an equitable outcome? You cannot have Equity with Agency and you cannot have Agency without Disparity. Website- www.cwicmedia.com

This is a fascinating discussion of the church's inside political workings. How has the church managed controversial issues? Connor Boyack has extensive experience working directly with Salt Lake's church leaders at all levels. He discusses how the church has navigated politics in the past and his own experiences with the church when he and his organization have been on the opposite side of an issue. Website- www.cwicmedia.com

Scripture Notes - http://scripturenotes.com  Education is a bloated business... Is Gen Z just lazy or given the short end of the stick? Why can't anyone bring up the stats on women leaving the Church and Christianity without a vitriolic reaction?

Journey of Wisdom Cruise - https://www.cwicmedia.com/journey-of-wisdom The Jared Halverson experience shows how deeply feminism has entered the church. Nothing Jared said in his very short video was worthy of the online backlash he received. This is eerily similar to Elder Holland's "Musket Talk" at BYU. People attacked him for things he never said. His later interview with a few women of the church focused on women being heard which had nothing to do with his video. Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Journey Of Wisdom Cruise - https://www.cwicmedia.com/journey-of-wisdom Jacob Hansen of Thoughtful Faith  @thoughtfulfaith2020  and Austin Falter have put together a new docuseries on Joseph Smith called For Good Or Evil: The Real Story Of Joseph Smith. The two creators talk about their approach to the history of Joseph Smith and how Joseph Smith is viewed today from different perspectives. Be sure to go to the docuseries here - https://youtu.be/5itcWCFO6YI  Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Scripture Notes - https://scripturenotes.com 180 years ago, these same arguments were prevalent in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in the RLDS. Today, they are resurfacing and they are all focused on Brigham Young. The triad of the temple, character, and polygamy are ambushing Brigham Young and lancing attacks as a corrupt, evil man. Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Scripture Notes - https://scripturenotes.com Sky Sorensen is concerned, as am I, that many in the church are preaching that the church will "change" marriage. That same-sex marriage WILL happen in the temple. This becomes very confusing to gay Latter-day Saints. Many grab onto this vision of "hope in change" over "hope in Christ." Sky experiences same-sex attraction. He prefers that description over "gay." He is happily married to a woman and has children with her Website- www.cwicmedia.com   

MOMENTUM 2026 Cruise - https://www.cwicmedia.com/momentum Eve is always an enjoyable yet controversial topic. The Mother Of All Living has been derided throughout most of Christianity and its history. Of course the Latter-day Saints have a unique perspective. Meghan Farner takes this discussion further by first building a character of Eve from the Garden of Eden account, then giving context to one's temple experience, and finally, encouraging women everywhere to model that character. She also emphasizes men embracing their masculinity and women embracing their femininity. This is always a fascinating discussion. No two people agree on the interpretation of Eve's actions and the drama surrounding her. Meghan Farner's Book, "Consider Yourself As Eve: A Guide to Spiritual Development for Women (and the Men Who Love Them) - https://amzn.to/4jGPxXn  Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

As culture and even the Church move from an Exaltation focus to a grace-only focus, we remake God and Jesus into our own image. Into our own culture. But the opposite is true in the scriptures. As we study Doctrine and Covenants this year, we can see in Section 1 that Jesus does not introduce Himself as a Teddy Bear Jesus. Instead, he is the Redeemer of the world, tethered Himself to truth and justice. That is, He is full of "Grace and Truth." Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Journey Of Wisdom Cruise - https://www.cwicmedia.com/journey-of-wisdom  Just how flawed is the Old Testament? How much of it can we accept? Where did the Plain And Precious Things go in the Old Testament? What are the key omissions we know about? Where is Christ in the Old Testament if "all the prophets prophesied of me?" How does the Documentary Hypothesis fit in? What about the scribal schools of Joseph vs Judah? How was the Old Testament put together? Are we reading the results of just a few controlling editors and scribes with a different religion than the religion of the prophets? Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Journey Of Wisdom Cruise, Greece, Turkey, Cairo - https://www.cwicmedia.com/journey-of-wisdom  Most of us have had personal or family experience dealing with schools and government encroaching on parental rights. There has been a "woke madness" that has infiltrated our institutions and the kids are the most vulnerable targets. Tina Descovich is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Moms For Liberty. Her organization works to fend off government encroachment on parental rights and stand up for families. Moms For Liberty - https://www.momsforliberty.org/  Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Journey Of Wisdom Cruise - https://www.cwicmedia.com/journey-of-wisdom The "Defining Circle" When you define something and state what it is, to protect that definition, you must also state what it is not. In his General Conference talk, Elder Andersen held nothing back in declaring that Abortion, except in extreme cases, is wrong. That as a church, we support the sanctity of life. And that as the world loses its love for the unborn, we should stay firm. Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Gospel On The Nile Cruise - https://www.cwicmedia.com/gospel-on-t... With so many Latter-day Saint voices online, who do you listen to? Some of the most popular videos are on the End Times. Why do some people get so caught up on their "End Times" focus that they make rash, illogical decisions and almost hope for calamities? What is the best way to "prep" for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? While temporal preparation is important, spiritual preparation should always be the focus. Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Journey Of Wisdom Cruise - https://www.cwicmedia.com/journey-of-wisdom Critics of the church, including guest speakers at BYU, are now using the "colonialism" argument against the church in its migration west and even with its missionaries. Are we really that surprised? Jason Olson returns with his podcast partner, Rusty Curtis of the 2 Converts podcast, to discuss this element of the Religion of Academia and its conflict with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 2 Converts Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@UCAvoBmmoOI3I_trHm7UIhFg Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Fathom The Good - https://fathomthegood.com Brothaz In The Foyer - Will Kennedy and Isiah Gray Black and "Mormon" How do we deal with the "racism" stigma of the Church? Bridges between identities offer opportunities to build Zion Representing Black members in art. Brothaz In The Foyer - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUsq0xcvItHjizx7tSOP-rw  Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

MOMENTUM Cruise https://www.cwicmedia.com/momentum BBQ Dinner & Presentation - "Teddy Bear Jesus & Exaltation" St. George, UT - https://www.cwicmedia.com/offers/TKLC2cxR/checkout - What made Joseph Smith so radical? - Did Joseph Smith "wrestle" with God? - Who are the "other" Josephites?  - The radical teaching of Exaltation. Hannah Stoddard is the Director of the Joseph Smith Foundation. In this interview, we discuss little-known facts about Joseph Smith. Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Journey Of Wisdom Cruise - https://www.cwicmedia.com/journey-of-wisdom  How is Christianity responding to an increasing encroachment from secularism in the West? Will we see a last revival in these last days preparing for the Second Coming of Christ? Will Christ come when things are improved in the world or when they are so bad He must intervene? Greg and his friends, Pastors Jeff McCullough and Nate Fox comment on the state of Christianity. Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Fathom The Good Curriculum - https://fathomthegood.com/ Social media has become THE tool to pass on disinformation and "critique" the Church, its history, practices and doctrines. The new, most popular, and fastest-growing anti-Mormon voices are mostly women. Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Gospel On The Nile - https://www.cwicmedia.com/gospel-on-the-nile When Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, it had already been done in a Royal Procession/Coronation Ceremony in Jerusalem. The last week of Jesus' life fulfills an ancient Israelite Temple Drama about Jesus Christ. Jesus is simply carrying out the Temple Drama. We do the same thing in the temple endowment ceremony. We are going through a Royal Procession that lines up with Jesus last week in mortality. Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Journey Of Wisdom Cruise - https://www.cwicmedia.com/journey-of-wisdom Jacob Hess and Greg discuss the evolution and disparity between legacy and new, alternative media. Where are people sourcing their news? Do we create news "silos" and feedback loops? Fact-Checking is just another layer of bias. We need to step up in the information age and increase our discernment. That may be the lesson of our time. Help Jacob's family and purchase Train My Puppy - https://www.trainyourpuppygame.com/  Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Scripture Notes - https://scripturenotes.com/  The Hulu TV series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been a topic of controversy and online turmoil since it aired earlier this year in September. Several women in the TV series are certainly not representative of an every day "Mormon" wife and mother—far from it. Ganellyn Condie and Shayla Egan, two of the eight authors of a recent book, The Not So Secret Lives Of Real "Mormon" Wives, discuss the Hulu TV series and their recent book. In the book, women tell their own stories of their lives, struggles, sacrifices, and testimonies that clearly show how Latter-day Saint women work and live as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Not So Secret Lives Of Real Mormon Wives - https://amzn.to/3Zzfz5w 

Scripture Notes - https://scripturenotes.com/ The Doctrine of Exaltation seems to be waning. When we lower our focus, we end up with a Therapy or Prosperity Gospel. Exaltation and The Doctrine of Christ are inextricably connected. Both doctrines have been lost to the world several times. Charity is tied to Exaltation. Without Charity, we are nothing. Bruce Porter Interview - Exaltation - https://youtu.be/mjsz6qv9VMI 

Scripture Notes - https://scripturenotes.com/  Orthodox members of the Church today often feel anchorless as the Church has changed its message to them. Other members are encouraged because there are no authoritative checks from the pulpit on their social agendas. The Church used to directly address its day's cultural and social ills and influences. Today, it is silent on these issues, except one, religious freedom. Is the Church's tax-exempt status a muzzle? Or are we going in a different direction? Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Gospel On The Nile - https://www.cwicmedia.com/gospel-on-the-nile Paul Mero is a culture warrior veteran. Washington DC, Utah State politics, and politics within The Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints. He has experience and insights to them all. Should we engage in "Babylon?" Do we look to change policy, law, and social mores in our societies or do we focus on our families and "invite" the world to live the Gospel? What about within the Church? Do we do anything within the Church to keep Babylon out? "Defeated" by Paul Mero - https://amzn.to/416c7BX Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Scripture Notes - https://scripturenotes.com/ Elder Bednar frames President Nelson's words, "In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost" within the coming advances of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI boyfriends and girlfriends are already available for companionship, support, affirmation, and assistance. This will lead to "artificial infidelity" with AI boyfriends and girlfriends. AI will be both "perilous" and provide "opportunities." Everything depends on how we use it. Will we use AI to replace our own "work" and growth? Or will we use it in a supportive role? Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Dallas Jenkins, creator of The Chosen, recently gave an excellent talk at BYU. It is exciting to hear such talks from people of other denominations. Dallas' talk was on overcoming adversity and failure by giving everything to God. With some fascinating insights from the story of the Feeding Of The Five Thousand, Dallas talks of his personal experience of failure and the new worldview he gained by reading this Biblical account. Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Journey Of Wisdom Mediterranean Cruise - https://www.cwicmedia.com/journey-of-wisdom BYU invited an official from UNRWA, which is heavily infiltrated by Hamas, to give a presentation at the BYU Kennedy Center. The presentation followed Hamas's talking points and received a standing ovation. Hamas terrorists working as employees for UNRWA were involved in the October 7 massacre. Website - www.cwicmedia.com