Mormons A to Z

After the 2016 election, women across the country were overwhelmed and frustrated with politics. One Mormon woman became an "accidental activist" when she started a Facebook group for women of faith to connect. Within weeks, thousands had joined, and Mormon Women for Ethical Government (MWEG) was born. Today A is joined by Amy Gold Douglas and Emma Petty Addams of MWEG to discuss the legacy of activism in the Church and how each of us can be advocates and peacemakers as disciples of Christ.

In part two of the Joseph Smith, Jr. series, A and Z address the FAQ's about JSJ (including those submitted by our listeners!). Tune in to hear more about Joseph Smith's presidential run, his seer stones, and, of course, his wives.

If you've heard of the Mormons, chances are you've heard of Joseph Smith, too. In part one (of a two-part series), A and Z outline the biography of the man who founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830. If you have questions about Joseph Smith, submit via email or Instagram to get answered in our next episode! 

The Bible says seven times seventy... but what if it's hard even once? In this episode, A and Z unpack the practice of forgiveness: what it is, when it applies (and when it doesn't!), and how to forgive when it's hard.

30 dates in 30 days: the plot to a romcom or the life of today's guest? In this episode, Emilee Crowder joins A and Z in the studio to discuss her "Month of Mutual Love" challenge - and the highs and lows of dating in the culture of the Church of Jesus Christ. You'll want to swipe up on this episode!

In less than two years, President Russell M. Nelson, current prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ, has implemented revolutionary changes across the organization. In the "Mormons A to Z" Season 2 opener, Z and A rank the top 10 developments in the church since 2018.

In the finale of Season One, A and Z look back on the first year of the podcast. They take turns sharing favorite episodes, behind the scenes exclusives, and what you can expect in Season Two.

Beyond the beliefs and doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ, what is it like to be a part of our community? Which aspects of the Church's structure are designed to build a network of support? Ash and Zach explore the good, the bad - and the things we could improve upon - as we seek to build a more united community among church-goers around the world. 

When Nate Bagley published his stake conference talk titled, "Why People Leave the Church and Never Come Back" in 2017, it garnered over half a million views in a matter of weeks. In today's episode, he and A explore the ways in which we can be true friends and ministers to those who are experience a crisis of faith - and how to create more space in our church for a broader spectrum of belief.

In a particularly timely episode, A and Z are talking all about babies! Why do members of the church have so many? What is the average age that members start their families? And what's the deal with "Utah names?" Tune into this episode to hear us answer these questions and more. If you stick around to the end, you may even hear the name of our own baby, due in June!

Welcome to the Special Sports Takeover of the "Mormons A to Z" Podcast! In this episode, Z interviews a truly inspirational guest: Porter Ellett. Porter is best known as the Senior Assistant to the Head Coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. Porter's climb to a prestigious role on an NFL team may have seemed unlikely when, as a teen, his right arm was amputated as the result of a childhood injury. But, throughout his life, Porter's humility, resolve and sense of humor helped him climb toward a dream. In today's conversation, Zach and Porter cover topics from his incredible journey to the Kansas City Chiefs to finding spiritual balance during busy times - and can't help but talk sports in between. 

This week, Ash and Zach get real about how to react and respond when we identify questions about the Church of Jesus Christ - whether in its current practices, doctrine, or history. They discuss the cultural misconceptions around faith crises, compared to the doctrinal encouragement to explore the things that we know. 

Today's episode features a hugely important and powerful conversation as A interviews Jess Robertson about experiencing sexual assault as a youth in the Church. We are honored that Jess chose to share her story with the "Mormons A to Z" audience and are proud to explore her journey through cultural shame, the complexity of our testimonies, and finding healing through Jesus Christ. WARNING: This episode discusses rape and sexual assault. Please practice self care, and use discretion regarding those who listen in. 

In this episode, Ash and Zach open the doors to temples of the Church of Jesus Christ - to all of our listeners! You can learn about the different rooms inside of a temple and what its followers do in each. As a bonus, this episode explores the historic connection between the endowment ceremony and freemasonry. 

Ashley is joined in the studio this week by Jessica Oberg, a wife and mom to two littles - just eight months apart. After years of struggling to realize a dream of growing their family, Jess and her husband adopted a little boy - and soon found out they were pregnant with a baby girl! In our conversation, Jess displayed her signature vulnerability by opening up about fertility, adoption, and what it really means that God has a plan for you. 

Have you ever wondered why members of the Church drink soda, but not coffee? Have they ever tried alcohol or tobacco? And what is kombucha, anyway? Join Zach and Ash as they answer these questions - and more - about what members of the faith eat and drink, all in a pursuit to follow God's health code (AKA the Word of Wisdom). 

This week Ash sat down with Sarah Tripp to explore the intersectionality of such topics as body positivity and modesty, and how they can affect our confidence and self love - especially as women of faith. Sarah Tripp is the founder of the body positive fashion/lifestyle blog Sassy Red Lipstick, created in 2013 to help women feel confident in their own skin and express their inner confidence through personal style. Sarah and her husband Robbie love sharing their love/relationship with their engaged audience and values connecting with them in an authentic way. Sassy Red Lipstick has been featured on Forbes, Good Morning America, GLAMOUR, Women's Health, SHAPE, and many other major media outlets internationally. You can find Sarah's platform at www.sassyredlipstick.com or follow her on Instagram: @sassyredlipstick.

One of the most commonly searched topics about the Church is its special underwear for members. In this week's episode, Zach and Ash pull back the curtain on the special undergarments and their power.

This week Zach and Ash discuss a timely listener-requested topic: the recent announcement regarding the name of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You'll learn about the surprising origin of name, where the term "Mormon" came from, and whether Mormons A to Z will be rebranding as a result... Tune in!

Ash is joined in the studio by a special guest, Jennifer Riding (Jen), to explore the topic of divorce in the community of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We discuss the prevalence of divorce in the Mormon faith, how that process can feel in such a family-centered gospel, and - most importantly - how our community can better show love to others through this trial.

In this episode, Zach and Ash explore characteristics of millennials (in a stereotypically narcissistic fashion). We unpack the differences between Mormon millennials and previous generations of the church, and the implications of their effects on church culture moving forward.

Zach and Ash pick up where they left off in Episode 1, to share how Joseph Smith restored the Church of Jesus Christ in 1830. This installment includes the First Vision, as well as the differences between the related accounts. We hope you learn something - because we certainly did!

Ash sits down with Ashley (is that confusing?!), the author of "One Hundred Birds Taught Me to Fly." The pair explores the nuances of faith, inclusion in the culture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the expansive nature of God's love. We've been inspired by this conversation all summer long - and we hope you will be, too! You can learn more about Ashley's work at www.ashmae.com. 

There's no better place to start than at the beginning, right? Ash and Zach break down the origin story of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from Adam and Eve through the Restoration of the church that Jesus established on earth. This topic will be continued in a future episode, to be released on September 27. 

Mormons A to Z is officially launching on Thursday, September 13th! In this episode, you'll be introduced to the A and Z (Ash and Zach) of the podcast, as well as their plans for the future of this feed. Subscribe now to get the first episode as soon as it goes live. Follow the show on social media @mormonsatoz, and find more info at www.mormonsatoz.com.