PRIME MEMBER EXCLUSIVE | 3 Months Free Trial

Auto-renews at INR 199/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime. Offer ends 15 July, 2026.
The Latter Day Lens cover art

The Latter Day Lens

The Latter Day Lens

Written by: Shawn & Matt
Listen for free

Welcome to The Latter Day Lens, a weekly faith-based podcast where we explore the intersection of Mormonism, global news, and political science. Hosted by Shawn Record and Matthew Miles, a professor of political science, this is your home for an authentic and nuanced LDS perspective on the world’s toughest topics.

Each episode provides thoughtful Latter-day Saint commentary on current events, ranging from Christianity and politics to social identity and economic policy. Whether you are an active LDS member seeking a deeper religious podcast experience or a listener interested in Mormon studies, we apply a "gospel lens" to move beyond the headlines.

Join us every Wednesday for LDS perspectives that are faith-promoting, intellectually honest, and designed to help you navigate your faith in the modern world. From Come Follow Me 2026 insights to deep dives into LDS history and doctrine, we tackle the conversations most people avoid.

© 2026 The Latter Day Lens Podcast 422139 Christianity Ministry & Evangelism Political Science Politics & Government Spirituality
Episodes
  • Episode 174: Should Government Shape Morality? Post-Roe Abortion Trends, Blind Patriotism, and the Therapeutic Church Myth

    Episode 174: Should Government Shape Morality? Post-Roe Abortion Trends, Blind Patriotism, and the Therapeutic Church Myth
    Jul 1 2026
    Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Latter Day Lens, hosts Matt, Shawn, and Levi dive deep into the cultural data and political friction shaping modern society. They unpack fresh 2026 Gallup polling data regarding the state’s influence on personal ethics, trace the real-world statistical fallout four years after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and evaluate contrasting definitions of patriotism as America marks its 250th anniversary. Finally, the team pushes back against a controversial Father's Day op-ed claiming Christian churches have lost their masculinity, using recent demographic data to explore how compassionate mentorship actually drives young adult retention.Topic 1: The State as a Moral CompassRecent Gallup polling shows 69% of Americans believe government policies significantly alter societal morals—up from 58% three decades ago. Yet, the public remains fiercely divided on whether the state should be in the business of shaping character.The Question: Should government leaders consciously promote moral values to fill the void of declining church attendance, or does that pose an inherent threat to moral agency?Topic 2: Re-evaluating the Post-Roe LandscapeMarking the four-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision, the hosts analyze a 21% net increase in U.S. abortions. They examine how state-level federalism transformed the medical landscape into a capitalist arena—driving a surge in telehealth, mail-order medication, and interstate travel to hubs like Kansas and California.The Question: Was Roe v. Wade actually a more stable regulatory framework for restricting abortions, or is federalism successfully exposing the underlying market forces driving modern women's healthcare?Topic 3: Two Types of Patriotism at 250While 70% of citizens believe the U.S. has achieved the ideals of the Declaration of Independence, 80% believe the original signers would be deeply disappointed by modern democracy. Matt introduces a framework dividing national loyalty into "blind patriotism" and "constructive patriotism."The Question: Are both forms of patriotism necessary for a nation to survive, and how do they function differently during moments of unity versus moments of national crisis?Topic 4: High-Demand Religion and the "Therapeutic Church"A Claremont Institute director claims men are fleeing modern Christianity because congregations have traded historic sacrifice and duty for emotional support and therapeutic comfort. The hosts challenge this premise by highlighting recent BYU Studies retention data, which reveals a steady 50% retention rate for Latter-day Saint men across all age categories, vastly outperforming the retention of young women.The Question: Does a Christlike focus on charity, vulnerability, and compassionate mentorship weaken masculine discipleship, or is it the exact foundation required to retain young men in a secularizing world?Chapter Markers00:00 Welcome Back Levi & World Cup Updates00:53 Soccer Skeptics: Is it Just Watching Nothing?01:08 The Soccer vs. Chess Analogy01:31 Mailbag: Explaining Iran's Shah vs. Ayatollah02:25 The 1953 Coup & Operation Ajax Context03:15 Reflection on Western Meddling & Persian Culture05:19 Thought Provoker: New 2026 Gallup Morality Data06:54 The Debate: Should Government Promote Moral Values?08:07 Who Qualifies as a Worthy Moral Leader?09:27 Representative Systems as a Moral Compass10:14 D&C 101, The Constitution, and Moral Agency11:07 Moral "Nudges" vs. Direct Dictation of Ethics13:28 Societal Functioning & Laws That Can't Be Enforced14:38 Ancient Israel: Monarchy vs. Constitutional Systems15:50 The Meaning of "Promoting the General Welfare"18:30 Four Years Post-Roe: Checking the 21% Data Spike19:53 Is Abortion Access Now a Capitalist Endeavor?20:57 Telehealth, Interstate Travel, and the Kansas Hub22:25 Intermission: Sean's 10-Year Dentist Confession23:54 Was Roe v. Wade Actually "Better" Stabilizing Policy?26:04 The Reality of Medical Ethics & Ectopic Pregnancies28:56 Conflicting Data Sets & Decreasing Abortion Rates33:19 Celebrating America's 250th: Public Sentiment34:54 Moving Past the "Fetishization" of the Founders35:55 Diversity in the 90s vs. Modern LGBTQ+ Agency37:17 The 1619 Project & America as a Work in Progress38:59 Did the Founders Fail at Preventing Executive Power?41:22 Defining Blind Patriotism vs. Constructive Patriotism42:56 Applying the Patriotism Framework to Latter-day Faith44:14 The Strategic Importance of Patriotism During Crises47:31 The Claremont Institute Op-Ed: The Therapeutic Church48:30 BYU Studies Data: Young Men vs. Young Women Retention49:59 Pushing Back on Church "Militancy"51:48 False Binaries: Redefining True Godlike Masculinity53:24 Intricacies of Fatherhood & Praying to Heavenly Mother55:20 Priesthood Authority via D&C 121 (Love Unfeigned)56:36 The Crucial Role of Generational Mentorship57:51 "The Will to Change" & Moving Past Dominance59:28 Final Thoughts: Solving the Female Retention CurveKeywordsLatter Day Lens ...
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • Episode 173: Predestination vs Agency: What Do Latter-day Saints Believe? Iran, Sports & Religious Freedom

    Episode 173: Predestination vs Agency: What Do Latter-day Saints Believe? Iran, Sports & Religious Freedom
    Jun 24 2026
    Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Latter Day Lens, Matt, Shawn, and Melanie tackle a wide range of topics—from religious expression in sports to international diplomacy and one of the biggest theological questions in Christianity.The conversation begins with athletes expressing their faith on the world stage and whether professional sports organizations should allow religious messages on uniforms. The discussion then shifts to the latest agreement with Iran and whether American leaders consistently underestimate Iran's negotiating position.The hosts also explore a fascinating tradition among Japanese soccer fans: staying after games to clean up stadiums. Could Americans benefit from adopting a broader definition of sportsmanship?Finally, the episode closes with a spirited debate about predestination, foreordination, agency, and God's foreknowledge. Did God already know every major decision you would make? Could someone other than Joseph Smith have fulfilled the role of prophet of the Restoration? And what does agency actually mean if God already knows the outcome? Chapter Markers 00:00 Father's Day Welcome and Melanie's ReturnThe hosts introduce the episode, celebrate Father's Day, and joke about Melanie's lack of a podcast listening habit despite her recurring guest status.01:12 Faith on the Field: Uniform Alterations in SportsMatt introduces the contrast between the World Cup celebrating religious expression and Major League Baseball warning players who wrote Bible verses on their Pride Night hats.03:26 Free Markets, Uniform Rules, and Personal CostsShawn argues from a federalism and free-market perspective, noting that professional athletes are private actors who can choose to pay league fines to broadcast their deeply held beliefs.04:43 Antagonism vs. Authenticity in Personal ExpressionMelanie questions the efficacy of minor uniform fines and argues that expressions of faith should stem from a love of God rather than opposition to a social movement.05:49 The Native American Mascot AnalogyShawn tests Melanie's logic with a hypothetical scenario involving a player altering a controversial team mascot on their uniform to honor Native American heritage.07:30 The Evolution of Personal Beliefs on Mandated ExpressionMatt shares how his own views on LGBTQ issues and mandatory team celebrations have shifted since 2008, expressing sympathy for athletes forced to endorse concepts that conflict with their faith.11:04 Soccer vs. Baseball and the YouTube Highlight ShiftThe hosts banter about the pacing of soccer versus baseball, fast-forwarding through recordings, and how younger generations consume sports media.12:16 The Art of the Deal in the Middle East: The 2026 Iran MemorandumThe discussion transitions to global politics as Matt introduces the newly signed June 2026 memorandum of understanding with Iran, comparing it to the 2015 Obama nuclear deal.14:00 Book vs. Results: Who Out-Negotiated Whom?Melanie offers a sharp critique comparing Donald Trump's transactional reputation with the reality of Iran securing massive economic benefits despite recent leadership assassinations.15:35 Analyzing America's Historical Achilles' Heel in DiplomacyMatt argues that Iran's negotiation superiority is not unique to the current administration, asserting that the nation has consistently outplayed US presidents since the 1970s by exploiting domestic political timelines.18:20 The Geopolitical Reality of the Strait of HormuzShawn and Matt analyze how Iran leverages its strategic control over critical waterways and oil trade routes to extract concessions from western powers without needing nuclear weapons.21:18 The Historical Failure of Forced Regime ChangeThe hosts look back at US-Iran relations since the Carter administration, discussing how military interventions consistently fail to bring about lasting stability or ideological shifts.24:54 Lessons in Sportsmanship: Japanese Fan CultureMatt introduces the tradition of Japanese soccer fans cleaning up stadiums after World Cup matches, setting up a debate on social expectations.25:46 Community Betterment and the Unseen Work Behind CelebrationsMelanie connects the stadium cleanup to an anecdote about helping clean up her own wedding reception, highlighting how labor fosters a deeper appreciation for community spaces.26:18 Gospel Culture vs. Modern American EntitlementMatt contrasts collective civic pride with the destructive celebrations of American sports fans, linking the concept of leaving a space better than you found it to Latter-day Saint ward traditions.28:44 The Shadow Side of Extreme CollectivismShawn introduces a counterargument based on discussions with a former missionary to Japan, exploring how the fear of social shame and forced conformity can suppress individual identity and foster insularity.32:24 Zion Communities and Doing the Right Things for the Right ReasonsMatt and Shawn debate whether Latter-day Saint cultural compliance is driven by a genuine love ...
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
  • Episode 172: Are LDS Members Christian? Switzerland's Immigration Cap, Hegseth's Military Purge, and Can Ukraine Win?

    Episode 172: Are LDS Members Christian? Switzerland's Immigration Cap, Hegseth's Military Purge, and Can Ukraine Win?
    Jun 17 2026
    Send us Fan MailWelcome back to The Latter Day Lens — your home for unscripted, faith-promoting discussion of current events, culture, and political science through a gospel lens. This week, Matt and Shawn go one-on-one with no guests, digging into a packed mailbag before working through some of the most provocative thought-provokers of the season.Mailbag: Are Latter-day Saints Christian? A listener asks about the Pentagon's recent reclassification of LDS military personnel — moving members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints out of the "Christian" category and into their own designation. Senators Lee and Curtis have spoken out. Matt and Shawn debate whether the change matters theologically, politically, and practically — and whether it actually helps or hurts the Church's public identity.Mailbag: Socialism, Capitalism, and the U.S. Constitution A listener pushes back on Matt's perceived openness to socialism. Matt and Shawn work through the real distinctions between market economies and government intervention, asking where socialism already exists in the United States (hint: military, education, healthcare, AI) and whether the founding documents actually support a pure free market. James Madison makes a surprise appearance as exhibit A for constitutional flexibility.Mailbag: Graham Platner and Moral Character in Politics Following up on a previous episode about character versus policy in elections, a listener calls out the omission of Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner. Matt weighs in on the First Presidency's guidance about voting for candidates of moral character — and applies it across party lines.Thought Provoker #1: Switzerland's Population Cap — Moral or Immoral? Switzerland's right-wing Swiss People's Party is pushing a referendum to cap the country's permanent resident population at 10 million through 2050. Is a national population ceiling morally defensible? Matt brings scripture (Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Matthew, 2 Nephi 26:33) to argue for radical welcome of the stranger. Shawn engages the tension between self-determination and Christian hospitality.Thought Provoker #2: The 2026 World Cup — Could It Be the Last? The World Cup is underway across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. A Somali referee was denied entry to the U.S. due to immigration restrictions. Ticket prices for the U.S.-Paraguay opener topped $1,000. Matt floats a political-scientist's doomsday scenario: if the U.S. and Iran meet in the knockout round on July 3rd, what could go wrong — and could it end the World Cup permanently?Thought Provoker #3: Hegseth's Military Promotion List Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed nine officers from a Navy promotion list, including all three women eligible to become one-star admirals and two Black men. No women will be promoted to admiral this year. Is this sexism, political retaliation, or merit-based decision-making? Matt and Shawn get into it — with heat.Thought Provoker #4: Can Ukraine Actually Win? Ukraine's drone campaign has struck deep inside Russia, slowing Russian battlefield advances and forcing Putin into a more conciliatory tone. Europe is stepping up. Hungary's Orban has been voted out. But can Ukraine win — and what does winning even look like? Matt and Shawn (both former missionaries in Ukraine/the Donbass) argue that EU and NATO membership may constitute victory even without full territorial recovery. Plus: Zelensky as Abraham Lincoln?📬 Contact us: Text us through the link in the show notes, or email us at latterdaylens@gmail.com 🌐 Learn more: latterdaylens.com 🍎 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review — it helps more people find the show!⏱️ Actual Chapter Markers00:00 – Welcome to the Lens & Mailbag Updates 01:25 – The Pentagon Reclassifies Church Military Designations 04:10 – The Theological Divide: "Christian" Labels vs. Restoration Identity 08:04 – When Matt Decided He Was a "Calvinist" 08:52 – Socialism vs. Capitalism: Challenging the Labels in the US and China 12:35 – Ideology in Action: Government Intervention in Private Markets 16:36 – The Four Inspired Pillars of the United States Constitution 22:18 – Hard Borders: Switzerland’s Proposed 10-Million Population Cap 25:45 – Scriptural Perspectives on Immigration and "The Stranger" 32:12 – Cultural Preservation vs. Open Markets 35:18 – World Cup 2026: Hyper-Capitalism, High Ticket Prices, and Geopolitics 41:54 – Political Science Corner: Long-Term Trajectories for the US Presidency 43:54 – Pentagon Promotion Pullbacks: Evaluating Military Leadership Decisions 53:56 – Geopolitical Shift: Analyzing the Tides of the Ukraine-Russia Conflict 56:54 – European Realignment: Will Ukraine Join the EU? 01:04:37 – Closing Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up Topics covered in this episode:• Latter-day Saint military designations & religious freedom policy changes• The true definition of global economics, socialism, ...
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 5 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet