Send a text

The Latter-Day Lens team is back for a wide-ranging discussion that moves from joyful personal milestones to the complexities of modern justice and church leadership. Host Matt and co-host Shawn are joined by Melanie to celebrate her recent engagement before diving into the "Thought Provoker" on the controversial release of the Epstein files. They also tackle the "marijuana problem" and how to navigate the Word of Wisdom when science and personal revelation intersect. Finally, the group addresses the calling of Elder Clark G. Gilbert to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, offering a deeply personal look at the man behind the mantle and the spiritual process of sustaining leaders.

Chapters

00:01 - The "Brah" Engagement & Generation Labels

03:40 - Mailbag: Is Healthcare a Natural Right?

10:47 - The Epstein Files: Mistake or Justice?

The "Thought Provoker" begins with the fallout from the release of the Epstein files. Matt expresses deep concern over the accidental release of 43 victims' names and the lack of new criminal implications. Shawn and Melanie push back, debating the necessity of pursuing justice against "secret combinations" and the reality of corruption within government systems.

19:22 - The Marijuana Problem & Word of Wisdom Revelation

Following a New York Times pivot on marijuana legalization and new studies on the benefits of coffee and tea, the team discusses how to apply the Word of Wisdom in 2026, while the group explores the difference between enduring doctrine and temporary commandments.

36:02 - The New Apostle: Sustaining Elder Clark G. Gilbert

The conversation turns to the viral and "controversial" calling of Elder Clark G. Gilbert to the Quorum of the Twelve. Matt shares personal stories from their time working together at BYU-Idaho. The team discusses the spiritual necessity of seeking a personal witness for leaders, regardless of political leanings or demographics.

52:07 - The Big Question: Perfection vs. Civic Duty

The episode concludes with a deep dive into Elder Quentin L. Cook’s 2025 conference address. They balance the Savior’s focus on the "perfection of the Saints" with President Oaks' call to be "knowledgeable citizens." Melanie leaves the group with a final thought on the intersection of infrastructure, social justice, and missionary work.

Send a text

In this episode of the Latter Day Lens, Matt, Shawn, and Porter dive into the complex intersection of faith, politics, and technology. The team debates whether healthcare should be considered a God-given right or a government service, explores the spiritual risks of judges using AI for judicial opinions, and analyzes the massive shifts in traditional journalism at CBS News. Finally, they tackle "The Big Question": If Christ is the Great Connector, how should that influence our behavior in a polarized political world?

Instead of listener comments, we’re featuring the latest projects from our hosts. Check them out and show your support!

• Graham Mitchell: Follow the life of a city manager on TikTok at citymanagerguy.
• Shawn: Listen to incredible accounts of faith on the Mission Stories Podcast.
• Matt: Catch Matt and his sister discussing church-related news on This Week in Latter Days.

The Thought Provoker

Healthcare as a Right: The US Constitution doesn't explicitly list healthcare, yet many Americans believe the government is obligated to provide it. Does the "right to life" imply an inherent right to medical care? The group debates "positive" vs. "negative" rights and what the scriptures say about caring for the sick and afflicted.

AI in the Courtroom: Judges are increasingly using AI to clear case backlogs and draft opinions. While efficient, does this skip the "study it out in your mind" phase of revelation? We discuss whether relying on algorithms hinders a judge's ability to seek wisdom from the Lord.

The Future of CBS News: With Bari Weiss leading a "digital-first" strategy, CBS is hiring influencers to reach younger audiences. Right now, CBS News is stuck in third place in viewership, and it skews older, so I can see why they want to make changes. Is this a savvy market move or the death of investigative journalism? We debate if the "marketplace of ideas" rewards truth or just clickbait.

The Big Question

"If the Savior is the great connector, then the adversary is the separator." Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi recently taught that Satan seeks to separate us from sacred places and each other. We explore: Does this principle apply to politics? Is "contending" for truth always divisive, or can it be done in a way that unifies? How to model Christ-like behavior when engaging with those who hold vastly different political views.

Chapters
00:00 Welcome Back and Political Landscape
01:50 Host Highlights
05:31 Rights and Healthcare Debate
16:52 AI in the Judicial System
23:25 AI in the Courtroom: Efficiency vs. Judicial Wisdom
33:20 Media Shakeup: Can Bari Weiss Save CBS News?
46:05 The Big Question: Is Christ the Great Connecto

Send us a text

In this episode of The Latter Day Lens, hosts Matt, Shawn, and Graham engage in a thought-provoking discussion about societal challenges, the willingness to tackle hard issues, and the implications of modern beliefs on end times. They explore the significance of the Doomsday Clock, the complexities of gun rights versus property rights, and the Right to Repair movement as a response to market failures. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding motivations behind social media content and the role of good governance in addressing community needs.

Topic 1: 85 Seconds to Midnight

The Doomsday Clock now sits at its closest point to midnight in history. We examine the lack of progress in managing nuclear risk, climate change, and the rise of disruptive AI.

• The Question: Is humanity closer to self-destruction today than at any point in the last 80 years?

Topic 2: End-Times Anxiety & Responsibility

Following the arrest of Elleshia Anne Seymour in Croatia—who fled Utah with her children due to fringe "apocalypse" beliefs—we discuss the impact of radical rhetoric within the LDS community.

• The Question: Is it irresponsible for church members to amplify "end-times" concerns through books and social media?

Topic 3: Guns and Private Property (Wolford v. Lopez)

The Supreme Court is weighing Hawaii’s law requiring gun owners to get explicit permission before entering private property. We debate the intersection of the Second Amendment and property rights.

• The Question: Should "no shirt, no shoes" legally extend to "no firearms" by default?

The Big Question: The Right to Repair

Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is pushing for laws that force manufacturers to make products easier to fix. We look at the move away from a "disposable" economy.

• The Question: Is the "unfixable" nature of modern tech a market failure, and does the government have the moral authority to force a design change?

Chapters
00:00 The Will to Do Hard Things
05:59 The Doomsday Clock and Global Catastrophe
15:28 End Times Beliefs and Social Media Responsibility
21:11 Gun Rights and Property Ownership
22:11 The Libertarian Perspective on Freedom
23:39 Discrimination and Property Rights
25:47 Legal Rights and Gun Ownership
28:26 Political Discrimination and Hiring Practices
31:32 The Right to Repair and Market Failures
38:27 Public Service and Community Engagement