Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
On today's episode of Mormon News, Nemo the Mormon and Meggan Hayes break down another busy week of headlines involving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We begin with new research identifying seven trends shaping the future of the LDS Church, including changing missionary priorities, evolving member behaviors, and what the data suggests about where Mormonism may be headed.
Link:
religionnews.com/2026/07/16/more-about-jesus-less-about-coffee-seven-lds-church-trends-according-to-data
Next, we examine growing questions about whether the Church's rapid temple-building pace is outstripping its ability to staff those temples, as members continue raising concerns about volunteer shortages.
Link:
youtube.com/shorts/wUhf29KocOs
We'll also cover new developments in the Reese Riggin case, including newly released character letters submitted to the court, one of which was written by his LDS bishop, as prosecutors presented additional allegations while arguing he should remain in custody.
Links:
theelectricgf.com/2026/07/08/judge-denies-bail-reduction-for-riggin-based-on-new-allegations
tiktok.com/@krtvgreatfalls/video/7657320783747878175?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
floodlit.org/a/b753
We'll also discuss allegations against an AI executive and BYU adjunct professor accused of creating deepfake images of friends and children, and what this case says about the growing risks of AI technology.
Link:
ksl.com/article/51600979/ai-chief-technology-officer-accused-of-creating-deepfakes-of-friends-and-children
We'll also examine a widely shared faith-promoting miracle story involving Briel Adams-Wheatley and discuss some of the ethical questions surrounding how stories like these are presented and used.
Link:
youtu.be/uZKXCiAarBs?si=vrli_sl3967u1Bcf
Finally, we wrap up with two stories out of Rexburg Idaho that say a lot about Mormon Culture.
Link:
https://x.com/RealPlantBrah/status/2073394722219942098?s=20
facebook.com/share/p/19G9xk7nbM
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: mormonstories.org/byu-professor-creates-ai-deepfakes-of-children
Timecodes:
00:00:00 - Introduction to stories
00:01:58 - Seven Church Trends
00:13:50 - Topics Trending downs
00:19:01 - Topics Trending Up
00:24:23 - (Clip) Rebecca on temple numbers
00:30:11 - Reese Russell Riggin
00:32:09 - (Clip) Riggin’s sexual abuse
00:34:40 - Letter from Riggin’s bishop
00:41:04 - Other letters
00:47:38 - Man creates deep fakes of friends and children
00:53:35 - Briel on We Need to Talk Podcast
00:55:00 - (Clip) Briel was inspired
00:59:01 - (Clip) Briel pressured to be great
01:02:55 - (Clip) Briel being transgender
01:06:16 - (Clip) Set up to be the face of the Mormon Church
01:13:21 - Rexburg Idaho Scam Alert
01:17:10 - Plant Brah comment
01:19:50 - Closing remarks
On today's episode of Mormon News, Nemo the Mormon and Meggan Hayes break down another busy week of headlines involving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We begin with new research identifying seven trends shaping the future of the LDS Church, including changing missionary priorities, evolving member behaviors, and what the data suggests about where Mormonism may be headed.
Link:
religionnews.com/2026/07/16/more-about-jesus-less-about-coffee-seven-lds-church-trends-according-to-data
Next, we examine growing questions about whether the Church's rapid temple-building pace is outstripping its ability to staff those temples, as members continue raising concerns about volunteer shortages.
Link:
youtube.com/shorts/wUhf29KocOs
We'll also cover new developments in the Reese Riggin case, including newly released character letters submitted to the court, one of which was written by his LDS bishop, as prosecutors presented additional allegations while arguing he should remain in custody.
Links:
theelectricgf.com/2026/07/08/judge-denies-bail-reduction-for-riggin-based-on-new-allegations
tiktok.com/@krtvgreatfalls/video/7657320783747878175?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
floodlit.org/a/b753
We'll also discuss allegations against an AI executive and BYU adjunct professor accused of creating deepfake images of friends and children, and what this case says about the growing risks of AI technology.
Link:
ksl.com/article/51600979/ai-chief-technology-officer-accused-of-creating-deepfakes-of-friends-and-children
We'll also examine a widely shared faith-promoting miracle story involving Briel Adams-Wheatley and discuss some of the ethical questions surrounding how stories like these are presented and used.
Link:
youtu.be/uZKXCiAarBs?si=vrli_sl3967u1Bcf
Finally, we wrap up with two stories out of Rexburg Idaho that say a lot about Mormon Culture.
Link:
https://x.com/RealPlantBrah/status/2073394722219942098?s=20
facebook.com/share/p/19G9xk7nbM
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: mormonstories.org/byu-professor-creates-ai-deepfakes-of-children
Timecodes:
00:00:00 - Introduction to stories
00:01:58 - Seven Church Trends
00:13:50 - Topics Trending downs
00:19:01 - Topics Trending Up
00:24:23 - (Clip) Rebecca on temple numbers
00:30:11 - Reese Russell Riggin
00:32:09 - (Clip) Riggin’s sexual abuse
00:34:40 - Letter from Riggin’s bishop
00:41:04 - Other letters
00:47:38 - Man creates deep fakes of friends and children
00:53:35 - Briel on We Need to Talk Podcast
00:55:00 - (Clip) Briel was inspired
00:59:01 - (Clip) Briel pressured to be great
01:02:55 - (Clip) Briel being transgender
01:06:16 - (Clip) Set up to be the face of the Mormon Church
01:13:21 - Rexburg Idaho Scam Alert
01:17:10 - Plant Brah comment
01:19:50 - Closing remarks
