Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
On today's episode of Mormon News, John Dehlin and Meggan Hayes break down another busy week of headlines involving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We begin with a major Arizona Supreme Court ruling protecting clergy confidentiality when abuse is disclosed during religious confession. We'll discuss what the decision means, why it matters, and the broader questions it raises about protecting vulnerable people, religious freedom, and institutional accountability.
Links:
The Guardian: theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/03/arizona-clergy-child-abuse-confessions-court
We'll also discuss a new column from Jana Riess examining why more than half of young adult women raised in the LDS Church have now left, exploring the data behind the trend and what it may say about the future of Mormonism.
Links:
Religion News Service (Jana Riess): religionnews.com/category/opinion/columns/jana-riess
We'll react to Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings publicly reaffirming his support for transgender people after being pulled into an online controversy, and discuss why his comments have resonated with many current and former Latter-day Saints.
Links:
Them: them.us/news/ken-jennings-trans-rights
We'll also look at a new documentary telling the story of WordPerfect, the Utah software company that helped transform Utah Valley into today's Silicon Slopes. We'll discuss the legacy of founders Alan Ashton and Bruce Bastian, and why this important chapter of Utah history deserves to be remembered.
Links:
KSL: ksl.com/article/51602368
Finally, we'll react to a viral YouTube Short featuring Elder Corbridge that's been making the rounds online and share our thoughts on the conversation it sparked.
Links:
YouTube Short: youtube.com/shorts/pxgJiJqQTOs?si=jISqasfwWwHTWyZE
Thanks for joining us! If you enjoy Mormon News, Church history, thoughtful conversations, and nuanced discussions about Mormonism and faith, please like, subscribe, and share this episode.
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: mormonstories.org/you-will-stay-ken-jennings-arizona-ruling-young-women-leaving
Timecodes:
00:00:00 - Introduction to stories
00:10:48 - Elder Corbridge’s talk
00:13:32 - (Clip) Original talk
00:23:26 - (Clip) Corbridge reading anti-material/ Belief bias
00:34:33 - Scripture Central did an entire series on Stand Forever
00:40:30 - (Clip) Trailer for Stand Forever
00:54:25 - (Clip) Corbridge viral short
00:57:03 - John’s substack post
01:00:55 - (Clip) President Hinckley - no middle ground
01:13:16 - (Clip) Video editor comments
01:21:01 - (Clip) Health of individuals
01:22:25 - (Clip) Church culture
01:26:08 - (Clip) Editor’s final point
01:29:17 - (Clip) Not adapt the church to members
01:34:32 - Arizona Supreme Court
01:38:43 - (Clip) News coverage
01:50:30 - Women leaving the church
01:56:20 - Religious landscape study
01:58:02 - Politics
02:02:56 - Purity culture
02:06:17 - Powerlessness
02:18:22 - Church’s response
02:25:15 - Graphs about religion
02:31:50 - Childhood attendance
02:39:59 - Ken Jennings
02:49:00 - Transgender concerns
02:58:53 - WordPerfect Documentary
03:09:28 - Final remarks
On today's episode of Mormon News, John Dehlin and Meggan Hayes break down another busy week of headlines involving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We begin with a major Arizona Supreme Court ruling protecting clergy confidentiality when abuse is disclosed during religious confession. We'll discuss what the decision means, why it matters, and the broader questions it raises about protecting vulnerable people, religious freedom, and institutional accountability.
Links:
The Guardian: theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/03/arizona-clergy-child-abuse-confessions-court
We'll also discuss a new column from Jana Riess examining why more than half of young adult women raised in the LDS Church have now left, exploring the data behind the trend and what it may say about the future of Mormonism.
Links:
Religion News Service (Jana Riess): religionnews.com/category/opinion/columns/jana-riess
We'll react to Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings publicly reaffirming his support for transgender people after being pulled into an online controversy, and discuss why his comments have resonated with many current and former Latter-day Saints.
Links:
Them: them.us/news/ken-jennings-trans-rights
We'll also look at a new documentary telling the story of WordPerfect, the Utah software company that helped transform Utah Valley into today's Silicon Slopes. We'll discuss the legacy of founders Alan Ashton and Bruce Bastian, and why this important chapter of Utah history deserves to be remembered.
Links:
KSL: ksl.com/article/51602368
Finally, we'll react to a viral YouTube Short featuring Elder Corbridge that's been making the rounds online and share our thoughts on the conversation it sparked.
Links:
YouTube Short: youtube.com/shorts/pxgJiJqQTOs?si=jISqasfwWwHTWyZE
Thanks for joining us! If you enjoy Mormon News, Church history, thoughtful conversations, and nuanced discussions about Mormonism and faith, please like, subscribe, and share this episode.
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: mormonstories.org/you-will-stay-ken-jennings-arizona-ruling-young-women-leaving
Timecodes:
00:00:00 - Introduction to stories
00:10:48 - Elder Corbridge’s talk
00:13:32 - (Clip) Original talk
00:23:26 - (Clip) Corbridge reading anti-material/ Belief bias
00:34:33 - Scripture Central did an entire series on Stand Forever
00:40:30 - (Clip) Trailer for Stand Forever
00:54:25 - (Clip) Corbridge viral short
00:57:03 - John’s substack post
01:00:55 - (Clip) President Hinckley - no middle ground
01:13:16 - (Clip) Video editor comments
01:21:01 - (Clip) Health of individuals
01:22:25 - (Clip) Church culture
01:26:08 - (Clip) Editor’s final point
01:29:17 - (Clip) Not adapt the church to members
01:34:32 - Arizona Supreme Court
01:38:43 - (Clip) News coverage
01:50:30 - Women leaving the church
01:56:20 - Religious landscape study
01:58:02 - Politics
02:02:56 - Purity culture
02:06:17 - Powerlessness
02:18:22 - Church’s response
02:25:15 - Graphs about religion
02:31:50 - Childhood attendance
02:39:59 - Ken Jennings
02:49:00 - Transgender concerns
02:58:53 - WordPerfect Documentary
03:09:28 - Final remarks
