Glass Box Podcast

Much is said and thought of John C. Bennett from Nauvoo Mormon history, but what do the documents actually say? Today we go through a brief deep dive into this fascinating figure. He became a close friend and then personal greatest enemy of Joseph Smith throughout a complicated sequence of events. Bennett is most renowned for his 1842 expose, The History of the Saints, which he wrote after his abrupt removal from all church, government, and military appointments. We deal with the charge that he was providing abortions and what the implications which follow actually mean. After that we review Reign of Fire, a Christian Bale and Matthew McConaughey dragon movie with surprisingly deep interpretations. We wrap with some happy news from the Lego company to help children undergoing medical procedures.   Mark your calendars! Our next Live Q&A!! is March 7th!!! 6:00 PM (MST)  Interview read for patrons: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/interview-3november-1841/1 Other Bennett Sources: https://w

YES! WE’RE FINALLY DONE!! The Miracle of Forgiveness has been a grind and we’re finally putting this monster of a book to rest. However, we can’t do it alone so we are joined by the incredible expertise of Natasha Helfer. She’s been working in sex and relationship therapy within the Mormon space for two and a half decades and she helps us contrast Spencer W. Kimball’s statements about sex and gender with modern science. Be sure to follow her at the links provided below. We hope you enjoy this celebration along with us before we crack into Bruce McConkie for our next long-form review! Show Notes:  A veritable gagglefuck of links to find Natasha Helfer! MMHA: https://mormonmentalhealthassoc.org/ Symmetry Solutions: https://www.symmetrysols.com/ Home page: https://www.natashahelfer.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/amp/tag/natashahelfer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natashahelfermft Or Google her to find plenty more projects! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod  Facebook page: https://www.facebo

The Black 14 was a group of athletes at University of Wyoming in Laramie who stood up to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and BYU. They suffered the wrath of withering public ire, but their story is immortalized as emblematic of the struggle for racial justice and equality in the 1960s and 70s. Join us as we learn their story and discuss Brigham Young University’s fight to keep discriminating when it became illegal to do so. After that we discuss Small Foot, a movie about asking questions and breaking out of the shell in which people are raised. We round out the show with some happy news about gender and sex equality in Israel of all places.   Show Notes:    Resources concerning the Black 14 https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/black-14-race-politics-religion-and-wyoming-football https://www.newspapers.com/image/598921419/?terms=byu%20protest&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/636296214/?terms=byu%20protest&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/536317000/?terms=byu%20pro

Yes, a show about New Year’s Resolutions for 2022! We discuss what resolutions the Mormon church should consider for the new year and some of the hold ups of accomplishing them. We have some resolutions of our own though! Then we get to the penultimate segment of Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball. There’s light at the end of the tunnel and it feels good. Then we round out the show talking about clean flying goals for Denmark!   Show Notes:    Happy News:  https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59849898    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod  Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlassBoxPod  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/  Merch store: https://exmomerch.creator-spring.com/ Be sure to use discount code GLASSBOX for a tithing off your order!!!   iTunes reviews: We need more! 

It’s the last episode of the year and since we had a blast doing an all media episode last year, we decided to make it a tradition! We each brought something to the table in each category — books, movies, and music — and we had a great time discussing them.  We hope you enjoy them too. Have a fun holiday season!    Books:  Shannon’s book: Eva, by Peter Dickinson Bryce’s book: Understanding History, by Louis Gottschalk Film:  Shannon’s movie: Spy Game  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266987/?ref_=tt_rvi_tt_i_5  Bryce’s movie: Uncut Gems  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5727208/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt    Music:    Bryce music: The Uneraseable Past by Cattle Decapitation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmYcFP1vTdk   Shannon’s music: The Planets, by Gustav Holst: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OD_HzdZwKk    Metal version of Neptune, The Mystic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUePYhmdLAA   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod  Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gl

We take on the next recommendation from the 2019 NPR broadcast Hidden Brain episode. Shannon tells us how our beliefs can be informed by people we trust and how resilient they prove. Then we get into the next segment of Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball telling us about the benefits of forgiving folks who wrong us. Then we wrap with happy news about green power from India!   July 22, 2019 episode: Facts Aren’t Enough: The Psychology of False Beliefs.    https://www.npr.org/2019/07/18/743195213/facts-arent-enough-the-psychology-of-false-beliefs   The Misinformation Age: How False Beliefs Spread, by James Weatherall and Cailin O’Connor https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300234015/misinformation-age    The Vegetable Lamb of Tartary (because it is too funny!):  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetable_Lamb_of_Tartary   Happy News: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/india-achieves-target-of-40-power-generation-capacity-from-non-fossil-fuel-sources/articleshow/88057024.cms  

Our main segment features a piece done by NPR on their Hidden Brain podcast a few years ago. We discuss the type of mindset people need in order to be influenced for various purposes. Hope and fear feature in informing the mindset of a receptive brain when facts simply aren’t enough. After that we get into the next segment of The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball. We read a couple of the most infamous passages from the book including the level of sin assessed on survivors of sexual assault and the implication that those who choose to end their own lives are unforgivable. This is a heavy segment but we lighten it up with some fun and a poetic reading by Shannon from the book. We finish the episode with happy news about black Santas! Be sure to join us next Monday Nov 29th at 6 p.m. MST for our first live hangout!   Main topic: Facts Aren’t Enough: The Psychology of False Beliefs, From the podcast, Hidden Brain: A Conversation About Life’s Unseen Patterns.   https://www.npr.org/2019/07/18/743195213/

Let’s chat about some funny Mormon stories! We start from the earliest days of the church. We hear about missionaries raising the dead, Joseph Smith training a dove to eat grain out of his ear, and then going for a swim while covered in phosphorus oil. After that we talk about funny stories told about Mormons by the genius minds of Matt Stone and Trey Parker in the Mormon South Park episode and The Book of Mormon musical. We wrap with a story about lasers saving agriculture and discussing some listener mail.   Main topic:  http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/dbroadhu/OH/miscoh08.htm http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/dbroadhu/OH/miscoh03.htm http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/dbroadhu/NY/miscNYSi.htm#072044 http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/dbroadhu/NY/miscNYSb.htm#060635 http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/dbroadhu/NY/wayn1830.htm#062230 http://www.solomonspalding.com/docs/Wil1878a.htm#Moss1   Happy News:   https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/2021/11/02/self-driving-farm-robot-uses-lasers-to-kill-100000-weeds-an-hour-saving-land-and

Welcome to today’s show. This episode contains another installment in the dangerous shitshow that is the Miracle of Forgiveness. Because the chapter we discuss is about bishop’s interviews, for our main segment, we interviewed Sam Young to talk about his Protect LDS Children movement — now named Protect Every Child. We also go over some of the answers you, our wonderful listeners, gave us on our survey about bishop’s interviews. Then to cleanse ourselves and you, we finish up with some happy news about cleaning up trash in the Pacific Ocean. And we should point out a content warning for the main segment as well as MoGP.  Show Notes:    Main topic: Sam Young’s Blog: https://invisiblescubit.com/  https://protectldschildren.org/   Happy News:   20,000 Pounds of Trash Removed From Pacific Garbage Patch: ‘Holy mother of god. It worked!’: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/20000-pounds-of-trash-removed-from-pacific-garbage-patch/   WE MET OUR FIRST PATREON GOAL!! Quarterly live Q&A’s are now on the program!  Mo

It’s that time again. Every six months we see what slipped through the cracks of General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We watched it so you don’t have to, and yes, the timestamp is accurate. It’s a long listen, but hearing us dissect #GenCON is way better than actually watching the 10 hours for yourself, right? There’s also a point in the episode with a content warning as one of the talks focused on mental health and suicide, conveying some deeply damaging and problematic concepts.   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod  Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlassBoxPod  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/  Merch store: https://exmomerch.creator-spring.com/ Be sure to use discount code GLASSBOX for a tithing off your order!!!

We have a fun episode for you this week! We begin with a vicious anti-Mormon story about Henry Caswell (Caswall) and the Greek Psalter incident in Joseph Smith’s Nauvoo church. Hugh Nibley considered this one of the longest-running anti-Mormon stories and spent a good deal of print trying to debunk it (unsuccessfully I might add). Then we talk a Nic Cage movie from 2000, Gone in 60 Seconds because why the hell not. Then we wrap up with some happy news about recent cannabis legislation. Next few episodes are going to be pretty heavy so we wanted to keep things light and fun today. If you’d like to contribute to the next Miracle of Forgiveness segment concerning bishop’s interviews, please consider filling out the survey linked below or send us an email about your experience to glassboxpodcast@gmail.com   Bishop’s Interviews Survey: https://forms.gle/LrhBWKkyX8DeGanh8    Happy news: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/u-s-house-approves-marijuana-banking-reform-as-part-of-defense-spending-bill/   Patreon: https://

Bishop’s Interviews Survey: https://forms.gle/LrhBWKkyX8DeGanh8 The recent updates to the recently openly-published church handbook contain some fascinating details, some of which have stirred controversy and caused Mormons to leave the church! Shannon walks us through a few of the prominent changes and helps put them in context by comparing the 2020 Handbook to the 2006 Bishop’s Handbook. Then it’s off to the next segment of Miracle of Forgiveness. Spence tells us about repenting or perishing, abandoning sin, and awakening to sins we’re committing. He also spends some time justifying the holocaust and genocide of Native Americans after which he commits egregious sins against founding member of the church, Oliver Cowdery. Then we wrap with some happy news about the job market in climate studies and activism! Be sure to chime in for our survey about bishop’s interviews if you’d like to contribute your voice to the next segment of Miracle of Forgiveness.  Show notes:  Bishop’s Interviews Survey: https://forms.g

Apostle, and glorified school teacher, Jeffrey R. Holland gave a speech at BYU recently titled The Second Half of the Second Century of BYU. It’s made waves within the community for its viciously anti-human and bigoted bend, but there are many deeper messages and a truly disturbing historical context for the speech. Let not the fire of muskets keep us from seeing the true evil within. After that we invite Devin Sunde onto the show to discuss his upcoming graphic novel, Love & Sects! See his kickstarter below. Then we round out the episode with a story of students standing and protesting on campus for a teacher who was the victim of bigoted school policy.   Show notes:    The Second Century of BYU by Spencer W. Kimball https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/spencer-w-kimball/second-century-brigham-young-university/ This Time of Crisis: THe Race-Based Anti-BYU Athletic Protests of 1968-1971 by Gary James Bergera https://issuu.com/utah10/docs/uhq_volume81_2013_number3/s/10418366 BlackLatterDaySaints race in the ch

Shannon brings us some interesting information derived from a recent study about feeling the spirit™. The study was conducted on a small population of believing Mormons which produced some interesting results. After that we jump into Miracle of Forgiveness discussing sins of omission and suicide. We wrap up talking about some new tech that harnesses water from the air! Show notes:    Main topic:    Article on Jeffrey Anderson’s study: https://unews.utah.edu/this-is-your-brain-on-god/  Sunstone Podcast Episode 2: https://sunstonemagazine.com/sunstone-podcast-episode-2-jeffrey-s-anderson/  If you get goosebumps while listening to music: https://awarenessact.com/if-you-get-goosebumps-while-listening-to-music-your-brain-could-be-unique/    Brain connectivity reflects human aesthetic responses to music:  ​​https://academic.oup.com/scan/article/11/6/884/2223400?login=true    Happy News: A new technology for producing water from air in Oregon: https://www.opb.org/article/2021/08/10/warm-springs-leaders-back-hig

We decided it was time for us to prove we are actual human beings! Shannon and Bryce were able to attend the Sunstone Symposium in Sandy, Utah, along with our friend Julianne Briscoe, and we had an amazing time. We met extremely interesting people — both new friends and old friends — and learned new things that gave us some exciting ideas for us to explore on the podcast. We hope you enjoy our special episode!    Show notes:    Sunstone: https://sunstonemagazine.com/  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod  Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlassBoxPod  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/  Merch store: https://exmomerch.creator-spring.com/ Be sure to use discount code GLASSBOX for a tithing off your order!!!

You read that right! Captain Moroni, known as Caesar No-Salad to non-Mormons, who participated in the treasonous Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol building was arrested! We gloat over Nathan Wayne Entrekin’s arrest a bit, discuss the videos he recorded and sent to his mom that day, and take a high-level overview of how the DOJ and FBI are progressing with the unprecedented case. Then we discuss a book that’s great for factoids at cocktail parties and wrap up with discussing a public option broadband service in the works in Virginia.   Show links: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/roman-gladiator-costume-capitol-riot-trump-fbi_n_60f08b8ae4b022142cf67b8b?nbv&fbclid=IwAR1xI7tVLISCJ1qlVCDNTvRgU06lC6URR_KVkTkTI2QFmNppdNBEosDoXxg https://www.cbsnews.com/news/capitol-riot-arrests-latest-2021-07-16/ https://www.insider.com/all-the-us-capitol-pro-trump-riot-arrests-charges-names-2021-1 https://www.usatoday.com/storytelling/capitol-riot-mob-arrests/   MOGP: On This Day In History Sh!t Went Down, by James Fell: ht

Last December, the church made some changes to the bishop’s handbook that bear a closer look, poor beleaguered Bryce gets to take on the 3rd segment of MOF, and then we’ll relieve EVERYONE’s thoughts with some lovely news from Canada. And please, be prepared. Not only is this an incredibly long episode but we also need to give you a content warning. We will be discussing one of the worst chapters in MOF and it might be painful. Shannon will also be reading a bit from her mission journal. Get a punching bag ready, if you need it, tissues on hand if you need them, and remember to pause and walk away if you need to. We’re all in this together.  Show Links:  Main Topic: Policies On Prejudice, Seeking Info From Credible Sources Added To Church Handbook:  https://ksltv.com/451372/general-handbook/  https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/general-handbook-update-december-2020  Happy News: Canadian MP’s pass historic bill banning conversion therapy: https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/life/canadian-mps-pass-histo

This week’s show is a brief deep-dive into a lesser-known figure of American history and her connections to Mormon polygamy and the larger national women’s suffrage movement. We romp through 70 years of history through a few different vantage points and wrap it all together by discussing polygamy as one of the next social justice issues. After that, we review Love, Simon, a coming-of-age story of a closeted young man seeking validation in his experience, friendship and acceptance, and ultimately love. Then we wrap with happy news about a politician who changed their mind about something; who knew it was possible?! Show Notes:    Belva Lockwood: The “Nerviest Woman in the United States,” Who Became the Latter-day Saints’ Irrepressible Advocate and Friend by Melinda Evans https://byustudies.byu.edu/?post_type=article&p=32394   Gaining, Losing, and Winning Back the Vote: The Story of Utah Women’s Suffrage by Brown, Watkins, and Kittermanhttps://www.utahwomenshistory.org/2018/02/receiving-losing-and-winnin

There was a recent announcement by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that they are no longer performing time-only marriages in the temple. What? What even does that mean? Our main segment teases apart the marriage and sealing practices conducted in the temple and places this headline within a broader context while we opine on what it the larger plan at play might be. Then we dive into the pages of Miracle of Forgiveness, covering the first 3 chapters of introductory material. We round out the episode with a positive federal court ruling in Australia that bodes well for climate activists and future generations alike. Show links:    Mormon church will no longer perform time-only marriages in temple: https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2021/05/25/latter-day-saint-leaders/    Mormon church eliminates one year waiting period after civil marriage: https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-mormon-church-changes-marriage-policy-20190506-65mxeavi3rdkzgsp6byspavfwm-story.html  Happy news: https://ww

Today is a bit of a classic deep dive into early Mormon history, sort of. We crack open the pages of Rick Grunder’s Mormon Parallels (linked below; please pick up a copy) and investigate what was in the air of 18th and early 19th century America. Turns out, Joseph Smith was not an island and the Book of Mormon is very much a product of its time. Let’s see how Shannon does with my clever little game of Mormon or Not!? After that we review a graphic novel Joseph Smith in Space: May the Farce Be With You recommended to us by a lovely listener with a solid bead on our type of humor. Then we round out with some happy news about the Utah Supreme Court actually coming to the right decision for goddamn once!   Show links:    Mormon Parallels by Rick Grunder sold directly by the author!https://www.rickgrunder.com/parallels.htm   MOGP: The graphic novel Joseph Smith In Space: May the Farce Be With You, by Z.M. Thomas: https://smile.amazon.com/Joseph-Smith-Space-May-Farce-ebook/dp/B084326B9J/ref=sr_1_3    Info on Z. M.