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For several years, I performed as a member of the Orchestra at Temple Square, accompanying what was then known as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on *Music and the Spoken Word*.From long Sunday mornings and rehearsals in the Tabernacle to touring, auditions, and eventually leaving the orchestra, this is my honest story of what it was really like behind the scenes.This isn't an exposé. It's a personal memoir about music, faith, and one of the most memorable chapters of my life.Along the way, I discuss:* What rehearsals were really like* The musicians behind the performances* Touring with the orchestra* My changing beliefs while still performing* The emotional power of music* How my time with the orchestra unexpectedly came to an endAlthough I no longer believe in the truth claims of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I remain deeply grateful for the opportunity to make music alongside so many exceptional musicians. Some experiences transcend belief, and beautiful music is one of them.If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about Mormonism, music, faith transitions, and honest personal stories, consider subscribing for more episodes.**#Mormon #ExMormon #TabernacleChoir #TempleSquare #MusicAndTheSpokenWord #LDS #FaithJourney #ClassicalMusic #MormonStories #MormonNewsRoundup**Please consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

One of the most controversial teachings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the idea that paying tithing can determine your worthiness—and even your eligibility for temple ordinances and the highest degree of heaven.Over the years on Mormon News Roundup, I've called out this "pay-to-play" system again and again. In this compilation, I've gathered some of my strongest anti-tithing rants into one episode.From temple recommend interviews to the pressure placed on struggling families, this video examines why many former members see mandatory tithing as one of the most harmful aspects of Mormonism.If you've ever wondered why so many people object to LDS tithing, this is the episode.👍 Like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy Mormon News Roundup.What was the moment that changed your perspective on tithing? Let me know in the comments.#Mormon #ExMormon #LDS #MormonNewsRoundup #Tithing #Religion #Cult #Deconstruction #JosephSmith #RussellNelsonPlease consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Welcome back to Mormon News Roundup!Over the past few years, I've created hundreds of TikToks, YouTube Shorts, and Reels covering Mormon news, LDS history, apologetics, church leadership, current events, and some of the funniest moments from the channel.In today's episode, we're counting down my Top 10 most viral TikToks of all time, featuring the videos that reached hundreds of thousands of viewers and generated some of the biggest conversations in our community. From hilarious satire to breaking Mormon news, to deep dives into controversial topics, these are the clips that resonated the most.We'll finish with my #1 most-watched reel ever, the video that became the biggest hit in Mormon News Roundup history.Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments if you agree with the rankings—or tell me which TikTok you think deserved a spot on the list!If you enjoy Mormon commentary, news, history, and a little satire along the way, be sure to:👍 Like the video💬 Leave a comment🔔 Subscribe for new episodes of Mormon News Roundup every weekThanks for watching and for helping this community continue to grow!#Mormon #ExMormon #LDS #MormonNews #TikTok #YouTubeShorts #Religion #MormonNewsRoundup #ChurchHistory #CommentaryPlease consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Throwback Thursday to Episode 32 — one of the early, defining moments of the channel.This was the first time Radio Free Mormon joined the podcast, back when the show was still audio-only and just starting to find its voice. In this episode, we covered a wide range of topics that sparked a lot of discussion and reflection later on.We talked about David Archuleta stepping back from the Church, a LDS meetinghouse being repurposed into a food bank, and broader questions about church growth in Canada based on census data.This video pulls together the key moments from that episode so you don’t have to dig through the full two-hour conversation.If you’re new here, this is a good snapshot of where things started—messy, interesting, and evolving quickly.Thanks for watching, and enjoy the throwback.Full Episode: https://youtu.be/3Zdgt-hVtZUPlease consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

For years, I've shared stories from my time as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some of these memories are funny. Some are awkward. Some were faith-promoting experiences that I understood very differently at the time. Others have taken on entirely new meaning as I've reflected on them years later.Those two years shaped my life in countless ways. Even though my beliefs have changed, the experiences, the people I met, and the lessons I learned remain an important part of my story.Over time, these missionary stories became scattered across dozens of different episodes on this channel. This supercut brings them all together in one place.You'll hear stories about:• Unexpected and humorous moments in the mission field• Challenging experiences and difficult companions• Spiritual experiences and how I viewed them then—and now• Cultural surprises, memorable investigators, and everyday missionary life• Lessons that have stayed with me long after my mission endedWhether you're a current Latter-day Saint, a former member, served a mission yourself, or are simply curious about what Mormon missionary life is really like, I hope you find something meaningful, entertaining, or thought-provoking in these memories.After you've watched, I'd love to hear from you. Which story resonated with you the most? Share your own mission experiences—or your thoughts—in the comments below.If you enjoy long-form Mormon commentary, history, and discussion, be sure to subscribe for more content from Mormon News Roundup.#Mormon #LDS #Missionary #ExMormon #MissionStories #MormonMission #LatterDaySaints #MormonNewsRoundupPlease consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

After interacting with thousands of Latter-day Saints on X (formerly Twitter) since launching this channel in 2022, I've noticed some remarkably consistent patterns.In this video I discuss:* Why relatively few major Mormon critics actively engage on X* How faithful Latter-day Saints rapidly amplify each other's accounts* The role X Premium plays in expanding Mormon voices online* Why evidence so often gets replaced with personal attacks* The recurring accusations critics receive from believers* Why feelings and testimony aren't reliable methods for determining truth* The difference between utility and truth* Why I continue engaging directly in comment sections* The challenges of having productive conversations about Mormon truth claims* The enormous gap between my short-form and long-form audiencesThis isn't a criticism of every individual Latter-day Saint. Many members are thoughtful, kind, and sincere. Rather, it's an examination of recurring online behaviors I've observed after years of public conversations surrounding Mormonism.Whether you agree with my conclusions or strongly disagree, I encourage you to engage with the actual arguments presented rather than assumptions about my motivations.If you enjoy long-form discussions about Mormonism, religion, skepticism, and evidence, please consider subscribing. New videos are published regularly.What has your experience been like discussing Mormonism online? Let me know in the comments.#Mormon #LDS #ExMormon #Mormonism #Twitter #X #JosephSmith #Religion #Skepticism #CriticalThinking #SecularHumanism #MormonNewsRoundupPlease consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Throwback Thursday to Episode 105 featuring journalist Jana Riess, one of the most respected reporters covering The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.In this episode, we revisit some of the most significant and challenging reporting connected to her work—ranging from tr*nsgender baptism policy discussions, leadership accountability around abuse reporting, and legal disputes tied to tithing and financial transparency.This is a curated highlight cut of a nearly 90-minute conversation, pulling together the most important moments so you can quickly catch up on the key topics and discussions.If you follow Mormonism, church policy debates, or religious journalism, this one is worth your time.🔗 Full episode: https://youtu.be/NDPG5KsLTtIPlease consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

For years, Mormon News Roundup was built around cohosts, guests, and collaborations. I shared my platform with dozens—maybe hundreds—of creators from across the Mormon and ex-Mormon worlds. Many of them felt like genuine friends.At least, that's what I thought.In this deeply personal episode, I talk about the reality of online friendships, content creator relationships, and the hard lessons I've learned after years of podcasting and producing nearly 3,000 videos.We discuss:• Why many creator friendships turned out to be surprisingly fragile• The difference between real friendship and professional convenience• One-sided collaborations and platform dynamics• Doxxing attempts, privacy concerns, and threats against my family• The emotional toll of online drama and public controversy• What happened when I announced the LDS Church had taken steps toward litigation• Why I no longer bring regular cohosts onto Mormon News Roundup• How my views on trust, loyalty, and community have changedThis isn't a callout video. I'm not interested in relitigating old conflicts or naming names. Instead, this is an honest reflection on what happens when online relationships collide with real life, and what I've learned about boundaries, privacy, and protecting the people I care about most.Sometimes the hardest lessons come from the people you thought were closest to you.If you've ever experienced friendship, collaboration, betrayal, or disappointment in online communities, I'd be interested to hear your perspective in the comments.#ExMormon #MormonNewsRoundup #Mormonism #Podcasting #ContentCreator #ExMormonCommunity #LDS #OnlineFriendships #YouTubeCreator #FaithJourney #Doxxing #Commentary #PersonalStory #MormonDiscussion #YouTubeDramaPlease consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

D. Todd Christofferson is one of the most senior leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he has been one of the most recognizable voices in modern LDS leadership.His brother, Wade Christofferson, has pleaded guilty in federal court in Ohio to charges involving coercion and enticement of a m*nor. He now faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence.Wade Christofferson had previously been excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over CSA allegations, but was later rebaptized and returned to church membership. Reports have raised questions about his subsequent involvement in church settings and what safeguards were in place.This video is a complete supercut of the latest news coverage, commentary, and public reactions surrounding the Wade Christofferson case.The discussion has prompted difficult questions among both faithful Latter-day Saints and former members:• What did church leaders know, and when did they know it?• How were decisions regarding membership and church participation made?• Could more have been done to protect ch*ldren?• How should institutions respond when allegations of ab*se involve members with connections to leadership?This episode examines the reporting, reactions, and ongoing conversation surrounding this case.⚠️ Content note: This video discusses CSA and related legal proceedings.Subscribe to Mormon News Roundup for commentary, analysis, and discussion of news and issues involving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.#MormonNewsRoundup #LDSChurch #WadeChristofferson #DarrenChristoffersonPlease consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Greg Matsen has become one of the most influential voices in the faithful Latter-day Saint online world through his channel, Quick Media.But that isn't the version of Greg I originally subscribed to.In this episode, I look at Greg's evolution from a creator focused on scripture study, historical context, and Come Follow Me lessons into a commentator increasingly centered on gender politics, LGBTQ issues, BYU controversies, and broader culture-war debates.I discuss:• How Quick Media originally attracted a large LDS audience• Greg's shift away from scripture-focused content• His criticism of BYU professors and academic freedom concerns• His views on LGBTQ and transgender issues• The relationship between religion, politics, and culture-war content• How creators can build large audiences around ideological commentary• Why Greg's approach has resonated with many conservative Latter-day SaintsI also share my broader thoughts on religious authority, evidence, morality, and the growing influence of online Mormon commentators.What do you think? Has Greg Matsen changed over the years, or has his current content simply revealed priorities that were always there?Leave your thoughts in the comments.#Mormonism #LDS #ExMormon #GregMatsen #QuickMedia #BYU #Religion #CultureWar #LGBTQ #CommentaryPlease consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.