The Latter Day Lens
Welcome to The Latter Day Lens, a weekly faith-based podcast where we explore the intersection of Mormonism, global news, and political science. Hosted by Shawn Record and Matthew Miles, a professor of political science, this is your home for an authentic and nuanced LDS perspective on the world’s toughest topics. Each episode provides thoughtful Latter-day Saint commentary on current events, ranging from Christianity and politics to social identity and economic policy. Whether you are an active LDS member seeking a deeper religious podcast experience or a listener interested in Mormon studies, we apply a "gospel lens" to move beyond the headlines. Join us every Wednesday for LDS perspectives that are faith-promoting, intellectually honest, and designed to help you navigate your faith in the modern world. From Come Follow Me 2026 insights to deep dives into LDS history and doctrine, we tackle the conversations most people avoid.
Episodes
What will the 2026 midterm elections actually change—and what does the Book of Mormon teach about political corruption?
Matt and Shawn welcome Levi back for a special midterm election edition of The Latter Day Lens.
The hosts begin by examining candidates from both major parties and asking what qualities they value in elected representatives. The discussion explores political independence, bipartisan cooperation...
Is it wrong to make money preaching the gospel? And when does religious content become priestcraft?
Matt and Shawn welcome Melanie back to The Latter Day Lens for a surprisingly personal debate about faith, money, Christian influencers, and the growing business of religious self-help.
A report about Life Surge, a company that attracts Christians to inspirational events and sells expensive coaching programs, raises a d...
Why Do Smart People Believe Conspiracy Theories?
Why do intelligent, educated people sometimes believe things that aren't supported by evidence? And is believing a conspiracy theory necessarily a bad thing?
Matt and Shawn welcome David back to The Latter Day Lens for a conversation about political identity, election predictions, conspiracy theories, religious faith, and the rights of Americans living in U.S. ...
What happens when conservative principles collide with government power?
This week on The Latter Day Lens, Matt and Shawn are joined by Porter for a wide-ranging conversation about gambling, government regulation, college athletes, modesty, war, presidential power, Christmas music, and what it means to live your faith in the real world.
Should the Government Regulate College Sports?
What should a faithful Latter-day Saint do when Church leaders take a political position—and you aren't sure you agree?
That question drives one of our most candid conversations yet.
The United Nations, Ezra Taft Benson, and Prophetic Counsel
We begin with the United Nations. New Gallup polling across 137 countries finds that 50% of adults worldwide approve of the UN's performance, compared with 26% who disapprov...
Is the Book of Mormon socialist?
That question launches Matt, Shawn, and Levi into a much bigger debate about capitalism, democratic socialism, wealth inequality, agency, public education, corruption, and how far government should go in encouraging people to make good choices.
But first: Is America's government becoming too corrupt?
A new Gallup survey finds that 89% of U.S. adults believe government corruption is wide...
Why are Latter-day Saints and white evangelical Christians beginning to look different politically?
Matt, Shawn, and guest Clayton examine new polling on Mormon politics, Christian nationalism, American power, and whether the increasingly global nature of the Church is changing the way Latter-day Saints see America and the world.
They also ask whether modern politics punishes honest politicians, how to respect a polit...
Is cheating actually a sin—or are some rules just arbitrary?
Matt says that even after explicitly telling his BYU–Idaho students how they may and may not use ChatGPT, about 20% still cross the line. Shawn asks a more uncomfortable question: If a professor makes an arbitrary rule, is breaking it actually immoral?
That launches a debate about AI, plagiarism, the Honor Code, obedience, honesty, and what actua...
In this episode of The Latter-day Lens, Matt, Shawn, and guest co-host Levi open with a personal announcement regarding the future of the show and Matt's timeline for stepping away.
From there, the panel dives into four distinct issues spanning governance, ethics, academia, and church trends:
- Federal Data and Public Good: Following meteorologist John Morales's warning about NOAA budget cuts and lost weather balloo...
Is communal property ownership an eternal gospel principle, and are Latter-day Saints commanded to live the Law of Consecration right now? In this episode, Matt, Shawn, and guest Melanie explore the scriptural tensions between property rights and consecration, the unique social isolation of American poverty compared to the developing world, and new survey data breaking down religion by college major.
They kick things...
In this episode of The Latter Day Lens, Matt, Shawn, and special guest Porter dive into listener mailbag questions and examine today's pressing societal and religious questions through a Latter-day Saint perspective.
Topics Covered in This Episode:
- Listener Mailbag: A lighthearted debate on favorite taxes, tithing, and common misconceptions surrounding plural marriage (polygamy) and D&C 132.
- The 3 P...
In this deep-dive episode of The Latter-Day Lens, hosts Matt and Shawn tackle listener mail and pressing socio-political questions through a unique Latter-day Saint perspective.
1. Listener Mailbag: Mormon Heaven & Eternal Polygamy A listener and mental health therapist shares why young LDS women are feeling disheartened by perceptions of a male-centric heaven. Matt and Sean discuss Heavenly Mother, the theologic...
Join Matt, Shawn, and guest Levi as they tackle complex cultural and geopolitical issues through a Latter-day Saint lens! In this episode, the team discusses a listener mailbag letter on unrighteous dominion and eternal polygamy, dives into the nuclear diplomacy double standards between South Korea and Saudi Arabia, debates employee stock ownership vs. free market principles, and explores the gospel perspective on p...
Episode Summary:
Melanie returns to the show to add a missing perspective as the team tackles a wide range of timely and complex topics! The crew begins by diving into LDS youth retention rates, examining why young women leave the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at higher rates than young men between ages 18 and 25.
From there, Matt, Shawn, and Melanie examine Russian oligarch Andrei Melnichenko’s wa...
In this episode of The Latter-day Lens, Matt, Shawn, and Porter reunite to tackle a fascinating mix of listener mail and heavy-hitting social data. From a deep dive into the nuances of the abortion debate to economic realities facing Gen Z, the team breaks down current events through a unique cultural lens.
What We Discuss in This Episode:
- The Mailbag: Correcting the false dichotomy in political rhetoric surroundi...
In this episode of The Latter-day Lens, Matt, Shawn, and guest host Marc tackle a fascinating slate of highly debated political topics through a unique cultural and ideological lens.
The team dives deep into the ethics of elected officials profiting from cryptocurrency projects like World Liberty Financial, examining whether the President should face stricter business regulation while in office. Next, they pivot to g...
In this episode of The Latter Day Lens, hosts Matt, Shawn, and Levi dive deep into the cultural data and political friction shaping modern society. They unpack fresh 2026 Gallup polling data regarding the state’s influence on personal ethics, trace the real-world statistical fallout four years after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and evaluate contrasting definitions of patriotism as America marks its 250th an...
In this episode of Latter Day Lens, Matt, Shawn, and Melanie tackle a wide range of topics—from religious expression in sports to international diplomacy and one of the biggest theological questions in Christianity.
The conversation begins with athletes expressing their faith on the world stage and whether professional sports organizations should allow religious messages on uniforms. The discussion then shifts ...
Welcome back to The Latter Day Lens — your home for unscripted, faith-promoting discussion of current events, culture, and political science through a gospel lens. This week, Matt and Shawn go one-on-one with no guests, digging into a packed mailbag before working through some of the most provocative thought-provokers of the season.
Mailbag: Are Latter-day Saints Christian? A listener asks about the Pentagon's ...
Welcome back to The Latter-day Lens, your home for unscripted, faith-promoting discussions analyzing current events, culture, and political science through a gospel lens.
First this week, the hosts look ahead to next month’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Most people are unaware that there are two distinct organizational frameworks competing for this national celebration: A...
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