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In this episode, Matt, Shawn, and Levi return to the lens to navigate the intersection of public safety, free speech, and the personal transformation that religion is supposed to provide. The guys dive into the recent controversy at Utah Valley University regarding the cancellation of Sharon McMahon's speech following the death of Charlie Kirk. They also tackle the resurgence of measles in the U.S. and whether governments have a moral obligation to mandate health protocols. Finally, the team discusses Matt’s new book, exploring the vital difference between religious "behaving" and religious "becoming."

In this episode, we discuss:

• The UVU Controversy: Is it hypocritical for free-speech advocates to call for the cancellation of speakers they dislike?
• Public Health vs. Liberty: As measles cases rise in 31 states, where does the government's moral obligation begin and end?
• Gender Bias in Sports Journalism: The fallout of the Diana Rossini and Mike Vrabel story.
• Religious Becoming: Matt explains the "Fourth B" from his new book and why democracy might actually need a variety of religions to thrive.

Resources Mentioned:

• Latter Day Lens Website: latterdaylens.com
• Take the "Religious Becoming" Quiz

Chapter Timestamps

• 00:00 – Welcome back Levi & Wedding Announcements
• 01:30 – Who is the GOAT? Sam’s Radio Legacy
• 03:40 – YouTube Comments: The Military Draft Debate
• 05:45 – Thought Provoker: The UVU Speaker Controversy
• 10:15 – Nazis on Campus? Defining the Limits of Free Speech
• 15:20 – Shifting the Overton Window
• 22:30 – Measles Outbreak: The Morality of Vaccine Mandates
• 28:10 – The "Cold Sore" Debate: How contagious is too contagious?
• 32:45 – Double Standards: Diana Rossini and Mike Vrabel
• 41:40 – The Big Question: Believing, Belonging, Behaving, & Becoming
• 52:45 – In-Groups, Out-Groups, and the Global Neighbor
• 01:00:10 – Closing Remarks

Keywords: LDS Podcast, Latter-day Saints, Charlie Kirk, UVU, Free Speech, Vaccine Mandates, Measles 2026, Political Science, Religious Identity, Overton Window, Critical Race Theory, Sharon McMahon, Journalism Ethics, Christianity and Democracy, Matthew R. Miles

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This episode of Latter Day Lens features a heavy-hitting discussion between Matt, Shawn, and Porter. The trio dives into the complexities of the social contract, starting with the ethics of a military draft and the "lukewarm" nature of libertarianism. The conversation shifts to the digital frontier, exploring whether dangerous AI tools like "Claude Mythos" should be regulated like nuclear weapons. Finally, they tackle the historical and future trajectory of marriage doctrine within the context of Latter-day Saint theology.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Libertarian Dilemma: Is a "hands-off" political approach actually "lukewarm" according to scripture?
• The Ethics of Compulsion: A deep dive into the morality of a military draft. Does the social contract justify forced service, or does it violate the fundamental principle of agency?
• AI as a Superweapon: With the rise of tools like Claude Mythos, we ask if AI has reached a level of danger that requires government restriction similar to nuclear proliferation.
• Line Upon Line: A look at how attitudes toward marriage have shifted—or grown—over the last century and what the next 100 years might hold for Church doctrine.

Chapter Markers

• [00:00] Welcome back, Porter! Semester updates and AI in the classroom.
• [02:20] Is Libertarianism "Lukewarm"? Responding to a YouTube listener.
• [08:10] The Automated Draft: Is a military draft ever morally justified?
• [10:30] Moroni’s Draft vs. Vietnam: Compulsion in the Book of Mormon.
• [18:45] Standing Armies vs. Citizen Militias: What is the more moral path?
• [24:50] Claude Mythos & AI Security: Should the government regulate code like nukes?
• [33:00] The Free Market vs. Bad Actors: Can the invisible hand stop a hack?
• [41:15] Rhetoric and Negotiation: Trump, the Pope, and the morality of threats.
• [44:20] The Artemis Mission: Why the space program represents the best of humanity.
• [47:45] The Evolution of Marriage: Analyzing 19th-century temple sealings and future doctrine.
• [56:30] Line Upon Line: Is our understanding of marriage complete or still growing?

Keywords

Latter Day Lens, Social Contract, Military Draft, Selective Service, Libertarianism, AI Ethics, Claude Mythos, Anthropic, Captain Moroni, Agency vs Compulsion, Artemis 2, Marriage Doctrine, Polygamy History, D&C 132, Latter-day Saint Podcast.

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In this post-General Conference episode, Matt, Shawn, and Melanie tackle the intersection of faith and friction in modern America. The team starts with a listener's defense of FDR before diving into a high-stakes comparison of religious expression in professional sports. They also dissect the legal arguments surrounding President Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship and the 14th Amendment. Finally, the hosts explore recent data showing a historic shift of Latter-day Saints toward the Democratic Party and share their personal takeaways from the April 2026 General Conference.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The FDR Debate: Is Japanese internment a "straw man" argument or a defining moral failure?
• Faith on the Court: Comparing the public reception of BYU’s Delaney Gibb and the NBA’s Jaden Ivey.
• Birthright Citizenship: Analyzing the 14th Amendment and the legal consistency of excluding certain immigrant groups.
• The "Trump Effect": Why LDS voters are moving toward the Democratic Party faster than any other group.
• Peace and Revelation: Personal reflections on the messages from President Nelson and President Oaks.

Chapter Markers

• 00:00 – Introduction and General Conference Recap
• 01:50 – Listener Feedback: Defending FDR and Historical Context
• 04:00 – Religion in Sports: Delaney Gibb vs. Jaden Ivey
• 10:30 – Style vs. Substance: Is Expression Conduct Detrimental?
• 14:15 – The 14th Amendment: Birthright Citizenship and Legal Consistency
• 21:20 – Native American Sovereignty and the Jurisdiction Clause
• 26:45 – The Shift: Why LDS Voters are Leaving the GOP
• 31:10 – Is MAGA Inconsistent with Church Morality?
• 35:45 – The Generation Gap: Diversity and Political Sophistication
• 45:40 – General Conference Takeaways: Charity, Peace, and Personal Revelation
• 52:10 – Closing Thoughts: Changing Society through Individual Change

Keywords

Latter-day Saints, LDS Politics, General Conference 2026, Birthright Citizenship, 14th Amendment, MAGA and Religion, BYU Basketball, Political Polarization, President Nelson, President Oaks, Civil Discourse.