Episode 175: Trump’s Crypto Billions, Socialist Shifts & The Future of AI Voting

Episode 175: Trump’s Crypto Billions, Socialist Shifts & The Future of AI Voting

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2141044/fan_mail/new] 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 global geopolitics to unpack the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, questioning foreign intervention, self-determination, and the strategic plays surrounding exiled leaders. The conversation heats up as the hosts debate Senator John Fetterman’s critique of progressive Democrats and the rise of democratic socialism. Is a political shift toward models like Norway or Canada sustainable, or does it challenge fundamental scriptural principles of private property and individual agency? Finally, Matt pushes the boundaries of modern political science with a radical, outside-the-box theory: Should artificial intelligence and chatbots like ChatGPT, Grok, or Gemini automate voting to solve the voter turnout crisis? Shawn and Marc stress-test this dystopian prediction in a lively clash over human agency and algorithmic bias. Episode Highlights & Timestamps: * 00:00 – Mailbag: Responding to our rowdiest listener comments. * 01:46 – Crypto Fortunes: Should presidents profit from digital currency? * 06:55 – Crisis in Venezuela: US intervention vs. self-determination. * 15:10 – The Democrat Divide: John Fetterman and the progressive movement. * 25:55 – Property & Taxes: A gospel perspective on healthcare and social policies. * 34:40 – The AI Ballot Box: A radical theory on automated voting. * 48:10 – Stress-Testing the Future: Human agency vs. algorithmic control. Discover more insights and episodes at our website: https://www.latterdaylens.com/ [https://www.latterdaylens.com/]

Episode 174: Should Government Shape Morality? Post-Roe Abortion Trends, Blind Patriotism, and the Therapeutic Church Myth

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2141044/fan_mail/new] 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 anniversary. Finally, the team pushes back against a controversial Father's Day op-ed claiming Christian churches have lost their masculinity, using recent demographic data to explore how compassionate mentorship actually drives young adult retention. Topic 1: The State as a Moral Compass Recent Gallup polling [https://news.gallup.com/poll/711455/americans-say-religiosity-benefit.aspx] shows 69% of Americans believe government policies significantly alter societal morals—up from 58% three decades ago. Yet, the public remains fiercely divided on whether the state should be in the business of shaping character. * The Question: Should government leaders consciously promote moral values to fill the void of declining church attendance, or does that pose an inherent threat to moral agency? Topic 2: Re-evaluating the Post-Roe Landscape Marking the four-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision, the hosts analyze a 21% net increase in U.S. abortions [https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-abortions-per-state-4-years-after-scotus-overturned-roe-v-wade-12115118]. They examine how state-level federalism transformed the medical landscape into a capitalist arena—driving a surge in telehealth, mail-order medication, and interstate travel to hubs like Kansas and California. * The Question: Was Roe v. Wade actually a more stable regulatory framework for restricting abortions, or is federalism successfully exposing the underlying market forces driving modern women's healthcare? Topic 3: Two Types of Patriotism at 250 While 70% of citizens believe [https://apnews.com/article/poll-america-250-fourth-of-july-trump-dc30264ee64ce1cfdfb756c729165d9b] the U.S. has achieved the ideals of the Declaration of Independence, 80% believe the original signers would be deeply disappointed by modern democracy. Matt introduces a framework dividing national loyalty into "blind patriotism" and "constructive patriotism." * The Question: Are both forms of patriotism necessary for a nation to survive, and how do they function differently during moments of unity versus moments of national crisis? Topic 4: High-Demand Religion and the "Therapeutic Church" A Claremont Institute director claims [https://www.wsj.com/opinion/fatherhood-and-the-church-8e5b36ed?st=JxPETg&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink] men are fleeing modern Christianity because congregations have traded historic sacrifice and duty for emotional support and therapeutic comfort. The hosts challenge this premise by highlighting recent BYU Studies retention data, which reveals a steady 50% retention rate for Latter-day Saint men across all age categories, vastly outperforming the retention of young women. * The Question: Does a Christlike focus on charity, vulnerability, and compassionate mentorship weaken masculine discipleship, or is it the exact foundation required to retain young men in a secularizing world? Chapter Markers 00:00 Welcome Back Levi & World Cup Updates 00:53 Soccer Skeptics: Is it Just Watching Nothing? 01:08 The Soccer vs. Chess Analogy 01:31 Mailbag: Explaining Iran's Shah vs. Ayatollah 02:25 The 1953 Coup & Operation Ajax Context 03:15 Reflection on Western Meddling & Persian Culture 05:19 Thought Provoker: New 2026 Gallup Morality Data 06:54 The Debate: Should Government Promote Moral Values? 08:07 Who Qualifies as a Worthy Moral Leader? 09:27 Representative Systems as a Moral Compass 10:14 D&C 101, The Constitution, and Moral Agency 11:07 Moral "Nudges" vs. Direct Dictation of Ethics 13:28 Societal Functioning & Laws That Can't Be Enforced 14:38 Ancient Israel: Monarchy vs. Constitutional Systems 15:50 The Meaning of "Promoting the General Welfare" 18:30 Four Years Post-Roe: Checking the 21% Data Spike 19:53 Is Abortion Access Now a Capitalist Endeavor? 20:57 Telehealth, Interstate Travel, and the Kansas Hub 22:25 Intermission: Sean's 10-Year Dentist Confession 23:54 Was Roe v. Wade Actually "Better" Stabilizing Policy? 26:04 The Reality of Medical Ethics & Ectopic Pregnancies 28:56 Conflicting Data Sets & Decreasing Abortion Rates 33:19 Celebrating America's 250th: Public Sentiment 34:54 Moving Past the "Fetishization" of the Founders 35:55 Diversity in the 90s vs. Modern LGBTQ+ Agency 37:17 The 1619 Project & America as a Work in Progress 38:59 Did the Founders Fail at Preventing Executive Power? 41:22 Defining Blind Patriotism vs. Constructive Patriotism 42:56 Applying the Patriotism Framework to Latter-day Faith 44:14 The Strategic Importance of Patriotism During Crises 47:31 The Claremont Institute Op-Ed: The Therapeutic Church 48:30 BYU Studies Data: Young Men vs. Young Women Retention 49:59 Pushing Back on Church "Militancy" 51:48 False Binaries: Redefining True Godlike Masculinity 53:24 Intricacies of Fatherhood & Praying to Heavenly Mother 55:20 Priesthood Authority via D&C 121 (Love Unfeigned) 56:36 The Crucial Role of Generational Mentorship 57:51 "The Will to Change" & Moving Past Dominance 59:28 Final Thoughts: Solving the Female Retention Curve Keywords Latter Day Lens Podcast, LDS Political Discussion, Government and Morality, Gallup Poll 2026, Post-Roe Abortion Data, Dobbs Decision Anniversary, Telehealth Abortion Pills, Federalism, Blind Patriotism vs Constructive Patriotism, America 250th Birthday, Founding Fathers, Claremont Institute Masculinity, Latter-day Saint Retention Rates, Young Men Church Activity, BYU Studies, Patriarchal Structure, Christian Mentorship.

Episode 173: Predestination vs Agency: What Do Latter-day Saints Believe? Iran, Sports & Religious Freedom

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2141044/fan_mail/new] 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 to the latest agreement with Iran and whether American leaders consistently underestimate Iran's negotiating position. The hosts also explore a fascinating tradition among Japanese soccer fans: staying after games to clean up stadiums. Could Americans benefit from adopting a broader definition of sportsmanship? Finally, the episode closes with a spirited debate about predestination, foreordination, agency, and God's foreknowledge. Did God already know every major decision you would make? Could someone other than Joseph Smith have fulfilled the role of prophet of the Restoration? And what does agency actually mean if God already knows the outcome?  Chapter Markers  00:00 Father's Day Welcome and Melanie's Return The hosts introduce the episode, celebrate Father's Day, and joke about Melanie's lack of a podcast listening habit despite her recurring guest status. 01:12 Faith on the Field: Uniform Alterations in Sports Matt introduces the contrast between the World Cup celebrating religious expression and Major League Baseball warning players who wrote Bible verses on their Pride Night hats. 03:26 Free Markets, Uniform Rules, and Personal Costs Shawn argues from a federalism and free-market perspective, noting that professional athletes are private actors who can choose to pay league fines to broadcast their deeply held beliefs. 04:43 Antagonism vs. Authenticity in Personal Expression Melanie questions the efficacy of minor uniform fines and argues that expressions of faith should stem from a love of God rather than opposition to a social movement. 05:49 The Native American Mascot Analogy Shawn tests Melanie's logic with a hypothetical scenario involving a player altering a controversial team mascot on their uniform to honor Native American heritage. 07:30 The Evolution of Personal Beliefs on Mandated Expression Matt shares how his own views on LGBTQ issues and mandatory team celebrations have shifted since 2008, expressing sympathy for athletes forced to endorse concepts that conflict with their faith. 11:04 Soccer vs. Baseball and the YouTube Highlight Shift The hosts banter about the pacing of soccer versus baseball, fast-forwarding through recordings, and how younger generations consume sports media. 12:16 The Art of the Deal in the Middle East: The 2026 Iran Memorandum The discussion transitions to global politics as Matt introduces the newly signed June 2026 memorandum of understanding with Iran, comparing it to the 2015 Obama nuclear deal. 14:00 Book vs. Results: Who Out-Negotiated Whom? Melanie offers a sharp critique comparing Donald Trump's transactional reputation with the reality of Iran securing massive economic benefits despite recent leadership assassinations. 15:35 Analyzing America's Historical Achilles' Heel in Diplomacy Matt argues that Iran's negotiation superiority is not unique to the current administration, asserting that the nation has consistently outplayed US presidents since the 1970s by exploiting domestic political timelines. 18:20 The Geopolitical Reality of the Strait of Hormuz Shawn and Matt analyze how Iran leverages its strategic control over critical waterways and oil trade routes to extract concessions from western powers without needing nuclear weapons. 21:18 The Historical Failure of Forced Regime Change The hosts look back at US-Iran relations since the Carter administration, discussing how military interventions consistently fail to bring about lasting stability or ideological shifts. 24:54 Lessons in Sportsmanship: Japanese Fan Culture Matt introduces the tradition of Japanese soccer fans cleaning up stadiums after World Cup matches, setting up a debate on social expectations. 25:46 Community Betterment and the Unseen Work Behind Celebrations Melanie connects the stadium cleanup to an anecdote about helping clean up her own wedding reception, highlighting how labor fosters a deeper appreciation for community spaces. 26:18 Gospel Culture vs. Modern American Entitlement Matt contrasts collective civic pride with the destructive celebrations of American sports fans, linking the concept of leaving a space better than you found it to Latter-day Saint ward traditions. 28:44 The Shadow Side of Extreme Collectivism Shawn introduces a counterargument based on discussions with a former missionary to Japan, exploring how the fear of social shame and forced conformity can suppress individual identity and foster insularity. 32:24 Zion Communities and Doing the Right Things for the Right Reasons Matt and Shawn debate whether Latter-day Saint cultural compliance is driven by a genuine love for individual salvation or a subtle fear of social judgment within the religious community. 36:20 Economic Incentives for Civic Duty Melanie floats the idea of using financial incentives or penalties to encourage civic service in America, drawing a playful accusation of socialism from her father. 37:30 The Great Theological Shift: Predestination vs. Foreordination Matt utilizes a prompt framework to pit biblical predestination against the Book of Mormon doctrine of foreordination, triggering a passionate scriptural debate with Shawn. 40:34 The Calvinist Framework of Life's Major Milestones Matt defines his personal worldview, arguing that the major trajectories of our lives are entirely predetermined by God, leaving daily spiritual alignment as our only true sphere of agency. 42:39 Deconstructing John Calvin's Legacy on Scriptural Interpretation Shawn tracks the historical transformation of the word "predestinated" through John Calvin's theology, arguing that the standard biblical verses actually refer to the pre-mortal validation of the Plan of Salvation rather than individual cosmic fate. 46:26 The Prophet Understudy Theory Melanie prompts a discussion on human choice by asking if the restoration of the church required Joseph Smith specifically, leading to a theory about foreordained understudies in the pre-mortal world. 49:29 Quantum Mechanics and Probabilistic Determinism Melanie shares a conversation with her quantum physics professor, proposing a theological model where God does not micromanage every minute action but possesses perfect probabilistic knowledge of human choices. 52:22 The Parental Manipulation Pattern Matt defends his deterministic view by comparing God's foresight to a parent structuring a "choose your own adventure" scenario where the ultimate destination is guaranteed regardless of individual choices. 54:11 The Core Purpose of Mortal Proving Grounds The hosts analyze the Book of Abraham and the Epistle to the Hebrews, debating whether true human agency applies to temporal choices or if it is exclusively reserved for the ultimate decision to serve God. 59:19 Finding Contentment in a Predetermined Life Matt concludes his argument by emphasizing that accepting a lack of control over earthly outcomes brings profound spiritual peace and contentment rather than sadness. Have a question or topic suggestion? Email: latterdaylens@gmail.com Website: https://www.latterdaylens.com Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review if you enjoyed the episode.

Episode 172: Are LDS Members Christian? Switzerland's Immigration Cap, Hegseth's Military Purge, and Can Ukraine Win?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2141044/fan_mail/new] 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 recent reclassification of LDS military personnel — moving members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints out of the "Christian" category and into their own designation. Senators Lee and Curtis have spoken out. Matt and Shawn debate whether the change matters theologically, politically, and practically — and whether it actually helps or hurts the Church's public identity. Mailbag: Socialism, Capitalism, and the U.S. Constitution A listener pushes back on Matt's perceived openness to socialism. Matt and Shawn work through the real distinctions between market economies and government intervention, asking where socialism already exists in the United States (hint: military, education, healthcare, AI) and whether the founding documents actually support a pure free market. James Madison makes a surprise appearance as exhibit A for constitutional flexibility. Mailbag: Graham Platner and Moral Character in Politics Following up on a previous episode about character versus policy in elections, a listener calls out the omission of Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner. Matt weighs in on the First Presidency's guidance about voting for candidates of moral character — and applies it across party lines. Thought Provoker #1: Switzerland's Population Cap — Moral or Immoral? Switzerland's right-wing Swiss People's Party is pushing a referendum to cap the country's permanent resident population at 10 million through 2050. Is a national population ceiling morally defensible? Matt brings scripture (Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Matthew, 2 Nephi 26:33) to argue for radical welcome of the stranger. Shawn engages the tension between self-determination and Christian hospitality. Thought Provoker #2: The 2026 World Cup — Could It Be the Last? The World Cup is underway across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. A Somali referee was denied entry to the U.S. due to immigration restrictions. Ticket prices for the U.S.-Paraguay opener topped $1,000. Matt floats a political-scientist's doomsday scenario: if the U.S. and Iran meet in the knockout round on July 3rd, what could go wrong — and could it end the World Cup permanently? Thought Provoker #3: Hegseth's Military Promotion List Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed nine officers from a Navy promotion list, including all three women eligible to become one-star admirals and two Black men. No women will be promoted to admiral this year. Is this sexism, political retaliation, or merit-based decision-making? Matt and Shawn get into it — with heat. Thought Provoker #4: Can Ukraine Actually Win? Ukraine's drone campaign has struck deep inside Russia, slowing Russian battlefield advances and forcing Putin into a more conciliatory tone. Europe is stepping up. Hungary's Orban has been voted out. But can Ukraine win — and what does winning even look like? Matt and Shawn (both former missionaries in Ukraine/the Donbass) argue that EU and NATO membership may constitute victory even without full territorial recovery. Plus: Zelensky as Abraham Lincoln? 📬 Contact us: Text us through the link in the show notes, or email us at latterdaylens@gmail.com [latterdaylens@gmail.com] 🌐 Learn more: latterdaylens.com [https://www.latterdaylens.com] 🍎 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review — it helps more people find the show! ⏱️ Actual Chapter Markers * 00:00 – Welcome to the Lens & Mailbag Updates  * 01:25 – The Pentagon Reclassifies Church Military Designations  * 04:10 – The Theological Divide: "Christian" Labels vs. Restoration Identity  * 08:04 – When Matt Decided He Was a "Calvinist"  * 08:52 – Socialism vs. Capitalism: Challenging the Labels in the US and China  * 12:35 – Ideology in Action: Government Intervention in Private Markets  * 16:36 – The Four Inspired Pillars of the United States Constitution  * 22:18 – Hard Borders: Switzerland’s Proposed 10-Million Population Cap  * 25:45 – Scriptural Perspectives on Immigration and "The Stranger"  * 32:12 – Cultural Preservation vs. Open Markets  * 35:18 – World Cup 2026: Hyper-Capitalism, High Ticket Prices, and Geopolitics  * 41:54 – Political Science Corner: Long-Term Trajectories for the US Presidency  * 43:54 – Pentagon Promotion Pullbacks: Evaluating Military Leadership Decisions  * 53:56 – Geopolitical Shift: Analyzing the Tides of the Ukraine-Russia Conflict  * 56:54 – European Realignment: Will Ukraine Join the EU?  * 01:04:37 – Closing Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up  Topics covered in this episode: • Latter-day Saint military designations & religious freedom policy changes • The true definition of global economics, socialism, and capitalism • The 4 inspired pillars of the U.S. Constitution and modern federalism • Scriptural and gospel perspectives on immigration and national borders • Geopolitical forecasts, military aid, and whether Ukraine can win the war • Hyper-capitalism, 2026 World Cup ticket prices, and international relations The Latter Day Lens is hosted by Matt Miles (Professor of Political Science, BYU-Idaho) and Shawn Record. New episodes every Wednesday. KEYWORDS LDS podcast, Latter-day Saints politics, LDS Christian debate, are Mormons Christian, Pentagon religion classification, LDS military, Pete Hegseth, women in military, Navy promotion list, Hegseth sexism, World Cup 2026, World Cup USA, Switzerland immigration, population cap referendum, LDS immigration perspective, gospel and immigration, Mormon politics, faith and politics podcast, political science podcast, socialism vs capitalism, Trump approval rating, Trump legacy, Ukraine war update, Ukraine EU membership, Ukraine NATO, Zelensky legacy, Donbass Ukraine, Russia Ukraine war 2025, Putin weakening, LDS scripture immigration, 2 Nephi 26 33, BYU Idaho professor, Shawn Record, Matthew Miles, Latter Day Lens, Mormon podcast, Come Follow Me, religious podcast, LDS current events, faith promoting discussion

Episode 171: Voting for Character in Texas & California, Trusting the Zoomers, and Celebrating America's 250th

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2141044/fan_mail/new] 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: America250, the bipartisan, non-political commission established by Congress in 2016 focusing on education and community history, and Freedom 250, a quasi-government track created under the Trump administration focusing on patriotic rallies and a national tour. With the Church officially partnering with America250 and staying clear of Freedom 250, Matt, Shawn, and Marc tackle the big question: Should Latter-day Saints follow the Church’s lead and put their support strictly behind America250? Next up, the conversation turns to a troubling pattern in recent primary elections that highlights a stark geographic divide in political priorities. In Texas, Republican voters ousted a principled, experienced conservative Senate nominee, John Cornyn, in favor of Ken Paxton, a nominee facing multiple fraud indictments and past impeachment. Meanwhile, in California's Democratic gubernatorial race, frontrunner Eric Swalwell quickly lost support and dropped out after facing serious allegations of misconduct. In light of recent counsel from the First Presidency encouraging members to vote for candidates of high moral character regardless of party affiliation, the hosts ask a provocative question: Does this recent political behavior show that California voters are doing a better job of following prophetic counsel than Texas voters? Finally, they pivot into a deep macro-economic and cultural evaluation of modern governance, looking at how societies function when traditional religious foundations erode, and closing with a provocative debate on free market dynamics: Has modern capitalism failed to resonate with Gen Z, and can Western individualism survive the rising tide of youth-led democratic socialism? Connect with the Show: * Email us your thoughts: latterdaylens@gmail.com * Explore more: Visit latterdaylens.com [https://www.latterdaylens.com/] to find past episodes and resources. Chapter Markers & Timestamps * 00:00 – Intro & Listener Mailbag: The Nuances of Adoption vs. Biological Parenting 06:40 – Redefining the Separation of Church and State 13:10 – The 250th Anniversary: America250 vs. Freedom 250 20:15 – Prophetic Lead: Why the Church Joined America250 (and Sidestepped Freedom 250) 26:45 – Character on the Ballot: Analyzing the Texas Senate Primary (Cornyn vs. Paxton) 34:30 – Accountability in California: The Exit of Eric Swalwell 41:10 – Following the First Presidency: Are We Prioritizing Ethics Over Partisanship? 48:00 – Global Perspectives: Individualism, China, and Why Capitalism is Losing Gen Z 55:30 – Closing Thoughts & Listener Mail Callout Keywords / Tags   Latter-day Saint commentary, Christian political science, America250, Freedom 250, Semiquincentennial celebration, Church and politics, political character, First Presidency statement, voting for character, Texas Republican primaries, Ken Paxton, John Cornyn, California Governor race, Eric Swalwell, political integrity, adoption perspectives, separation of church and state, secularism in America, rise of socialism, Gen Z politics, capitalism vs communism, economic philosophy