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PODCAST

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

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All Episodes

53:08

Episode 163: The LDS Political Shift: MAGA,...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2026/04/08

Send us Fan Mail 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-...

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60:58

Episode 162: Gerrymandering, The SAVE Act, and the...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2026/04/01

Send us Fan Mail If only 15 non-citizens were found on a voter roll of 6 million, why is the SAVE Act the biggest debate in Washington? This week, Matt and Shawn are joined by David Brown to dissect the "big numbers" of 2026—from the $56 billion LDS Church reserve fund to the microscopic reality of non-citizen voting. We start with Matt’s 50th birthday milestone: a high-altitude, weightless flight that sparked a profound conversation on why "death is not the final enemy." Matt shares a person...

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61:17

Episode 161: Latter-day Stewardship: From Balanced...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2026/03/25

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Latter-Day Lens, Matt and Shawn dive deep into the tension between calculated risk and eternal perspective. Starting with Matt's recent dive into the safety statistics of private aviation versus winter sports, the conversation quickly shifts from the physical risks of flying to the spiritual and social risks of how we live our lives. They explore the "theology of the afterlife" through the lens of the film Eternity, debating whether heaven is defined by...

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57:49

Episode 160: LDS Perspectives on Wealth Taxes, Media...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2026/03/18

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Latter Day Lens, Matt, Shawn, and guest Levi Barnes dive into the complex intersections of modern headlines and eternal principles. The conversation starts light with Matt’s upcoming 50th birthday plans—including a discovery flight—and Levi’s bruised attempts at snowboarding. The team then tackles the serious stuff: the shift of major media platforms toward the right and whether a "middle ground" actually exists in politics. They debate Senator Bernie S...

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60:24

Episode 159: Scandal, Fiction, and Faith: The Epstein...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2026/03/11

Send a text In this episode, Matt, Shawn, and Porter tackle a series of high-stakes headlines and "The Big Question" regarding the future of traditional norms. Chapter Headings 0:00 – Introduction and Audio QualityMatt discusses the recent technical fixes to the podcast audio and the importance of listener feedback.10:04 – The Epstein Files and Iran Bombing TimingA discussion on the DOJ's missing files and Republican Representative Thomas Massie’s comments on military timing.The DOJ's r...

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43:31

Episode 158: LDS Perspectives on LGBTQ Identity...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2026/03/04

Send a text In this episode Matt, Shawn, and Marc dive into the intersection of identity, executive power, and the economic ripple effects of modern trade policy. From the evolving landscape of LGBTQ identification in America to the unprecedented legal maneuvers of the executive branch, the hosts unpack how these shifts align with—or challenge—Latter-day Saint perspectives. Chapter Headings & Show Notes 00:00 | Mailbag: Wu-Tang, IP Protection, and C.R.E.A.M.The hosts discuss a listen...

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61:54

Episode 157: Stewardship or Ownership? Examining...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2026/02/25

Send a text This week, host Matt Miles is joined by co-host Shawn Record and Levi Barnes. The trio dives into the deep end of politics, property rights, and the complicated nature of modern prophecy. The episode kicks off with a celebration of Matt’s newest book, The Metrics of Faith, and a lighthearted (but debated) look at whether Donald Trump accidentally confirmed the existence of aliens on Air Force One. Users are currently wagering over $29 million on whether the Second Coming of Jesus ...

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57:42

Episode 156: From the Epstein Files to Elder...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2026/02/18

Send a text The Latter-Day Lens team is back for a wide-ranging discussion that moves from joyful personal milestones to the complexities of modern justice and church leadership. Host Matt and co-host Shawn are joined by Melanie to celebrate her recent engagement before diving into the "Thought Provoker" on the controversial release of the Epstein files. They also tackle the "marijuana problem" and how to navigate the Word of Wisdom when science and personal revelation intersect. Finally, the...

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55:00

Episode 155: Does Healthcare Belong in the...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2026/02/11

Send a text In this episode of the Latter Day Lens, Matt, Shawn, and Porter dive into the complex intersection of faith, politics, and technology. The team debates whether healthcare should be considered a God-given right or a government service, explores the spiritual risks of judges using AI for judicial opinions, and analyzes the massive shifts in traditional journalism at CBS News. Finally, they tackle "The Big Question": If Christ is the Great Connector, how should that influence our beh...

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43:25

Episode 154: Doomsday Clock 2026, Right to Repair,...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2026/02/04

Send us a text In this episode of The Latter Day Lens, hosts Matt, Shawn, and Graham engage in a thought-provoking discussion about societal challenges, the willingness to tackle hard issues, and the implications of modern beliefs on end times. They explore the significance of the Doomsday Clock, the complexities of gun rights versus property rights, and the Right to Repair movement as a response to market failures. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding motivations behin...

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50:48

Episode 153: The Latter-day Lens on Trump’s Second...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2026/01/28

Send us a text The team opens with a "mailbag" segment addressing listener feedback regarding tax fairness and the need for a truly conservative/MAGA voice on the panel. The discussion then moves to a "report card" for President Trump’s first year of his second term, covering everything from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to mass deportations and tariffs. The debate gets particularly sharp over the legal classification of undocumented immigrants and the validity of political p...

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67:52

Episode 152: Is America a Failed Empire? The Two...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2026/01/21

Send us a text In this episode, Matt and Shawn welcome Levi back to the podcast to tackle a range of heavy-hitting topics—from the stability of the American empire to the surprising resurgence of labor unions. The team dives deep into an op-ed by Leon Panetta, debates whether the two-party system is beyond repair, and explores a "Latter-day Lens" on political philosophies. They wrap up with a spirited discussion on whether Jesus would endorse classical liberalism, social liberalism, or libera...

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57:15

Episode 151: Worlds Without Number: From Bosco to...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2026/01/14

Send us a text This week, Matt, Melanie, and Shawn bridge the gap between church callings and cosmic mysteries. From the newly announced 2026 mission presidents to the controversial "disclosure" of extraterrestrial life, the team explores where faith meets the modern world. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction & The "Order 67" Removal The hosts catch up and discuss the recent news that In-N-Out is getting rid of "Order 67" due to disruptive behavior from younger customers.01:03 – The "Celebrity"...

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58:53

Episode 150: The Future of Public Service,...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2026/01/07

Send us a text Episode Overview In this milestone 150th episode, Matt and Shawn reunite after a holiday break in San Diego to ring in the New Year. The discussion traverses personal mission memories of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, the controversial geopolitical shift in Venezuela, the value of national monuments versus social programs, and a deep dive into what truly motivates civic leadership in rural America. 1. Memories of a Modern Apostle Matt and Shawn reflect on the life and impact of Pres...

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48:53

Episode 149: Church Influencers, State Rights, and...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2025/12/17

Send us a text Announcements No new episodes through December 2025—Episode 150 drops January 2026. Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music feeds are experiencing technical issues. Follow Matt on Instagram during the break. Topics Young Men's Advisory Board: The newly announced Young Men's Advisory Board is notable because five of its fourteen volunteer advisors are public influencers, signaling a potential shift toward valuing digital communication expertise in Church leadership. Federalism in Churc...

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54:35

Episode 148: Abolish the FDA? The Radical Free Market...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2025/12/10

Send us a text Matt’s got a Christmas tree, a Lenin bust, and a bunch of books and maps in his office. Shawn has buckwheat, stockings, and very strong opinions. In this episode, the Latter Day Lens mailbag explodes and drags us into some uncomfortable but important questions about what Latter-day Saints really worship and trust. We wrestle with: Why so many women say they’d rather raise kids in Europe than in the U.S. (paid maternity leave, food, breastfeeding norms) — and whether “if you don...

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50:09

Episode 147: US Religious Decline: Is America...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2025/12/03

Send us a text Faith and Exceptionalism (03:21) The US is becoming less religious, but Matt and Shawn debate if this signals secular decline or a unique American shift. Shifting Faith: Matt argues the decline of mainline Protestantism is due to its alignment with politics. He notes the growth of the Latter-day Saint Church and other faiths as people seek "pure religion," suggesting an "American exceptionalism" where religious freedom fosters a marketplace of faith. Awakening: Shawn challenges...

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53:38

Episode 146: Should Governments Sell Land, MTG...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2025/11/23

Send us a text The Thought Provoker: First this week. Idaho's government voted to sell 160 acres of state land near the town of Driggs. The land is currently leased to the Beard family, who use it for ranching. A billionaire owns land next to this property and may want to buy it. The Land Board voted 4-1 to move forward with the sale. Is it morally wrong for states to sell public land to the highest bidder? Next up, Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced that she is leaving Congress, what does ...

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54:16

Episode 145: Why Republicans Are in Trouble: Plus,...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2025/11/19

Send us a text In this packed episode, Matt and Shawn dive into the latest political and moral challenges facing the nation: The Republican Crisis: The conversation starts by analyzing the troubling election results for the Republican party and the unexpected demographic shifts moving away from Donald Trump. We discuss why Utah and Idaho remain the biggest exceptions to this trend, debating whether it's tied to regional economics or a deeper, post-assassination-attempt loyalty.The Immorality ...

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59:30

Episode 144: Freedom, Power, and the Price of...

The Latter Day Lens ·

2025/11/12

Send us a text Join hosts Matt, Shawn, and Melanie as they dive into complex, interconnected themes of freedom, power dynamics, and the difficult relationship between morality and economics. The conversation starts by challenging the idea that freedom is simply the "power to make choices," drawing on the philosophy of Victor Frankl to discuss the unchangeable freedom of response that exists even in the most oppressive circumstances. The Economics of Immorality: The hosts examine the historica...

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