Rasband's Big Claim, Prison Garments, 55 New Missions - Mormon News 7.3.26 | Ep. 2168

From Mormon Stories Podcast by Dr. John Dehlin

July 3, 2026 · 3h 2m

About this episode

John Dehlin and Meggan Hayes discuss recent headlines involving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Elder Rasband's claims, a federal lawsuit, and the creation of new missions.

On today's episode of Mormon News, John Dehlin and Meggan Hayes break down another busy week of headlines involving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.This week we take a closer look at Elder Ronald A. Rasband's patriotic address, where he claimed God preserved the United States for the Restoration, taught that Noah's Flood fractured the continents to protect the promised land, reaffirmed the Garden of Eden in Missouri, and described America as a stepping stone to eternal life. We'll also discuss the Church's invitation for members worldwide to participate in a unified fast for religious liberty. Next, we'll discuss a federal lawsuit alleging that Utah prison guards sexually assaulted female inmates, including allegations that one correctional officer's LDS temple garments were found in an inmate's cell and questions about whether prison leaders attempted to cover up the abuse. We'll also examine the Church's announcement that it is creating 55 new missions, what "new" actually means, why Africa is receiving nearly one-third of them, and the decision to lower the missionary age for women from 19 to 18. We'll cover the case of a Rexburg man accused of…

Rasband's Big Claim, Prison Garments, 55 New Missions - Mormon News 7.3.26 | Ep. 2168

About this episode

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