<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>1. HEART OF THE MATTER</h1>
<h2>1A. Record-Breaking Missionary Numbers — Pres. Oaks at New Mission Leader Seminar</h2>
<p>At the 2026 Seminar for New Mission Leaders (June 18–21, Provo MTC), President Dallin H. Oaks announced that the Church will soon have the largest number of full-time missionaries in its history, surpassing the current 87,000+ serving worldwide. The surge is driven by the first wave of 18-year-old sister missionaries (following the November policy change lowering the minimum age from 19) and the addition of 55 new missions in July, bringing the global total to 506.</p>
<p>President Oaks outlined three characteristics defining the restored Church: (1) the fulness of doctrine (including eternal marriage between a man and a woman); (2) priesthood authority and keys; and (3) a unique testimony of Christ grounded in modern revelation and the First Vision. Sister Kristin Oaks also spoke, sharing six core truths missionaries teach.</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: Church Newsroom, June 20, 2026</li>
<li>Note: Strong potential for discussion on what &#8216;only true and living church&#8217; means in a pluralistic world — Richie angle?</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>1B. New Hymn &#8216;Welcome Home&#8217; — The Story Behind It</h2>
<p>Composer Andrea Brett explains how a 2017 encounter with Demetrius O&#8217;Neal — a recent convert serving as a greeter at a Spokane ward on a snowy Sunday morning — inspired her hymn &#8216;Welcome Home,&#8217; now published in the new Hymns for Home and Church. Brett submitted 10 pieces when the global hymnbook was announced in 2018; this was the only one she&#8217;d written before the call. She received confirmation of its selection in February 2025, then had a full-circle moment when she and O&#8217;Neal sat near each other at the April 2025 General Conference as the Tabernacle Choir performed it. O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s name appears in the hymn&#8217;s tune name as a tribute. The hymn is now translated and sung globally.</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: Church Newsroom / Richie&#8217;s document</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>1C. Family History Records Are a &#8216;Sacred Thread&#8217; — Elder Bragg at International Archivists Congress</h2>
<p>Elder Mark A. Bragg, General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Church&#8217;s Family History Department and FamilySearch International, was a keynote speaker at the III Congress of Archivists: Digital Archive Expo (DA-EXPO), held June 8–12 in Astana, Kazakhstan. He called family history records &#8216;the thin but sacred thread&#8217; tying people together across generations, and argued that records are &#8216;in a very real sense, witnesses.&#8217;</p>
<p>Elder Bragg framed the digital revolution in genealogy in moral terms: for most of history, access to records was shaped by &#8216;proximity, resources and specialized knowledge,&#8217; but today a record created in one place can be preserved in another, indexed in a third, and discovered by someone on the other side of the world. &#8216;The reach is astonishing. The speed is breathtaking. The possibilities are almost beyond measure.&#8217; He also said that &#8216;access is an act of kindness&#8217; — records only fulfill their divine purpose when they are found, understood, and used. His core message: preserving memory is an act of hope. &#8216;It says that the past is not dead to us and that the future deserves more than fragments.&#8217;</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: Church News, June 17, 2026</li>
<li>Angle: Great &#8216;quiet but meaningful&#8217; story — LDS family history going global and leveling the playing field for genealogy worldwide.</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>1D. America Gives — All 50 States Receive Food Donations</h2>
<p>The Church completed a milestone in its &#8216;America Gives&#8217; initiative by delivering a shipping container of food to Hilo, Hawaii — marking all 50 states reached. The initiative aims to deliver 250 truckloads of food nationwide in 2026 to celebrate the U.S. 250th anniversary. In Hawaii, the food went to The Food Basket, distributed to 10 local nonprofits. Notably, 42% of residents on the island of Hawaii face food insecurity — the state&#8217;s highest rate. Rosie Rios, chair of America 250 and former U.S. Treasurer, praised the milestone. Local Methodist pastor Ted Lesnett said recipients will know &#8216;when they were hungry, someone cared.&#8217;</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: Church Newsroom / Richie&#8217;s document</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>1E. Church Donates $250,000 NZD to Christchurch Anglican Cathedral Rebuild</h2>
<p>The Church announced a NZ$250,000 donation (June 19, 2026) toward the restoration of Christchurch&#8217;s iconic Anglican Cathedral — damaged in the February 2011 earthquake. Elder Peter F. Meurs (Pacific Area President) and Anglican Bishop Peter Carrell presided at the announcement. The donation comes as the project faces a $45M funding shortfall and an overall $219M budget. The Christchurch City Council has offered $15M contingent on government and Anglican Church matches. Notably, a New Zealand Buddhist community made a similar gift in 2023 — the LDS donation continues a cross-faith pattern of support for the heritage project.</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: Richie&#8217;s document</li>
<li>Angle: Rare and heartwarming — LDS funds an Anglican cathedral. Good interfaith story.</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>1F. Central America Humanitarian Blitz — 5 Projects, 500,000+ People</h2>
<p>In late May and early June 2026, the Church announced five humanitarian projects across Central America (with Sister J. Anette Dennis, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, representing the Church). Projects include: the &#8216;Windows of Light&#8217; eyecare program in El Salvador (350,000+ screenings to date); safe water access for 250,000+ in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (with UNICEF); nearly 750 computers/tablets donated to 66 educational institutions in Guatemala; and medical equipment for the &#8216;La Mascota&#8217; children&#8217;s hospital in Nicaragua.</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: Church Newsroom, June 2026</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>2. FAITH & DOCTRINE</h1>
<h2>2A. President Christofferson in Philadelphia & Toronto</h2>
<p>A busy week of ministry for President D. Todd Christofferson: He offered the invocation at Becket&#8217;s Canterbury Medal Gala in Philadelphia (multifaith event celebrating religious liberty), alongside Elder Gary E. Stevenson and others. The group also visited the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall — fitting, ahead of America&#8217;s 250th. Christofferson reflected on D&C 101 and the Constitution&#8217;s purpose to protect &#8216;all flesh.&#8217; From Philadelphia, he and Sister Christofferson traveled to Toronto, meeting 250+ missionaries in the Canada Toronto Mission weeks before it divides into three missions (Toronto West, Toronto East, and Montreal). He also spoke to hundreds of LDS youth, with one — Amelia Fischer — saying &#8216;no amount of words can describe how I felt tonight.&#8217;</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: Richie&#8217;s document / Church Newsroom</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>2B. BYU Scholar Study: Religion Adds 7.6 Years to Life</h2>
<p>The BYU Wheatley Institute is releasing three reports analyzing 3,000 of the most scientifically rigorous studies (culled from 60,000+ papers by Duke University) on religion and health. Key findings: 33/34 studies show improved social health; 10/11 show improved mental health; 7/8 show improved physical health. Regular worshippers live an average of 7.6 years longer (up to 13.7 years longer for African Americans). A &#8216;landmark finding&#8217;: 256 studies show religion prevents/aids recovery from substance abuse (vs. 6 showing negative impact). Author Loren Marks recommends public health frameworks treat religious involvement like exercise recommendations.</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: Richie&#8217;s document</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>2C. Elder Soares Testifies in the Philippines</h2>
<p>Elder Ulisses Soares completed a two-week ministry in the Philippines (mid-May 2026), meeting with 600+ young single adults in Cebu, 450+ in Quezon City, and 340+ missionaries at the Philippines MTC. His recurring message: &#8216;His arms are extended to all of us.&#8217; The Philippines has more than 905,000 Latter-day Saints — the Church&#8217;s fourth-largest national membership. Two new temples were also dedicated in the Philippines this month: the Davao Philippines Temple (Elder Renlund, May 3) and the Bacolod Philippines Temple (Elder Andersen, May 31).</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: Church Newsroom, June 17, 2026</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>3. CULTURE & CURIOSITIES</h1>
<h2>3A. LDS Author in Everyman&#8217;s Library — A First</h2>
<p>BYU biology and bioethics professor Steven L. Peck has reportedly become the first Latter-day Saint author included in the prestigious Everyman&#8217;s Library series (publishing canonical English fiction since 1906). His 2012 novella A Short Stay in Hell — a philosophical horror story about a Mormon man condemned to an afterlife library containing every possible book — went viral on BookTok and found a new audience. A literature historian noted: &#8216;No Mormon or Mormon-adjacent writer that I know of has ever been featured in this prestigious series.&#8217; The Salt Lake Tribune covered the story, noting the irony that a theological horror story marks one of the most significant moments in LDS literary history.</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: Salt Lake Tribune / Richie&#8217;s document</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>3B. The Sasine Family — 40 Countries Before Age 1</h2>
<p>Keith and Chelsea Sasine, an LDS couple stationed in Germany (Keith is an Army oral surgeon), made history in November 2025 by taking their youngest daughter Mia to 40 countries before her first birthday (March–November 2025), using a Honda Odyssey for European road trips. The family of six (including Izzy, 10; Abby, 9; and John, 4) attends local wards wherever they travel — a faith anchor the couple says strengthened their testimony and taught their kids the importance of the Sabbath globally. They&#8217;re planning a move to Colorado Springs in 2026.</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: Richie&#8217;s document</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>3C. Jen Affleck (Secret Lives of Mormon Wives) Expecting Baby #4</h2>
<p>Jen Affleck, 27-year-old star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and Dancing with the Stars alum, announced June 18 that she and husband Zac Affleck are expecting their fourth child. She shared the news on Instagram captioned &#8216;Chapter Four. 🤍&#8217;</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: Richie&#8217;s document</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>4. CONTROVERSY CORNER</h1>
<h2>4A. Mormon Stories vs. The Church — Counterclaim Filed</h2>
<p>Big development: On June 22, 2026, John Dehlin and the Open Stories Foundation filed their legal response and counterclaim to the Church&#8217;s April 17 trademark/copyright lawsuit. Dehlin argues the Church doesn&#8217;t own the word &#8216;Mormon&#8217; and is weaponizing IP law to silence critics. Core arguments: (1) &#8216;Mormon&#8217; belongs to the public and covers 400+ sects tracing to Joseph Smith; (2) the Church may have legally abandoned the trademark by publicly disavowing the word in 2018 (President Nelson called its use &#8216;a victory for Satan&#8217;). Dehlin notes he made substantial concessions in mediation (orange logo, removed imagery, added disclaimers) but refused to drop &#8216;Mormon&#8217; from the show name or issue a verbal disclaimer on every episode. First Amendment implications are significant if the Church prevails.</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: Mormon Stories press release, June 22, 2026; Slate, Axios, Deseret News</li>
<li>Note: The church&#8217;s position is nuanced — they say it&#8217;s about branding confusion, not content. Dehlin says it&#8217;s about silencing criticism. Good panel topic.</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>4B. Former Bishop Charged with Molesting Boys — Released on $920,000 Bail</h2>
<p>Michael Delar Morris, 76, a former Latter-day Saint bishop from the Livermore, California area, was released from jail on $920,000 bail (May 28) — eight days after charges were filed. He faces 18 felony counts including lewd acts on a child, with allegations covering four boys abused in the early 1990s–2000 during church youth group activities. Locations include his home, victims&#8217; homes, vehicles, and the church building. Morris pleaded not guilty June 10; next court date is August 6.</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: Richie&#8217;s document</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>4C. Op-Ed: &#8216;The LDS Church Must Do More to Protect Children&#8217;</h2>
<p>Survivor Karla Forest published an op-ed in the Salt Lake Tribune (June 17) calling on the Church to adopt a worldwide policy requiring mandatory background checks for all callings involving children and youth — Primary, nursery, Young Women, Young Men, etc. The author notes the UK already implements safeguarding requirements including background screening, and asks why that standard isn&#8217;t global. The piece cites FLOODLIT investigations showing individuals with known abuse histories were allowed continued access to children. Key ask: members petition bishops and stake presidents directly, and push for mandatory reporting laws.</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: Salt Lake Tribune, June 17, 2026 (op-ed by Karla Forest)</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>5. SPORTS</h1>
<h2>5A. AJ Dybantsa — TONIGHT is the Night</h2>
<p>Tonight is the 2026 NBA Draft (Round 1 at Barclays Center, Brooklyn). BYU&#8217;s AJ Dybantsa — the 19-year-old freshman phenom who led the nation in scoring (25.5 PPG) — is the projected #1 overall pick. The Washington Wizards hold the top pick. Dybantsa averaged 25.5 pts, 6.8 reb, 3.7 ast on 51% shooting in 35 games, earning consensus First-Team All-American and Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors. He plans to finish his BYU mass communications degree online while in the NBA. If drafted #1, he&#8217;d sign a four-year, $67.1 million rookie deal — and become the first #1 overall pick in BYU history.</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: Deseret News, NBA.com, CBS Sports, June 22–23, 2026</li>
<li>LIVE TONIGHT — may want to reference on air since draft is June 23</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>5B. BYU Football Recruiting — Jaxson Rex Commits</h2>
<p>Three-star LDS athlete and legacy recruit Jaxson Rex (6&#8217;1&#8242;, WR/athlete) committed to BYU football June 21, choosing the Cougars over UCLA. Rex is a member of a prominent BYU football family: his uncle Byron Rex was a BYU All-American TE, cousin Isaac was the starting TE in 2020–21, and cousin Preson Rex is a current BYU running back. Rex is ranked 89th in the 2027 class (per 247Sports composite). He plans to serve a mission before enrolling.</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: Deseret News / Lawless Republic, June 21, 2026</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>5C. BYU Track — National Champions</h2>
<p>BYU had a strong showing at the NCAA Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon (June 10–11): Carter Cutting opened the meet with a strong performance for BYU, and Ben Barton claimed the national title in the men&#8217;s decathlon on Day 2.</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: BYU Daily Universe, June 10–11, 2026</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>5D. Parker Kingston Rape Case Dismissed — State Plans to Refile</h2>
<p>On June 18, Judge Jay Winward dismissed the first-degree felony rape case against former BYU wide receiver Parker Kingston — without prejudice, meaning charges can be refiled. Background: Kingston, BYU&#8217;s leading receiver last season (66 rec, 924 yds, 5 TDs), was charged in February 2026 following a year-long investigation. He has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty. BYU removed him from the team and university at the time of the charges.</p>
<p>The dismissal came after prosecutors requested a continuance to September, citing the alleged victim&#8217;s documented medical condition preventing her from participating in trial proceedings. The judge denied the continuance, noting concerns the victim may not be ready even by September, and cited Kingston&#8217;s right to a speedy trial. The Washington County Attorney&#8217;s Office stated it intends to refile. The alleged victim&#8217;s family said the ruling &#8220;shattered&#8221; her trust in the justice system: &#8220;The fight for justice for our daughter will continue.&#8221; Adding controversy: a video posted on X appeared to show Kingston training with BYU wide receivers days before the dismissal — BYU Athletics said it was not an official team activity and that they &#8220;responded appropriately&#8221; upon learning of it.</p>
<ul>
<li>Source: ESPN, ABC4, KUTV, Deseret News, June 18–19, 2026</li>
<li>Note: Prosecutors had also previously sought to disqualify Judge Winward, arguing he gave Kingston preferential treatment by factoring in his athletic career when setting trial dates.</li>
</ul>
<h2>5E. Texas Tech QB Controversy Puts LDS Player Will Hammond in the Spotlight</h2>
<p>The messy Brendan Sorsby gambling saga at Texas Tech has an unexpected LDS subplot. Sorsby — the high-profile transfer QB who was set to earn $5M+ this season — was found to have placed thousands of online bets over four years, including wagers on his own Indiana team. The NCAA declared him permanently ineligible, but a Texas judge granted him an injunction to play. After weeks of legal chaos (the Big 12 sued Texas Tech, Texas AG Ken Paxton got involved, the NCAA appealed), Sorsby ultimately decided to enter the 2026 NFL Supplemental Draft and exit the program.</p>
<p>That clears the way for Will Hammond — a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Austin, Texas — as the likely starting quarterback for the defending Big 12 champion Red Raiders. Hammond is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in October 2025 and is projected to return around Week 3. He had a standout performance last September when he stepped in for the injured Behren Morton and led Texas Tech to a 34-10 win over Utah. Hammond has said he plans to serve a mission &#8220;when I&#8217;m old and retired&#8221; — for now, he has a Big 12 title to chase. Coach Joey McGuire on his two recovering QBs: &#8220;Will Hammond is coming back from an ACL. He is recovering from an injury. Brendan Sorsby is recovering from an addiction.&#8221;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://theculturalhall.com/2026/06/23/john-dehlin-v-the-mormon-church-which-is-the-win-for-satan-aon-1051/">John Dehlin v. The Mormon Church &#8211; Which is the win for Satan? AoN 1051</a> appeared first on <a href="https://theculturalhall.com">The Cultural Hall Podcast</a>.</p>

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