This week on Mormon Stories News, we take a closer look at the people, controversies, and events making waves across Mormonism.
We begin with the story of Shane Baldwin, a former Utah businessman whose fraud case drew significant attention after he convinced friends and associates to invest in business ventures that ultimately collapsed. Baldwin later served time in prison and has recently re-emerged online discussing his experiences, forgiveness, and redemption and offering Oraqel, a patriarchal blessing platform (soon to be app) that he describes as part of his next chapter. We examine both his past and the claims surrounding his latest venture.
Links:
https://youtu.be/gC1-S-d98uM?si=AIduAyoS3_1Em3xq
https://www.deseret.com/2010/6/22/20122969/north-salt-lake-man-agrees-to-resolution-of-theft-securities-fraud-case/
https://www.deseret.com/2016/10/27/20599320/utah-s-fraud-epidemic-victims-share-anger-embarrassment-hurt/
https://youtu.be/rjRNgcMbi6M?si=_1m66k2vCiS9NgAs
Next, we discuss a disturbing abuse case involving a former LDS Priest Quorum Specialist accused of sexually abusing his nephew. The case has prompted conversations about trust, access to youth, safeguarding policies, and whether church members are adequately trained to recognize and prevent abuse within families and congregations.
Links:
https://www.abc4.com/news/crimes-against-children/nephew-sexually-abused-by-uncle/
https://youtube.com/shorts/qc1hff2LKrE?si=4gGcDxe1wTAAsBx9
We also examine a rare public apology from General Authority Seventy Kyle McKay. McKay recently acknowledged that previous statements he made regarding Church history were offensive and offered a correction. We discuss what was said and why the apology matters.
Link:
https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2026/06/13/high-level-lds-church-leader/
Can AI replace God? That’s the question Elder Gerrit W. Gong recently addressed in a viral Church-produced video. We break down his comments, the Church’s growing concern over artificial intelligence, and whether AI is becoming a competing source of information, guidance, and authority for members navigating faith questions.
Link:
https://youtube.com/shorts/wLqtphfGO1A?si=_TM6uCrdqdgYzXue
Next, we turn to the appointment of Jay Jorgensen to the Utah Supreme Court. Jorgensen’s nomination has sparked discussion because of his employment with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his statements regarding whether he would recuse himself from Church-related cases. We examine the concerns surrounding judicial independence, conflicts of interest, and public confidence in the courts.
Links:
https://www.fox13now.com/news/politics/senate-committee-advances-expanded-utah-supreme-court-justice-nominees
https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2026/06/13/supreme-court-nominee-who-works/
https://www.ksl.com/article/51512978/utah-senate-confirms-2-new-justices-to-state-supreme-court
We dive into the growing controversy surrounding Jeff Strong’s book Torn. Strong’s work has generated significant discussion among Latter-day Saints by examining why many members become disaffected or leave the Church. Recent responses from prominent LDS commentators argue that Strong’s research methodology is flawed and that he misrepresents faithful members’ experiences. We explore the debate, the competing narratives surrounding faith transitions, and what the controversy reveals about the ongoing struggle to understand religious disaffiliation within Mormonism.
Links:
https://latterdaysaintmag.com/misrepresented-members-a-reaction-to-jeff-strongs-booktorn/
https://latterdaysaintmag.com/the-borrowed-wisdom-of-torn/
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/05/23/jeff-strong-latter-day-saint-faith-survey-research-religious-disaffiliation/
We finish with a brief snippet from Rebecca Bibliotecha about the ongoing temple drama in Fairview Texas:
Link: https://youtube.com/shorts/Xjk9879z_rU?si=sW4BVUoQHvb1a5vr
From fraud, abuse, and public apologies to artificial intelligence, judicial ethics, and the battle over how faith transitions are understood, this week’s Mormon Stories News covers the stories shaping conversations throughout the Mormon world.
What are your thoughts on this week’s stories? Join the conversation in the comments.
