Mental Health

Are Religious LGBT Youth in Utah More (or Less) Prone to Suicidality?

The narrative that teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ are causing suicidality among LGBT youth is unsubstantiated. New research, showing a negative association between Church membership and suicidality in these youth, suggests the possibility that the opposite is true.

Book of Scary Stories to Tell About Utah | Flawed Data: Mormon Beauty Standards | Complex Reality of Utah's Beauty Standards
Health

Do Utahns Struggle with Body Image More Than Others?

In parallel to the “uniquely drawn to pornography” story is the “uniquely drawn to plastic surgery” tale about Utah. Once again, the preponderance of the available evidence – especially when carefully reviewed – isn’t so convenient and favorable to this increasingly popular narrative.

Red, White & Black 'Stories to Tell about Utah' Graphic Resembling 'Scary Stories' Books | Are Utahns Uniquely Drawn to Pornography? | Public Square Magazine | Utah Porn
Mental Health

Are Utahns Uniquely Drawn to Pornography?

Some still like to claim that Utah has a uniquely high rate of porn use in the nation—purportedly related to cultural norms that “suppress” and “shame” sexual expression. This popular story only survives out of widespread ignorance over the science of pornography itself.

Ben Pacini on the New Texas Abortion Law
Radical Civility

New Texas Abortion Law

I sit down with several friends to discuss Texas’s recent abortion law. We break down common stances, how to maintain a civil dialogue, and the details of the new legislation.

Identity

Holding the Tension of Truth and Love (and Where We All Get It a Little Wrong)

It’s common to see people focus almost exclusively on advocating “love” or defending “truth” in the LGBTQ+ / Latter-day Saint conversation. It’s far less common to see people holding both – a practice that involves a lot more stretching, discomfort, and potential breakthroughs for us all.

Church & State

Not Giving Up on a Shared Vision of Truth

Unity of heart may be possible even when visions temporarily differ. But continuing to value and strive for growing unity of mind is also crucial to the body of Christ.

Health

Long-term, Short-term

In advance of the likely approval and administration of COVID-19 vaccination to many younger children, it’s worth revisiting an important question in pharmacological research generally: How long does evidence gathering need to extend in order to deem an intervention “safe” or “effective”?

Radical Civility

Conference Review

Ben chats with a couple great friends about our favorite talks, lessons, and miracles from General Conference!

Louis Moeller 'Different Opinions' | How CRT & Classical Liberalism Collide | Public Square Magazine | Critique of Liberalism Critical Race Theory | Who is the Father of Classical Liberalism
Social Justice

How CRT and Classical Liberalism Collide

Most people seem not to appreciate how deeply some of the popular ideas advanced by advocates of Critical Race Theory conflict with the foundations of liberal democracy. More, not less, attention needs to be given to this disconnect.

Dialogue

A Unity of Heart Transcending Differences of Mind

Many appeals for peace center on various ways to bring people into greater cognitive alignment. But as highlighted in recent addresses, modern prophets are pointing towards a deeper pathway to peace centered on orienting our hearts collectively toward the great Parent of us all.

Reading

How to Speak the ‘Whole Language’ of Jesus

Can followers of Christ speak the “whole language” without considering the entirety of the very language of Jesus that makes us whole? A review of Fr. Gregory Boyle’s book, The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness.