Accountability Archives - Public Square Magazine

A child sits alone in a gym hallway, evoking child sexual abuse risk factors tied to weak supervision.

The Hidden Conditions that Leave Children Vulnerable to Abuse

Jacob Z. Hess10 hours ago10 hours ago08 mins

Beyond offenders, research points to enabling conditions that make abuse easier to commit and hide.

A bright Latter-day Saint classroom with a young couple teaching children in metal folding chairs, highlighting everyday child safety and care contrasted with Surviving Mormonism.

“Surviving Mormonism” and the Real Story of Institutional Harm

C.D. Cunningham3 months ago3 months ago018 mins

Are Surviving Mormonism’s stories typical? Comparative data show rare failures in an institution ahead on reform.

Dark clouds loom over Independence Hall with light shining on the Constitution for Constitution Day.

The Constitution Was Built on Human Weakness, Not Idealism

Ella Johnson5 months ago5 months ago06 mins

What sustains the Constitution? Founders distrusted power, built checks on ambition, and trusted agency as divine.

Followers look at empty hands beside loaves and fishes on the ground, evoking the human struggle with divine refusal.

When God Refuses to Fix the World: The Politics of John 6

Dan Ellsworth5 months ago011 mins

Why do extremes fail? John 6 reveals why loaves and fishes do not justify utopian politics over covenant conversion.

A modern female reporter in flashy clothes intrudes at a Latter-day Saint temple while others wait respectfully, illustrating journalism ethics.

Consent not Curiosity: WSJ’s Double Standard on the Sacred

C.D. Cunningham6 months ago6 months ago06 mins

Did WSJ cross ethical lines on sacred rites? Yes, consent prevails, context was missing, and naming rules were ignored.

Constitutional Fidelity in an Age of Personality Politics

Robert P. George8 months ago05 mins

Should judges defy the president for the Constitution? True fidelity means law over personal allegiance.

Three women talk quietly while one listens, reflecting social tension and moral nuance in what is gossip.

What If Gossip Isn’t a Sin—But a Skill in Peacemaking?

Skyline9 months ago9 months ago08 mins

What if gossip isn’t always harmful? When rooted in empathy, it becomes a path to deeper relationships.

A father protects his child in adversity, reflecting the resilience and sacrificial love of fatherhood.

Preside, Provide, Protect, and Partner: Fathers and the Family Proclamation

Loren Marks11 months ago3 months ago016 mins

What defines fatherhood? Fathers preside with love, provide for needs, and protect their families faithfully.

A survivor of sexual abuse in the Church finds comfort as a friend offers a shoulder to lean on, symbolizing the power of compassion and support.

Understanding the California Sex Abuse Lawsuit: The LDS Church’s Response in Context

C.D. Cunningham11 months ago010 mins

Are the California lawsuits proof of systemic failure? The numbers indicate otherwise, but every case warrants scrutiny.

Woman with Blond Hair & Kid in a Messy Kitchen | What Was Ruby Franke's Religion? | Rube Franke: The Obsession w/ a False Image

Influenced: The Troubling Familiarity of Ruby Franke’s Story

Carol Rice12 months ago11 months ago015 mins

Shaken by Ruby Franke’s story? That discomfort can be a call for self-reflection. Her case reveals how the obsession with image can distort values and lead to devastating choices.

A reflection of royal attire symbolizes the struggle between narcissism and faith in understanding self-worth.

Book Club: Are We Special?

Jeffrey Reber1 year ago05 mins

This book explores the concept of feeling special as both a divine truth and a false sense of superiority over others.

A candle flickers over a Bible, symbolizing a faith on life support and the challenge of keeping the faith.

What Does it Mean to “Help People Stay in the Church?”

Jacob Z. Hess1 year ago1 year ago017 mins

This phrase comes up a lot among the influencer class. But what does it really mean—and is it really enough?