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This week, host Matt Miles is joined by co-host Shawn Record and Levi Barnes. The trio dives into the deep end of politics, property rights, and the complicated nature of modern prophecy. The episode kicks off with a celebration of Matt’s newest book, The Metrics of Faith, and a lighthearted (but debated) look at whether Donald Trump accidentally confirmed the existence of aliens on Air Force One.

Users are currently wagering over $29 million on whether the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will occur by the end of 2026. Shawn suggests that prediction markets might be more accurate than traditional polling, though he remains skeptical of the timeline. Matt and Shawn weigh in on whether they’d be willing to put money on such a prophecy.

The Thought Provoker

• Martin Shkreli and the Wu-Tang Album: Using the legal battle over the world's rarest album, the team explores the distinction between physical ownership and copyright. Are intellectual property rights the kind of property God expects governments to protect?
• AI and the Ownership of Knowledge: Following Matthew Call’s insights, we discuss the "knowledge harvest"—the process where enterprise AI systems record how employees think and solve problems. Does the restored gospel offer a perspective on who truly owns the knowledge we create?
• Inheritance in Numbers: Turning to Numbers 27:7–11, we examine the ancient laws of inheritance given to Moses. Do these verses suggest a divine favor for passing down wealth, and does that make certain taxes or government seizures immoral?

The Big Question: Gaza and Article of Faith 10

The conversation takes a deep and difficult turn into the book of Numbers (chapters 31 and 33) and the 10th Article of Faith. As we look at the destruction and displacement in ancient Canaan alongside the modern conflict in Gaza, we ask: Was God supportive of such destruction? The hosts grapple with the violence in Gaza through the lens of the Old Testament and Latter-day prophecy. They explore whether the current conflict is a literal fulfillment of the 10th Article of Faith and the gathering of Israel, or if the spiritual gathering into "Stakes of Zion" is the true focus

Episode Chapters

00:00 | Intro: The Metrics of Faith and Trump’s Alien "Confirmation"

02:15 | Mailbag: The $20 Million Bet on the Second Coming

07:40 | The Thought Provoker: Shkreli, Wu-Tang, and the Nature of Property

25:30 | The Thought Provoker: AI and the "Harvesting" of Human Knowledge

40:15 | The Thought Provoker: Numbers 27 and the "Gross" Ethics of Inheritance

48:00 | The Big Question: Is the Gaza Conflict a Fulfillment of Prophecy?

01:01:00 | Closing: Safety, Welcome, and the Last Word

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The Latter-Day Lens team is back for a wide-ranging discussion that moves from joyful personal milestones to the complexities of modern justice and church leadership. Host Matt and co-host Shawn are joined by Melanie to celebrate her recent engagement before diving into the "Thought Provoker" on the controversial release of the Epstein files. They also tackle the "marijuana problem" and how to navigate the Word of Wisdom when science and personal revelation intersect. Finally, the group addresses the calling of Elder Clark G. Gilbert to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, offering a deeply personal look at the man behind the mantle and the spiritual process of sustaining leaders.

Chapters

00:01 - The "Brah" Engagement & Generation Labels

03:40 - Mailbag: Is Healthcare a Natural Right?

10:47 - The Epstein Files: Mistake or Justice?

The "Thought Provoker" begins with the fallout from the release of the Epstein files. Matt expresses deep concern over the accidental release of 43 victims' names and the lack of new criminal implications. Shawn and Melanie push back, debating the necessity of pursuing justice against "secret combinations" and the reality of corruption within government systems.

19:22 - The Marijuana Problem & Word of Wisdom Revelation

Following a New York Times pivot on marijuana legalization and new studies on the benefits of coffee and tea, the team discusses how to apply the Word of Wisdom in 2026, while the group explores the difference between enduring doctrine and temporary commandments.

36:02 - The New Apostle: Sustaining Elder Clark G. Gilbert

The conversation turns to the viral and "controversial" calling of Elder Clark G. Gilbert to the Quorum of the Twelve. Matt shares personal stories from their time working together at BYU-Idaho. The team discusses the spiritual necessity of seeking a personal witness for leaders, regardless of political leanings or demographics.

52:07 - The Big Question: Perfection vs. Civic Duty

The episode concludes with a deep dive into Elder Quentin L. Cook’s 2025 conference address. They balance the Savior’s focus on the "perfection of the Saints" with President Oaks' call to be "knowledgeable citizens." Melanie leaves the group with a final thought on the intersection of infrastructure, social justice, and missionary work.

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In this episode of the Latter Day Lens, Matt, Shawn, and Porter dive into the complex intersection of faith, politics, and technology. The team debates whether healthcare should be considered a God-given right or a government service, explores the spiritual risks of judges using AI for judicial opinions, and analyzes the massive shifts in traditional journalism at CBS News. Finally, they tackle "The Big Question": If Christ is the Great Connector, how should that influence our behavior in a polarized political world?

Instead of listener comments, we’re featuring the latest projects from our hosts. Check them out and show your support!

• Graham Mitchell: Follow the life of a city manager on TikTok at citymanagerguy.
• Shawn: Listen to incredible accounts of faith on the Mission Stories Podcast.
• Matt: Catch Matt and his sister discussing church-related news on This Week in Latter Days.

The Thought Provoker

Healthcare as a Right: The US Constitution doesn't explicitly list healthcare, yet many Americans believe the government is obligated to provide it. Does the "right to life" imply an inherent right to medical care? The group debates "positive" vs. "negative" rights and what the scriptures say about caring for the sick and afflicted.

AI in the Courtroom: Judges are increasingly using AI to clear case backlogs and draft opinions. While efficient, does this skip the "study it out in your mind" phase of revelation? We discuss whether relying on algorithms hinders a judge's ability to seek wisdom from the Lord.

The Future of CBS News: With Bari Weiss leading a "digital-first" strategy, CBS is hiring influencers to reach younger audiences. Right now, CBS News is stuck in third place in viewership, and it skews older, so I can see why they want to make changes. Is this a savvy market move or the death of investigative journalism? We debate if the "marketplace of ideas" rewards truth or just clickbait.

The Big Question

"If the Savior is the great connector, then the adversary is the separator." Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi recently taught that Satan seeks to separate us from sacred places and each other. We explore: Does this principle apply to politics? Is "contending" for truth always divisive, or can it be done in a way that unifies? How to model Christ-like behavior when engaging with those who hold vastly different political views.

Chapters
00:00 Welcome Back and Political Landscape
01:50 Host Highlights
05:31 Rights and Healthcare Debate
16:52 AI in the Judicial System
23:25 AI in the Courtroom: Efficiency vs. Judicial Wisdom
33:20 Media Shakeup: Can Bari Weiss Save CBS News?
46:05 The Big Question: Is Christ the Great Connecto