Mormon Awakenings

Jack Naneek responds to three emails received this past week.  The emails represent interesting and common issues raised with Jack over the past six months of podcasting.  Jack does his best to answer these emails.  But at the end of the day, everyone needs to answer their own questions for themselves.Become a Premium Subscriber: Monthy:  $3 […] The post Mormon Awakenings: Episode 027: Mailbag appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Jack Naneek discusses the human mind’s use of heuristics.  We use shortcuts to save time and mental capacity, but, sometimes such shortcuts lead to illogical conclusions.  The bad serves a purpose too, pointing us towards all that is good in life. In the end, we realize Lehi might be right: it’s all about learning from […] The post Mormon Awakenings: Episode 026: Don’t Be Illogical appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Jack Naneek discusses contagions.  Ideas are contagious, which is great if the ideas are great, but terrible if the ideas are terrible.  We compare two essays.  In the end, we shouldn’t fear new ideas, as long as we handle them carefully.  Otherwise, they just might blow up in our faces!Become a Premium Subscriber: Monthy:  $3 Yearly:  $25  $50  $100  $250 […] The post Mormon Awakenings: Episode 025: Don’t Get Sick With New Ideas! appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Jack Naneek mixes some philosophies of men with a little scripture. Heidegger’s philosophical text Being and Time is discussed.  How we interpret the world, and break free from it,  are examined.  Maybe the echo chamber needs a window or two opened.  In the end, we consider whether new wine really does need new bottles, or, […] The post Mormon Awakenings: Episode 024: Heidegger’s Revenge appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Jack Naneek and Bill Reel sit down to discuss spiritual experiences, telepathy, healing, and precognition.  Priesthood, truth claims, and exclusive rights to wield God magic are considered.  The first half of life is compared with the second half of life.  Literalism, symbology, and personal spiritual guidance are analyzed.  Yes.  It’s a long episode!  But, in […] The post Mormon Awakenings: Episode 023: God Magic, Spiritual Experiences and the Paranormal. appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Jack Naneek discusses Joseph, a young man in his ward.  A discussion about why any of us go to church is started.  Church, in turns out, might just be for all of us. But none of it happens if you don’t go.Become a Premium Subscriber: Monthy:  $3 Yearly:  $25  $50  $100  $250 Support the podcast by purchasing from Amazon HERE. The post Mormon Awakenings: Episode 022: All The Josephs appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Jack Naneek explores literalism, authority, and how some Mormons wish the LDS Church really was a cult.  Stories of the Old Testament are examined, foundational history reconsidered, and the writings of Mark Twain mentioned.  In the end, we learn Huck Finn might have been right when he decided to stay on the raft with Jim!Become […] The post Mormon Awakenings: Episode 021: Some Wish It Were A Cult appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Jack Naneek discusses the second half of life.  It’s as different from the first half as day is to night. Piano lesson are mentioned, and teaching those in the first half of life is discussed.  In the end, we realize our institutions are stuck in the first half of life because they’re supposed to be […] The post Mormon Awakenings: Episode 020: The Second Half Is Way Better appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Jack Naneek tackles failure and criticism, pointing out that it’s usually the source of the our greatest learning.  More important, however, is the stepping back to decide whether any criticism from the outside is even worth considering.  A Research and Development Department for the Church is suggested.  In the end, we realize Joseph Smith just […] The post Mormon Awakenings: Episode 019: Not Invented Here! appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Bill Reel joins Jack Naneek for a discussion about seeking validation, the institutional church and where to find peace when no one around you seems able or willing to give it.  Is anger a necessary step towards greater understanding, or, is it a stumbling block?  And just who has the final say at the end […] The post Mormon Awakenings: Episode 018: Jack and Bill (Go Up a Hill) appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Jack Naneek discusses a monk’s enlightenment as he walks through the market.  Our binary world is examined and compared with the less binary views of the East. Maybe the atonement represents a transition between the two? In the end, we realize we might be able to understand life as more than just a series of […] The post Mormon Awakenings: Episode 017: It Ain’t So Binary appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Jack Naneek discusses three visitors to his home ward.  A disappointment from an earlier period of his life is examined.  Paul’s epistle to the Romans is considered, along with its implications regarding the law and general worthiness.  In the end, maybe we are Celestial Kingdom material after all!Become a Premium Subscriber: Monthy:  $3 Yearly:  $25  $50  $100  $250 Support the […] The post Mormon Awakenings: Episode 016: Maybe You Are Celestial Material appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Jack Naneek discusses the metaphors of life, and distinguishes them from life itself.  A new commandments is given, and the blessings and penalties of this commandment are discussed.  In the end, we advanced understanding. Maybe. Or maybe we’re just all clueless!Become a Premium Subscriber: Monthy:  $3 Yearly:  $25  $50  $100  $250 Support the podcast by purchasing from Amazon HERE. The post Mormon Awakenings: Episode 15: Thou Shalt Not Be Clueless appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Jack Naneek examines maze running as well as maze jumping. The prodigal son(s) are examined. We learn the paths of our lives are uniquely suited to our needs, which makes what we do not as important as the doing of it! In the end, we learn that there’s something way bigger than the maze, the […] The post Mormon Awakenings: 014: Rats in a Maze appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Jack Naneek discusses the ineffable, the limits of words, and changing ourselves. The story of Alma the Elder is discussed, as well as a special needs child. In the end, we learn God might be more than a bearded man in the sky handing out Christmas gifts.Become a Premium Subscriber: Monthy:  $3 Yearly:  $25  $50  $100  $250 Support the podcast […] The post Mormon Awakenings: 013: Words and Their Emotional Charges appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Jack Naneek explores the limitations we put on ourselves, and how that can lead us to overlook all that is miraculous around us.  Trips to Hong Kong, near car accidents and a review of the story of Ruth are considered.  In the end, we learn that maybe God is closer and more omnipresent (if something […] The post Mormon Awakenings: 012: Seeing Color in a Black and White World appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Jack Naneek tackles life’s purposes in teaching us fact from fiction, faith from fantasy.  He dives deeply into our errors of prejudging others based on appearance or disposition.  The storms of life are considered, and, understood as necessary for showing us that there is a more powerful force guiding us through them. Become a Premium […] The post Mormon Awakenings: 011: Santa Claus and Drug Addicts appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Jack Naneek discusses the daily grind of dealing with the people around us.  No matter their rank, how others treat you says very little about you and everything about them.  Yet, all interactions, good and bad, are part of the great learning process called life.  In the end, we discover that even Elijah had to […] The post Mormon Awakenings: 010: Jerky Neighbors and Prying Stake Presidents appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Jack Naneek discusses our identity of origin in contrast to the identity we choose. A Prophet and a fatherless convert are compared. Modern Mormonism looks a bit different than maybe we originally thought. In the end, we learn that finding ourselves requires that we lose ourselves first. Become a Premium Subscriber: Monthy:  $3 Yearly:  $25  $50  $100  $250 Support the […] The post Mormon Awakenings: 009: The Voice(s) In Your Head appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.

Jack Naneek examines the little discussed topic of grace.  A fictional stake president’s death is used as an illustration.  Two churches and two brothers are discussed as are the unexpected roads leading to the celestial kingdom.  In the end, the law is seen for what it is: a signpost to deeper experiences of grace.  Become […] The post Mormon Awakenings: 008: Points vs Grace appeared first on Mormon Awakenings.