Skip to content

Pioneers, Persecution & Selective Memory

July 29, 2026 · 1 h 6 min

Show notes

Pioneer Day is one of Utah's biggest celebrations, but how much of the Mormon pioneer story is history? And how much is mythology? Frank and Dan take a fresh look at the conflict that drove the Mormons west, why the word "persecution" doesn't tell the whole story, and how the familiar handcart-and-heroism narrative leaves out a lot of the truth.

Also this week: preparations begin for the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus' baptism, two Catholic nuns launch an order dedicated to helping survivors of church abuse, the USDA faces a lawsuit over explicitly Christian government emails, a new poll reveals what Jewish Americans think about Israel and Gaza, West Virginia stands firm on school vaccine requirements despite pressure for religious exemptions, and a prominent Black Baptist leader argues that not voting is a sin.

All episodes of Thank God I’m Atheist

Settings

Display

Language

Decides which stations you see first on the home page.

History

Recently played stations and episodes and your latest searches are only stored in this browser.

Notifications

A short notice when a podcast you follow has a new episode. Turn off single podcasts with the bell on their page.

Account

Save favorites – in the app and on the website.

Keyboard shortcuts

/
Open search
Space
Play or pause
← →
In the player: back 15 s, forward 30 s (episodes) · in a row: next tile
↑ ↓
In a row: target within the tile
Home / End
In a row: first or last tile
Esc
Close window or menu
?
This overview
Now playing

Go to station page

Play next

    Add episodes with “Play next” – they play after the current episode.