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‘Mormon Land’: How the ‘Oaks doctrine’ on politics jibes with Jesus’ teachings

Husband-and-wife authors of “Rooted” discuss how Latter-day Saints can bring Christ to every gospel topic — be it patriotism or pioneers, food storage or Mother’s Day.

(Patrick Mason) Patrick and Melissa Mason have a new book, "Rooted: Centering Christ in Everything."

(Patrick Mason) Patrick and Melissa Mason have a new book, "Rooted: Centering Christ in Everything."

Are Latter-day Saints Christians? It’s not an uncommon question. Members respond with an emphatic “yes” and point to the signs outside their chapels and temples: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “You see,” they say, “It’s right there in the church’s name.”

Jesus is indeed present and central in the faith’s sermons and teachings. But is he present and central when the faithful speak and teach? Sometimes, it turns out, he may not be. Authors Patrick and Melissa Mason argue that needs to change.

In their new book, “Rooted: Centering Christ in Everything,” they show how Jesus can and should be at the heart of every Sunday school lesson and sacrament meeting talk — whether the subject is Mother’s Day or Joseph Smith, pioneers or patriotism.

Patrick Mason, chair of Mormon history and culture at Utah State University, and Melissa Mason, a licensed social worker and therapist, talk about a range of topics that arise for Latter-day Saints and how to root all of them in Jesus Christ.

Listen to the podcast:

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