The recent LEGO controversy got me thinking about something bigger. One criticism often aimed at religious communities is that we sometimes “protect our own.”

Most of us would immediately reject that idea. We value truth. We value accountability. We value integrity. But I wonder if the reality is a little more complicated. Not because we’re trying to cover things up. But because it’s hard to separate our love for people from our responsibility to be honest about mistakes.

When someone we admire, follow, or trust makes a bad decision, our first instinct is often to explain it away, minimize it, or focus on their good intentions.

I’ve done it.

You’ve probably done it too.

The challenge isn’t that members of the Church are uniquely guilty of this. The challenge is that we’re human. The gospel asks us to do something difficult: extend grace without abandoning accountability.

Jesus did both.

He defended people from shame while still inviting them to change. Maybe that’s the balance we’re all trying to learn. Not protecting our own. Not attacking our own. Simply being honest enough to do both justice and mercy at the same time.

This week Elder Gong released what might be one of the most important resources the Church has put out on technology in a long time. The reason it caught my attention isn’t because it’s about AI. It’s because it’s really about relationships.

God.

Self.

Other people.

The world around us.

Those are the things technology can never replace. As someone who uses AI almost every day, I don’t think the question is whether we should use it. The question is whether we’re using it for the right things.

AI has become one of my favorite tools for brainstorming lesson ideas, organizing thoughts, studying scripture topics, and helping me write. But I’ve also noticed something. The more helpful these tools become, the more tempting it is to let them do our thinking for us. That’s where Elder Gong’s counsel feels timely.

Use AI for drafts.

Use AI for logistics.

Use AI for research.

But don’t outsource revelation. I’d love to hear how you’re using AI in your calling, scripture study, family life, or work. Some of the best ideas may come from each other.

Pride Month means different things to different people. For some, it’s activism. For some, it’s celebration. For some, it’s remembering pain they’ve experienced. For others, it’s simply a reminder that someone they love has walked a difficult road. Wherever someone lands on the topic, I worry that too many of us spend our energy debating instead of listening.

One thing Church leaders have consistently encouraged is that we do a better job understanding the experiences of our LGBTQ friends and family members. Not necessarily agreeing on every issue. Not abandoning beliefs. Simply listening. Seeking to understand before being understood.

I think Pride Month can be a good reminder of that. We don’t have to let the loudest voices define the entire conversation. There is still room for compassion, curiosity, and genuine friendship.

I had the opportunity to join the ZionLab Podcast this week and discuss one of my favorite leadership concepts. What do you do when a normal church conversation suddenly becomes a hard question conversation?

Maybe it happens in Sunday School.

Maybe in your home.

Maybe in the bishop’s office.

The instinct is usually reaction. Answer quickly. Defend the Church. Fix the concern. Resolve the tension. But I’ve learned that reaction and relationship often move in opposite directions.

Reaction prioritizes the answer.

Relationship prioritizes the person.

People rarely remember every answer we give. They always remember how we made them feel. When someone asks a difficult question, sometimes the most important thing isn’t what you say next. It’s whether they feel safe asking the next question after that.

You can watch the recording here:

One feature quietly making its way into Gospel Library is a dedicated section for the new FSY lessons. At first glance, that may not seem like a big deal. But I think it points to something larger. The Church continues to invest heavily in helping youth learn where they already are.

On their phones.

On their tablets.

In the digital spaces they use every day. Technology isn’t replacing teaching It’s extending it. And if these resources help even one teenager have a better conversation with a parent, leader, or friend, that’s a win. (You’ll find a few screenshots below of what’s coming.)

This week, 1,500 young adults in England came together for a massive service project.

The story didn’t get much attention. Maybe because service isn’t controversial enough for the algorithm. But it made me think:

How often do we hear that young adults are lazy, entitled, distracted, disconnected, or unwilling to contribute?

And how often is that narrative wrong?

Every week I meet young adults who are serving missions, raising families, working multiple jobs, attending school, caring for parents, volunteering in their communities, and trying to build meaningful lives. Maybe the next generation isn’t broken. Maybe we’re just paying attention to the wrong stories.

I’m genuinely excited about where this newsletter is headed.

My hope is that it becomes more than a news roundup.

A place where we can think a little deeper, ask better questions, and learn from each other.

If you found something valuable here, I’d appreciate you sharing it with a friend.

We’re just getting started.

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