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Greg Matsen is the founder of Cwic Media and the host of its primary show called Cwic Show, which focuses on cultural issues affecting the restored church. He ran a large web development and marketing firm representing the vast majority of the sporting goods industry and some of the auto industry in Newport Beach, California in the 1990s, then built a wealth management firm in Scottsdale, Arizona, which he sold in early 2020. Greg has studied the scriptures and history almost daily since his mission, seeks and develops interfaith relationships, and diligently seeks to help others learn what he has learned through lenses he developed called Cwic Interpreters. He also does a weekly Come Follow Me podcast. Greg has served as an elders quorum president, Gospel Doctrine teacher, Young Men president, in a stake Young Men presidency, and currently serves in a bishopric.
Highlights
01:00 Introduction to Greg
06:45 The church and politics. Why are most members so conservative?
08:40 Greg’s message to conservative members that are maybe going too far right
13:00 What Greg says to more liberal members
15:15 How do we deal with politics at church?
17:40 What can leaders do to stay ahead of the issues?
26:00 How to get a well rounded perspective of the issues. Greg suggests to:
- Stay away from TV news
- Don’t rely on social media for your news
- Read through articles that are well thought out
29:30 Focus on issues and not on demonizing the political parties 33:15 Politics and social media
- Not great for dialog
- The algorithm only shows what’s most popular
- It’s full of memes and doesn’t show the full story
- Go to the actual source and form your own opinions
42:00 Greg explains his approach to Come Follow Me and why he got started teaching online about it
47:00 It’s not easy to teach doctrine
52:00 Advice to parents or young adult leaders
56:45 One of the most important things that Greg has learned in leadership is service. It’s not so much about what you say but the relationships that you form.
Links
cwicmedia.com
Cwic Media on YouTube
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Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler and many more in over 700 episodes.
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I always enjoy the concise, pithy, thoughtful insights that Greg brings…i was in primary an boy scouts and later Cougar Club with your dad Jeff. Keep up the great work. You do a great job of walking the tightrope of gospel instruction.
Thanks Don! Dad talked about you several times.
I just watched the episode where you talked after Pastor, Jeff mentioned Isaiah passages being similar in the Bible and book of Mormon. I’m so glad that you are there to talk about all of his statements that are different from the evangelist. after that episode of yours, I kept wondering why it was so similar so I asked friends for help Understanding. A good friend told me to remember that when Lehi received the brass plates, part of those plates were from the old testament times, and the important parts of Isaiah were written on those plates. Does Pastor Jeff understand this. I really don’t want to watch him anymore because sometimes he brings out negative things and then I have to justify them in my heart. Therefore, I really appreciate you. If I didn’t watch Pastor Jeff, I wouldn’t have these questions in my mind but I guess in the end with you there to listen to it explains the opposition that he has… thank you for your time and effort in doing this!! oh, I’m sure you are helping more people than just me ..
The best answer might be, “Follow the Prophet!” After all, they are always quick to say the Church is apolitical…
I was at a fireside when a Church leader was asked, “Who did you vote for!?” The General Authority asked, “Can you keep a secret!?” Immediately the Church member answered, “Yes!” The General Authority responded, “So can I!”
I believe politics play no role in the gospel.
Jesus never taught from the position of “here’s the principle, now if only the government follow suit”.
The politics of society will never get you into heaven because it violates the counsel “never let a problem to be solved, be more important than a person to be loved”.
No political spectrum can provide answers to life’s problems.
The gospel is for the individual, not the group.
Step by step, line upon line.
When we get caught up in the issues, pretending we know the truth of the matter fully, we are in error.
President Packer stated “if all you know is what you see and what you hear, then you will not know very much”.
And if it is known by the spirit, it will not have a contentious part in it.
For, like Moses of old, the Lord will teach us in miraculous ways what to say and do.
We will be bringers of light attracting even the moths of society to our cause.
The political debates that are prevalent are short-term secular responses to current issues. In the Church, we know that the real solutions to the current problems are not political solutions at all.
There is always room for some debate about what is best to be done in the short-term, or how to transition to something better, but governmental responses at best can address symptoms and not causes. Really the only interest that I see we should be promoting in politics is that of freedom and accountability. Anything more or less than that, is not God’s way.
I started watching “Come Follow Me” and loved every part of it! Watching the other content is for me to learn and understand what is changing in society that can affect my family. Then we can use the spirit to guide us in our lives. We have been asked to learn and be aware of what is happening to society so we can vote and support our rights. We can not live as though All is well in Zion, because it is not. I appreciate commentary and sources to read, I like discussions.
Thanks Yvette! I appreciate you taking a look at the channel. Glad you enjoyed it.
Hoo boy. This was not our best work. Hard down-vote, all across the board.
I noticed your podcasts on You Tube along with Michael Rush. I find both of you to be among the best when discussing the issues going on in society and the LDS church today. I would like to suggest also adding some health care discussions to these issues, especially for those searching for true healing and not just surgery and symptom management. I noted from one of your podcasts that you have health issues and as a retired RN and someone raised in Utah during my childhood, I have also experienced the differential approaches to issues in our society and health care which can also be cultural and controversial. I believe in quality of life and not quantity – which is possible. If you are ever open to discussions on health issues in your podcast and what avenues to take in this day, let me know. I believe it could help a lot of people out there searching for answers. Just a thought…