Public Square Magazine

Public Square Magazine

Public Square Magazine is built on the belief that meaningful civic spaces are essential to nurture and protect. Our mission is to bring together, uplift, and empower thoughtful voices to connect with a wide audience. We share compelling, truthful, and well-researched content that aims to enhance public dialogue. Although we are interested in political matters, we do not identify as a political entity. We value culture deeply but remain independent from any cultural constraints. Our roots in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shape our editorial perspective and principles, motivating us to create an inclusive environment that welcomes diverse voices from various faiths and moral viewpoints. We are dedicated to the idea that open dialogue can build understanding, and we strive to facilitate impactful conversations that aim for the greater good. Public Square Magazine is a collaborative effort supported by the Elizabeth McCune Institute and the John A. Widtsoe Foundation. The Elizabeth McCune Institute focuses on exploring faith in public life. Led by Lynn Chapman, who has a Ph.D. in public policy from George Mason University, he has experience in various sectors, including a role as interim editor for Deseret News and serving on the MWAA board in Washington, D.C. He has also held the position of vice-chair on the board of trustees for Southern Virginia University. The John A. Widtsoe Foundation operates as a Latter-day Saints study program at the University of Southern California. It examines how the Church and its members interact with the contemporary world. The foundation is establishing the John A. Widtsoe Chair of Latter-day Saint Studies and serves as a hub for visiting scholars, graduate students, interfaith projects, and academic conferences at USC.

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Articles

  • Jan 23, 2025 | publicsquaremag.org | C.D. Cunningham

    “The Room Next Door” is the latest example of arthouse social engineering. The film is about a troubled woman, Martha, who in the midst of cancer treatments decides to commit suicide. If this bothers you, the film implies, it is because there is something wrong with you. This is all the more troubling, because the film, in many ways, is beautiful. It is directed by Pedro Almodóvar, one of the most acclaimed living film directors, in his first full-length film in English.

  • Jan 16, 2025 | publicsquaremag.org | C.D. Cunningham

    When did we begin to lose trust in the news media? There are plenty of theories. Some suggest March 6, 1981, Walter Cronkite’s last broadcast. Others suggest it was the coverage of President Bill Clinton’s perjury and impeachment. Others suggest it was the advent of 24-hour news stations. The newest film from Paramount Pictures suggests another option in its title, “September 5.” September 5, 1972, is the day that the Black Sabbath militant group kidnapped Israeli Olympic athletes.

  • Jan 10, 2025 | publicsquaremag.org | Loren Marks

    All four of Sandra’s grandparents had divorced at least once, long before she was old enough to understand what divorce even meant. In the case of one grandparent, the number of divorces would eventually reach 10. Complicit in those divorces were various forms of infidelity and addictions to drugs and alcohol. Sandra knew early on that she wanted something very different in her life.

  • Jan 9, 2025 | publicsquaremag.org | C.D. Cunningham

    Imagine, if you will, a historical epic set in the time of the Roman Empire. Our main characters are fictional, trying to navigate a time of brutality. You’ve got characters in the Roman Legion who find themselves in skirmishes with worshipers of Mithras. You’ve got political scenes of Emperor Tiberius working with senators. But you’ve also got some up-and-comer named Constantine in the court. So as an audience member, you know they’re obviously playing around with the historicity a bit.

  • Jan 2, 2025 | publicsquaremag.org | Skyler Sorensen

    New Book Group: “Exclude Not Thyself: Thriving As A Covenant-keeping, Gay Latter-day Saint”Growing up as a gay Latter-day Saint in the early 2000s presented unique challenges—but not the ones you might expect. Unlike many stories that you might hear in the media, I did not experience religious trauma or blame God for my circumstances. Instead, I struggled with a lack of resources that could give me alternatives to misguided worldly influences and hold fast to my Savior.

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