Before the Story: Faith, Fascism, and the Fight for Conscience

Before the story begins, this special episode offers a critical exploration of the real history behind An Article of Faith. Author Justin Rich examines how religious obedience, institutional self-preservation, and authoritarian ideology intersect—drawing parallels between the Mormon Church’s compromises in Nazi Germany and modern-day political movements. Inspired by David Conley Nelson’s Moroni and the Swastika, this episode explains why the historical themes in the novel matter today—and why understanding them is essential before entering the world of the story.