The Blessings of a Quirky Ward - with James Goldberg
Mar 29, 2025
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Join James Goldberg, author of Tales of the Chelm First Ward, as he explores the whimsical side of Latter-day Saint culture. He delves into the idea of a 'theology of humor,' discussing how laughter fosters connection and softens serious church culture. James highlights the importance of community support over alignment in beliefs, revealing that shared imperfections and love are what truly unite us. With personal anecdotes and a nod to Jewish folklore, his insights remind us that joy can be a powerful aspect of faith.
Humor serves as a powerful tool for connection within church communities, allowing members to bond over shared laughter and lightheartedness.
The best wards are characterized not by theological alignment but by the mutual support and love members offer one another during everyday challenges.
Absurd scenarios in the stories reveal deeper spiritual truths, encouraging individuals to navigate their faith and struggles with a lighter perspective.
Deep dives
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The Absurdity of Humor in Church Culture
The book 'Tales of the Kelm First Ward' presents a collection of fictional stories that blend humor and church culture, specifically within a Latter-day Saint context. This collection highlights the importance of laughter as a means to connect people and soften the seriousness often found in religious environments. By exploring the theology of humor, the stories reveal that aspects of church culture can and should be embraced with lightheartedness, allowing for a deeper appreciation of diversity among members. This approach encourages individuals to look beyond rigid expectations and acknowledge the shared humanity that binds them.
Creating a Supportive Community
A significant theme presented is the idea that a thriving ward is not necessarily defined by perfect alignment in beliefs or actions but by members genuinely supporting one another. Strong connections arise from shared experiences, everyday moments, and the collective effort to uplift each other through challenges. This perspective helps shift the focus from performance-based evaluations of callings to a community centered on love, patience, and grace toward each other. Embracing this compassionate approach fosters an environment where members can grow together in faith and understanding.
The Role of Absurdity in Life's Challenges
The stories within the book often utilize absurd scenarios to provide insight into the complexities of life and faith. Characters navigate humorous dilemmas that reflect real spiritual struggles, encouraging readers to view their own challenges through a lighter lens. For instance, a story involving a child attempting to sin before turning eight illustrates the silliness of overcomplicating one's faith. By framing serious themes in an absurd context, readers can gain a deeper understanding of their struggles, allowing them to develop grace for themselves and others in similar situations.
The Foyer as a Sacred Space
The concept of the foyer emerges as a significant metaphor for communal connection within the church setting. It represents a space where members can engage in informal conversations, share experiences, and build relationships without the formality of structured meetings. This sacred space encourages vulnerability and dialogue, creating opportunities for individuals to seek understanding and support from one another. Emphasizing the value of these interactions highlights that the essence of community often lies in the shared laughter and camaraderie found in these seemingly trivial moments.
We have a really fun episode for you today—We’re talking with James Goldberg about his delightful book Tales of the Chelm First Ward, which he co-wrote with his, wife Nicole Wilkes Goldberg, and his brother, Mattathias Singh.
The book is a collection of fictional stories set in a Latter-day Saint ward in the imagined town of Chelm—a nod to Jewish folklore and the famous “village of fools.” The humor is wonderfully absurd but beneath the silliness is something powerful and profound.
In this conversation, we explore what might be called a theology of humor. James reflects on how laughter opens us. It softens the edges of our seriousness and rigidity, and draws us closer in shared connection.
He reminded us that not everything about “church culture” needs to be critiqued or stripped away—sometimes it can be embraced with lightness and joy, as part of what brings us together and helps us live in community.
The idea that stayed with us most was this: maybe what makes a ward great isn’t how aligned everyone is theologically or politically, or how smoothly things run, or how polished people are in their callings. Maybe it’s just about creating a group of people who are all rooting for each other—through the everyday moments, the imperfect efforts, and the callings that stretch us. It’s about showing up with love, having each other’s backs, and learning to see one another the way God does—with patience, grace, and deep affection.
We hope this episode might just help you love your ward a little more—with all its quirks and imperfections. We hope it helps you see the people around you with a little more grace, a little more humor, and a little more tenderness.
And with that, here’s our conversation with James Goldberg.
