Picture of Amanda Freebairn
Amanda Freebairn is an associate editor and the editorial production coordinator at Public Square Magazine, and a contributor to Deseret News. She holds an M.Ed. from Arizona State University. She and her husband live with their 3 children in Bluffdale, Utah.
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Sexual Abuse

Money Shot: A Free Pass Given to an Ugly Industry

Netflix’s Money Shot: The PornHub Story delves into the world’s most popular porn site. But is it truly a balanced view, or does it ignore the voices of those most harmed by pornography?

Hands Holding a Festively Wrapped Box | Public Square Magazine | Meaning Behind What Shall We Give Lyrics
Gospel Fare

What Shall We Give?

Would we be willing to give up our ideas this Christmas? Or is it too hard to believe in a God that asks hard things of us—unpopular things and countercultural things?

Faith

In Awe of Creation

When was the last time you felt awe for what you see, feel, and experience around you? As easy as it is to fixate on the negatives around us, don’t miss out on the sweetness of relishing the jaw-dropping goodness and beauty all around us too.

Climate & End Times

Don’t You Dare Say “Woman”

As we are encouraged towards language like “pregnant person,” “birthing person,” and “menstruators” in the name of greater inclusivity, you have to wonder whether those identifying primarily as “woman” or “mother” are feeling included too?

Social Media

Discerning the Impact of Influencers

As the reach of influencers in and out of the Church of Jesus Christ grows, it’s important to know how to discern between influencers that point us to Christ, versus somewhere else.

Faith

Why I Wear the Temple Garment

A recent New York Times story on temple garments did a good job of showing many sides of a sensitive story. But there was one side they left out: What spiritual meaning do they bring to the faithful?

Dialogue

Yes, We Really Do Need to Talk About Race

It’s not just folks on the political left who we’d love to go deeper in exploring meaningful questions. These are some of our questions for brothers and sisters on the political right as well.

Media & Education

Breathtaking Facebook Posts Don’t Make You a Good Person

The pandemic has created in many of us a false sense that we can make the world better just by arguing obnoxiously on the internet. But if we’re sincere about wanting that, it’s going to take something more.

Ahasuerus and Haman – A Biblical Scene During the Feast of Esther | Powerful Stories of Women Being Witnesses of the Gospel
Best of Public Square

The Witness of Women

The Jewish holiday of Purim honors Queen Esther, who risked the wrath of her Persian husband-king to save her people. This essay is a tribute to women who have risked much to witness both anciently and in our day.

Faith

Let’s Forgive 2020

If you’re eager to move on from 2020, join the club. Before we do, let’s do one thing first.