In this two-part episode we sit down for final time with Grant Palmer to discuss the release of his final book: Restoring Christ: Leaving Mormon Jesus for Jesus of the Gospels.  

• In part 1 of the interview we dig deep into two chapters: one on Joseph Smith's possible treason against the United States government, and one on Joseph Smith's use of concubinage in addition to polygamy and polyandry.
• In part 2 we discuss Grant's research into "leaving Mormon Jesus for Jesus of the Gospels," and conduct a final Q&A with Grant.

In this two-part episode we sit down a final time with Grant Palmer to discuss the release of his final book: Restoring Christ: Leaving Mormon Jesus for Jesus of the Gospels.  

• In part 1 of the interview we dig deep into two chapters: one on Joseph Smith's possible treason against the United States government, and one on Joseph Smith's likely use of concubinage in addition to polygamy and polyandry.
• In part 2 we discuss Grant's research into "leaving Mormon Jesus for Jesus of the Gospels," and conduct a final Q&A with Grant.

In our third sit-down with former Mormon Bishop and podcaster Bill Reel, we discuss:

• His early years as a convert to the Mormon church.
• His original motives for starting his podcast, Mormon Discussion.
• The most significant contributing factors to his Mormon faith transition.
• His evolution as a podcaster, which includes becoming increasingly frustrated with, and critical of the LDS church, its policies, and its leadership.
• His current Mormon beliefs and non-beliefs.
• His motives for remaining active in the LDS church.
• His responses to recent criticisms of his positions.
• His perspective on the possible threat of excommunication.

In our third sit-down with former Mormon Bishop and podcaster Bill Reel, we discuss:

• His early years as a convert to the Mormon church.
• His original motives for starting his podcast, Mormon Discussion.
• The most significant contributing factors to his Mormon faith transition.
• His evolution as a podcaster, which includes becoming increasingly frustrated with, and critical of the LDS church, its policies, and its leadership.
• His current Mormon beliefs and non-beliefs.
• His motives for remaining active in the LDS church.
• His responses to recent criticisms of his positions.
• His perspective on the possible threat of excommunication.

Continuing our series on “Losing the Lamanites,” we interview Gabriel Misla who originated from the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico.  We cover:

• Gabriel’s experience joining the Church as a young man in the island territory and his eventual immigration to the mainland US
• His mission service to the Dominican Republic, and the cultural nuances between the two islands that heightened his sensitivity to how race is viewed in the LDS Church
• How he came to terms with his sexuality and his experience as a gay Latter-day Saint, including spending time in Evergreen
• His reminiscence of elation of being from the tribe of Ephraim in his patriarchal blessing because  it meant he was more like his white Utah missionary companions—and now his regret over how his thinking was influenced by the Church’s views on race
• His thoughts and feelings over the Book of Mormon’s still accepted views on Lamanites and race, and what he feels the Church should do
• His vision and plans for the future as a post-Mormon still living in Utah

Continuing our series on “Losing the Lamanites,” we interview Gabriel Misla who originated from the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico.  We cover:

• Gabriel’s experience joining the Church as a young man in the island territory and his eventual immigration to the mainland US
• His mission service to the Dominican Republic, and the cultural nuances between the two islands that heightened his sensitivity to how race is viewed in the LDS Church
• How he came to terms with his sexuality and his experience as a gay Latter-day Saint, including spending time in Evergreen
• His reminiscence of elation of being from the tribe of Ephraim in his patriarchal blessing because  it meant he was more like his white Utah missionary companions—and now his regret over how his thinking was influenced by the Church’s views on race
• His thoughts and feelings over the Book of Mormon’s still accepted views on Lamanites and race, and what he feels the Church should do
• His vision and plans for the future as a post-Mormon still living in Utah

Ruthie Robertson ignited a nationwide firestorm when she revealed she was fired as an adjunct professor at BYU-Idaho for an LGBTQ-supportive Facebook post on her private page.  During these episodes of Mormon Stories, we delve deep into Ruthie’s Mormon background and her motivations in publishing her post, as well as her opinions about the decision to terminate her employment.  John and Ruthie also discuss the possible “chilling effect” this event could have on students and professors at BYU-Idaho who wish to support their LGBTQ friends and family.

Ruthie Robertson ignited a nationwide firestorm when she revealed she was fired as an adjunct professor at BYU-Idaho for an LGBTQ-supportive Facebook post on her private page.  During these episodes of Mormon Stories, we delve deep into Ruthie’s Mormon background and her motivations in publishing her post, as well as her opinions about the decision to terminate her employment.  John and Ruthie also discuss the possible “chilling effect” this event could have on students and professors at BYU-Idaho who wish to support their LGBTQ friends and family.

In this episode of Mormon Stories/Transitions, John and Margi interview the brilliant Dr. Julie DeAzevedo Hanks about her article titled “30 Questions Nobody Asks My Husband at Church.”

John, Margi, and Julie focus on the powerful cultural messages about gender, potential, life decisions, and worth that are broadcast in the questions we ask.  During the interview, cultural assumptions are challenged in some of the questions from Julie’s article:

• Did you know that you are a son of your Heavenly Mother?
• What does your wife do for a living?
• Who’s watching your kids?
• Why are you getting a graduate degree?
• Will you go home and change? Your clothes are distracting the sisters.

…and many more.

In these episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview former LDS Stake President and LDS Chief Architect Laurie Lee Hall. Laurie Lee’s story is fascinating on many levels:

• Laurie Lee worked for 20 years as Chief Architect for the LDS Church and as Director of Design and/or Construction for around 40 LDS temples.
• She served as Stake President of the Tooele Utah Valley View Stake in Tooele, Utah for 8 years.
• While she remembers identifying internally as a woman from a very young age, she began to experience intense pressure to transition to female while serving as an LDS Stake President. This ultimately led to her being released as stake president after 8 years of service.
• About two months ago Laurie Lee was excommunicated stemming from her decision to transition gender presentation while living in her home ward/stake.
• Laurie Lee and her spouse have been married 32 years this month and are the parents of five children and 11 grandchildren.
• Laurie Lee remains a believer in many of the core tenets of Mormonism (e.g., Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the atonement), and reads the Book of Mormon daily.