In this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast, we interview the world’s foremost cult expert, Steven Hassan, to discuss what the Mormon church can learn from destructive cults to do/be better. Steven Hassan is the author of several books including “Combating Mind Control: The #1 Best-Selling Guide to Protection, Rescue, and Recovery from Destructive Cults.”

In part 2 of this episode, we solicit the feedback of some of our listeners as we view Mormonism through the lens of Hassan’s BITE Model.

John Dehlin, Ryan McKnight, Sean Carter, and John Hamer discuss:

- The 5/30/18 Mormon Leaks documents that shed light into the LDS Church's investment portfolios.
- Forward movement to bring medical cannabis legalization before Utah voters.
- Following up on the LDS Priesthood ban and the apology hoax.

Join Sarah Newcomb (host) along with Sean Carter, Julienna Viegas, and Darron Smith for this week's episode of Mormon News Podcast. Today we will be discussing:

- The ongoing conversation regarding the LDS priesthood ban in light of the recent NAACP meeting and apology hoax.

John Dehlin, John Hamer, Kristy Kimball, and Tim Coray launch the inaugural episode of Mormon News Podcast. Today we will be discussing:

- The LDS Church's attempt to dismiss the law suit involving McKenna Denson and Joseph Bishop.
- The LDS Church officially cutting ties with the Boy Scouts of America.
- The LDS Church fighting the 2018 Utah cannabis initiative.
- The recent "fake news" surrounding an LDS apology around racism.
- The Swedish Rescue 2018 and 
- Denver Snuffer declares Brazil Plates fraudulent.

Live from the Salt Lake City Community of Christ, we welcome singer/songwriter Angela Soffeto Mormon Stories Podcast.  No doubt you have heard her song "Rocks" in our bumper music for many episodes this year, and we were honored to have her in Salt Lake City in front of a live audience to hear her faith transition story and listen to songs that were born from that period in her life.

• Part 1: Angela shares her experience growing up as a Mormon and what eventually led her to experiencing a faith transition as a young mother with small children, and in a period of life where she was feeling intense isolation from being in a new city and having few friends outside of her local LDS ward.  In this segment of the interview, Angela gives great advice and hope for those who may be in their darkest moments during a faith transition.
• Part 2: Angela performs songs from her album "Second Wind," and then continues the conversation with John about her faith journey, particularly the joy she feels now as she makes authentic choices in her life.

Live from the Salt Lake City Community of Christ, we welcome singer/songwriter Angela Soffeto Mormon Stories Podcast.  No doubt you have heard her song "Rocks" in our bumper music for many episodes this year, and we were honored to have her in Salt Lake City in front of a live audience to hear her faith transition story and listen to songs that were born from that period in her life.

• Part 1: Angela shares her experience growing up as a Mormon and what eventually led her to experiencing a faith transition as a young mother with small children, and in a period of life where she was feeling intense isolation from being in a new city and having few friends outside of her local LDS ward.  In this segment of the interview, Angela gives great advice and hope for those who may be in their darkest moments during a faith transition.
• Part 2: Angela performs songs from her album "Second Wind," and then continues the conversation with John about her faith journey, particularly the joy she feels now as she makes authentic choices in her life.

In light of a statement on LDS.org declaring, “An inability to feel the spirit … is often a symptom of poor mental health,” Natasha Helfer Parker, MFT CST and John Dehlin, Ph.D. are joined by our guest Matt to speak about his experiences with Mormon faith crises, depression, and suicidality—issues he has dealt with for 20 years.

According to Matt, it makes him angry to read that his struggles were a trial, test, or blessing from God, or that he could have been healed if he had more faith, prayed, or hadn’t “sinned.” Matt believes that religious observance is not a cure for mental health illness, and in these episodes, Natasha and John discuss how Mormonism, and in particular a faith transition in the context of Mormonism, can exacerbate the symptoms of depression.

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Part 1: Natasha and John discuss depression and then introduce our guest, Matt

Part 2: Matt shares his faith transition and how it affected his mental health

Part 3: Natasha, John, and Matt discuss the LDS Church’s statement regarding mental health and the ability to feel the “Spirit”

___________________________

In light of a statement on LDS.org declaring, “An inability to feel the spirit … is often a symptom of poor mental health,” Natasha Helfer Parker, MFT CST and John Dehlin, Ph.D. are joined by our guest Matt to speak about his experiences with Mormon faith crises, depression, and suicidality—issues he has dealt with for 20 years.

According to Matt, it makes him angry to read that his struggles were a trial, test, or blessing from God, or that he could have been healed if he had more faith, prayed, or hadn’t “sinned.” Matt believes that religious observance is not a cure for mental health illness, and in these episodes, Natasha and John discuss how Mormonism, and in particular a faith transition in the context of Mormonism, can exacerbate the symptoms of depression.

___________________________

Part 1: Natasha and John discuss depression and then introduce our guest, Matt

Part 2: Matt shares his faith transition and how it affected his mental health

Part 3: Natasha, John, and Matt discuss the LDS Church’s statement regarding mental health and the ability to feel the “Spirit”

___________________________

In light of a statement on LDS.org declaring, “An inability to feel the spirit … is often a symptom of poor mental health,” Natasha Helfer Parker, MFT CST and John Dehlin, Ph.D. are joined by our guest Matt to speak about his experiences with Mormon faith crises, depression, and suicidality—issues he has dealt with for 20 years.

According to Matt, it makes him angry to read that his struggles were a trial, test, or blessing from God, or that he could have been healed if he had more faith, prayed, or hadn’t “sinned.” Matt believes that religious observance is not a cure for mental health illness, and in these episodes, Natasha and John discuss how Mormonism, and in particular a faith transition in the context of Mormonism, can exacerbate the symptoms of depression.

___________________________

Part 1: Natasha and John discuss depression and then introduce our guest, Matt

Part 2: Matt shares his faith transition and how it affected his mental health

Part 3: Natasha, John, and Matt discuss the LDS Church’s statement regarding mental health and the ability to feel the “Spirit”

___________________________

Continuing our theme of interviewing past guests from some of our most popular and impactful interviews, we interview Shawn McCraney who first appeared on Mormon Stories in February 2010to discuss his experience as a "Born-Again Mormon."  Shawn currently leads a church in Murray, Utah called C.A.M.P.U.S and has continued the ministry through a weekly streaming service, called Heart of the Matter. Shawn is widely known for his bold and sometimes bare-knuckled approach when comparing Mormonism to Christianity, and given his reputation as an animated and articulate speaker, this interview will keep you entertained and perhaps inspired.

In this interview we cover:

• Part 1: Shawn provides a brief recap of his born-again experience, and then discusses the meteoric rise, and ultimately descent of his tv program Heart of the Matterafter he confronted local Utah Christian churches for focusing more on programs and tithes, and less on the Bible.  According to Shawn, these churches were providing the same "bondage" to people as the Mormon Church was.
• Part 2: This segment of the interview is a conversation focusing on Shawn's theology and beliefs, and Shawn provides a pitch for why a questioning Mormon or post-Mormon should seek the Jesus of the Bible
• Part 3: Shawn describes the "bondage" he sees when local churches focus more on "religion" and less on the teachings of Jesus.  After our interview with the South Mountain Community Church earlier this year, Shawn voiced concerns to Mormon Stories about our visit and in this segment, we engage in a respectful dialogue about churches such as SMCC and how they serve their congregants.