Mormon Stories listeners "Isabela" and Hannah share their story

In this special edition of Mormon Stories, we interview Mel and Stu Brown from Cache Valley, Utah. Many of our listeners will find Mel and Stu’s experience as a mixed-faith couple inspiring  and full of wisdom as they share how they navigated differing beliefs—eventually leading to the decision to both leave the LDS Church.

We cover:

• Mel’s upbringing in the LDS Church and how she never wavered in keeping the standards expected of her
• Stu’s efforts to be clean and worthy to go on a mission and how his experience as a missionary in Oklahoma solidified his testimony
• How Mel and Stu met and formed a life as a pair of successful entrepreneurs
• How Stu’s testimony began to waver the deeper he studied the scriptures, and how he made the decision to share his growing doubts with Mel from the beginning
• Why Stu made the decision to resign from the LDS Church
• How Mel reacted to Stu’s doubts by listening and not judging—utilizing Impact training she had previously received
• Mel’s growing realization that the gospel was not brining her the happiness she had been promised
• How Mel and Stu have molded a new life and share advice for couples who are experiencing a mixed-faith marriage and faith transition

In this special edition of Mormon Stories, we interview Mel and Stu Brown from Cache Valley, Utah. Many of our listeners will find Mel and Stu’s experience as a mixed-faith couple inspiring  and full of wisdom as they share how they navigated differing beliefs—eventually leading to the decision to both leave the LDS Church.

We cover:

• Mel’s upbringing in the LDS Church and how she never wavered in keeping the standards expected of her
• Stu’s efforts to be clean and worthy to go on a mission and how his experience as a missionary in Oklahoma solidified his testimony
• How Mel and Stu met and formed a life as a pair of successful entrepreneurs
• How Stu’s testimony began to waver the deeper he studied the scriptures, and how he made the decision to share his growing doubts with Mel from the beginning
• Why Stu made the decision to resign from the LDS Church
• How Mel reacted to Stu’s doubts by listening and not judging—utilizing Impact training she had previously received
• Mel’s growing realization that the gospel was not brining her the happiness she had been promised
• How Mel and Stu have molded a new life and share advice for couples who are experiencing a mixed-faith marriage and faith transition

In this special edition of Mormon Stories, we interview Mel and Stu Brown from Cache Valley, Utah. Many of our listeners will find Mel and Stu’s experience as a mixed-faith couple inspiring  and full of wisdom as they share how they navigated differing beliefs—eventually leading to the decision to both leave the LDS Church.

We cover:

• Mel’s upbringing in the LDS Church and how she never wavered in keeping the standards expected of her
• Stu’s efforts to be clean and worthy to go on a mission and how his experience as a missionary in Oklahoma solidified his testimony
• How Mel and Stu met and formed a life as a pair of successful entrepreneurs
• How Stu’s testimony began to waver the deeper he studied the scriptures, and how he made the decision to share his growing doubts with Mel from the beginning
• Why Stu made the decision to resign from the LDS Church
• How Mel reacted to Stu’s doubts by listening and not judging—utilizing Impact training she had previously received
• Mel’s growing realization that the gospel was not brining her the happiness she had been promised
• How Mel and Stu have molded a new life and share advice for couples who are experiencing a mixed-faith marriage and faith transition

In this Mormon Stories Podcast episode we interview Scott Turley and Carey Foushee who recently attended a Terryl and Fiona Givens Fireside in Arizona. We discuss the Givens' new book, The Christ Who Heals, and the role of both the Givens' and the Neo-Apologetic movement in modern Mormonism.

In response to recent news stories involving Harvey Weinstein, Al Franken, Roy Moore, etc. - on the topics of sexual harassment, assault, rape, groping, etc., University of Georgia law professor Mehrsa Baradaran shares her perspectives on all of these subjects, along with the MeToo movement. We also discuss these issues in a Mormon context.

A new album of Mormon parodies has been released. The album is called “Straight Outta Cumorah” and the artist jokingly refers to himself as Weird Alma. In this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast we sit down with the artist, listen to his songs, and discuss them, along with his story and motivations/inspirations for writing this super creative and brilliant album.

A new album of Mormon parodies has been released. The album is called “Straight Outta Cumorah” and the artist jokingly refers to himself as Weird Alma. In this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast we sit down with the artist, listen to his songs, and discuss them, along with his story and motivations/inspirations for writing this super creative and brilliant album.

Beginning our series on Mormon leaders and inappropriate interviews regarding sexuality, we provide 6 mini-interviews with Mormon Stories listeners who share their experiences discussing sexual matters with LDS leaders.  A new petition created by past guest Sam Young seeks to provoke conversation and change around this subject.

From the petition:

“For decades, it has been common practice for Bishops, Bishopric Counselors, Stake Presidents, and Stake President Counselors to pose questions of a sexual nature to children. There are reports of this happening to children as young as age 8. These questions are being asked by an older man, all alone with the child, behind closed doors and often without the knowledge or permission of the parents. Almost universally, these men have no comprehensive training.

Here is a list of potential harm. All the risks below are actual consequences that have been experienced from sexual interviews with LDS children.

1. Suicide.
2. Attempted suicide.
3. Suicidal ideation.
4. Inappropriate shame and guilt.
5. Childhood filled with self loathing.
6. Adulthood filled with self loathing.
7. Normalizing children to sexual questions by adult men. (Grooming)
8. Sexual abuse. (Pedophilia)
9. Impaired sexual relations after marriage.
10. Years of recovery from childhood shaming. Often lasting decades.”

Sam Young‘s petition can be found here if you want to sign: http://protectldschildren.org

_______________________________________

Part 1: Interview with Paul and Ann

Part 2: Interview with Anna, Tyler, and Lara

Part 3: Maile, Ryan, and Ryan

Beginning our series on Mormon leaders and inappropriate interviews regarding sexuality, we provide 6 mini-interviews with Mormon Stories listeners who share their experiences discussing sexual matters with LDS leaders.  A new petition created by past guest Sam Young seeks to provoke conversation and change around this subject.

From the petition:

“For decades, it has been common practice for Bishops, Bishopric Counselors, Stake Presidents, and Stake President Counselors to pose questions of a sexual nature to children. There are reports of this happening to children as young as age 8. These questions are being asked by an older man, all alone with the child, behind closed doors and often without the knowledge or permission of the parents. Almost universally, these men have no comprehensive training.

Here is a list of potential harm. All the risks below are actual consequences that have been experienced from sexual interviews with LDS children.

1. Suicide.
2. Attempted suicide.
3. Suicidal ideation.
4. Inappropriate shame and guilt.
5. Childhood filled with self loathing.
6. Adulthood filled with self loathing.
7. Normalizing children to sexual questions by adult men. (Grooming)
8. Sexual abuse. (Pedophilia)
9. Impaired sexual relations after marriage.
10. Years of recovery from childhood shaming. Often lasting decades.”

Sam Young‘s petition can be found here if you want to sign: http://protectldschildren.org

_______________________________________

Part 1: Interview with Paul and Ann

Part 2: Interview with Anna, Tyler, and Lara

Part 3: Maile, Ryan, and Ryan