Mormon Stories - LDS

In 2003, Matt Elggren and I met while working at Microsoft.  Together, along with others, we discovered troubling things about LDS Church history.

For most of the past thirteen years, Matt has not attended church and has more or less quietly supported his believing wife and children. For fear of losing his family, Matt chose silence....as did his extended family. It was basically thirteen years of "don't ask don't tell" with no hope of resolution for Matt.

This changed in October of 2015 when Matt's brother-in-law, Clay Christensen, began a 6-week slide into total disbelief after 51 years of devout membership, which included 7 years as a high-level LDS Church employee. After losing his faith, Clay didn't choose silence.

This is Matt and Clay's story of family, faith, doubt, and hope.

Direct download: MormonStories-617-ClayC.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 7:39am MDT

In 2003, Matt Elggren and I met while working at Microsoft.  Together, along with others, we discovered troubling things about LDS Church history.

For most of the past thirteen years, Matt has not attended church and has more or less quietly supported his believing wife and children. For fear of losing his family, Matt chose silence....as did his extended family. It was basically thirteen years of "don't ask don't tell" with no hope of resolution for Matt.

This changed in October of 2015 when Matt's brother-in-law, Clay Christensen, began a 6-week slide into total disbelief after 51 years of devout membership, which included 7 years as a high-level LDS Church employee. After losing his faith, Clay didn't choose silence.

This is Matt and Clay's story.

Direct download: MormonStories-616-MattE.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 7:37am MDT

On Home of the Brave podcast, Peabody Award winning producer Scott Carrier interviews Brand Thornton, a believing LDC church member and a member of the Bundy militia, who explains the Mormon/religious/spiritual justifications for the occupation.  Brand says, "Absolutely, God told us to do this," and quotes from the Doctrine and Covenants in his justifications.

Direct download: Malhuer.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 4:45pm MDT

As parts 3 and 4 in our series reviewing the events of Mormonism in 2015, we assemble another all-star panel including Lindsay Hansen Park, Dr. Gina Colvin, Dr. Kristy Money, and Sean Carter.  Some of the topics discussed included:

  • The state of the Mormon Internet (blogs, podcast, social media)
  • Social group formations in progressive and post-Mormonism
  • The state of Mormon Feminism
  • The impact of disciplinary councils and excommunication on modern Mormonism (hint: it isn't good)
  • The state of Progressive Mormonism
  • Issues of race and multi-culturalism within modern Mormon culture (LDS and post-Mormon)
  • The state of Mormon Studies
  • Retrenchment/leadership crisis/corporatism in the modern LDS Church

We hope you enjoy it!!!!

Direct download: MormonStories-615-2015YearInReviewPt4.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 10:45am MDT

As parts 3 and 4 in our series reviewing the events of Mormonism in 2015, we assemble another all-star panel including Lindsay Hansen Park, Dr. Gina Colvin, Dr. Kristy Money, and Sean Carter.  Some of the topics discussed included:

  • The state of the Mormon Internet (blogs, podcast, social media)
  • Social group formations in progressive and post-Mormonism
  • The state of Mormon Feminism
  • The impact of disciplinary councils and excommunication on modern Mormonism (hint: it isn't good)
  • The state of Progressive Mormonism
  • Issues of race and multi-culturalism within modern Mormon culture (LDS and post-Mormon)
  • The state of Mormon Studies
  • Retrenchment/leadership crisis/corporatism in the modern LDS Church

We hope you enjoy it!!!!

Direct download: MormonStories-614-2015YearInReviewPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 10:42am MDT

In this episode we assemble an all-star panel to discuss the events of Mormonism in 2015.  Panelists include Dr. J. Nelson Seawright, John Hamer, Jamie Hanis-Handy, and Marisa Calderwood.

Topics discussed include:

  • The impact of Kate Kelly's excommunication on Mormon feminism and the events of 2015.
  • The increase of excommunications for apostasy, including those of John Dehlin, Rock Waterman, and Marisa and Carson Calderwood.
  • The death of three LDS apostles, including Boyd K. Packer.
  • The November 2015 LDS policy change naming same-sex married individuals as mandatory apostates, and preventing their children from membership in the church.
  • The release of the LDS Gospel Topics essays, and their impact on LDS activity/inactivity/apostasy
  • The status of Mormon apologetics
  • The status of progressive Mormonism
Direct download: MormonStories-613-2015YearInReviewPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 7:55am MDT

In this episode we assemble an all-star panel to discuss the events of Mormonism in 2015.  Panelists include Dr. J. Nelson Seawright, John Hamer, Jamie Hanis-Handy, and Marisa Calderwood.

Topics discussed include:

  • The impact of Kate Kelly's excommunication on Mormon feminism and the events of 2015.
  • The increase of excommunications for apostasy, including those of John Dehlin, Rock Waterman, and Marisa and Carson Calderwood.
  • The death of three LDS apostles, including Boyd K. Packer.
  • The November 2015 LDS policy change naming same-sex married individuals as mandatory apostates, and preventing their children from membership in the church.
  • The release of the LDS Gospel Topics essays, and their impact on LDS activity/inactivity/apostasy
  • The status of Mormon apologetics
  • The status of progressive Mormonism

 

Direct download: MormonStories-612-2015YearInReviewPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 7:53am MDT

From Canada to Norway: A multicultural journey through Mormonism, Islam, and the European perspective, with Claudia Fox Reppen 
 
In this first installment of Mormon Stories Europe, Henning Müller of Mormon Stories Germany interviews Canadian-born Claudia Fox Reppen about her multi-ethnic heritage, emigration to Norway, and Mormon faith transition.
 
Claudia and Henning examine the following topics in this three-part series: 
– The interesting story about Claudia’s upbringing and how Claudia’s family became members of the LDS Church 
– Growing up in the Church as a young tomboy, how she was affected by Mormonism’s teachings on gender roles, and how it contributed to her struggles with anxiety and depressionClaudia2
– Opening “Pandora’s Box” of uncorrelated Mormon History, the question of homosexuality, and American Mormon politics 
– Claudia’s positive and negative experiences working with asylum seekers in Norway
– The cultural similarities between Muslims and Mormons and the stark similarities in rhetoric employed by conservative LDS leaders and radical Islamists with regards to the role of women 
– Why the European Mormon perspective is unique and important, our hopes for attracting more European voices and establishing a bridge of discourse between a European and North American audience. 
 
quran, bom
 
Join the discussion and follow Mormon Stories Europe on Facebook here!
https://www.facebook.com/mormonstorieseurope/

 

 
Direct download: MormonStories-611-MSEuropeClaudiaPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 5:40pm MDT

From Canada to Norway: A multicultural journey through Mormonism, Islam, and the European perspective, with Claudia Fox Reppen 
 
In this first installment of Mormon Stories Europe, Henning Müller of Mormon Stories Germany interviews Canadian-born Claudia Fox Reppen about her multi-ethnic heritage, emigration to Norway, and Mormon faith transition.
 
Claudia and Henning examine the following topics in this three-part series: 
– The interesting story about Claudia’s upbringing and how Claudia’s family became members of the LDS Church 
– Growing up in the Church as a young tomboy, how she was affected by Mormonism’s teachings on gender roles, and how it contributed to her struggles with anxiety and depressionClaudia2
– Opening “Pandora’s Box” of uncorrelated Mormon History, the question of homosexuality, and American Mormon politics 
– Claudia’s positive and negative experiences working with asylum seekers in Norway
– The cultural similarities between Muslims and Mormons and the stark similarities in rhetoric employed by conservative LDS leaders and radical Islamists with regards to the role of women 
– Why the European Mormon perspective is unique and important, our hopes for attracting more European voices and establishing a bridge of discourse between a European and North American audience. 
 
 
Join the discussion and follow Mormon Stories Europe on Facebook here!
https://www.facebook.com/mormonstorieseurope/

 

 
Direct download: MormonStories-610-MSEuropeClaudiaPt2-Edits.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 5:39pm MDT

From Canada to Norway: A multicultural journey through Mormonism, Islam, and the European perspective, with Claudia Fox Reppen 
 
In this first installment of Mormon Stories Europe, Henning Müller of Mormon Stories Germany interviews Canadian-born Claudia Fox Reppen about her multi-ethnic heritage, emigration to Norway, and Mormon faith transition.
 
Claudia and Henning examine the following topics in this three-part series: 
– The interesting story about Claudia’s upbringing and how Claudia’s family became members of the LDS Church 
– Growing up in the Church as a young tomboy, how she was affected by Mormonism’s teachings on gender roles, and how it contributed to her struggles with anxiety and depressionClaudia2
– Opening “Pandora’s Box” of uncorrelated Mormon History, the question of homosexuality, and American Mormon politics 
– Claudia’s positive and negative experiences working with asylum seekers in Norway
– The cultural similarities between Muslims and Mormons and the stark similarities in rhetoric employed by conservative LDS leaders and radical Islamists with regards to the role of women 
– Why the European Mormon perspective is unique and important, our hopes for attracting more European voices and establishing a bridge of discourse between a European and North American audience. 
 
 
Join the discussion and follow Mormon Stories Europe on Facebook here!
https://www.facebook.com/mormonstorieseurope/

 

 
Direct download: MormonStories-609-MSEuropeClaudiaPt1-Edits.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 5:37pm MDT

In December of 2015 Jake Ricks was informed that he would be facing an LDS disciplinary council for apostasy, based on a series of benign Facebook posts he made during the previous year.  On January 3rd, 2016 the disciplinary council was held (with Jake and his wife, Hannah, in attendance), and the decision of “no action” was determined by his stake president.  This is Jake and Hannah’s Story.  (audio version to come)

Part 1: Jake and Hannah’s LDS background, and the events leading up to Jake’s disciplinary council for apostasy held on January 3rd, 2016.

Part 2: Jake and Hannah Discuss the Outcome of Jake’s January 3rd, 2016 LDS Disciplinary Council for apostasy.

Direct download: MormonStories-608-JakeHannahRicksPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:36pm MDT

In December of 2015 Jake Ricks was informed that he would be facing an LDS disciplinary council for apostasy, based on a series of benign Facebook posts he made during the previous year.  On January 3rd, 2016 the disciplinary council was held (with Jake and his wife, Hannah, in attendance), and the decision of “no action” was determined by his stake president.  This is Jake and Hannah’s Story.  (audio version to come)

Part 1: Jake and Hannah’s LDS background, and the events leading up to Jake’s disciplinary council for apostasy held on January 3rd, 2016.

Part 2: Jake and Hannah Discuss the Outcome of Jake’s January 3rd, 2016 LDS Disciplinary Council for apostasy.

Direct download: MormonStories-607-JakeHannahRicksPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:32pm MDT

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