Mormon Stories - LDS

In this episode, an all-star panel reviews a recently leaked presentation created by the quorum of the twelve apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The presentation is entitled "Area Business Weekends," is dated December 8, 2015, and lays out the process for local LDS stakes and areas to request special training meetings from the LDS quorum of the 12 (e.g., Boise Rescue, Elder Ballard's Young Single Adult stake in Utah County).

Within the presentation the LDS Q12 reveals its view on the external causes for people leaving the LDS church, which explicitly name individuals such as John Dehlin, Denver Snuffer, and Robert Norman, along with other broader trends, movements, and ideas such as secularism, Ordain Women, support for same-sex marriage (entitled "Disagree with current policies"), chastity, pornography, lack of commitment, failure to observe the sabbath, those fascinated with the "last days/end of world" (i.e., Preppers/Julie Rowe), "false prophets," and anyone who feels they need "something more" from the church.

In no instance does the Quorum of the 12 demonstrate introspection as to what they or the church might be doing to contribute to disaffection from the Mormon church.

Today's panel includes Dr. Gina Colvin (A Thoughtful Faith Podcast and KiwiMormon), Lindsay Hansen Park (Sunstone), Pastor John Hamer (Toronto Community of Christ), Jesse Stay, and Ryan McKnight (Mormon Leaks).

Direct download: MormonStories-700-TheSlide.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 10:00am MDT

In this three-part interview, we honor Grant Palmer, former LDS seminary/institute instructor, and author of "An Insider's View of Mormon Origins" - which provides a plausible explanation for how the Book of Mormon was authored by Joseph Smith.

This interview has three parts:

Part 1: Grant reflects on his experience authoring An Insider's View of Mormon origins, discusses his disfellowshipment and ultimate decision to resign from the LDS (after threats of excommunication).  Grant also reflects upon the impact of An Insider's View on the LDS church.

Part 2: Grant discusses his new, yet-to-be-published book, "Restoring Christ."  Within the book he discusses why he continues to believe, how he justifies belief in Christ and the Bible after losing faith in the LDS church and in the Book of Mormon, what the atonement does and doesn't mean to him, how he deals with the God of the Old Testament, etc.  He also discusses in-depth his conversation with an LDS general authority who claims that modern LDS apostles receive $1 million once they become apostles, and that many of them do not believe the LDS church to be true (a claim that I challenge).

Part 3: Participants in the evening share with Grant what his work has meant to them.  In addition, Tyler Glenn (Neon Trees) sings two songs in honor of Grant from his new album, Excommunication.

Direct download: MormonStories-699-HonoringGrantPalmerPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:02pm MDT

In this three-part interview, we honor Grant Palmer, former LDS seminary/institute instructor, and author of "An Insider's View of Mormon Origins" - which provides a plausible explanation for how the Book of Mormon was authored by Joseph Smith.

This interview has three parts:

Part 1: Grant reflects on his experience authoring An Insider's View of Mormon origins, discusses his disfellowshipment and ultimate decision to resign from the LDS (after threats of excommunication).  Grant also reflects upon the impact of An Insider's View on the LDS church.

Part 2: Grant discusses his new, yet-to-be-published book, "Restoring Christ."  Within the book he discusses why he continues to believe, how he justifies belief in Christ and the Bible after losing faith in the LDS church and in the Book of Mormon, what the atonement does and doesn't mean to him, how he deals with the God of the Old Testament, etc.  He also discusses in-depth his conversation with an LDS general authority who claims that modern LDS apostles receive $1 million once they become apostles, and that many of them do not believe the LDS church to be true (a claim that I challenge).

Part 3: Participants in the evening share with Grant what his work has meant to them.  In addition, Tyler Glenn (Neon Trees) sings two songs in honor of Grant from his new album, Excommunication.

Direct download: MormonStories-698-HonoringGrantPalmerPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:01pm MDT

In this three-part interview, we honor Grant Palmer, former LDS seminary/institute instructor, and author of "An Insider's View of Mormon Origins" - which provides a plausible explanation for how the Book of Mormon was authored by Joseph Smith.

This interview has three parts:

Part 1: Grant reflects on his experience authoring An Insider's View of Mormon origins, discusses his disfellowshipment and ultimate decision to resign from the LDS (after threats of excommunication).  Grant also reflects upon the impact of An Insider's View on the LDS church.

Part 2: Grant discusses his new, yet-to-be-published book, "Restoring Christ."  Within the book he discusses why he continues to believe, how he justifies belief in Christ and the Bible after losing faith in the LDS church and in the Book of Mormon, what the atonement does and doesn't mean to him, how he deals with the God of the Old Testament, etc.  He also discusses in-depth his conversation with an LDS general authority who claims that modern LDS apostles receive $1 million once they become apostles, and that many of them do not believe the LDS church to be true (a claim that I challenge).

Part 3: Participants in the evening share with Grant what his work has meant to them.  In addition, Tyler Glenn (Neon Trees) sings two songs in honor of Grant from his new album, Excommunication.

Direct download: MormonStories-697-HonoringGrantPalmerPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 11:49am MDT

Nadine McCombs Hansen has been championing progressive causes within Mormonism for over three decades.  Some of her efforts include:

  • Supporting the Equal Rights Amendment as a Mormon mother, including interactions with Sonia Johnson.
  • Speaking out in favor of female priesthood ordination within Mormonism.
  • Opposing Proposition 22 and Proposition 8 in California, in support of same-sex marriage.
  • Working as an attorney in support of children of FLDS families.

In this 4-part series, Nadine discusses her evolution and reflects on her life as a progressive Mormon pioneer.

Direct download: MormonStories-696-NadineHansenPt4.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 4:04pm MDT

Nadine McCombs Hansen has been championing progressive causes within Mormonism for over three decades.  Some of her efforts include:

  • Supporting the Equal Rights Amendment as a Mormon mother, including interactions with Sonia Johnson.
  • Speaking out in favor of female priesthood ordination within Mormonism.
  • Opposing Proposition 22 and Proposition 8 in California, in support of same-sex marriage.
  • Working as an attorney in support of children of FLDS families.

In this 4-part series, Nadine discusses her evolution and reflects on her life as a progressive Mormon pioneer.

 

Direct download: MormonStories-695-NadineHansenPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 4:03pm MDT

Nadine McCombs Hansen has been championing progressive causes within Mormonism for over three decades.  Some of her efforts include:

  • Supporting the Equal Rights Amendment as a Mormon mother, including interactions with Sonia Johnson.
  • Speaking out in favor of female priesthood ordination within Mormonism.
  • Opposing Proposition 22 and Proposition 8 in California, in support of same-sex marriage.
  • Working as an attorney in support of children of FLDS families.

In this 4-part series, Nadine discusses her evolution and reflects on her life as a progressive Mormon pioneer.

 

Direct download: MormonStories-694-NadineHansenPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 4:02pm MDT

Nadine McCombs Hansen has been championing progressive causes within Mormonism for over three decades.  Some of her efforts include:

  • Supporting the Equal Rights Amendment as a Mormon mother, including interactions with Sonia Johnson.
  • Speaking out in favor of female priesthood ordination within Mormonism.
  • Opposing Proposition 22 and Proposition 8 in California, in support of same-sex marriage.
  • Working as an attorney in support of children of FLDS families.

In this 4-part series, Nadine discusses her evolution and reflects on her life as a progressive Mormon pioneer.

 

Direct download: MormonStories-693-NadineHansenPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 4:00pm MDT

A bit of sad news, and a bit of happy news.  First the sad.

Grant Palmer, author of An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins – certainly one of the most important books in 20th/21st century Mormonism, is dying of cancer.  I confirmed this with Grant yesterday – when he related to me that he likely only has weeks/months to live.  This information moves many of us deeply, since Grant’s courageous scholarship over the years (which has come at a great personal cost to him) has been instrumental in helping tens of thousands of Mormons understand their church history more accurately.  I dare say that projects like Mormon Stories Podcast, Mormon ThinkLetter to a CES Director, and even the recent LDS Church Gospel Topics Essays would not exist without the courage and scholarship of Grant Palmer.

Now for the happy news.  Mormon Stories Podcast and the Open Stories Foundation, along with a few supporters, will be holding a private event in Grant Palmer’s honor on the evening of February 15, 2017* in Utah – with the plan of live-streaming the event to all who are interested in showing support for Grant.  The event will include:

  • An interview with Grant, wherein he will discuss his most recent book, along with reflections on his life.
  • A chance for some of those who are grateful for Grant’s work to express appreciation for him.

If you are interested in participating in this tribute/celebration, there are a few things you can do to participate:

  1. Record a brief Facebook or Youtube video expressing your gratitude to Grant (and his positive impact on your life), and post the link as a comment here.
  2. Write a text-based tribute to Grant in the comments section here.
  3. Send an email to mormonstories@gmail.com with “Grant Pamer” in the subject line, wherein you express to Grant your gratitude for the positive impact that his work has had on your life.

Feel free to use the hash tag #grantpalmer for any of the tributes you share on social media.  Finally, these emails, blog comments, and videos will be gathered and shared with Grant at the live-steamed, worldwide event in honor of him.

Thanks for taking the time to honor Grant with us, and we very much look forward to the evening of February 15th* wherein we hope to show Grant how much we love and appreciate him!  *Date subject to how Grant is doing/feeling.

Direct download: GrantPalmerEvent.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:41pm MDT

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