Mormon Stories - LDS

Join us as we interview New Zealander Dr. Nathan McCluskey. Among the topics we discuss will include Nathan's upbringing as a Mormon in New Zealand, how his Mormon faith has changed/progressed over his lifetime, how he and Dr. Gina Colvin manage their mixed faith marriage, and his reactions to Gina's recent disciplinary council, which resulted in a "No Action" decision.

Direct download: MormonStories-1036-NathanMcCluskeyPt4.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:30am MDT

Join us as we interview New Zealander Dr. Nathan McCluskey. Among the topics we discuss will include Nathan's upbringing as a Mormon in New Zealand, how his Mormon faith has changed/progressed over his lifetime, how he and Dr. Gina Colvin manage their mixed faith marriage, and his reactions to Gina's recent disciplinary council, which resulted in a "No Action" decision.

Direct download: MormonStories-1035-NathanMcCluskeyPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

Join us as we interview New Zealander Dr. Nathan McCluskey. Among the topics we discuss will include Nathan's upbringing as a Mormon in New Zealand, how his Mormon faith has changed/progressed over his lifetime, how he and Dr. Gina Colvin manage their mixed faith marriage, and his reactions to Gina's recent disciplinary council, which resulted in a "No Action" decision.

Direct download: MormonStories-1034-NathanMcCluskeyPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Join us as we interview New Zealander Dr. Nathan McCluskey. Among the topics we discuss will include Nathan's upbringing as a Mormon in New Zealand, how his Mormon faith has changed/progressed over his lifetime, how he and Dr. Gina Colvin manage their mixed faith marriage, and his reactions to Gina's recent disciplinary council, which resulted in a "No Action" decision.

Direct download: MormonStories-1033-NathanMcCluskeyPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Friends who are: 1) struggling with a Mormon faith crisis, 2) in a Mormon mixed-faith marriage, or 3) struggling with marriage/family issues relating to a Mormon faith crisis

As my time is super limited (working on a book!), and my individual faith crisis coaching practice is filled to the brim, AND as I realize that for some people hourly coaching can be pricey - I would like to experiment with a format of doing faith crisis mini-workshops in the Utah/Idaho/Arizona/Colorado areas (or others if interested). This would allow me to support more people, and would allow people within a specific area to make friends and build deeper connections who are close by (thus fostering community).

The format would be as follows:

- Size of group: 10-12 people, couples and/or individuals welcome.
- Date/Time: Any 6 hour block, weekday, weeknight, or weekend.
- Possible Topics: Navigating a Mormon faith transition, tips for positive Mental Health, healthy marriages/relationships, communicating with believing family and friends, finding community and/or spirituality during and after a faith crisis, etc. (Basically whatever the group wants to cover)
- Location: I could travel to where the group is, or we could find a central location.
- Cost: $250/person (6 hours of coaching for around the cost of 1 hour of coaching).

It would be particularly meaningful to target specific areas and bring people together who live close to each other (e.g., Alpine, S. Jordan, Provo, Orem, Logan, Ogden, Davis County, SLC, Boise, St. George, Cedar City, Spanish Fork, Park City, Heber/Midway, etc.)

If any of you are interested in hosting/organizing such an event, please message me. I would love to support you in this way, and help build local friendships/community at the same time.

Thanks in advance!

John Dehlin, Ph.D.

Direct download: MFC-MiniWorkshops.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 8:52am MDT

Dr. Gina Colvin, host of A Thoughtful Faith Podcast, is set to be excommunicated by the Mormon Church for apostasy on 12/20/2018 in her New Zealand ward by her bishop. The accusations against Gina include the following:

(a) Being baptized into the Anglican faith.
(b) Her continued profession of membership in the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints;
(c) Active criticism of the Church and its leaders in public forums; and
(d) Public advocacy for positions which are contrary to core doctrines of the Church.

This is Gina’s pre-excommunication interview.

Direct download: MormonStories-1032-GinaColvinExcommunicationPt4.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 9:31am MDT

Dr. Gina Colvin, host of A Thoughtful Faith Podcast, is set to be excommunicated by the Mormon Church for apostasy on 12/20/2018 in her New Zealand ward by her bishop. The accusations against Gina include the following:

(a) Being baptized into the Anglican faith.
(b) Her continued profession of membership in the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints;
(c) Active criticism of the Church and its leaders in public forums; and
(d) Public advocacy for positions which are contrary to core doctrines of the Church.

This is Gina’s pre-excommunication interview.

Direct download: MormonStories-1031-GinaColvinExcommunicationPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 9:30am MDT

Dr. Gina Colvin, host of A Thoughtful Faith Podcast, is set to be excommunicated by the Mormon Church for apostasy on 12/20/2018 in her New Zealand ward by her bishop. The accusations against Gina include the following:

(a) Being baptized into the Anglican faith.
(b) Her continued profession of membership in the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints;
(c) Active criticism of the Church and its leaders in public forums; and
(d) Public advocacy for positions which are contrary to core doctrines of the Church.

This is Gina’s pre-excommunication interview.

Direct download: MormonStories-1030-GinaColvinExcommunicationPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 9:28am MDT

Dr. Gina Colvin, host of A Thoughtful Faith Podcast, is set to be excommunicated by the Mormon Church for apostasy on 12/20/2018 in her New Zealand ward by her bishop. The accusations against Gina include the following:

(a) Being baptized into the Anglican faith.
(b) Her continued profession of membership in the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints;
(c) Active criticism of the Church and its leaders in public forums; and
(d) Public advocacy for positions which are contrary to core doctrines of the Church.

This is Gina’s pre-excommunication interview.

Direct download: MormonStories-1029-GinaColvinExcommunicationPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 9:27am MDT

On December 2, 2018, Mormon Bishop and podcaster Bill Reel was excommunicated from the Mormon church for apostasy. In this Mormon Stories Podcast episode we speak with Bill about the disciplinary council. We will play the recording of his disciplinary council defense, and allow Bill to offer a play-by-play commentary. We will conclude by discussing Bill's reactions to the verdict, and talk about what comes next for Bill and Mormon Discussions.

Hat tip to Miles Germer for editing the disciplinary council audio.

Direct download: MormonStories-1028-BillReelPostExcommunicationPt4.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 11:46am MDT

On December 2, 2018, Mormon Bishop and podcaster Bill Reel was excommunicated from the Mormon church for apostasy. In this Mormon Stories Podcast episode we speak with Bill about the disciplinary council. We will play the recording of his disciplinary council defense, and allow Bill to offer a play-by-play commentary. We will conclude by discussing Bill's reactions to the verdict, and talk about what comes next for Bill and Mormon Discussions.

Hat tip to Miles Germer for editing the disciplinary council audio.

Direct download: MormonStories-1027-BillReelPostExcommunicationPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 11:43am MDT

On December 2, 2018, Mormon Bishop and podcaster Bill Reel was excommunicated from the Mormon church for apostasy. In this Mormon Stories Podcast episode we speak with Bill about the disciplinary council. We will play the recording of his disciplinary council defense, and allow Bill to offer a play-by-play commentary. We will conclude by discussing Bill's reactions to the verdict, and talk about what comes next for Bill and Mormon Discussions.

Hat tip to Miles Germer for editing the disciplinary council audio.

Direct download: MormonStories-1026-BillReelPostExcommunicationPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 11:40am MDT

On December 2, 2018, Mormon Bishop and podcaster Bill Reel was excommunicated from the Mormon church for apostasy. In this Mormon Stories Podcast episode we speak with Bill about the disciplinary council. We will play the recording of his disciplinary council defense, and allow Bill to offer a play-by-play commentary. We will conclude by discussing Bill's reactions to the verdict, and talk about what comes next for Bill and Mormon Discussions.

Hat tip to Miles Germer for editing the disciplinary council audio.

Direct download: MormonStories-1025-BillReelPostExcommunicationPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 11:38am MDT

John gives a "Mormon State of the Union" presentation to a group of Davis County, Utah post/ex-Mormons.  These episodes focus on the cultural and doctrinal LDS Church of the past, and the LDS Church of today

Direct download: MormonStories-1024-MormonStateofUnionPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

John gives a "Mormon State of the Union" presentation to a group of Davis County, Utah post/ex-Mormons.  These episodes focus on the cultural and doctrinal LDS Church of the past, and the LDS Church of today

Direct download: MormonStories-1023-MormonStateofUnionPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast as we interview Bible scholar David Bokovoy on Applying Higher Criticism to Mormon Scripture, which includes the Old Testament, the Book of Moses, the Book of Abraham, the New Testament, and the Doctrine and Covenants.

Direct download: MormonStories-1022-HigherCriticismPt4.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:30am MDT

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast as we interview Bible scholar David Bokovoy on Applying Higher Criticism to Mormon Scripture, which includes the Old Testament, the Book of Moses, the Book of Abraham, the New Testament, and the Doctrine and Covenants.

Direct download: MormonStories-1021-HigherCriticismPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast as we interview Bible scholar David Bokovoy on Applying Higher Criticism to Mormon Scripture, which includes the Old Testament, the Book of Moses, the Book of Abraham, the New Testament, and the Doctrine and Covenants.

Direct download: MormonStories-1020-HigherCriticismPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast as we interview Bible scholar David Bokovoy on Applying Higher Criticism to Mormon Scripture, which includes the Old Testament, the Book of Moses, the Book of Abraham, the New Testament, and the Doctrine and Covenants.

Direct download: MormonStories-1019-HigherCriticismPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Please join us now as we interview Former Mormon Bishop and Podcaster Bill Reel. Bill is set to be excommunicated from the Mormon Church on 11/27/18 at 8:30pm. This is his pre-excommunication interview.

Direct download: MormonStories-1018-BillReelPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 10:25am MDT

Please join us now as we interview Former Mormon Bishop and Podcaster Bill Reel. Bill is set to be excommunicated from the Mormon Church on 11/27/18 at 8:30pm. This is his pre-excommunication interview.

Direct download: MormonStories-1017-BillReelPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 10:24am MDT

Join us now as we interview David Bokovoy - one of Mormonism's leading Bible scholars. David has an MA from Brandeis University in Jewish Studies and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East. He worked for the LDS Church Education System for 18 years, was chaplain at Harvard university, and taught LDS Institute at Harvard, Wellesley, and MIT. Author of 2 books, dozens of articles, and a co-founder of the Mormon Interpreter with Daniel C. Peterson.

Direct download: MormonStories-1016-DavidBokovoyPt4.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:30am MDT

Join us now as we interview David Bokovoy - one of Mormonism's leading Bible scholars. David has an MA from Brandeis University in Jewish Studies and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East. He worked for the LDS Church Education System for 18 years, was chaplain at Harvard university, and taught LDS Institute at Harvard, Wellesley, and MIT. Author of 2 books, dozens of articles, and a co-founder of the Mormon Interpreter with Daniel C. Peterson.

Direct download: MormonStories-1015-DavidBokovoyPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

Join us now as we interview David Bokovoy - one of Mormonism's leading Bible scholars. David has an MA from Brandeis University in Jewish Studies and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East. He worked for the LDS Church Education System for 18 years, was chaplain at Harvard university, and taught LDS Institute at Harvard, Wellesley, and MIT. Author of 2 books, dozens of articles, and a co-founder of the Mormon Interpreter with Daniel C. Peterson.

Direct download: MormonStories-1014-DavidBokovoyPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Join us now as we interview David Bokovoy - one of Mormonism's leading Bible scholars. David has an MA from Brandeis University in Jewish Studies and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East. He worked for the LDS Church Education System for 18 years, was chaplain at Harvard university, and taught LDS Institute at Harvard, Wellesley, and MIT. Author of 2 books, dozens of articles, and a co-founder of the Mormon Interpreter with Daniel C. Peterson.

Direct download: MormonStories-1013-DavidBokovoyPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

In this episode we interview Angelo Baca, Sarah Newcomb, Cam Lebbon, Hyrum Joe, and Sheldon Spotted Elk about their experiences as Native Americans within Mormonism. As a framing, we utilize Angelo Baca's chapter in the new book "Decolonizing Mormonism" edited by Dr. Gina Colvin and Dr. Joanna Brooks The essay is entitled: "Porter Rockwell and Samuel the Lamanite Fistfight in Heaven."

Direct download: MormonStories-1012-MormonismAndColonizationPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

In this episode we interview Angelo Baca, Sarah Newcomb, Cam Lebbon, Hyrum Joe, and Sheldon Spotted Elk about their experiences as Native Americans within Mormonism. As a framing, we utilize Angelo Baca's chapter in the new book "Decolonizing Mormonism" edited by Dr. Gina Colvin and Dr. Joanna Brooks The essay is entitled: "Porter Rockwell and Samuel the Lamanite Fistfight in Heaven."

Direct download: MormonStories-1011-MormonismAndColonizationPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

In this episode we interview Angelo Baca, Sarah Newcomb, Cam Lebbon, Hyrum Joe, and Sheldon Spotted Elk about their experiences as Native Americans within Mormonism. As a framing, we utilize Angelo Baca's chapter in the new book "Decolonizing Mormonism" edited by Dr. Gina Colvin and Dr. Joanna Brooks The essay is entitled: "Porter Rockwell and Samuel the Lamanite Fistfight in Heaven."

Direct download: MormonStories-1010-MormonismAndColonizationPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Join us as we sit down with John Hamer, historian of the Latter-day Saint movement and a Seventy in the Community of Christ to try to understand some of the basics of Mormon Origins. In this first episode of the series, we will look at the Smith family's folk magic and folk religious background in context.

Direct download: MormonStories-1009-FolkMagicPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Join us as we sit down with John Hamer, historian of the Latter-day Saint movement and a Seventy in the Community of Christ to try to understand some of the basics of Mormon Origins. In this first episode of the series, we will look at the Smith family's folk magic and folk religious background in context.

Direct download: MormonStories-1008-FolkMagicPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

In this jointly-released production of Mormon Mental Health Podcast, Mormon Sex Info Podcast, and Mormon Stories Podcast, Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. John Dehlin about his research regarding LGBT Reparative Therapy in a Mormon context.

During this conversation, John discusses why he decided to pursue his studies on this topic with his colleague Dr. William Bradshaw—to cut through the talk, rumor, and debate on the success rates of reparative therapy by compiling actual data on the subject.

Join us as we learn important insights from the study, including:

  • Are attempts to change sexual orientation effective and/or damaging?
  • How do LGBTQ Mormons navigate their identity?
  • What decisions lead to optimal health/well-being for LGBTQ Mormons and former Mormons? 
Direct download: MormonStories-1007-ReparativeTherapyHarm.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

On this edition of Mormon Stories Podcast, we are honored to interview award-winning documentary filmmaker Helen Whitney about her life as a documentary filmmaker, her work on the 2007 PBS documentary "The Mormons," and her new film about mortality entitled "Into the Night."

In Part 1, we discover that throughout her career, she has maintained a deep interest in spiritual journeys, which she first explored with her documentary The Monastery, a 90-minute ABC special, about the oldest Trappist community in the Americas. Helen followed this film with a three-hour Frontline documentary for PBS, John Paul II: The Millennial Pope, and in 2007 she produced The Mormons, a four-hour PBS series that explored the richness, complexities and controversies surrounding the Mormon faith. Following the Sept. 11 attacks, she produced Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero, a two-hour documentary that examined how religious belief – and unbelief – of Americans was challenged and altered by the spiritual aftershocks of 9/11.

In Part 2, Helen shares intimate details about the making of the highly-impactful documentary "The Mormons." She also provides her non-Mormon perspective of the faith and many anecdotal interactions with LDS General Authorities including Boyd K. Packer, Jeffrey R. Holland, and Gordon B. Hinckley that our listeners will find very intriguing.

In Part 3 we learn about her new project, Into the Night: Portraits of Life and Death, a two-hour feature documentary, featuring fascinating, unexpected voices from various walks of life: old and young, believers and nonbelievers, the dying and the healthy, well known and obscure. However varied their backgrounds, all are unified by their uncommon eloquence and intelligence, and most important by their dramatic experience of death. Into the Nightis a two-part documentary, with Part 1 available now for streaming on Hulu and for rent on Youtube.

Direct download: MormonStories-1006-HelenWhitneyPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

On this edition of Mormon Stories Podcast, we are honored to interview award-winning documentary filmmaker Helen Whitney about her life as a documentary filmmaker, her work on the 2007 PBS documentary "The Mormons," and her new film about mortality entitled "Into the Night."

In Part 1, we discover that throughout her career, she has maintained a deep interest in spiritual journeys, which she first explored with her documentary The Monastery, a 90-minute ABC special, about the oldest Trappist community in the Americas. Helen followed this film with a three-hour Frontline documentary for PBS, John Paul II: The Millennial Pope, and in 2007 she produced The Mormons, a four-hour PBS series that explored the richness, complexities and controversies surrounding the Mormon faith. Following the Sept. 11 attacks, she produced Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero, a two-hour documentary that examined how religious belief – and unbelief – of Americans was challenged and altered by the spiritual aftershocks of 9/11.

In Part 2, Helen shares intimate details about the making of the highly-impactful documentary "The Mormons." She also provides her non-Mormon perspective of the faith and many anecdotal interactions with LDS General Authorities including Boyd K. Packer, Jeffrey R. Holland, and Gordon B. Hinckley that our listeners will find very intriguing.

In Part 3 we learn about her new project, Into the Night: Portraits of Life and Death, a two-hour feature documentary, featuring fascinating, unexpected voices from various walks of life: old and young, believers and nonbelievers, the dying and the healthy, well known and obscure. However varied their backgrounds, all are unified by their uncommon eloquence and intelligence, and most important by their dramatic experience of death. Into the Nightis a two-part documentary, with Part 1 available now for streaming on Hulu and for rent on Youtube.

Direct download: MormonStories-1005-HelenWhitneyPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

On this edition of Mormon Stories Podcast, we are honored to interview award-winning documentary filmmaker Helen Whitney about her life as a documentary filmmaker, her work on the 2007 PBS documentary "The Mormons," and her new film about mortality entitled "Into the Night."

In Part 1, we discover that throughout her career, she has maintained a deep interest in spiritual journeys, which she first explored with her documentary The Monastery, a 90-minute ABC special, about the oldest Trappist community in the Americas. Helen followed this film with a three-hour Frontline documentary for PBS, John Paul II: The Millennial Pope, and in 2007 she produced The Mormons, a four-hour PBS series that explored the richness, complexities and controversies surrounding the Mormon faith. Following the Sept. 11 attacks, she produced Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero, a two-hour documentary that examined how religious belief – and unbelief – of Americans was challenged and altered by the spiritual aftershocks of 9/11.

In Part 2, Helen shares intimate details about the making of the highly-impactful documentary "The Mormons." She also provides her non-Mormon perspective of the faith and many anecdotal interactions with LDS General Authorities including Boyd K. Packer, Jeffrey R. Holland, and Gordon B. Hinckley that our listeners will find very intriguing.

In Part 3 we learn about her new project, Into the Night: Portraits of Life and Death, a two-hour feature documentary, featuring fascinating, unexpected voices from various walks of life: old and young, believers and nonbelievers, the dying and the healthy, well known and obscure. However varied their backgrounds, all are unified by their uncommon eloquence and intelligence, and most important by their dramatic experience of death. Into the Nightis a two-part documentary, with Part 1 available now for streaming on Hulu and for rent on Youtube.

Direct download: MormonStories-1004-HelenWhitneyPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Today on Mormon Stories Podcast we are interviewing Dr. Frank Turek—a Christian apologist, author, and speaker with Cross Examined and Dr. Mike Licona—a New Testament professor/scholar at Houston Baptist University. Both are highly sought after around the world for their efforts to provide scholarly and intellectual evidence that the Bible is true.

Today's episode will focus on making a scholarly case for belief in Christianity, including a response to our previous interview with Dr. Bart D. Ehrman. In this interview, we will attempt to address some of the same questions as we did with Dr. Ehrman, including:

  1. Did the historical figure we know as Jesus actually exist?
  2. How did the historical figure Jesus come to be viewed as divine/the Son of God?
  3. Who wrote the New Testament?
  4. Do important contradictions exist between the four gospels of the New Testament, and what does that tell us?
  5. How was the New Testament assembled?
  6. What are their thoughts on the historicity of the Book of Mormon and Mormonism as an authentic Christian denomination?

...and more.

Direct download: MormonStories-1003-DefendingChristianityPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Today on Mormon Stories Podcast we are interviewing Dr. Frank Turek—a Christian apologist, author, and speaker with Cross Examined and Dr. Mike Licona—a New Testament professor/scholar at Houston Baptist University. Both are highly sought after around the world for their efforts to provide scholarly and intellectual evidence that the Bible is true.

Today's episode will focus on making a scholarly case for belief in Christianity, including a response to our previous interview with Dr. Bart D. Ehrman. In this interview, we will attempt to address some of the same questions as we did with Dr. Ehrman, including:

  1. Did the historical figure we know as Jesus actually exist?
  2. How did the historical figure Jesus come to be viewed as divine/the Son of God?
  3. Who wrote the New Testament?
  4. Do important contradictions exist between the four gospels of the New Testament, and what does that tell us?
  5. How was the New Testament assembled?
  6. What are their thoughts on the historicity of the Book of Mormon and Mormonism as an authentic Christian denomination?

...and more.

Direct download: MormonStories-1002-DefendingChristianityPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Here it is! Episode 1,000 of Mormon Stories Podcast!! Today we re-interview professional dancer, choreographer, and actor Benji Schwimmer - 13-time undefeated US Open Swing Dance Champion. This episode is jam-packed with good stuff, including:

1) Benji’s professional life since winning Season 2 of So You Think You Can Dance, which includes appearing on Dancing with the Stars, dancing with Paula Abdul and Christina Aguilera, choreographing Olympic figure skaters, and appearing in the upcoming Quentin Tarantino movie entitled “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” starring Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, and Al Pacino.
2) Benji’s journey to find love, health, and happiness including very candid discussions about navigating sexuality, “masculinity,” and his struggles with heterosexism/body image issues as a gay ex-Mormon man.
3) A deeply moving story about Benji’s return to the site of his LDS mission in Oaxaca, Mexico.
4) Benji’s sharp criticism of how the Mormon church has handled LGBTQ issues since his previous Mormon Stories interview, as they continue to advocate for celibacy and mixed-orientation marriages for LGBTQ members. He also discusses the hypocrisy, deceit, and damage he has witnessed in the LDS NorthStar community, and with the spokespeople the Mormon church uses on the mormonandgay website.
5) We conclude with Benji’s current philosophy for living a healthy, happy life, including his thoughts/feelings about facing the mortality of his beloved father.

Please join us for a funny, fascinating, and deeply moving interview.

WARNING: Adult language and sexually explicit language - viewer/listener discretion is advised.

https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/benji-schwimmer-life-after/

Direct download: MormonStories-1001-BenjiPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 7:48am MDT

Here it is! Episode 1,000 of Mormon Stories Podcast!! Today we re-interview professional dancer, choreographer, and actor Benji Schwimmer - 13-time undefeated US Open Swing Dance Champion. This episode is jam-packed with good stuff, including:

1) Benji’s professional life since winning Season 2 of So You Think You Can Dance, which includes appearing on Dancing with the Stars, dancing with Paula Abdul and Christina Aguilera, choreographing Olympic figure skaters, and appearing in the upcoming Quentin Tarantino movie entitled “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” starring Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, and Al Pacino.
2) Benji’s journey to find love, health, and happiness including very candid discussions about navigating sexuality, “masculinity,” and his struggles with heterosexism/body image issues as a gay ex-Mormon man.
3) A deeply moving story about Benji’s return to the site of his LDS mission in Oaxaca, Mexico.
4) Benji’s sharp criticism of how the Mormon church has handled LGBTQ issues since his previous Mormon Stories interview, as they continue to advocate for celibacy and mixed-orientation marriages for LGBTQ members. He also discusses the hypocrisy, deceit, and damage he has witnessed in the LDS NorthStar community, and with the spokespeople the Mormon church uses on the mormonandgay website.
5) We conclude with Benji’s current philosophy for living a healthy, happy life, including his thoughts/feelings about facing the mortality of his beloved father.

Please join us for a funny, fascinating, and deeply moving interview.

WARNING: Adult language and sexually explicit language - viewer/listener discretion is advised.

https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/benji-schwimmer-life-after/

Direct download: MormonStories-1000-BenjiPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 7:47am MDT

Join us for this important and time-sensitive edition of Mormon Stories Podcast as we interview Idahoan, Dusty Johns. In Part 1 of this interview, Dusty shares his experience growing up as a gay and closeted Mormon and at times being the only active member of his family. Before becoming a missionary, he covenanted with God that if he served an honorable full-time mission that his sexual orientation would change. Upon returning from his mission to England and quickly marrying, a few months into his marriage he realized that he was unable to connect with his wife in a manner that a man and woman should. Though the marriage did not last, it did produce two boys who Dusty treasures and shares parenting responsibilities with their mother. Dusty began to be involved with LDS-affiliated groups that attempt to diminish "same-sex attraction" and overcome homosexual behavior, but quickly saw that many program attendees were either acting hypocritically or living seemingly miserable lives as celibate Mormons. After experiencing medical complications that almost ended his life, his devotion to the LDS Church and God became cemented and he decided that he could be both an active Mormon, and create a family with someone that he truly loved.

In Part 2 of this interview, we learn how Dusty met his husband and how the two have formed a loving family unit with Dusty's two boys. The family was quickly accepted by their local Idahoan ward, including their ward and stake leadership. Dusty tells us that recently his local leadership was directed by LDS Church authorities in Salt Lake City to initiate disciplinary proceedings because of his same-sex marriage. After receiving a letter in the mail indicating such, Dusty forwarded the letter to Mormon Stories Podcast and 6 hours after the letter was posted publicly, his stake leadership was asked to postpone the disciplinary council until after General Conference, as directed by the church's PR department.  As of today, Dusty's council meeting is now set to take place October 16th.

Direct download: MormonStories-999-DustyJohnsPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 4:30am MDT

Join us for this important and time-sensitive edition of Mormon Stories Podcast as we interview Idahoan, Dusty Johns. In Part 1 of this interview, Dusty shares his experience growing up as a gay and closeted Mormon and at times being the only active member of his family. Before becoming a missionary, he covenanted with God that if he served an honorable full-time mission that his sexual orientation would change. Upon returning from his mission to England and quickly marrying, a few months into his marriage he realized that he was unable to connect with his wife in a manner that a man and woman should. Though the marriage did not last, it did produce two boys who Dusty treasures and shares parenting responsibilities with their mother. Dusty began to be involved with LDS-affiliated groups that attempt to diminish "same-sex attraction" and overcome homosexual behavior, but quickly saw that many program attendees were either acting hypocritically or living seemingly miserable lives as celibate Mormons. After experiencing medical complications that almost ended his life, his devotion to the LDS Church and God became cemented and he decided that he could be both an active Mormon, and create a family with someone that he truly loved.

In Part 2 of this interview, we learn how Dusty met his husband and how the two have formed a loving family unit with Dusty's two boys. The family was quickly accepted by their local Idahoan ward, including their ward and stake leadership. Dusty tells us that recently his local leadership was directed by LDS Church authorities in Salt Lake City to initiate disciplinary proceedings because of his same-sex marriage. After receiving a letter in the mail indicating such, Dusty forwarded the letter to Mormon Stories Podcast and 6 hours after the letter was posted publicly, his stake leadership was asked to postpone the disciplinary council until after General Conference, as directed by the church's PR department.  As of today, Dusty's council meeting is now set to take place October 16th.

Direct download: MormonStories-998-DustyJohnsPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 4:00am MDT

Today's release is the first in a new series devoted to interviewing prominent historians to gather their evidence-based take on the question, "How did the Mormon Church come to be?"

Kathleen Melonakos's book Secret Combinations: Evidence of Early Mormon Counterfeiting 1800-1847 has created buzz in many online Mormon communities and we are excited to launch our series with Kathleen's expertise and careful research. Her book chronicles the evidence that early Mormon leaders, starting with Joseph Smith Sr., dealt in counterfeit money beginning in Vermont, and continuing throughout Joseph and Hyrum's careers. It places the Smith brothers in the early American context where counterfeiting networks and some of their CEO-like bosses posed as preachers. It is the only book of its kind that uncovers the problems counterfeiters caused in early America and what really happened before, during and after the Book of Mormon appeared on the scene. Her book is both fact-based and fast moving, supported by more than 1400 footnotes and over 100 photos and illustrations. It is also based on nearly 10 years of research, conducted in Vermont, New York, Illinois, Missouri, and Utah.

In this interview, Kathleen attempts to provide the historical context for the life of the Smith family and the founding of the LDS Church. In particular, we focus on the counterfeiting culture of the time period (Part 1), treasure digging as a practice (Part 2), the origins of the Book of Mormon (Part 3), and finally we delve into how her research and work influences Kathleen's personal beliefs (Part 4).

Direct download: MormonStories-997-MelonakosPt4.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:30am MDT

Today's release is the first in a new series devoted to interviewing prominent historians to gather their evidence-based take on the question, "How did the Mormon Church come to be?"

Kathleen Melonakos's book Secret Combinations: Evidence of Early Mormon Counterfeiting 1800-1847 has created buzz in many online Mormon communities and we are excited to launch our series with Kathleen's expertise and careful research. Her book chronicles the evidence that early Mormon leaders, starting with Joseph Smith Sr., dealt in counterfeit money beginning in Vermont, and continuing throughout Joseph and Hyrum's careers. It places the Smith brothers in the early American context where counterfeiting networks and some of their CEO-like bosses posed as preachers. It is the only book of its kind that uncovers the problems counterfeiters caused in early America and what really happened before, during and after the Book of Mormon appeared on the scene. Her book is both fact-based and fast moving, supported by more than 1400 footnotes and over 100 photos and illustrations. It is also based on nearly 10 years of research, conducted in Vermont, New York, Illinois, Missouri, and Utah.

In this interview, Kathleen attempts to provide the historical context for the life of the Smith family and the founding of the LDS Church. In particular, we focus on the counterfeiting culture of the time period (Part 1), treasure digging as a practice (Part 2), the origins of the Book of Mormon (Part 3), and finally we delve into how her research and work influences Kathleen's personal beliefs (Part 4).

Direct download: MormonStories-996-MelonakosPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

Today's release is the first in a new series devoted to interviewing prominent historians to gather their evidence-based take on the question, "How did the Mormon Church come to be?"

Kathleen Melonakos's book Secret Combinations: Evidence of Early Mormon Counterfeiting 1800-1847 has created buzz in many online Mormon communities and we are excited to launch our series with Kathleen's expertise and careful research. Her book chronicles the evidence that early Mormon leaders, starting with Joseph Smith Sr., dealt in counterfeit money beginning in Vermont, and continuing throughout Joseph and Hyrum's careers. It places the Smith brothers in the early American context where counterfeiting networks and some of their CEO-like bosses posed as preachers. It is the only book of its kind that uncovers the problems counterfeiters caused in early America and what really happened before, during and after the Book of Mormon appeared on the scene. Her book is both fact-based and fast moving, supported by more than 1400 footnotes and over 100 photos and illustrations. It is also based on nearly 10 years of research, conducted in Vermont, New York, Illinois, Missouri, and Utah.

In this interview, Kathleen attempts to provide the historical context for the life of the Smith family and the founding of the LDS Church. In particular, we focus on the counterfeiting culture of the time period (Part 1), treasure digging as a practice (Part 2), the origins of the Book of Mormon (Part 3), and finally we delve into how her research and work influences Kathleen's personal beliefs (Part 4).

Direct download: MormonStories-995-MelonakosPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Today's release is the first in a new series devoted to interviewing prominent historians to gather their evidence-based take on the question, "How did the Mormon Church come to be?"

Kathleen Melonakos's book Secret Combinations: Evidence of Early Mormon Counterfeiting 1800-1847 has created buzz in many online Mormon communities and we are excited to launch our series with Kathleen's expertise and careful research. Her book chronicles the evidence that early Mormon leaders, starting with Joseph Smith Sr., dealt in counterfeit money beginning in Vermont, and continuing throughout Joseph and Hyrum's careers. It places the Smith brothers in the early American context where counterfeiting networks and some of their CEO-like bosses posed as preachers. It is the only book of its kind that uncovers the problems counterfeiters caused in early America and what really happened before, during and after the Book of Mormon appeared on the scene. Her book is both fact-based and fast moving, supported by more than 1400 footnotes and over 100 photos and illustrations. It is also based on nearly 10 years of research, conducted in Vermont, New York, Illinois, Missouri, and Utah.

In this interview, Kathleen attempts to provide the historical context for the life of the Smith family and the founding of the LDS Church. In particular, we focus on the counterfeiting culture of the time period (Part 1), treasure digging as a practice (Part 2), the origins of the Book of Mormon (Part 3), and finally we delve into how her research and work influences Kathleen's personal beliefs (Part 4).

Direct download: MormonStories-994-MelonakosPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Join us as we begin a new series on instances where the LDS Church protects alleged abusers instead of advocating for their victims.

Trigger warning: This interview discusses sexual assault. Please practice self care, and use discretion regarding who else listens in.

In Part 1 of this interview, Jared shares how he was allegedly sexually abused as a young boy by his uncle and how these experiences formed the basis for his most vivid memories. Jared also talks about the guilt and shame he carried from those experiences throughout his youth and through his LDS mission. As Jared progresses through life, he feels he has forgiven his uncle and was ready to move on, until his uncle was called as a bishop and given stewardship over a ward, including children.  Feeling pressure to say something, Jared finally told his wife Juli of the abuse he suffered decades earlier.

In Part 2 of this interview, Jared and Juli discuss multiple meetings and interactions with LDS Church leaders including multiple stake presidents and bishops, and a private meeting with Elder Steven O. Laing of the Seventy (recorded by Jared and Juli and presented as Part 3 of this interview) to warn them of his uncle’s alleged history of abuse. During this meeting, both Jared and Juli were still true believing members, but now regard the inaction taken by their priesthood leaders and instead focusing on their personal faith as a major tipping point for their testimonies. As of today, Jared’s uncle remains bishop in a northern Utah ward.

Direct download: MormonStories-993-EgleyPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

Join us as we begin a new series on instances where the LDS Church protects alleged abusers instead of advocating for their victims.

Trigger warning: This interview discusses sexual assault. Please practice self care, and use discretion regarding who else listens in.

In Part 1 of this interview, Jared shares how he was allegedly sexually abused as a young boy by his uncle and how these experiences formed the basis for his most vivid memories. Jared also talks about the guilt and shame he carried from those experiences throughout his youth and through his LDS mission. As Jared progresses through life, he feels he has forgiven his uncle and was ready to move on, until his uncle was called as a bishop and given stewardship over a ward, including children.  Feeling pressure to say something, Jared finally told his wife Juli of the abuse he suffered decades earlier.

In Part 2 of this interview, Jared and Juli discuss multiple meetings and interactions with LDS Church leaders including multiple stake presidents and bishops, and a private meeting with Elder Steven O. Laing of the Seventy (recorded by Jared and Juli and presented as Part 3 of this interview) to warn them of his uncle’s alleged history of abuse. During this meeting, both Jared and Juli were still true believing members, but now regard the inaction taken by their priesthood leaders and instead focusing on their personal faith as a major tipping point for their testimonies. As of today, Jared’s uncle remains bishop in a northern Utah ward.

Direct download: MormonStories-992-EgleyPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Join us as we begin a new series on instances where the LDS Church protects alleged abusers instead of advocating for their victims.

Trigger warning: This interview discusses sexual assault. Please practice self care, and use discretion regarding who else listens in.

In Part 1 of this interview, Jared shares how he was allegedly sexually abused as a young boy by his uncle and how these experiences formed the basis for his most vivid memories. Jared also talks about the guilt and shame he carried from those experiences throughout his youth and through his LDS mission. As Jared progresses through life, he feels he has forgiven his uncle and was ready to move on, until his uncle was called as a bishop and given stewardship over a ward, including children.  Feeling pressure to say something, Jared finally told his wife Juli of the abuse he suffered decades earlier.

In Part 2 of this interview, Jared and Juli discuss multiple meetings and interactions with LDS Church leaders including multiple stake presidents and bishops, and a private meeting with Elder Steven O. Laing of the Seventy (recorded by Jared and Juli and presented as Part 3 of this interview) to warn them of his uncle’s alleged history of abuse. During this meeting, both Jared and Juli were still true believing members, but now regard the inaction taken by their priesthood leaders and instead focusing on their personal faith as a major tipping point for their testimonies. As of today, Jared’s uncle remains bishop in a northern Utah ward.

Direct download: MormonStories-991-EgleyPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Continuing our series of European Mormon Stories, we visit Switzerland to interview Philipp Gysler to hear his important and fascinating Mormon story.  As a former branch president and member of the Stake High Council, and as a lifelong member from an influential family in the Mormon community, Philipp has a unique perspective on the LDS Church in Switzerland.

These episodes cover topics in Philipp's life such as his experience growing up in the LDS Church, divorce, second marriage, and achieving tremendous business success—but also importantly how he responded to the difficulty of having his faith challenged. These episodes contain great advice from Philipp on how to navigate your own faith journey and also how to include believing family and friends as you forge a new life.

Direct download: MormonStories-990-SwitzerlandPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

Continuing our series of European Mormon Stories, we visit Switzerland to interview Philipp Gysler to hear his important and fascinating Mormon story.  As a former branch president and member of the Stake High Council, and as a lifelong member from an influential family in the Mormon community, Philipp has a unique perspective on the LDS Church in Switzerland.

These episodes cover topics in Philipp's life such as his experience growing up in the LDS Church, divorce, second marriage, and achieving tremendous business success—but also importantly how he responded to the difficulty of having his faith challenged. These episodes contain great advice from Philipp on how to navigate your own faith journey and also how to include believing family and friends as you forge a new life.

Direct download: MormonStories-989-SwitzerlandPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Continuing our series of European Mormon Stories, we visit Switzerland to interview Philipp Gysler to hear his important and fascinating Mormon story.  As a former branch president and member of the Stake High Council, and as a lifelong member from an influential family in the Mormon community, Philipp has a unique perspective on the LDS Church in Switzerland.

These episodes cover topics in Philipp's life such as his experience growing up in the LDS Church, divorce, second marriage, and achieving tremendous business success—but also importantly how he responded to the difficulty of having his faith challenged. These episodes contain great advice from Philipp on how to navigate your own faith journey and also how to include believing family and friends as you forge a new life.

Direct download: MormonStories-988-SwitzerlandPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Because of a large international presence during our event in Stockholm, Sweden to celebrate and remember the "Swedish Rescue," we challenged our attendees to agree to an interview to represent their country's unique perspective in Mormonism and this panel of Norwegian Mormons rose to the occasion.

Join us as we learn about our panelists, Stein Carlsen, Elisabeth Olsen, Daniel Lillegård, and Runar Strandunique, and their Mormon roots either generationally or as a convert, and how each developed cracks in their faith. We also learn how some of our panelists found faith in other places, or moved away from religion altogether—all while focusing on how the close-knit Mormon community in Norway influenced their journeys.

Direct download: MormonStories-987-NorwayPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Because of a large international presence during our event in Stockholm, Sweden to celebrate and remember the "Swedish Rescue," we challenged our attendees to agree to an interview to represent their country's unique perspective in Mormonism and this panel of Norwegian Mormons rose to the occasion.

Join us as we learn about our panelists, Stein Carlsen, Elisabeth Olsen, Daniel Lillegård, and Runar Strandunique, and their Mormon roots either generationally or as a convert, and how each developed cracks in their faith. We also learn how some of our panelists found faith in other places, or moved away from religion altogether—all while focusing on how the close-knit Mormon community in Norway influenced their journeys.

Direct download: MormonStories-986-NorwayPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Join us for our highly anticipated follow-up interview with both Hans and Birgitta Mattsson during our recent trip to Sweden to visit with those who attended the original "Swedish Rescue" fireside in November, 2010. Our first interview with Hans and Birgitta was released on July 22, 2013 and is noted as one of our most important releases given Hans' church leadership pedigree as a bishop and stake president in Sweden before serving in the LDS church 3rd Quorum of the Seventy from 2000-2005 in the Europe Central area under LDS Apostle L. Tom Perry, as well as the sincere struggles with testimony that both Hans and Birgitta faced after his release as an Area Authority.

In this two-part interview, we relive both Hans and Birgitta's ascent through the LDS Church, we elaborate for the first time on Hans and Birgitta's experience receiving the Second Anointing (a rarely-talked about temple ordinance reserved for those in the upper echelons of the LDS Church and described in detail during our epic interview with Tom Phillips), and we discuss the motivations for writing the book, "Truth Seeking: The Story of High-Ranking Mormon Leader Hans Mattsson Seeking Sincere Answers From His Church but Instead Finding Contempt, Fear, Doubt ...and Eventually Peace."

Direct download: MormonStories-985-TruthSeekingPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Join us for our highly anticipated follow-up interview with both Hans and Birgitta Mattsson during our recent trip to Sweden to visit with those who attended the original "Swedish Rescue" fireside in November, 2010. Our first interview with Hans and Birgitta was released on July 22, 2013 and is noted as one of our most important releases given Hans' church leadership pedigree as a bishop and stake president in Sweden before serving in the LDS church 3rd Quorum of the Seventy from 2000-2005 in the Europe Central area under LDS Apostle L. Tom Perry, as well as the sincere struggles with testimony that both Hans and Birgitta faced after his release as an Area Authority.

In this two-part interview, we relive both Hans and Birgitta's ascent through the LDS Church, we elaborate for the first time on Hans and Birgitta's experience receiving the Second Anointing (a rarely-talked about temple ordinance reserved for those in the upper echelons of the LDS Church and described in detail during our epic interview with Tom Phillips), and we discuss the motivations for writing the book, "Truth Seeking: The Story of High-Ranking Mormon Leader Hans Mattsson Seeking Sincere Answers From His Church but Instead Finding Contempt, Fear, Doubt ...and Eventually Peace."

Direct download: MormonStories-984-TruthSeekingPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Please note that the quality of this recording is due to the covert nature in how it was recorded, and has been edited now to eliminate the introductions in Swedish and to optimize volume:

In November 2010, an emergency fireside was held in Stockholm, Sweden by Elder Marlin K. Jensen (Church historian at the time) and Elder Richard Turley (assistant Church historian) to address the faith crisis that ensued among an entire group of members and leaders in Stockholm including a stake president and Hans Mattsson, an Area Authority.

About 25 Swedes attended this fireside including all the local bishops and stake presidents. Those in attendance were those that were knowledgeable about the Church historical issues that were troubling many Swedes. The Swedes formed their own local Mormon Stories group and had over 600 Facebook members. They would openly discuss these issues amongst themselves.

Direct download: MormonStories-983-SwedishRescueAudio.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 11:51am MDT

In November 2010, an emergency fireside was held in Stockholm Sweden by Elder Marlin K. Jensen (Church historian at the time) and Elder Richard Turley (assistant Church historian) to address the faith crisis that ensued among an entire group of members and leaders in Stockholm, Sweden including a stake president and Hans Mattsson, an Area Authority.

About 25 Swedes attended this fireside including all the local bishops and stake presidents. Those in attendance were those that were knowledgeable about the Church historical issues that were troubling many Swedes. The Swedes formed their own local Mormon Stories group and had over 600 Facebook members. They would openly discuss these issues amongst themselves.

Join us as we visit Sweden and relive the “Swedish Rescue” with a panel (Parts 1 & 2) including Hans Mattsson as well as his co-author of the book, “Truth Seeking: The Story of High-Ranking Mormon Leader Hans Mattsson Seeking Sincere Answers From His Church but Instead Finding Contempt, Fear, Doubt …and Eventually Peace,” as well as a counselor to the District Presidency and former Bishop, and finally a Sunday School teacher who at the time of the Swedish Rescue had doubts about the truth claims of the LDS Church.  In Part 3, we invite our Swedish live audience to approach the microphone and share their unique Scandinavian experiences in the LDS Church.

Direct download: MormonStories-982-SwedishRescuePt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

In November 2010, an emergency fireside was held in Stockholm Sweden by Elder Marlin K. Jensen (Church historian at the time) and Elder Richard Turley (assistant Church historian) to address the faith crisis that ensued among an entire group of members and leaders in Stockholm, Sweden including a stake president and Hans Mattsson, an Area Authority.

About 25 Swedes attended this fireside including all the local bishops and stake presidents. Those in attendance were those that were knowledgeable about the Church historical issues that were troubling many Swedes. The Swedes formed their own local Mormon Stories group and had over 600 Facebook members. They would openly discuss these issues amongst themselves.

Join us as we visit Sweden and relive the “Swedish Rescue” with a panel (Parts 1 & 2) including Hans Mattsson as well as his co-author of the book, “Truth Seeking: The Story of High-Ranking Mormon Leader Hans Mattsson Seeking Sincere Answers From His Church but Instead Finding Contempt, Fear, Doubt …and Eventually Peace,” as well as a counselor to the District Presidency and former Bishop, and finally a Sunday School teacher who at the time of the Swedish Rescue had doubts about the truth claims of the LDS Church.  In Part 3, we invite our Swedish live audience to approach the microphone and share their unique Scandinavian experiences in the LDS Church.

Direct download: MormonStories-981-SwedishRescuePt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

In November 2010, an emergency fireside was held in Stockholm Sweden by Elder Marlin K. Jensen (Church historian at the time) and Elder Richard Turley (assistant Church historian) to address the faith crisis that ensued among an entire group of members and leaders in Stockholm, Sweden including a stake president and Hans Mattsson, an Area Authority.

About 25 Swedes attended this fireside including all the local bishops and stake presidents. Those in attendance were those that were knowledgeable about the Church historical issues that were troubling many Swedes. The Swedes formed their own local Mormon Stories group and had over 600 Facebook members. They would openly discuss these issues amongst themselves.

Join us as we visit Sweden and relive the “Swedish Rescue” with a panel (Parts 1 & 2) including Hans Mattsson as well as his co-author of the book, “Truth Seeking: The Story of High-Ranking Mormon Leader Hans Mattsson Seeking Sincere Answers From His Church but Instead Finding Contempt, Fear, Doubt …and Eventually Peace,” as well as a counselor to the District Presidency and former Bishop, and finally a Sunday School teacher who at the time of the Swedish Rescue had doubts about the truth claims of the LDS Church.  In Part 3, we invite our Swedish live audience to approach the microphone and share their unique Scandinavian experiences in the LDS Church.

Direct download: MormonStories-980-SwedishRescuePt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast as we interview Camille and Maddy about experiencing rape/sexual assault as a Mormon missionary.

Trigger warning: This episode discusses rape and sexual assault. Please practice self care, and use discretion regarding who else listens in.

In these important episodes, we will cover Camille’s sexual assault during her mission to Mexico, Maddy’s sexual assault while on a mission in Bolivia, and how the LDS Church handled the aftermath of these traumatic experiences. Camille and Maddy also share their thoughts on how the LDS Church can improve their handling of sexual assaults and importantly, why they decided to go public with their stories now.

Also discussed throughout these episodes is the missionary cultural belief of obedience to mission rules results in protection from the Lord, even in the most war-torn and violent areas in the world.  We talk about the feeling of invincibility and protection that Camille and Maddy felt before their assaults, and how their sexual assaults affected their faith in both LDS Church leadership, and in God.

Direct download: MormonStories-979-MissionarySexualAssaultPt4.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:30am MDT

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast as we interview Camille and Maddy about experiencing rape/sexual assault as a Mormon missionary.

Trigger warning: This episode discusses rape and sexual assault. Please practice self care, and use discretion regarding who else listens in.

In these important episodes, we will cover Camille’s sexual assault during her mission to Mexico, Maddy’s sexual assault while on a mission in Bolivia, and how the LDS Church handled the aftermath of these traumatic experiences. Camille and Maddy also share their thoughts on how the LDS Church can improve their handling of sexual assaults and importantly, why they decided to go public with their stories now.

Also discussed throughout these episodes is the missionary cultural belief of obedience to mission rules results in protection from the Lord, even in the most war-torn and violent areas in the world.  We talk about the feeling of invincibility and protection that Camille and Maddy felt before their assaults, and how their sexual assaults affected their faith in both LDS Church leadership, and in God.

Direct download: MormonStories-978-MissionarySexualAssaultPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast as we interview Camille and Maddy about experiencing rape/sexual assault as a Mormon missionary.

Trigger warning: This episode discusses rape and sexual assault. Please practice self care, and use discretion regarding who else listens in.

In these important episodes, we will cover Camille’s sexual assault during her mission to Mexico, Maddy’s sexual assault while on a mission in Bolivia, and how the LDS Church handled the aftermath of these traumatic experiences. Camille and Maddy also share their thoughts on how the LDS Church can improve their handling of sexual assaults and importantly, why they decided to go public with their stories now.

Also discussed throughout these episodes is the missionary cultural belief of obedience to mission rules results in protection from the Lord, even in the most war-torn and violent areas in the world.  We talk about the feeling of invincibility and protection that Camille and Maddy felt before their assaults, and how their sexual assaults affected their faith in both LDS Church leadership, and in God.

Direct download: MormonStories-977-MissionarySexualAssaultPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast as we interview Camille and Maddy about experiencing rape/sexual assault as a Mormon missionary.

Trigger warning: This episode discusses rape and sexual assault. Please practice self care, and use discretion regarding who else listens in.

In these important episodes, we will cover Camille’s sexual assault during her mission to Mexico, Maddy’s sexual assault while on a mission in Bolivia, and how the LDS Church handled the aftermath of these traumatic experiences. Camille and Maddy also share their thoughts on how the LDS Church can improve their handling of sexual assaults and importantly, why they decided to go public with their stories now.

Also discussed throughout these episodes is the missionary cultural belief of obedience to mission rules results in protection from the Lord, even in the most war-torn and violent areas in the world.  We talk about the feeling of invincibility and protection that Camille and Maddy felt before their assaults, and how their sexual assaults affected their faith in both LDS Church leadership, and in God.

Direct download: MormonStories-976-MissionarySexualAssaultPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Jill Searle's story includes:

*Being raised LDS and serving a mission.
*Entering into a mixed-orientation marriage as a lesbian woman.
*Having several children.
*Leaving the church, and finding a committed, long term partner (they were married 5 different times...incredible story).
*Allowing and even supporting her children to remain active/faithful LDS as a lesbian, ex-Mormon woman, all while the church was waging war on committed LGBT relationships.

Katie Searle's story includes:

*Being raised Mormon by an orthodox Mormon father and step-mother, and two lesbian ex-Mormon mothers.
*Marrying her husband, Nathan Williams.
*Co-founding with Nathan a globally successful magazine, Kinfolk.
*Facing the excruciating decision to terminate a pregnancy at 6 months.
*Dealing with the discovery that her husband, Nathan, is gay, while pregnant with their second child.
*Deciding with Nathan to end the marriage.
*Coping with a religious faith crisis through all this.
*Rebuilding a life and raising her daughter, Vi, as an ex-Mormon single mother.

This is an amazing story of responding to tragedy with grace and resilience.

Direct download: MormonStories-975-SearlePt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast for an incredibly powerful story on dealing with tragedy with resilience and grace. Jill and Katie Searle are a mother/daughter pair.

Jill Searle's story includes:

*Being raised LDS and serving a mission.
*Entering into a mixed-orientation marriage as a lesbian woman.
*Having several children.
*Leaving the church, and finding a committed, long term partner (they were married 5 different times...incredible story).
*Allowing and even supporting her children to remain active/faithful LDS as a lesbian, ex-Mormon woman, all while the church was waging war on committed LGBT relationships.

Katie Searle's story includes:

*Being raised Mormon by an orthodox Mormon father and step-mother, and two lesbian ex-Mormon mothers.
*Marrying her husband, Nathan Williams.
*Co-founding with Nathan a globally successful magazine, Kinfolk.
*Facing the excruciating decision to terminate a pregnancy at 6 months.
*Dealing with the discovery that her husband, Nathan, is gay, while pregnant with their second child.
*Deciding with Nathan to end the marriage.
*Coping with a religious faith crisis through all this.
*Rebuilding a life and raising her daughter, Vi, as an ex-Mormon single mother.

This is an amazing story of responding to tragedy with grace and resilience.

Direct download: MormonStories-974-SearlePt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

BREAKING NEWS! Please join us on Mormon Stories Podcast as we discuss the Mormon Church’s announcement that it plans to excommunicate Sam Young for attempting to Protect LDS Children from sexual abuse. The council is currently scheduled to convene at 6PM on Sunday, September 9 at the Lexington Building in the stake offices in Houston, Texas.

In this episode, we discuss the letter Sam received dated August 28, 2018 and Sam’s initial feelings about the meeting, including his approach and preparation for the disciplinary council.

Direct download: MormonStories-973-SamYoungExcommunication.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:41pm MDT

Collette’s incredible journey covers betrayal in her first marriage, genetic illness in two of her children, financial ruin leading to a multi-million dollar business, and advancement through and eventual separation from Mormonism.

Part One: 

Born and raised in Rexburg, Idaho in a devout LDS family, the oldest of 10 children, Collette and her first husband had five children, two of whom were born with Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease. At 14 years old, Collette’s daughter passed away after a rejected double lung transplant and medically-induced coma.  Collette describes rushing into her first marriage at a young age because of guilt induced from clergy interviews when she confessed to youthful indiscretions. Her second marriage also ended in divorce.

Part Two: 

After three months of intensive care for her daughter and her second daughter who was also living with CF, Collette had accrued over $1,000,000 in medical bills. Collette describes her first time seeking help from the State Welfare Office. That year, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundationprovided Christmas gifts for Collette’s children.

Collette found great success working with Usana, a new career opportunity that allowed Collette the chance to earn an income from home while taking care of her children. When the company expanded to Australia, Collette moved there for a year with her children. From there, they spent time expanding the market in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Korea.

Collette’s third marriage unfolds like a fascinating movie script. Listen to the interview to hear how Collette and her husband, the love of her life, found each other.

Participation in LDS-led Prop 8 advocacy in California gave Collette the opportunity to exercise her faith and obedience, but standing on California street corners holding pro-Prop 8 banners forced her to question her actions and faith. The “Exclusion Policy” of November 2015 was a final straw for Collette.

Direct download: MormonStories-972-ColletteLarsenPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Collette’s incredible journey covers betrayal in her first marriage, genetic illness in two of her children, financial ruin leading to a multi-million dollar business, and advancement through and eventual separation from Mormonism.

Part One: 

Born and raised in Rexburg, Idaho in a devout LDS family, the oldest of 10 children, Collette and her first husband had five children, two of whom were born with Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease. At 14 years old, Collette’s daughter passed away after a rejected double lung transplant and medically-induced coma.  Collette describes rushing into her first marriage at a young age because of guilt induced from clergy interviews when she confessed to youthful indiscretions. Her second marriage also ended in divorce.

Part Two: 

After three months of intensive care for her daughter and her second daughter who was also living with CF, Collette had accrued over $1,000,000 in medical bills. Collette describes her first time seeking help from the State Welfare Office. That year, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundationprovided Christmas gifts for Collette’s children.

Collette found great success working with Usana, a new career opportunity that allowed Collette the chance to earn an income from home while taking care of her children. When the company expanded to Australia, Collette moved there for a year with her children. From there, they spent time expanding the market in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Korea.

Collette’s third marriage unfolds like a fascinating movie script. Listen to the interview to hear how Collette and her husband, the love of her life, found each other.

Participation in LDS-led Prop 8 advocacy in California gave Collette the opportunity to exercise her faith and obedience, but standing on California street corners holding pro-Prop 8 banners forced her to question her actions and faith. The “Exclusion Policy” of November 2015 was a final straw for Collette.

Direct download: MormonStories-971-ColletteLarsenPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Longtime friend of John and Margi Dehlin, Jeremy Young joins us discuss his pioneer ancestry, faith journey, ventures as an entrepreneur, and wine!Near the conclusion of the interview, we hear about an exciting scripted TV series on Joseph Smith and the founding of the Mormon church that Jeremy is undertaking with John C. Hamer and other brilliant collaborators.

Part One:  Growing up deeply rooted in Mormon culture in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Jeremy felt the pressure to be perfect but realized early in his teen years that he didn't quite fit the mold. From mimicking the edgy "Zestfully Clean" TV commercialin front of his entire high school - to performing magic tricks as an icebreaker for investigators on his mission - Jeremy had a playful approach to life.

Jeremy attributes much of his success in life to the values instilled in him by his Mormon upbringing. Jeremy served a French-speaking LDS mission in Québec, Canada, which he reflects fondly upon. Attending the temple was never a source of feeling the spirit for Jeremy like playing church music on the piano or attending church was.

Part Two:  From climbing the ranks within telemarketing to building Rush Limbaugh's early online store, Jeremy realized great success as a business person. He became a multi-millionaire by the age of 28 with over one hundred employees and multiple ventures under his belt.

After about 6 years of dealing with infertility, Jeremy and his wife Molly adopted their first child through LDS Social Services. Jeremy emotionally recounts the challenging and beautiful experience of growing his family and interacting with the birth mother of his adopted child. "It was a magical experience." In total, the couple now has three children.

German board games became a passion for Jeremy, inspiring him to start a board game company. There, he created the game Settlers of Zarahemla. Jeremy came close to owning the rights to the game Ticket to Ride.

Part Three:  After serving in multiple church callings related to music, Jeremy became the Elders' Quorum President as a young father and husband. Jeremy found three of D. Michael Quinn's booksat his mother-in-law's house. Jeremy describes the cognitive dissonance reading these books cause within him as "jolting." Other influential books in Jeremy's were Newell's Mormon Enigma, Bushman's Rough Stone Rolling, Dawkins' The God Delusion.

Around this time, Jeremy heard of John Dehlin's work and Mormon Stories Podcast but was cautioned to stay away. Living in St. George, Utah at this point, Jeremy was grappling with his emotionally-taxing faith crisis.

In a temple recommend interview, Jeremy's bishop questioned Jeremy's tongue-in-cheek Christmas cards that he would send to hundreds of people, using this to threaten not issuing a recommend.

Living in St. George, Utah was a challenge for Jeremy during his faith journey. Perhaps the last straw that made him move was receiving a gift certificate for a massage. When he went to the massage studio, he was given a massage by a polygamist woman in full garb with a Massage Envy t-shirt over her dress. "We've got to get out of here!" Jeremy told Molly.

Expressing concerns about issues within the church prevented Jeremy from having a temple recommend, which strained relationships between Jeremy and his friends. Transitioning out of the church, what took Jeremy thirteen years, took Molly three days after reading Runnell's CES Letter. Jeremy and Molly's participation in Arizona LDS LGBT & Family/Friends and marching in Pride parades "caused all hell to break loose in the ward" and started untrue rumors that Jeremy is gay. The "November Policy" was a final straw for Jeremy and his family, causing the entire family to resign membership in the church through Quit Mormon.

Jeremy details how he and Molly have evolved as a couple, sought help from others, and have moved from "okay" to "great." John and Jeremy share memories of a trip they took together with their spouses to Tuscany, Italy. There, Jeremy shared with John his love of the craft of wine - which John did not drink. The two discuss the role and risks of incorporating alcohol into life as an ex-Mormon.

Direct download: MormonStories-970-JeremyYoungPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

Longtime friend of John and Margi Dehlin, Jeremy Young joins us discuss his pioneer ancestry, faith journey, ventures as an entrepreneur, and wine!Near the conclusion of the interview, we hear about an exciting scripted TV series on Joseph Smith and the founding of the Mormon church that Jeremy is undertaking with John C. Hamer and other brilliant collaborators.

Part One:  Growing up deeply rooted in Mormon culture in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Jeremy felt the pressure to be perfect but realized early in his teen years that he didn't quite fit the mold. From mimicking the edgy "Zestfully Clean" TV commercialin front of his entire high school - to performing magic tricks as an icebreaker for investigators on his mission - Jeremy had a playful approach to life.

Jeremy attributes much of his success in life to the values instilled in him by his Mormon upbringing. Jeremy served a French-speaking LDS mission in Québec, Canada, which he reflects fondly upon. Attending the temple was never a source of feeling the spirit for Jeremy like playing church music on the piano or attending church was.

Part Two:  From climbing the ranks within telemarketing to building Rush Limbaugh's early online store, Jeremy realized great success as a business person. He became a multi-millionaire by the age of 28 with over one hundred employees and multiple ventures under his belt.

After about 6 years of dealing with infertility, Jeremy and his wife Molly adopted their first child through LDS Social Services. Jeremy emotionally recounts the challenging and beautiful experience of growing his family and interacting with the birth mother of his adopted child. "It was a magical experience." In total, the couple now has three children.

German board games became a passion for Jeremy, inspiring him to start a board game company. There, he created the game Settlers of Zarahemla. Jeremy came close to owning the rights to the game Ticket to Ride.

Part Three:  After serving in multiple church callings related to music, Jeremy became the Elders' Quorum President as a young father and husband. Jeremy found three of D. Michael Quinn's booksat his mother-in-law's house. Jeremy describes the cognitive dissonance reading these books cause within him as "jolting." Other influential books in Jeremy's were Newell's Mormon Enigma, Bushman's Rough Stone Rolling, Dawkins' The God Delusion.

Around this time, Jeremy heard of John Dehlin's work and Mormon Stories Podcast but was cautioned to stay away. Living in St. George, Utah at this point, Jeremy was grappling with his emotionally-taxing faith crisis.

In a temple recommend interview, Jeremy's bishop questioned Jeremy's tongue-in-cheek Christmas cards that he would send to hundreds of people, using this to threaten not issuing a recommend.

Living in St. George, Utah was a challenge for Jeremy during his faith journey. Perhaps the last straw that made him move was receiving a gift certificate for a massage. When he went to the massage studio, he was given a massage by a polygamist woman in full garb with a Massage Envy t-shirt over her dress. "We've got to get out of here!" Jeremy told Molly.

Expressing concerns about issues within the church prevented Jeremy from having a temple recommend, which strained relationships between Jeremy and his friends. Transitioning out of the church, what took Jeremy thirteen years, took Molly three days after reading Runnell's CES Letter. Jeremy and Molly's participation in Arizona LDS LGBT & Family/Friends and marching in Pride parades "caused all hell to break loose in the ward" and started untrue rumors that Jeremy is gay. The "November Policy" was a final straw for Jeremy and his family, causing the entire family to resign membership in the church through Quit Mormon.

Jeremy details how he and Molly have evolved as a couple, sought help from others, and have moved from "okay" to "great." John and Jeremy share memories of a trip they took together with their spouses to Tuscany, Italy. There, Jeremy shared with John his love of the craft of wine - which John did not drink. The two discuss the role and risks of incorporating alcohol into life as an ex-Mormon.

Direct download: MormonStories-969-JeremyYoungPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Longtime friend of John and Margi Dehlin, Jeremy Young joins us discuss his pioneer ancestry, faith journey, ventures as an entrepreneur, and wine!Near the conclusion of the interview, we hear about an exciting scripted TV series on Joseph Smith and the founding of the Mormon church that Jeremy is undertaking with John C. Hamer and other brilliant collaborators.

Part One:  Growing up deeply rooted in Mormon culture in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Jeremy felt the pressure to be perfect but realized early in his teen years that he didn't quite fit the mold. From mimicking the edgy "Zestfully Clean" TV commercialin front of his entire high school - to performing magic tricks as an icebreaker for investigators on his mission - Jeremy had a playful approach to life.

Jeremy attributes much of his success in life to the values instilled in him by his Mormon upbringing. Jeremy served a French-speaking LDS mission in Québec, Canada, which he reflects fondly upon. Attending the temple was never a source of feeling the spirit for Jeremy like playing church music on the piano or attending church was.

Part Two:  From climbing the ranks within telemarketing to building Rush Limbaugh's early online store, Jeremy realized great success as a business person. He became a multi-millionaire by the age of 28 with over one hundred employees and multiple ventures under his belt.

After about 6 years of dealing with infertility, Jeremy and his wife Molly adopted their first child through LDS Social Services. Jeremy emotionally recounts the challenging and beautiful experience of growing his family and interacting with the birth mother of his adopted child. "It was a magical experience." In total, the couple now has three children.

German board games became a passion for Jeremy, inspiring him to start a board game company. There, he created the game Settlers of Zarahemla. Jeremy came close to owning the rights to the game Ticket to Ride.

Part Three:  After serving in multiple church callings related to music, Jeremy became the Elders' Quorum President as a young father and husband. Jeremy found three of D. Michael Quinn's booksat his mother-in-law's house. Jeremy describes the cognitive dissonance reading these books cause within him as "jolting." Other influential books in Jeremy's were Newell's Mormon Enigma, Bushman's Rough Stone Rolling, Dawkins' The God Delusion.

Around this time, Jeremy heard of John Dehlin's work and Mormon Stories Podcast but was cautioned to stay away. Living in St. George, Utah at this point, Jeremy was grappling with his emotionally-taxing faith crisis.

In a temple recommend interview, Jeremy's bishop questioned Jeremy's tongue-in-cheek Christmas cards that he would send to hundreds of people, using this to threaten not issuing a recommend.

Living in St. George, Utah was a challenge for Jeremy during his faith journey. Perhaps the last straw that made him move was receiving a gift certificate for a massage. When he went to the massage studio, he was given a massage by a polygamist woman in full garb with a Massage Envy t-shirt over her dress. "We've got to get out of here!" Jeremy told Molly.

Expressing concerns about issues within the church prevented Jeremy from having a temple recommend, which strained relationships between Jeremy and his friends. Transitioning out of the church, what took Jeremy thirteen years, took Molly three days after reading Runnell's CES Letter. Jeremy and Molly's participation in Arizona LDS LGBT & Family/Friends and marching in Pride parades "caused all hell to break loose in the ward" and started untrue rumors that Jeremy is gay. The "November Policy" was a final straw for Jeremy and his family, causing the entire family to resign membership in the church through Quit Mormon.

Jeremy details how he and Molly have evolved as a couple, sought help from others, and have moved from "okay" to "great." John and Jeremy share memories of a trip they took together with their spouses to Tuscany, Italy. There, Jeremy shared with John his love of the craft of wine - which John did not drink. The two discuss the role and risks of incorporating alcohol into life as an ex-Mormon.

Direct download: MormonStories-968-JeremyYoungPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

What would cause a sitting Mormon bishop and his wife to lose their testimonies while he is serving as bishop – leading him to resign as bishop? Jeanne and Jason’s story is another in a series of episodes where we interview past Mormon bishops.

The two describe raising their four children in the church, their varied callings, and how inextricable Mormonism was in their marriage and worldview. Jason’s first call to a bishopric was not one he felt ready or spiritual enough for. Moved by the words of President Hinckley to “Forget yourself and go to work,” he accepted and immediately went to work. “He was a good bishop,” affirms Jeanne. Jason “upped his ‘spiritual game’” by eliminating hard rock from his music collection. Jeanne and their children made similar steps to fit the mold.

Once called as Bishop, Jason began reading the LDS Gospel Topics Essays, beginning with “Race and the Priesthood,” which caused him to reflect on 2 Nephi Chapter 5 as well as his own experience teaching individuals in New Zealand. “It shook my confidence in the scriptures. It never occurred to me that prophets could be wrong…in ways that affect people’s lives.” These essays served as the beginning of a series of events that eroded Jason’s testimony.

Jason was further shaken by being invited to interview as a candidate for Stake President, causing him to wonder if such callings were really the result of inspiration or perhaps the leadership were just ordinary people doing the best they could. Expressing these concerns to Jeanne caused her grief, wondering how her husband could still be a good in person if he left the church.

Around this time, Jason found Mormon Stories Podcast, which helped him learn more about challenging issues in the church. Issues for Jason began to mount as he learned about individuals who questioned doctrine and did not receive sufficient answers. Jason goes on to describe what it’s like to remain a Bishop after losing confidence in fellow priesthood leaders. As both of their testimonies crumbled, Jeanne and Jason describe being “heartbroken.”

What does this bishop do as he, his wife, and his family lose their testimonies?

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast to hear the full story. You will not find more sensitive and thoughtful people than Jeanne and Jason Booth.

Direct download: MormonStories-967-BoothsPt4.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:30am MDT

What would cause a sitting Mormon bishop and his wife to lose their testimonies while he is serving as bishop – leading him to resign as bishop? Jeanne and Jason’s story is another in a series of episodes where we interview past Mormon bishops.

The two describe raising their four children in the church, their varied callings, and how inextricable Mormonism was in their marriage and worldview. Jason’s first call to a bishopric was not one he felt ready or spiritual enough for. Moved by the words of President Hinckley to “Forget yourself and go to work,” he accepted and immediately went to work. “He was a good bishop,” affirms Jeanne. Jason “upped his ‘spiritual game’” by eliminating hard rock from his music collection. Jeanne and their children made similar steps to fit the mold.

Once called as Bishop, Jason began reading the LDS Gospel Topics Essays, beginning with “Race and the Priesthood,” which caused him to reflect on 2 Nephi Chapter 5 as well as his own experience teaching individuals in New Zealand. “It shook my confidence in the scriptures. It never occurred to me that prophets could be wrong…in ways that affect people’s lives.” These essays served as the beginning of a series of events that eroded Jason’s testimony.

Jason was further shaken by being invited to interview as a candidate for Stake President, causing him to wonder if such callings were really the result of inspiration or perhaps the leadership were just ordinary people doing the best they could. Expressing these concerns to Jeanne caused her grief, wondering how her husband could still be a good in person if he left the church.

Around this time, Jason found Mormon Stories Podcast, which helped him learn more about challenging issues in the church. Issues for Jason began to mount as he learned about individuals who questioned doctrine and did not receive sufficient answers. Jason goes on to describe what it’s like to remain a Bishop after losing confidence in fellow priesthood leaders. As both of their testimonies crumbled, Jeanne and Jason describe being “heartbroken.”

What does this bishop do as he, his wife, and his family lose their testimonies?

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast to hear the full story. You will not find more sensitive and thoughtful people than Jeanne and Jason Booth.

Direct download: MormonStories-966-BoothsPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

What would cause a sitting Mormon bishop and his wife to lose their testimonies while he is serving as bishop – leading him to resign as bishop? Jeanne and Jason’s story is another in a series of episodes where we interview past Mormon bishops.

The two describe raising their four children in the church, their varied callings, and how inextricable Mormonism was in their marriage and worldview. Jason’s first call to a bishopric was not one he felt ready or spiritual enough for. Moved by the words of President Hinckley to “Forget yourself and go to work,” he accepted and immediately went to work. “He was a good bishop,” affirms Jeanne. Jason “upped his ‘spiritual game’” by eliminating hard rock from his music collection. Jeanne and their children made similar steps to fit the mold.

Once called as Bishop, Jason began reading the LDS Gospel Topics Essays, beginning with “Race and the Priesthood,” which caused him to reflect on 2 Nephi Chapter 5 as well as his own experience teaching individuals in New Zealand. “It shook my confidence in the scriptures. It never occurred to me that prophets could be wrong…in ways that affect people’s lives.” These essays served as the beginning of a series of events that eroded Jason’s testimony.

Jason was further shaken by being invited to interview as a candidate for Stake President, causing him to wonder if such callings were really the result of inspiration or perhaps the leadership were just ordinary people doing the best they could. Expressing these concerns to Jeanne caused her grief, wondering how her husband could still be a good in person if he left the church.

Around this time, Jason found Mormon Stories Podcast, which helped him learn more about challenging issues in the church. Issues for Jason began to mount as he learned about individuals who questioned doctrine and did not receive sufficient answers. Jason goes on to describe what it’s like to remain a Bishop after losing confidence in fellow priesthood leaders. As both of their testimonies crumbled, Jeanne and Jason describe being “heartbroken.”

What does this bishop do as he, his wife, and his family lose their testimonies?

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast to hear the full story. You will not find more sensitive and thoughtful people than Jeanne and Jason Booth.

Direct download: MormonStories-965-BoothsPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

What would cause a sitting Mormon bishop and his wife to lose their testimonies while he is serving as bishop – leading him to resign as bishop? Jeanne and Jason’s story is another in a series of episodes where we interview past Mormon bishops.

The two describe raising their four children in the church, their varied callings, and how inextricable Mormonism was in their marriage and worldview. Jason’s first call to a bishopric was not one he felt ready or spiritual enough for. Moved by the words of President Hinckley to “Forget yourself and go to work,” he accepted and immediately went to work. “He was a good bishop,” affirms Jeanne. Jason “upped his ‘spiritual game’” by eliminating hard rock from his music collection. Jeanne and their children made similar steps to fit the mold.

Once called as Bishop, Jason began reading the LDS Gospel Topics Essays, beginning with “Race and the Priesthood,” which caused him to reflect on 2 Nephi Chapter 5 as well as his own experience teaching individuals in New Zealand. “It shook my confidence in the scriptures. It never occurred to me that prophets could be wrong…in ways that affect people’s lives.” These essays served as the beginning of a series of events that eroded Jason’s testimony.

Jason was further shaken by being invited to interview as a candidate for Stake President, causing him to wonder if such callings were really the result of inspiration or perhaps the leadership were just ordinary people doing the best they could. Expressing these concerns to Jeanne caused her grief, wondering how her husband could still be a good in person if he left the church.

Around this time, Jason found Mormon Stories Podcast, which helped him learn more about challenging issues in the church. Issues for Jason began to mount as he learned about individuals who questioned doctrine and did not receive sufficient answers. Jason goes on to describe what it’s like to remain a Bishop after losing confidence in fellow priesthood leaders. As both of their testimonies crumbled, Jeanne and Jason describe being “heartbroken.”

What does this bishop do as he, his wife, and his family lose their testimonies?

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast to hear the full story. You will not find more sensitive and thoughtful people than Jeanne and Jason Booth.

Direct download: MormonStories-964-BoothsPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Bishop Sam Young is no stranger to Mormon Stories, and in these episodes we meet with Sam again to discuss his decision to escalate his cause to protect LDS children by attempting a 21-day hunger strike and daily spotlight near Temple Square.  We discuss the purpose of Sam’s hunger strike and allow him the opportunity to discuss the effectiveness of his latest actions to end one-on-one interviews between clergy and youth behind closed doors, and in asking questions of a sexual nature.  Sam also discusses the 29 questions he has compiled of questions individuals have been asked behind closed doors of an inappropriate and pornographic nature.  We then ask Sam what his next steps will be if his escalation does not bring about the desired change.

Direct download: MormonStories-963-SamYoungHungerStrikePt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Bishop Sam Young is no stranger to Mormon Stories, and in these episodes we meet with Sam again to discuss his decision to escalate his cause to protect LDS children by attempting a 21-day hunger strike and daily spotlight near Temple Square.  We discuss the purpose of Sam’s hunger strike and allow him the opportunity to discuss the effectiveness of his latest actions to end one-on-one interviews between clergy and youth behind closed doors, and in asking questions of a sexual nature.  Sam also discusses the 29 questions he has compiled of questions individuals have been asked behind closed doors of an inappropriate and pornographic nature.  We then ask Sam what his next steps will be if his escalation does not bring about the desired change.

Direct download: MormonStories-962-SamYoungHungerStrikePt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

David Eccles Hardy lived as an orthodox Mormon for years, serving as an LDS Bishop and raising his family "in the covenant." While serving as a Mormon bishop, David learned of his son's homosexuality and the difficulty/pain his son experienced being raised in the LDS church as a gay youth.  This experience led David to re-evaluate his faith, and ultimately to resign as bishop. Soon thereafter, David launched a campaign to convince the Mormon church to eliminate several pamphlets for youth and adults that he felt sent damaging messages regarding sexuality.

In a 1999 letter to Boyd K. Packer, David outlined the heartache and damage these publications caused his son and countless others.

In our interview, David outlines his careers in music and law, his interactions with prominent LDS leaders, as well as his involvement in helping to secure Salt Lake City's bid to host the 2002 Winter Olympics. He also treats us to how he would have born his testimony in French as an LDS missionary in France.

Direct download: MormonStories-961-DavidEcclesHardyPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

David Eccles Hardy lived as an orthodox Mormon for years, serving as an LDS Bishop and raising his family "in the covenant." While serving as a Mormon bishop, David learned of his son's homosexuality and the difficulty/pain his son experienced being raised in the LDS church as a gay youth.  This experience led David to re-evaluate his faith, and ultimately to resign as bishop. Soon thereafter, David launched a campaign to convince the Mormon church to eliminate several pamphlets for youth and adults that he felt sent damaging messages regarding sexuality.

In a 1999 letter to Boyd K. Packer, David outlined the heartache and damage these publications caused his son and countless others.

In our interview, David outlines his careers in music and law, his interactions with prominent LDS leaders, as well as his involvement in helping to secure Salt Lake City's bid to host the 2002 Winter Olympics. He also treats us to how he would have born his testimony in French as an LDS missionary in France.

Direct download: MormonStories-960-DavidEcclesHardyPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

David Eccles Hardy lived as an orthodox Mormon for years, serving as an LDS Bishop and raising his family "in the covenant." While serving as a Mormon bishop, David learned of his son's homosexuality and the difficulty/pain his son experienced being raised in the LDS church as a gay youth.  This experience led David to re-evaluate his faith, and ultimately to resign as bishop. Soon thereafter, David launched a campaign to convince the Mormon church to eliminate several pamphlets for youth and adults that he felt sent damaging messages regarding sexuality.

In a 1999 letter to Boyd K. Packer, David outlined the heartache and damage these publications caused his son and countless others.

In our interview, David outlines his careers in music and law, his interactions with prominent LDS leaders, as well as his involvement in helping to secure Salt Lake City's bid to host the 2002 Winter Olympics. He also treats us to how he would have born his testimony in French as an LDS missionary in France.

Direct download: MormonStories-959-DavidEcclesHardyPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

In this edition of Mormon Stories, we visit the Houston, Texas area to interview Emily and Kyle Harris as they recount their 14-year mixed faith journey in their marriage.  We cover:

  • Their backgrounds being raised in the LDS Church, leading up to their marriage while still being believers
  • How Kyle lost his faith in the Church early on in their marriage
  • The process Emily went through for 14 years as she learned to understand and accept Kyle’s lack of faith
  • What mistakes and successes Emily and Kyle experienced as they learned to navigate their mixed-faith marriage
  • What changed in Emily’s life to help them get on the same page
  • How Emily and Kyle arrived at a healthy, happy place in their marriage
Direct download: MormonStories-958-EmilyandKylePt4.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:30am MDT

In this edition of Mormon Stories, we visit the Houston, Texas area to interview Emily and Kyle Harris as they recount their 14-year mixed faith journey in their marriage.  We cover:

  • Their backgrounds being raised in the LDS Church, leading up to their marriage while still being believers
  • How Kyle lost his faith in the Church early on in their marriage
  • The process Emily went through for 14 years as she learned to understand and accept Kyle’s lack of faith
  • What mistakes and successes Emily and Kyle experienced as they learned to navigate their mixed-faith marriage
  • What changed in Emily’s life to help them get on the same page
  • How Emily and Kyle arrived at a healthy, happy place in their marriage
Direct download: MormonStories-957-EmilyandKylePt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

In this edition of Mormon Stories, we visit the Houston, Texas area to interview Emily and Kyle Harris as they recount their 14-year mixed faith journey in their marriage.  We cover:

  • Their backgrounds being raised in the LDS Church, leading up to their marriage while still being believers
  • How Kyle lost his faith in the Church early on in their marriage
  • The process Emily went through for 14 years as she learned to understand and accept Kyle’s lack of faith
  • What mistakes and successes Emily and Kyle experienced as they learned to navigate their mixed-faith marriage
  • What changed in Emily’s life to help them get on the same page
  • How Emily and Kyle arrived at a healthy, happy place in their marriage
Direct download: MormonStories-956-EmilyandKylePt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

In this edition of Mormon Stories, we visit the Houston, Texas area to interview Emily and Kyle Harris as they recount their 14-year mixed faith journey in their marriage.  We cover:

  • Their backgrounds being raised in the LDS Church, leading up to their marriage while still being believers
  • How Kyle lost his faith in the Church early on in their marriage
  • The process Emily went through for 14 years as she learned to understand and accept Kyle’s lack of faith
  • What mistakes and successes Emily and Kyle experienced as they learned to navigate their mixed-faith marriage
  • What changed in Emily’s life to help them get on the same page
  • How Emily and Kyle arrived at a healthy, happy place in their marriage
Direct download: MormonStories-955-EmilyandKylePt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Join us as we interview editors Nancy Ross and Sara Hanks to discuss their anthology, "Where We Must Stand: Ten Years of Feminist Mormon Housewives," an anthology of blog posts from the first decade of the Feminist Mormon Housewives blog, 2004—2014. The posts discuss Mormon women’s experiences of wrestling with feminism in a conservative religious tradition. The book highlights individual moments of reflection and faith while tracking the growth and progress of a larger community and religious social movement. Bloggers and community members moved from writing to activism, witnessed the public excommunication of a community member, mourned, and changed. The Feminist Mormon Housewives blog emerged at a time when the broader Mormon feminist movement was in decline. The bloggers shared their discovery of Mormon feminist history, concerns and fears about polygamy, the difficulty of navigating church and family relationships, losing and finding faith, the worst sex talk that ever happened in a church setting, and the awakening of a broader social consciousness. In doing so, they invited a new generation of women into the movement and helped to rebuild it.

Direct download: MormonStories-954-FMHPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Join us as we interview editors Nancy Ross and Sara Hanks to discuss their anthology, "Where We Must Stand: Ten Years of Feminist Mormon Housewives," an anthology of blog posts from the first decade of the Feminist Mormon Housewives blog, 2004—2014. The posts discuss Mormon women’s experiences of wrestling with feminism in a conservative religious tradition. The book highlights individual moments of reflection and faith while tracking the growth and progress of a larger community and religious social movement. Bloggers and community members moved from writing to activism, witnessed the public excommunication of a community member, mourned, and changed. The Feminist Mormon Housewives blog emerged at a time when the broader Mormon feminist movement was in decline. The bloggers shared their discovery of Mormon feminist history, concerns and fears about polygamy, the difficulty of navigating church and family relationships, losing and finding faith, the worst sex talk that ever happened in a church setting, and the awakening of a broader social consciousness. In doing so, they invited a new generation of women into the movement and helped to rebuild it.

Direct download: MormonStories-953-FMHPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Join us as we interview key contributors to the documentary “Church and State,” James Huntsman, Holly Tuckett, and Mark Lawrence. 

Mormon Stories is honored to host a private screening of the award-winning documentary “Church and State.” This screening will be held on Wednesday, July 18th, 2018 at 7:00 pm at the Broadway Theater in Salt Lake.

This movie is the improbable story of a brash, inexperienced gay activist and a tiny Salt Lake City law firm that joined forces to topple Utah’s gay marriage ban. The film’s ride on the bumpy road to equality in Utah offers a glimpse at the Mormon church’s influence in state politics and the squabbles inside the gay community that nearly derailed a chance to make history.

Direct download: MormonStories-952-ChurchAndState.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 7:28am MDT

In this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast, we interview Jenny Wilson, Democratic nominee for US Senate, challenging Mitt Romneyfor Orrin Hatch‘s seat in Utah.

We discuss:

  • Jenny's political heritage in the state of Utah
  • Her Mormon upbringing and experience in Utah politics as a non-practicing member of the LDS Church
  • Her views on some of the political issues facing Utahns and Mormons in particular
  • Her experience on the intersection of Utah politics and the LDS Church
  • Thoughts on her opponent and an invitation from Mormon Stories for Mitt Romney to appear on the podcast
Direct download: MormonStories-951-JennyWilsonPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

In this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast, we interview Jenny Wilson, Democratic nominee for US Senate, challenging Mitt Romneyfor Orrin Hatch‘s seat in Utah.

We discuss:

  • Jenny's political heritage in the state of Utah
  • Her Mormon upbringing and experience in Utah politics as a non-practicing member of the LDS Church
  • Her views on some of the political issues facing Utahns and Mormons in particular
  • Her experience on the intersection of Utah politics and the LDS Church
  • Thoughts on her opponent and an invitation from Mormon Stories for Mitt Romney to appear on the podcast
Direct download: MormonStories-950-JennyWilsonPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

On this episode of Mormon News Podcast, John Dehlin, Julienna Viegas, Stephanie Lobrot, and Sharon Price discuss the LDS response to immigrant family separation, the Provo Freedom Festival, the upcoming LDS hymnal, Family Search to include same-sex relationships, and changes to the youth interview policy.

Direct download: 005__Immigrant_Separation_Freedom_F.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 10:53am MDT

Award-winning singer-songwriter Sarah Sample treats us with an interactive interview in front of a live audience in our Mormon Stories studio—sharing with us songs from her new album, Redwing – which explores her faith journey out of Mormonism.

Sarah writes beautiful songs that weave a trail of stories through folk, Americana, and country and have garnered comparisons to Sheryl Crow, The Weepies, and Bonnie Raitt.

Redwing, Sample’s sixth album, features more of her cut-to-the-bone storytelling, framed with empathy and compassion, and told with the best singing of Sample’s career. Produced by Sample’s longtime producer Scott Wiley (Elliott Smith, Bonnie Raitt), Redwing came to life over a few weeks of  sessions at June Audio in Provo, Utah.

Redwing is—among other things and in the grand tradition of albums—a breakup album. But this was no run-of-the-mill romantic heartbreak; Sample’s breakup was spiritual. She left the committed religion of her upbringing (and its by-the-book lifestyle) to chart her own spiritual course, with all the starting over, unmapped question marks, and personal reconstruction that come with it. In the process, she landed in Wyoming where, in her words, “the wide open spaces felt like open arms to me—the endless skies and horizons leave room for anyone to belong.” Redwing tells that story. And more.

Direct download: MormonStories-948-SarahSamplePt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Award-winning singer-songwriter Sarah Sample treats us with an interactive interview in front of a live audience in our Mormon Stories studio—sharing with us songs from her new album, Redwing – which explores her faith journey out of Mormonism.

Sarah writes beautiful songs that weave a trail of stories through folk, Americana, and country and have garnered comparisons to Sheryl Crow, The Weepies, and Bonnie Raitt.

Redwing, Sample’s sixth album, features more of her cut-to-the-bone storytelling, framed with empathy and compassion, and told with the best singing of Sample’s career. Produced by Sample’s longtime producer Scott Wiley (Elliott Smith, Bonnie Raitt), Redwing came to life over a few weeks of  sessions at June Audio in Provo, Utah.

Redwing is—among other things and in the grand tradition of albums—a breakup album. But this was no run-of-the-mill romantic heartbreak; Sample’s breakup was spiritual. She left the committed religion of her upbringing (and its by-the-book lifestyle) to chart her own spiritual course, with all the starting over, unmapped question marks, and personal reconstruction that come with it. In the process, she landed in Wyoming where, in her words, “the wide open spaces felt like open arms to me—the endless skies and horizons leave room for anyone to belong.” Redwing tells that story. And more.

Direct download: MormonStories-947-SarahSamplePt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

In response to a recent article published in the Deseret News titled “Defending the Faith: The supposed scandal of multiple First Vision accounts” by past Mormon Stories guest Dan Peterson, we assemble an all-star panel to conduct a deep dive into: 1) The multiple and conflicting accounts of Joseph Smith’s first vision, and 2) How the Mormon church and apologists mislead church members about the issue. Our panelists include Sandra Tanner, Mark Crego, Warren Ludlow, and Johnny Stephenson.

Direct download: MormonStories-946-FirstVisionPanelPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

In response to a recent article published in the Deseret News titled “Defending the Faith: The supposed scandal of multiple First Vision accounts” by past Mormon Stories guest Dan Peterson, we assemble an all-star panel to conduct a deep dive into: 1) The multiple and conflicting accounts of Joseph Smith’s first vision, and 2) How the Mormon church and apologists mislead church members about the issue. Our panelists include Sandra Tanner, Mark Crego, Warren Ludlow, and Johnny Stephenson.

Direct download: MormonStories-945-FirstVisionPanelPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

In response to a recent article published in the Deseret News titled “Defending the Faith: The supposed scandal of multiple First Vision accounts” by past Mormon Stories guest Dan Peterson, we assemble an all-star panel to conduct a deep dive into: 1) The multiple and conflicting accounts of Joseph Smith’s first vision, and 2) How the Mormon church and apologists mislead church members about the issue. Our panelists include Sandra Tanner, Mark Crego, Warren Ludlow, and Johnny Stephenson.

Direct download: MormonStories-944-FirstVisionPanelPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

John Dehlin, Julienna Viegas, Sean Carter, and Darron Smith continue discussing last week's LDS BeOne event, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the lifting of the priesthood ban.

Direct download: MNP_004_-_Reactions_to_the_LDS_BeOne_Celebration_Pt.2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 11:52am MDT

John Dehlin, Julienna Viegas, Sean Carter, and Darron Smith discuss last week's LDS BeOne event, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the lifting of the priesthood ban.

Direct download: MNP_004_-_Reactions_to_the_LDS_BeOne_Celebration_Pt.1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 11:50am MDT

Described as one of our most raw and moving interviews by our Facebook live audience, this special Pride edition of Mormon Stories is an interview with Jaime and Madeleine Soulé of Utah.  Join us as we discuss:

  • Their upbringing in the LDS Church
  • Meeting and falling in love
  • Their LDS mission woes
  • Eventual marriage and parenthood
  • Losing faith
  • Jaime's transition as a trans woman and learning to manage their queer marriage
Direct download: MormonStories-941-QueerMarriagePt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Described as one of our most raw and moving interviews by our Facebook live audience, this special Pride edition of Mormon Stories is an interview with Jaime and Madeleine Soulé of Utah.  Join us as we discuss:

  • Their upbringing in the LDS Church
  • Meeting and falling in love
  • Their LDS mission woes
  • Eventual marriage and parenthood
  • Losing faith
  • Jaime's transition as a trans woman and learning to manage their queer marriage
Direct download: MormonStories-940-QueerMarriagePt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

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.

Direct download: MormonStories-939-StevenHassanPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

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.

Direct download: MormonStories-938-StevenHassanPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT