Mormon Stories - LDS

Lindsey Johnson Snider was raised LDS and attended BYU-Idaho from 2012-2016. She experienced a shift towards progressive/liberal Mormonism in 2013, which coincided with a faith crisis. Later, Lindsey became the editor in chief of the BYU-Idaho student newspaper called "The Scroll," and worked for the paper until the end of 2015. During her time with "The Scroll" Lindsey wrote many controversial editorial and opinion columns, which both changed some hearts and minds on progressive issues, and also upset/angered some orthodox Mormons. Lindsey's tenure with the paper included a meeting with the dean of the BYU-Idaho religion department, wherein all BYU-Idaho religion professors were told to be more respectful of those in their classrooms who may be part of the LGBTQ community.

After leaving BYU-Idaho, Lindsey and her husband lost their first baby girl at 23 weeks due to premature labor. This experience caused much grief for Lindsey and her husband, and ultimately brought her 5 year faith crisis to a head.

Today we will be discussing Lindsey's story, going into depth on the good/bad/ugly of attending BYU-Idaho, along with Lindsey's faith journey and her experiences with grief.

Direct download: MormonStories-1062-BYUIdahoFaithCrisisPt4.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:30am MDT

Lindsey Johnson Snider was raised LDS and attended BYU-Idaho from 2012-2016. She experienced a shift towards progressive/liberal Mormonism in 2013, which coincided with a faith crisis. Later, Lindsey became the editor in chief of the BYU-Idaho student newspaper called "The Scroll," and worked for the paper until the end of 2015. During her time with "The Scroll" Lindsey wrote many controversial editorial and opinion columns, which both changed some hearts and minds on progressive issues, and also upset/angered some orthodox Mormons. Lindsey's tenure with the paper included a meeting with the dean of the BYU-Idaho religion department, wherein all BYU-Idaho religion professors were told to be more respectful of those in their classrooms who may be part of the LGBTQ community.

After leaving BYU-Idaho, Lindsey and her husband lost their first baby girl at 23 weeks due to premature labor. This experience caused much grief for Lindsey and her husband, and ultimately brought her 5 year faith crisis to a head.

Today we will be discussing Lindsey's story, going into depth on the good/bad/ugly of attending BYU-Idaho, along with Lindsey's faith journey and her experiences with grief.

Direct download: MormonStories-1061-BYUIdahoFaithCrisisPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

Lindsey Johnson Snider was raised LDS and attended BYU-Idaho from 2012-2016. She experienced a shift towards progressive/liberal Mormonism in 2013, which coincided with a faith crisis. Later, Lindsey became the editor in chief of the BYU-Idaho student newspaper called "The Scroll," and worked for the paper until the end of 2015. During her time with "The Scroll" Lindsey wrote many controversial editorial and opinion columns, which both changed some hearts and minds on progressive issues, and also upset/angered some orthodox Mormons. Lindsey's tenure with the paper included a meeting with the dean of the BYU-Idaho religion department, wherein all BYU-Idaho religion professors were told to be more respectful of those in their classrooms who may be part of the LGBTQ community.

After leaving BYU-Idaho, Lindsey and her husband lost their first baby girl at 23 weeks due to premature labor. This experience caused much grief for Lindsey and her husband, and ultimately brought her 5 year faith crisis to a head.

Today we will be discussing Lindsey's story, going into depth on the good/bad/ugly of attending BYU-Idaho, along with Lindsey's faith journey and her experiences with grief.

Direct download: MormonStories-1060-BYUIdahoFaithCrisisPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Lindsey Johnson Snider was raised LDS and attended BYU-Idaho from 2012-2016. She experienced a shift towards progressive/liberal Mormonism in 2013, which coincided with a faith crisis. Later, Lindsey became the editor in chief of the BYU-Idaho student newspaper called "The Scroll," and worked for the paper until the end of 2015. During her time with "The Scroll" Lindsey wrote many controversial editorial and opinion columns, which both changed some hearts and minds on progressive issues, and also upset/angered some orthodox Mormons. Lindsey's tenure with the paper included a meeting with the dean of the BYU-Idaho religion department, wherein all BYU-Idaho religion professors were told to be more respectful of those in their classrooms who may be part of the LGBTQ community.

After leaving BYU-Idaho, Lindsey and her husband lost their first baby girl at 23 weeks due to premature labor. This experience caused much grief for Lindsey and her husband, and ultimately brought her 5 year faith crisis to a head.

Today we will be discussing Lindsey's story, going into depth on the good/bad/ugly of attending BYU-Idaho, along with Lindsey's faith journey and her experiences with grief.

Direct download: MormonStories-1059-BYUIdahoFaithCrisisPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

In our final segments with renowned Joseph Smith historian Dan Vogel, we focus our attention on the creation of the Book of Mormon.

Through his extensive research, Dan theorizes that the Book of Mormon is a tangible artifact giving insight into Joseph Smith's state of mind, and commentary on the cultural and spiritual influences that surrounded him in his early life.  In this interview, we focus our attention on the role of the golden plates in the creation of the Book of Mormon, the 116 "lost" pages of the original Book of Mormon and how this event influenced the final product, and we discuss the different events that may have influenced the timeline in which the Book of Mormon was created.

Direct download: MormonStories-1058-BookofMormonDVPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 5:30am MDT

In our final segments with renowned Joseph Smith historian Dan Vogel, we focus our attention on the creation of the Book of Mormon.

Through his extensive research, Dan theorizes that the Book of Mormon is a tangible artifact giving insight into Joseph Smith's state of mind, and commentary on the cultural and spiritual influences that surrounded him in his early life.  In this interview, we focus our attention on the role of the golden plates in the creation of the Book of Mormon, the 116 "lost" pages of the original Book of Mormon and how this event influenced the final product, and we discuss the different events that may have influenced the timeline in which the Book of Mormon was created.

Direct download: MormonStories-1057-BookofMormonDVPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 5:00am MDT

In our final segments with renowned Joseph Smith historian Dan Vogel, we focus our attention on the creation of the Book of Mormon.

Through his extensive research, Dan theorizes that the Book of Mormon is a tangible artifact giving insight into Joseph Smith's state of mind, and commentary on the cultural and spiritual influences that surrounded him in his early life.  In this interview, we focus our attention on the role of the golden plates in the creation of the Book of Mormon, the 116 "lost" pages of the original Book of Mormon and how this event influenced the final product, and we discuss the different events that may have influenced the timeline in which the Book of Mormon was created.

Direct download: MormonStories-1056-BookofMormonDVPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 4:30am MDT

After exploring historian Dan Vogel’s motivations behind his studies of the life of Joseph Smith in our first segments, we now delve deeper into Joseph’s treasure digging activities.

Dan devoted a portion of his book Joseph Smith: The Making of a Prophet to understanding not only the financial motivations for Joseph’s treasure digging practice, but also to explain how this practice possibly became the start of a chain of events leading to the creation of the LDS Church, best explained by a portion of the abstract in Dan’s book:

“Over time, Joseph became aware that people trusted him and that he could be an influence for good or ill, that even through nefarious means, God worked through him when his heart was right. He realized this when he led groups in search of Spanish treasure in New York and Pennsylvania. Although no treasure was found, the men sincerely believed that Smith had a spiritual gift and could see where casks of gold were hidden in the earth. This training ground in spiritual leadership was invaluable because the prophet learned how to create an environment for belief—one in which people could exercise faith and be converted to Christ through the sensible influence of the Spirit, all prior to the overarching work of restoring primitive Christianity.”

Direct download: MormonStories-1055-TreasureDiggingDVPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 4:00am MDT

After exploring historian Dan Vogel’s motivations behind his studies of the life of Joseph Smith in our first segments, we now delve deeper into Joseph’s treasure digging activities.

Dan devoted a portion of his book Joseph Smith: The Making of a Prophet to understanding not only the financial motivations for Joseph’s treasure digging practice, but also to explain how this practice possibly became the start of a chain of events leading to the creation of the LDS Church, best explained by a portion of the abstract in Dan’s book:

“Over time, Joseph became aware that people trusted him and that he could be an influence for good or ill, that even through nefarious means, God worked through him when his heart was right. He realized this when he led groups in search of Spanish treasure in New York and Pennsylvania. Although no treasure was found, the men sincerely believed that Smith had a spiritual gift and could see where casks of gold were hidden in the earth. This training ground in spiritual leadership was invaluable because the prophet learned how to create an environment for belief—one in which people could exercise faith and be converted to Christ through the sensible influence of the Spirit, all prior to the overarching work of restoring primitive Christianity.”

Direct download: MormonStories-1054-TreasureDiggingDVPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:30am MDT

Dan Vogel is a sixth-generation Mormon most well known for his biography, Joseph Smith: The Making of a Prophet—the product of decades of research into the life of Joseph Smith. In these Mormon Stories interviews, we are excited to delve into Dan’s own personal Mormon background and to begin to understand the motivations behind his ground-breaking work into the life of Joseph Smith.

What motivated Dan to deeply study the Smith family’s spiritual dynamics and financial circumstances, as well as Joseph’s history of learning to create an environment for belief through his treasure seeking activities?

With these 3 episodes, we hope to set the stage to delve deeper into Dan’s studies on Joseph Smith’s treasure digging and the creation of the Book of Mormon.

Direct download: MormonStories-1053-DanVogelPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

Dan Vogel is a sixth-generation Mormon most well known for his biography, Joseph Smith: The Making of a Prophet—the product of decades of research into the life of Joseph Smith. In these Mormon Stories interviews, we are excited to delve into Dan’s own personal Mormon background and to begin to understand the motivations behind his ground-breaking work into the life of Joseph Smith.

What motivated Dan to deeply study the Smith family’s spiritual dynamics and financial circumstances, as well as Joseph’s history of learning to create an environment for belief through his treasure seeking activities?

With these 3 episodes, we hope to set the stage to delve deeper into Dan’s studies on Joseph Smith’s treasure digging and the creation of the Book of Mormon.

Direct download: MormonStories-1052-DanVogelPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Dan Vogel is a sixth-generation Mormon most well known for his biography, Joseph Smith: The Making of a Prophet—the product of decades of research into the life of Joseph Smith. In these Mormon Stories interviews, we are excited to delve into Dan’s own personal Mormon background and to begin to understand the motivations behind his ground-breaking work into the life of Joseph Smith.

What motivated Dan to deeply study the Smith family’s spiritual dynamics and financial circumstances, as well as Joseph’s history of learning to create an environment for belief through his treasure seeking activities?

With these 3 episodes, we hope to set the stage to delve deeper into Dan’s studies on Joseph Smith’s treasure digging and the creation of the Book of Mormon.

Direct download: MormonStories-1051-DanVogelPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Join us now for part 2 of our interview with Leah, Cody, and Brinley Young. In this segment, and for the first time on Mormon Stories Podcast, a Mormon teenager (Brinley) will discuss her perspective on her family’s faith crisis. We will conclude by discussing how the Young family has moved from fear to joy in their Mormon faith transition, including how they have managed relationships with believing family/friends/co-workers, their interaction with a high-level Mormon apologist, and their recent interactions with their bishop/stake president in response to their formation of a support group for transitioning/post-Mormons in Columbus, Ohio.

Direct download: MormonStories-1050-LeahCodyandBrinleyPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

Join us now for part 2 of our interview with Leah, Cody, and Brinley Young. In this segment, and for the first time on Mormon Stories Podcast, a Mormon teenager (Brinley) will discuss her perspective on her family’s faith crisis. We will conclude by discussing how the Young family has moved from fear to joy in their Mormon faith transition, including how they have managed relationships with believing family/friends/co-workers, their interaction with a high-level Mormon apologist, and their recent interactions with their bishop/stake president in response to their formation of a support group for transitioning/post-Mormons in Columbus, Ohio.

Direct download: MormonStories-1049-LeahCodyandBrinleyPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Join us now for part 2 of our interview with Leah, Cody, and Brinley Young. In this segment, and for the first time on Mormon Stories Podcast, a Mormon teenager (Brinley) will discuss her perspective on her family’s faith crisis. We will conclude by discussing how the Young family has moved from fear to joy in their Mormon faith transition, including how they have managed relationships with believing family/friends/co-workers, their interaction with a high-level Mormon apologist, and their recent interactions with their bishop/stake president in response to their formation of a support group for transitioning/post-Mormons in Columbus, Ohio.

Direct download: MormonStories-1048-LeahCodyandBrinleyPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast for part 1 of our interview with Leah, Cody, and Brinley Young. In this portion Leah and Cody will discuss their lives growing up devout LDS, getting married, Cody attending medical school, serving in the church, starting their young family and Leah starting her own business - and how all of this culminated in a Mormon faith crisis. Later, Brinley (15) will join us to discuss her family’s Mormon journey from a teen perspective.

Direct download: MormonStories-1047-LeahandCodyPt4.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:30am MDT

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast for part 1 of our interview with Leah, Cody, and Brinley Young. In this portion Leah and Cody will discuss their lives growing up devout LDS, getting married, Cody attending medical school, serving in the church, starting their young family and Leah starting her own business - and how all of this culminated in a Mormon faith crisis. Later, Brinley (15) will join us to discuss her family’s Mormon journey from a teen perspective.

Direct download: MormonStories-1046-LeahandCodyPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast for part 1 of our interview with Leah, Cody, and Brinley Young. In this portion Leah and Cody will discuss their lives growing up devout LDS, getting married, Cody attending medical school, serving in the church, starting their young family and Leah starting her own business - and how all of this culminated in a Mormon faith crisis. Later, Brinley (15) will join us to discuss her family’s Mormon journey from a teen perspective.

Direct download: MormonStories-1045-LeahandCodyPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast for part 1 of our interview with Leah, Cody, and Brinley Young. In this portion Leah and Cody will discuss their lives growing up devout LDS, getting married, Cody attending medical school, serving in the church, starting their young family and Leah starting her own business - and how all of this culminated in a Mormon faith crisis. Later, Brinley (15) will join us to discuss her family’s Mormon journey from a teen perspective.

Direct download: MormonStories-1044-LeahandCodyPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Ana Reading is one of the most intelligent, thoughtful, and inspiring Mormons I've ever met. Born to a semi-functional family in Switzerland, Ana clung to Mormonism as a source of strength and comfort. Ana served an LDS mission in Ireland, went to BYU, married a devout American Mormon in the temple (Bill Reading), had four children, sacrificed her career to live the Mormon dream, and served in high-level ward callings (while Bill served twice as branch president/bishop). 

Ana's Mormon dream was disrupted when she began feeling unfulfilled and overwhelmed at church, and then ultimately learned about the church's troubling historical past. Ana's story concludes with struggles to survive a mixed faith marriage (facing Bill's sadness and disappointment), reconstruct a relationship with her faithful children, and pursue a happy, healthy life outside of the church. 

“Alright to Be You” is a collaboration song by electronic musician, Milocraft, and singer-songwriter, Angela Soffe. Raised in the LDS Church, both are returned missionaries, and each chose to leave the Church when faced with a faith crisis. In 2018 they founded the “Be Moved Project” to create music that helps people feel happy and connected. To hear more music or support the project by becoming a patron, please visit: www.angelasoffe.com

Direct download: MormonStories-1043-AnaReadingPt4.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:30am MDT

Ana Reading is one of the most intelligent, thoughtful, and inspiring Mormons I've ever met. Born to a semi-functional family in Switzerland, Ana clung to Mormonism as a source of strength and comfort. Ana served an LDS mission in Ireland, went to BYU, married a devout American Mormon in the temple (Bill Reading), had four children, sacrificed her career to live the Mormon dream, and served in high-level ward callings (while Bill served twice as branch president/bishop). 

Ana's Mormon dream was disrupted when she began feeling unfulfilled and overwhelmed at church, and then ultimately learned about the church's troubling historical past. Ana's story concludes with struggles to survive a mixed faith marriage (facing Bill's sadness and disappointment), reconstruct a relationship with her faithful children, and pursue a happy, healthy life outside of the church. 

“Alright to Be You” is a collaboration song by electronic musician, Milocraft, and singer-songwriter, Angela Soffe. Raised in the LDS Church, both are returned missionaries, and each chose to leave the Church when faced with a faith crisis. In 2018 they founded the “Be Moved Project” to create music that helps people feel happy and connected. To hear more music or support the project by becoming a patron, please visit: www.angelasoffe.com

Direct download: MormonStories-1042-AnaReadingPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

Ana Reading is one of the most intelligent, thoughtful, and inspiring Mormons I've ever met. Born to a semi-functional family in Switzerland, Ana clung to Mormonism as a source of strength and comfort. Ana served an LDS mission in Ireland, went to BYU, married a devout American Mormon in the temple (Bill Reading), had four children, sacrificed her career to live the Mormon dream, and served in high-level ward callings (while Bill served twice as branch president/bishop). 

Ana's Mormon dream was disrupted when she began feeling unfulfilled and overwhelmed at church, and then ultimately learned about the church's troubling historical past. Ana's story concludes with struggles to survive a mixed faith marriage (facing Bill's sadness and disappointment), reconstruct a relationship with her faithful children, and pursue a happy, healthy life outside of the church. 

“Alright to Be You” is a collaboration song by electronic musician, Milocraft, and singer-songwriter, Angela Soffe. Raised in the LDS Church, both are returned missionaries, and each chose to leave the Church when faced with a faith crisis. In 2018 they founded the “Be Moved Project” to create music that helps people feel happy and connected. To hear more music or support the project by becoming a patron, please visit: www.angelasoffe.com

Direct download: MormonStories-1041-AnaReadingPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Ana Reading is one of the most intelligent, thoughtful, and inspiring Mormons I've ever met. Born to a semi-functional family in Switzerland, Ana clung to Mormonism as a source of strength and comfort. Ana served an LDS mission in Ireland, went to BYU, married a devout American Mormon in the temple (Bill Reading), had four children, sacrificed her career to live the Mormon dream, and served in high-level ward callings (while Bill served twice as branch president/bishop). 

Ana's Mormon dream was disrupted when she began feeling unfulfilled and overwhelmed at church, and then ultimately learned about the church's troubling historical past. Ana's story concludes with struggles to survive a mixed faith marriage (facing Bill's sadness and disappointment), reconstruct a relationship with her faithful children, and pursue a happy, healthy life outside of the church. 

“Alright to Be You” is a collaboration song by electronic musician, Milocraft, and singer-songwriter, Angela Soffe. Raised in the LDS Church, both are returned missionaries, and each chose to leave the Church when faced with a faith crisis. In 2018 they founded the “Be Moved Project” to create music that helps people feel happy and connected. To hear more music or support the project by becoming a patron, please visit: www.angelasoffe.com

Direct download: MormonStories-1040-AnaReadingPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to attend the same Mormon ward as accused rapist/sexual predator Joseph Bishop?

Todd and Sarah Gale attend the same Mormon ward as Joseph Bishop (in Chandler, Arizona). Last year McKenna Denson shared a recording of her confrontation with Joseph Bishop, who was serving as president of the Provo, Utah Mission Training Center at the time he is accused of sexually assaulting McKenna in the 1980s.

Both share their thoughts and feelings of sharing a ward with Joseph Bishop, and discuss precautions and actions they take to protect their family.

“Alright to Be You” is a collaboration song by electronic musician, Milocraft, and singer-songwriter, Angela Soffe. Raised in the LDS Church, both are returned missionaries, and each chose to leave the Church when faced with a faith crisis. In 2018 they founded the “Be Moved Project” to create music that helps people feel happy and connected. To hear more music or support the project by becoming a patron, please visit: www.angelasoffe.com

Direct download: MormonStories-1039-ToddandSarahGalePt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 3:00am MDT

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to attend the same Mormon ward as accused rapist/sexual predator Joseph Bishop?

Todd and Sarah Gale attend the same Mormon ward as Joseph Bishop (in Chandler, Arizona). Last year McKenna Denson shared a recording of her confrontation with Joseph Bishop, who was serving as president of the Provo, Utah Mission Training Center at the time he is accused of sexually assaulting McKenna in the 1980s.

Both share their thoughts and feelings of sharing a ward with Joseph Bishop, and discuss precautions and actions they take to protect their family.

“Alright to Be You” is a collaboration song by electronic musician, Milocraft, and singer-songwriter, Angela Soffe. Raised in the LDS Church, both are returned missionaries, and each chose to leave the Church when faced with a faith crisis. In 2018 they founded the “Be Moved Project” to create music that helps people feel happy and connected. To hear more music or support the project by becoming a patron, please visit: www.angelasoffe.com

Direct download: MormonStories-1038-ToddandSarahGalePt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30am MDT

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to attend the same Mormon ward as accused rapist/sexual predator Joseph Bishop?

Todd and Sarah Gale attend the same Mormon ward as Joseph Bishop (in Chandler, Arizona). Last year McKenna Denson shared a recording of her confrontation with Joseph Bishop, who was serving as president of the Provo, Utah Mission Training Center at the time he is accused of sexually assaulting McKenna in the 1980s.

Both share their thoughts and feelings of sharing a ward with Joseph Bishop, and discuss precautions and actions they take to protect their family.

 

“Alright to Be You” is a collaboration song by electronic musician, Milocraft, and singer-songwriter, Angela Soffe. Raised in the LDS Church, both are returned missionaries, and each chose to leave the Church when faced with a faith crisis. In 2018 they founded the “Be Moved Project” to create music that helps people feel happy and connected. To hear more music or support the project by becoming a patron, please visit: www.angelasoffe.com

Direct download: MormonStories-1037-ToddandSarahGalePt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

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