Mon, 29 May 2023
In this enlightening interview, John Larsen explores with John Dehlin and Carah Burrell the concept of superiority within Mormonism and its far-reaching implications. He delves into the various ways in which superiority is ingrained in Mormon theology, scriptures, and practices, shedding light on the inherent biases and discriminatory narratives that persist within the community. From the belief in white skin as inherently superior to the patriarchal nature of the priesthood and the reinforcement of rigid gender roles, John uncovers the damaging effects of these doctrines. He also discusses the patronizing language used to describe those outside the faith, the exploitation of immigrant labor, and the prevalence of fraud among Mormons. Join John Larsen as he unpacks the complex dynamics of superiority within Mormonism and raises critical questions about its impact on individuals and society. Episode Show Notes John Larsen – From the banks of chaos in my mind ________________________ Mormon Expressions is made possible by generous donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: John & Carah on Other Platforms:
Support Mormon Stories Podcast here: Our Platforms: Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1769-MormonSuperiorityJohnLarsen.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 7:00pm MDT |
Thu, 25 May 2023
In Part 2 of this eye-opening interview, Jared and Ashley Jones courageously share their experiences with child abuse within the Mormon community and the disturbing lengths to which leaders will go to protect abusers, even at the expense of victims. They recount the heart-wrenching journey that ensued after discovering sexual abuse allegations involving the teen son of a Bishopric member. Despite their efforts to seek justice and protect others, they faced resistance from church leaders who prioritized the reputation of the church and the experiences of the abuser's family over the safety and well-being of the families of his many victims time and time again. As Jared and Ashley shed light on the systemic failures and manipulations they encountered to silence and discredit them, they offer insights into the urgent need for change within the Mormon church. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation that delves into the complexities of abuse, power dynamics, and the call for accountability. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1768-JaredAndAshleyJonesPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Mon, 22 May 2023
Discover the heart-wrenching story of Jared and Ashley Jones as they bravely shed light on the sensitive issue of child abuse within the Mormon community. In this eye-opening interview, they delve into Jared's Mormon upbringing and the damaging effects of constant messages about pornography and sexual sin. Uncover the cycle of shame and guilt that Jared experienced, including the inappropriate questioning by Bishops and the downplaying of their own childhood sexual abuse. Gain insight into the failures of the church and family system in addressing and protecting victims. Explore the profound impact of Mormon sexual shame on their marriage and the punitive measures they faced when seeking help. Don't miss this powerful discussion on the far-reaching consequences of spiritual abuse within Mormonism. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-JaredAndAshleyJonesPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Fri, 19 May 2023
Join John, Rebecca and Michael Shermer to discuss his book, Conspiracy: Why People Believe the Irrational.
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Direct download: MormonStories-1766-MichaelShermerConspiracy.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 10:00am MDT |
Tue, 16 May 2023
Mark Pugsley is back in the house with John Dehlin and Gerardo Sumano to discuss the recent 60 minutes coverage of the current investigation into the Mormon Church's financial dealings. Do members deserve to know where their dollars go? Or do those details deserve to be kept secret? Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Mon, 15 May 2023
Please join John Dehlin as he hosts an evening to honor Podcast Host Bill Reel (and possibly his wife Amanda). As you know, Bill is the host of Mormon Discussions podcast, and the co-host of Mormonism Live podcast. At the main event (7pm in Alpine), Bill will provide a short speech, and a fun/live Q&A will be held as well. A VIP event will be held at 6pm (with food) as well, for those wanting a little more personal time with Bill and John. This is your chance to meet and thank Bill (and Amanda) for their roles in your Mormon journey!!! All proceeds from this event will be donated to Bill and Amanda Reel. Base ticket price is $10/person, but the system allows you to donate extra to Bill and Amanda if you so choose. The VIP dinner is $30/person. Please spread the word! I would love nothing more to have a full room give Bill and Amanda a standing ovation for the important role they've played in Mormonism. Click here to register for the event. And please spread the word! |
Fri, 12 May 2023
Join Lori Vallow's cousin (Megan Conner), John Dehlin, Gerardo Sumano, and Hidden True Crime's Lauren Mathias as they react live to Lori Vallow's verdict. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1764-LoriVallowVerdict.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 1:30pm MDT |
Fri, 12 May 2023
Discover the truth behind Mormon Patriarchal Blessings in this eye-opening interview with hosts Mike, Nemo, and John. From reflections on their own blessings to the harmful effects of this mechanism of control over members, the hosts delve into the nuanced nature of these individualized messages from God. With insights on how even past prophets have framed patriarchal blessings, and the agelessness of their messages, you won't want to miss this deep dive into revelation in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. LDS Discussions essay on personal revelation _________________________ LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors! LDS Discussions Platforms: Contact LDS Discussions:
Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1883-LDSDPatriarchalBlessings.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Wed, 10 May 2023
Join Nan and Rod Osborne on a journey through their lives as devoted Mormons, parents, and spouses, and discover how their faith shaped their family culture. From Nan's early years in the LDS community to Rod's conversion and mission, to the challenges of raising a large family, no topic is off-limits in this captivating interview. Along the way, they share their experiences with temple worship, gender roles, and the pressure to keep their children on the "Mormon train." However, when their children start to question their faith, Nan and Rod's world is turned upside down. Will their family survive these faith crises, or will it tear them apart? Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Tue, 9 May 2023
Join Nan and Rod Osborne on a journey through their lives as devoted Mormons, parents, and spouses, and discover how their faith shaped their family culture. From Nan's early years in the LDS community to Rod's conversion and mission, to the challenges of raising a large family, no topic is off-limits in this captivating interview. Along the way, they share their experiences with temple worship, gender roles, and the pressure to keep their children on the "Mormon train." However, when their children start to question their faith, Nan and Rod's world is turned upside down. Will their family survive these faith crises, or will it tear them apart? Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Tue, 2 May 2023
Today accused murderer Lori Vallow’s cousin, Megan Conner, shares what it was like to grow up as a cousin to the Cox family. She also discusses the Mormon ties to the Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell murders and discusses her own Mormon faith transition.
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Sun, 30 April 2023
Join Gerardo, Lauren, Mindy, and John for an all-new episode as they discuss the second and third weeks of Lori Daybell's trial. This is your chance to catch up on one of the most bizarre trials of the year, as the panel guides you through the latest jaw-dropping testimonies, and intriguing Mormon themes unfolding in Ada County's courthouse. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1759-LoriVallowTrialPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Fri, 28 April 2023
In this thought-provoking interview, Mike, Nemo, and John Dehlin delve into the controversial topic of personal revelation in Mormonism. The discussion covers a range of doctrinal problems and contradictions that challenge the idea of personal revelation, from the dangers of blind obedience to leaders, confirmation bias, silencing dissenters and emotional manipulation. The conversation ultimately questions who has the authority to decide what constitutes valid personal revelation. LDS Discussions essay on personal revelation Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: Personal_Revelation_-_Revelations_Part_5__.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Thu, 20 April 2023
Sometimes we find ourselves involved in organizations, governments and communities that might be psychologically unhealthy to us or our communities. John Larsen has collected a few points you can use to check to see if an organization might be considered dangerous or unhealthy.
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Direct download: MormonStories-1757-JohnLarsenUnhealthyOrgs.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 11:25am MDT |
Tue, 18 April 2023
In Part 2 of her interview, Janae Thompson shares her journey as a young widow navigating the Mormon doctrine of eternal families and the challenges of dating and remarriage. She discusses the disparities in church policies and teachings that caused her to question her faith and ultimately led her down the rabbit hole of learning about the history of Mormonism. Janae talks candidly about exploring her sexuality and finding new rituals and practices to connect and uplift her after leaving the church. Her story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the possibilities for happiness and health after leaving a religious institution. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Mon, 17 April 2023
In this emotional and gripping interview, Janae Thompson shares her journey as a Mormon woman and the struggles she faced in a religion that demanded perfection and conformity. From her early years in the Mormon church, to her time at BYU and beyond, Janae recounts the challenges of fitting into a narrow mold while dealing with her own personal struggles, including an eating disorder and the pressure to find an eternal companion. But it was the sudden death of her husband Grant that truly tested Janae’s strength and resilience. Through her raw and honest reflections, Janae offers a powerful insight into loss, grief, and the search for meaning and purpose in the face of tragedy. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Sun, 16 April 2023
Get ready to dive into one of the most bizarre trials of the year. Join Gerardo, Lauren (Hidden True Crime Podcast), Mindy, and Brenton (LinkedIn, Tiktok) as they guide you through the first week of Lori Daybell's trial. Buckle up as they highlight the most jaw-dropping testimonies, riveting opening statements, and intriguing Mormon themes unfolding in Ada County's courthouse. The panel will explore some of the most compelling moments of the trial, breaking down the evidence and analyzing how Lori's beliefs align with early Mormonism, from Joseph Smith's treasure digging to some of the more obscure religious doctrines that have shaped the LDS faith. YouTube Links: Week 1a, Week 1b Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1754-LoriVallowTrialPcombo.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 4:00pm MDT |
Fri, 7 April 2023
Carah Burrell and John review the recent, deeply troubling devotional delivered earlier this week by David Glen Hatch at BYU-Hawaii. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Thu, 6 April 2023
Join us as we discuss surprises, let downs, best talks, worst talks etc in this year’s April General Conference, where members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) listen to messages from top leaders in the Church. What were the real intentions and messages behind this year’s talks? Did they address the recent scandals & controversy regarding the SEC fine for fraudulently creating shell companies to hide its wealth from members and the public? Was anything missing that we would normally expect to hear? Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Thu, 30 March 2023
Join us for part 2 of our review of the Widow’s Mite Report, which investigates and reports on LDS Church finances. Today we will discuss Ensign Peak Advisors, the Mormon church’s real estate holdings, and their extensive construction of temples. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Wed, 29 March 2023
Join us as we explore the story of what would lead a super-faithful and believing Mormon mother of three to try psychedelic mushrooms (psilocybin) for the first time...and what happened next.
Direct download: MormonStories-1750-StephanieBrinkerhoff.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Fri, 24 March 2023
Today we discuss several problematic "revelations" by LDS prophets that succeeded Joseph Smith. These include:
LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors! |
Tue, 21 March 2023
Today we are inviting a panel of Southern Utah University students to discuss their objections to the invitation to have Mormon apostle Jeffrey R. Holland speak at an upcoming graduation ceremony, especially as a man who has used his status, privilege, wealth and power to platform anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, including violent metaphors, which have directly harmed so many in that community. Follow @SUU_commencement_protest on instagram for updates and ways to help. If you'd like to build up the platform for these brave students from SUU representing themselves and other marginalized peers, there are a number of ways you can help: 1. Please like & share this episode to give it more visibility and traction 2. Sign the Change.org petition 3. Email SUU's Chair, Vice Chair, and the Board of Trustees:
4. Fill out SUU's Feedback form on the 2023 Commencement Speaker 5. Follow @SUU_commencement_protest on instagram 6. If you know any queer students at SUU, please reach out and let them know you support them. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.com Social Media:Show Notes:Mormon Stories Content
Direct download: MormonStories-1748-SUUHollandProtest.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 4:00pm MDT |
Tue, 21 March 2023
Lance and Brandee Heppler began to question and ultimately leave the Mormon Church after their son Lake experienced mismanagement and mistreatment during his missionary training and service. This experience, along with their daughter Darby coming out as gay and being rejected by the Church, led them to start questioning Church teachings and practices. They also began to educate themselves about Church history and controversies through sources like the "Mormons & Masons" documentary, "Mormon Stories," and the CES Letter. Further cracks in their faith emerged when Brandee became aware of a child abuse incident at their local stake center that had been covered up by Church leaders. Despite these concerns, the Hepplers continued to attend Church and pretend to believe for a time. However, they eventually reached a breaking point and decided to leave the Church altogether. They found that prioritizing their family and their own happiness outside of the Church was more important than following Church rules and teachings that were not serving them. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1747-HepplerPt2-leveled.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 1:00pm MDT |
Tue, 21 March 2023
Join Lance and Brandee Heppler as they share their personal journeys in Mormonism and delve into mental health challenges they faced as they tried to be good Mormon parents. In this episode, Lance talks about his orthodox upbringing in Oregon, serving his mission in South Carolina, and his panic of finding someone to marry before graduating from BYU. Meanwhile, Brandee shares her struggle of not fitting in at church due in part to her parents being converts and her undiagnosed ADHD, making her wonder why it seemed God made her too "rowdy" as a woman instead of more subdued and "proper". Together they navigate the traditional gender roles expected of them as a married couple in the church while raising young children and serving in various callings. As they grapple with issues such as feminism and LGBTQ issues in the church, they also confront their own mental health struggles and the lack of support from the Mormon community. They share powerful insights about the often transactional nature of Mormon relationships and the harmful effects that come from some teachings that associate mental health struggles with sin. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by those raised in Mormonism and the impact it can have on mental health. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Mon, 20 March 2023
When Mormons talk about happiness what do they mean? We will deconstruct how the Church uses the concept of happiness to control and gaslight members. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Fri, 17 March 2023
Join world cult expert Steven Hassan as he shares almost 50 years of experience regarding how to heal and grow after a high demand religion or cult.
Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1744-HassenRecoveryFromACult.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Thu, 16 March 2023
Please join us today as Dr. Steven Hassan tells us the story of how he was recruited into a cult (The "Moonies"), and how he became one of the world's experts in cults. A few links are included below: 3/18/22 - THRIVE Unite Registration (Lehi and Ogden) Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1743-StevenHassenMoonies.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Thu, 16 March 2023
Martine and Stuart Smith are back in part three to discuss experiencing the “heavy hand” of Priesthood Authority from their Stake President; from false teachings affecting lives, being told not to watch a specific show he didn’t like, making youth “covenant” to go on missions and never date non-Mormons, only to see him be released and excommunicated for embezzlement. Martine had previously sympathized with the Stake President, who was sometimes unemployed and had five children. She later found out that he had put her membership status as “on probation” though she had never been notified as per policy, and that she had been “blacklisted” from certain callings. The couple began attending Sunstone, where they explored the gray areas of life and Mormon feminism. During this time, they began to question the Church's teachings, including the Plan of Salvation, which involved separating families more than bringing them together. They also researched the lives of polygamous women and the Equal Rights Amendment. Stuart, an intellectual, was called into the bishopric as an unorthodox member. They stayed in the Church for its utility, but also for their son's sake. Martine became the RS Pres during the Sept Six Era, a time of more progressive leaders and scholars at BYU and at Women's Conferences and in leadership. Eventually the walls crack on their belief and Martine and Stuart find they can no longer stay in a church that goes against their values. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories1742MartineAndStewartPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 11:27am MDT |
Thu, 16 March 2023
Martine & Stuart have their first child, Nathaniel, who was diagnosed with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a rare, painful, and ultimately fatal genetic skin condition. Caring for a child with EB is an immense emotional toll on them due to the constant pain the baby suffers with basic daily tasks like feeding & changing diapers. This episode delves further into the contradictions and complexities of Mormon doctrine around reproduction which made it difficult for Martine and Stuart to come to terms with Nathaniel's condition. They felt guilt and self-blame upon his diagnosis, questioning whether it was punishment for wanting to wait to have children, or due to a "Saturday's Warrior" type pact agreed to in the pre-existence. The doctrine of pre-mortal decisions and the effects on disabilities was also discussed, along with the contradictory messages about disabled or sick children and those who die before accountability. As Nathaniel's condition worsened, the couple sought healing through priesthood blessings, but were met with disappointment when they didn't work. John discusses expectations vs. the reality of priesthood blessings and the theological justifications used when they don't work. The couple eventually came to accept the idea of letting Nathaniel go, and he passed away. Martine & Stuart describe the emotional aftermath of Nathaniel's death, including the funeral and how Mormons deal with death. Despite some trepidation, the couple decides to have another child, which was met with mixed reactions from their community. Martine became pregnant again and gave birth to a healthy son. They later moved to Louisiana, where they became involved in their LDS branch and had a third child, Sarah, who was also born with EB. The episode discusses the routine of care for Sarah and the support they received from their branch. The second death of an infant affected their faith, with Stuart becoming angry at God and turning down a leadership position in the church. Despite this, Martine still wanted more children, and the episode ends with the couple meeting with a General Authority to discuss the deaths of their children and birth control. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories1741MartineAndStewartPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 10:43am MDT |
Mon, 13 March 2023
Martine, a Belgian convert to Mormonism, shares what growing up in Belgium was like and how she and her sister end up converting to Mormonism. She eventually made it to the United States to attend General Conference and get her Patriarchal Blessing when her sister decided to serve a mission. Due to connections with several families of missionaries, she finds a job as a nanny and eventually makes it to BYU where she is reintroduced to Stuart, whom she'd briefly met as a missionary in Belgium. Though he hadn't known her well, Stuart instantly recognized Martine at a Young Single Adult (YSA) activity and things took off from there until he asked her to be with him for eternity. Martine happily accepts this proposal from an established, generational Mormon returned missionary. However, the engagement is soon jeopardized by challenges between Martine's desire to follow the brethren's admonitions not to put off having children (and wanting a dozen of them!) as the quintessential Mormon housewife with Stuart's practicality regarding his ability to financially support children while still having several years of school left. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1740-MartineStewartPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Fri, 10 March 2023
In this engaging interview, Mike from LDS Discussions, Nemo the Mormon, and John Dehlin review the failed prophecies of Mormonism's founder, Joseph. They start by discussing what the Bible says about failed prophecies and those who tell them. They then delve into specific failed prophecies, including the Second Coming of the Lord in 1891, the fall and overthrow of the US government, and the "everlasting" covenant of the United Order. Other failed prophecies discussed include the failed treasure seeking mission to Salem and the failed attempt to sell the Book of Mormon copyright. Was Joseph wrong or is it was God's fault? What good is having General Conference, either way? The hosts also discuss how FAIR Mormon tries to spin failures into fulfillments and concludes with some final thoughts on the implications of these failed prophecies of Joseph for Mormons today. LDS Discussion Essay on Joseph Smith's Revelations. _________________________ LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors! LDS Discussions Platforms: Contact LDS Discussions:
Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1739-LDSDJSFailedRevelations.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Wed, 8 March 2023
The interview discusses the tensions between Mormon historians and church leadership in the 1970s, focusing on the publication of a pamphlet responding to a critical book by the Tanners. Initially rejected by Mormon leadership for publishing due to their discomfort with the real history revealed in it, the pamphlet is instead published privately under the pseudonym, A Latter-day Saint Historian, or, as the Tanners dubbed him, "Mr. Clandestine." Signature Books Event on March 9th at 7:00pm Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Mon, 6 March 2023
We are excited to announce Thrive Unite 2023 - which is scheduled for March 18th. Events will be held in the following cities: Ticket costs Range between $0-40. Each of these events provides opportunities to meet with people that have experienced a change in faith. There are some amazing opportunities to hear from experts and prominent voices in recovering from religious transitions. Examples include:
Tickets and Information about Events Tickets for the all-day workshop with Steven and John Dehlin |
Mon, 6 March 2023
Jill and Julie Durrant share their Mormon upbringing and the challenges they faced within the faith. They discuss the expectations placed on Mormon children and the milestones they must achieve to be considered successful in the community. Julie's scrupulosity and the patriarchal blessing she received add to her struggles. Jill talks about the superiority you can feel as a Mormon and the cognitive dissonance she experienced when her sister, Alli, came out as a lesbian. Jill went on a mission to find answers about her siblings, and Julie's faith crisis begins in earnest after talking with her son, Tom. They discuss the complications of navigating family dynamics and the difficulty of leaving the church. Ultimately, the Durrant family's story is one of resilience, growth, and learning to navigate the complexities of life within and outside of Mormonism. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1736-JulieAndJillDurrant.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Sun, 5 March 2023
In this revealing interview, you'll learn about the founding of the Widow's Mite Report and its project goals and methods. The conversation takes a deep dive into the Mormon Church's wealth and how it mishandles funds taken from the poor to fund its massive investment accounts. You'll hear about whistleblowing within the church, sources used, and why all the secrecy about church investments. With only six church leaders having full access to Ensign Peak, discover why the church downplays its wealth and only claims to be financially self-reliant. This interview offers eye-opening insights into the LDS Church's finances and its treatment of the poor. SEC Order Against Ensign Peak Advisors & The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints If people want to help they can call the Senate finance committee and urge them to take action and have a hearing on this issue. Senate Finance Committee phone: 202-224-4515 Senate Finance Committee fax: 202-228-0554 Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Fri, 3 March 2023
Author Leah Sotille will be joining John and Rebecca to discuss her book examining the culture of end times paranoia and the trail of mysterious deaths surrounding former beauty queen Lori Vallow and her husband, grave digger turned doomsday novelist, Chad Daybell. When The Moon Turns to Blood tells a gripping story of extreme beliefs, snake oil prophets, and explores the question: if it feels like the world is ending, how are people supposed to act? Next book: Conspiracy: Why the Rational Believe the Irrational by Michael Shermer Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1735-LeahSottileBookClub.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 10:00am MDT |
Fri, 24 February 2023
Youtube link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1734-LDSDJosephSmithRevelations.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Thu, 23 February 2023
For the first time ever, a sitting Mormon Bishop joins us to discuss the current situation with the Church's activity rates and its misleading membership statistics. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1733-LDSChurchDishonestStatistics.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 5:10pm MDT |
Wed, 22 February 2023
Is the Mormon Church honest in all of its dealings? The Securities and Exchange Commission announced charges against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for obscuring the Church’s money and misstating Ensign Peak’s control over the Church’s investment decisions. To settle the charges, Ensign Peak agreed to pay a $4 million penalty and the Church agreed to pay a $1 million penalty. If people want to help they can call the Senate finance committee and urge them to take action and have a hearing on this issue. Senate Finance Committee fax: 202-228-0554 Religion Unplugged article with full Senate Finance Committee memo Whistleblower Details New Allegations About $100 Billion LDS Fund Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1732-EnsignPeakSECRulingAgainst.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 4:00pm MDT |
Mon, 20 February 2023
Nate Byrd discusses his experiences as a Black Mormon and how he navigated his identity in a church with a history of white supremacy. He talks about being the only Black family in his wards and the pressure to conform to white norms, including attending BYU and marrying a Black Mormon. He also shares his experiences with racism at BYU, both from white students and from the church's teachings on race. Byrd discusses his journey of self-discovery and how he channeled his anger into making things better for Black students at BYU, including starting a Black Student Union. He also talks about his TikTok channel, where he discusses the cringey and racist things he experienced at BYU, and his intentions to help others in similar situations. Byrd concludes by reflecting on the challenges of reconciling his faith with the church's history of white supremacy and how he continues to grapple with these issues.
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Fri, 17 February 2023
Radio Free Mormon joins the usual crew (Mike, John & Nemo) as they discuss evidence for prophecies that appear to have been backdated after the events of the supposed prophecy already happened. They explore how scholars can identify and analyze backdated prophecies and their significance. Specific examples of backdated prophecies are explored in the Book of Mormon and D&C, as well as Joseph Smith's manipulation of Isaiah and the Bible to support his claims. LDS Discussion Essay on Backdating Prophecy _________________________ LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors! LDS Discussions Platforms: Contact LDS Discussions:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1730-LDSDPostdatingProphesies.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Mon, 13 February 2023
Dallin Seely from YouTube channel @TheDashleys grew up as a multigenerational Mormon. When he was seven years old, his father passed away from stomach cancer. Despite this tragedy, the church provided a lot of support to him and his family. The early death of his father leads Dallin to experience intense scrupulosity as he worries that he will never see his father again in heaven if he isn't "worthy" according to LDS Standards. A strict Bishop exacerbates Dallin’s scrupulosity but is somewhat alleviated when a new bishop tells him that his worthiness was not determined by others. When he came home from his mission, he was encouraged to get married, but he continued to have doubts about the church's teachings, such as the priesthood ban for black members. Dallin felt the Holy Ghost told him to marry a certain woman, but he falls in love with Ashley, another faithful woman but who seems a bit less "proper" to Dallin for things like expressing humor through sarcasm. Dallin follows his own heart and marries Ashley anyway. The couple deals with the church’s inherent sexism, including in the temple and the teaching of “the patriarchal order” in the Mormon church. Continuous marriage struggles lead them to seek therapy. This led to the healthiest time in their marriage, as they were able to have emotional intimacy and talk about their feelings, including Ashley's feelings about General Conferences and sexism. They did not want to teach their daughter to feel inferior to men. Dallin and Ashley tell how they learned to embrace their true selves and how they are raising their children in a way that eliminates guilt and fear. Ashley Dallin Films The Dashleys (@thedashleys) • Instagram photos and videos Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Thu, 9 February 2023
There are so many super cool events coming to Utah I can't even stand it. Here are a few you should know about:
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Direct download: MormonStories-StevenHassanAndOtherEvents.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 7:12pm MDT |
Wed, 8 February 2023
YouTube Link Join John, Margi and special guest Randy Bell in exploring a lesser-studied era of Joseph's life and his family connections to nearby Dartmouth. Do many supposedly unique Mormon doctrines have their origin not with Joseph, but at Dartmouth? Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Mon, 6 February 2023
Heather Gay visits John and Margi in studio and brings along a familiar face for fans of Mormon Stories and The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Dre Robinson! Heather tells the story of how her memoir, Bad Mormon, came to be, the challenges she faced to write and publish it (and trademark it), her hopes for the future and what she and Dre are working on now. From the publisher:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1727-HeatherGayBadMormon.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Thu, 2 February 2023
YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/nEW7ZshLBcU Cracks start to form in the testimony and identities of both Liz and her husband Sam. Sam begins to question the narratives he was raised with after a trip to Palmyra and as his degree opens his eyes to the cold, corporate nature of the Church, while Liz struggles to keep her faith despite the growing number of things that feel so wrong and cause so much harm not just to Liz, but her marriage, children, extended family, community, and even the nation at large. Liz recognizes how much of herself she continually denied and gave up trying to belong and finally realizes that she no longer WANTS to belong to an organization at such odds with her nature and values. *** Liz Lambson is a Korean/African American artist, musician, and writer, and - along with her spouse Sam - is a parent to five boys residing in Salt Lake City. Liz performs as a string bassist with the Ballet West Orchestra as well as the children’s singer-songwriter Lizzy Luna, the creator of the music-and-movement program Yoga Storytime & Songs. Liz performed for and toured with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for several years. She released her first album of original children’s yoga music, Reach to the Sky, in 2018. Her writing has been featured in publications including the New Era and the New York Times. As an active member of Utah’s arts and culture community, Liz formerly served as the Executive Director of the Utah Black History Museum. Her artwork is featured on Salt Lake City’s Black Lives Matter mural at City Hall. Liz is also an aspiring film actress. In her spare time she enjoys needlework, gardening, road trips, and Scrabble. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Wed, 1 February 2023
Youtube link: https://youtu.be/83bjqlHTxaA After Liz decides to stay at BYU, she meets her future husband, Sam. Liz takes us through her courtship with Sam, their reasons for marrying each other, and the various complications they faced early on in their marriage. Like many LDS women trying to properly fulfill their purpose, Liz finds motherhood alone cannot make her feel happy & fulfilled with the exclusion of the things that make Liz who she is and bring her joy. *** Liz Lambson is a Korean/African American artist, musician, and writer, and - along with her spouse Sam - is a parent to five boys residing in Salt Lake City. Liz performs as a string bassist with the Ballet West Orchestra as well as the children’s singer-songwriter Lizzy Luna, the creator of the music-and-movement program Yoga Storytime & Songs. Liz performed for and toured with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for several years. She released her first album of original children’s yoga music, Reach to the Sky, in 2018. Her writing has been featured in publications including the New Era and the New York Times. As an active member of Utah’s arts and culture community, Liz formerly served as the Executive Director of the Utah Black History Museum. Her artwork is featured on Salt Lake City’s Black Lives Matter mural at City Hall. Liz is also an aspiring film actress. In her spare time she enjoys needlework, gardening, road trips, and Scrabble. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Tue, 31 January 2023
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/cGm7kpKh9KI We continue Liz’s journey as she goes to BYU and gets baptized. Liz explains her interactions with church and BYU culture, and the effect of “worthiness” interviews w/LDS leadership once she is an official member. At BYU Liz struggles to fit in with white culture and begins struggling with symptoms of mental illness along with outbursts of creativity. Things get heavy with a friend’s suicide as she battles her own depressive thoughts. *** Liz Lambson is a Korean/African American artist, musician, and writer, and - along with her spouse Sam - is a parent to five boys residing in Salt Lake City. Liz performs as a string bassist with the Ballet West Orchestra as well as the children’s singer-songwriter Lizzy Luna, the creator of the music-and-movement program Yoga Storytime & Songs. Liz performed for and toured with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for several years. She released her first album of original children’s yoga music, Reach to the Sky, in 2018. Her writing has been featured in publications including the New Era and the New York Times. As an active member of Utah’s arts and culture community, Liz formerly served as the Executive Director of the Utah Black History Museum. Her artwork is featured on Salt Lake City’s Black Lives Matter mural at City Hall. Liz is also an aspiring film actress. In her spare time she enjoys needlework, gardening, road trips, and Scrabble. Liz's Instagram: @lizzylambson “Never Too Soon” Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Mon, 30 January 2023
Liz Lambson is a Korean/African American artist, musician, and writer, and - along with her spouse Sam - is a parent to five boys residing in Salt Lake City. Liz performs as a string bassist with the Ballet West Orchestra as well as the children’s singer-songwriter Lizzy Luna, the creator of the music-and-movement program Yoga Storytime & Songs. Liz performed for and toured with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for several years. She released her first album of original children’s yoga music, Reach to the Sky, in 2018. Her writing has been featured in publications including the New Era and the New York Times. As an active member of Utah’s arts and culture community, Liz formerly served as the Executive Director of the Utah Black History Museum. Her artwork is featured on Salt Lake City’s Black Lives Matter mural at City Hall. Liz is also an aspiring film actress. In her spare time she enjoys needlework, gardening, road trips, and Scrabble. Liz's Instagram: @lizzylambson *** We begin Liz’s story with her family and growing up years as a biracial Korean/African American struggling to assimilate into white culture. Her mother converted to Christianity and became a religious fanatic, leading to her eventual abandonment of her husband & children. Liz is introduced to Mormonism shortly after and finds Joseph Smith’s early religious confusion relatable. With continued exposure to LDS peers, including a boy who particularly holds her interest, Liz gains a testimony of the Book of Mormon and falls in love with Mormon culture. Liz also shares her struggles with academic, artistic and spiritual perfectionism in high school. We learn ways Liz gives up pieces of herself as she tries harder to assimilate into Mormon culture and eventually makes the decision to attend BYU. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Fri, 27 January 2023
Noah Rasheta joins John and Rebecca Bibliotheca to discuss basic concepts of Buddhism which has helped many deconstructing and healing from toxic teachings. Book: No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners by Noah Rasheta of Secular Buddhism Join the Mormon Stories Book Club Facebook Group Here! Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1722-BuddhismForBeginnersNoahRasheta.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 10:00am MDT |
Thu, 26 January 2023
Please join us for a panel discussion regarding a recent two-day LDS multi-Stake training in Canada focused on understanding LGBTQ members, led by faithful gay Mormon podcasters Charlie Bird and Ben Schilaty (hosts of "Questions From the Closet" podcast). Some questions that will be addressed by the panel include:
Panel Members:
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Mon, 23 January 2023
Why don’t more people leave the Church in the face of overwhelming evidence that it isn’t what it claims to be? In this episode we will discuss how the Normalcy Bias can help explain this behavior. Mormon Expressions is made possible by generous donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: John & Carah on Other Platforms:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1720-WhyMormonsDontLeaveJohnLarsen.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 7:30pm MDT |
Fri, 20 January 2023
In this episode we recap all the different areas where Joseph Smith claims to have translated an ancient source and we analyze his work and compare it against modern scholars and experts in the field to see how he did. Co-host: Nemo the Mormon LDS Discussion Essay: Overview of Joseph Smith's Translations _________________________ LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors!
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Direct download: MormonStories-1719-LDSDJosephSmithsTranslations.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Mon, 16 January 2023
John is in the hot seat again as Shelise Sola of @CultstoConsciousness does the interviewing around the topic of what and how John Dehlin would change the Mormon (LDS) Church if he were prophet. John expertly synthesizes and explains in easy-to-understand chunks the largest problems facing the Mormon Church today and ways it harms its most ardent believers and their families from past racism, current treatment of women and homophobia, covering up real history etc. While Shelise only recently started her podcast, “Cults to Consciousness,” she is quickly gaining viewership and a following due to her vibrant personality and quality content and interviews. In her own words: “From psychedelics to sexual distortions, I interview cult experts, cult survivors, cult advocates, therapists, way-showers, authors, healers, guides, shamans and more, to uncover how they find independence and healing through awareness and true individual sovereignty.” Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1718-SheliseInterviewsJohn.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30pm MDT |
Wed, 11 January 2023
Mormon Stories has experienced an amazing amount of growth for which we are thankful to our viewers, guests, staff, donors, and collaborators! John shares about the growth of the channel and answers viewer questions. How was 2022? What helped the channel’s growth? What were the stand-out episodes? And what have we got planned for 2023? Join us to find out! Episodes and Source Show Notes Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1717-2022YearInReviewQA.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 8:49pm MDT |
Mon, 9 January 2023
Did Joseph Smith have another shot at translating ancient scripture, or is it just rumor? Mike, Nemo and John take a look at the Kinderhook Plates. What were they? Did Joseph Smith try to translate them, and what was the result? As usual, we dive into the apologetics around multiple scenarios and why they are each attractive to differing views. Co-host: Nemo the Mormon LDS Discussion Essay on the Kinderhook Plates _________________________ LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors!
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Direct download: MormonStories-1716-LDSDKinderhookPlates.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00pm MDT |
Mon, 9 January 2023
Co-host: Nemo the Mormon Stephen Bullivant holds professorial positions at St Mary's University, London, and the University of Notre Dame, Sydney. He has doctorates in theology (Oxford, 2009) and sociology (Warwick, 2019). His studies of contemporary nonreligiosity have received wide international coverage, including from the BBC, New York Times, Economist, Financial Times, and Der Spiegel. The United States is in the midst of a religious revolution. Or, perhaps it is better to say a non-religious revolution. Around a quarter of US adults now say they have no religion. The great majority of these religious "nones" also say that they used to belong to a religion but no longer do. These are the nonverts: think "converts," but from having religion to having none. There are currently has about 59 million of them in the United States. Nonverts explores who they are, and why they joined the rising tide of the ex-religious. One of world's leading experts on contemporary atheism and nonreligiosity, sociologist and theologian Stephen Bullivant draws on dozens of interviews, original analysis of high-quality survey data, and a wealth of cutting-edge studies, to present an entertaining and insightful exploration of America's ex-religious landscape. Bullivant criss-crosses the country, talking to everyone from ex-Mormons in Utah to ex-Catholics in Pennsylvania, from ex-Evangelicals in Georgia to ex-Muslims in California, showing not only what they have in common but also how the traditions they left behind continue to shape them. While American religion is not going to die out any time soon, ex-Christian America is a growing presence in national life. America's religious revolution is not just a religious revolution--it is catalyzing a profound social, cultural, moral, and political impact. Nonverts will serve as an indispensable guide to this shifting landscape, as well as the future of American life. Join John and Nemo as they dive deeper into just why it is that people leave the LDS church. Nonverts: The Making of Ex-Christian America Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1715-StephenBullivantNonverts.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 10:00am MDT |
Fri, 6 January 2023
Fans of Mormon stories will be familiar with Channel Achenbach, who has been a guest on LDS Discussions' Race & Mormon Scripture Part 1 and Part 2 , Gender Discrimination in the Mormon Church with John Larsen and Mormon Leader Ahmad Corbitt Condemns Activism Towards the LDS Church or they may know her from her tiktok channel, @Bettenoir4. This is a 3-part series of Channel’s story. We’re back for a wrap-up of Channel’s story. Starting from where Part 2 left off, Channel, Margi and John discuss racism in general in the United States, and racism experienced in Utah by Channel and her children in Utah based on their skin color, with even her lighter-skinned children getting treated better than those with darker skin. Channel finally starts finding her own voice and speaking out about her experiences and observations in the church but with continued pushback from leaders, Channel decides to resign and starts her platform on Tiktok. We learn where and how Channel is doing now that she's left the Church and found her voice and is finding herself again after all this time. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1714-ChannelAchenbachPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Wed, 4 January 2023
Fans of Mormon stories will be familiar with Channel Achenbach, who has been a guest on LDS Discussions' Race & Mormon Scripture Part 1, Gender Discrimination in the Mormon Church with John Larsen and Mormon Leader Ahmad Corbitt Condemns Activism Towards the LDS Church or they may know her from her tiktok channel, @Bettenoir4. This will be a 3-part series of Channel’s story. Channel is continuing her story from her marriage, an embarrassing disciplinary council where she is judged for her “sins” by a group entirely of white men, and dealing with the fall-out of a marriage that was ill-suited from the beginning and facing the stigma of divorce within the LDS church as a woman of color. Channel marries again, this time to a non-member of the church and has two children. Despite her husband’s encouragement to leave, Channel continues to seek acceptance and approval from her religion despite her skin color. As she becomes disillusioned over time, Channel manages to stay in because of the influence of a few good friends, especially when her second marriage dissolves, and she finds herself needing more help. We learn more about issues around race issues in general such as the difference between racism and white supremacy and how both show up in the Church’s doctrines, practices, and members, including being constantly talked down to and told what to do with her life and what to think even by friends over a decade younger than she. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1713-ChannelAchenbachPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Mon, 2 January 2023
Fans of Mormon stories will be familiar with Channel Achenbach, who has been a guest on LDS Discussions' Race & Mormon Scripture Part 1, Gender Discrimination in the Mormon Church with John Larsen and Mormon Leader Ahmad Corbitt Condemns Activism Towards the LDS Church or they may know her from her tiktok channel, @Bettenoir4. This will be a 3-part series of Channel’s story. In Part 1 We get some background on Channel’s family growing up, how black families and black culture differ substantially from Mormon white culture, what led Channel to seek God and how that led to her joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Channel tells us the good, bad & ugly of how she was treated as a black teenage convert, when she learned of the Church’s racism, and ways that she accepted, excused, and eventually internalized it to see herself as “less” than her white counterparts. This became most apparent in dating and marriage. While white men in the church may find her exotic and are willing to date her, Channel finds that they are unwilling to marry her as “mixing seed” would pass her “curse” [black skin] to children that could otherwise have two white parents. As Channel loses herself and what makes her unique to the cultural expectations of the Church she marries another black member of the church at the counsel of her Bishop against her better judgment. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1712-ChannelAchenbachPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Fri, 30 December 2022
We've had an incredible year at Mormon Stories Podcast, but hope to have an even better year in 2023. Please donate to support us if you value what we do, and want to see it continue to grow. You can donate here: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m |
Wed, 28 December 2022
Mark Schultz was a 3-time NCAA champion, Olympic champion and 2-time World champion wrestler. He also joined the Mormon church in 1991 shortly after being hired as a BYU wrestling coach. Mark coached wrestling at BYU for around a decade. A few months ago, Mark started studying factual LDS church history - focusing specifically on Joseph Smith's polygamy revelation in D&C Section 132 - and lost his Mormon faith. He reached out to John this week requesting to tell his story. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1711-MarkSchultzedited.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:28pm MDT |
Tue, 27 December 2022
In Parts 1 and 2 of this series Mike, John, and Nemo explored the history and controversies over whether the Book of Abraham is a literal translation of Egyptian as claimed by Joseph Smith. Now for Part 3 they are back to look at what the text of the Book of Abraham actually says, including many prime LDS doctrines. What have been the consequences of believing those doctrines? Does the Book of Abraham merit being considered “revelation” and therefore binding to believing Saints today? LDS Discussion Essay on Book of Abraham _________________________ LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors!
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Direct download: MormonStories-1707-LDSDBookOfAbrahamPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Wed, 21 December 2022
Carol discusses ways that she has enabled herself mentally and spiritually to stay in the Church, despite periods of inactivity and varying levels of hope. Has she gone through a “faith crisis” as many know it? What did she keep and what has she thrown away? Why does she stay? How does Carol feel she makes a difference by staying in and also how and why has she been able to avoid excommunication, a common fate for those who undertake advocacy in the Church and come under the ire of leadership? Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonSories-1709-CarolLynnPearson2022Pt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Mon, 19 December 2022
Carol Lynn Pearson is an amazing woman and still-active member of the Church who has done more advocacy for feminism and LGBTQ rights than any other member and for far longer through her songs, books, poetry, speaking engagements and other appearances (even Oprah)! Carol Lynn Pearson is the example and embodiment of pure love. Anyone would do well to follow her example. In today's episode, Carol describes how she finds both feminine and masculine traits in the divine, and in such a lovely way that even hard-core atheists can find beauty and inspiration in her thoughts. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1708-CarolLynnPearson2022.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Fri, 16 December 2022
Today we’re going through various apologetics and theories around the Book of Abraham to reconcile it being considered scripture along with what we know the literal interpretation of these things to be. What problems do these apologetics create in other areas for believers? Do these theories hold water without a strong bias to believe in spite of all evidence? Do some apologists even admit it? LDS Discussion Essay on Book of Abraham _________________________ LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors!
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Direct download: MormonStories-1707-LDSDBookOfAbrahamPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Thu, 15 December 2022
The best way to consume Mormon history is through original source documents, but where do you find them? In this episode we will review a list of primary sources for early Mormon history that are accessible and affordable to the budding historian. John's List:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1706-OriginalMormonHistorySourcesJohnLarsen.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 7:00pm MDT |
Wed, 14 December 2022
Welcome back for part two! A trip to Europe gives Kelsey a chance beyond her mission to see more of the outside world and the goodness and happiness that others have found while clearly outside of Mormonism. The trip also gives her the chance to tune in to herself and trust her intuition. Not ready to give up on her religion just yet, Kelsey returns home after the trip and ends up working with LDS Public Relations in various projects while also holding the calling of Relief Society President as she works through her active doubts. Kelsey moves back to LA and finally realizes how much of a “box” LDS doctrines & beliefs put herself in. Kelsey takes us on a journey of personal discovery as she learns who she really is & to trust her own authority, leading her to the freest and fulfilled life she’s experienced thus far. Social Media:
Squad Goals: Courses.kelseyedwards.co (For teen girls about making/keeping good friends) Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1705-KelseyEdwardsPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:30pm MDT |
Mon, 12 December 2022
Kelsey Edwards has a unique upbringing as a child actor who was homeschooled by her Mormon parents. Driven by a desire to do what’s right and excel, Kelsey develops a perfectionism that goes beyond religious adherence into body image and leads to disordered eating. Kelsey is able to recover with help from her parents, only to be thrown into another family crisis as her father succumbs to an opiate addiction after chronic back pain and leaves both the Church and the family. As many children do, Kelsey feels she shares blame for the destruction of her family and re-commits to the LDS religion for strength and comfort. When her family moves to Provo, Utah, Mormon purity culture has costs for Kelsey’s self-esteem and body image as she continues pursuing performance at high school and BYU. Kelsey’s first doubts come as she serves a mission in Birmingham Alabama and grapples with the spirituality and fulfillment members of other faiths feel. Kelsey realizes belief in “eternal families” is far from unique to Mormonism but what IS unique about the Mormon version is the dark element that it’s predicated on a God deliberately separating families first. Social Media:
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Fri, 9 December 2022
Nearly since its founding, leaders of the LDS Church have excommunicated members for wrongdoing. In earlier times, such punishments might have lasted only weeks. Over the course of succeeding decades, this practice became more severe, constituting a wrenching removal from the community. Gaining readmittance often required intense penance and evidence of significant change stretching over a prolonged period of time. Sometimes this process even involved the leaders' colleagues. Justice and Mercy offers in-depth examinations of several high-profile case studies in church discipline, using journals and other sources close to the participants to provide candid detail. Today we interview author Gary James Bergera and Editor Bryan Buchanan. The book can be purchased here: Justice & Mercy
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Direct download: MormonStories-1703-TransgressionsOfMormonLeaders.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:34pm MDT |
Wed, 7 December 2022
Today we get to meet Special Guest Scott Dyer from Rameumptom Ruminations, a podcast centered on Mormon theology & interpretations of scripture through the lens of philosophy, literature and art under the Mormon Discussions Podcasts umbrella. John and Scott discuss Brian Harris, a recent guest on Rameumptom Ruminations who was an employee at church headquarters in the correlation department. Brian offers us a chance to pull back the curtain and learn a little bit more about what goes on behind the scenes. How does the church gather and use data from its members? How far up the chain does that data go? What goes into the creation, revising, or scrapping of church programs? Rameumptom Ruminations Playlist on YouTube
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Direct download: MormonStories-1702-InsiderLookAtChurchOperations.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Mon, 5 December 2022
Starting Book of Abraham! Join us at noon today for the intro to the issues around the "translation" of this controversial piece of Mormon scripture. LDS Discussion Book of Abraham Essay _________________________ LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors!
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Direct download: MormonStories-1670-BookOfAbrahamLDSDiscussions.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Fri, 2 December 2022
When Douglas Stilgoe, AKA "Nemo the Mormon" on YouTube, no longer felt he could publicly sustain Mormonism's top leadership of apostles & prophets due to multiple acts of demonstrable dishonesty, he lost one of Mormonism's highest privileges: the ability to attend the Temple. For Mormons, Temple worship goes FAR beyond religious ceremony. It is the gate by which believing Mormons qualify for Exaltation, the highest level of Heaven & privilege in the after-life according to Mormon theology, and by which marriages & family relationships are "sealed" together for eternity. Thus, losing the privilege of Temple worship doesn't just risk an individual's OWN eternal reward, but also puts one's eternal marriage and other family ties in jeopardy, some even to the extent of believing that faithful spouses and children will be "reassigned" to a faithful stranger who will replace the unbelieving spouse or parent in Heaven. It is also synonymous with personal "worthiness", so any Mormons not permitted inside are often thought to be committing or in the process of repenting from egregious sins, such as adultery. Mormons who are not considered "worthy" to perform Temple ordinances themselves are also barred from even attending ordinances - like weddings - of any friends and family that take place there, another significant source of pain and alienation for some. Naturally, Doug found it problematic that for believing Mormons, such important things as Exaltation and Eternal Family can be held hostage and denied for something as simple as refusing to agree to sustain leaders who, by virtue of a supposedly secret ordinance known as the "Second Anointing," are exempt from any accountability towards members of the Church, even for bold, deliberate acts of harm and dishonesty. ...or are they? This episode documents attempts made by Doug (Nemo) to get to the bottom of whether Mormon doctrines & practices meant to instill accountability from its earliest days and scripture are still applicable today, or whether they've become mere ritual, devoid of any meaningful significance other than virtue-signaling conformity and a continued commitment to blind obedience. As a squeaky wheel unable to be assuaged or silenced by local leadership, Nemo surprises everyone (including himself) when he manages to bypass the usual gatekeepers and break through the glass ceiling separating Mormonism's apostles and prophets from the rank-and-file, successfully garnering the attention of none other than second highest-ranking apostle and next in line to become prophet, Dallin H. Oaks. How did it go? Tune it to find out! Nemo the Mormon YouTube Channel
Nemo's Coverage on Mormonism LIVE with Bill Reel, Radio Free Mormon, and John Dehlin Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Wed, 30 November 2022
Louisa Killian is back to talk about what happened after losing her job at BYU, and what resources helped her heal and grow. What have been her victories and challenges in rebuilding her life? How did her family react to her loss of faith? What role does art and creativity play in healing? How does Louisa navigate her marriage, parenting, self-care, and spirituality? Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1669-LouisaKillianPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Mon, 28 November 2022
After her marriage to a "worthy" priesthood-holding Returned Missionary goes south when her husband is arrested for fraud, Louisa Killian finds love & equality in a relationship outside of the Church and a fulfilling career teaching dance at BYU. But when it's time to renew her Temple Recommend to keep her ecclesiastical endorsement (a requirement for employment at the Church school), Louisa finds that honesty has severe consequences. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1698-LouisaKillianPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 11:50am MDT |
Wed, 23 November 2022
Content Warning: Suicidal Ideation Join us today for a true love story for the ages - how Gary and Ernie found love together, and how they are thriving today. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Tue, 22 November 2022
Join Kattie & Allan from Marriage on a Tightrope as they interview John & Margi on the various aspects of faith transitioning as a couple. Marriage on a Tightrope started as a resource for mixed-faith couples (like themselves) after Allan lost his faith. Mixed faith marriages have their own unique complications and issues and Allan & Kattie hold vulnerable conversations about their mixed faith marriage in order to give the listener context and resources to navigate their own relationship. They have helped hundreds of couples and families stay together and learn to love, accept, and communicate with each other when one goes through a faith transition. Marriage on a Tightrope: Email Allan & Kattie: MarriageonaTightrope@gmail.com Donate to Marriage on a Tightrope Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-MOATInterviewsMargiJohn.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Mon, 21 November 2022
Content warning: Suicidal ideation, Drug addiction Tani Berlo was raised in Australia as a biracial Mormon of Maori descent. Showing an early love for history, Tani asked many questions of her LDS seminary teacher regarding science and history that caused concern. This included questioning the validity of the "Lamanite" identity (from the Book of Mormon) handed to her as a descendent of the Maori people. Later in Tani's teenage years she was shamed by her LDS church leaders for normative sexual exploration, and was ultimately summoned to a disciplinary council where she was asked sexually explicit questions by multiple men, and was disfellowshipped by the church. This led to significant sexual shame as a temple married Latter-day saint. After having children, Tani experienced significant post-partum depression and an opiate addiction, which when combined with her questioning of Mormon truth claims, led to a full-on faith crisis. Today Tani hosts a TikTok channel on history with over 1.1 million followers. This is Tani's Mormon story. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Sat, 19 November 2022
Join us for a discussion on the Mormon Church coming out "in support" of the Respect for Marriage Act, which many Mormons are mistakenly interpreting as support for LGBTQ people, and for same-sex marriage. LDS Newsroom Statement on the United States Congress Respect for Marriage Act Co-host: Gerardo Sumano Special Guests Brenton Erickson – Public Defender Hannah Comeau – Recent law school graduate Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Fri, 18 November 2022
Join us for our first Mormon Stories Book Club episode covering LIGHTHOUSE - Jerald and Sandra Tanner, a biography written by Ronald Huggins. Co-host: Rebecca Bibliotheca Special Guests: Sandra Tanner Ronald Huggins Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1694-LighthouseSandraRon.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30pm MDT |
Thu, 17 November 2022
Despite reports of progress, the Church today remains a highly discriminator organization. In this episode the panel will identify and discuss specific, concrete examples of how the Church explicitly discriminates today. Co-host: Sam Shelly Special Guest: Channel Achenbach Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1692-GenderDiscrimination.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 7:00pm MDT |
Thu, 17 November 2022
Join John, Mike & Elisha Lee as they discuss common problematic apologies around the practice of polygamy in early Church History. From lies being called “carefully worded denials” and attempts to differentiate between “plural marriage” which God approved of or “spiritual wifery” which was not, and the fact that this is still current doctrine and what women have to look forward to in eternity and the harms caused past and present from this doctrine. Special Guest: Elisha Lee
LDS Discussion Essay on Polygamy Apologetics LDS Discussions 6-Part Series on Polygamy:
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Tue, 15 November 2022
Content Warning: Suicide Ideation For Part 2 we come back to Shaye and Amanda's story after Shaye returns home from his mission. We learn how Shaye got involved in film with Mormon music group "The Piano Guys," their early issues with infertility, Amanda's schooling and career and the class (and book) that started her slowly on the path to finding out the real history of her belief system. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1690-AmandaShayeScottPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 1:30pm MDT |
Mon, 14 November 2022
Content Warning: Gender Dysphoria & Suicidal Ideation Amanda and Shaye already have a following on their YouTube Channel "Great Scotts" but their video "Why we left the Mormon Church - coming out story" made an even bigger splash. Join us as we hear their stories growing up in Mormon families, their early testimonies and experiences with the Church, Shaye's gender dysphoria and thoughts of suicide, how they met, Shaye serving a mission, and their subsequent marriage after returning. YouTube Channel: Great Scotts Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1689-AmandaShayeScottPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:30pm MDT |
Thu, 10 November 2022
In part 5 of our 6-part series on polygamy within the LDS Discussions project, we discuss "The Happiness Letter," which was the letter Joseph Smith wrote to Nancy Rigdon to try to convince her to become one of his plural wives. Special Guest: Nemo the Mormon LDS Discussion Essay on the Happiness Letter LDS Discussions 6-Part Series on Polygamy:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1688-HappinessLetter_LDSDiscussion.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30pm MDT |
Wed, 9 November 2022
Join us as we analyze a Mormon leader's private talk given to a small group of Church leaders that has stirred up the Mormon community. In his talk Ahmad S. Corbitt, first counselor in the LDS Church Young Men general presidency, vehemently condemns activism toward the Church. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1687-CorbittATCResponce.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 5:30pm MDT |
Wed, 9 November 2022
In Part 3 of 3 on this riveting story of Jeff & Larissa, we join them again as they bravely share their stories of sexual dysfunction due to LDS purity culture doctrines, Larissa's battle with breast cancer, Jeff's experiences with porn/masturbation, and BOTH Jeff and Larissa suppressing their sexuality. They share their journey of healing and growing together in intimacy, as well as other changes post-Mormonism. What is parenting like? How have their beliefs changed and what do they believe now? Larissa Kindred Jeff Kindred: Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1686-LarissaJeffKindred3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00pm MDT |
Tue, 8 November 2022
In this Part 2 of 3, we return to Jeff & Larissa's story. Now married, Larissa gives up her University Studies to help Jeff through Med school. They share their struggles with infertility, the adoption process, and adopting black children as orthodox Mormons. Larissa faces difficulties in early motherhood and building resentment as they settle into traditional LDS gender roles. Larissa feels she is losing herself wrapped up in her husband's life, while at the same time trying to silence that part of her that is unhappy, seeing it as "wrong." Larissa is called as a RS President, even as she becomes more vocally progressive/feminist and has hope for the Church to change, but it doesn't last. Jeff realizes the Gospel can't fix Larissa's unhappiness as the root cause is Patriarchy. He serves in Bishoprics for 7 years before discovering more about Church history from the CES Letter, and Rough Stone Rolling, with the Gospel Topics Essays being the final straw. Jeff & Larissa finally recognize the level of harm of systemic racism & sexism in Mormonism and no longer wish to be a part of it. Larissa Kindred Jeff Kindred: Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1685-LarissaJeffKindredPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00pm MDT |
Mon, 7 November 2022
Join us as we meet Jeff & Larissa Kindred and follow their stories growing up as Latter-day Saints. Jeff's story includes a grooming scoutmaster, his love of sports, attending Snow College, and serving a mission in Jackson, Mississippi where he dealt with scrupulosity, unhealthy diet and exercise, becoming AP, and wrestling with racism in the Church culture & scripture. Larissa's story involves her Japanese-American heritage, and gives a brief introduction on the history of anti-Japanese sentiment in Utah, including having been home to a Japanese "Work" Camp in Topaz. Larissa tells of the struggles her grandparents faced assimilating into Utah Culture and dealing with the loss of their own. Larissa also describes racism she experienced growing up in American Fork, UT and Mormon culture's ideals matching white beauty standards. And this is just the beginning! Jeff and Larissa have a lot of experiences that many current and former Mormons will relate to and experiences that will be new for many to hear. Larissa Kindred Jeff Kindred: Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1684-LarissaJeffKindredPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 10:13pm MDT |
Fri, 4 November 2022
Join Simon Southerton and Neville Rochow as they discuss the breaking news story of potentially fraudulent behavior by the LDS Church in Australia. Original Stories:
Simon Southerton
Neville Rochow Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1683-AustralianTaxScandal.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 1:00pm MDT |
Thu, 3 November 2022
Join Mike (LDS Discussions), Elisha, and John for Part 2 as they look at the techniques of influence that Joseph Smith used to propose to his plural wives. Helen Mar Kimball's age reduction digital illustration by Adam Worthington https://www.knowbrotherjoseph.com/ Special Guest: Elisha Lee
LDS Discussion Essay on Plural Marriage Proposals LDS Discussions 6-Part Series on Polygamy:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1682-LDSDiscussionsPluralMarriageProposalsPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Wed, 2 November 2022
Content Warning: Suicidal Ideation Join us as Brinley returns to share what rebuilding her life was like after returning home from her mission and how she finally found her voice & happiness. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1681-BrinleyJensenPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Tue, 1 November 2022
Content Warning: Suicidal Ideation & Planning Join John & Margi as they interview young and spunky Brinley Jensen, a Gen Z returned missionary, as she shares her experiences growing up in the Church and the consequences she's faced at various times as she's spoken up for herself and grown into the person she is. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1680-BrinleyJensenPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Thu, 27 October 2022
Join Mike (LDS Discussions), Elisha, and John as they look at the techniques of influence that Joseph Smith used to propose to his plural wives. Special Guest: Elisha Lee
LDS Discussion Essay on Plural Marriage Proposals LDS Discussions 6-Part Series on Polygamy:
_________________________ LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors!
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Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1679-PluralMarriageLDSDiscussions.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Tue, 25 October 2022
Join us for two unique Mormon Stories as John Dehlin & Samantha Shelley interview Tommy & Madison Johnson. Tommy made fans and haters on both sides of belief when he hit the TikTok scene during COVID with funny skits on the peculiarities of Mormonism. What viewers couldn't see was that Tommy was struggling to know how to deal with many of the messier topics in Church History as well as the darker sides of modern Mormon doctrines such as the stance against the LGBTQ+ community, which includes his own sister, while ALSO navigating his mixed-faith marriage with Madison who stopped believing entirely after their Temple Marriage. Madison describes her life as having been "born into a faith crisis" due to stigma and family shame around being conceived out of wedlock by a teen mother. Madison's struggles with the faith continued through most of her life despite her levels of activity/involvement in the Church, even through her Temple Marriage with Tom. Madison leaves the Church upon finding the CES letter and she and Tommy work through what this will mean for their marriage, and even end up on an episode of the podcast "Marriage on a Tightrope" with Katie & Allan Mount. They finish off with where the couple is at today and how life is going since all of the changes they've been through. Guests:
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Thu, 20 October 2022
Supreme Court Amicus Curie briefings are a way for organizations to influence and become involved in significant Court cases. For many years the church has used its high-powered attorneys to file briefs in major cases. We will discuss which cases and what the church truly values. Special Guest: Sam Shelly Mormon Expressions is made possible by generous donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: John & Carah on Other Platforms:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1677-JohnLarsenYourFriendTheChurch.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 7:00pm MDT |
Thu, 20 October 2022
Today’s episode continues the discussion on Polygamy with the (in)famous revelation still canonized in Mormon/LDS scripture as Section 132 of the Doctrine & Covenants. Mike sets up the historical & personal context of the timing of this revelation and the problematic ideas presented in it as coming from God including how God views women, redefining adultery and other moral issues, and the various rules and justifications given by God to practice polygamy. Mike goes on to show that Joseph admits himself that polygamy is something he wanted, and despite being the receiver of the various specific rules defined by God, he nevertheless proceeds to break every one of them. Finally, Mike goes over the many apologetics around this section of the Doctrine & Covenants and the problems with most of the arguments attempting to justify the revelation, Joseph’s polygamy, and the resulting polygamy among many of the branches of Mormonism, some continuing to this day. Special Guest: Elisha Lee
LDS Discussion Essay on Polygamy LDS Discussions 6-Part Series on Polygamy:
_________________________ LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors!
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Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1676-LDSDiscussionsDC132pt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Tue, 18 October 2022
Going through a faith crisis can be a lonely and isolating experience, especially in a believing family, so imagine the relief to find someone else is going through the same thing! Join John & Margi as they interview Chris Lee and Mitch Hadfield about their Mormon Story, their struggles with the faith, their relief to find understanding, support & solidarity with each other, and where their lives are now. In Part 2 of 2, Chris and Mitch explain the sources of their individual faith crises and how they processed it. Chris’ was a slow burn with a long amount of time spent in progressive Mormonism, while Mitch went from fairly conservative to a nonbeliever overnight. They explain the results of sharing their faith loss with each other, their wives, and other believing family members and where Chris and Mitch find themselves today. Chris Lee: Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1675-ChrisAndMitchPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Mon, 17 October 2022
Going through a faith crisis can be a lonely and isolating experience, especially in a believing family, so imagine the relief to find someone else is going through the same thing! Join John & Margi as they interview Chris Lee and Mitch Hadfield about their Mormon Story, their struggles with the faith, their relief to find understanding, support & solidarity with each other, and where their lives are now. In Part 1 of 2, Chris and Mitch tell their respective stories growing up in Mormon families and share their individual struggles serving missions for the Church. Chris struggles deeply with depression and anxiety resulting in going home early though at the cost of guilt that will last for years. Mitch experiences shame over “unrepented sins,” difficulties of the mission, and deals with suicidal ideation, though his does finish the full two-year term. Chris Lee:
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