To conclude our series on the Ordain Women project, we bring together Kate Kelly, Heather Olson Beal, Neylan McBaine and Sara Vranes for a concluding dialogue.

Part 2 of a 2-part series wherein Fiona Givens, Maxine Hanks, Margaret Young, and Neylan McBain discuss alternative Feminist approaches to the Ordain Women movement.

Part 1 of a 2-part series wherein Fiona Givens, Maxine Hanks, Margaret Young, and Neylan McBain discuss alternative Feminist approaches to the Ordain Women movement.

In part 1 of a three-part series, we discuss the Ordain Women-planned event on 10/5/2013 to attend the LDS general conference priesthood session. Participants include Heather Olson Beal, Ann Marie Whittaker, Tinesha Zandamela, and Lorie Winder Stromberg - all of whom participated in Saturday’s event.

On today’s episode of the "Mormon News Review," we discuss: Pope Francis’ recent interview in "America: The National Catholic Review" and possible implications for the LDS church.
Two articles written by Peggy Fletcher Stack on the 20th anniversary of the September Six. Elder D. Todd Christofferson‘s devotional delivered on September 24th at BYU Idaho entitled "The Prophet Joseph Smith." Joining us are three panelists: Right: Ralph Hancock is the President of the John Adams Center for the Study of Faith, Philosophy and Public Affairs. He is also a professor of Political Science at Brigham Young University, and a former intramural basketball teammate. Center: Mark Phillips is an active member of the LDS church in Los Angeles, and a former bishop. He is a husband, a father, an attorney, a musician, and he promises not to agree with everyone. Left: Lindsay Hansen Park is a Mormon Feminist and a work-from-home mother of two in Stansbury Park. She works as Social Media director for Sunstone, hosts and founded the feministmormonhousewives podcast, and is engaged in women’s issues and global activism.

On this inaugural episode of Mormon News Review we have: Kate Kelly (founder of Ordain Women) discussing the LDS church's recent response to their attempts to attend the upcoming priesthood session of LDS general conference. Panel: Ralph Hancock (Right), Tom Grover (Middle), and Heather Olson Beal (Left) discussing: Ordain Women, including the LDS church's decision today to publicly broadcast the priesthood session of general conference. Steve and Barb Young's recent presentations at the LDS/Affirmation conference. The LDS church's response to upcoming same-sex marriage legislation in Hawaii. The LDS church's new "Religious Freedom" initiative.

Dr. Gregory A. Prince was selected to present the 19th annual Leonard J. Arrington Mormon History Lecture. The lecture is an annual event hosted by University Libraries and its Special Collections and Archives Division at Utah State University. The lecture is sponsored by University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives, the Leonard J. Arrington Lecture and Archives Foundation and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Utah State University. Dr. Prince spoke on Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Logan LDS Tabernacle. The title of Prince’s lecture was "Faith and Doubt as Partners in Mormon History."

Ryan McIlvain was born in Utah and raised in Massachusetts. His fiction and nonfiction have appeared in many journals, including The Paris Review. A graduate of the Rutgers MFA Program and a recipient of the Stegner Fellowship at Stanford, he currently lives with his wife in Los Angeles. As part of Mormon Stories Book Club, today Heather Olson Beal and I discuss Ryan’s book "Elders," which is the story of two young Mormon missionaries in Brazil and their tense, peculiar friendship. Elder McLeod - outspoken, surly, a brash American - is nearing the end of his mission. For nearly two years he has spent his days studying the Bible and the Book of Mormon, knocking on doors, teaching missionary lessons "experimenting on the word." His new partner is Elder Passos, a devout, ambitious Brazilian who found salvation and solace in the church after his mother’s early death. The two men are at first suspicious of each other, and their work together is frustrating, fruitless. That changes when a beautiful woman and her husband offer the missionaries a chance to be heard, to put all of their practice to good use, to test the mettle of their faith. But before they can bring the couple to baptism, they must confront their own long-held beliefs and doubts, and the simmering tensions at the heart of their friendship. A novel of unsparing honesty and beauty, Elders announces Ryan McIlvain as a writer of enormous talent.

As an independent historian, Russell Stevenson has been studying Mormon history for nearly two decades. His first book, Black Mormon: The Story of Elijah Ables, tells the vexing story of race in nineteenth-century Mormonism through experiences of Elijah Ables, a biracial man ordained to the priesthood during Joseph Smith’s lifetime. Drawing on documents unused in other treatments, Black Mormon is the first effort to understand Elijah Ables in all of his identities: black, male, Mormon, and priesthood holder.

As an independent historian, Russell Stevenson has been studying Mormon history for nearly two decades. His first book, Black Mormon: The Story of Elijah Ables, tells the vexing story of race in nineteenth-century Mormonism through experiences of Elijah Ables, a biracial man ordained to the priesthood during Joseph Smith’s lifetime. Drawing on documents unused in other treatments, Black Mormon is the first effort to understand Elijah Ables in all of his identities: black, male, Mormon, and priesthood holder.

As the 10th feature of our Mormon Stories Book Club series, we feature Jack Harrell and his short story collection, A Sense of Order and Other Stories. Jack is currently a writing professor at BYU-Idaho. A Sense of Order and Other Stories contains two award-winning stories ("Calling and Election" and "A Prophet’s Story"); the collection won the award for best short fiction from the Association for Mormon Letters in 2010.

Hans H. Mattsson is a 3rd generation LDS church member from Sweden who served as a bishop and stake president before serving in the 3rd Quorum of the Seventy (Europe Central area) from 2000-2005 under LDS Apostle L. Tom Perry. In this 5-part interview, and accompanied by his beautiful wife Birgitta, Hans discusses the following: (1) His early years in Sweden, (2) His years as an Area Authority Seventy, (3) His interactions with LDS Apostles and the 1st Presidency, (4) His struggles with faith after being released as an area authority, and (5) His thoughts about the church today.

Special Fireside for Disaffected Swedish Latter-day Saints. Speakers: Elder Marlin K. Jensen (LDS Church Historian) and Richard E. Turley Jr. (Assistant Church Historian). Date: November 28, 2010. Location: Västerhaninge Chapel; Stockholm, Sweden.

Hans H. Mattsson is a 3rd generation LDS church member from Sweden who served as a bishop and stake president before serving in the 3rd Quorum of the Seventy (Europe Central area) from 2000-2005 under LDS Apostle L. Tom Perry. In this 5-part interview, and accompanied by his beautiful wife Birgitta, Hans discusses the following: (1) His early years in Sweden, (2) His years as an Area Authority Seventy, (3) His interactions with LDS Apostles and the 1st Presidency, (4) His struggles with faith after being released as an area authority, and (5) His thoughts about the church today.

Hans H. Mattsson is a 3rd generation LDS church member from Sweden who served as a bishop and stake president before serving in the 3rd Quorum of the Seventy (Europe Central area) from 2000-2005 under LDS Apostle L. Tom Perry. In this 5-part interview, and accompanied by his beautiful wife Birgitta, Hans discusses the following: (1) His early years in Sweden, (2) His years as an Area Authority Seventy, (3) His interactions with LDS Apostles and the 1st Presidency, (4) His struggles with faith after being released as an area authority, and (5) His thoughts about the church today.

Hans H. Mattsson is a 3rd generation LDS church member from Sweden who served as a bishop and stake president before serving in the 3rd Quorum of the Seventy (Europe Central area) from 2000-2005 under LDS Apostle L. Tom Perry. In this 5-part interview, and accompanied by his beautiful wife Birgitta, Hans discusses the following: (1) His early years in Sweden, (2) His years as an Area Authority Seventy, (3) His interactions with LDS Apostles and the 1st Presidency, (4) His struggles with faith after being released as an area authority, and (5) His thoughts about the church today.

Hans H. Mattsson is a 3rd generation LDS church member from Sweden who served as a bishop and stake president before serving in the 3rd Quorum of the Seventy (Europe Central area) from 2000-2005 under LDS Apostle L. Tom Perry. In this 5-part interview, and accompanied by his beautiful wife Birgitta, Hans discusses the following: (1) His early years in Sweden, (2) His years as an Area Authority Seventy, (3) His interactions with LDS Apostles and the 1st Presidency, (4) His struggles with faith after being released as an area authority, and (5) His thoughts about the church today.

In Part 4, John Hamer tells the remarkable story of the RLDS Church’s transformation from a inward-looking sect with a negative, exclusive identity to a progressive denomination with a positive, inclusive identity. Although both the RLDS Church and the LDS Church were faced with the same basic challenges in the societal transformation in North America after World War 2, the churches had completely opposite responses. In the wake of the challenges posed by professional scholarship of the "New Mormon History," RLDS leaders chose to "embrace truth and do what is right, let the consequence follow," rather than to retrench, deny, and retreat into territory that is intellectually indefensible. The path has not been an easy one, but it has led Community of Christ to become a church whose values include "unity in diversity," "the worth of all persons," and the principle that "all are called." Today, women serve at every level of church leadership, up to the First Presidency. Community of Christ has had apostles from Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Pacific Islands, in addition to North America. LGBT members have full priesthood participation in North America and Australia, and in states and countries where it is legal, priesthood members may perform same-sex marriages as a sacrament in Community of Christ.

In Part 3, John Hamer talks about how Latter Day Saints living in the Midwest who continued to oppose polygamy were able to regroup and come together as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. These members included Joseph Smith Jr.’s immediate family. Joseph and Emma’s eldest surviving son, Joseph Smith III, led the RLDS Church as prophet for 54 years. Described by his biographer as a "pragmatic prophet," Joseph III was able to successfully weld diverse old Saints who had been Strangites, Cutlerites, Wightites, Whitermites, Rigdonites, Thompsonites, Brighamites, Morrisites, and more, into a Restoration tradition church that took the Kirtland era as its model. The fact that Joseph III grew up in the ruins of Nauvoo and had learned to live with his neighbors influenced the Reorganization’s strong peace tradition.

In Part 2, John Hamer talks about the pivotal period from 1844-1860, when different Latter Day Saints came up with different solutions for how to remain faithful to their religion in the wake of the founder’s death. John conceptually divides successor churches into three categories: (1) Those who sought to "purify" the church and go back to an earlier form of Mormonism, (2) those who sought to "preserve" the church as it existed in 1844, and (3) those who wanted to continue to "innovate" by having a new prophet ever revealing new doctrine and practices on the model of the founder. John describes how polygamy continued to be the main point of contention and how the organizations of most of Brigham Young’s rivals had faltered by 1860.

In Part 1, John Hamer briefly discusses the diversity within Latter Day Saint or Restoration heritage churches. He then walks us through the early history of the Restoration to explain how the seeds that have ultimately flowered with the Community of Christ and the LDS Church were planted even before Joseph Smith’s martyrdom. John talks about the rapid evolution in Mormonism from its origins to 1844, its inherent tensions, and the direct causes of the schism that emerged after Brigham Young’s showdown with Sidney Ridgon for church leadership in Nauvoo.

As the 9th feature of our Mormon Stories Book Club series, we feature Rachel Held Evans and her book A Year of Biblical Womanhood. Rachel Held Evans, from Dayton, Tennessee, is an American Christian columnist, blogger, and author of two books, A Year of Biblical Womanhood and Evolving in Monkey Town. Rachel is a New York Times best selling author.

As the 9th feature of our Mormon Stories Book Club series, we feature Rachel Held Evans and her book A Year of Biblical Womanhood. Rachel Held Evans, from Dayton, Tennessee, is an American Christian columnist, blogger, and author of two books, A Year of Biblical Womanhood and Evolving in Monkey Town. Rachel is a New York Times best selling author.

In today’s episode we interview John Hamer, who left Mormonism (and religion/belief altogether) after graduating from BYU with no intent to return. We explore how John’s relationship with his partner, Mike, helped him to discover his love for Mormon history, the Mormon historians community, and the John Whitmer Historical Association. This path ultimately led John to become baptized in the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) on April 6, 2010 - the 150th anniversary of the Reorganization and the 180th anniversary of the organization of the church. How does an ex-Mormon who had left faith altogether rediscover the value of religion within a Joseph Smith tradition church? This is John Hamer’s story.
You can talk to John directly at his facebook group "Latter-day Seekers" or follow the Saints Herald blog.

In today’s episode we interview John Hamer, who left Mormonism (and religion/belief altogether) after graduating from BYU with no intent to return. We explore how John’s relationship with his partner, Mike, helped him to discover his love for Mormon history, the Mormon historians community, and the John Whitmer Historical Association. This path ultimately led John to become baptized in the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) on April 6, 2010 - the 150th anniversary of the Reorganization and the 180th anniversary of the organization of the church. How does an ex-Mormon who had left faith altogether rediscover the value of religion within a Joseph Smith tradition church? This is John Hamer’s story.
You can talk to John directly at his facebook group "Latter-day Seekers" or follow the Saints Herald blog.

As the 8th feature of our Mormon Stories Book Club series, we feature Craig Harline and his book Conversions: Two Family Stories from the Reformation and Modern America, accompanied by podcast host Heather Olson Beal and readers Kimberly Brinkerhoff, Hannah Pritchett, Daniel Rawson, and Natasha Helfer Parker. Craig Harline, a native of California, is a cultural historian and a professor of history at BYU. He teaches courses on the Reformation, the history of civilization, film, and Christianity. He has also taught seminars on miracles and toleration and persecution.

Today we interview Dr. Ryan Cragun who is an expert in the sociology of religion. In this episode we discuss his perspective regarding why people are religious and how religion affects peoples' lives and society at large.

As the 7th feature of our Mormon Stories Book Club series, we feature Michael Hicks and his book The Street-Legal Version of Mormon’s Book, accompanied by podcast host Heather Olson Beal and readers Mark Brown and Jonathan Yarrington. Michael Hicks, a composer, performer, scholar, and poet, has been teaching in the BYU School of Music since 1985.

Today we interview Kate Kelly – Co-founder of the Ordain Women website (http://ordainwomen.org). In this episode we discuss: why Kate and her associates are calling for the ordination of LDS women, how female ordination might benefit both the institutional church and its members, and how others can support this initiative.

In this three part interview with Josh and Lolly Weed we discuss: 1) How they fell in love and decided to marry, in spite of both knowing that Josh is gay, 2) the complexities and risks of navigating a mixed-orientation marriage, and 3) LBGT issues within the LDS church

In this three part interview with Josh and Lolly Weed we discuss: 1) How they fell in love and decided to marry, in spite of both knowing that Josh is gay, 2) the complexities and risks of navigating a mixed-orientation marriage, and 3) LBGT issues within the LDS church

In this three part interview with Josh and Lolly Weed we discuss: 1) How they fell in love and decided to marry, in spite of both knowing that Josh is gay, 2) the complexities and risks of navigating a mixed-orientation marriage, and 3) LBGT issues within the LDS church

On this historic day when the United States Supreme Court is considering the legality of gay marriage, we share with you our interview with Brett Bradshaw. Brett is the son of longtime Mormon LGBT advocates Marge and William Bradshaw.

On this historic day when the United States Supreme Court is considering the legality of gay marriage, we share with you our interview with Brett Bradshaw. Brett is the son of longtime Mormon LGBT advocates Marge and William Bradshaw.

On this historic day when the United States Supreme Court is considering the legality of gay marriage, we share with you our interview with Brett Bradshaw. Brett is the son of longtime Mormon LGBT advocates Marge and William Bradshaw.

On this historic day when the United States Supreme Court is considering the legality of gay marriage, we share with you our interview with Brett Bradshaw. Brett is the son of longtime Mormon LGBT advocates Marge and William Bradshaw.

Jay Griffith and Sarah Collett sit with James W. McConkie to speak with him about his personal history and family. As a nephew of Bruce R. McConkie and Joseph B. Wirthlin, Jim has a unique perspective of the Church and the brethren and a valuable approach to the Gospel. Speaking about his faith, parenting, and his views on the historical Christ, Jim explains his approach to doubt and difficult questions.

Jay Griffith and Sarah Collett sit with James W. McConkie to speak with him about his personal history and family. As a nephew of Bruce R. McConkie and Joseph B. Wirthlin, Jim has a unique perspective of the Church and the brethren and a valuable approach to the Gospel. Speaking about his faith, parenting, and his views on the historical Christ, Jim explains his approach to doubt and difficult questions.

In part 4 of a series on Joseph Smith’s polygamy, Brian Hales explains the foundations of his LDS beliefs, and how he maintains belief in the face of detailed knowledge regarding Joseph Smith’s polygamy.

In part 3 of a 4 part series on Joseph Smith’s polygamy, Brian Hales contrasts his views on the naturalistic vs. faithful view of Joseph Smith’s polygamy.

Brian Hales and the Top 12 Myths about Joseph Smith's Polygamy.

Brian Hales Pt. 1 - A Refutation of Grant Palmer’s Treatment of Sexual Allegations Against Joseph Smith

A Short Stay in Hell with Steven L. Peck

Top 5 Myths and Truths about Why Committed Mormons Leave the Church

In this three-part interview conducted by Sarah Collett of A Thoughtful Faith podcast we discuss: My ups, downs, and ups with the church, the story behind the Why Mormons Question survey, including my interactions with a few church leaders, an explanation of the Daniel Peterson/Neil A. Maxwell institute incident last year, the reasons behind the discontinuation of the Mormon Stories conferences and communities, my interactions w/ my bishop and stake president over the past year, and how and why I've returned to full activity in the church. Big thanks to Sarah and Micah for all of their hard work.

In this three-part interview conducted by Sarah Collett of A Thoughtful Faith podcast we discuss: My ups, downs, and ups with the church, the story behind the Why Mormons Question survey, including my interactions with a few church leaders, an explanation of the Daniel Peterson/Neil A. Maxwell institute incident last year, the reasons behind the discontinuation of the Mormon Stories conferences and communities, my interactions w/ my bishop and stake president over the past year, and how and why I've returned to full activity in the church. Big thanks to Sarah and Micah for all of their hard work.

In this three-part interview conducted by Sarah Collett of A Thoughtful Faith podcast we discuss: My ups, downs, and ups with the church, the story behind the"Why Mormons Question" survey, including my interactions with a few church leaders, an explanation of the Daniel Peterson/Neil A. Maxwell institute incident last year, the reasons behind the discontinuation of the Mormon Stories conferences and communities, my interactions w/ my bishop and stake president over the past year, and how and why I've returned to full activity in the church. Big thanks to Sarah and Micah for all of their hard work.

Kristine Haglund and Brent Metcalfe speak at the 2012 Seattle Mormon Stories conference.

In this four-part interview we speak with BYU professor and critic of Mormon liberalism Dr. Ralph Hancock.

In this four-part interview we speak with BYU professor and critic of Mormon liberalism Dr. Ralph Hancock.

In this four-part interview we speak with BYU professor and critic of Mormon liberalism Dr. Ralph Hancock.

In this four-part interview we speak with BYU professor and critic of Mormon liberalism Dr. Ralph Hancock.

In this three-part interview we speak with"The Mormon Therapist" Natasha Helfer Parker about the top 10 mental health issues that Mormons commonly face.

In this three-part interview we speak with"The Mormon Therapist" Natasha Helfer Parker about the top 10 mental health issues that Mormons commonly face.

In this three-part interview we speak with"The Mormon Therapist" Natasha Helfer Parker about the top 10 mental health issues that Mormons commonly face.

As part of a new podcast initiative called Gay Mormon Stories (and in cooperation with Mormon Stories Book Club) we interview the beloved poet, playwright, LGBT activist and Mormon author Carol Lynn Pearson about her new book entitled, The Hero’s Journey of the Gay and Lesbian Mormon.

In this episode of Mormon Stories we interview journalist McKay Coppins. McKay is a graduate of Brigham Young University and a journalist for BuzzFeed. During the 2011-2012 U.S. presidential campaign, McKay was assigned the task of reporting on fellow-Mormon and presidential candidate Mitt Romney. This is his story.

Anyone desiring to understand more about Mormon Christianity could find no better guides than Terryl and Fiona Givens. By masterfully weaving together insights from the best books scripture and literature, theology and philosophy Terryl and Fiona Givens bring new depth to the fundamentals of their faith. Whether you know a lot or a little about Latter-day Saint doctrine, this book will both educate and inspire you. The authors, Terryl and Fiona Givens, share five fundamental truths about the universe that their Mormon faith has taught them.

Fiona Givens (MA European History, University of Richmond) recently retired from directing the French Language program at Patrick Henry High School in Ashland, Virginia. Besides education, she has worked in translation services, as a lobbyist, and as communications director of a nonprofit. A longtime collaborator in Terryl Givens' previous books, The God Who Weeps is her first co-authorship.

As the 3rd feature of our Mormon Stories Book Club series (organized by Heather Olson Beal), we feature Jane Barnes and her new book Falling in Love with Joseph Smith, accompanied by the following readers: Rob Lauer, Erin Hill, Cheryl Bruno, John Dehlin, and Dayna Patterson.

Mr. Deity's Brian Dalton Discusses Book of Mormon Racism with Dan Wotherspoon and Charles Harrell.

Story sharing from the 2012 New York City Mormon Stories conference.

Political panel from the 2012 New York City Mormon Stories conference.

Elna Baker speaks, and the Sabre Rattlers perform at the 2012 New York Mormon Stories conference.

Richard Bushman and Andrew Kimball speak, and the Sabre Rattlers perform at the 2012 New York Mormon Stories conference.

As the 2nd feature of our Mormon Stories Book Club series (organized by the brilliant Heather Olsen Beal), we feature John G. Turner and his new book"Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet," accompanied by Dialogue Foundation chair elect Morris Thurston.

As the 2nd feature of our Mormon Stories Book Club series (organized by the brilliant Heather Olsen Beal), we feature John G. Turner and his new book"Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet," accompanied by Dialogue Foundation chair elect Morris Thurston.

A Thoughtful Faith's Kylan Rice presents an interview with LDS author, filmmaker, and playwright Margaret Young. In this interview Margaret shares her story of how she became enthralled with Mormon Race Dynamics, and how she has spent her life as an advocate for Black Mormon issues in LDS culture. Margaret also discusses how gender dynamics present challenges to her and other LDS women, and how she reconciles these issues with her faith in the Gospel. Guest host Kylan Rice is a producer for BYU Radio, a poet, and a student of English literature. He also contributes, as a guest writer, to the blog RationalFaiths.com, which seeks to"provide a safe, fair, and balanced space to discuss the complexities, difficulties, and beauty of the Mormon tradition."

In part 4 of a 4-part series, Eldon's Family Discusses the Impact of Heather's Death on their Faith.

In part 3 of a 4-part series, Eldon discusses losing Heather to cancer, and the grief that followed.

In part 2 of a 4 part series, Eldon discusses his experience living a successful mixed-orientation marriage as a gay Mormon.

In part 1 of a 4 part series, Eldon Kartchner discusses his battle with same-sex attraction as a Mormon.

Philip Barlow is editor of the book"A Thoughtful Faith," which was pivotal in my faith transition as a BYU student and beyond. He currently sits in the Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture, at Utah State University. He earned a B. A. from Weber State College and an M.T.S. and Ph.D. (1988, with an emphasis on Religion and American Culture and on the History of Christianity) from Harvard University. In addition to articles, essays, and reviews, Dr. Barlow has published Mormons and the Bible: The Place of the Latter-day Saints in American Religion (Oxford Univ. Press, 1991). He is past president of the Mormon History Association.

Philip Barlow is editor of the book"A Thoughtful Faith," which was pivotal in my faith transition as a BYU student and beyond. He currently sits in the Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture, at Utah State University. He earned a B. A. from Weber State College and an M.T.S. and Ph.D. (1988, with an emphasis on Religion and American Culture and on the History of Christianity) from Harvard University. In addition to articles, essays, and reviews, Dr. Barlow has published Mormons and the Bible: The Place of the Latter-day Saints in American Religion (Oxford Univ. Press, 1991). He is past president of the Mormon History Association.

In this episode 3 active, believing LDS church members explore LDS temple wedding exclusion and inclusion.

For the inaugural episode of the new"A Thoughtful Faith" podcast, Micah Nickolaisen interviews Greg Prince. Greg is well known for his historical contributions and grassroots activism within the LDS Church, and is an advocate for better curriculum, scholarship, gender equality, and open dialogue within Mormon discourse and church policy. Greg sits on the board of directors for Dialogue Foundation, as well as the Madison House Autism Foundation.

In this two part episode we interview Joanna Brooks about her new book"The Book of Mormon Girl."

In this two part episode we interview Joanna Brooks about her new book"The Book of Mormon Girl."

Special Announcement: Circling the Wagons San Francisco 2012

This presentation was delivered as part of the 2012 Salt Lake Symposium held on July 27th.

Bill Reel is currently serving as Bishop of the Sandusky ward of the Cleveland Ohio Stake. In this interview we begin by discussing Bishop Reel’s conversion to the church AFTER reading Fawn Brodie’s"No Man Knows my History", and his avid pursuit of Mormon apologetics after his baptism. We also discuss in depth his calling as bishop, including his job to counsel youth and women on sexual matters, masturbation, and homosexuality. Since Bishop Reel is a listener of the podcast, we discuss his perception and frustration of an increasing trend towards negativity on Mormon Stories. We also discuss the future direction of Mormon Stories, and Bishop Reel offers his advice for members in doubt.

Bill Reel is currently serving as Bishop of the Sandusky ward of the Cleveland Ohio Stake. In this interview we begin by discussing Bishop Reel’s conversion to the church AFTER reading Fawn Brodie’s"No Man Knows my History", and his avid pursuit of Mormon apologetics after his baptism. We also discuss in depth his calling as bishop, including his job to counsel youth and women on sexual matters, masturbation, and homosexuality. Since Bishop Reel is a listener of the podcast, we discuss his perception and frustration of an increasing trend towards negativity on Mormon Stories. We also discuss the future direction of Mormon Stories, and Bishop Reel offers his advice for members in doubt.

In this episode, Tony Litster discusses his approach for overcoming pornography addiction within a Mormon paradigm.

Bible scholar Jared Anderson outlines the vision, tone, goals, and proposed content of this Sunday School podcast. There will be a weekly Gospel Doctrine podcast entitled"Engaging Gospel Doctrine," as well as a"ward library" of expanding content under the title"Excavating Scripture." He also introduces skills for"close reading" of the scriptures as well as suggests resources, to which you can find links below.

Audio content from the 2012 Mormon Stories Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Audio content from the 2012 Mormon Stories Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Audio content from the 2012 Mormon Stories Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Audio content from the 2012 Mormon Stories Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Audio content from the 2012 Mormon Stories Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In this presentation we try to cover the following: 1) what are Mormon Stories and the Open Stories Foundation trying to do? and 2) what can be done to keep them both alive.

Sons of Perdition (the movie, produced by Tyler Measom and Jennilyn Merten) follows three boys after they leave their FLDS families and community in Colorado City, Utah. With limited educations and rarely a stable address, the obstacles are enormous. All the boys have big dreams - starting with the hope of attending high school - but what they want most is contact with their families. For one teen in the film, this means numerous attempts to help his fourteen-year-old sister escape before an arranged marriage. With unprecedented access, Sons of Perdition takes audiences on a three-year-journey into the lives of these remarkable teens, providing the inside analysis to make this intimate portrait a big story - a timely, critical look at faith, family and religious exile in mainstream America.

Sons of Perdition (the movie, produced by Tyler Measom and Jennilyn Merten) follows three boys after they leave their FLDS families and community in Colorado City, Utah. With limited educations and rarely a stable address, the obstacles are enormous. All the boys have big dreams - starting with the hope of attending high school - but what they want most is contact with their families. For one teen in the film, this means numerous attempts to help his fourteen-year-old sister escape before an arranged marriage. With unprecedented access, Sons of Perdition takes audiences on a three-year-journey into the lives of these remarkable teens, providing the inside analysis to make this intimate portrait a big story - a timely, critical look at faith, family and religious exile in mainstream America.

Sons of Perdition (the movie, produced by Tyler Measom and Jennilyn Merten) follows three boys after they leave their FLDS families and community in Colorado City, Utah. With limited educations and rarely a stable address, the obstacles are enormous. All the boys have big dreams - starting with the hope of attending high school - but what they want most is contact with their families. For one teen in the film, this means numerous attempts to help his fourteen-year-old sister escape before an arranged marriage. With unprecedented access, Sons of Perdition takes audiences on a three-year-journey into the lives of these remarkable teens, providing the inside analysis to make this intimate portrait a big story - a timely, critical look at faith, family and religious exile in mainstream America.

Benji Schwimmer is a world renowned dancer and choreographer. He is best known for winning Season 2 of the hit tv show So You Think You Can Dance. In this 3-part interview, Benji discusses the following: Part 1: His early years, and his LDS mission experience, Part 2: His experiences on So You Think You Can Dance, and Part 3: His attempts to come to terms with his sexuality and his LDS faith.

Benji Schwimmer is a world renowned dancer and choreographer. He is best known for winning Season 2 of the hit tv show So You Think You Can Dance. In this 3-part interview, Benji discusses the following: Part 1: His early years, and his LDS mission experience, Part 2: His experiences on So You Think You Can Dance, and Part 3: His attempts to come to terms with his sexuality and his LDS faith.

Benji Schwimmer is a world renowned dancer and choreographer. He is best known for winning Season 2 of the hit tv show So You Think You Can Dance. In this 3-part interview, Benji discusses the following: Part 1: His early years, and his LDS mission experience, Part 2: His experiences on So You Think You Can Dance, Part 3: His attempts to come to terms with his sexuality and his LDS faith.

Simon Southerton is a native Australian, geneticist, former LDS bishop, and author of the book, Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA and the Mormon Church. Simon was a member of the LDS church for almost 30 years, serving a mission in Melbourne (1981-83), marrying in the New Zealand Temple in 1983, and serving in numerous church positions including four terms as Young Men President, a counselor in several bishoprics and branch presidencies, and finally as bishop. While serving as bishop Simon began studying Native American DNA which he expected to have Middle Eastern origins, given the primary Book of Mormon narrative and longstanding church teachings to this effect. Discovering instead that Native American DNA was almost 100% of Asiatic origin, this seriously challenged Simon’s belief that the Lamanites are the ancestors of the American Indians, and that the Book of Mormon is a historical document. Consequently, Simon resigned from his calling as bishop in 1998 and left the church soon thereafter.

Simon Southerton is a native Australian, geneticist, former LDS bishop, and author of the book, Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA and the Mormon Church. Simon was a member of the LDS church for almost 30 years, serving a mission in Melbourne (1981-83), marrying in the New Zealand Temple in 1983, and serving in numerous church positions including four terms as Young Men President, a counselor in several bishoprics and branch presidencies, and finally as bishop. While serving as bishop Simon began studying Native American DNA which he expected to have Middle Eastern origins, given the primary Book of Mormon narrative and longstanding church teachings to this effect. Discovering instead that Native American DNA was almost 100% of Asiatic origin, this seriously challenged Simon’s belief that the Lamanites are the ancestors of the American Indians, and that the Book of Mormon is a historical document. Consequently, Simon resigned from his calling as bishop in 1998 and left the church soon thereafter.

Simon Southerton is a native Australian, geneticist, former LDS bishop, and author of the book, Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA and the Mormon Church. Simon was a member of the LDS church for almost 30 years, serving a mission in Melbourne (1981-83), marrying in the New Zealand Temple in 1983, and serving in numerous church positions including four terms as Young Men President, a counselor in several bishoprics and branch presidencies, and finally as bishop. While serving as bishop Simon began studying Native American DNA which he expected to have Middle Eastern origins, given the primary Book of Mormon narrative and longstanding church teachings to this effect. Discovering instead that Native American DNA was almost 100% of Asiatic origin, this seriously challenged Simon’s belief that the Lamanites are the ancestors of the American Indians, and that the Book of Mormon is a historical document. Consequently, Simon resigned from his calling as bishop in 1998 and left the church soon thereafter.

As part of the 2012 Boston Mormon Stories regional conference, Joanna Brooks speaks, and conference attendees share their stories.