Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast as we interview Jared, Gwen, and Madison Lusk. This episode is a continuation in our series highlight former Mormon bishops and their families who have experienced a faith crisis. Jared is set to be excommunicated on June 30th, 2019 for apostasy (details below).

The Lusks live in Farmington, New Mexico. Jared and Gwen were raised as devout Mormons, married in the Jordan River temple, had 6 children, and established a successful dental practice in Farmington, NM. Jared and Gwen devoted their lives to the Mormon church for 45+ years, including Jared serving as bishop from 2008-2013, and Gwen serving in multiple callings.

Jared’s faith crisis was triggered in 2015 when he began reading the LDS Gospel Topics Essays. Jared and Gwen experienced a mixed faith marriage for a few years. In April of 2018, while being released from a stake calling, Jared shared with his stake president and one of the counselors details regarding his faith crisis. The stake president immediately took Jared’s temple recommend away, and then released Gwen from her calling and took her temple recommend away a few weeks later. Madison (18) resigned from the church in April, 2019.

After Jared began expressing public support for Sam Young and the Protect LDS Children movement, along with expressing public feelings about the church’s truth claims, Jared was summoned to a disciplinary council. Jared faces excommunication on June 30th, 2019 at 6pm at the Farmington, NM stake center.

This is their story.

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast as we interview Jared, Gwen, and Madison Lusk. This episode is a continuation in our series highlight former Mormon bishops and their families who have experienced a faith crisis. Jared is set to be excommunicated on June 30th, 2019 for apostasy (details below).

The Lusks live in Farmington, New Mexico. Jared and Gwen were raised as devout Mormons, married in the Jordan River temple, had 6 children, and established a successful dental practice in Farmington, NM. Jared and Gwen devoted their lives to the Mormon church for 45+ years, including Jared serving as bishop from 2008-2013, and Gwen serving in multiple callings.

Jared’s faith crisis was triggered in 2015 when he began reading the LDS Gospel Topics Essays. Jared and Gwen experienced a mixed faith marriage for a few years. In April of 2018, while being released from a stake calling, Jared shared with his stake president and one of the counselors details regarding his faith crisis. The stake president immediately took Jared’s temple recommend away, and then released Gwen from her calling and took her temple recommend away a few weeks later. Madison (18) resigned from the church in April, 2019.

After Jared began expressing public support for Sam Young and the Protect LDS Children movement, along with expressing public feelings about the church’s truth claims, Jared was summoned to a disciplinary council. Jared faces excommunication on June 30th, 2019 at 6pm at the Farmington, NM stake center.

This is their story.

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast as we interview Jared, Gwen, and Madison Lusk. This episode is a continuation in our series highlight former Mormon bishops and their families who have experienced a faith crisis. Jared is set to be excommunicated on June 30th, 2019 for apostasy (details below).

The Lusks live in Farmington, New Mexico. Jared and Gwen were raised as devout Mormons, married in the Jordan River temple, had 6 children, and established a successful dental practice in Farmington, NM. Jared and Gwen devoted their lives to the Mormon church for 45+ years, including Jared serving as bishop from 2008-2013, and Gwen serving in multiple callings.

Jared’s faith crisis was triggered in 2015 when he began reading the LDS Gospel Topics Essays. Jared and Gwen experienced a mixed faith marriage for a few years. In April of 2018, while being released from a stake calling, Jared shared with his stake president and one of the counselors details regarding his faith crisis. The stake president immediately took Jared’s temple recommend away, and then released Gwen from her calling and took her temple recommend away a few weeks later. Madison (18) resigned from the church in April, 2019.

After Jared began expressing public support for Sam Young and the Protect LDS Children movement, along with expressing public feelings about the church’s truth claims, Jared was summoned to a disciplinary council. Jared faces excommunication on June 30th, 2019 at 6pm at the Farmington, NM stake center.

This is their story.

Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast as we interview Tonya Guest. Tonya will be sharing with us her story, which includes experiencing a Mormon faith crisis, expressing a public statement on social media - specifically regarding issues of women and the church - and then having her bishop question and shame her publicly for what she shared. We will also be discussing Tonya’s attempts to discuss the issue with her stake president, and we will read stories/experiences from others with similar experiences.

Join us now for today's Mormon Stories Podcast episode as we interview ex-Jehovah's Witness Amber Scorah about her new book: "Leaving the Witness: Exiting Religion and Finding a Life." Building off of our previous interview with former Jehovah's Witness, Lloyd Evans, we continue to discover the parallels between the JW Movement and Mormonism, particularly surrounding the struggle to form a new identity after leaving the religion. In this interview Amber shares her experience leaving her religion. From the book's abstract:

"Amber's loss of faith culminated in her own personal apocalypse, the only kind of ending possible for a Jehovah's Witness.

Shunned by family and friends as an apostate, Amber was alone in Shanghai and thrown into a world she had only known from the periphery--with no education or support system. A coming of age story of a woman already in her thirties, this unforgettable memoir examines what it's like to start one's life over again with an entirely new identity. It follows Scorah to New York City, where a personal tragedy forces her to look for new ways to find meaning in the absence of religion. With compelling, spare prose, Leaving the Witness traces the bittersweet process of starting over, when everything one's life was built around is gone."

In this episode, we talk with Crystal Escobar about her new book: My Life as a Wannabe Balanced Mom, specifically how she has navigated both motherhood and being a business entrepreneur. Those familiar with Mormon Stories Podcast will recall our earlier episodes with both Crystal and her husband Sean that detailed Sean's experience as a victim of sexual abuse and also detailing their journey out of Mormonism. Today's interview will expound on Crystal's experience as she learned to balance motherhood with her other life's interests, and how she rebuilt her idea of motherhood outside the paradigm of the Mormon Church.

We will also be joined by a few of her readers in the second part of the interview.

In this episode, we talk with Crystal Escobar about her new book: My Life as a Wannabe Balanced Mom, specifically how she has navigated both motherhood and being a business entrepreneur. Those familiar with Mormon Stories Podcast will recall our earlier episodes with both Crystal and her husband Sean that detailed Sean's experience as a victim of sexual abuse and also detailing their journey out of Mormonism. Today's interview will expound on Crystal's experience as she learned to balance motherhood with her other life's interests, and how she rebuilt her idea of motherhood outside the paradigm of the Mormon Church.

We will also be joined by a few of her readers in the second part of the interview.

Please join us now for our Mormon Stories Podcast interview with Spencer Nugent. Spencer, along with his parents and sibling, were the first Jamaicans baptized on the island into the Mormon church. Later Spencer’s family moved to Orem, Utah. Spencer attended UVSC and BYU, served a mission to San Antonio, Texas, and became an Industrial Designer. Spencer is a renaissance man of sorts. His many talents/interests include karaoke/music, art, travel, design, drawing, landscape architecture, teaching, etc.

After Spencer was married in the Salt Lake City temple and had two sons, he and his ex-wife eventually experienced a Mormon faith crisis and divorced.

Today’s episode will cover numerous topics, including Mormon cultural imperialism/whitewashing, being black in the Mormon church, Spencer’s mission, male eating disorders, parenting, divorce, faith crises, and finding identity, morality, and community as a black ex-Mormon man in Utah.

Please join us now for our Mormon Stories Podcast interview with Spencer Nugent. Spencer, along with his parents and sibling, were the first Jamaicans baptized on the island into the Mormon church. Later Spencer’s family moved to Orem, Utah. Spencer attended UVSC and BYU, served a mission to San Antonio, Texas, and became an Industrial Designer. Spencer is a renaissance man of sorts. His many talents/interests include karaoke/music, art, travel, design, drawing, landscape architecture, teaching, etc.

After Spencer was married in the Salt Lake City temple and had two sons, he and his ex-wife eventually experienced a Mormon faith crisis and divorced.

Today’s episode will cover numerous topics, including Mormon cultural imperialism/whitewashing, being black in the Mormon church, Spencer’s mission, male eating disorders, parenting, divorce, faith crises, and finding identity, morality, and community as a black ex-Mormon man in Utah.

Please join us now for our Mormon Stories Podcast interview with Spencer Nugent. Spencer, along with his parents and sibling, were the first Jamaicans baptized on the island into the Mormon church. Later Spencer’s family moved to Orem, Utah. Spencer attended UVSC and BYU, served a mission to San Antonio, Texas, and became an Industrial Designer. Spencer is a renaissance man of sorts. His many talents/interests include karaoke/music, art, travel, design, drawing, landscape architecture, teaching, etc.

After Spencer was married in the Salt Lake City temple and had two sons, he and his ex-wife eventually experienced a Mormon faith crisis and divorced.

Today’s episode will cover numerous topics, including Mormon cultural imperialism/whitewashing, being black in the Mormon church, Spencer’s mission, male eating disorders, parenting, divorce, faith crises, and finding identity, morality, and community as a black ex-Mormon man in Utah.

On this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast, we travel to Davis, California to visit with the Purves family as they share their unique experience with a Mormon Faith Crisis.

In this interview we cover:

• The goodness that Mormonism brought Scott and Joanna as youth, including a nurturing community and a sense of purpose
• Scott and Joanna's decision to raise their family in Mormonism, culminating in the calling of Scott as Bishop
• The rewards and challenges of serving as a Bishop, and how the demanding service impacted Joanna and the rest of the family
• What made a Mormon Bishop question and then lose his testimony?
• What happens when a Mormon Bishop's daughter comes out as lesbian and how does the family handle that?
• How does the Purves family rebuild and regroup to find joy and fulfillment outside of Mormon orthodoxy?
• And so much more...

Join us as this amazing and loving family becomes both strong and vulnerable to share the joys and challenges of their Mormon Faith Crisis!

On this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast, we travel to Davis, California to visit with the Purves family as they share their unique experience with a Mormon Faith Crisis.

In this interview we cover:

• The goodness that Mormonism brought Scott and Joanna as youth, including a nurturing community and a sense of purpose
• Scott and Joanna's decision to raise their family in Mormonism, culminating in the calling of Scott as Bishop
• The rewards and challenges of serving as a Bishop, and how the demanding service impacted Joanna and the rest of the family
• What made a Mormon Bishop question and then lose his testimony?
• What happens when a Mormon Bishop's daughter comes out as lesbian and how does the family handle that?
• How does the Purves family rebuild and regroup to find joy and fulfillment outside of Mormon orthodoxy?
• And so much more...

Join us as this amazing and loving family becomes both strong and vulnerable to share the joys and challenges of their Mormon Faith Crisis!

On this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast, we travel to Davis, California to visit with the Purves family as they share their unique experience with a Mormon Faith Crisis.

In this interview we cover:

• The goodness that Mormonism brought Scott and Joanna as youth, including a nurturing community and a sense of purpose
• Scott and Joanna's decision to raise their family in Mormonism, culminating in the calling of Scott as Bishop
• The rewards and challenges of serving as a Bishop, and how the demanding service impacted Joanna and the rest of the family
• What made a Mormon Bishop question and then lose his testimony?
• What happens when a Mormon Bishop's daughter comes out as lesbian and how does the family handle that?
• How does the Purves family rebuild and regroup to find joy and fulfillment outside of Mormon orthodoxy?
• And so much more...

Join us as this amazing and loving family becomes both strong and vulnerable to share the joys and challenges of their Mormon Faith Crisis!

On this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast, we travel to Davis, California to visit with the Purves family as they share their unique experience with a Mormon Faith Crisis.

In this interview we cover:

• The goodness that Mormonism brought Scott and Joanna as youth, including a nurturing community and a sense of purpose
• Scott and Joanna's decision to raise their family in Mormonism, culminating in the calling of Scott as Bishop
• The rewards and challenges of serving as a Bishop, and how the demanding service impacted Joanna and the rest of the family
• What made a Mormon Bishop question and then lose his testimony?
• What happens when a Mormon Bishop's daughter comes out as lesbian and how does the family handle that?
• How does the Purves family rebuild and regroup to find joy and fulfillment outside of Mormon orthodoxy?
• And so much more...

Join us as this amazing and loving family becomes both strong and vulnerable to share the joys and challenges of their Mormon Faith Crisis!

In this Mormon Stories Podcast episode we interview Liz Layton.  Liz has experienced much accomplishment and tragedy in her life as a millennial post-Mormon.  This includes becoming a professional dancer for the Utah Jazz, but also includes the loss of her orthodox Mormon faith, two divorces, and the death of two of her siblings due to suicide.

In this Mormon Stories Podcast episode we interview Liz Layton.  Liz has experienced much accomplishment and tragedy in her life as a millennial post-Mormon.  This includes becoming a professional dancer for the Utah Jazz, but also includes the loss of her orthodox Mormon faith, two divorces, and the death of two of her siblings due to suicide.

In this Mormon Stories Podcast episode we interview Liz Layton.  Liz has experienced much accomplishment and tragedy in her life as a millennial post-Mormon.  This includes becoming a professional dancer for the Utah Jazz, but also includes the loss of her orthodox Mormon faith, two divorces, and the death of two of her siblings due to suicide.

In this Mormon Stories Podcast episode we interview Liz Layton. Liz has experienced much accomplishment and tragedy in her life as a millennial post-Mormon. This includes becoming a professional dancer for the Utah Jazz, but also includes the loss of her orthodox Mormon faith, two divorces, and the death of two of her siblings due to suicide.

Join us now as we discuss Part 2 in our series of parenting after a Mormon Faith Crisis.

In this episode Natasha Helfer Parker, Margi and John Dehlin provide some overarching principles to guide post-Orthodox parenting. We also take your questions and comments to guide the flow of the episode.

Join us now as we discuss Part 2 in our series of parenting after a Mormon Faith Crisis.

In this episode Natasha Helfer Parker, Margi and John Dehlin provide some overarching principles to guide post-Orthodox parenting. We also take your questions and comments to guide the flow of the episode.

Join us now as we discuss Part 1 in our series of parenting after a Mormon Faith Crisis.

In this episode Natasha Helfer Parker, Margi Dehlin, and John Dehlin provide some overarching principles to guide post-Orthodox parenting. We also take your questions and comments.

Join us now as we discuss Part 1 in our series of parenting after a Mormon Faith Crisis.

In this episode Natasha Helfer Parker, Margi Dehlin, and John Dehlin provide some overarching principles to guide post-Orthodox parenting. We also take your questions and comments.

In February of this year, the Truth & Transparency Foundationreleased an audio recording made by Sean Escobar as he confronted his abuser as a child, Sterling Van Wagenen—co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival and director of many LDS Church-produced films, including the films shown in LDS temples. The story of the abuse and its impact has now made national news, spurred by the continuing coverage of The Truth and Transparency Foundationas it was revealed that even though the abuse was reported to LDS Church authorities, Sterling was not excommunicated, but went on to work as a professor at Brigham Young University and produce many LDS Church films.

Since the release of the audio recording by TTF, Sterling has since pled guilty to separate charges of child sex abuse in Utahand is currently awaiting sentencing.

In this interview, we share the complete audio recording of Sean's confrontation with Sterling, and then we process how the abuse affected Sean's life, including the fallout related to sharing the audio recording with The Truth and Transparency Foundation including the discovery of more victims.

In February of this year, the Truth & Transparency Foundationreleased an audio recording made by Sean Escobar as he confronted his abuser as a child, Sterling Van Wagenen—co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival and director of many LDS Church-produced films, including the films shown in LDS temples. The story of the abuse and its impact has now made national news, spurred by the continuing coverage of The Truth and Transparency Foundationas it was revealed that even though the abuse was reported to LDS Church authorities, Sterling was not excommunicated, but went on to work as a professor at Brigham Young University and produce many LDS Church films.

Since the release of the audio recording by TTF, Sterling has since pled guilty to separate charges of child sex abuse in Utahand is currently awaiting sentencing.

In this interview, we share the complete audio recording of Sean's confrontation with Sterling, and then we process how the abuse affected Sean's life, including the fallout related to sharing the audio recording with The Truth and Transparency Foundation including the discovery of more victims.

Join us today on Mormon Stories as we interview both Sean and Crystal Escobar to learn about their faith journey out of Mormonism. Sean recently made national newswhen he revealed a recording he made as he confronted his abuser as a child, Sterling Van Wagenen—co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival and director of many LDS Church-produced films, including the films shown in LDS temples.

This portion of the interview focuses on Sean and Crystal's faith journey and will include themes such as:

• Their Mormon background including their experiences in the church as youth and as missionaries
• How guilt and shame from transgressions as a youth impacted Sean's mission and outlook on life
• Sean and Crystal's difficult experiences with the repentance process affected their early marriage
• How discovering a calling Sean had received was uninspired by his priesthood leader greatly shook his faith
• How Crystal's experience with Mormon Stories helped her be more empathetic towards Sean's struggles with his faith and church leadership
• How leaving the LDS Church has caused a new awakening in their marriage and family as they reevaluate their relationship, their parenting, and their new moral code for living

...and so much more.

Join us today on Mormon Stories as we interview both Sean and Crystal Escobar to learn about their faith journey out of Mormonism. Sean recently made national newswhen he revealed a recording he made as he confronted his abuser as a child, Sterling Van Wagenen—co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival and director of many LDS Church-produced films, including the films shown in LDS temples.

This portion of the interview focuses on Sean and Crystal's faith journey and will include themes such as:

• Their Mormon background including their experiences in the church as youth and as missionaries
• How guilt and shame from transgressions as a youth impacted Sean's mission and outlook on life
• Sean and Crystal's difficult experiences with the repentance process affected their early marriage
• How discovering a calling Sean had received was uninspired by his priesthood leader greatly shook his faith
• How Crystal's experience with Mormon Stories helped her be more empathetic towards Sean's struggles with his faith and church leadership
• How leaving the LDS Church has caused a new awakening in their marriage and family as they reevaluate their relationship, their parenting, and their new moral code for living

...and so much more.

Join us today on Mormon Stories as we interview both Sean and Crystal Escobar to learn about their faith journey out of Mormonism. Sean recently made national newswhen he revealed a recording he made as he confronted his abuser as a child, Sterling Van Wagenen—co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival and director of many LDS Church-produced films, including the films shown in LDS temples.

This portion of the interview focuses on Sean and Crystal's faith journey and will include themes such as:

• Their Mormon background including their experiences in the church as youth and as missionaries
• How guilt and shame from transgressions as a youth impacted Sean's mission and outlook on life
• Sean and Crystal's difficult experiences with the repentance process affected their early marriage
• How discovering a calling Sean had received was uninspired by his priesthood leader greatly shook his faith
• How Crystal's experience with Mormon Stories helped her be more empathetic towards Sean's struggles with his faith and church leadership
• How leaving the LDS Church has caused a new awakening in their marriage and family as they reevaluate their relationship, their parenting, and their new moral code for living

...and so much more.

Join us today on Mormon Stories as we interview both Sean and Crystal Escobar to learn about their faith journey out of Mormonism. Sean recently made national newswhen he revealed a recording he made as he confronted his abuser as a child, Sterling Van Wagenen—co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival and director of many LDS Church-produced films, including the films shown in LDS temples.

This portion of the interview focuses on Sean and Crystal's faith journey and will include themes such as:

• Their Mormon background including their experiences in the church as youth and as missionaries
• How guilt and shame from transgressions as a youth impacted Sean's mission and outlook on life
• Sean and Crystal's difficult experiences with the repentance process affected their early marriage
• How discovering a calling Sean had received was uninspired by his priesthood leader greatly shook his faith
• How Crystal's experience with Mormon Stories helped her be more empathetic towards Sean's struggles with his faith and church leadership
• How leaving the LDS Church has caused a new awakening in their marriage and family as they reevaluate their relationship, their parenting, and their new moral code for living

...and so much more.

We're excited to finally bring on Bryce Blankenagel of the Naked Mormonism Podcast to Mormon Stories! His preparation, thorough research, and absolute brilliance are on display as Bryce gives us the context surrounding the Solomon Spaulding Manuscript Theory of The Book of Mormon—even including some of the apologetic arguments against the theory. Bryce concludes the interview with his personal take on the veracity of the theory. Tune in!

We're excited to finally bring on Bryce Blankenagel of the Naked Mormonism Podcast to Mormon Stories! His preparation, thorough research, and absolute brilliance are on display as Bryce gives us the context surrounding the Solomon Spaulding Manuscript Theory of The Book of Mormon—even including some of the apologetic arguments against the theory. Bryce concludes the interview with his personal take on the veracity of the theory. Tune in!

John provides a monologue, giving commentary on the excommunication of the Young family and what it means for questioning Mormons in the modern Church

Leah and Cody describe their feelings after learning they have been excommunicated for running an online support group for questioning Mormons, and for speaking openly about their doubts

A recording of the disciplinary council convened on April 14, 2019

Leah and Cody are told by their Stake President to cease providing an online support group for questioning Mormons

Leah and Cody meet with their Stake President to express frustration over a lack of resources for questioning Mormons

Leah and Cody describe the events leading up to their disciplinary council

John Larsen and John Dehlin spent years publicly deconstructing the LDS Church. But now they’re wondering, what can they build “from the ashes?” What is their role in the post-Mormon community beyond the “addiction to anger” and toward doing the difficult work of community building? Join us for this joint release with the Sunstone Podcast!

In this edition of Mormon Stories Podcast, Margi Dehlin turns the tables and asks John all the questions—focusing on what surprised John about his excommunication process, what the best and most difficult parts of running Mormon Stories and The Open Stories Foundation are, what are some regrets he has, what keeps him up at night, what his motivations are behind his parenting and relationships, along with much more!

In this edition of Mormon Stories Podcast, Margi Dehlin turns the tables and asks John all the questions—focusing on what surprised John about his excommunication process, what the best and most difficult parts of running Mormon Stories and The Open Stories Foundation are, what are some regrets he has, what keeps him up at night, what his motivations are behind his parenting and relationships, along with much more!

On 4/4/2019 at 9:00AM MST, the Mormon Church officially reversed its November 2015 LGBTQ policy - which declared same-sex marriage an act of apostasy, and which excluded the children of LGBTQ Mormon couples from baby blessings and baptism. These changes came in spite of Russell M. Nelson declaring the November Policy to be "revelation" in early 2016. Today we will be discussing what the changes mean to Mormons and post-Mormons.

On 4/4/2019 at 9:00AM MST, the Mormon Church officially reversed its November 2015 LGBTQ policy - which declared same-sex marriage an act of apostasy, and which excluded the children of LGBTQ Mormon couples from baby blessings and baptism. These changes came in spite of Russell M. Nelson declaring the November Policy to be "revelation" in early 2016. Today we will be discussing what the changes mean to Mormons and post-Mormons.

On 4/4/2019 at 9:00AM MST, the Mormon Church officially reversed its November 2015 LGBTQ policy - which declared same-sex marriage an act of apostasy, and which excluded the children of LGBTQ Mormon couples from baby blessings and baptism. These changes came in spite of Russell M. Nelson declaring the November Policy to be "revelation" in early 2016. Today we will be discussing what the changes mean to Mormons and post-Mormons.

On 4/4/2019 at 9:00AM MST, the Mormon Church officially reversed its November 2015 LGBTQ policy - which declared same-sex marriage an act of apostasy, and which excluded the children of LGBTQ Mormon couples from baby blessings and baptism. These changes came in spite of Russell M. Nelson declaring the November Policy to be "revelation" in early 2016. Today we will be discussing what the changes mean to Mormons and post-Mormons.

On March 24, 2019, we held an evening to honor and celebrate Dan Wotherspoon, host of Mormon Matters Podcast. As a part of this event, John interviewed Dan for a joint Mormon Stories/Mormon Matters Podcast release. Topics discussed in the interview included:

*An update from Dan on his experiences and insight as a mentor for progressive Mormons attempting to stay faithfully engaged in Mormonism
*Dan’s insight on the latest changes/improvements made by the LDS church
*Dan's announcement of a few exciting and important new projects
*Questions from our live audience as well as expressions of gratitude for what his work has meant to many listeners over the years

On March 24, 2019, we held an evening to honor and celebrate Dan Wotherspoon, host of Mormon Matters Podcast. As a part of this event, John interviewed Dan for a joint Mormon Stories/Mormon Matters Podcast release. Topics discussed in the interview included:

*An update from Dan on his experiences and insight as a mentor for progressive Mormons attempting to stay faithfully engaged in Mormonism
*Dan’s insight on the latest changes/improvements made by the LDS church
*Dan's announcement of a few exciting and important new projects
*Questions from our live audience as well as expressions of gratitude for what his work has meant to many listeners over the years

On March 24, 2019, we held an evening to honor and celebrate Dan Wotherspoon, host of Mormon Matters Podcast. As a part of this event, John interviewed Dan for a joint Mormon Stories/Mormon Matters Podcast release. Topics discussed in the interview included:

*An update from Dan on his experiences and insight as a mentor for progressive Mormons attempting to stay faithfully engaged in Mormonism
*Dan’s insight on the latest changes/improvements made by the LDS church
*Dan's announcement of a few exciting and important new projects
*Questions from our live audience as well as expressions of gratitude for what his work has meant to many listeners over the years

Concluding our interview with Lloyd Evans, we focus on his journey from devout Witness youth to outspoken ex-Witness activist and atheist. Lloyd shares the circumstances leading to his "awakening" with startling honesty and reveals how the heartbreaking loss of his mother played a profound role in keeping long-held doubts suppressed.

Lloyd is the founder and senior editor of JWsurvey.org—a website that promotes freeness of thought among Jehovah’s Witnesses. He is also author of “The Reluctant Apostate,” a book that chronicles his experiences growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness and his journey to freedom from Watchtower indoctrination. His wildly popular Youtube channel “John Cedars” hosts a range of videos aimed at dissecting the various teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, as well as new developments in the religion.

Concluding our interview with Lloyd Evans, we focus on his journey from devout Witness youth to outspoken ex-Witness activist and atheist. Lloyd shares the circumstances leading to his "awakening" with startling honesty and reveals how the heartbreaking loss of his mother played a profound role in keeping long-held doubts suppressed.

Lloyd is the founder and senior editor of JWsurvey.org—a website that promotes freeness of thought among Jehovah’s Witnesses. He is also author of “The Reluctant Apostate,” a book that chronicles his experiences growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness and his journey to freedom from Watchtower indoctrination. His wildly popular Youtube channel “John Cedars” hosts a range of videos aimed at dissecting the various teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, as well as new developments in the religion.

Continuing our interview with Lloyd Evans, we focus this portion of the interview on Lloyd’s experience living as a Jehovah’s Witness—drawing occasional parallels between those living life as Mormons and those who are Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Lloyd is the founder and senior editor of JWsurvey.org—a website that promotes freeness of thought among Jehovah’s Witnesses. He is also author of “The Reluctant Apostate,” a book that chronicles his experiences growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness and his journey to freedom from Watchtower indoctrination. His wildly popular Youtube channel “John Cedars” hosts a range of videos aimed at dissecting the various teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, as well as new developments in the religion.

Mormon Stories Podcast is excited to interview Lloyd Evans—founder and senior editor of JWsurvey.org—a website that promotes freeness of thought among Jehovah’s Witnesses. He is also author of “The Reluctant Apostate,” a book that chronicles his experiences growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness and his journey to freedom from Watchtower indoctrination. His wildly popular Youtube channel “John Cedars” hosts a range of videos aimed at dissecting the various teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, as well as new developments in the religion.

In this portion of our time with Lloyd, we focus on the history of the Jehovah Witness movement to provide a foundation for our future discussion on what it is like to be a Jehovah’s Witness as well as his experience leaving the religion behind.

Join us now for this Mormon Stories Podcast episode, wherein John Hamer offers his theory as to how the Book of Mormon was created.

Join us now for this Mormon Stories Podcast episode, wherein John Hamer offers his theory as to how the Book of Mormon was created.

After over 1,000 hours of interviews, it is fitting to finally feature the story of Nan Parkinson McCulloch—John’s Mom.

In Part 1 of our time with Nan, we learn about her mother’s experience growing up as the daughter in a polygamous family, and we discover the Mormon Church of her youth and her life growing up in Preston and Franklin, Idaho. We also reminisce on her love of the culture and arts that her Mormon community brought into her life, including and especially road shows and plays that she wrote and directed for her local community.

In Parts 2 and 3 of this interview with Nan, John and Nan discuss her eventual divorce and remarriage, her faith evolution, her reflections on John’s podcast and on his excommunication, and on her beliefs about life after death.

After over 1,000 hours of interviews, it is fitting to finally feature the story of Nan Parkinson McCulloch—John’s Mom.

In Part 1 of our time with Nan, we learn about her mother’s experience growing up as the daughter in a polygamous family, and we discover the Mormon Church of her youth and her life growing up in Preston and Franklin, Idaho. We also reminisce on her love of the culture and arts that her Mormon community brought into her life, including and especially road shows and plays that she wrote and directed for her local community.

In Parts 2 and 3 of this interview with Nan, John and Nan discuss her eventual divorce and remarriage, her faith evolution, her reflections on John’s podcast and on his excommunication, and on her beliefs about life after death.

After over 1,000 hours of interviews, it is fitting to finally feature the story of Nan Parkinson McCulloch—John’s Mom.

In Part 1 of our time with Nan, we learn about her mother’s experience growing up as the daughter in a polygamous family, and we discover the Mormon Church of her youth and her life growing up in Preston and Franklin, Idaho. We also reminisce on her love of the culture and arts that her Mormon community brought into her life, including and especially road shows and plays that she wrote and directed for her local community.

In Parts 2 and 3 of this interview with Nan, John and Nan discuss her eventual divorce and remarriage, her faith evolution, her reflections on John’s podcast and on his excommunication, and on her beliefs about life after death.

In this episode we will interview Don Casias Anderson regarding the 12+ years he worked as Sr Vice President of Patron & Partner Services for FamilySearch for the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Topics we will discuss today include: 

- The process for name extraction, and the challenge to find enough names for temple work. 

- The use and occasional re-use of ordinance names for temple work. 

- The tendency to harvest names of famous people to do their temple work. - The controversy around the performance of ordinances for holocaust victims. 

- Concerns around the ability to prevent temple work from being done for those who do not desire the work. 

- The Mormon genealogy industry. - How FamilySearch handles the history of deceased church leaders. 

- His interactions with LDS apostles during his work there. 

- His own story/faith journey. 

- And much, much more! 

In this episode we will interview Don Casias Anderson regarding the 12+ years he worked as Sr Vice President of Patron & Partner Services for FamilySearch for the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Topics we will discuss today include: 

- The process for name extraction, and the challenge to find enough names for temple work. 

- The use and occasional re-use of ordinance names for temple work. 

- The tendency to harvest names of famous people to do their temple work. - The controversy around the performance of ordinances for holocaust victims. 

- Concerns around the ability to prevent temple work from being done for those who do not desire the work. 

- The Mormon genealogy industry. - How FamilySearch handles the history of deceased church leaders. 

- His interactions with LDS apostles during his work there. 

- His own story/faith journey. 

- And much, much more! 

In this episode we will interview Don Casias Anderson regarding the 12+ years he worked as Sr Vice President of Patron & Partner Services for FamilySearch for the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Topics we will discuss today include: 

- The process for name extraction, and the challenge to find enough names for temple work. 

- The use and occasional re-use of ordinance names for temple work. 

- The tendency to harvest names of famous people to do their temple work. - The controversy around the performance of ordinances for holocaust victims. 

- Concerns around the ability to prevent temple work from being done for those who do not desire the work. 

- The Mormon genealogy industry. - How FamilySearch handles the history of deceased church leaders. 

- His interactions with LDS apostles during his work there. 

- His own story/faith journey. 

- And much, much more! 

In this episode we will interview Don Casias Anderson regarding the 12+ years he worked as Sr Vice President of Patron & Partner Services for FamilySearch for the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Topics we will discuss today include: 

- The process for name extraction, and the challenge to find enough names for temple work. 

- The use and occasional re-use of ordinance names for temple work. 

- The tendency to harvest names of famous people to do their temple work. - The controversy around the performance of ordinances for holocaust victims. 

- Concerns around the ability to prevent temple work from being done for those who do not desire the work. 

- The Mormon genealogy industry. - How FamilySearch handles the history of deceased church leaders. 

- His interactions with LDS apostles during his work there. 

- His own story/faith journey. 

- And much, much more! 

As part of the Mormon Stories "Truth Claims" initiative, today I will be reading the essay on Joseph Smith's involvement in Folk Magic and Treasure digging.

This is the first of several essays we will be releasing, with an accompanying billboard and series of interviews with historians.

We recently visited Provo, Utah and were treated with a live interview and performance featuring Mindy Gledhill, including acoustic renditions of many songs from her brand new album "Rabbit Hole." Listeners of Mormon Stories Podcast may remember our earlier interviews with Mindy and we were very excited to get an update on her faith journey, and to hear the inspiration behind her latest project.

Her new album, appropriately entitled "Rabbit Hole", is the breathy confessional of a rapt soul who slipped down the curious tunnel of experience, landed in a hall of locked doors, and refused to be contained. In "Rabbit Hole," Mindy confronts the challenges of life—all its unfulfilled expectations, sudden detours, and existential wounds—and presents us with a silver lining through bouncy rhythms and ballads of unabashed optimism. In spite of life’s crucibles and crises, she reassures us that everything is going to be alright, and that “To be upside down is a fine way to be.”

We recently visited Provo, Utah and were treated with a live interview and performance featuring Mindy Gledhill, including acoustic renditions of many songs from her brand new album "Rabbit Hole." Listeners of Mormon Stories Podcast may remember our earlier interviews with Mindy and we were very excited to get an update on her faith journey, and to hear the inspiration behind her latest project.

Her new album, appropriately entitled "Rabbit Hole", is the breathy confessional of a rapt soul who slipped down the curious tunnel of experience, landed in a hall of locked doors, and refused to be contained. In "Rabbit Hole," Mindy confronts the challenges of life—all its unfulfilled expectations, sudden detours, and existential wounds—and presents us with a silver lining through bouncy rhythms and ballads of unabashed optimism. In spite of life’s crucibles and crises, she reassures us that everything is going to be alright, and that “To be upside down is a fine way to be.”

Continuing our discussion with preeminent Joseph Smith historian Dan Vogel, we dive deep into explaining the authorship of the Book of Mormon including these topics:

• The credibility of the Book of Mormon Witnesses
• Theories around Entheogens (Hallucinogenic substances) and the founding of Mormonism
• Kinderhook Plates

Continuing our discussion with preeminent Joseph Smith historian Dan Vogel, we dive deep into explaining the authorship of the Book of Mormon including these topics:

• The credibility of the Book of Mormon Witnesses
• Theories around Entheogens (Hallucinogenic substances) and the founding of Mormonism
• Kinderhook Plates

Continuing our discussion with preeminent Joseph Smith historian Dan Vogel, we dive deep into explaining the authorship of the Book of Mormon including these topics:

• Nephi/Moroni confusion
• Book of Mormon Geography and the Hill Cumorah
• Limited Geography Theory
• The Nahom apologetic defense of The Book of Mormon
• Instances of Chiasmus
• Blake Ostler’s “Loose Translation” or Expansion Theory
• The Movement of the modern Mormon church in 2019 to refer to The Book of Mormon as a “revelation” instead of a “translation”
• Joseph’s motivations and pious fraud theory
• Dan's theory on Joseph Smith’s polygamy

Continuing our discussion with preeminent Joseph Smith historian Dan Vogel, we dive deep into explaining the authorship of the Book of Mormon including these topics:

• Nephi/Moroni confusion
• Book of Mormon Geography and the Hill Cumorah
• Limited Geography Theory
• The Nahom apologetic defense of The Book of Mormon
• Instances of Chiasmus
• Blake Ostler’s “Loose Translation” or Expansion Theory
• The Movement of the modern Mormon church in 2019 to refer to The Book of Mormon as a “revelation” instead of a “translation”
• Joseph’s motivations and pious fraud theory
• Dan's theory on Joseph Smith’s polygamy

We are excited to welcome back preeminent Joseph Smith historian Dan Vogel to Mormon Stories Podcast.  In these episodes, we continue our deep dive into explaining the authorship of the Book of Mormon including these topics:

• The Solomon Spaulding manuscript theory of Book of Mormon authorship
• The Dartmouth university connections to The Book of Mormon
• The View of the Hebrews theory of Book of Mormon authorship
• The Sidney Rigdon theory of Book of Mormon authorship.
• Timeline and mechanics for dictating The Book of Mormon

We are excited to welcome back preeminent Joseph Smith historian Dan Vogel to Mormon Stories Podcast.  In these episodes, we continue our deep dive into explaining the authorship of the Book of Mormon including these topics:

• The Solomon Spaulding manuscript theory of Book of Mormon authorship
• The Dartmouth university connections to The Book of Mormon
• The View of the Hebrews theory of Book of Mormon authorship
• The Sidney Rigdon theory of Book of Mormon authorship.
• Timeline and mechanics for dictating The Book of Mormon

Friends - If you or someone you love is in need of support during a Mormon Faith Crisis, I am SUPER excited to announce our Mormon Faith Crisis event calendar for the first part of 2019. Dates/locations are:

- 2/13: Salt Lake City (Free!)
- 2/15-2/16: Orem, UT
- 2/22-2/23: Las Vegas, NV
- 3/8-3/9: Ogden/Davis County, UT
- 4/12-4/13: Mixed Faith Marriage (SLC)
- 5/3-5/5: Gilbert, AZ
- 6/7-6/9: Salt Lake City Conference
- 6/21-6/23: Europe/Switzerland
- 8/9-8/11: Ft. Collins, Colorado
- 9/20-9/22: Orange County, CA
- 10/4-10/6: TBD
- 11/1-11/2: Mixed Faith Marriage (SLC)

To register for any of these events, go to: http://mormonfaithcrisis.com/events

If you cannot afford to pay the registration fee for these events but want to attend, please fill out our scholarship application form and we will do our best to find a donor to fund your attendance. PLEASE don't let $$$ keep you from attending these events!

Hope to see you all soon!

John Dehlin

In this Mormon Stories episode, historian John Hamer discusses the 19th century historical and cultural context -- largely forgotten today -- that informed the composition of the Book of Mormon.

In this Mormon Stories episode, historian John Hamer discusses the 19th century historical and cultural context -- largely forgotten today -- that informed the composition of the Book of Mormon.

In this Mormon Stories episode, historian John Hamer discusses the 19th century historical and cultural context -- largely forgotten today -- that informed the composition of the Book of Mormon.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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