Thu, 30 March 2023
Join us for part 2 of our review of the Widow’s Mite Report, which investigates and reports on LDS Church finances. Today we will discuss Ensign Peak Advisors, the Mormon church’s real estate holdings, and their extensive construction of temples. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Wed, 29 March 2023
Join us as we explore the story of what would lead a super-faithful and believing Mormon mother of three to try psychedelic mushrooms (psilocybin) for the first time...and what happened next.
Direct download: MormonStories-1750-StephanieBrinkerhoff.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Fri, 24 March 2023
Today we discuss several problematic "revelations" by LDS prophets that succeeded Joseph Smith. These include:
LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors! |
Tue, 21 March 2023
Today we are inviting a panel of Southern Utah University students to discuss their objections to the invitation to have Mormon apostle Jeffrey R. Holland speak at an upcoming graduation ceremony, especially as a man who has used his status, privilege, wealth and power to platform anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, including violent metaphors, which have directly harmed so many in that community. Follow @SUU_commencement_protest on instagram for updates and ways to help. If you'd like to build up the platform for these brave students from SUU representing themselves and other marginalized peers, there are a number of ways you can help: 1. Please like & share this episode to give it more visibility and traction 2. Sign the Change.org petition 3. Email SUU's Chair, Vice Chair, and the Board of Trustees:
4. Fill out SUU's Feedback form on the 2023 Commencement Speaker 5. Follow @SUU_commencement_protest on instagram 6. If you know any queer students at SUU, please reach out and let them know you support them. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.com Social Media:Show Notes:Mormon Stories Content
Direct download: MormonStories-1748-SUUHollandProtest.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 4:00pm MDT |
Tue, 21 March 2023
Lance and Brandee Heppler began to question and ultimately leave the Mormon Church after their son Lake experienced mismanagement and mistreatment during his missionary training and service. This experience, along with their daughter Darby coming out as gay and being rejected by the Church, led them to start questioning Church teachings and practices. They also began to educate themselves about Church history and controversies through sources like the "Mormons & Masons" documentary, "Mormon Stories," and the CES Letter. Further cracks in their faith emerged when Brandee became aware of a child abuse incident at their local stake center that had been covered up by Church leaders. Despite these concerns, the Hepplers continued to attend Church and pretend to believe for a time. However, they eventually reached a breaking point and decided to leave the Church altogether. They found that prioritizing their family and their own happiness outside of the Church was more important than following Church rules and teachings that were not serving them. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1747-HepplerPt2-leveled.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 1:00pm MDT |
Tue, 21 March 2023
Join Lance and Brandee Heppler as they share their personal journeys in Mormonism and delve into mental health challenges they faced as they tried to be good Mormon parents. In this episode, Lance talks about his orthodox upbringing in Oregon, serving his mission in South Carolina, and his panic of finding someone to marry before graduating from BYU. Meanwhile, Brandee shares her struggle of not fitting in at church due in part to her parents being converts and her undiagnosed ADHD, making her wonder why it seemed God made her too "rowdy" as a woman instead of more subdued and "proper". Together they navigate the traditional gender roles expected of them as a married couple in the church while raising young children and serving in various callings. As they grapple with issues such as feminism and LGBTQ issues in the church, they also confront their own mental health struggles and the lack of support from the Mormon community. They share powerful insights about the often transactional nature of Mormon relationships and the harmful effects that come from some teachings that associate mental health struggles with sin. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by those raised in Mormonism and the impact it can have on mental health. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Mon, 20 March 2023
When Mormons talk about happiness what do they mean? We will deconstruct how the Church uses the concept of happiness to control and gaslight members. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Fri, 17 March 2023
Join world cult expert Steven Hassan as he shares almost 50 years of experience regarding how to heal and grow after a high demand religion or cult.
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Direct download: MormonStories-1744-HassenRecoveryFromACult.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Thu, 16 March 2023
Please join us today as Dr. Steven Hassan tells us the story of how he was recruited into a cult (The "Moonies"), and how he became one of the world's experts in cults. A few links are included below: 3/18/22 - THRIVE Unite Registration (Lehi and Ogden) Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1743-StevenHassenMoonies.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Thu, 16 March 2023
Martine and Stuart Smith are back in part three to discuss experiencing the “heavy hand” of Priesthood Authority from their Stake President; from false teachings affecting lives, being told not to watch a specific show he didn’t like, making youth “covenant” to go on missions and never date non-Mormons, only to see him be released and excommunicated for embezzlement. Martine had previously sympathized with the Stake President, who was sometimes unemployed and had five children. She later found out that he had put her membership status as “on probation” though she had never been notified as per policy, and that she had been “blacklisted” from certain callings. The couple began attending Sunstone, where they explored the gray areas of life and Mormon feminism. During this time, they began to question the Church's teachings, including the Plan of Salvation, which involved separating families more than bringing them together. They also researched the lives of polygamous women and the Equal Rights Amendment. Stuart, an intellectual, was called into the bishopric as an unorthodox member. They stayed in the Church for its utility, but also for their son's sake. Martine became the RS Pres during the Sept Six Era, a time of more progressive leaders and scholars at BYU and at Women's Conferences and in leadership. Eventually the walls crack on their belief and Martine and Stuart find they can no longer stay in a church that goes against their values. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories1742MartineAndStewartPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 11:27am MDT |
Thu, 16 March 2023
Martine & Stuart have their first child, Nathaniel, who was diagnosed with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a rare, painful, and ultimately fatal genetic skin condition. Caring for a child with EB is an immense emotional toll on them due to the constant pain the baby suffers with basic daily tasks like feeding & changing diapers. This episode delves further into the contradictions and complexities of Mormon doctrine around reproduction which made it difficult for Martine and Stuart to come to terms with Nathaniel's condition. They felt guilt and self-blame upon his diagnosis, questioning whether it was punishment for wanting to wait to have children, or due to a "Saturday's Warrior" type pact agreed to in the pre-existence. The doctrine of pre-mortal decisions and the effects on disabilities was also discussed, along with the contradictory messages about disabled or sick children and those who die before accountability. As Nathaniel's condition worsened, the couple sought healing through priesthood blessings, but were met with disappointment when they didn't work. John discusses expectations vs. the reality of priesthood blessings and the theological justifications used when they don't work. The couple eventually came to accept the idea of letting Nathaniel go, and he passed away. Martine & Stuart describe the emotional aftermath of Nathaniel's death, including the funeral and how Mormons deal with death. Despite some trepidation, the couple decides to have another child, which was met with mixed reactions from their community. Martine became pregnant again and gave birth to a healthy son. They later moved to Louisiana, where they became involved in their LDS branch and had a third child, Sarah, who was also born with EB. The episode discusses the routine of care for Sarah and the support they received from their branch. The second death of an infant affected their faith, with Stuart becoming angry at God and turning down a leadership position in the church. Despite this, Martine still wanted more children, and the episode ends with the couple meeting with a General Authority to discuss the deaths of their children and birth control. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories1741MartineAndStewartPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 10:43am MDT |
Mon, 13 March 2023
Martine, a Belgian convert to Mormonism, shares what growing up in Belgium was like and how she and her sister end up converting to Mormonism. She eventually made it to the United States to attend General Conference and get her Patriarchal Blessing when her sister decided to serve a mission. Due to connections with several families of missionaries, she finds a job as a nanny and eventually makes it to BYU where she is reintroduced to Stuart, whom she'd briefly met as a missionary in Belgium. Though he hadn't known her well, Stuart instantly recognized Martine at a Young Single Adult (YSA) activity and things took off from there until he asked her to be with him for eternity. Martine happily accepts this proposal from an established, generational Mormon returned missionary. However, the engagement is soon jeopardized by challenges between Martine's desire to follow the brethren's admonitions not to put off having children (and wanting a dozen of them!) as the quintessential Mormon housewife with Stuart's practicality regarding his ability to financially support children while still having several years of school left. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1740-MartineStewartPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Fri, 10 March 2023
In this engaging interview, Mike from LDS Discussions, Nemo the Mormon, and John Dehlin review the failed prophecies of Mormonism's founder, Joseph. They start by discussing what the Bible says about failed prophecies and those who tell them. They then delve into specific failed prophecies, including the Second Coming of the Lord in 1891, the fall and overthrow of the US government, and the "everlasting" covenant of the United Order. Other failed prophecies discussed include the failed treasure seeking mission to Salem and the failed attempt to sell the Book of Mormon copyright. Was Joseph wrong or is it was God's fault? What good is having General Conference, either way? The hosts also discuss how FAIR Mormon tries to spin failures into fulfillments and concludes with some final thoughts on the implications of these failed prophecies of Joseph for Mormons today. LDS Discussion Essay on Joseph Smith's Revelations. _________________________ LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors! LDS Discussions Platforms: Contact LDS Discussions:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1739-LDSDJSFailedRevelations.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Wed, 8 March 2023
The interview discusses the tensions between Mormon historians and church leadership in the 1970s, focusing on the publication of a pamphlet responding to a critical book by the Tanners. Initially rejected by Mormon leadership for publishing due to their discomfort with the real history revealed in it, the pamphlet is instead published privately under the pseudonym, A Latter-day Saint Historian, or, as the Tanners dubbed him, "Mr. Clandestine." Signature Books Event on March 9th at 7:00pm Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Mon, 6 March 2023
We are excited to announce Thrive Unite 2023 - which is scheduled for March 18th. Events will be held in the following cities: Ticket costs Range between $0-40. Each of these events provides opportunities to meet with people that have experienced a change in faith. There are some amazing opportunities to hear from experts and prominent voices in recovering from religious transitions. Examples include:
Tickets and Information about Events Tickets for the all-day workshop with Steven and John Dehlin |
Mon, 6 March 2023
Jill and Julie Durrant share their Mormon upbringing and the challenges they faced within the faith. They discuss the expectations placed on Mormon children and the milestones they must achieve to be considered successful in the community. Julie's scrupulosity and the patriarchal blessing she received add to her struggles. Jill talks about the superiority you can feel as a Mormon and the cognitive dissonance she experienced when her sister, Alli, came out as a lesbian. Jill went on a mission to find answers about her siblings, and Julie's faith crisis begins in earnest after talking with her son, Tom. They discuss the complications of navigating family dynamics and the difficulty of leaving the church. Ultimately, the Durrant family's story is one of resilience, growth, and learning to navigate the complexities of life within and outside of Mormonism. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1736-JulieAndJillDurrant.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Sun, 5 March 2023
In this revealing interview, you'll learn about the founding of the Widow's Mite Report and its project goals and methods. The conversation takes a deep dive into the Mormon Church's wealth and how it mishandles funds taken from the poor to fund its massive investment accounts. You'll hear about whistleblowing within the church, sources used, and why all the secrecy about church investments. With only six church leaders having full access to Ensign Peak, discover why the church downplays its wealth and only claims to be financially self-reliant. This interview offers eye-opening insights into the LDS Church's finances and its treatment of the poor. SEC Order Against Ensign Peak Advisors & The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints If people want to help they can call the Senate finance committee and urge them to take action and have a hearing on this issue. Senate Finance Committee phone: 202-224-4515 Senate Finance Committee fax: 202-228-0554 Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Fri, 3 March 2023
Author Leah Sotille will be joining John and Rebecca to discuss her book examining the culture of end times paranoia and the trail of mysterious deaths surrounding former beauty queen Lori Vallow and her husband, grave digger turned doomsday novelist, Chad Daybell. When The Moon Turns to Blood tells a gripping story of extreme beliefs, snake oil prophets, and explores the question: if it feels like the world is ending, how are people supposed to act? Next book: Conspiracy: Why the Rational Believe the Irrational by Michael Shermer Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1735-LeahSottileBookClub.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 10:00am MDT |
Fri, 24 February 2023
Youtube link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1734-LDSDJosephSmithRevelations.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Wed, 22 February 2023
Is the Mormon Church honest in all of its dealings? The Securities and Exchange Commission announced charges against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for obscuring the Church’s money and misstating Ensign Peak’s control over the Church’s investment decisions. To settle the charges, Ensign Peak agreed to pay a $4 million penalty and the Church agreed to pay a $1 million penalty. If people want to help they can call the Senate finance committee and urge them to take action and have a hearing on this issue. Senate Finance Committee fax: 202-228-0554 Religion Unplugged article with full Senate Finance Committee memo Whistleblower Details New Allegations About $100 Billion LDS Fund Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1732-EnsignPeakSECRulingAgainst.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 4:00pm MDT |
Mon, 20 February 2023
Nate Byrd discusses his experiences as a Black Mormon and how he navigated his identity in a church with a history of white supremacy. He talks about being the only Black family in his wards and the pressure to conform to white norms, including attending BYU and marrying a Black Mormon. He also shares his experiences with racism at BYU, both from white students and from the church's teachings on race. Byrd discusses his journey of self-discovery and how he channeled his anger into making things better for Black students at BYU, including starting a Black Student Union. He also talks about his TikTok channel, where he discusses the cringey and racist things he experienced at BYU, and his intentions to help others in similar situations. Byrd concludes by reflecting on the challenges of reconciling his faith with the church's history of white supremacy and how he continues to grapple with these issues.
Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Fri, 17 February 2023
Radio Free Mormon joins the usual crew (Mike, John & Nemo) as they discuss evidence for prophecies that appear to have been backdated after the events of the supposed prophecy already happened. They explore how scholars can identify and analyze backdated prophecies and their significance. Specific examples of backdated prophecies are explored in the Book of Mormon and D&C, as well as Joseph Smith's manipulation of Isaiah and the Bible to support his claims. LDS Discussion Essay on Backdating Prophecy _________________________ LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors! LDS Discussions Platforms: Contact LDS Discussions:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1730-LDSDPostdatingProphesies.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Mon, 13 February 2023
Dallin Seely from YouTube channel @TheDashleys grew up as a multigenerational Mormon. When he was seven years old, his father passed away from stomach cancer. Despite this tragedy, the church provided a lot of support to him and his family. The early death of his father leads Dallin to experience intense scrupulosity as he worries that he will never see his father again in heaven if he isn't "worthy" according to LDS Standards. A strict Bishop exacerbates Dallin’s scrupulosity but is somewhat alleviated when a new bishop tells him that his worthiness was not determined by others. When he came home from his mission, he was encouraged to get married, but he continued to have doubts about the church's teachings, such as the priesthood ban for black members. Dallin felt the Holy Ghost told him to marry a certain woman, but he falls in love with Ashley, another faithful woman but who seems a bit less "proper" to Dallin for things like expressing humor through sarcasm. Dallin follows his own heart and marries Ashley anyway. The couple deals with the church’s inherent sexism, including in the temple and the teaching of “the patriarchal order” in the Mormon church. Continuous marriage struggles lead them to seek therapy. This led to the healthiest time in their marriage, as they were able to have emotional intimacy and talk about their feelings, including Ashley's feelings about General Conferences and sexism. They did not want to teach their daughter to feel inferior to men. Dallin and Ashley tell how they learned to embrace their true selves and how they are raising their children in a way that eliminates guilt and fear. Ashley Dallin Films The Dashleys (@thedashleys) • Instagram photos and videos Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: |
Thu, 9 February 2023
There are so many super cool events coming to Utah I can't even stand it. Here are a few you should know about:
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Direct download: MormonStories-StevenHassanAndOtherEvents.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 7:12pm MDT |
Wed, 8 February 2023
YouTube Link Join John, Margi and special guest Randy Bell in exploring a lesser-studied era of Joseph's life and his family connections to nearby Dartmouth. Do many supposedly unique Mormon doctrines have their origin not with Joseph, but at Dartmouth? Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Mon, 6 February 2023
Heather Gay visits John and Margi in studio and brings along a familiar face for fans of Mormon Stories and The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Dre Robinson! Heather tells the story of how her memoir, Bad Mormon, came to be, the challenges she faced to write and publish it (and trademark it), her hopes for the future and what she and Dre are working on now. From the publisher:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1727-HeatherGayBadMormon.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Thu, 2 February 2023
YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/nEW7ZshLBcU Cracks start to form in the testimony and identities of both Liz and her husband Sam. Sam begins to question the narratives he was raised with after a trip to Palmyra and as his degree opens his eyes to the cold, corporate nature of the Church, while Liz struggles to keep her faith despite the growing number of things that feel so wrong and cause so much harm not just to Liz, but her marriage, children, extended family, community, and even the nation at large. Liz recognizes how much of herself she continually denied and gave up trying to belong and finally realizes that she no longer WANTS to belong to an organization at such odds with her nature and values. *** Liz Lambson is a Korean/African American artist, musician, and writer, and - along with her spouse Sam - is a parent to five boys residing in Salt Lake City. Liz performs as a string bassist with the Ballet West Orchestra as well as the children’s singer-songwriter Lizzy Luna, the creator of the music-and-movement program Yoga Storytime & Songs. Liz performed for and toured with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for several years. She released her first album of original children’s yoga music, Reach to the Sky, in 2018. Her writing has been featured in publications including the New Era and the New York Times. As an active member of Utah’s arts and culture community, Liz formerly served as the Executive Director of the Utah Black History Museum. Her artwork is featured on Salt Lake City’s Black Lives Matter mural at City Hall. Liz is also an aspiring film actress. In her spare time she enjoys needlework, gardening, road trips, and Scrabble. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Wed, 1 February 2023
Youtube link: https://youtu.be/83bjqlHTxaA After Liz decides to stay at BYU, she meets her future husband, Sam. Liz takes us through her courtship with Sam, their reasons for marrying each other, and the various complications they faced early on in their marriage. Like many LDS women trying to properly fulfill their purpose, Liz finds motherhood alone cannot make her feel happy & fulfilled with the exclusion of the things that make Liz who she is and bring her joy. *** Liz Lambson is a Korean/African American artist, musician, and writer, and - along with her spouse Sam - is a parent to five boys residing in Salt Lake City. Liz performs as a string bassist with the Ballet West Orchestra as well as the children’s singer-songwriter Lizzy Luna, the creator of the music-and-movement program Yoga Storytime & Songs. Liz performed for and toured with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for several years. She released her first album of original children’s yoga music, Reach to the Sky, in 2018. Her writing has been featured in publications including the New Era and the New York Times. As an active member of Utah’s arts and culture community, Liz formerly served as the Executive Director of the Utah Black History Museum. Her artwork is featured on Salt Lake City’s Black Lives Matter mural at City Hall. Liz is also an aspiring film actress. In her spare time she enjoys needlework, gardening, road trips, and Scrabble. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Tue, 31 January 2023
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/cGm7kpKh9KI We continue Liz’s journey as she goes to BYU and gets baptized. Liz explains her interactions with church and BYU culture, and the effect of “worthiness” interviews w/LDS leadership once she is an official member. At BYU Liz struggles to fit in with white culture and begins struggling with symptoms of mental illness along with outbursts of creativity. Things get heavy with a friend’s suicide as she battles her own depressive thoughts. *** Liz Lambson is a Korean/African American artist, musician, and writer, and - along with her spouse Sam - is a parent to five boys residing in Salt Lake City. Liz performs as a string bassist with the Ballet West Orchestra as well as the children’s singer-songwriter Lizzy Luna, the creator of the music-and-movement program Yoga Storytime & Songs. Liz performed for and toured with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for several years. She released her first album of original children’s yoga music, Reach to the Sky, in 2018. Her writing has been featured in publications including the New Era and the New York Times. As an active member of Utah’s arts and culture community, Liz formerly served as the Executive Director of the Utah Black History Museum. Her artwork is featured on Salt Lake City’s Black Lives Matter mural at City Hall. Liz is also an aspiring film actress. In her spare time she enjoys needlework, gardening, road trips, and Scrabble. Liz's Instagram: @lizzylambson “Never Too Soon” Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Mon, 30 January 2023
Liz Lambson is a Korean/African American artist, musician, and writer, and - along with her spouse Sam - is a parent to five boys residing in Salt Lake City. Liz performs as a string bassist with the Ballet West Orchestra as well as the children’s singer-songwriter Lizzy Luna, the creator of the music-and-movement program Yoga Storytime & Songs. Liz performed for and toured with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for several years. She released her first album of original children’s yoga music, Reach to the Sky, in 2018. Her writing has been featured in publications including the New Era and the New York Times. As an active member of Utah’s arts and culture community, Liz formerly served as the Executive Director of the Utah Black History Museum. Her artwork is featured on Salt Lake City’s Black Lives Matter mural at City Hall. Liz is also an aspiring film actress. In her spare time she enjoys needlework, gardening, road trips, and Scrabble. Liz's Instagram: @lizzylambson *** We begin Liz’s story with her family and growing up years as a biracial Korean/African American struggling to assimilate into white culture. Her mother converted to Christianity and became a religious fanatic, leading to her eventual abandonment of her husband & children. Liz is introduced to Mormonism shortly after and finds Joseph Smith’s early religious confusion relatable. With continued exposure to LDS peers, including a boy who particularly holds her interest, Liz gains a testimony of the Book of Mormon and falls in love with Mormon culture. Liz also shares her struggles with academic, artistic and spiritual perfectionism in high school. We learn ways Liz gives up pieces of herself as she tries harder to assimilate into Mormon culture and eventually makes the decision to attend BYU. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Fri, 27 January 2023
Noah Rasheta joins John and Rebecca Bibliotheca to discuss basic concepts of Buddhism which has helped many deconstructing and healing from toxic teachings. Book: No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners by Noah Rasheta of Secular Buddhism Join the Mormon Stories Book Club Facebook Group Here! Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1722-BuddhismForBeginnersNoahRasheta.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 10:00am MDT |
Thu, 26 January 2023
Please join us for a panel discussion regarding a recent two-day LDS multi-Stake training in Canada focused on understanding LGBTQ members, led by faithful gay Mormon podcasters Charlie Bird and Ben Schilaty (hosts of "Questions From the Closet" podcast). Some questions that will be addressed by the panel include:
Panel Members:
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Mon, 23 January 2023
Why don’t more people leave the Church in the face of overwhelming evidence that it isn’t what it claims to be? In this episode we will discuss how the Normalcy Bias can help explain this behavior. Mormon Expressions is made possible by generous donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: John & Carah on Other Platforms:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1720-WhyMormonsDontLeaveJohnLarsen.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 7:30pm MDT |
Fri, 20 January 2023
In this episode we recap all the different areas where Joseph Smith claims to have translated an ancient source and we analyze his work and compare it against modern scholars and experts in the field to see how he did. Co-host: Nemo the Mormon LDS Discussion Essay: Overview of Joseph Smith's Translations _________________________ LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors!
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Direct download: MormonStories-1719-LDSDJosephSmithsTranslations.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Mon, 16 January 2023
John is in the hot seat again as Shelise Sola of @CultstoConsciousness does the interviewing around the topic of what and how John Dehlin would change the Mormon (LDS) Church if he were prophet. John expertly synthesizes and explains in easy-to-understand chunks the largest problems facing the Mormon Church today and ways it harms its most ardent believers and their families from past racism, current treatment of women and homophobia, covering up real history etc. While Shelise only recently started her podcast, “Cults to Consciousness,” she is quickly gaining viewership and a following due to her vibrant personality and quality content and interviews. In her own words: “From psychedelics to sexual distortions, I interview cult experts, cult survivors, cult advocates, therapists, way-showers, authors, healers, guides, shamans and more, to uncover how they find independence and healing through awareness and true individual sovereignty.” Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1718-SheliseInterviewsJohn.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:30pm MDT |
Wed, 11 January 2023
Mormon Stories has experienced an amazing amount of growth for which we are thankful to our viewers, guests, staff, donors, and collaborators! John shares about the growth of the channel and answers viewer questions. How was 2022? What helped the channel’s growth? What were the stand-out episodes? And what have we got planned for 2023? Join us to find out! Episodes and Source Show Notes Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1717-2022YearInReviewQA.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 8:49pm MDT |
Mon, 9 January 2023
Did Joseph Smith have another shot at translating ancient scripture, or is it just rumor? Mike, Nemo and John take a look at the Kinderhook Plates. What were they? Did Joseph Smith try to translate them, and what was the result? As usual, we dive into the apologetics around multiple scenarios and why they are each attractive to differing views. Co-host: Nemo the Mormon LDS Discussion Essay on the Kinderhook Plates _________________________ LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors!
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Direct download: MormonStories-1716-LDSDKinderhookPlates.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 2:00pm MDT |
Mon, 9 January 2023
Co-host: Nemo the Mormon Stephen Bullivant holds professorial positions at St Mary's University, London, and the University of Notre Dame, Sydney. He has doctorates in theology (Oxford, 2009) and sociology (Warwick, 2019). His studies of contemporary nonreligiosity have received wide international coverage, including from the BBC, New York Times, Economist, Financial Times, and Der Spiegel. The United States is in the midst of a religious revolution. Or, perhaps it is better to say a non-religious revolution. Around a quarter of US adults now say they have no religion. The great majority of these religious "nones" also say that they used to belong to a religion but no longer do. These are the nonverts: think "converts," but from having religion to having none. There are currently has about 59 million of them in the United States. Nonverts explores who they are, and why they joined the rising tide of the ex-religious. One of world's leading experts on contemporary atheism and nonreligiosity, sociologist and theologian Stephen Bullivant draws on dozens of interviews, original analysis of high-quality survey data, and a wealth of cutting-edge studies, to present an entertaining and insightful exploration of America's ex-religious landscape. Bullivant criss-crosses the country, talking to everyone from ex-Mormons in Utah to ex-Catholics in Pennsylvania, from ex-Evangelicals in Georgia to ex-Muslims in California, showing not only what they have in common but also how the traditions they left behind continue to shape them. While American religion is not going to die out any time soon, ex-Christian America is a growing presence in national life. America's religious revolution is not just a religious revolution--it is catalyzing a profound social, cultural, moral, and political impact. Nonverts will serve as an indispensable guide to this shifting landscape, as well as the future of American life. Join John and Nemo as they dive deeper into just why it is that people leave the LDS church. Nonverts: The Making of Ex-Christian America Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1715-StephenBullivantNonverts.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 10:00am MDT |
Fri, 6 January 2023
Fans of Mormon stories will be familiar with Channel Achenbach, who has been a guest on LDS Discussions' Race & Mormon Scripture Part 1 and Part 2 , Gender Discrimination in the Mormon Church with John Larsen and Mormon Leader Ahmad Corbitt Condemns Activism Towards the LDS Church or they may know her from her tiktok channel, @Bettenoir4. This is a 3-part series of Channel’s story. We’re back for a wrap-up of Channel’s story. Starting from where Part 2 left off, Channel, Margi and John discuss racism in general in the United States, and racism experienced in Utah by Channel and her children in Utah based on their skin color, with even her lighter-skinned children getting treated better than those with darker skin. Channel finally starts finding her own voice and speaking out about her experiences and observations in the church but with continued pushback from leaders, Channel decides to resign and starts her platform on Tiktok. We learn where and how Channel is doing now that she's left the Church and found her voice and is finding herself again after all this time. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1714-ChannelAchenbachPt3.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Wed, 4 January 2023
Fans of Mormon stories will be familiar with Channel Achenbach, who has been a guest on LDS Discussions' Race & Mormon Scripture Part 1, Gender Discrimination in the Mormon Church with John Larsen and Mormon Leader Ahmad Corbitt Condemns Activism Towards the LDS Church or they may know her from her tiktok channel, @Bettenoir4. This will be a 3-part series of Channel’s story. Channel is continuing her story from her marriage, an embarrassing disciplinary council where she is judged for her “sins” by a group entirely of white men, and dealing with the fall-out of a marriage that was ill-suited from the beginning and facing the stigma of divorce within the LDS church as a woman of color. Channel marries again, this time to a non-member of the church and has two children. Despite her husband’s encouragement to leave, Channel continues to seek acceptance and approval from her religion despite her skin color. As she becomes disillusioned over time, Channel manages to stay in because of the influence of a few good friends, especially when her second marriage dissolves, and she finds herself needing more help. We learn more about issues around race issues in general such as the difference between racism and white supremacy and how both show up in the Church’s doctrines, practices, and members, including being constantly talked down to and told what to do with her life and what to think even by friends over a decade younger than she. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
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Direct download: MormonStories-1713-ChannelAchenbachPt2.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
Mon, 2 January 2023
Fans of Mormon stories will be familiar with Channel Achenbach, who has been a guest on LDS Discussions' Race & Mormon Scripture Part 1, Gender Discrimination in the Mormon Church with John Larsen and Mormon Leader Ahmad Corbitt Condemns Activism Towards the LDS Church or they may know her from her tiktok channel, @Bettenoir4. This will be a 3-part series of Channel’s story. In Part 1 We get some background on Channel’s family growing up, how black families and black culture differ substantially from Mormon white culture, what led Channel to seek God and how that led to her joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Channel tells us the good, bad & ugly of how she was treated as a black teenage convert, when she learned of the Church’s racism, and ways that she accepted, excused, and eventually internalized it to see herself as “less” than her white counterparts. This became most apparent in dating and marriage. While white men in the church may find her exotic and are willing to date her, Channel finds that they are unwilling to marry her as “mixing seed” would pass her “curse” [black skin] to children that could otherwise have two white parents. As Channel loses herself and what makes her unique to the cultural expectations of the Church she marries another black member of the church at the counsel of her Bishop against her better judgment. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
Our Platforms:Contact us:PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media:
Direct download: MormonStories-1712-ChannelAchenbachPt1.mp3
Category:Religion -- posted at: 12:00pm MDT |
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