Mormon Stories Podcast

Mormon Stories viewers are in for a treat with this series of episodes as we interview married couple Lizzy and Spencer Bean. In part one, we dive into Lizzy’s story and unique upbringing as just one of two siblings in a Mormon family with convert parents in Upstate New York. We discuss the influence of her involvement with the Palmyra Pageant on her developing testimony as well as the Mormon propensity towards music and theater. Other topics include the culture shock after arriving in Provo when her dad’s career led him to teach music education at BYU, and acclimating to the very LDS saturated environment as she developed her musical and theatrical talents. We named this series “Loving and Leaving Mormonism” to allow our guests to speak authentically to their all-around good experiences being raised members of the LDS faith and hope you’ll stick around to listen to part three as Lizzy and Spencer describe the events and information that made them think twice about their membership in the religion they love.

Show notes:

• Hosanna shout
• Austin Archer Mormon Stories episode
• Tim Minchin

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Join Jenn as she introduces a new addition to Open Stories Foundation. The Open Arms Collective is a group of women and gender non-binary individuals meeting monthly along the Wasatch Front, with open arms, to embrace our family and friends wherever they are on their faith journey!

We hold monthly events to empower, learn, create and build community together.

Please click here to register for upcoming events.

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Join us Monday afternoon for a special episode with Ksenia Andrukhiv Everton from Ukraine. Get ready for a fascinating story about her family's journey in the Mormon Church. She will also talk to us about Russia’s war on Ukraine.

European defenders are in huge need of military-grade Helmets and Armory Vests for Territorial Defense Battalions. The Ukrainian American Coordinating Council (financial coordinator), Razom for Ukraine (media partner), and International Charitable Foundation “Come back alive” (end user) with CO Foundation Serhiy Prytula (end user) are uniting their efforts to purchase this necessary equipment. Please consider a donation here.

Show notes: 

• Nastia Bigun MS episode
• Douglas Stillgoe MS episode
• Helmets & Armory Vests for the European Defenders
• Nemo the Mormon Youtube channel
• Book: Red famine
• Book: Bloodlands
• NPR episode

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Recently the THRIVE Beyond Religion Foundation has been under attack by the Mormon church’s apologists, the Salt Lake Tribune, some vocal TikTokkers, and a few other Ex-Mormons.  Such attacks have taken a heavy toll on many in the THRIVE Board, and on the THRIVE Community overall.

Please join members of the THRIVE Foundation board of directors this Monday at 9am (mountain) as we ask ourselves and the post-Mormon community whether or not we should allow the THRIVE Foundation to die.

Note: Our heartfelt support goes out to the people of Ukraine.  Please join us Monday afternoon for a special Mormon Stories Podcast episode about Russia’s war on Ukraine.

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Did a single first pair of humans (Adam and Eve) ever exist? Join us this Friday at 4:00 pm MT for an epic discussion with Dr. Simon Southerton about Mormonism’s core doctrine of Adam and Eve. We will analyze the conflicts between the undisputed fact of human evolution and the belief that all humans descended from a single couple of humans in Jackson County, Missouri. We will break down the different ways in which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its apologists have responded to conflicting scientific evidence and the ongoing debate regarding the existence of pre-Adamites. In addition, Dr. Michael Westaway will be joining us to speak about his groundbreaking research regarding the Mungo Man, the oldest and most famous human skeleton in Australia dated at 42,000 years, which was voted in the top 10 papers of the year by Science magazine in 2016.

Show Notes: 

• Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA, and the Mormon Church by Simon G. Southerton
• The Sacred Curse: How Native American DNA Exposes Mormonism’s Lamanite Myth by Simon G. Southerton
• Stated Clearly YouTube channel
• Michael Westaway

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The one and only Sandra Tanner joins Mormon Scoops as a special guest to address comments recently made on the Follow Him podcast by church historian Kate Holbrook. Join Carah, John, Gerardo and Sandra for this epic episode starting Thursday at 4:30pm mountain time!

Show Notes:

• "Doctrine and Covenants 129-132 with Dr. Kate Holbrook," on followHIM
  followHIM podcast with Hank Smith and John Bytheway
• "BYU professor [Hank Smith] calls gay student a Book of Mormon term associated with anti-Christ," by Courtney Tanner, Salt Lake Tribune, May 14, 2021
• Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults: A Face-to-Face Event with Elder Cook (and with historian Kate Holbrook)
• Kate Holbrook laughs while describing Joseph Smith's polygamy
• D&C101 as it appeared until 1835 when it was replaced by D&C132
• Times and Seasons denial of polygamy published in September 1842
• The sole edition of the Nauvoo Expositor, June 17, 1844, which exposed Joseph's teaching and practice of polygamy
• The Godmakers: A Shocking Expose of What the Mormon Church Really Believes by Ed Decker
  Book
• Film
• "Kingdom Come," by David Van Biema, Time, June 24, 2001 (in which Gordon B. Hinckley says the church doesn't teach/emphasize that God was once a man and that men will become gods in the afterlife, ruling their own planets which they populate with their own seed)
• Utah Lighthouse Ministry
• Mormonism: Shadow or Reality? by Jerald and Sandra Tanner
• Thrive for Women on April 2

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Join us for our interview with Rod Meldrum, founder of the Book of Mormon Heartland Model. In this episode we explore Rod's Mormon faith.

Show notes:

• Book of Mormon Evidence website
• Exterminate the Brutes

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Join us for our interview with Rod Meldrum, founder of the Book of Mormon Heartland Model.

Show Notes:

• Book of Mormon Evidence website
• Lila Tueller MS interview
• DNA and the Book of Mormon article from our website

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We are super excited to announce our next THRIVE Day for Women, which will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2022 in Orem, Utah. The event will be emceed buy Julienna Viegas, and speakers will include:

• Tiffany Roe
• Natasha Helfer
• Leah Young
• Donna Kelly
• Suzy Benson

The purpose of all THRIVE events is to promote healing, growth, and community for post-Mormons. THRIVE is a non-profit, and is priced only to cover the event costs, which includes lunch.

Click here to Register!

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BYU Join us live as John, Carah and Gerardo discuss the news topics of the week at 7pm mountain time Thursday night! Tonight's topics include but are not limited to:

• BYU Black Student Union confronts Brad Wilcox
• BYU forces end to “gender-affirming voice care” for transgender students
• Utah Kaysville Devotional for Sisters Featuring Mormon Apostle Dale G. Renlund

Show Notes:

• BYU Black Student union
• BYU BSU news article
• Mormonism Live recent ep on women
• Black BYU students tiktok
• Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith
• Under the Banner of Heaven trailer
• Steven Hassan, author of Combatting Cult Mind Control 

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After an epic retelling of their time trying to protect the children in their Idaho home ward, Cami and Kolby give us a look into how that ordeal changed their faith in the Mormon church in this epic second part of their interview.

Show Notes:

• CES Letter
• Matt Easton MS episode
• Race and priesthood gospel topics essay
• Saints unscripted videos about priesthood ban
• Michael Coe interview
• Brad Wilcox MS episode
• Thrive beyond religion website

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Joining us on the podcast today are Kolby and Cami, a married couple from Idaho whose life and faith were shaken when their bishop was convicted and sent to prison for sexually abusing children. We discuss the moves the local leadership made that shocked them, including praising the former bishop in front of his victims to the entire ward congregation. This is one of the most important stories that highlight the LDS culture of conforming to authority vs following one’s conscience and the fallout of doing the latter. We applaud Kolby and Cami (and other members of their Idaho stake) for trying to protect children and telling this story today. In part two we’ll be discussing how these events affected their faith in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as a whole.

Show Notes:

• Eyring talk about LDS leaders being called by the Savior
• Spotlight movie
• Mormon Stories Boy Scouts episode
• CES Letter

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Join Margi, John, and Carah for our next episode of Thrive Stories this coming Tuesday at noon (MST). We will hear Dave Biesinger talk about meaning and purpose after a faith transition. Join us to hear Dave’s narrative and how he now feels he is enjoying The Good Life.

Thrive Stories is a new podcast series where Margi (alongside John and Carah) will be interviewing a member of the community twice per month.  The interviews will be shorter (1-2 hours), story-based, but will be focused on a particular aspect of healing and growth AFTER a Mormon faith crisis (thus the THRIVE name).  They will happen on Tuesdays at noon (MST). Some examples of areas of thriving include:  Family Relationships, Healthy Boundaries, Finding Community, Finding Meaning/Purpose, Dealing with Grief/Death, Religion after Mormonism, Health Sexuality, Parenting, Improving Physical Health, Identity, Health Marriage/Relationships, Secular Spirituality, Word of Wisdom 2.0, and Women Finding Their Own Voice after Mormonism.

If you would like to nominate someone you know who would be a great candidate for a THRIVE interview, please nominate them (or yourself) here.

Show Notes:

• Margi’s Coming Home podcast episode
• 4 Agreements
• The 5th agreement (book)
• Eckhart Tolle: https://eckharttolle.com
• Father and son - Cat Stevens
• Noah Rasheta - Secular Buddhism podcast
• Master and His Emissary
• Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces

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Hello, everyone! We are excited to announce some upcoming events for the Open Stories Foundation and our sister foundation THRIVE. There are several events coming up that we want to make you aware of today. All the events we talk about today can be found on MormonStories.org under the EVENTS tab. Check back frequently for new event announcements! SUPPORT GROUPS: Free and/or low-cost Faith Crisis Support Groups begin the week of February 22, 2022.  Support group locations: Bountiful, Holladay, American Fork, Provo, St George, & Online.  In-person sessions will be Tuesday nights from 7-9 pm. Online/Zoom sessions time and date will be announced soon.  All donations go towards making the OSF Support Groups program sustainable for future attendees. Please choose whatever amount you can afford. Link: https://donorbox.org/faith-crisis-support-group-8-weeks

THRIVE MEETUP ALPINE, UT:  We also have a THRIVE meetup on Sunday, March 6th in Alpine, UT at KNOT AND PINE. This is an adults potluck and community building event. Follow the link above to sign up! www.knotandpine.com

Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ZleUTNA6EjcYDb-nlGA5k_cXI9_UduFa2oeBXSS2RTc/viewform?edit_requested=true

WORKSHOPS & RETREATS: Alpine Faith Crisis Workshop with John and Margi Dehlin on Sunday, March 20th. One day Workshop includes:

• Navigating a Faith Transition
• Rebuilding your Family & Life Values
• Communicating with believers
• Mental and spiritual health
• Healthy sexuality after a faith crisis
• Q&A with John and Margi
• Community

*Lunch and snacks provided

Link: https://donorbox.org/faith-crisis-workshop-alpine-lehi

Mixed-Faith Marriage Retreat with John Dehlin & Julie Hanks in Provo, UT July 15-17th. This retreat is 2.5 days and will include:

• Navigating a faith crisis for yourself or a family member
• Improving your Mental Health
• Communicating with believing/non-believing family and friends
• Restructuring your family values together
• Healthy marriage/committed relationships after a faith crisis
• Spirituality after a faith crisis
• Healthy sexuality

*Lunch and snacks provided on full retreat days

Link: https://donorbox.org/mixed-faith-retreat-provo

We are also planning on putting together a monthly meet-up for post-Mormon women in the Salt Lake City area.  Email events@openstoriesfoundation.org if you are interested in participating.

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Recently John Dehlin had lunch with a mid-level Mormon church leader along the Wasatch front who was eager to share insider information regarding the statistical and programmatic health of the Mormon church since the COVID-19 epidemic.   Topics that were covered include: - The pervasiveness of "faith crisis" issues within Mormon stakes and wards.

• The rise of conservative/fundamentalist/"Prepper"/"Trumpers"/anti-vaxxers/Q-Anoners as a source of disaffection from the Mormon church.
• Attempts to increase the involvement of women.
• How post-COVID Mormon apathy has led to a decline in church activity.
• The rise of "PIMO" Mormons (Physically in, mentally out).
• The decline of the Mormon youth programs, with a dramatic decline in young men church participation and mission service.

The leader was willing to share activity statistics within his stake to demonstrate the post-COVID decline.

Finally, the source was willing to share information regarding three significant changes at Mormon church headquarters:

• The dramatic rise in temple building since Russel M. Nelson became the Mormon prophet, and the effect this is having on the temple department.
• A new Mormon temple prep course that will soon be released.
• Significant upcoming changes regarding 1 on 1 youth interviews.

Show Notes:

• Brad Wilcox's Alpine Youth Fireside on February 6, in which he made racist and sexist remarks, and said that other faiths are only "playing church" 
• The Black Menaces denounce Brad Wilcox on TikTok
• "Saying he has been 'corrected,' LDS leader Brad Wilcox again apologizes for his remarks on race," by Tamarra Kemsley, Salt Lake Tribune, February 14, 2022
• Brad Wilcox's apology
• "Alpine Utah Mormon Youth Rescue With Brad Wilcox," on Mormon Stories
• "Top 10 Problems with Mormonism that Brad Wilcox's Speech Unveiled," on Mormon Stories
• "Listeners Call In: Responses to Brad Wilcox's Talk," on Mormon Stories
• "Brad Wilcox showed up at my religion class at BYUI today to say hi"
• "How the LDS Church made $22B during the pandemic," by Tony Semerad, Salt Lake Tribune, February 15, 2022
• Questions From the Closet, with Charlie Bird and Ben Schilaty
• "The Gay Mormon Reformation," on Mormon Stories
• "The Mormon Influences on Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow," on Mormon Stories
• "Ezra Taft Benson and the Making of the Mormon Right," with Matt Harris on Mormon Stories
  Part 1
  Part 2
• "The LDS Church's Coverup of Sterling Van Wagenen's Sexual Abuse of Sean Escobar," on Mormon Stories
• Mormon Enlightenment Facebook group
• Protect LDS Children
• Mormonism Live with Radio Free Mormon and Bill Reel
• "Will Mormons Get Their Own Planets?" A panel discussion on Mormon Stories
• "Cognitive Dissidents: Sam Harris, Jordan Peterson, and the Damage of Dogma" on Mormon Discussions
• "Experiencing Sexual Assault as a Missionary: Camille and Maddy" on Mormon Stories
• "Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Urges BYU to Embrace Its Uniqueness, Stay True to the Savior," an August 2021 speech in which Holland called for "musket fire" in defense of the school's opposition to LGBTQ+ equality
• "BYU cancels care for transgender clients receiving voice therapy at its speech clinic," by Courtney Tanner, Salt Lake Tribune, February 10, 2022
• "Mormon British Rescue? The Britvengers React" on Mormon Stories
• 21st Century Saints Podcast with Jane Christie
• Ruben Hoyos' TikTok
• "Anastasia Bigun: A Ukrainian Mormon Journey" on Mormon Stories
• Trans, Nonbinary, and Genderqueer Network

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Join Margi, John, and Carah for the premiere episode of Thrive Stories this coming Tuesday at noon (MST). Get to know Margi as she shares how her journey has allowed her a process of becoming significant to herself and finding her own voice. We hope that you will join us as we introduce Margi, the main interviewer of Thrive Stories by having her share her own Thrive story.

Thrive Stories is a new podcast series where Margi (alongside John and Carah) will be interviewing a member of the community twice per month.  The interviews will be shorter (1-2 hours), story-based, but will be focused on a particular aspect of healing and growth AFTER a Mormon faith crisis (thus the THRIVE name).  They will happen on Tuesdays at noon (MST). Some examples of areas of thriving include:  Family Relationships, Healthy Boundaries, Finding Community, Finding Meaning/Purpose, Dealing with Grief/Death, Religion after Mormonism, Health Sexuality, Parenting, Improving Physical Health, Identity, Health Marriage/Relationships, Secular Spirituality, Word of Wisdom 2.0, and Women Finding Their Own Voice after Mormonism.

If you would like to nominate someone you know who would be a great candidate for a THRIVE interview, please nominate them (or yourself) here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefPM4vCZXpQeOjxXJcNHLCnpYv2Sej1tfNcOeipEt8UdE-rw/viewform

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Show Notes: 

THRIVE Stories Application form

Margi’s Broken Open essay

Podcast on Nihilism

Noah Rasheta Secular Buddhism episode on groundlessness

Template for Thrive interviews: 

Eckhart Tolle podcasts with Oprah

Margi’s blog “Beauty in the Now”

Contact Us!

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Do you see secular and religious views at odds with one another? In what ways can they work together to become a better expression of one’s Mormon faith? On this very special episode of Mormon stories we chat with Carl Youngblood and Lincoln Cannon, who are leaders in the Mormon transhumanist movement. Mormon Stories listeners may remember Carl, who came on the podcast back in October 2020, where he discussed with John his life and philosophy as a Mormon and a transhumanist. In this follow up episode, we keep the discussion going and ask more hard hitting questions about how Lincoln and Carl view God, Christ, the resurrection, and Book of Mormon historicity - and their answers are unlike anything you’ve probably ever heard before!

Buckle up for a fun and different Mormon Stories interview! We hope to have these amazing guys back again soon for another chat, so leave a comment or question that we can save for next time!

Show Notes:

• Carl Youngblood Mormon Stories interview as a Mormon transhumanist
• Mormon Transhumanist Association
• Humanity Plus
• Check out their upcoming conference, using code “MSFRIEND”
• Lincoln Cannon blog
• Youtube channel Transfigurism

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Join us as we hear listener thoughts and feelings about how Brad Wilcox’s talk reflects on Mormonism. 

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Join us live Tuesday night for a special new regular weeknight segment with John and Carah called ✨Mormon Scoops✨ at 8pm mst! We just heard that Brad Wilcox apologized for the racist statements that he made in his talk to the Alpine youth of the church. We congratulate Brad. In the hours since the talk, the church has removed it from Youtube and Brad apologized on his Facebook page. Carah and John want to dive into the top 10 things that we think are worse than Brad's actual talk that still need to be addressed! Join us with your questions, comments, and additional information!

Our Understanding Mormonism playlist of Brad Wilcox's full talk

Our Mormon Stories episode covering Brad Wilcox's talk

Brad's same talk in 2020

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You’ve heard of The Swedish Rescue, right? Our Mormon Stories inbox had an influx of incensed Latter-day Saints across all spectrums of belief last night as Brad Wilcox gave a fireside talk that we’re calling “The Alpine Utah Mormon Youth Rescue”. Just like the LDS church’s response to the wave of apostasy in 2012 affecting Swedish members, Brad Wilcox, professor of ancient scripture at BYU and second counselor in the Young Men general presidency spoke to the youth February 6th, 2022 in a talk about how leaving the Mormon church means “you lose everything that matters”. Join John, Gerardo, and Carah as we play clips and react to Brad explaining his reasons to the youth of the church that those who leave the faith are taking the hardest possible route in life. Other quotes include: 

"Maybe instead of asking 'why did the blacks have to wait until 1978’, maybe what we should be asking is 'why did the whites and other races have to wait until 1829?’"

“We are the only Christians in the world led by Christ”

"When you walk away from this church you lose everything that matters in your life.”

Show Notes:

View our playlist with the full talk on our Understanding Mormonism channel.  Individual sections are included below.  To download the raw video file click here.

Grant Palmer’s books

 

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Dr. Simon Southerton is an Australian geneticist and a former Mormon bishop who was excommunicated by the Mormon church for speaking too openly about his problems reconciling Book of Mormon historicity and emerging DNA research about Native Americans. On 2/4/2022 we are launching a new series on Mormon Stories Podcast.  Like with the John Larsen and Margi Dehlin (THRIVE Stories) series, Simon Southerton plans to appear monthly on Mormon Stories Podcast to explore the many ways in which Mormon Doctrine clashes with modern science.

This episode covers the Mormon church teaching of The Creation.

We will be paying Simon for his work, but need your financial support to make this happen.  If you want to support this series with Simon, please become a monthly donor to this campaign.  You can donate here: https://donorbox.org/science-vs-mormonism

Hosts John Dehlin, Gerardo Sumano, and Carah Burrell interview Dr. Simon Southerton, an Australian geneticist and former Mormon bishop, who was excommunicated for speaking too openly about Book of Mormon historicity and the DNA research about Indigenous Americans.

This interview marks the launch of a new series on Mormon Stories Podcast. Like with the John Larsen and Margi Dehlin (THRIVE Stories), Simon plans to appear monthly to explore the many ways in which Mormon Doctrine clashes with modern science.

This episode covers the Mormon Church teaching of The Creation.

--------------------
We will be paying Simon for his work, but need your financial support to make this happen.
100% of your donations at this link will go to support Simon!
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• Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA, and the Mormon Church by Simon Southerton
• The Sacred Curse: How Native American DNA Exposes Mormonism's Lamanite Myth by Simon Southerton
• Mormon Stories interview  with Simon Southerton, “DNA, Lamanites, and the Book of Mormon”
• Mormon Stories interview with Simon Southerton, “New Temples Veil Mormonism’s Decline”
• Mormon Stories interview with Simon Southerton, “Rod Meldrum’s Book of Mormon Heartland Model”
• January 2022 Old Testament Institute Lesson on the Creation
• Old Testament Chronology Graphic
• Mormon Doctrine by Bruce R. McConkie
• “Information, Reproduction, and the Origin of Life,” by Homer Jacobson, American Scientist, 1955
• Creation: Accident or Design? by Harold G. Coffin
• "In defense of peer-reviewed science," BYU Department of Geological Sciences, The Daily Universe, April 4, 2017
• BYU's Dr. Michael Whiting defends evolution on Twitter
• "Ancient European dog genomes reveal continuity since the Early Neolithic," by L. Botigué, et. al., Nature Communications, July 18, 2017
• "Genetic evidence for an East Asian origin of domestic dogs," by Peter Savolainen, et.al., Science, November 22, 2002
• "Rod Meldrum responds to John Dehlin and Simon Southerton" on Mormon Book Reviews with Steven Pynakker
• "What is DNA and How Does It Work," on Stated Clearly with Jon Perry
• "An Introduction to the Human Genome," HMX Genetics, Harvard Medical School
• Upcoming Thrive events

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Mark Elwood is the author and illustrator of a groundbreaking new graphic novel entitled "The Glass Looker: Collected Tales of Joseph Smith." 

The Glass Looker follows an ordinary American farm boy named Joseph Smith who discovers he possesses the magical ability for seeing in stones. Learn the origin story of the American boy-prophet through illustrated accounts collected from Joseph, his family, neighbors and enemies.  The Glass Looker illustrates the myths and legends surrounding the rise of Joseph Smith from a teen-aged treasure seer to the man who would become a prophet of God.

Join Mark, along with his partner Erin, for an illustrated historical adventure.

To order the novel, click here: https://theglasslooker.com/product/volume1/

To support Mark and Erin's ongoing work (future volumes in the works!, click here: https://theglasslooker.com/support/

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Show Notes:

• The Glass Looker: Collected Tales of Joseph Smith Vol. 1 by Mark Elwood
• Become of Patron of The Glass Looker
• Brigham Young's Journal of Discourses
• Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet by John G. Turner
• Blood from the Sky: Miracles and Politics in the Early American Republic by Adam Jortner
• “The Locations of Joseph Smith’s Early Treasure Quests," by Dan Vogel, Dialogue, 1994
• "Raiders of the Lost Mormon Cave," Gospel Tangents, July 4, 2021
• "Discovering Joseph Smith's Cave in Miner's Hill, Manchester, New York," by KC Kern
• Zion by Eli Brady
• Maus by Art Spiegelman
• Joseph Smith: The Making of a Prophet by Dan Vogel
• Mormon Doctrine vs. Science with Dr. Simon Southerton
• The Sacred Curse: How Native American DNA Exposes Mormonism's Lamanite Myth by Simon G. Southerton
• Thrive St. George and other upcoming events

Mormon Stories is excited to welcome ex-Mormon YouTuber couple Jordan and McKay on for a three-part series about their journey!

Picking up where we left off, we invited ex-Mormon Youtuber couple Jordan and McKay back on for part three to take us through their engagement, wedding, son being born, faith deconstruction and birth of their Youtube channel.

Show Notes:

• Jordan & Mckay YouTube
• Jordan & McKay Baptism for the dead video
• Sam and Tanner MS interview Losing Mormon Millennials
• LuLu Rich
• Allan Mount TikTok
• What happens when an Apostle arrives and nobody is standing
• Exmormon reddit
• Faith Journey FB Meetups
• Tom Phillips MS interview
• Hans & Birgitta Mattsson MS interview
• Matt and Stephanie Purcell MS Interview
• Unshaken YouTube channel w/ Jared Halverson
• CES Letter
• Letter to my Wife
• Marc Oslund MS Interview
• “No Man Knows My History” by Fawn M. Brodie
• Book of Abraham Gospel Topics essay
• Kyle and Neesha Mormon Stories interview
• Excommunication of John Dehlin
• Kimberly Anderson TikTok
• Jordan & Mckay Patreon
• Jordan & Mckay Ko-Fi
• Jordan & Mckay TikTok

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Mormon Stories is excited to welcome ex-Mormon Youtuber couple Jordan and McKay on for a three-part series about their journey! In part two, we dive into Jordan’s story and want to lead off with a heavy trigger warning for sexual abuse. Jordan, who grew up in a similar area of Colorado as McKay, had a very different Mormon upbringing. We discuss the effects of having a never Mormon father, her mom’s remarriage, and a devastating story of how her sexual abuse was handled my Mormon family and leaders.

Show Notes:

• Jordan & Mckay YouTube
• Jordan & McKay Baptism for the dead video
• Sam and Tanner MS interview Losing Mormon Millennials
• LuLu Rich
• Allan Mount TikTok
• What happens when an Apostle arrives and nobody is standing
• Exmormon reddit
• Faith Journey FB Meetups
• Tom Phillips MS interview
• Hans & Birgitta Mattsson MS interview
• Matt and Stephanie Purcell MS Interview
• Unshaken YouTube channel w/ Jared Halverson
• CES Letter
• Letter to my Wife
• Marc Oslund MS Interview
• “No Man Knows My History” by Fawn M. Brodie
• Book of Abraham Gospel Topics essay
• Kyle and Neesha Mormon Stories interview
• Excommunication of John Dehlin
• Kimberly Anderson TikTok
• Jordan & Mckay Patreon
• Jordan & Mckay Ko-Fi
• Jordan & Mckay TikTok

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Mormon Stories is excited to welcome ex-Mormon Youtuber couple Jordan and McKay on for a three-part series about their journey! In part one, we talk to McKay about his upbringing in Colorado and his mission to Honduras. We hope you enjoy our interview with McKay as we discuss a few of the hallmarks of a typical Mormon teen’s life that deal with social conditioning, porn and masturbation, and baptisms for the dead.

Show Notes:

• Jordan & Mckay YouTube
• Jordan & McKay Baptism for the dead video
• Sam and Tanner MS interview Losing Mormon Millennials
• LuLu Rich
• Allan Mount TikTok
• What happens when an Apostle arrives and nobody is standing
• Exmormon reddit
• Faith Journey FB Meetups

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Mormon Stories Listeners/Viewers,

We are SUPER excited to announce a new project on Mormon Stories Podcast, based on your feedback. Some background: we asked you (the community) for feedback regarding Margi Dehlin's participation on Mormon Stories, and the feedback we received was that you would value having Margi actually occasionally interview people for Mormon Stories Podcast (with John and Carah supporting of course) - but to still draw on Margi's wisdom/expertise as a coach.

So here's the new project: For the next few months, Margi will be interviewing a member of the community twice per month. The interviews will be shorter (1-2 hours), still story-based, but will be focused on a particular aspect of healing and growth AFTER a Mormon faith crisis (thus the THRIVE name). Some examples of categories include: Family Relationships, Healthy Boundaries, Finding Community, Finding Meaning/Purpose, Dealing with Grief/Death, Religion after Mormonism, Health Sexuality, Parenting, Improving Physical Health, Identity, Health Marriage/Relationships, Secular Spirituality, Word of Wisdom 2.0, and Women Finding Their Own Voice after Mormonism.

We have set up a form for you to nominate someone who you think would be amazing for Mormon Stories Podcast, or to nominate yourself. If you or someone you know would be a great candidate for a THRIVE interview, please nominate them (or yourself) here.  The form gives you the option to upload a video of you or your nominee telling a story.

Margi will be sifting through these interviews and will reach out to you if you are chosen. Please spread the word! And thank you for the support!!!! Also, feel free to email Margi Dehlin with any questions: margidehlin@gmail.com

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Join us for a live discussion about the groundbreaking Federal Investigation against Brigham Young University for its treatment of LGBTQ+ students with attorney Paul Southwick. We will discuss the investigation and its relation to recent changes in LDS and BYU policy. We will also analyze BYU's initial response to the Office of Civil Rights and what you can do to help advance equality at BYU.   WHAT YOU CAN DO

• The REAP's website
• Submit BYU Accreditation Comments on TRANSPARENCY and EQUITY
• Accreditation Organization Equity policy
• History of the Family Proclamation

News Coverage:

• Washington Post: LGBTQ Dating Ban at BYU Probed in Federal Investigation
• NBC News: LGBTQ dating ban at BYU probed in federal investigation
• Deseret News: BYU Responds to Federal Investigation of its LGBTQ Policies
• Salt Lake Tribune: BYU is Under Federal Investigation for how it Disciplines LGBTQ St</

Please join us now as we interview Neville Rochow QC. Neville has served as an LDS Bishop, and in LDS Church Stake Presidencies and Mission Presidencies. Having served at the highest levels of the Mormon church in Australia, and being a truly delightful human, we believe that you will thoroughly enjoy this interview.

Show Notes:

• Mormon Stories interview with Tom Phillips
• A Marvelous Work and a Wonder by LeGrand Richards
• Doctrines of Salvation Volume 3, by Joseph Fielding Smith, 1954
• Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought
• Mormon Stories interview with Randy Bell
• No Man Knows My History by Fawn Brodie
• Time's Arrow by Martin Amis
• The Lord's Way by Dallin H. Oaks
• An Insider's View of Mormon Origins by Grant Palmer
• Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? by Michael Sandel
• "The Love and Laws of God," September 2019 address at BYU, in which Russell M. Nelson claims to have pleaded with God to reverse the 2015 LGBT exclusion policy
• "Defending Our Divinely Inspired Constitution," Dallin Oaks, April 2021 General Conference
• Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA, and the Mormon Church by Simon Southerton

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After two amazing episodes exploring Randy Bell’s journey from Mormonism to Progressive Christianity, we invited the host of Marriage on a Tightrope podcast and outspoken atheist Allan Mount on for a respectful discussion about epistemology, anti-theism, death, and much more!

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Show Notes:

• "What God, Quantum Mechanics, and Consciousness Have in Common," by John Horgan, Scientific American, August 14, 2021
• The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief by Francis Collins
• How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide by Peter Boghossian
• "Bridging the Divide: A Scientist's Search for Faith and Truth," Up First by NPR, January 23, 2021
• The Science of Near-Death Experiences by John C. Hagan
• Allan Mount TikTok
• Allan Mount Instagram
• Marriage on a Tightrope with Allan and Kattie Mount
• Marriage on a Tightrope Facebook Community
• Find an LGBTQ+-Affirming Church
• Randy Bell's research papers referenced in the episode:
  • "The Scientific Method and the Valuation Process," The Bureau of National Affairs, 2016 
  • "Real Estate Research Methods," The Appraisal Journal, 2015 
  • "Where Art Meets Science Statistics," Valuation Strategies, 2016 
  • "Junk Science Versus the Scientific Method," Bloomberg BNA, 2017 
  • "Basic Due Diligence," Environmental Claims Journal, 2001

In part 2 of Randy Bell’s Mormon Story, we dive into Randy’s faith post-Mormonism, his experiences with people of other religions around the world including Hindus, Muslims, Jews, and Christians. Among some of the topics we cover are his reasons for becoming a non-denominational Christian, feelings vs science, and the common ground we share.

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Show Notes:

• The Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blind_Watchmaker
• The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins: https://www.amazon.com/God-Delusion-Richard-Dawkins/dp/0618918248
• Axis agnostic/gnostic and theism/atheism https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-easiest-way-to-explain-agnostic-gnostic-and-theism-atheism
• Bart Ehrman - Misquoting Jesus:https://www.amazon.com/Misquoting-Jesus-Story-Behind-Changed/dp/0060859512
• Bart Ehrman Mormon Stories episode: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/bart-ehrman/
• Gospel of Mark Mormon Stories episode - John Larsen: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/the-gospel-of-mark-john-larsen/
• The Language of God - Francis Collins: https://www.amazon.com/Language-God-Scientist-Presents-Evidence/dp/1416542744
• Saddleback Church: https://saddleback.com/
• Rick Warren church: https://pastorrick.com
• www.gaychurch.org
• Red letter bible: https://www.amazon.com/Full-Size-Burgundy-Leather-Ribbon-Version/dp/1432132881/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3UDBGFUT28BHR&keywords=red+letter+bible&qid=1642465477&s=books&sprefix=red+letter+bible%2Cstripbooks%2C94&sr=1-4
• God the most unpleasant character in all fiction By Dan Barker: https://www.amazon.com/God-Most-Unpleasant-Character-Fiction/dp/1454918322
• The case for Christ By Lee Strobel: https://www.amazon.com/Case-Christ-Journalists-Personal-Investigation/dp/0310345863/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1NSAA65NP7E22&keywords=The+case+for+Christ&qid=1642465603&s=books&sprefix=the+case+for+christ%2Cstripbooks%2C104&sr=1-1
• The End of Science By John Horgan : https://www.amazon.com/End-Science-Knowledge-Twilight-Scientific/dp/0465065929
• The Demon Haunted World By Carl Sagan: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+demon+haunted+world+carl+sagan&i=stripbooks&crid=2FYTBHR74WRI8&sprefix=the+deamon+%2Cstripbooks%2C134&ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_1_10
• Boy Scout Payout: https://youtu.be/bnxaPEdDZys

Today we welcome on Randy Bell, well known expert on real estate damages and friend of the podcast on to hear his Mormon Story. Raised in Fullerton, CA, we discuss Randy’s relationship with the Fender family, the effects of his profession on his Mormon faith including stories about how the Pulse Night Club shooting transformed his LGBTQ beliefs. In part 2 we dig deeper and discuss Randy’s incredible, thoughtful journey from Mormonism to Progressive Christianity.

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Show Notes:

• Randy’s wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randall_Bell
• Link to youtube viewers poll: https://www.youtube.com/c/MormonStoriesPodcast/community
• Shawn McCrany’s church: https://hotm.faith/
• Rick Warren church: https://pastorrick.com
• Carah’s Mormon Stories interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW1uWu_DnPc
• Pulse Night Club: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_nightclub_shooting
• OJ Simpsons Made in America: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5275892/
• OJ Simpson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._J._Simpson
• Todd Compton - In Sacred Loneliness: http://www.toddmcompton.com/
• Gospel Topic Essay on Polygamy: https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints?lang=eng
• Year of Polygamy: https://www.yearofpolygamy.com/
• Steven Hassan: https://www.amazon.com/Steven-Hassan/e/B000APQYV4%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
• Sunstone: https://sunstone.org/
• Simon Southerton interview: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/rod-meldrums-heartland-model/
• Joseph Smith Criminal Record: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Smith_and_the_criminal_justice_system#Chronology_of_charges
• Laura Roper Andreasen interview: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/laura-roper-andreasen-granddaughter-m-russell-ballard/
• Randy’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Post-Traumatic-Thriving-Randall-Bell-PhD/dp/0996793178
• A Thoughtful Faith Podcast by Gina Colvin: https://www.athoughtfulfaith.org 
• Bill Reel Mormon Discussions Podcast: https://mdpodcast.org 
• Johnathan Streeter - Thoughts on things and stuff: https://thoughtsonthingsandstuff.com/
• Radio Free Mormon: https://radiofreemormon.org 
• Sandra Tanner  - https://youtu.be/W64Ntsea6uw
• Mormon Sex Info - Natasha Helfer: https://mormonsex.info/about/ 
• Real Estate Damages: An Analysis of Detrimental Conditions Textbook: https://www.amazon.com/Real-Estate-Damages-Detrimental-Conditions/dp/0922154554 
• Me We Do Be: The Four Cornerstones of Success by Randall Bell, PhD: https://www.amazon.com/Me-We-Do-Be-Cornerstones/dp/0996793119 
• Leo Fender: The Quiet Giant Heart Around the World by Phyllis Fender & Randall Bell, PhD: https://www.amazon.com/Leo-Fender-Quiet-Giant-Around/dp/0996793143 
• Post-Traumatic Thriving by Randall Bell, PhD: https://www.amazon.com/Post-Traumatic-Thriving-Randall-Bell-PhD/dp/0996793178

Mormon Stories listeners are in for a treat today as we’re joined by Mark Phillips and his daughter Zelle as they share their family’s fascinating Mormon journey. Mark is a clinical and counseling psychologist by profession who has spent part of his career working in LDS Family Services and was first inspired on his mission as a trainer to become a psychologist when working with difficult companions. Zelle discusses with us what it was like as a missionary during Covid, coming home early, coming out to her family, and coming into her own authentic self. A few of the themes we cover in this episode are around how growing up in the US Midwest and South shapes Mormon experiences, focusing on what’s inside instead of outside appearances, and coming to terms with Mormon truth claims as a family. We know you’ll love this amazing father-daughter duo and enjoy listening to Carah as host and Gerardo as co-host on this episode!

Show Notes:

• Mark's Facebook post explaining why they left the church
• Thrive Unite
• Mormon Stories interview with Gerardo Sumano
• Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmadge
• "The case of a fallen mission president: When the Mormon Church promptly removed a leader who 'deceived and victimized' young female missionaries," by Peggy Fletcher-Stack, Salt Lake Tribune, April 26, 2018
• Rough Stone Rolling by Richard Bushman
• Saints Vol.1 published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• The Joseph Smith Papers
• March 2021 Africa Area Devotional, in which Jeffrey Holland inadvertently admits that the rest of the world is always ahead of the Church
• "Be One: A Celebration of the Revelation on the Priesthood," the Church's June 2018 celebration on the 40th anniversary of letting black people in the temple
• "Issues and Ideas Leading People Away from the Gospel," a 2015 proprietary Church graphic released by MormonLeaks
• "The Ally Within," John Dehlin's TED Talk

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After 16 years of podcasting, John has seen a few highs and lows. With transparency for our supporters in mind, John is joined by Mormon Stories co-host and producer Carah Burrell to discuss what they love and hate about podcasting in this space.

Show Notes:

• Mormon Stories response to Jacob Hess part 1
• Please support Bill and RFM!
• Mormonism LIVE! 021: Sexual Allegation Against John Dehlin Goes Down In Flames
• Carah’s TikTok
• Please support Lost and Found Club
• Please support Sunstone!
• Please support Johnathan Streeter - Thoughts on things and stuff
• Please support Zelph on the Shelf!

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Join us live for a discussion with Margi and John about alternative approaches to New Year's Resolutions.

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Show Notes:

• Thrive Unite
• Thrive St. George
• A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle
• "Small Things Often" podcast by John and Julie Gottman
• The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert by John M. Gottman
• Ana Mardoll's Instagram
• "Secular Buddhism" by Noah Rasheta
• "Christmas After a Mormon Faith Crisis" with Margi Dehlin
• Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples by Harville Hendrix
• Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed
• Untamed by Glennon Doyle
• The Awakened Family: How to Raise, Empowered, Resilient, and Conscious Children by Shefali Tsabary
• The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children by Shefali Tsabary
• Out of Control: Why Disciplining Your Child Doesn't Work and What Will by Shefali Tsabary
• One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer
• Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
• Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg
• "The Hidden Brain" podcast
• Relationship Intelligence by Esther Perel
• Flourish Therapy (Utah-specific)
• LGBTQ+-Affirmative Therapist Guild (Utah chapter of nationwide guild)
• Symmetry Solutions
• Margi Dehlin blog and life coaching

Answering follow-up questions from the Salt Lake Tribune about the Open Stories Foundation and THRIVE given to us by Peggy Fletcher Stack and Tony Semerad.

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Show Notes:

• Thrive Unite
• Mormon Stories Transparency Q&A in response to the Salt Lake Tribune
• Forms 990 Open Stories Foundation
• Forms 990 Thrive Foundation, Inc.
• "LDS Personal Faith Crisis," a leaked proprietary Church document prepared for Dieter Uchtdorf in 2013 about why members are losing their faith and leaving the Church
• "Come Join With Us," Dieter Uchtdorf, October 2013
• Jeffrey R. Holland's "Musket Fire" talk at BYU, August 2021
• Dallin H. Oaks lies about LGBTQ students at BYU being subjected to electroshock and vomiting aversion
• The "Mormon British Rescue"
• The Next Mormons: How Millennials are Changing the LDS Church by Jana Reiss
• The Gospel Topics Essays
• The LDS Gospel Topics Series: A Scholarly Engagement by Matthew L. Harris
• Mormon Stories interview with Matt Harris
• John Dehlin and Hans Mattson discuss the Gospel Topics Essays on The Line
• Why Mormons Question
• "Letter to an IRS Director," by Lars Nielsen
• Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, published by the Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints
• LDS Discussions Annotation of Saints
• Mormon Stories interview with Roger Hendrix
• Ex-Mormon Reddit
• Mormonism Live with Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon
• Year of Polygamy podcast
• Mormon Mental Health podcast
• The Gift of the Mormon Faith Crisis
• Mormons on Mushrooms
• Zelph on the Shelf
• Nemo the Mormon
• Jordan and McKay
• Ex-Mo Lex
• Mormon Mental Health Association
• Utah Valley PostMormons
• Faith Journey Meetups
• Women of a Certain Age

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Wrapping up Gerald and Makenzie’s Mormon story, we talk in-depth about how their desire to raise healthy children changed their views on Mormon teachings as well as Gerald’s possible regrets around his baptism. Thanks for joining us on this epic three-part interview with the Benzi’s!

Show Notes:

• Talking with the Benzis podcast by Makenzie and Gerald
• Makenzie's Instagram
• Makenzie's lifecoaching and speech therapy
• The CES Letter
• The Gift of the Mormon Faith Crisis
• Untamed by Glennon Doyle
• Brene Brown

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In part 2 of Makenzie and Gerald’s Mormon Story, we dive into Makenzie’s life, what it was like with interracial parents, reconciling racist past church teachings, and studying under Mormon Egyptologist Kerry Muhlestein. Among some of the topics we cover are gender disparities in the church, dating and temple marriage, and becoming a nuanced believer. Come back for part 3 as we wrap up Gerald and Makenzie’s Mormon Story and we hope you love this amazing couple as much as we do!

Show Notes:

• Talking with the Benzis podcast by Makenzie and Gerald
• Makenzie's Instagram
• Makenzie's lifecoaching and speech therapy
• The CES Letter
• The Gift of the Mormon Faith Crisis
• Untamed by Glennon Doyle
• Brene Brown

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Mormon Stories is proud to welcome our first Mormon convert from Zimbabwe, Gerald Benzi, and his wife Makenzie Benzi to the podcast for an epic three part series of their story. In part one, we discuss Gerarld’s life being raised in Zimbabwe, what it was like moving to the US, and deciding to take religion seriously and taking the missionary discussions. Among some of the topics we cover are gender roles, racism, and whether or not missionaries target immigrants. Please join us for this three part series to also learn about Makenzie and how their faith as a couple progressed through the years.

Show Notes:

• Talking with the Benzis podcast by Makenzie and Gerald
• Makenzie's Instagram
• Makenzie's lifecoaching and speech therapy
• The CES Letter
• The Gift of the Mormon Faith Crisis
• Untamed by Glennon Doyle
• Brene Brown

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Join John and Carah at 10am mst for a special live interview with Austin Archer as we discuss the Mormon to alcoholic pipeline, sobriety, and his success on TikTok.

Follow Austin @yourpal_austin on TikTok

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Show Notes:

• Mindhunter on Netflix
• AA “the big book”
• AA website
• Alanon
• “The Night Clerk” movie
• Me and Me Comedy Instagram channel 
• TikTok Cringe subreddit
• London Laz on TikTok
• Austin video about vaccines and “the test answers”
• “The Righteous Mind” book

Join John and Carah for a special live interview with Austin Archer as we discuss the Mormon to alcoholic pipeline, sobriety, and his success on TikTok.

Follow Austin @yourpal_austin on TikTok

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Show Notes:

• Clark Johnsen MS Interview
• Nan McCulloch MS interview
• Tyler Glenn MS interview
• Wayne Sermon MS interview
• Jebediah Springfield Simpsons episode
• King Richard
• Prophet’s Prey documentary
• “Doubt your doubts” conference talk
• "Anti-mormon Literature: Essays They Warned You About" by Christopher Shenefelt
• Turtleneck and Blazer tiktok from Austin

Chandler Roberson was raised as a devout Mormon, and always wanted to be the best Mormon she could be.  In her teenage years Chandler had a few abusive relationships with Mormon boys, where she felt forced to “repent” for “sins” she never committed. Her senior year Chandler felt pressured to break up with a non-LDS boy whom she genuinely loved, and to attend BYU-Idaho to follow the ideal Mormon path.

While at BYU-Idaho Chandler was sexually assaulted by her Family Home Evening “brother,” which led to her leaving BYU-Idaho early, ultimately attempting to serve an LDS mission with untreated PTSD (returning home early).

Chandler eventually became a nationally-known fashion blogger at “Days of Chandler.”  Later, Chandler attempted two young LDS temple marriages, both of which ended in divorce.  In her view, she was too young to attempt marriage, but felt intense pressure from LDS Church members to marry young.

This is Chandler’s story.  Major themes include:

- Pressure to be a “good Mormon girl” (all on women’s shoulders)

- BYU-Idaho (dating/sexism, sexual assault problem at BYU schools)

- Fashion Blogging (similar pressure to be a certain way – inauthentic/beautiful)

- Personal impacts of being raised in the church ( codependency, sexual shame, etc)

- Pressure to get married (twice).

We are super grateful to have Samantha Shelley (Zelph on the Shelf) as co-host for this interview.

Show Notes:

• Days of Chandler website
• Chandler’s TikTok
• Chandler’s Instagram
• Zelph on the Shelf youtube
• Going Clear documentary
• CES Letter
• Testimonies and Spiritual Experiences Across Religions - Emotions are Not Reliable to Discern Truth
• No Man Knows My History book
• Secret Mormon Meetings of 1922 MS interview
• Robert Ritner MS interview
• Newell Bringhurst MS interview
• Lena and Sal interview - Mormon Lesbians
• Natasha Helfer’s excommunication
• Tom Phillips MS episode
• Year of Polygamy podcast with Lindsay Hansen Park
• The Power of Now - Eckhart Tolle
• A New Earth - Eckhart Tolle
• Hail Satan documentary
• Hailey Devine YouTube

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We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming!

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MSP on Spotify

MSP on Apple Podcasts

MSP Blog

Instagram

Patreon

TikTok

Discord

 

Contact Us!

*MormonStories@gmail.com

*PO Box 171085

Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Chandler Roberson was raised as a devout Mormon, and always wanted to be the best Mormon she could be. In her teenage years Chandler had a few abusive relationships with Mormon boys, where she felt forced to “repent” for “sins” she never committed. Her senior year Chandler felt pressured to break up with a non-LDS boy whom she genuinely loved, and to attend BYU-Idaho to follow the ideal Mormon path.

While at BYU-Idaho Chandler was sexually assaulted by her Family Home Evening “brother,” which led to her leaving BYU-Idaho early, ultimately attempting to serve an LDS mission with untreated PTSD (returning home early).

Chandler eventually became a nationally-known fashion blogger at “Days of Chandler.” Later, Chandler attempted two young LDS temple marriages, both of which ended in divorce. In her view, she was too young to attempt marriage, but felt intense pressure from LDS Church members to marry young.

This is Chandler’s story. Major themes include:

- Pressure to be a “good Mormon girl” (all on women’s shoulders)
- BYU-Idaho (dating/sexism, sexual assault problem at BYU schools)
- Fashion Blogging (similar pressure to be a certain way – inauthentic/beautiful)
- Personal impacts of being raised in the church ( codependency, sexual shame, etc)
- Pressure to get married (twice).

We are super grateful to have Samantha Shelley (Zelph on the Shelf) as co-host for this interview.

Show Notes:

• Days of Chandler website
• Chandler’s TikTok
• Chandler’s Instagram
• Zelph on the Shelf youtube
• Going Clear documentary
• CES Letter
• Testimonies and Spiritual Experiences Across Religions - Emotions are Not Reliable to Discern Truth
• No Man Knows My History book
• Secret Mormon Meetings of 1922 MS interview
• Robert Ritner MS interview
• Newell Bringhurst MS interview
• Lena and Sal interview - Mormon Lesbians
• Natasha Helfer’s excommunication
• Tom Phillips MS episode
• Year of Polygamy podcast with Lindsay Hansen Park
• The Power of Now - Eckhart Tolle
• A New Earth - Eckhart Tolle
• Hail Satan documentary
• Hailey Devine YouTube

—————

We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming!

Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50

—————

MSP on Spotify

MSP on Apple Podcasts

MSP Blog

Instagram

Patreon

TikTok

Discord

 

Contact Us!

*MormonStories@gmail.com

*PO Box 171085

Salt Lake City, UT 84117

In part two of our interview, Matt and Stephanie Purcell dive into the effects infertility and postpartum depression took on them, the wheels that started turning in their heads after the 2015 exclusion policy, and much, much more. We are so lucky to get to hear Matt and Stephanie's journey and hope you enjoy Carah Burrell as your host on this epic two-part Mormon Story!

Show Notes:

• Matt and Stephanie’s Instagram
• Letter for my Wife
• Brother Jake’s youtube channel
• Elder Holland on the BBC
• 50 Problems with the Mormon church
• 50 More Problems with the Mormon church
• Books by Spencer Palmer
• Tom Phillips Mormon Stories interview on second anointing
• HANS AND BIRGITTA MATTSSON Mormon Stories
• Patriarchal blessing website:
• “Educated” Tara Westover book

—————

We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming!

Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50

—————

MSP on Spotify

MSP on Apple Podcasts

MSP Blog

Instagram

Patreon

TikTok

Discord

 

Contact Us!

*MormonStories@gmail.com

*PO Box 171085

Salt Lake City, UT 84117

BYU professor of religion, mission president, temple president, LDS church area authority, personal friend of Mormon prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, and likely recipient of the top secret Mormon church Second Anointing ritual.

In today's episode Matt tells his story of being one of several victims of sexual abuse by his grandfather - who served at some of the highest levels of Mormon church leadership. Matt is joined by Stephanie, his wife. Both share their Mormon stories, which include their faith journeys after discovering problematic Mormon church history.

**Trigger warning on this episode***

Show Notes:

• Matt and Stephanie’s Instagram
• Letter for my Wife
• Brother Jake’s youtube channel
• Elder Holland on the BBC
• 50 Problems with the Mormon church
• 50 More Problems with the Mormon church
• Books by Spencer Palmer
• Tom Phillips Mormon Stories interview on second anointing
• HANS AND BIRGITTA MATTSSON Mormon Stories
• Patriarchal blessing website:
• “Educated” Tara Westover book

—————

We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming!

Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50

—————

MSP on Spotify

MSP on Apple Podcasts

MSP Blog

Instagram

Patreon

TikTok

Discord

 

Contact Us!

*MormonStories@gmail.com

*PO Box 171085

Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Join John Dehlin and Radio Free Mormon as we speak with Dan Vogel about his new book, “ Book of Abraham Apologetics: A Review and Critique” published by Signature Books.

Said to have been dictated by Joseph Smith as a translation of an ancient Egyptian scroll purchased in Kirtland, Ohio, in 1835, the Book of Abraham may be Mormonism’s most controversial scripture. Decades of impassioned discussion began when about a dozen fragments of Smith’s Egyptian papyri, including a facsimile from the Book of Abraham, were found in the New York Metropolitan Museum in 1966. The discovery solved a mystery about the origin of the Egyptian characters that appear in the various manuscript copies of the Book of Abraham from 1835, reproduced from one of the fragments. Some LDS scholars devised arguments to explain what seemed to be clear evidence of Smith’s inability to translate Egyptian. In this book, Dan Vogel not only highlights the problems with these apologetic arguments but explains the underlying source documents in revealing detail and clarity.

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We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming!

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Show Notes:

• Book of Abraham Apologetics: A Review and Critique by Dan Vogel
• Mormon Stories' interviews with Dan Vogel
• Mormon Stories' interviews with Dan Vogel on Book of Mormon origins
• Mormon Stories' interviews with Dan Vogel on Book of Mormon authorship
• "Mormon Origins Explained," Dan Vogel's YouTube channel
• Mormonism Live with Radio Free Mormon and Bill Reel
• Mormon Stories discussion with Radio Free Mormon about Book of Abraham scholarship
• Mormon Stories interview with Dr. Robert Ritner
• A Guide to the Joseph Smith Papyri by John Gee
• An Introduction to the Book of Abraham by John Gee
• Illustrations of Freemasonry by Capt. William Morgan
• A Reason for Faith: The Explanation-Defying Book of Abraham by Kerry Muhlstein

Join John Dehlin and Carah Burrell as they speak with John Larsen about the Gospel of Mark. In this episode we have John pull back the cover on the bible, what we can learn from the oldest gospels, and ask if the Mormon church as it currently stands is any different than the Pharisees of Christ’s day.

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We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming!

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Links and show notes: 

• Mormon Expressions links: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/mormonexpression
• Thrive Unite links: https://www.thrivebeyondreligion.com/event/thrive-unite/
• David Bokovoy on Mormon Stories: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/david-bokovoy/
• Bart Ehrman on Mormon Stories: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/bart-ehrman/
• Life of Brian: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079470/

Mark your calendars!  THRIVE is coming to a city near you!  On January 22, 2022 up to 22 cities will be holding regional THRIVE events - dedicated to providing healing, support, and community for post-Mormons and post-religious people.  

Participating cities currently include: Alberta, Canada, Phoenix, AZ, Provo, UT, Lehi, UT, Bristol, UK, Seattle, WA, Costa Mesa, CA, Houston, TX, Sacramento, CA, Las Vegas, NV, Idaho Falls, ID, Atlanta, GA, Portland, OR, and Albuquerque, NM.

Please join this brief episode to learn about each of the planned events, and how you can organize your own local THRIVE UNITE event in your city.

You can register for THRIVE UNITE here: https://www.thrivebeyondreligion.com/event/thrive-unite/

To organize your own local THRIVE UNITE event, email: thrivebeyondreligion@gmail.com.

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We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming!

Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50

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Anthony Magnabosco has been such a good sport all week taking us into the world of Street Epistemology and we are so thankful to our dedicated Mormon Stories listeners going on this journey with us! In this final interview, Carah and John decide to roleplay as believing Mormon parents and let Anthony play the part of the son who has lost their faith as he utilizes SE techniques in a way that helps soften the blow.

Show Notes:

• Street Epistemology links
• Anthony Magnabosco links
• Street Epistemology YouTube channel
• Anthony Magnabosco's YouTube channel
• The Complete Street Epistemology Guide
• Donate to Street Epistemology
• Anthony Magnabosco's interview with Marriage on a Tightrope
• Street Epistemology Facebook Study Group
• Street Epistemology Discord
• Street Epistemology Reddit
• Recovering From Religion
• The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
• A Manual for Creating Atheists by Peter Boghossian
• The "Friendly Atheist" blog by Hemant Mehta
• Richard Dawkins' debate with Brandon Flowers
• Street Epistemology International
• Mormon Stories interview with Shawn McCraney
• Another Mormon Stories interview with Shawn McCraney
• Heart of Matter podcast with Shawn McCraney
• Shawn McCraney's YouTube channel
• Anthony interviewing Mormon missionaries
• RFM vs. Midnight Mormons Debate, moderated by Shawn McCraney
• How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide by Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay
• Street Epistemology Facebook
• Street Epistemology Twitter
• How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion by David McRaney
• "You Are Not So Smart" podcast, with David McRaney

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We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming!

Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50

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Street Epistemology week continues with Anthony Magnabosco and special guest exMormon Christian pastor Shawn McCraney. After building the foundation of SE with episodes 1-3, in part 4, Shawn is kind enough to play our interlocutor as Anthony questions him about the roots of his religious beliefs. You’ll likely be very surprised with the way this interview progresses as Anthony does his best to display Street Epistemology in the Mormon Stories studio!

Show Notes:

• Street Epistemology links
• Anthony Magnabosco links
• Street Epistemology YouTube channel
• Anthony Magnabosco's YouTube channel
• The Complete Street Epistemology Guide
• Donate to Street Epistemology
• Anthony Magnabosco's interview with Marriage on a Tightrope
• Street Epistemology Facebook Study Group
• Street Epistemology Discord
• Street Epistemology Reddit
• Recovering From Religion
• The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
• A Manual for Creating Atheists by Peter Boghossian
• The "Friendly Atheist" blog by Hemant Mehta
• Richard Dawkins' debate with Brandon Flowers
• Street Epistemology International
• Mormon Stories interview with Shawn McCraney
• Another Mormon Stories interview with Shawn McCraney
• Heart of Matter podcast with Shawn McCraney
• Shawn McCraney's YouTube channel
• Anthony interviewing Mormon missionaries
• RFM vs. Midnight Mormons Debate, moderated by Shawn McCraney
• How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide by Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay
• Street Epistemology Facebook
• Street Epistemology Twitter
• How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion by David McRaney
• "You Are Not So Smart" podcast, with David McRaney

—————

We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming!

Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50

—————

Show Notes:

• Street Epistemology links
• Anthony Magnabosco links
• C.A.M.P.U.S. church

•  

Anthony Magnabosco is back in the Mormon Stories studio for our third interview, this time discussing the fundamentals of Street Epistemology! We go over what people tend to say to believers that isn’t helpful, the ethical framework of SE such as informed content, and address criticisms of the method. We hope you enjoy this fascinating discussion and give us feedback if you decide to dive into learning Street Epistemology yourself!

Show Notes:

• Street Epistemology links
• Anthony Magnabosco links
• Street Epistemology YouTube channel
• Anthony Magnabosco's YouTube channel
• The Complete Street Epistemology Guide
• Donate to Street Epistemology
• Anthony Magnabosco's interview with Marriage on a Tightrope
• Street Epistemology Facebook Study Group
• Street Epistemology Discord
• Street Epistemology Reddit
• Recovering From Religion
• The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
• A Manual for Creating Atheists by Peter Boghossian
• The "Friendly Atheist" blog by Hemant Mehta
• Richard Dawkins' debate with Brandon Flowers
• Street Epistemology International
• Mormon Stories interview with Shawn McCraney
• Another Mormon Stories interview with Shawn McCraney
• Heart of Matter podcast with Shawn McCraney
• Shawn McCraney's YouTube channel
• Anthony interviewing Mormon missionaries
• RFM vs. Midnight Mormons Debate, moderated by Shawn McCraney
• How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide by Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay
• Street Epistemology Facebook
• Street Epistemology Twitter
• How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion by David McRaney
• "You Are Not So Smart" podcast, with David McRaney

—————

We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming!

Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50

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