Mormon Stories Podcast

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

In this interview we cover:

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

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

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

In this interview we cover:

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

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

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

In this interview we cover:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

...and so much more.

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

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

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

...and so much more.

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

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

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

...and so much more.

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

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

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

...and so much more.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- His interactions with LDS apostles during his work there. 

- His own story/faith journey. 

- And much, much more! 

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

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

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

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

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

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

- His interactions with LDS apostles during his work there. 

- His own story/faith journey. 

- And much, much more! 

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

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

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

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

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

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

- His interactions with LDS apostles during his work there. 

- His own story/faith journey. 

- And much, much more! 

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

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

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

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

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

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

- His interactions with LDS apostles during his work there. 

- His own story/faith journey. 

- And much, much more! 

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

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

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

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