Mormon Stories Podcast

Beginning our series on Mormon leaders and inappropriate interviews regarding sexuality, we provide 6 mini-interviews with Mormon Stories listeners who share their experiences discussing sexual matters with LDS leaders.  A new petition created by past guest Sam Young seeks to provoke conversation and change around this subject.

From the petition:

“For decades, it has been common practice for Bishops, Bishopric Counselors, Stake Presidents, and Stake President Counselors to pose questions of a sexual nature to children. There are reports of this happening to children as young as age 8. These questions are being asked by an older man, all alone with the child, behind closed doors and often without the knowledge or permission of the parents. Almost universally, these men have no comprehensive training.

Here is a list of potential harm. All the risks below are actual consequences that have been experienced from sexual interviews with LDS children.

1. Suicide.
2. Attempted suicide.
3. Suicidal ideation.
4. Inappropriate shame and guilt.
5. Childhood filled with self loathing.
6. Adulthood filled with self loathing.
7. Normalizing children to sexual questions by adult men. (Grooming)
8. Sexual abuse. (Pedophilia)
9. Impaired sexual relations after marriage.
10. Years of recovery from childhood shaming. Often lasting decades.”

Sam Young‘s petition can be found here if you want to sign: http://protectldschildren.org

_______________________________________

Part 1: Interview with Paul and Ann

Part 2: Interview with Anna, Tyler, and Lara

Part 3: Maile, Ryan, and Ryan

Beginning our series on Mormon leaders and inappropriate interviews regarding sexuality, we provide 6 mini-interviews with Mormon Stories listeners who share their experiences discussing sexual matters with LDS leaders.  A new petition created by past guest Sam Young seeks to provoke conversation and change around this subject.

From the petition:

“For decades, it has been common practice for Bishops, Bishopric Counselors, Stake Presidents, and Stake President Counselors to pose questions of a sexual nature to children. There are reports of this happening to children as young as age 8. These questions are being asked by an older man, all alone with the child, behind closed doors and often without the knowledge or permission of the parents. Almost universally, these men have no comprehensive training.

Here is a list of potential harm. All the risks below are actual consequences that have been experienced from sexual interviews with LDS children.

1. Suicide.
2. Attempted suicide.
3. Suicidal ideation.
4. Inappropriate shame and guilt.
5. Childhood filled with self loathing.
6. Adulthood filled with self loathing.
7. Normalizing children to sexual questions by adult men. (Grooming)
8. Sexual abuse. (Pedophilia)
9. Impaired sexual relations after marriage.
10. Years of recovery from childhood shaming. Often lasting decades.”

Sam Young‘s petition can be found here if you want to sign: http://protectldschildren.org

_______________________________________

Part 1: Interview with Paul and Ann

Part 2: Interview with Anna, Tyler, and Lara

Part 3: Maile, Ryan, and Ryan

Tova describes how she learned to tell her own story

Tova details the practices of her faith that troubled her and led to her faith crisis

Tova describes her background in Judaism

With Panelists Dan Wotherspoon, Loyd Ericson, and Bert Fuller

With Panelists Dan Wotherspoon, Loyd Ericson, and Bert Fuller

With Panelists Dan Wotherspoon, Loyd Ericson, and Bert Fuller

These episodes of Mormon Stories include a recording of our live interview on 10/23/17 with renowned author, Dr. D. Michael Quinn, author of the final volume of the “Mormon Hierarchy” trilogy.  In his newest book, Wealth & Corporate Power, Michael provides a comprehensive look into how the LDS Church acquired wealth from the early days of the church until the 21st century.

We cover in detail:

• How Michael was persuaded to expand the project from an appendix, to a full-fledged book
• Michael’s meticulous methods in gathering and remembering information
• His thoughts on the ethics of receiving “leaked” information, and whether he uses such information in his work
• His observations in the changes of church financial strategy and salaries throughout the decades of church leadership
• His views of the contemporary Mormon Church

…and so much more

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Like what we do?  Please consider becoming a Patron at our newly created Patreon account. This is an option in addition to our regular monthly donation option.  Patrons donate based on the amount of content we produce, at the price of $1 per interview.  Please visit https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories for more details.

__________________________

These episodes of Mormon Stories include a recording of our live interview on 10/23/17 with renowned author, Dr. D. Michael Quinn, author of the final volume of the “Mormon Hierarchy” trilogy.  In his newest book, Wealth & Corporate Power, Michael provides a comprehensive look into how the LDS Church acquired wealth from the early days of the church until the 21st century.

We cover in detail:

• How Michael was persuaded to expand the project from an appendix, to a full-fledged book
• Michael’s meticulous methods in gathering and remembering information
• His thoughts on the ethics of receiving “leaked” information, and whether he uses such information in his work
• His observations in the changes of church financial strategy and salaries throughout the decades of church leadership
• His views of the contemporary Mormon Church

…and so much more

__________________________

Like what we do?  Please consider becoming a Patron at our newly created Patreon account. This is an option in addition to our regular monthly donation option.  Patrons donate based on the amount of content we produce, at the price of $1 per interview.  Please visit https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories for more details.

__________________________

These episodes of Mormon Stories include a recording of our live interview on 10/23/17 with renowned author, Dr. D. Michael Quinn, author of the final volume of the “Mormon Hierarchy” trilogy.  In his newest book, Wealth & Corporate Power, Michael provides a comprehensive look into how the LDS Church acquired wealth from the early days of the church until the 21st century.

We cover in detail:

• How Michael was persuaded to expand the project from an appendix, to a full-fledged book
• Michael’s meticulous methods in gathering and remembering information
• His thoughts on the ethics of receiving “leaked” information, and whether he uses such information in his work
• His observations in the changes of church financial strategy and salaries throughout the decades of church leadership
• His views of the contemporary Mormon Church

…and so much more

__________________________

Like what we do?  Please consider becoming a Patron at our newly created Patreon account. This is an option in addition to our regular monthly donation option.  Patrons donate based on the amount of content we produce, at the price of $1 per interview.  Please visit https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories for more details.

__________________________

Peter J Brown is Chief Financial Officer for the Grand Teton Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In this Mormon Stories Podcast episode we discuss the history of the relationship between the Boy Scouts of America and the Mormon church, and also discuss various historical controversies including BSA policies regarding girls and LGBT youth.

Dr. Dan Lonergan is an anesthesiologist at Vanderbilt Medical Center who specializes in pain management and addiction. He has also experienced his own Mormon faith crisis/transition, and is currently in a mixed-faith marriage.

Topics for today's podcast include:

*Dan's own faith crisis/transition.

*Dan's experiences navigating a mixed-faith marriage.

*Tips from an expert in overcoming addiction.

Dr. Dan Lonergan is an anesthesiologist at Vanderbilt Medical Center who specializes in pain management and addiction. He has also experienced his own Mormon faith crisis/transition, and is currently in a mixed-faith marriage.

Topics for today's podcast include:

*Dan's own faith crisis/transition.

*Dan's experiences navigating a mixed-faith marriage.

*Tips from an expert in overcoming addiction.

Join Dan Wotherspoon, Brian Birch, and Patrick Mason in part 1 of a Mormon Stories Podcast series on Mormon apologetics. In this episode we will provide a brief history of Mormon apologetics, and discuss the emergence of a new style of apologetics sometimes referred to as "Neo-Apologetics," which includes the work of Richard Bushman, Terryl and Fiona Givens, and Patrick Mason.

Join Dan Wotherspoon, Brian Birch, and Patrick Mason in part 1 of a Mormon Stories Podcast series on Mormon apologetics. In this episode we will provide a brief history of Mormon apologetics, and discuss the emergence of a new style of apologetics sometimes referred to as "Neo-Apologetics," which includes the work of Richard Bushman, Terryl and Fiona Givens, and Patrick Mason.

As part 1 in a new Mormon Stories Podcast series on navigating mixed-faith marriages, we interview Kirsten and David Udy. The Udy's story touches on multiple important themes, including:

• Their brief courtship and marriage after returning from full-time LDS missions
• David's early experiences with drugs and alcohol that resurfaced during their marriage
• How David's "shelf" broke under the weight of doctrinal issues and how he used alcohol to cope
• Kirsten's unwavering commitment to the Gospel, including the Word of Wisdom, and how David's alcohol use created tension in the marriage
• David's experience in the LDS 12-step program
• How Kirsten and David currently navigate their mixed-faith marriage, using love to overcome their obstacles and facing their challenges despite differences in belief

As part 1 in a new Mormon Stories Podcast series on navigating mixed-faith marriages, we interview Kirsten and David Udy. The Udy's story touches on multiple important themes, including:

• Their brief courtship and marriage after returning from full-time LDS missions
• David's early experiences with drugs and alcohol that resurfaced during their marriage
• How David's "shelf" broke under the weight of doctrinal issues and how he used alcohol to cope
• Kirsten's unwavering commitment to the Gospel, including the Word of Wisdom, and how David's alcohol use created tension in the marriage
• David's experience in the LDS 12-step program
• How Kirsten and David currently navigate their mixed-faith marriage, using love to overcome their obstacles and facing their challenges despite differences in belief

Continuing our Mormon Stories series on drug addiction, we interview Graham.  In this interview, Graham discusses:

• His early years as a true-believing Mormon
• His battle with Cystic Fibrosis and chronic pain as a youth
• Being introduced to drugs as a teen
• Attending BYU and making the decision to leave and not pursue a full-time mission
• How difficult events in his life led to his addiction to “hard drugs” as a young adult, and his recovery attempts
• Graham’s current views on addiction and the recovery process

We thank Graham for providing his experience-based insight into the difficult process of recovery to all of our listeners.

Continuing our Mormon Stories series on drug addiction, we interview Graham.  In this interview, Graham discusses:

• His early years as a true-believing Mormon
• His battle with Cystic Fibrosis and chronic pain as a youth
• Being introduced to drugs as a teen
• Attending BYU and making the decision to leave and not pursue a full-time mission
• How difficult events in his life led to his addiction to “hard drugs” as a young adult, and his recovery attempts
• Graham’s current views on addiction and the recovery process

We thank Graham for providing his experience-based insight into the difficult process of recovery to all of our listeners.

In these important episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Thomas to understand his journey in overcoming opiate addiction.  As opiate use reaches epidemic proportions in the United States and numerous other places in the world, many of our listeners have been impacted by the epidemic in some way.  There are multiple facets to this story we cover including:

• How childhood sexual abuse had a direct affect on Thomas' later drug use
• How the LDS Church's messaging on sexuality played a major role in negatively shaping his self-identity
• Learning to use drugs as a tool to avoid feeling
• What it was like living a life addicted to drugs
• How family, friends, and church authority/members can better help struggling addicts
• The impact his crisis of faith has on his life now, and his vision for the future

We thank Thomas for bravely sharing his story, and know it will impact many, many lives for good.

In these important episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Thomas to understand his journey in overcoming opiate addiction.  As opiate use reaches epidemic proportions in the United States and numerous other places in the world, many of our listeners have been impacted by the epidemic in some way.  There are multiple facets to this story we cover including:

• How childhood sexual abuse had a direct affect on Thomas' later drug use
• How the LDS Church's messaging on sexuality played a major role in negatively shaping his self-identity
• Learning to use drugs as a tool to avoid feeling
• What it was like living a life addicted to drugs
• How family, friends, and church authority/members can better help struggling addicts
• The impact his crisis of faith has on his life now, and his vision for the future

We thank Thomas for bravely sharing his story, and know it will impact many, many lives for good.

With dueling “breaking news” events on September 21 within Mormondom, John tackles both topics with guests John Hamer and Wesley Monahan.

At a hefty price tag of $35M, the LDS Church purchased the original printer’s manuscript of the Book of Mormon from the Community of Christ who held it in possession for over 100 years.  To understand the implications of the purchase, we interview one of Mormon Stories’ favorites—John Hamer—pastor of the Community of Christ in Toronto.  We discuss what the manuscript is and its history, as well as the possible CoC motivations for the sell.

In another surprising twist, Brigham Young University announced that it would begin to sell caffeinated beverages on its campus, ending a ban on the sale of traditional colas that dated back to the 1950’s.  We discuss the original reasons for the ban, and how those explanations for the ban evolved over time to become solely an economic decision.  Wesley Monahan of Caffeine Corner, a current BYU student who is the proprietor of a service that delivers caffeinated beverages to students on campus, gives his take on the revelation and how it may (or may not) affect his business.

With dueling “breaking news” events on September 21 within Mormondom, John tackles both topics with guests John Hamer and Wesley Monahan.

At a hefty price tag of $35M, the LDS Church purchased the original printer’s manuscript of the Book of Mormon from the Community of Christ who held it in possession for over 100 years.  To understand the implications of the purchase, we interview one of Mormon Stories’ favorites—John Hamer—pastor of the Community of Christ in Toronto.  We discuss what the manuscript is and its history, as well as the possible CoC motivations for the sell.

In another surprising twist, Brigham Young University announced that it would begin to sell caffeinated beverages on its campus, ending a ban on the sale of traditional colas that dated back to the 1950’s.  We discuss the original reasons for the ban, and how those explanations for the ban evolved over time to become solely an economic decision.  Wesley Monahan of Caffeine Corner, a current BYU student who is the proprietor of a service that delivers caffeinated beverages to students on campus, gives his take on the revelation and how it may (or may not) affect his business.

In these episodes, we interview Lex de Azevedo -- son of Alyce King of The King Sisters. He served as a musical director for The Sonny & Cher Show, Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five, and The Osmonds. He composed the scores for the films Where the Red Fern Grows and The Swan Princess. He is also credited as the co-writer of the Latter-day Saint production, Saturday's Warrior.

In these episodes, we interview Lex de Azevedo -- son of Alyce King of The King Sisters. He served as a musical director for The Sonny & Cher Show, Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five, and The Osmonds. He composed the scores for the films Where the Red Fern Grows and The Swan Princess. He is also credited as the co-writer of the Latter-day Saint production, Saturday's Warrior.

In these episodes, we interview Lex de Azevedo -- son of Alyce King of The King Sisters. He served as a musical director for The Sonny & Cher Show, Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five, and The Osmonds. He composed the scores for the films Where the Red Fern Grows and The Swan Princess. He is also credited as the co-writer of the Latter-day Saint production, Saturday's Warrior.

In this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast we interview the incredibly successful Mehrsa Baradaran. Mehrsa and her family immigrated from Iran to the United States when she was 9. After joining the Mormon church, Mehrsa graduated from BYU and New York University law school, became law school faculty at both BYU and University of Georgia (where she now works). She is the author of two books:

- How the other half banks: Exclusion, Exploitation, and the Threat to Democracy
- The Color of Money: Black Banking and the Racial Wealth Gap

In addition to her successful career, she is the mother of three children, and identifies as an Immigrant, liberal, Mormon, Muslim, feminist, lawyer, mother who generally dislikes labels.

Topics of focus for today's episode include: Race and Mormonism, Mormons and Social Justice, and Tribalism and Mormon Identity.

In this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast we interview the incredibly successful Mehrsa Baradaran. Mehrsa and her family immigrated from Iran to the United States when she was 9. After joining the Mormon church, Mehrsa graduated from BYU and New York University law school, became law school faculty at both BYU and University of Georgia (where she now works). She is the author of two books:

- How the other half banks: Exclusion, Exploitation, and the Threat to Democracy
- The Color of Money: Black Banking and the Racial Wealth Gap

In addition to her successful career, she is the mother of three children, and identifies as an Immigrant, liberal, Mormon, Muslim, feminist, lawyer, mother who generally dislikes labels.

Topics of focus for today's episode include: Race and Mormonism, Mormons and Social Justice, and Tribalism and Mormon Identity.

In these episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Sean Carter—traveling law humorist of Lawpsided Seminars, and former member of the LDS Church.  In this entertaining and lively interview, we discuss:

• Sean's upbringing in the Compton area of Los Angeles and how he determined his career path
• How he became funny as a way for people to like him in school
• His experience of growing up black as a young man and his later realization of his efforts to "exempt himself out of blackness," or to make sure that he himself didn't experience discrimination while being aware that it existed against his community
• His path to attending Harvard Law School, and coincidentally at the same time as President Barack Obama
• His marriage to his educated wife who was not religious in any way, and how his investigation of the LDS Church began as a way to bring "Jesus to her"
• How one of his biggest struggles with joining the LDS Church was being endowed and having someone else pick out his underwear, which for Sean was a stigma attached to young black men who had their underwear picked out for them while in prison symbolizing that they became property of someone else
• His growing realization that the policies of the Church favored white culture, and how the revelation preventing young children with gay parents from joining the Church as being one of the last straws

In these episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Sean Carter—traveling law humorist of Lawpsided Seminars, and former member of the LDS Church.  In this entertaining and lively interview, we discuss:

• Sean's upbringing in the Compton area of Los Angeles and how he determined his career path
• How he became funny as a way for people to like him in school
• His experience of growing up black as a young man and his later realization of his efforts to "exempt himself out of blackness," or to make sure that he himself didn't experience discrimination while being aware that it existed against his community
• His path to attending Harvard Law School, and coincidentally at the same time as President Barack Obama
• His marriage to his educated wife who was not religious in any way, and how his investigation of the LDS Church began as a way to bring "Jesus to her"
• How one of his biggest struggles with joining the LDS Church was being endowed and having someone else pick out his underwear, which for Sean was a stigma attached to young black men who had their underwear picked out for them while in prison symbolizing that they became property of someone else
• His growing realization that the policies of the Church favored white culture, and how the revelation preventing young children with gay parents from joining the Church as being one of the last straws

In this episode of Mormon Stories, we hold a panel discussion with Dr. Darron Smith—author of When Race & Religion Collide: Black Athletics at BYU and Beyond, Ryan McKnight—MormonLeaks publisher, and Vanessa Judd—a victim of assault by a BYU athlete. We discuss the MormonLeaks video which depicted an interaction between the Provo Police Department, a BYU football player, and other unidentified individuals. The video was recorded on December 4, 2016 and in it we learn that this is the second visit from the police that night and one of multiple visits they have had to make over time to the athlete.

We discuss:

*The ethics of releasing the video
*The ethics of NCAA athletics (especially at BYU), and
*The relationship between Provo Police, BYU and the Honor Code, especially regarding the many claims and accusations made concerning students being expelled or suspended for less than what is admitted to in this video

In this mini-episode of Mormon Stories, we follow-up with John O’Conner—father of a Mormon Missionary in the path of Hurricane Harvey.  John had an email exchange with his son’s mission president that was released on MormonLeaks wherein John was given little to no information on his son’s whereabouts, a disaster plan of action, or a phone number to reach his son directly.  Instead, the mission president encouraged John to “support him in his decision to serve with all his heart, might, mind, and strength and to keep the mission rules and policies.”

In these episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Jon Ogden—author of When Mormons Doubt. Jon describes how his faith crisis blossomed during his LDS mission and time at BYU and ultimately became the impetus to writing the book, which strives to explore how the pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness can save relationships even when we disagree with those we love.

We cover:

*How his faith crisis developed on his LDS mission, but he finished his mission anyway
*Dating while at BYU and how it distracted him from his faith crisis
*How when a family member left the LDS Church, it forced him to confront his own doubts and begin an academic study of the truth claims of the Church
*When he realized that the same problems with Mormon historicity were also at play with Christianity in general
*He and his spouse’s current belief state, and their desire to have a sense of community and solid religious framework for their children to hold onto
*The main topics of his book, When Mormons Doubt, including a deep dive into sections on “Truth,” “Goodness,” and “Beauty.”

In these episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Jon Ogden—author of When Mormons Doubt. Jon describes how his faith crisis blossomed during his LDS mission and time at BYU and ultimately became the impetus to writing the book, which strives to explore how the pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness can save relationships even when we disagree with those we love.

We cover:

*How his faith crisis developed on his LDS mission, but he finished his mission anyway
*Dating while at BYU and how it distracted him from his faith crisis
*How when a family member left the LDS Church, it forced him to confront his own doubts and begin an academic study of the truth claims of the Church
*When he realized that the same problems with Mormon historicity were also at play with Christianity in general
*He and his spouse’s current belief state, and their desire to have a sense of community and solid religious framework for their children to hold onto
*The main topics of his book, When Mormons Doubt, including a deep dive into sections on “Truth,” “Goodness,” and “Beauty.”

In these episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Jason Echols of /r/exmormon.  For many, the exmormon subreddit serves as a one-stop shop for current events and happenings that may interest those who have left the faith.  Jason gives us the inside scoop of this prominent gathering place, and details his belief that the forum provides a training ground for exmormons to learn how to voice opinions in healthy and assertive ways.

In these episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Jason Echols of /r/exmormon.  For many, the exmormon subreddit serves as a one-stop shop for current events and happenings that may interest those who have left the faith.  Jason gives us the inside scoop of this prominent gathering place, and details his belief that the forum provides a training ground for exmormons to learn how to voice opinions in healthy and assertive ways.

In this two-part episode we sit down for final time with Grant Palmer to discuss the release of his final book: Restoring Christ: Leaving Mormon Jesus for Jesus of the Gospels.  

• In part 1 of the interview we dig deep into two chapters: one on Joseph Smith's possible treason against the United States government, and one on Joseph Smith's use of concubinage in addition to polygamy and polyandry.
• In part 2 we discuss Grant's research into "leaving Mormon Jesus for Jesus of the Gospels," and conduct a final Q&A with Grant.

In this two-part episode we sit down a final time with Grant Palmer to discuss the release of his final book: Restoring Christ: Leaving Mormon Jesus for Jesus of the Gospels.  

• In part 1 of the interview we dig deep into two chapters: one on Joseph Smith's possible treason against the United States government, and one on Joseph Smith's likely use of concubinage in addition to polygamy and polyandry.
• In part 2 we discuss Grant's research into "leaving Mormon Jesus for Jesus of the Gospels," and conduct a final Q&A with Grant.

In our third sit-down with former Mormon Bishop and podcaster Bill Reel, we discuss:

• His early years as a convert to the Mormon church.
• His original motives for starting his podcast, Mormon Discussion.
• The most significant contributing factors to his Mormon faith transition.
• His evolution as a podcaster, which includes becoming increasingly frustrated with, and critical of the LDS church, its policies, and its leadership.
• His current Mormon beliefs and non-beliefs.
• His motives for remaining active in the LDS church.
• His responses to recent criticisms of his positions.
• His perspective on the possible threat of excommunication.

In our third sit-down with former Mormon Bishop and podcaster Bill Reel, we discuss:

• His early years as a convert to the Mormon church.
• His original motives for starting his podcast, Mormon Discussion.
• The most significant contributing factors to his Mormon faith transition.
• His evolution as a podcaster, which includes becoming increasingly frustrated with, and critical of the LDS church, its policies, and its leadership.
• His current Mormon beliefs and non-beliefs.
• His motives for remaining active in the LDS church.
• His responses to recent criticisms of his positions.
• His perspective on the possible threat of excommunication.

Continuing our series on “Losing the Lamanites,” we interview Gabriel Misla who originated from the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico.  We cover:

• Gabriel’s experience joining the Church as a young man in the island territory and his eventual immigration to the mainland US
• His mission service to the Dominican Republic, and the cultural nuances between the two islands that heightened his sensitivity to how race is viewed in the LDS Church
• How he came to terms with his sexuality and his experience as a gay Latter-day Saint, including spending time in Evergreen
• His reminiscence of elation of being from the tribe of Ephraim in his patriarchal blessing because  it meant he was more like his white Utah missionary companions—and now his regret over how his thinking was influenced by the Church’s views on race
• His thoughts and feelings over the Book of Mormon’s still accepted views on Lamanites and race, and what he feels the Church should do
• His vision and plans for the future as a post-Mormon still living in Utah

Continuing our series on “Losing the Lamanites,” we interview Gabriel Misla who originated from the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico.  We cover:

• Gabriel’s experience joining the Church as a young man in the island territory and his eventual immigration to the mainland US
• His mission service to the Dominican Republic, and the cultural nuances between the two islands that heightened his sensitivity to how race is viewed in the LDS Church
• How he came to terms with his sexuality and his experience as a gay Latter-day Saint, including spending time in Evergreen
• His reminiscence of elation of being from the tribe of Ephraim in his patriarchal blessing because  it meant he was more like his white Utah missionary companions—and now his regret over how his thinking was influenced by the Church’s views on race
• His thoughts and feelings over the Book of Mormon’s still accepted views on Lamanites and race, and what he feels the Church should do
• His vision and plans for the future as a post-Mormon still living in Utah

Ruthie Robertson ignited a nationwide firestorm when she revealed she was fired as an adjunct professor at BYU-Idaho for an LGBTQ-supportive Facebook post on her private page.  During these episodes of Mormon Stories, we delve deep into Ruthie’s Mormon background and her motivations in publishing her post, as well as her opinions about the decision to terminate her employment.  John and Ruthie also discuss the possible “chilling effect” this event could have on students and professors at BYU-Idaho who wish to support their LGBTQ friends and family.

In this episode of Mormon Stories/Transitions, John and Margi interview the brilliant Dr. Julie DeAzevedo Hanks about her article titled “30 Questions Nobody Asks My Husband at Church.”

John, Margi, and Julie focus on the powerful cultural messages about gender, potential, life decisions, and worth that are broadcast in the questions we ask.  During the interview, cultural assumptions are challenged in some of the questions from Julie’s article:

• Did you know that you are a son of your Heavenly Mother?
• What does your wife do for a living?
• Who’s watching your kids?
• Why are you getting a graduate degree?
• Will you go home and change? Your clothes are distracting the sisters.

…and many more.

In these episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview former LDS Stake President and LDS Chief Architect Laurie Lee Hall. Laurie Lee’s story is fascinating on many levels:

• Laurie Lee worked for 20 years as Chief Architect for the LDS Church and as Director of Design and/or Construction for around 40 LDS temples.
• She served as Stake President of the Tooele Utah Valley View Stake in Tooele, Utah for 8 years.
• While she remembers identifying internally as a woman from a very young age, she began to experience intense pressure to transition to female while serving as an LDS Stake President. This ultimately led to her being released as stake president after 8 years of service.
• About two months ago Laurie Lee was excommunicated stemming from her decision to transition gender presentation while living in her home ward/stake.
• Laurie Lee and her spouse have been married 32 years this month and are the parents of five children and 11 grandchildren.
• Laurie Lee remains a believer in many of the core tenets of Mormonism (e.g., Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the atonement), and reads the Book of Mormon daily.

In these episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview former LDS Stake President and LDS Chief Architect Laurie Lee Hall. Laurie Lee’s story is fascinating on many levels:

• Laurie Lee worked for 20 years as Chief Architect for the LDS Church and as Director of Design and/or Construction for around 40 LDS temples.
• She served as Stake President of the Tooele Utah Valley View Stake in Tooele, Utah for 8 years.
• While she remembers identifying internally as a woman from a very young age, she began to experience intense pressure to transition to female while serving as an LDS Stake President. This ultimately led to her being released as stake president after 8 years of service.
• About two months ago Laurie Lee was excommunicated stemming from her decision to transition gender presentation while living in her home ward/stake.
• Laurie Lee and her spouse have been married 32 years this month and are the parents of five children and 11 grandchildren.
• Laurie Lee remains a believer in many of the core tenets of Mormonism (e.g., Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the atonement), and reads the Book of Mormon daily.

In these episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview former LDS Stake President and LDS Chief Architect Laurie Lee Hall. Laurie Lee’s story is fascinating on many levels:

• Laurie Lee worked for 20 years as Chief Architect for the LDS Church and as Director of Design and/or Construction for around 40 LDS temples.
• She served as Stake President of the Tooele Utah Valley View Stake in Tooele, Utah for 8 years.
• While she remembers identifying internally as a woman from a very young age, she began to experience intense pressure to transition to female while serving as an LDS Stake President. This ultimately led to her being released as stake president after 8 years of service.
• About two months ago Laurie Lee was excommunicated stemming from her decision to transition gender presentation while living in her home ward/stake.
• Laurie Lee and her spouse have been married 32 years this month and are the parents of five children and 11 grandchildren.
• Laurie Lee remains a believer in many of the core tenets of Mormonism (e.g., Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the atonement), and reads the Book of Mormon daily.

In these episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview former LDS Stake President and LDS Chief Architect Laurie Lee Hall. Laurie Lee’s story is fascinating on many levels:

• Laurie Lee worked for 20 years as Chief Architect for the LDS Church and as Director of Design and/or Construction for around 40 LDS temples.
• She served as Stake President of the Tooele Utah Valley View Stake in Tooele, Utah for 8 years.
• While she remembers identifying internally as a woman from a very young age, she began to experience intense pressure to transition to female while serving as an LDS Stake President. This ultimately led to her being released as stake president after 8 years of service.
• About two months ago Laurie Lee was excommunicated stemming from her decision to transition gender presentation while living in her home ward/stake.
• Laurie Lee and her spouse have been married 32 years this month and are the parents of five children and 11 grandchildren.
• Laurie Lee remains a believer in many of the core tenets of Mormonism (e.g., Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the atonement), and reads the Book of Mormon daily.