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Mormon Stories Podcast is the longest-running and most successful podcast in Mormonism. At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormon Stories is a product of the Open Stories Foundation - a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to supporting Mormons in religious transition. Mormon Stories is not affiliated with or sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- 2337 - Mormon Wife Tells Husband She No Longer Believes - Sophie Allen | Ep. 2222
How do you tell your spouse you've lost your faith–and what comes next?
Today we sit down with Sophie Allen, a Mormon convert who found a sense of belonging and community in the LDS Church after a difficult childhood and becoming a single mother at a young age. Sophie embraced Mormonism and eventually married in the temple, hoping to build the kind of traditional family she hadn't experienced growing up.
But after years of being deeply committed to the church, questions about its teachings on LGBTQ+ issues led Sophie down a path of questioning that changed everything. As she began learning more about church history and exploring the ex-Mormon community, she eventually reached a point where she could no longer continue believing. She shares what it was like to tell her husband she had lost her faith, stop wearing her temple garments, and begin figuring out what life outside the church would look like.
Sophie and her husband also discuss the challenges and unexpected opportunities of navigating a mixed-faith marriage. They reflect on learning to respect each other's beliefs, finding new ways to connect, maintaining intimacy, and building a relationship that allows them to remain individuals without growing apart.
This is a conversation about faith, marriage, family, and what it takes to choose each other even when you no longer see the world in the same way.
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At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Mon, 02 Nov 2026 - 3h 10min - 2336 - Elizabeth Holmes’ Mormon Connection, Ted Bundy, & BYU Controversies - Mormon News | Ep. 2220
Today on Mormon Stories News, John Dehlin and Meggan Hayes investigate an unexpected LDS connection to Elizabeth Holmes and the Theranos fraud scandal, plus a returned missionary’s sentencing, Ronald Rasband’s claims, modern polygamy, BYU controversies, Ted Bundy, gambling, and a Deseret Industries closure.
ELIZABETH HOLMES’ MORMON DEFENDER
Before Holmes was sentenced, her partner’s mother, Susan Evans, wrote to the judge in her defense, citing her LDS faith and BYU education.
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23303975-elizabeth-holmes-supporting-documents/
RETURNED MISSIONARY SENTENCED
Krew Zaugg receives a sentence in an Idaho assault case involving a 15-year-old; the victim’s family speaks about harassment.
https://www.eastidahonews.com/2026/10/idaho-falls-man-who-sexually-assaulted-a-15-year-old-in-his-tesla-gets-a-rider/
RASBAND’S BIG CLAIMS
Ronald Rasband discusses missionary work and Church growth in a BYU devotional.
https://youtu.be/jzHI5-Gh2wc
AN OHIO PASTOR AND POLYGAMY
A pastor’s embrace of a second wife raises questions about religious justifications for plural marriage.
https://religionunplugged.com/news/2026/10/27/ohio-pastor-second-wife-embraces-polygamy
BYU FOOTBALL AND RELIGION
UCF is fined after anti-Mormon chants, while a Deseret News essay explores faith and football.
https://apnews.com/article/ucf-byu-fine-mormon-church-2cae3a9aa8e195e99175cb523d306bf6
https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2026/10/26/getting-off-the-rollercoaster/
TED BUNDY’S LDS CONNECTION
New DNA evidence connects Bundy, baptized LDS in 1975, to a Utah cold case.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ted-bundy-utah-teenager-cold-case-murder-dna/
BYU’S RELIGIOUS LIBERTY CONTRAST
BYU Law announces a religious liberty clinic amid disputes over Indigenous braids and Black students’ locs.
https://dockets.justia.com/docket/utah/utdce/2%3A2026cv00226/163094
KALSHI, GAMBLING AND BYU
Utah sues prediction-market company Kalshi; an advertisement allegedly filmed at BYU adds another dimension.
https://www.deseret.com/utah/2026/10/20/utah-sues-kalshi-prediction-market-sports-betting-online-gambling/
PRESTON DESERET INDUSTRIES CLOSES
The Church plans to close its Preston, Idaho, location after 48 years, citing facility and investment concerns.
https://www.cachevalleydaily.com/news/preston-s-deseret-industries-to-close-after-48-years/article_695aeac5-63ee-4550-8d07-834e89c21327.html
Join John and Meggan for reporting and discussion of the week’s Mormon news.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Fri, 30 Oct 2026 - 2h 57min - 2335 - From Southern Baptist to “I Don’t Know” - Shane Sams | Ep. 2221
What happens when questioning your faith could cost you your identity, your community, your relationships, and your livelihood?
In this episode of Exvangelical Stories, Dr. Todd Phillips sits down with entrepreneur, speaker, and Great Men founder Shane Sams for the first full public telling of Shane’s deconstruction story.
Shane grew up Southern Baptist in small-town Kentucky and eventually became a successful entrepreneur speaking to thousands on major evangelical stages about faith, business, and building the Kingdom of God. But privately, he was beginning to question biblical inerrancy, evangelical certainty, religious shame, and whether the system he had spent years defending was actually true.
A turning point came after conversations with former Mormons in Utah. From there, Shane began reexamining Christianity, rewriting his talks, stepping away from evangelical speaking, and facing the financial, relational, and emotional cost of changing his beliefs.
He also shares what helped him rebuild: therapy, ketamine and psychedelic experiences, learning to live with uncertainty, rethinking Jesus outside traditional evangelicalism, and finding community with others going through religious deconstruction.
If you are questioning Christianity, leaving evangelicalism, deconstructing your faith, wrestling with biblical inerrancy, recovering from religious fear or shame, or wondering what life can look like after certainty, this conversation is for you.
CONNECT WITH SHANE SAMS
Great Men
A community for driven men navigating midlife, relationships, health, purpose, business, identity, and the challenges they were never meant to carry alone.
https://greatmen.org
Shane Sams on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@shanesams
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/shanesamscreates
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/shanesamscreates
CONNECT WITH DR. TODD PHILLIPS
Decon/Recon
Questioning Christianity can cost you the community you need most. Decon/Recon is a private, protected community for people who are done pretending, with honest conversation, live support, shared resources, and genuine connection without evangelizing, debating, pressure, or judgment.
Join Decon/Recon:
https://www.skool.com/deconrecon/about
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@drtoddphillips
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/drtoddphillips/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Drtoddphillips/
TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@drtoddphillips
Exvangelical Stories is produced in partnership with Mormon Stories and explores the real experiences of people whose lives were shaped by evangelical Christianity, what happened when they began questioning it, what deconstruction cost them, and how they are rebuilding afterward.
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At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Sun, 01 Nov 2026 - 2h 17min - 2334 - Joseph Smith's Animal Sacrifices - LDS Discussions Pt. 86 | Ep. 2219
In Episode 86 of LDS Discussions on Mormon Stories, we examine historical accounts of Joseph Smith’s treasure-digging activities and the reported use of animal sacrifice in attempts to locate buried treasure. From roosters and black sheep to black dogs and white sheep, these accounts raise questions about the folk magic practices associated with Joseph Smith and the people who participated in treasure seeking in the early 19th century.
We begin with the account of Abner Cole and explore reported connections to Luman Walters, a magician and conjurer who was said to have influenced Joseph Smith’s treasure-seeking activities. We then examine accounts from William Stafford, Hiel Lewis, and others, including reports of animal sacrifices intended to appease supernatural beings and keep treasure from disappearing. We also discuss the historical context of peepers, treasure digging, and the idea that certain words, circles, and ceremonies were necessary to locate hidden treasure.
The discussion also explores interviews collected by Frederick Mather, reports involving the earth of Oliver Harper, and additional accounts attributed to Alfred Trumble, Emily Austin, Ellen Dickinson, and Nan Hill Stratton. We consider whether Joseph Smith sincerely believed in his ability to find treasure and how these stories fit into the broader history of early Mormonism.
We also discuss parallels between animal sacrifice in folk magic and sacrificial imagery in Christianity, along with the importance of examining historical figures within the full context of their lives.
A note on historical claims: This episode brings together accounts of animal sacrifice associated with Joseph Smith and early treasure digging. Our goal is to collect and discuss these claims in one place, not to independently establish the accuracy of every account.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Wed, 28 Oct 2026 - 1h 30min - 2333 - Left Pentecostal Christianity to Fight Christian Nationalism - Kevin Crowe | Ep. 2218
Welcome to Exvangelical Stories, a new series under the umbrella of Mormon Stories Podcast exploring the experiences of people who grew up in evangelical Christianity, questioned their faith, and found their way beyond the religious worlds that shaped their lives.
In this episode, Dr. Todd Phillips sits down with Kevin Crowe to explore his journey from growing up in the Evangelical church to becoming an ex-Christian and creating content about religious deconstruction. Kevin describes his childhood in the Church of God, where church was a regular part of life, and his eventual immersion in an intense religious culture filled with speaking in tongues, being “slain in the Spirit,” spiritual warfare, and the fear of hell.
Kevin shares his experiences with the production Heaven’s Gate and Hell’s flames where he watched people getting dragged off the stage and into hell. He discusses what it was like to witness to others and carry the eternal fate of others in his own hands. We explore how Kevin tried to discern God’s will and how he explained questions about the Bible, including Noah’s Ark. Kevin shares how a conversation with a form pastor changed his entire life.
Kevin also reflects on the aftermath of leaving Christianity in 2009, the loneliness of deconstruction, the lingering fear of hell, and the realization that belief can disappear faster than the fear associated with it. We discuss cognitive dissonance, why people that leave religion because they want to sin is a misunderstanding of the experience of losing one’s faith.
Finally, Kevin talks about creating Jesus Unfollower, joining the deconstruction community, navigating social media as a former believer, and choosing comedy over rage in his commentary. He offers advice for those questioning their faith: stay curious, ask questions, take your time, and give yourself permission to investigate what you believe.
If you'd like to support Exvangelical Stories, click here.
Where to find Kevin Crowe:
YouTubeInstagramwww.kevincrowecomedy.comWhere to find Dr. Todd Phillips:
Join Decon/ReconYouTubeInstagramFacebookTikTok___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Mon, 26 Oct 2026 - 1h 48min - 2332 - Tithing Campaign, Dan McClellan Backlash, Abuse Helpline Claims & More - Mormon News | Ep. 2217
This week on Mormon Stories News, John Dehlin and Meggan Hayes take a closer look at the LDS Church's renewed emphasis on tithing, the controversy surrounding biblical scholar Dan McClellan, and troubling claims about the Church's abuse helpline. We're also covering new survey findings, backlash over a Church Juneteenth post, Elder Gong's connection to AI ethics, and changes to BYU-Idaho's reporting.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Fri, 23 Oct 2026 - 3h 55min - 2331 - The First Vision Happened in 1825?! - LDS Discussions Pt. 85 | Ep. 2216
In this episode of LDS Discussions on Mormon Stories, we examine the historical evidence surrounding Joseph Smith’s First Vision, focusing on the traditional 1820 date, the religious revivals in Palmyra, New York, and the timeline of events in the Smith family’s life. Although the First Vision is now central to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ foundational narrative, Joseph Smith did not produce his earliest written account describing his vision until 1832.
We examine the historical context behind the story, including the death of Joseph’s brother Alvin Smith, the Smith family involvement with the Presbyterian Church, the arrival of Reverend George Land and Reverend Benjamin Stockton in the region, and the evidence for religious revivals in Palmyra and Manchester during the 1820s. By comparing church records, historical accounts, and Joseph Smith’s own narrative, we build a timeline and investigate whether the events described in his later account align with the historical record.
What can we reasonably conclude when the historical evidence does not appear to match the traditional narrative? And how would we evaluate claims that depend on events for which independent evidence is lacking?
Finally, we consider how the First Vision developed into central element of Latter-day Saint identity, why the historical timeline matters, and what the evidence can –and cannot –tell us about Joseph Smith’s intentions when he recounted these events.
The central question is not simply whether Joseph Smith could have placed an event in the wrong year. It is whether the historical context he described is consistent with the available evidence.
Join us as we investigate the historical record and explore what it reveals about one of the most important stories in Mormonism.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
- Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Wed, 21 Oct 2026 - 1h 26min - 2330 - I Was Mormon, Now It Finally Feels Right - Stetson Done Pt. 3 | Ep. 2215
What happens when a church’s teachings about gender conflict with how you feel inside?
In the final part of our conversation with Stetson Done, we reflect on his story, the process of rebuilding his beliefs, and where he stands with Mormonism today. They discuss the church’s teachings about eternal gender, its policies toward transgender members, and the contrast between how the church responds to trans people and other serious issues within the institution.
The conversation then broadens to address common questions and misconceptions about transgender people, including gender dysphoria, hormone blockers, bathroom access, and transgender athletes.
Together, Stetson and John explore how political polarization shapes conversations about trans people, why transgender identities have become such a contentious issue, and Stetson’s hope that these questions could be approached with more understanding and less political division.
This final part is a conversation about identity, belief, and what it means to listen to people whose experiences challenge what we think we know.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Mon, 19 Oct 2026 - 1h 18min - 2329 - I Was A Mormon Wife - It Never Felt Right - Stetson Done Pt. 2 | Ep. 2214
What happens when you follow the path laid out for you, but it still doesn’t feel right?
In Part Two of our conversation with Stetson Done, Stetson returns from his mission and quickly becomes engaged, believing marriage is the next step in the life he is supposed to build. But despite trying to be a good spouse and faithful Mormon, he struggles with the expectations of marriage, sex, and motherhood. As his questions about the church grow, he begins to recognize his attraction to women and encounters new ideas of his own gender identity that he never had the context to understand before.
Stetson shares what led him to leave his marriage, the process of coming out to his family, and how hearing experiences of other transgender men helped him understand himself in a new way. He will also discuss what it was like to finally find a relationship that brought self actualization, and the joy he has discovered in becoming a father - rather than a mother.
This is part two of a three-part conversation with Stetson. Please be sure to continue on with his story to understand how he forged his own personal path to personal happiness!
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 - 1h 58min - 2328 - Raised as a Mormon Girl - It Never Felt Right - Stetson Done Pt. 1 | Ep. 2213
What happens when you grow up doing everything you are told, but it never feels right?
In Part One of our conversation with Stetson Done, a transgender man who grew up Mormon, Stetson shares his story of growing up in a loving LDS family in Mesa, Arizona. Although he appreciated the structure and community of Mormonism, he struggled with the expectations placed on girls and the belief that becoming a wife and mother was his highest calling. He knew he didn’t want that future, but didn’t yet understand why.
Stetson describes the gender divisions he experienced in church, the differences between the Young Women's and Young Men's programs, and the loneliness of feeling out of place without having the language to explain it. He also reflects on his LDS mission in El Salvador/Belize, and the disparity between how male and female missionaries are regarded in the Church.
Although Stetson found purpose in much of the Mormon structure, questions about church teachings—including polygamy and the legalization of same-sex marriage—began to challenge his faith. By the end of his mission, his testimony remained strong, but difficult questions were beginning to emerge.
This is part one of a three-part conversation with Stetson. Please be sure to continue on with his story to understand how he forged his own personal path to personal happiness!
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 - 1h 59min - 2327 - Mormon Missionary Fixer, Peeping Tom, Tithing Manipulation, BYU Notre Dame - Mormon News | Ep. 2212
Today on Mormon Stories News, John Dehlin and Meggan Hayes are covering six stories involving the LDS Church, from a revealing Missionary Department job posting to newly released police interrogation footage, debates over tithing, and developments in Mormon culture and education.
THE LDS CHURCH IS HIRING SOMEONE TO HANDLE MISSIONARY CRISES
A Church job posting offers an unusually detailed look at how the Missionary Department handles problems involving missionaries, including health emergencies, worthiness concerns, arrests, and allegations of abuse. One responsibility is particularly revealing: protecting the interests of the Church, the missionary, and lastly, the victims.
https://epej.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/ChurchEmployment/job/378249
RYAN CHRISTOPHER HALL: MORMONISM ENTERS A POLICE INTERROGATION
Newly released footage from a 2024 investigation shows detectives confronting Ryan Christopher Hall, a former Maryland sheriff's detective and devout Mormon who was convicted. During questioning, investigators explicitly bring up Hall's Mormon faith, his troubled marriage, and Christian forgiveness. Hall ultimately received lengthy state and federal prison sentences.
https://youtu.be/SP78F3l8OHs
TITHING AND THE LDS CHURCH'S FINANCES
An article in Public Square Magazine examines tithing and Church finances. We'll look at the arguments being made about religious giving, financial stewardship, and the Church's substantial financial resources.
https://publicsquaremag.org/faith/tithing-and-church-finances/
WHEN AN OB-GYN FOLLOWS THE BRETHREN
A video raises questions about the relationship between medical expertise, religious authority, and following Church leaders. What happens when professional judgment and religious expectations intersect?
https://youtu.be/3cCCicEMj_M
JULIE DE AZEVEDO on SOFT WHITE UNDERBELLY
We're also discussing Julie de Azevedo and a conversation that offers another perspective on Mormon life, identity, and experience.
https://youtu.be/vOjAMMQhXqc
BYU'S MEDICAL SCHOOL MOVES FORWARD
BYU's planned medical school has reached an important accreditation milestone. Deseret News reports on the process and what it means for the university's effort to establish a medical school.
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/10/15/how-byu-medical-school-earned-accreditation/
From institutional priorities and financial transparency to religious authority and accountability, today's stories raise important questions about the relationship between the LDS Church and the people whose lives it influences.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Sat, 17 Oct 2026 - 3h 05min - 2326 - The Mormon Succession Crisis w/ John Turner - Brigham Young Podcast Pt. 4 | Ep. 2211
What happened to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after Joseph Smith was killed?
In Part Four of our series with historical Dr. John Turner, we examine the complicated succession crisis that followed Joseph Smith’s martyrdom in 1844. Drawing from Turner’s book Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet, we explore the competing claims to leadership, the role of Joseph’s family, Sidney Rigdon’s challenge to the Twelve, and the ways Brigham Young gradually established himself as Joseph’s successor.
Why wasn’t there a clear succession plan? Did Joseph intend for one of his sons to eventually lead the Church? Why didn’t Sidney Rigdon receive the Second Anointing? How much did the Smith family name matter to Brigham Young? And what really happened when Brigham was said to have miraculously taken on Joseph Smith’s “countenance”?
We also discuss James Strang’s competing claim to succession, his opposition to polygamy, and why he was able to attract hundreds of Latter-day Saints. Along the way, we look at the so-called “Rigdonites,” allegations against the Twelve, Brigham’s prayer circles, failed prophecies, the pressure he felt to produce written revelations, and his efforts to complete the Nauvoo Temple before the Saints left Illinois.
One particularly interesting theme emerges throughout the episode: Brigham Young did not initially see himself as Joseph Smith’s equal. His authority developed over time as he navigated competing leaders, external threats, internal divisions, and the enormous weight of Joseph Smith’s legacy.
This episode is part of our ongoing series examining the life, leadership, theology, and historical legacy of Brigham Young through the scholarship of Dr. John Turner.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 - 2h 00min - 2325 - Gay Mormon Bishop Comes Out! - Patrick Brady Pt 2 | Ep. 2210
In Part Two, we continue Patrick Brady and Dan Dorty’s story as Patrick becomes a Mormon bishop while privately struggling with his sexuality and his increasingly complicated relationship with Dan.
Patrick discusses serving as a bishop, his approach to worthiness interviews, pornography and masturbation, the law of chastity, and his desire to create a safer environment for members of his ward. We also explore the Church’s 2015 policy concerning same-sex couples and its eventual reversal, and how these events affected Patrick’s faith.
The conversation then turns to Patrick and Dan questioning their place in the Church, the SEC investigation, Church history, Patrick coming out to his wife, and his eventual decision to step away from Mormonism.
Patrick reflects on marriage, family, faith, sexuality, and what happened when he finally took away the Church’s power to control him.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Mon, 12 Oct 2026 - 2h 00min - 2324 - Being a Gay Mormon Bishop - Patrick Brady Pt. 1 | Ep. 2209
In this interview, we sit down with Patrick Brady and his partner Dan Dougherty to hear Patrick’s story of growing up as a gay man in the Mormon church, marrying a wonderful woman, raising a family, serving in church leadership, and eventually becoming a bishop while keeping a deeply important part of his identity hidden.
Patrick was married to Heidi for 27 years and had four children, and he describes how much he loved his family while simultaneously feeling unable to live openly as a gay man. From an early age, he was taught that being gay was sinful and that marriage to a woman could somehow “fix” his same-sex attraction. He shares how teachings from Mormon leaders, including Spencer W. Kimball, shaped his understanding of homosexuality and led him to compartmentalize his feelings and try to eliminate them rather than accept them. He shares his experiences as a missionary, his return to Salt Lake City, the underground gay culture among Mormon men, and his efforts to reconcile his sexuality with the Church he loved.
We also explore Patrick’s marriage to Heidi, his friendship with Dan, and the emotional intimacy that developed between them as two gay Mormon men who were committed to their families and their faith.
Part One follows Patrick’s journey from childhood through his marriage, family life, Church service, and the years he spent trying to live a divided life.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Mon, 12 Oct 2026 - 1h 57min - 2323 - Gambling Crackdown, Dan McLellan on Joe Rogan, Bisbee Case & More - Mormon News | Ep. 2208
For this week's Mormon News Podcast, John Dehlin and Meggan Hayes look at Apostle D. Todd Christofferson's General Conference talk on gambling, a remarkably well-timed prediction from Latter-day Saint journalist McKay Coppins, a new documentary exploring the experiences of queer Christians, the latest development in the Bisbee abuse case, Dan McClellan, Flightless Bird and more.
Months before General Conference, Latter-day Saint journalist McKay Coppins spent a year immersed in America's rapidly expanding gambling industry for The Atlantic. Then, just weeks before conference, he appeared on the Mormon Land podcast and predicted that Church leaders might soon address gambling directly.
Then D. Todd Christofferson did exactly that. His October General Conference talk addressed sports betting, prediction markets, young people gambling, addiction, and even betting on the timing of the Second Coming. We compare his talk with Coppins' earlier reporting and look at just how much the two have in common.
Christofferson's gambling talk also found an unexpected fan outside the usual General Conference audience. Political streamer Hasan Piker praised the Church's stance on gambling, saying, "It's hard for me not to give a shoutout to the Mormons on this one."
Kathy Baldock is on the scene exploring what happens when LGBTQ identity and Christian faith intersect, including the experiences of people trying to find belonging in religious communities while navigating teachings about sexuality and identity.
The Bisbee abuse case may be headed to the nation's highest court. Survivors are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their case involving clergy confidentiality and the failure of LDS bishops to report abuse they learned about through confession.
Biblical scholar Dan McClellan continues his work separating what biblical texts actually say from the assumptions and doctrines that have accumulated around them. We take a look at his latest conversation and what it adds to discussions about scripture and religious authority.
And finally, Flightless Bird enters the world of Mormonism, giving an outsider's perspective on Latter-day Saint beliefs, culture and the sometimes very unusual world surrounding the faith.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
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Fri, 09 Oct 2026 - 3h 10min - 2322 - Suing Marriott Hotel for Racist Book of Mormon in the U.K. - Amanda Barnett | Ep. 2207
Why would a British ex-Mormon sue a Marriott hotel over the Book of Mormon in her nightstand?
Amanda Barnett grew up Mormon in Plymouth, England. Her mother and grandmother joined the church when the missionaries knocked in 1961. Most Mormon Stories guests believed for years before something fell apart. Amanda never believed at all. She was nearly four when her grandfather died, and when her family told her he'd gone to Heavenly Father, she says she looked up at them and thought, "You're lying."
Amanda tells John Dehlin about growing up as the only Mormon in her school in 1960s and 70s Britain. She describes being sealed to her parents in the London Temple at 14, asking her mother whether she'd choose God or her, and learning that the only Black man in her ward couldn't do what even the boys did because of the "mark of Cain." On her 16th birthday in 1976, she told her mother she would never believe and was never going back to church. Then came two marriages, three daughters, and her mother's early death from a brain tumor. During her mother's illness, the help that came was from charities and a hospice, not the LDS Church. Through it all she was the non-believer in a devout family. Years later she found the ex-Mormon community online, and this month she found it in person on the Post-Mormon Cruise.
In the second half of the episode, Amanda and her husband Jez explain the claim she has filed in the courts of England and Wales. It's against the franchisee that runs the Leicester Marriott. While staying there, Amanda found a Book of Mormon in the drawer and complained about the racist language in 2 Nephi 5:21. The hotel told her the books are a tradition the Marriott family started in 1957. Her claim is not about religion. She argues that putting this text in a paid hotel room is racial harassment and indirect discrimination under the UK Equality Act. The only remedy she asks for is removing the books, or using the "ask at reception" card system Marriott already uses in other countries. Her grandchildren are mixed-race, which makes this personal. Her case management hearing is set for October 12, 2026.
Amanda ends with a message to her family and to Latter-day Saints everywhere: read those verses and ask whether they still belong in your scripture today.
Thanks to Nemo for the introduction, and to RFM, Bill Reel, Rebecca Bibliotheca and everyone who ran the Post-Mormon Cruise.
Recorded September 22, 2026, in Salt Lake City.
Support Mormon Stories: http://www.mormonstories.org/donate
Apply to share your story: http://www.mormonstories.org/apply
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
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Wed, 07 Oct 2026 - 1h 56min - 2321 - Buddhism Changed My Life - Noah Rasheta Pt. 2 | Ep. 2206
In Part 2 of this Mormon Stories interview, John Dehlin continues his conversation with Noah Rasheta, a former Mormon who became a Buddhist teacher and a host of the Secular Buddhism podcast. After leaving Mormonism and entering what he calls “seeker mode,” Noah began exploring Buddhism –not simply as a set of beliefs, but as a practical way of understanding suffering, relationships, grief, and everyday life.
Noah begins explaining what Buddhism actually is, whether it should be considered a religion, and who the Buddha was. He introduces the Four Noble Truths and explores the Buddhist understanding of suffering, including the distinction between unavoidable suffering and the additional suffering we create for ourselves.
Together, Noah and John Discuss the “first and second arrow” teaching, the happiness trap, and the idea that while we cannot always control what happens to us, we can often influence how much additional suffering we create in response. Noah also shares personal experiences with panic and anxiety and explains how mindfulness and meditation became practical tools in his own life.
The conversation becomes especially personal as Noah discusses the death of his father and how Buddhist practices helped him navigate grief. John and Noah explore mindfulness, grief meditation, contemplating death as a way of appreciating life, and the possibility of meeting difficult experiences with greater awareness rather than resistance.
The discussion then expands into Buddhist ethics and philosophy, including right resolve, the dangers and benefits of absolute authority, the idea that no single worldview necessarily represents universal reality, the Buddhist principle of “do no harm,” and the concept of right livelihood. Noah also explains Buddhist perspectives on death and the afterlife and offers practical suggestions for people who are curious about exploring Buddhism for themselves.
This episode is ultimately a conversation about what happens when we stop asking only, “What is true?” and begin asking, “How should I live?” Noah shares the practices and ideas that have shaped his life since leaving Mormonism and offers a thoughtful introduction to Buddhism as a path for engaging with suffering, uncertainty, grief, and the human experience.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Mon, 05 Oct 2026 - 1h 59min - 2320 - A Mormon Buddhist? - Noah Rasheta Pt. 1 | Ep. 2205
In Part 1 of this Mormon Stories interview, John Dehlin sits down with Noah Rasheta, a former Mormon who became a Buddhist teacher and host of the Secular Buddhism podcast, to explore his journey from a deeply Mormon upbringing to a life shaped by Buddhist practice and philosophy.
Noah was raised Mormon in Mexico after his parents converted to the Church when he was young. He descries growing up as one of only a few Mormons at his school, navigating Mormon expectations alongside Mexican culture, Catholic family influences, and his naturally curious personality. He eventually served a mission in Ecuador, where he began confronting some of the most rigid and troubling aspects of Mormon doctrine –including the idea that other religious traditions were fundamentally wrong.
After returning home, Noah attended university, married in the Salt Lake Temple, and began building a life within Mormonism. But questions about Church doctrine, Joseph Smith, his marriage, and the role of faith in his life eventually led him into a deep faith crisis. As his questions grew, Noah discovered Mormon Stories and began searching for answers beyond the framework he had grown up with.
That search eventually led him to Buddhism. Noah explains how Buddhist practice changed the way he approached suffering, relationships, certainty, and everyday life –and why Buddhism initially provided a way for him to remain in a mixed-faith marriage.
Part 2 continues Noah’s story and explores what happens after his marriage ended, how he rebuilt his life, and what he learned from the experience.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Mon, 05 Oct 2026 - 1h 59min - 2319 - Nemo Goes Global, Mormon Stories Lawsuit Update & LDS Baby Bust - Mormon News 10.2.26 | Ep. 2204
For this week's Mormon News Podcast, John Dehlin and Meggan Hayes look at Nemo the Mormon getting international attention as LADbible takes a deep dive into his excommunication from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, plus new developments in the LDS Church's lawsuit against Mormon Stories, declining Latter-day Saint birthrates, former tradwives rejecting the movement, changes to the 2027 Come, Follow Me manual, and more.
Nemo the Mormon's excommunication is already familiar to many in the Mormon world, but now his story is reaching a much larger international audience. LADbible's new documentary, Nemo vs the Mormon Church: The Cost of Speaking Out, explores Nemo's experience challenging Church leaders, losing his membership, and what came afterward.
There are also new developments in the LDS Church's lawsuit against Mormon Stories. The Salt Lake Tribune reports on comments made by Church attorney David Jordan during an appearance on the pro-LDS Keystone podcast and why Mormon Stories' attorneys believe those comments could complicate the Church's case. John also joined Mormonism Live this week to discuss the lawsuit, the Church's claims, and what the documents actually show.
We also look at a recent leadership session from the Highland Utah East Stake and what local Church leaders are being told.
Latter-day Saints are still having more children than many Americans, but LDS family sizes and birthrates have been falling. The Salt Lake Tribune looks at the Church's long history of encouraging marriage and children, how those messages have changed, and whether Latter-day Saint couples are likely to reverse the trend.
The New York Times is also looking at women who once embraced the tradwife movement and are now rejecting it. We discuss what they're saying about traditional gender roles, marriage, motherhood, and why some women are walking away from the lifestyle.
Then, Mormon.ish takes a close look at the newly released Come, Follow Me 2027 New Testament manual, comparing it with the previous curriculum to see what's been added, removed, and reframed.
And finally, a little Ted Lasso makes its way into the Mormon conversation.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Fri, 02 Oct 2026 - 1h 54min - 2318 - The Book of Mormon's Chiasmus Problem - LDS Discussions Pt. 84 | Ep. 2203
Does chiasmus prove that the Book of Mormon is an ancient text?
In this episode of LDS Discussions, we take a closer look at one of the most frequently cited arguments for the Book of Mormon’s ancient authenticity: chiasmus. Mormon apologists have argued that the presence of complex chiastic structures demonstrates that the Book of Mormon was written by ancient Hebrew authors and could not have been produced by Joseph Smith in the 19th century.
But there is a problem with that argument: chiasmus does not appear only in the Book of Mormon.
We examine what chiasmus actually is, how John W. Welch famously identified chiasmus in the Book of Mormon. We also look at the way chiasmus and other biblical literary patterns appear throughout the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Book of Moses, Book of Abraham, and even Joseph Smith’s personal writings and letters.
We also examine an important question about translation. If the Book of Mormon was originally written in Reformed Egyptian and then translated into English, how could highly specific Hebrew literary structures survive that process? The Book of Mormon itself says that its language had been altered, raising questions about the assumption that these literary structures should necessarily have been preserved.
If the presence of chiasmus in the Book of Mormon is supposed to demonstrate that it was written by ancient authors, what should we make of the same literary technique appearing in texts that unquestionably originated in the modern era? Even Shakespeare, who was born in London, wrote complex chiasms. The goal is not simply to ask whether chiasmus exists in the Book of Mormon, but whether its existence actually demonstrates ancient authorship.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Wed, 30 Sep 2026 - 1h 57min - 2317 - Growing up Black and Mormon in the UK - Mariama Nadworna Pt. 1 | Ep. 2201
What does it mean to grow up Black and Mormon in an overwhelmingly white church?
In Part One of our conversation with Mariama Nadworna, she shares her story of growing up in Sierra Leone before moving to the UK as a child. When her mother began investigating Mormonism, Mariama’s family eventually went “all in” on the church, embracing its teachings and community as they adjusted to life in a new country.
Mariama describes how her Mormon upbringing shaped the way she understood race, worthiness, obedience, and her own identity. She also discusses growing up Black in predominantly white Mormon spaces, learning to navigate the world “from the outside in,” and feeling pressure to be exceptional in order to prove herself. We explore the church’s historical teachings about race, including the “Curse of Cain,” interracial marriage, and the priesthood ban, as well as the ways these teachings affected her understanding of her own worth.
Mariama also reflects on her mission, dating, education, and the ways her African heritage and spirituality shaped her relationship with Mormonism. This episode ultimately begs the question: What happens when the community you seek belonging in will not accept you for who you truly are?
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Mon, 28 Sep 2026 - 1h 59min - 2316 - Racist History Mormon Church Never Taught Me - Mariama Nadworna Pt. 2 | Ep. 2202
What does it mean to grow up Black and Mormon in an overwhelmingly white church?
In Part One of our conversation with Mariama Nadworna, she shares her story of growing up in Sierra Leone before moving to the UK as a child. When her mother began investigating Mormonism, Mariama’s family eventually went “all in” on the church, embracing its teachings and community as they adjusted to life in a new country.
Mariama describes how her Mormon upbringing shaped the way she understood race, worthiness, obedience, and her own identity. She also discusses growing up Black in predominantly white Mormon spaces, learning to navigate the world “from the outside in,” and feeling pressure to be exceptional in order to prove herself. We explore the church’s historical teachings about race, including the “Curse of Cain,” interracial marriage, and the priesthood ban, as well as the ways these teachings affected her understanding of her own worth.
Mariama also reflects on her mission, dating, education, and the ways her African heritage and spirituality shaped her relationship with Mormonism. This episode ultimately begs the question: What happens when the community you seek belonging in will not accept you for who you truly are?
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Mon, 28 Sep 2026 - 1h 59min - 2315 - LDS Retention Drop, Church Opposes Abortion Rights in Idaho, Nevada - Mormon News 9.25.26 | Ep. 2200
Today on Mormon Stories News, John and Meggan examine new Pew data on Mormon retention, the Church’s opposition to Idaho Proposition 1, questions surrounding David McConkie’s employment at BYU, a response from Suzie Greco, Elizabeth Smart’s Survivor Files, and Colorado State’s apology following anti-Mormon chants at a BYU football game.
ARE MORMONS STAYING?
New Pew data gives us another look at LDS retention in the United States. We compare the new findings with Church-focused retention research released earlier this year.
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/06/05/latter-day-saint-faith-retention-united-states/
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2026/09/22/tradition-and-change-among-latter-day-saints-in-the-us/
CHURCH OPPOSES IDAHO PROP 1
The LDS Church has asked Idaho members to oppose Proposition 1, a reproductive freedom ballot initiative. We look at what has transpired since.
https://www.eastidahonews.com/2026/09/read-letter-from-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saint-leaders-on-idaho-abortion-prop-1-initiative/
DAVID McCONKIE AT BYU
Questions are being raised about BYU’s employment of David G. McConkie, who appears on a public offender registry. We look at the available records and what is being reported about his work at BYU.
https://www.nsopw.gov/search-public-sex-offender-registries?search=
https://www.icrimewatch.net/offenderdetails.php?OfndrID=31038418&AgencyID=54438
https://www.reddit.com/r/mormon/comments/1wj58fx/byu_employs_convicted_sex_offender_david_g/
SUZIE GRECO RESPONDS
Survivor advocate and researcher Suzie Greco responds following our previous coverage of the warning she says she received from LDS leaders.
ELIZABETH SMART: SURVIVOR FILES
Elizabeth Smart is sharing a new series, Survivor Files, centered on survivor stories and experiences.
https://www.instagram.com/elizabeth_smart_official/reels/
COLORADO STATE APOLOGIZES TO BYU
Colorado State apologized after fans directed derogatory chants at BYU during their football game.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/49986309/colorado-st-apologizes-byu-derogatory-chants-fans
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 - 1h 26min - 2314 - LDS Church Lawyer Speaks on Trademark Lawsuit vs. Mormon Stories - Mormon News 9.25.26 | Ep. 2199
Today on Mormon Stories News, John and Meggan examine the LDS Church attorney’s response to claims about the Mormon Stories lawsuit, new Pew data on Mormon retention, the Church’s opposition to Idaho Proposition 1, questions surrounding David McConkie’s employment at BYU, a response from Suzie Greco, Elizabeth Smart’s Survivor Files, and Colorado State’s apology following anti-Mormon chants at a BYU football game.
LDS CHURCH LAWYER RESPONDS
An attorney for the LDS Church responds to John Dehlin’s claims about the Mormon Stories lawsuit. We compare his account with the original correspondence, court filings, mediation claims, and the Church’s earlier Bad Mormon trademark dispute with Heather Gay.
https://youtu.be/eW0XiaJ0yA4
https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2023/2/8/23590017/bad-mormon-court-fight-church-of-jesus-christ-heather-gay-real-housewives-salt-lake/
https://www.mormonstories.org/lds-church-lawsuit/
ARE MORMONS STAYING?
New Pew data gives us another look at LDS retention in the United States. We compare the new findings with Church-focused retention research released earlier this year.
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/06/05/latter-day-saint-faith-retention-united-states/
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2026/09/22/tradition-and-change-among-latter-day-saints-in-the-us/
CHURCH OPPOSES IDAHO PROP 1
The LDS Church has asked Idaho members to oppose Proposition 1, a reproductive freedom ballot initiative. We look at what has transpired since.
https://www.eastidahonews.com/2026/09/read-letter-from-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saint-leaders-on-idaho-abortion-prop-1-initiative/
DAVID McCONKIE AT BYU
Questions are being raised about BYU’s employment of David G. McConkie, who appears on a public offender registry. We look at the available records and what is being reported about his work at BYU.
https://www.nsopw.gov/search-public-sex-offender-registries?search=
https://www.icrimewatch.net/offenderdetails.php?OfndrID=31038418&AgencyID=54438
https://www.reddit.com/r/mormon/comments/1wj58fx/byu_employs_convicted_sex_offender_david_g/
SUZIE GRECO RESPONDS
Survivor advocate and researcher Suzie Greco responds following our previous coverage of the warning she says she received from LDS leaders.
ELIZABETH SMART: SURVIVOR FILES
Elizabeth Smart is sharing a new series, Survivor Files, centered on survivor stories and experiences.
https://www.instagram.com/elizabeth_smart_official/reels/
COLORADO STATE APOLOGIZES TO BYU
Colorado State apologized after fans directed derogatory chants at BYU during their football game.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/49986309/colorado-st-apologizes-byu-derogatory-chants-fans
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
One-time or recurring donations
Our Platforms:
Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 - 1h 59min - 2313 - Brigham Young Embraces Nauvoo Polygamy - The Brigham Young Podcast Pt. 3 | Ep. 2198
In this episode, we continue examining Brigham Young’s life and his increasingly central role in the development of early Mormon polygamy.
Join us as we discuss John Turner’s book “Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet” with John Turner himself. Today we are discussing the chapter “The New and Everlasting Covenant.”
After returning from his mission to Britain, Brigham Young encounters a Mormon movement undergoing dramatic changes. Joseph Smith is deeply involved in plural marriage, John C. Bennett’s scandal begins to expose the complicated sexual and religious world developing in Nauvoo, and Brigham himself moves from uncertainty to becoming one of polygamy’s most prominent advocates.
We examine the controversial story of Martha Brothertone, Brigham Young’s plural marriages and polyandrous relationships, his relationship with Joseph Smith, and the dynastic ambitions that connected plural marriage to Mormonism’s highest leaders. We also look at Brigham’s role in introducing Hyrum Smith to plural marriage and the enormous power differential created when these relationships were presented as commands from God.
Finally, we turn to the death of Joseph Smith and the question of succession. Who would have succeeded Joseph if both Joseph and Hyrum had survived? Why wasn’t Brigham Young immediately recognized as Joseph’s successor? And how did the events surrounding Joseph’s death set the stage for the eventual rise of Brigham Young?
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
One-time or recurring donations
Our Platforms:
Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 - 1h 54min - 2312 - My Troubled Teen Center Nightmare - Becky Loveless Pt 1 | Ep. 1852
Originally published January 16, 2024.
Becky Loveless shares her story of growing up in a devout Mormon family and community, the pressure to be perfect, and how at 17, after her parents discovered she had been intimate with her boyfriend, she was sent without her knowledge or consent to a strict religious behavior-modification camp called Lifeline in Salt Lake City. She recounts the rigid rules, the lack of credentialed staff, and the emotional toll.
Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/troubled-teen-center-nightmare/
Wed, 17 Jan 2024 - 3h 07min - 2311 - Mormon Bishop Speaks Out About Misleading Church Statistics | Ep. 1733
Originally published February 23, 2023.
For the first time, a sitting Mormon bishop joins Mormon Stories to discuss the church's activity rates and its misleading membership statistics. Serving in Mexico, he noticed questions and doubts rising among members with access to information, faced pressure to fudge the numbers in his ward's quarterly report, and pushed back.
Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/mormon-bishop-on-misleading-church-statistics/
Fri, 24 Feb 2023 - 3h 19min - 2310 - Evidence of The Book of Abraham Translation w/ The Backyard Professor | Ep. 1591
Originally published May 10, 2022.
FairMormon co-founder Kerry Shirts, the Backyard Professor, joins Mormon Stories to explore Joseph Smith's Book of Abraham translation claims. With imagery and explanation, he walks through the evidence scholars have found about Joseph Smith's translation method for the Egyptian papyri.
Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/evidence-of-the-book-of-abraham-translation-backyard-professor/
Tue, 10 May 2022 - 3h 54min - 2309 - 1511b: Mormon Stories Transparency Q&A for Peggy Fletcher Stack and Tony Semerad - Salt Lake Tribune (re-recording, "decaffeinated version")
Originally recorded December 1, 2021.
The next-day re-recording of John Dehlin's transparency Q&A about Mormon Stories Podcast, the Open Stories Foundation and the THRIVE Foundation, made in response to the Salt Lake Tribune's inquiry by Peggy Fletcher Stack and Tony Semerad. John calls this the "decaffeinated version"; the original November 30 recording with Carah Burrell is episode 1511a.
Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/mormon-stories-transparency-qa-for-peggy-fletcher-stack-and-tony-semerad-salt-lake-tribune/
Thu, 02 Dec 2021 - 2h 11min - 2308 - 1394: Tyler Glenn & Paul Cardall: "I Know it Hurts" Premiere and Q&A
Originally published February 4, 2021.
Neon Trees front man Tyler Glenn and award-winning pianist and composer Paul Cardall return to Mormon Stories Podcast to premiere their music video "I Know It Hurts," from Cardall's memoir-style album The Broken Miracle, and take questions live. The song was co-written by Cardall and Glenn after they met at the LOVELOUD Festival, which Glenn co-founded with Imagine Dragons' Dan Reynolds.
Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/tyler-glenn-paul-cardall-i-know-it-hurts-premiere/
Thu, 04 Feb 2021 - 1h 56min - 2307 - 1157: The Resilience Breakthrough by Christian Moore (THRIVE June 2019)Fri, 02 Aug 2019 - 1h 27min
- 2306 - 714a: Panel Reaction to the Clarke and Grow Meeting Pt. 4a - Lindsay Hansen Park, John Hamer, Glenn Ostlund
Recorded live March 24, 2017; released March 26, 2017, taken down shortly after and restored September 2026.
The second half of the panel reaction with Lindsay Hansen Park, historian John Hamer and Glenn Ostlund, moderated by John Dehlin, to the recording of Trevor Haugen's meeting with Elder Don R. Clarke and Dr. Matthew J. Grow. Part 4a of the seven-part series (Ep. 711-714).
Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/trevor-haugen-don-clarke-matthew-grow/
Sun, 26 Mar 2017 - 1h 04min - 2305 - 713a: Panel Reaction to the Clarke and Grow Meeting Pt. 3a - Lindsay Hansen Park, John Hamer, Glenn Ostlund
Recorded live March 24, 2017; released March 26, 2017, taken down shortly after and restored September 2026.
A panel of Lindsay Hansen Park, historian John Hamer and Glenn Ostlund, moderated by John Dehlin, reacts to the recording of Trevor Haugen's meeting with Elder Don R. Clarke and Dr. Matthew J. Grow and analyzes the apologetics offered. Part 3a of the seven-part series (Ep. 711-714).
Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/trevor-haugen-don-clarke-matthew-grow/
Sun, 26 Mar 2017 - 1h 22min - 2304 - 712a: Elder Don R. Clarke and Church Historian Matthew J. Grow Defend Mormonism Pt. 2a - Trevor Haugen
Originally recorded March 3, 2017; released March 26, 2017, taken down shortly after and restored September 2026.
The audio recording of the March 3, 2017 meeting between Elder Don R. Clarke, Dr. Matthew J. Grow and Trevor Haugen at LDS Church headquarters, recorded legally by Trevor. Topics include spiritual witness and how truth is known, the Book of Abraham, Book of Mormon origins, prophecy and evidence, polygamy, prophetic authority, and church finances. Part 2a of the seven-part series (Ep. 711-714).
Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/trevor-haugen-don-clarke-matthew-grow/
Sun, 26 Mar 2017 - 1h 20min - 2303 - LDS Scholar Warned? 50 Million Members? Anti-Immigration? Early Marriage? - Mormon News | Ep. 2197
In today's Mormon Stories News, John and Meggan are back with six stories raising questions about LDS leadership, institutional accountability, and the future of Mormonism. We respond to Skye's criticism of our previous coverage, examine abuse survivor advocate Suzie Greco's reported warning, and unpack Elder Kevin W. Pearson's striking remarks about a future Church with 50 million members. Plus, a new report explores the Church's emphasis on marrying young and having children, a video raises questions about service missionaries providing legal assistance, and BYU appears in a report on universities criticized for their treatment of LGBTQ students.
SKYE RESPONDS TO MORMON STORIES
Skye says John disparaged his marriage. We revisit the criticism and discuss how to address disagreements about mixed-orientation marriages without dismissing the people living them.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DdFKB3iSzao/
SUZIE GRECO WARNED?
Survivor advocate and researcher Suzie Greco reports receiving a warning. We examine her account, her research into abuse and institutional structures, and the specific reforms she has proposed for the LDS Church.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19QPkf4ApB/
50 MILLION MORMONS?
Elder Kevin W. Pearson speaks about the Church moving from 18 million to 50 million members. Is he describing an expectation for future growth?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqVNtE5pV3U
MARRY YOUNG, HAVE MORE BABIES?
A new KUER report examines the LDS Church's messaging around younger marriage, family formation, and modern motherhood. We discuss what that messaging means for young adults making decisions about their futures.
https://www.kuer.org/health/2026-09-16/lds-church-younger-marriage-more-babies-modern-motherhood
SERVICE MISSIONARIES PROVIDING LEGAL HELP?
A video prompts questions about the role of service missionaries in providing legal assistance. We look at what's being described and what questions it raises about missionary service and professional expertise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H10ajNFcXA
BYU AND THE 15 WORST UNIVERSITIES
The Advocate includes BYU in its coverage of universities criticized for anti-LGBTQ policies and practices. We discuss the concerns behind the report and what they mean for LGBTQ students attending religious universities.
https://www.advocate.com/news/education/15-worst-anti-lgbtq-universities
Join us today for the latest Mormon news, analysis, and conversation. Share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe to Mormon Stories Podcast for more coverage of the LDS Church.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
One-time or recurring donations
Our Platforms:
Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Fri, 18 Sep 2026 - 2h 42min - 2302 - 443: Alternative Feminist Approaches to Ordain Women Pt. 1
Originally published October 16, 2013.
Fiona Givens, Maxine Hanks, Margaret Young, and Neylan McBaine join John Dehlin for a two-part conversation about feminist approaches to Mormon womanhood and priesthood that differ from the tactics of the Ordain Women movement, recorded not long after Ordain Women’s October 2013 attempt to attend the LDS General Conference priesthood session.
In part one, Fiona Givens — a convert who spent years living in convents — walks through Elder Packer’s distinction between priesthood authority and priesthood power, and argues women already hold priesthood power through the temple. Maxine Hanks describes sensing a "ministerial or priestly calling" since childhood and identifying as a feminist as a teenager in the 1970s, long before her LDS mission. Margaret Young, a writer and filmmaker on Black LDS history and a returning Mormon Stories guest, and Neylan McBaine, founder of the Mormon Women Project, round out the panel as they go on record, one by one, on whether women already hold priesthood power.
Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/alternative-feminist-approaches-to-ordain-women/
Wed, 16 Oct 2013 - 1h 00min - 2301 - Are Mormons Paying Too Much Tithing? - LDS Discussions Pt. 83 | Ep. 2196
In Part Two of our history of tithing, we examine how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has defined tithing over time –and whether the modern expectation to pay 10% of income actually matches the historical revelation given to Joseph Smith.
The 1838 revelation on tithing instructed members to give a tenth of their “surplus” property and subsequently a tenth of their “interest” annually. But what did those words mean in the 19th century? Did “interest” mean all income, or did it refer to increase or profit after expenses were paid?
We also examine the question of who gets to determine what constitutes “surplus” or “interest,” how tithing affects low-income members differently from wealthy members, and how the modern interpretation developed –particularly through the First Presidency’s 1970 letter and subsequent Church teachings.
From there, we explore the four specific purposes for which tithing was originally given, including building temples, laying the foundation of Zion, supporting the priesthood, and other charitable or religious purposes. We compare those purposes with how the Church uses tithing today and ask whether the original reasons for the law have actually been fulfilled.
The discussion also looks at teachings from Brigham Young Junior, Lorenzo Snow, David A. Bendar, Russell M. Nelson, Elder Holland, Elder Packer, Elder Becerra, and others, including the increasingly strict expectation that members pay tithing even when doing so creates financial hardship or debt.
This episodes asks a broader question about the relationship between scripture, revelation, historical context, and modern institutional policy: If the original revelation from the Lord says “surplus” and “interest,” when –and why –did that become a requirement to pay 10% of one’s entire income to the Church?
LDS Discussions examines the historical and doctrinal claims of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints using primary sources, historical documents, and critical analysis.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
One-time or recurring donations
Our Platforms:
Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 - 1h 57min - 2300 - THRIVE Events in Rexburg, San Antonio, Boise, and St George!!!!
Four THRIVE events are coming — Rexburg, San Antonio, Boise, and St. George — and John Dehlin wants to make sure you hear about them IN ADVANCE this time.THRIVE conferences are for former and transitioning members of high-demand religions. They're about community, healing, and growth after Mormonism — meeting people who get it, picking up tools for navigating a faith crisis, and realizing you are not alone and you are not crazy.REGISTER FOR ALL FOUR AT: https://thrivebeyondreligion.com---------------------------------------------------------------------THRIVE REXBURG — Sept. 18–19, 2026 — $19---------------------------------------------------------------------"Brewing a New Story"Friday, Sept. 18: meet and greetSaturday, Sept. 19: speakersOur FIRST-EVER THRIVE in Rexburg, Idaho.Speakers:• Britt Hartley (keynote) — No Nonsense Spirituality• Renae Peterson• Erika Nordfelt• Nan Osborne---------------------------------------------------------------------THRIVE SAN ANTONIO — Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 — $25---------------------------------------------------------------------
9:30 AM – 5:00 PMWheatly Heights Sports Complex, Event Hall200 Noblewood Dr, San Antonio, TX 78220Speakers:• Alyssa Grenfell• Nathan Hinckley — singer and former bishop• Megan Conner• Elbert Fish• Meggan Hayes — Generally Unquotable / Mormon News Network---------------------------------------------------------------------THRIVE BOISE — Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026 — $29, INCLUDES LUNCH---------------------------------------------------------------------10:00 AM – 5:00 PMGalaxy/Wahooz Fun Center400 W Overland Road, Boise, ID 83642Speakers:• Dr. John G. Turner (keynote) — Professor of Religious Studies and History at George Mason University; author of "Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet" and "Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet"; co-host of the Joseph Smith and Brigham Young podcast series with John Dehlin• Amy Faragher, LPC — clinical insights for navigating a faith crisis• Kolby Reddish — LDS Discussions• Andrew Propst — kidnapped while serving a mission in Russia; his story became the film "The Saratov Approach"---------------------------------------------------------------------THRIVE ST. GEORGE — March 5–7, 2027 — $45 for all three days---------------------------------------------------------------------"Think Freely. Thrive Fully."Friday, March 5: 6:00 PM – 9:30 PMSaturday, March 6: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PMSunday, March 7: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMDixie Convention Center1835 South Convention Center Drive, St. George, UT 84790Our biggest THRIVE yet. Speakers:• Michael Foley — "Your Momma's So Mormon She Won't Come To This Session: My Adventures In Trying To Make Utah Laugh"• Chris Bartlett — "Behind the Mask: An Actor Questions His Programming"• Sally Osborne & Lena Osborne — "When Everything Changes: Staying Connected Through Faith, Identity, and Family Transformation"• Kolby Reddish — "How to Understand Different Approaches to Faith"• Dr. Christine Marie — "Stop Judging. Start Helping"• Nomz Bistline — "Stop Judging. Start Helping"• Dr. John Lundwall — "Secret Works: Magic, Memory, and the Making of the Book of Mormon"• Dr. Julie de Azevedo — "What I Kept When I Left: A Life of Thoughtful Integration"Meet content creators, shop the tables, and connect with influencers, podcasters, and authors. Book through our preferred hotel partners for 20% off your stay.Event details: https://www.stgeorgethrive.org---------------------------------------------------------------------HOW TO REGISTER---------------------------------------------------------------------
All four events: https://thrivebeyondreligion.comTickets are priced only to cover the venue and food — usually $19 to $45.WANT TO ORGANIZE A THRIVE IN YOUR AREA?Email thrivebeyondreligion@gmail.com or mormonstories@gmail.com and we will help you put one together.
Tue, 15 Sep 2026 - 06min - 2299 - "Idyllic" Mormons Choose Wonder - Mike And Michele Seamons Pt. 3 | Ep. 2195
In Part Three of Mike and Michele’s story, the couple begins confronting serious concerns about Mormonism as their children struggle with missions, faith, and their place in the church. Mike becomes increasingly concerned about the challenges young Mormons are facing, and struggles to work with church leadership to keep them engaged in their faith.
As they discover that the church is not working for their family in the same way anymore, they begin stepping further outside the Mormon community. They explore other Christian traditions and begin to consume media not run by the LDS church, such as the LDS Discussions podcast.
Their journey raises difficult questions about authority, faith, family, and whether personal spiritual experiences can be trusted. They begin to question the difference between feeling “the Spirit” and experiencing awe or wonder simply as part of the human condition. In search of these answers, they find themselves searching for meaning outside of Mormonism.
Today, Mike and Michele are focused less on having all the answers and more on exploration, connection, and helping others navigate the questions that come with changing beliefs. We hope that their story can be helpful to your search for wonder, as well!
https://seekwonderway.substack.com
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
One-time or recurring donations
Our Platforms:
Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 - 1h 59min - 2298 - "Idyllic" Mormon Family - Mike And Michele Seamons Pt. 2 | Ep. 2194
We are back with Michele and Mike Seamons in part 2 of this interview with the “Idyllic” Mormon family.
In part 2, they detail how their picture of the Mormon dream can come with plenty of challenges. They build and lose businesses, move across the country multiple times, and repeatedly find themselves rebuilding their lives. Through it all, they respond by doubling down on their commitment to Mormonism and church service.
Mike eventually finds himself serving as a bishop, where the responsibilities of counseling members and conducting disciplinary councils begin to change how he sees church leadership. At the same time, Michele’s relationship with the church begins to shift as music and other Christian influences introduce her to a different way of thinking about God.
As their family and church lives continue to evolve, Mike and Michele begin confronting questions that will eventually force them to reconsider what faith looks like to them.
https://seekwonderway.substack.com
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
One-time or recurring donations
Our Platforms:
Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 - 1h 59min - 2297 - The "Idyllic" Mormon Upbringing - Michele & Mike Seamons Pt. 1 | Ep. 2193
Today we welcome Michele and Mike Seamons to the podcast. Michele and Mike are a married couple who were both raised in the LDS faith and experienced what they describe as an “idyllic” Mormon upbringing.
In Part 1, we begin with each of their backgrounds and what it was like to grow up in faithful LDS homes with supportive families, wards, and communities surrounding them. Michele was raised in Sandy, Utah, while Mike grew up outside of Los Angeles, California. We also discuss Michele’s mission experience and how the two eventually met at the MTC.
In Part 2, we pick up with Mike’s mission story before moving into their early marriage and family life, business pursuits, and increasing involvement in the church. Mike serves in youth leadership and eventually becomes a bishop, while Michele serves in various roles, including Young Women's president. Eventually, Michele becomes more interested in mainstream Christianity through music and podcasts, leading her to begin viewing her Mormon faith differently.
Then be sure to come back for Part 3, where we conclude their Mormon story and discuss where they stand with their faith today.
This is a three part episode. You can find all three parts on our channel.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
One-time or recurring donations
Our Platforms:
Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 - 1h 59min - 2296 - Brigham Young Sang In Tongues - Brigham Young Podcast Pt. 2 | Ep. 2192
In the second episode of the Brigham Young Podcast, Dr. John Turner –author of Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet –joins us to explore Brigham Young’s transformation from a passionate and fiercely loyal follower of Joseph Smith into one of the most important leaders of the early Mormon movement.
We follow Brigham through some of the most turbulent years of early Mormon history –from the Kirtland Safety Society and the formation of the Quorum of the Twelve to the Missouri conflict, the Kirtland Temple dedication, and his remarkably successful mission to England.
Along the way, we explore Brigham’s personality, his spiritual experiences, his practice of speaking (and singing) in tongues, his unwavering loyalty to Joseph Smith, and the growing tensions within the early church. Why did Brigham continue defending Joseph when other prominent leaders were turning against him? And what made Brigham such an effective leader despite not fitting the traditional image of a great preacher?
The episode also takes a closer look at one of the most important questions surrounding Brigham Young: What did he know about Joseph Smith’s early experiments with plural marriage?
We discuss the Fanny Alger controversy, Martha Brotherton’s accusations, Brigham’s time in England, the question of “proto-polygamy,” and Brigham’s later claims about when he learned that plural marriage was divinely commanded.
Rather than reducing Brigham Young to either a heroic Mormon prophet or a one-dimensional villain, this series attempts to understand him as a complicated historical figure –deeply religious, shrewd, ambitious, loyal, sometimes harsh, and increasingly influential.
If you wish to donate to support this series, please visit here: https://donorbox.org/brighamyoung
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
One-time or recurring donations
Our Platforms:
Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Wed, 09 Sep 2026 - 1h 59min - 2295 - 8 Passengers Mormon Therapist Jodi Hildebrandt Destroyed My Life - Adam Paul Steed | Ep. 1809
Adam Paul Steed, raised Mormon, was abused as an LDS Boy Scout in Idaho. He became a nationally known whistleblower when he turned in a dangerous predator, and teamed with his father to successfully change the Idaho sexual abuse statue of limitations laws. Later, Adam moved to Utah with his new wife to attend Brigham Young University. Soon thereafter tragedy stuck when he fell into the crosshairs of Mormon therapist Jodi Hildebrandt - at the recommendation of his Mormon bishop. Among other violations, Jodi Hildebrandt sought to paint Adam as an abuser (with no evidence), and violated Adam's client confidentiality by reporting him to the BYU Honor Code office, which led to the suspension of her therapist license around 2012.
Adam believes it possible that Jodi Hildebrandt's efforts to smear his reputation were possibly motivated by a desire to retaliate against him for his whistleblowing as a Boy Scout.
One important question we ask today - why was Elder Harold G. Hillam (Presidency of the LDS Quorum of the 70, and the President of the very same camp where Adam had been abused) deeply involved in Jodi Hildebrandt's attacks on Adam.
This is Adam's story.
Tue, 12 Sep 2023 - 5h 48min - 2294 - Megachurch Pastor Turned Agnostic - Todd Phillips Pt. 2 | Ep. 2191
What happens when a pastor can no longer believe the message he has spent his life preaching?
In Part Two of our conversation with Dr. Todd Phillips, former megachurch pastor and creator of “The Deconstructed Pastor,” Todd continues his journey out of evangelical Christianity. After years of building his life around the Bible, he began confronting difficult questions surrounding his faith in the Bible, Jesus, and even God. Eventually, he reached a point where he could no longer reconcile what he was discovering with the beliefs he had once preached.
Todd shares what happened as his faith unraveled following the conclusion of his nonprofit work. He describes the devastating experience of losing his relationship with God, and realizing he could no longer preach.
His journey eventually led him to TikTok and social media, where he began sharing his story as “The Deconstructed Pastor.” Today, Todd hopes to help other “ex-vangelicals” navigate religious deconstruction and “shorten the pain curve” for those going through it themselves.
Todd and John also discusses his changing views on hell, divine hiddenness, faith vs truth, religious psychology, morality without religion, and whether humanity needs religion. He reflects on valuing truth over community comfort, and his relationship with believers he once influenced.
Dr. Todd Phillips is a former evangelical pastor who served at McLean Bible Church in Washington, D.C., and Lakepointe Church in Dallas. He also ran a nonprofit called The Last Well, which worked to bring clean water and Christianity to the people of Liberia. Today, he works in AI consulting while building his platform as “The Deconstructed Pastor.”
Todd's donations links and social accounts can be found here.
Also, as a special gift for Mormon Stories listeners, Todd has offered 2 FREE gifts - his "Deconstruction Guide" and "You Don’t Need to Fear Hell" course. Together, these resources are usually $34, so we are grateful to Todd for sharing these with our audience! https://stan.store/drtoddphillips/p/deconstruct-without-fear-2-free-guides
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
One-time or recurring donations
Our Platforms:
Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Mon, 07 Sep 2026 - 1h 59min - 2293 - Becoming a Megachurch Pastor - Todd Phillips Pt. 1 | Ep. 2190
What would cause a megachurch pastor to lose his faith?
In this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast, we sit down with former megachurch pastor Dr. Todd Phillips to explore his journey from a new Christian searching for a fresh start, to becoming a pastor and ministry leader, preaching to crowds of 10,000 people or more.
Todd grew up without a strong religious background, but after finding Christianity in his twenties, he quickly immersed himself in evangelicalism. He went on to become a preacher and pastor at McLean Bible Church in Washington, D.C., and Lakepointe Church in Dallas. He eventually went on to direct a multi-million dollar nonprofit called The Last Well, which worked to bring clean water and Christianity to the people of Liberia.
Todd walks us through the beliefs that once shaped his worldview, believing in Christianity as the one and only path to God. He also shares what it was like to build his life around those beliefs, rise through evangelical ministry, and eventually encounter questions that challenged the foundations of his faith.
Along the way, Todd and John compare evangelical and LDS theology, discuss megachurch culture, and explore interesting theological questions/beliefs. This is Part One of Todd’s story, with more to come as he explores what happens when a pastor begins to question the beliefs he once devoted his life to.
Todd now shares his experiences and insights online as “The Deconstructed Pastor.”
Todd's donations links and social accounts can be found here.
Also, as a special gift for Mormon Stories listeners, Todd has offered 2 FREE gifts - his "Deconstruction Guide" and "You Don’t Need to Fear Hell" course. Together, these resources are usually $34, so we are grateful to Todd for sharing these with our audience! https://stan.store/drtoddphillips/p/deconstruct-without-fear-2-free-guides
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
One-time or recurring donations
Our Platforms:
Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
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Mon, 07 Sep 2026 - 1h 57min - 2292 - LDS Church Caught Lying, Charlie Bird Breaking Point, Bishop Charged - Mormon News 9.4.26 | Ep. 2189
On today’s episode of Mormon News, Meggan and John break down another busy week of headlines involving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Charlie Bird says he is pulling back from sharing his journey to fatherhood after receiving horrific messages about his future family, including messages invoking LDS teachings. We look at the broader Mormon conversation surrounding Charlie and Ryan’s plans to become parents and where criticism of their family has gone.
CHARLIE BIRD RESPONDS TO HORRIFIC BACKLASH
https://www.instagram.com/p/DcqxX85mPeb/
A former LDS bishop in Utah is facing serious criminal charges after an undercover investigation led police to search his phone. According to court documents, Eric Hans Monson has been charged with three counts of exploitation. We look at what investigators say they found and why police specifically raised concerns about his former Church leadership position.
FORMER LDS BISHOP FACES FELONY CHARGES
https://www.abc4.com/news/crimes-against-children/former-lds-bishop-csam-charges/
The LDS Church’s massive investment portfolio is nearing another record high. New reporting from the Salt Lake Tribune looks at Ensign Peak’s latest numbers and what the Church’s stock holdings tell us about the continued growth of its financial reserves.
ENSIGN PEAK NEARS ANOTHER RECORD HIGH
https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2026/08/28/lds-stock-fund-nears-record-high/
The fight over the Heber Valley Utah Temple is heading to the Utah Supreme Court, and a Red Ledges resident is speaking publicly about the dispute and what it has meant for people living near the proposed temple site.
HEBER VALLEY TEMPLE FIGHT HEADS TO UTAH SUPREME COURT
https://www.parkrecord.com/2026/08/31/red-ledges-resident-breaks-silence-ahead-of-utah-supreme-court-heber-valley-temple-arguments/
Meanwhile, interest in the renovated Salt Lake Temple is enormous (or is it?). The Church says more than one million reservations have already been made for the public open house.
ONE MILLION SALT LAKE TEMPLE TOUR RESERVATIONS
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/one-million-spaces-reserved-salt-lake-temple-tour
And finally, Salt Lake City International Airport is adding a new Gateside by TSA PreCheck experience. We look at what’s changing and why the airport story is getting attention in Utah.
SLC AIRPORT ADDS GATESIDE BY TSA PRECHECK
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2026/09/02/slc-airport-adds-gateside-by-tsa/
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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Fri, 04 Sep 2026 - 1h 59min - 2291 - The Brigham Young Podcast with John Turner - Pt. 1 | Ep. 2188
In this new series on Mormon Stories Podcast, we’re joined once again by historian Dr. John Turner to take an in-depth look at one of the most important –and complicated –figures in Mormon history: Brigham Young.
Dr. Turner is the author of Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet, his acclaimed 2012 biography of the second president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. John was recently our guest for an extensive series on his newer biography, "Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet."
In this episode, we begin at the beginning: Who was Brigham Young before he became the leader of the Mormon movement?
John takes us through Brigham’s early life, his difficult relationship with his father, his exploration of different religious traditions, his attraction to spiritual gifts and “ecstatic worship,” and his eventual conversion to Mormonism. We explore the religious environment that shaped Brigham Young and the broader culture of early Mormonism, including speaking in tongues, visions, healings, prophecy, and other spiritual manifestations.
We also examine Brigham’s relationship with his first wife, Miriam, his friendship with Heber C. Kimball, his early missionary experiences, and his first encounters with Joseph Smith. Along the way, we consider what made Brigham such a committed follower of Joseph Smith –and why Joseph recognized Brigham’s loyalty even though their relationship was very different from Joseph’s relationships with some of his other close associates.
This episode offers a fascinating look at the making of Brigham Young before his transformation into the Mormon leader who would eventually guide thousands of Latter-day Saints across the American West.
Some of the topics that we discuss in this first episode is Brigham’s childhood, the harsh treatment on the part of his father, Brigham’s Methodism and "ecstatic worship” along with his desire to find a church that had the gift of tongues, visions, healings, etc. We discuss the death of Brigham’s first wife Miriam and how he handled his children afterward. We discuss his friendship with Heber C. Kimball and his missionary efforts as an elder in the church. We also discuss Brigham’s friendship with Joseph Smith, his defense of Joseph, how he handled failed prophecies, and much more.
If you wish to donate to support this series, please visit here: https://donorbox.org/brighamyoung
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Mon, 31 Aug 2026 - 1h 59min - 2290 - Bloomberg Exposes Mormon Land Empire, Baseball Baptisms & More - Mormon News 8.28.26 | Ep. 2187
For this weeks Mormon News Podcast, John Dehlin and Meggan Hayes dig into what Bloomberg uncovered about the Church's growing real estate empire, plus warnings about "baseball baptisms" and the push for convert growth, concerns about the Church's new Sunday meeting schedule, the sentencing of a polygamous sect leader, and a new LDS strategy for bringing nonmembers into local meetinghouses.
Bloomberg's investigation examines just how much land The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints owns across the United States and how its property holdings have grown. We look at the numbers, where that land is concentrated, and what the investigation reveals about the scale of the Church's real estate portfolio.
Links:
Bloomberg Digs Into the Church's Land Holdings: https://youtu.be/G0pU8s0hlJU
Historian Matthew Bowman warns against chasing membership growth at the expense of meaningful conversion, pointing to the infamous era of "baseball baptisms." What can that history teach us about today's emphasis on missionary numbers and Church growth?
Links:
Beware the "Baseball Baptisms": https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2026/08/26/be-wary-baseball-baptisms-quest/
Changes are also coming to Sunday meetings. A new schedule means shorter classes and less transition time between meetings. Supporters see a more streamlined Sunday experience, while others worry about losing valuable time for discussion, connection, and community.
Links:
Is Sunday Church Getting Too Short?: https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2026/08/26/mormon-land-podcast-we-dissect-new/
We also cover the sentencing of polygamous sect leader Samuel Bateman, who was already serving a lengthy federal prison sentence and has now received additional prison time in Arizona.
Links:
Polygamous Sect Leader Sentenced: https://www.mormonnews.com/story/polygamous-sect-leader-faces-sentencing-after-girls-found-in-trailer-jskg
Finally, we look at the LDS Church's "Activity Sharing" program. Public-facing ward activities can appear in online searches and allow nonmembers to find local events and RSVP. The Church is encouraging wards to make activities more accessible to outsiders, while its own success stories show these community events can also lead to Sunday attendance and contact with missionaries. We look at how this fits with new research being conducted among nonmembers who attend LDS activities.
Links:
The Church's New Activity-Sharing Push: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/activity-sharing-a-simple-way-for-latter-day-saints-to-invite-friends-to-church-ward-events
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Fri, 28 Aug 2026 - 1h 58min - 2289 - Can Nauvoo Land Deeds Really Prove Polygamy? - LDS Discussions Pt. 82 | Ep. 2186
What can Nauvoo land deeds actually tell us about Joseph Smith and the practice of plural marriage?
In this episode of LDS Discussions, we take a close look at Nauvoo land records and examine claims that deeds issued to women –including women who were later identified as plural wives of Joseph Smith –provide evidence for Joseph Smith’s practice of polygamy.
The records are fascinating, but they are also considerably more complicated than they might appear at first glance.
We examine the legal and historical context surrounding Nauvoo property, including the difference between a grantee and a recognized landowner, quitclaim deeds, coverture, widow’s dower rights, property held in the names of women and children, and the ways Joseph Smith and others used property arrangements to protect land from creditors and other legal complications.
We also take a closer look at individual cases involving Helen Mar Kimball, Sarah Ann Whitney, Flora Woodworth, Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner, Lydia Dibble Granger, Mercy Fielding Thompson, Philinda Myrick, Emma Smith, and others.
Several of these women had connections to plural marriage, but that raises an important historical question: Does the existence of a deed help explain why a particular transaction happened, or does the deed itself provide evidence that polygamy was the reason for the transaction?
Throughout the episode, we compare the deeds with tax records, William Clayton’s journal, bankruptcy proceedings, and other contemporary evidence to see whether the names and dates appearing on the deeds accurately reflect who actually owned, occupied, controlled, or benefited from the property.
One of the key conclusions is that you cannot simply take Nauvoo land deeds at face value. A plural marriage may sometimes provide a possible explanation for a property transaction, but the transaction itself does not necessarily prove that a plural marriage existed.
This episode explores the complicated gap between what was legally recorded, what people were actually doing, and what later historians assume those records mean.
___________________
Show Notes
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
- Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Wed, 26 Aug 2026 - 1h 41min - 2288 - 445b: Ordain Women Concluding Dialogue (For Now) Part 2Mon, 14 Jul 2014 - 1h 18min
- 2287 - A Gay Mormon's Path to Peace - Eli McCann | Ep. 2185
What happens when you spend your life trying to find your way in a religion that never seems to have a space for you? Today, Mormon Stories welcomes Eli McCann, attorney, writer, podcaster, and humor columnist for The Salt Lake Tribune, to hear insights into his upbringing as a gay man in the LDS faith.
Eli knew from a young age that he was gay, but understood that there would never be a place for him as an openly gay man in Mormonism. He served a mission, held leadership callings, and became deeply involved in the church while largely keeping his sexuality to himself. Eventually, after moving to Palau and serving as a Young Men’s president, Eli reached a point where he could no longer reconcile his life with the church’s teachings about homosexuality.
He shares what led him to stop attending, come out to his family, and ultimately resign his membership—including the memorable experience of resigning with a Mormon bishop on top of a Book of Mormon. We also discuss the 2015 LGBTQ+ policy, his evolving views on faith, and why he has chosen to remain in Utah despite his complicated relationship with Mormonism.
Eli is now known for finding humor in the quirks of Mormon culture through his writing for The Salt Lake Tribune. His new book, We’re Thankful for the Moisture: A Gay Guy’s Guide to Mormon Faith, Family, and Fruit Preservation, collects many of those stories and explores the intersections of Mormon culture, family, faith, and life as a gay man in Utah.
This is a conversation about faith, family, sexuality, and learning to move forward without losing meaningful parts of your past.
You can purchase Eli’s new book here: https://www.signaturebooks.com/books/p/were-thankful-for-the-moisture
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Mon, 24 Aug 2026 - 1h 57min - 2286 - LDS Church Can't Keep its Members - Mormon News 8.21.26 | Ep. 2184
This week on Mormon News, Dr. John Dehlin and Nemo the Mormon get stuck into the dramatic headlines involving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over the past 7 days.
From a shooting at a funeral to the surprise re-emergence of Tim Ballard’s OUR, this is your one stop shop for Mormon News every week.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Fri, 21 Aug 2026 - 1h 31min - 2285 - The History of Tithing - LDS Discussions Pt. 81 | Ep. 2183
In Episode 81 of the LDS Discussions series, we take a deep dive into the history of Mormon tithing –where the concept comes from, how it appears in the Bible and Book of Mormon, how Joseph Smith and the early Latter-day Saints understood it, and how the practice evolved into the modern LDS Church’s system of financial requirements.
We begin with the biblical origins of tithing, examining passages from the Old and New Testament and asking whether the biblical practice of tithing actually resembles the transactional model taught by the modern Church. We then turn to the Book of Mormon and explore what it says about priestcraft, wealth, and religious leaders receiving financial support.
From there, we trace the history of tithing in early Mormonism, including Joseph Smith’s financial requests, the 1838 tithing revelation, how early Saints actually contributed to the Church, and the significant differences between the original language surrounding consecration and the modern requirement to pay ten percent of one’s income.
We also examine the controversial history surrounding Green Flake and the claim that an enslaved man was donated as tithing, the financial relationship between Brigham Young and the Church, and what the surviving historical records can –and cannot –tell us about the practice of tithing and labor tithes in early Utah.
Finally, we look at the development of modern LDS tithing requirements, including when tithing became a requirement for temple recommends, the distinction between tithing and fast offerings, teachings about self-reliance, changes to tithing slips, and the Church’s long-standing lack of financial transparency to its membership.
If you value episodes like this one, we ask that you show your support by donating to Mormon Stories Podcast!
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Wed, 19 Aug 2026 - 1h 59min - 2284 - Mormon Lego Scandal w/ Bricks & Minifigs, @RecklessBen & American Fork Police | Ep. 2157
What started as a dispute over a massive LEGO Star Wars collection has exploded into one of the strangest stories on YouTube.
Join Dr. John Dehlin, Julia Sanders of Analyzing Mormonism, and never-Mormon commentator Matt Gillespie of Matt's Kustom Kreations, as they investigate the viral controversy surrounding a LEGO collection reportedly worth more than $200,000. Together, they examine the timeline of events, the competing claims, the lawsuits, the corporate takeover of a Bricks & Minifigs franchise, and the investigation that brought national attention to the story.
A family consigned a collection reportedly worth more than $200,000 to a Bricks & Minifigs franchise in Oregon. After a corporate takeover of the store, the collection allegedly disappeared, leading to lawsuits, public accusations, competing narratives, and an ongoing battle over who is responsible.
In this episode, we break down the timeline of Bricks & Minifigs controversy, the key players involved, and the investigations that brought national attention to the case. We examine the reporting and videos released by Reckless Ben and others, the responses from Bricks & Minifigs leadership, and the legal questions that remain unresolved.
We also explore a lesser-discussed aspect of the story: the surprising number of individuals connected to the dispute who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From Bricks & Minifigs executives to figures invovled in post-takeover operation of the store, Mormon connections repeatedly emerge throughout the story. We discuss what those connections are, what can be documented, and how Mormon culture, business networks, and personal relationships may have intersected with the events surrounding the case.
The matters discussed in this episode involve ongoing legal and public disputes. Unless otherwise stated, references to misconduct, wrongdoing, concealment, theft, fraud, corruption, or similar claims are allegations made by third parties and should not be understood as statements of proven fact. We encourage viewers to review the underlying sources, court filings, public statements, and responses from all parties discussed. Nothing in this episode should be interpreted as an assertion that any individual or organization is guilty of criminal or civil wrongdoing.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Fri, 05 Jun 2026 - 3h 50min - 2283 - Sheriff Sex Scandal, Stake Pres. Fraud, Church Stocks Lose Billions - Mormon News 5/29/26 | Ep. 2154
This week on Mormon Stories News, John Dehlin and Meggan Hayes break down some of the biggest stories making headlines in Mormonism.We begin with the growing scandal surrounding former Pinal County Sheriff and congressional candidate Mark Lamb. Recent reporting from The Arizona Republic details allegations involving explicit messages, secret relationships, and accusations that raise serious questions about image management, accountability, and whether Mormon leaders around Lamb have helped to protect him from consequences. We also examine the case of former LDS stake president Patrick Bucknum, who has been accused by federal authorities of orchestrating a years-long fraud scheme involving millions of dollars.We take a look at the newest reports from Ensign Peak Advisors, the investment arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With the church's investment portfolio recently losing billions, we discuss what the latest filings reveal, where the money is being invested, and why church finances remain one of the most debated topics among members and former members alike.We also cover the arrest of William Scott Messer at BYU-Idaho. The case has generated significant attention in the Rexburg community and raises questions about discernment and how William obtained an ecclesiastical endorsement.Next, we discuss Auckland YSA and visiting General Authority Peter Meurs and his challenge encouraging young single adults to go on 26 dates in 2026. While some see the initiative as a fun way to encourage social interaction, others view it as another example of the intense cultural pressure many Latter-day Saints experience surrounding dating, marriage, and family formation.Finally, we break down the latest reporting from The Salt Lake Tribune regarding church annotations. The article shines a light on a little-understood system used by church leaders to place confidential notes on member records. The story has sparked fresh concerns about how abuse is handled in the church and the lack of training given to the leaders who are tasked with making and keeping annotations.From leadership scandals and financial disclosures to dating culture, criminal investigations, and church transparency, this week's Mormon Stories News covers the stories shaping conversations throughout the Mormon world.Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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Fri, 29 May 2026 - 2h 33min - 2282 - 442: Ordain Women General Conference Priesthood Event Pt. 1 - The Participants
Originally published October 8, 2013.
Part 1 of a three-part series on the Ordain Women event of October 5, 2013, when participants sought admission to the LDS General Conference priesthood session. John Dehlin speaks with participants Heather Olson Beal, Ann Marie Whittaker, Tinesha Zandamela, and Lorie Winder Stromberg.
Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/ordain-women-general-conference-priesthood-event-pt-1-the-participants/
Wed, 09 Oct 2013 - 1h 20min - 2281 - 440: Mormon News Review - Ordain Women, Steve and Barb Young's LGBT Support, and LDS Religious Freedom
Originally published September 24, 2013.
A Mormon News Review episode covering the Ordain Women movement, Steve and Barb Young's public support for LGBT Latter-day Saints, and the LDS Church's religious-freedom advocacy.
Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/ordain-women-steve-and-barb-youngs-lgbt-support-and-lds-religious-freedom/
Wed, 25 Sep 2013 - 1h 32min - 2280 - 421: Tom Kimball and Dan Wotherspoon, 7 Years After "Stages of Faith" Pt. 3
Originally published May 27, 2013.
Part 3 of 3, concluding Tom Kimball and Dan Wotherspoon's return to Mormon Stories seven years after their 2006 "Stages of Faith" conversation (Eps 15-17) — on faith crises, ecclesiastical authority, family, and the different paths each man took.
Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/tom-kimball-and-dan-wotherspoon-7-years-after-stages-of-faith/
Tue, 28 May 2013 - 1h 13min - 2279 - 420: Tom Kimball and Dan Wotherspoon, 7 Years After "Stages of Faith" Pt. 2
Originally published May 27, 2013.
Part 2 of 3. Seven years after their 2006 conversation about James Fowler's "Stages of Faith" (Eps 15-17), Tom Kimball and Dan Wotherspoon revisit their journeys — Tom having left the church with his family, Dan having stayed active — and talk through doubt, belief, family, and religious identity.
Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/tom-kimball-and-dan-wotherspoon-7-years-after-stages-of-faith/
Tue, 28 May 2013 - 51min - 2278 - 419: Tom Kimball and Dan Wotherspoon, 7 Years After "Stages of Faith" Pt. 1
Originally published May 27, 2013.
In January 2006, Mormon Stories interviewed Tom Kimball and Dan Wotherspoon about James Fowler's "Stages of Faith" (Eps 15-17). At the time both were active Latter-day Saints committed to staying in the church. Seven years later their paths had diverged: Tom and his family had left, while Dan remained active. Part 1 of 3.
Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/tom-kimball-and-dan-wotherspoon-7-years-after-stages-of-faith/
Tue, 28 May 2013 - 1h 09min - 2277 - 386: Terryl and Fiona Givens and "The God Who Weeps" Pt. 2
Originally published November 21, 2012.
Part 2 of John Dehlin's conversation with Terryl and Fiona Givens about their book "The God Who Weeps: How Mormonism Makes Sense of Life" — a discussion of faith, doubt, divine vulnerability, and why the Givenses find meaning in the Restoration's theology.
Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/fiona-and-terryl-givens-and-the-god-who-weeps/
Thu, 22 Nov 2012 - 1h 37min - 2276 - 036: Soldier Slaves Pt. 3 - Jim Parkinson and the Bataan Death March Lawsuit
A Mormon Stories classic, originally published July 14, 2006.
Part 3 of the Soldier Slaves series with attorney James (Jim) Parkinson, co-author of "Soldier Slaves: Abandoned by the White House, Courts and Congress" — the story of American POWs forced into slave labor by Japanese companies during World War II, and the long legal fight waged on their behalf.
Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/mormon-stories-033-034-and-035-soldier-slaves/
Sat, 15 Jul 2006 - 45min - 2275 - 017: Mormon Stages of Faith with Tom Kimball and Dan Wotherspoon Pt. 3
A Mormon Stories classic from the podcast's first year, originally published January 24, 2006.
Part 3 of 3: Tom Kimball and Dan Wotherspoon share their own journeys into stage four, including their efforts to work with their bishops to baptize (Tom) and ordain (Dan) their sons.
Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/mormon-stages-of-faith-tom-kimball-dan-wotherspoon/
Wed, 25 Jan 2006 - 53min - 2274 - 016: Mormon Stages of Faith with Tom Kimball and Dan Wotherspoon Pt. 2
A Mormon Stories classic from the podcast's first year, originally published January 24, 2006.
Part 2 of 3: Tom Kimball, with support from Dan Wotherspoon, walks through James Fowler's "Stages of Faith" from an LDS perspective.
Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/mormon-stages-of-faith-tom-kimball-dan-wotherspoon/
Wed, 25 Jan 2006 - 51min - 2273 - Bishop and Stake President Conflict After a Mormon Faith Crisis - Coy Johnston | Ep. 2182
Today we sit down with Coy Johnston, a longtime active member of the LDS Church, to explore what it looks like to question Mormonism without completely walking away.Coy grew up in Mesa, Arizona, served a mission in England, became a doctor, and spent his life deeply involved in the church. His faith began to shift as he studied scripture and biblical scholarship, and issues with early Mormon church history. He shares how learning more about church history changed his understanding of Mormonism and led him into a faith crisis that affected his family, callings, and relationship with church leaders.Rather than leaving, Coy began looking for ways to support other members who were going through similar struggles. He created a group called “Journeys,” where people could openly discuss their questions and doubts. When church leaders learned about the meetings, they asked him to stop holding them and eventually threatened to withhold his temple recommend if he did not dissolve the group.Other topics include:-Perfectionism and worthiness-Mormon history and biblical scholarship-Mixed-faith marriage-Bishop roulette-Supporting members with faith questionsHis story raises an important question: Can you remain Mormon while admitting you don't have all the answers?
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Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the DiscordMon, 17 Aug 2026 - 3h 58min - 2272 - FAIRLDS Warns of Satan, Girl Bishops?, BYU Marriage Decline - Mormon News 8.14.26 | Ep. 2181
On today’s episode of Mormon News, John Dehlin and Meggan Hayes break down another busy week of headlines involving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
FAIR Warns: Satan Wants You to Leave
The 2026 FAIR Conference brought together LDS apologists and defenders of the Church for three days of presentations. We look at FAIR president Scott Gordon’s warning about the strategies he believes Satan uses to lead members away, including distrust of faithful sources and criticism of Church leaders.
“Are There Any Girl Bishops?” The Friend Sparks a Debate
A simple question in The Friend, the Church’s magazine for children, has sparked a much bigger conversation about women, priesthood authority, and why women cannot serve as bishops in the LDS Church.
Marriage Rates Are Falling at BYU
Fewer BYU students are getting married, and the university is taking steps to help students meet and date. We look at the declining numbers and what they may reveal about changing expectations among young Latter-day Saints.
Former Miss North Carolina USA Says Her Title Was Taken Over Her Beliefs
Brittany Boltinhouse says her Miss North Carolina USA title was “ripped” from her because of her religious beliefs, while pageant officials dispute her account. We look at the controversy and the competing claims.
LDS Podcaster Chandler Hendry Dies at 27
Chandler Hendry, founder of the Restored Truth podcast, died following a multi-vehicle crash in Lehi, Utah. We discuss his unexpected death and his presence in the Latter-day Saint online community.
Latter-day Saints React to New Church and Sunday Meeting Initiatives
Two Reddit discussions are raising questions about changes in LDS Sunday meetings and a new “Christ-Centered Latter-day Saints” initiative. We look at what is being reported and how former members are responding.
Dallin H. Oaks Heads Abroad at 94
President Dallin H. Oaks is preparing for his first international trip as president of the LDS Church as he turns 94. We discuss the trip and the extraordinary age of the Church’s current leadership.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Fri, 14 Aug 2026 - 3h 36min - 2271 - 015: Mormon Stages of Faith with Tom Kimball and Dan Wotherspoon Pt. 1
A Mormon Stories classic from the podcast's first year, originally published January 24, 2006.
In this 3-part series:
Part 1: Dan Wotherspoon and Tom Kimball outline the basics of Fowler's "Stages of Faith."
Part 2: Tom Kimball (with support from Dan Wotherspoon) takes us through the "Stages of Faith" from an LDS perspective, and
Part 3: Tom and Dan both share with us a bit about their journeys into stage 4, including their attempts to work with their respective bishops to baptize (Tom) and ordain (Dan) their sons while in stage 4.Full episode and show notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/mormon-stages-of-faith-tom-kimball-dan-wotherspoon/
Tue, 24 Jan 2006 - 32min - 2270 - When a Child Questions Mormonism - Annie Marie | Ep. 2180
What would cause a child to lose their LDS faith? We strive to answer this question in today's interview with TikTok star, Annie Marie. Annie is an ex-mormon content creator who has gained an audience from her satirical videos that mainly center around questions she had as a child growing up in the LDS faith. Today she sits down with John and Margi to share her full Mormon story, offer commentary on some of her most popular videos, and walk us through her creative process.
Annie came from a strict Mormon upbringing, but when her parents divorced (and their temple sealing was canceled) it sparked a myriad of questions that she could never seem to find the right answers for. She opens up about how she struggled with her belief throughout her upbringing, how it later affected her marriage, and where she stands with spirituality today.
Topics include:
-Temple sealings & divorce in the church
-Purity culture
-CSA
-Religious conditioning
-Using humor to heal
We know you will find this interview to be as fun and informative as we did!
Follow Annie on TikTok here.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Tue, 11 Aug 2026 - 3h 47min - 2269 - YOU WILL STAY!, Ken Jennings, Arizona Ruling, Young Women Leaving | Mormon News 8.8.26 | Ep. 2179
On today's episode of Mormon News, John Dehlin and Meggan Hayes break down another busy week of headlines involving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We begin with a major Arizona Supreme Court ruling protecting clergy confidentiality when abuse is disclosed during religious confession. We'll discuss what the decision means, why it matters, and the broader questions it raises about protecting vulnerable people, religious freedom, and institutional accountability.
Links:
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/03/arizona-clergy-child-abuse-confessions-court
We'll also discuss a new column from Jana Riess examining why more than half of young adult women raised in the LDS Church have now left, exploring the data behind the trend and what it may say about the future of Mormonism.
Links:
Religion News Service (Jana Riess): https://religionnews.com/category/opinion/columns/jana-riess/
We'll react to Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings publicly reaffirming his support for transgender people after being pulled into an online controversy, and discuss why his comments have resonated with many current and former Latter-day Saints.
Links:
Them: https://www.them.us/news/ken-jennings-trans-rights
We'll also look at a new documentary telling the story of WordPerfect, the Utah software company that helped transform Utah Valley into today's Silicon Slopes. We'll discuss the legacy of founders Alan Ashton and Bruce Bastian, and why this important chapter of Utah history deserves to be remembered.
Links:
KSL: https://www.ksl.com/article/51602368
Finally, we'll react to a viral YouTube Short featuring Elder Corbridge that's been making the rounds online and share our thoughts on the conversation it sparked.
Links:
YouTube Short: https://youtube.com/shorts/pxgJiJqQTOs?si=jISqasfwWwHTWyZE
Thanks for joining us! If you enjoy Mormon News, Church history, thoughtful conversations, and nuanced discussions about Mormonism and faith, please like, subscribe, and share this episode.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Sat, 08 Aug 2026 - 3h 13min - 2268 - Healing my Inner Child After Mormonism - Mindy Gledhill | Ep. 2178
Today on Mormon Stories, we are thrilled to welcome back singer-songwriter Mindy Gledhill, who is returning to the podcast to share the stories behind her newest collection of songs, the PhoneBooth Sessions (vol. 1 & 2), which reflect on her childhood, adolescence, and life after stepping away from Mormonism.
Along the way, she opens up about some of the early questions that challenged her faith and where she stands with her belief today. Mindy will also discuss how inner-child work has helped her heal and become more in-tune with her inner voice. Other topics will also include parenting, relationships, authenticity, and embracing uncertainty.
Whether you've followed Mindy's music for years or are hearing her story for the first time, we know you will love this one!
https://www.mindygledhill.com/tour
___________________
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At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Mon, 03 Aug 2026 - 2h 11min - 2267 - Mormon Church Guilty of Securities Fraud? - LDS Discussions Pt. 80 | Ep. 2177
In Episode 80 of our LDS Discussions series, Julia, Kolby, and Nemo the Mormon join together for a deep dive into one of the most significant financial controversies in modern Latter-day Saint history: Ensign Peak Advisors and the SEC’s investigation into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The discussion begins by examining what Ensign Peak Advisors is, why the Church created an enormous investment reserve, and whether maintaining such a fund is inherently problematic. From there, the panel walks through the timeline leading up to the 2019 whistleblower revelations and the 2023 SEC Order, exploring the Church's filing practices, the creation of 13 shell companies, and the legal findings that concluded the Church intentionally obscured the size of its investment portfolio.
Along the way, we analyze statements from Church leaders including Roger Clarke, Christopher Waddell, Elder Ballard, Elder Packer, Joseph F. Smith, Lorenzo Snow, and others, comparing modern financial practices with historical teachings on tithing. We also discuss the evolution of tithing slips, the Church’s growing investment portfolio, estimates of annual tithing revenue, David Nielsen’s whistleblower allegations, and the ethical implications of the Church’s financial secrecy.
Finally, the panel examines the SEC’s findings in detail, asking difficult questions about honesty, accountability, transparency, and whether a church that teaches integrity should be held to the same legal and ethical standards it expects of its members.
This episode provides one of the most comprehensive examinations of the Ensign Peak controversy, combining historical documents, SEC records, Church statements, and primary sources to better understand what happened –and why it matters.
If you enjoy these in-depth historical analyses, please like, subscribe, and share this episode. Your support helps us continue producing thoroughly researched content exploring the history and truth claims of Mormonism.
___________________
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At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Fri, 31 Jul 2026 - 2h 55min - 2266 - Mormon Missionary Held Against Her Will - Hailey Walser | Ep. 2176
Why are so many young Mormons leaving the Church? Today, we're joined by Hailey Walker to explore that question through the lens of her own Mormon story.
Hailey was raised in the Church in Alaska, where growing up Mormon looked very different from the experience many members have in Utah. As a teenager, she began asking questions about feminism, Church culture, and the role of women, but still considered herself a committed believer. Hoping to strengthen her testimony, she chose to serve a mission and was called to serve in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
What followed would fundamentally reshape her relationship with the Church. Hailey was serving her mission when COVID-19 broke out, and was sent home. She was eventually allowed to return to her mission, but was then informed that her service would be extended by an additional six months. She describes feeling trapped by the decision, unable to simply return home on her own because missionaries do not control their own housing, transportation, or finances.
Throughout the conversation, we discuss why so many young members—particularly young women—are questioning or leaving the LDS Church today. From gender roles and institutional authority to diversity, politics, and personal autonomy, Hailey offers a thoughtful perspective on why an increasing number of young people no longer feel at home in Mormonism.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Mon, 27 Jul 2026 - 2h 35min - 2265 - BYU Professor Creates AI Deepfakes of Children - Mormon News 7.24.26 | Ep. 2175
On today's episode of Mormon News, Nemo the Mormon and Meggan Hayes break down another busy week of headlines involving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We begin with new research identifying seven trends shaping the future of the LDS Church, including changing missionary priorities, evolving member behaviors, and what the data suggests about where Mormonism may be headed.
Link:
https://religionnews.com/2026/07/16/more-about-jesus-less-about-coffee-seven-lds-church-trends-according-to-data/
Next, we examine growing questions about whether the Church's rapid temple-building pace is outstripping its ability to staff those temples, as members continue raising concerns about volunteer shortages.
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wUhf29KocOs
We'll also cover new developments in the Reese Riggin case, including newly released character letters submitted to the court, one of which was written by his LDS bishop, as prosecutors presented additional allegations while arguing he should remain in custody.
Links:
https://theelectricgf.com/2026/07/08/judge-denies-bail-reduction-for-riggin-based-on-new-allegations/
https://www.tiktok.com/@krtvgreatfalls/video/7657320783747878175?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://floodlit.org/a/b753/
We'll also discuss allegations against an AI executive and BYU adjunct professor accused of creating deepfake images of friends and children, and what this case says about the growing risks of AI technology.
Link:
https://www.ksl.com/article/51600979/ai-chief-technology-officer-accused-of-creating-deepfakes-of-friends-and-children
We'll also examine a widely shared faith-promoting miracle story involving Briel Adams-Wheatley and discuss some of the ethical questions surrounding how stories like these are presented and used.
Link:
https://youtu.be/uZKXCiAarBs?si=vrli_sl3967u1Bcf
Finally, we wrap up with two stories out of Rexburg Idaho that say a lot about Mormon Culture.
Link:
https://x.com/RealPlantBrah/status/2073394722219942098?s=20
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19G9xk7nbM/
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Fri, 24 Jul 2026 - 1h 21min - 2264 - LDS Church Claims Record 88,500 Missionaries. Is It True? Mormon News 7.17.26 | Ep. 2172
On today's episode of Mormon News, Nemo the Mormon and Meggan Hayes break down another busy week of headlines involving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We begin with the Church's announcement that more than 88,500 missionaries are now serving worldwide, which leaders say is an all-time record. We'll examine whether today's LDS missionary statistics are truly comparable to previous Church records.
Links:
Deseret News: https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/07/14/new-record-88500-missionaries-latter-day-saints-why/
2014 Statistical Report: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/04/statistical-report-2014
Additional Missionary Statistics: https://news-pacific.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-provides-additional-missionary-statistics
We'll also discuss new research on how lowering the missionary age has affected sister missionaries and their educational outcomes.
Link:
https://www.abc4.com/news/religion/sister-missionary-age-change-womens-college-success-research/
Next, we'll cover new developments involving former LDS bishop Leo Lopshire and former Cache County teacher Patrick Alan Green, including investigators' requests for additional victims to come forward.
Links:
https://floodlit.org/a/b755/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/deputies-seek-additional-victims-spartanburg-204433996.html
https://www.hjnews.com/news/local/former-elementary-teacher-arrested-in-cache-county-for-child-sex-crimes/article_5bfc4b0e-d6e5-43e1-9f95-88b7880ed3cc.html
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-duncan-a404b3b0/
We'll examine BYU's connection to Monster Energy and how attitudes toward energy drinks have changed within Latter-day Saint culture.
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: https://www.mormonstories.org/lds-church-claims-record-88500-missionaries/
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Fri, 17 Jul 2026 - 1h 23min - 2263 - Ancient Jewish Tradition? Jasmin & The Book of Abraham - LDS Discussions Pt. 79 | Ep. 2174
Welcome to LDS Discussions Part 79, where we continue our deep dive into the Book of Abraham, examining one of the most popular apologetic arguments: the claim that Joseph Smith drew on ancient traditions about Abraham rather than translating the surviving papyri.
We begin by exploring the history of the Joseph Smith Papyri and the various theroies proposed to explain the Book of Abraham, including why so many copeting models exist. From there, we focus on the “ancient traditions” theory, looking at stories about Abraham preserved in later Jewish, Christian, and Islamic writings and askign whether they actually support Joseph Smith’s text.
Along the way, we compare the timelines of the Book of Mormon and Book of Abraham translations, disucss the implications of the Church’s Gospel Topics Essay, and examine whether Joseph Smith had access to contemporary biblical commentaries such as Adam Clarke’s. We then compare the Book of Abraham’s narrative --including Abraham’s calls, the famine in Chaldea, Terah, Haran, Abraham’s age, the attempted sacrifice of Abraham, Egyptian idolatry, human sacrifice in ancient Egypt, and Abraham’s knowledge or astronomy --with the historical sources often cited by apologists.
This episode evaluates whether these ancient parallels strengthen the Book of Abraham’s authenticity --or instead demonstrate that Joseph Smith was drawing from ideas available in his own time.
As always, we examine the historical evidence, compare the primary sources, and let the documents speak for themselves.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Wed, 22 Jul 2026 - 1h 37min - 2262 - The Cost of Leaving Christianity - Thomas Westbrook | Ep. 2173
Thomas Westbrook, creator and host of Holy Koolaid, joins Mormon Stories to share his remarkable journey from growing up in an intensely fundamental Christian environment to becoming one of YouTube’s leading voices for skepticism, science, and critical thinking.
Raised by missionary parents and immersed in evangelical culture from childhood, Thomas recounts life overseas, homeschooling, Youth With A Mission (YWAM), purity culture, sexual shame, biblical literalism, and the constant pressure to evangelize. He explains how years of indoctrination shaped his worldview –and how education, science and asking difficult questions gradually unraveled it.
Thomas discusses the pivotal experiences that led him to leave Christianity, including confronting Young Earth Creationism, discovering contradictions he had never been allowed to examine, and realizing that curiosity was viewed as a threat rather than a virtue. He also reflects on the personal cost of deconstruction, including strained family relationships, fear of hell, and learning to rebuild his identity outside of religion.
This conversation also explores: growing up as a missionary kid and “third-culture kid”, sleep paralysis and supernatural beliefs, the role of science, evolution, and critical thinking in deconstruction, why Thomas started Holy Koolaid, exposing pseudoscience, misinformation, and religious grifters, Christian nationalism and religion’s role in modern politics, building secular community through the Faithless Forum, and what curiosity, uncertainty, and intellectual honest look like after faith.
Whether you’re questioning your beliefs, interested in religious deconstruction, or simply fascinated by how people change their minds, this episode offers an honest and thoughtful look at one man’s journey from certainly to curiosity.
If you enjoy this conversation, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help support more long-form conversations about faith, doubt, and the pursuit of truth.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Mon, 20 Jul 2026 - 3h 07min - 2261 - John Larsen v. John Dehlin - 2026 Edition | Ep. 2171
After years away from the microphone, John Larsen returns to Mormon Stories Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation.
A legend in the Mormon and ex-Mormon podcasting world, John Larsen helped shape an entire generation of critical Mormon thought through Mormon Expression. Now, he sits down with John Dehlin to reflect on the journey that brought him here –from his Mormon upbringing and faith crisis to build one of the most influential podcasts in the space, and ultimately stepping away to build a very different kind of life.
In this candid interview, John shares what life looks like today: living sustainably, growing much of his own food, working in local government, and creating intentional community. He also opens up about his mission, the questions that led him out of the church, why apologetics never worked for him, his fascination with primary historical sources, and how Mormon Expression came to be.
The conversation also explores the rise of Mormon Studies, the challenge of creating content for years on end, community dynamics within the ex-Mormon movement, current events, AI, politics, the future of society, and what it really means to move on after leaving Mormonism.
Whether you’ve followed John Larsen for years or are meeting him for the first time, this episode offers a rare glimpse into one of the most respected voices in the Mormon studies and post-Mormon communities.
If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about Mormon history, faith transitions, and building a meaningful life after religion, be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Mon, 13 Jul 2026 - 2h 55min - 2260 - Mormon Apostle’s Brother Faces LIFE, DOMO CEO Josh James Arrested - Mormon News 7.10.26 | Ep. 2170
On today's episode of Mormon News, John Dehlin and Meggan Hayes break down another busy week of headlines involving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We begin with breaking news involving the family of Apostle D. Todd Christofferson. His brother, Wade Christofferson, has pleaded guilty in federal court to sexually abusing minors and sending sexually explicit letters to a young Utah girl. He now faces a potential life sentence in prison. We'll break down the case, the charges, and why this story is making headlines.
Next, we take a closer look at Domo founder Josh James, one of Utah's most influential tech CEOs and a featured voice in the documentary An Inconvenient Faith. We'll examine newly released bodycam footage from his DUI arrest and revisit his public defense of Mormonism.
We'll also discuss the heartbreaking case of Mitchell and Carrie Murray, an LDS couple who pleaded guilty to child abuse homicide following the death of their toddler. We'll examine the disturbing details released by prosecutors and why this case has shocked so many people across Utah.
We'll examine Mitt Romney's comments that people in their 80s should not be running the country or the world, and ask whether that conversation also applies to leadership within high-demand religions like the LDS Church.
We'll cover the case of Adam Clark, a former LDS youth Sunday School teacher accused of stealing thousands of dollars from an Eagle Mountain youth sports organization. We'll discuss why trust, reputation, and religious identity can sometimes influence how people evaluate character.
We'll also discuss Utah County's new Zoom wedding service, which allows couples to get married online from anywhere in the world. Is Utah becoming the new Las Vegas?
Finally, we'll examine growing concerns over Flock license plate cameras near BYU. We'll discuss the university's use of automated surveillance technology, why some students and former members are raising privacy concerns, and what this debate reveals about safety, trust, and institutional oversight.
Join us live as we provide context behind the headlines, separate fact from speculation, and discuss what these stories reveal about Mormonism today.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Fri, 10 Jul 2026 - 3h 41min - 2259 - Rasband's Big Claim, Prison Garments, 55 New Missions - Mormon News 7.3.26 | Ep. 2168
On today's episode of Mormon News, John Dehlin and Meggan Hayes break down another busy week of headlines involving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.This week we take a closer look at Elder Ronald A. Rasband's patriotic address, where he claimed God preserved the United States for the Restoration, taught that Noah's Flood fractured the continents to protect the promised land, reaffirmed the Garden of Eden in Missouri, and described America as a stepping stone to eternal life. We'll also discuss the Church's invitation for members worldwide to participate in a unified fast for religious liberty.
Next, we'll discuss a federal lawsuit alleging that Utah prison guards sexually assaulted female inmates, including allegations that one correctional officer's LDS temple garments were found in an inmate's cell and questions about whether prison leaders attempted to cover up the abuse.
We'll also examine the Church's announcement that it is creating 55 new missions, what "new" actually means, why Africa is receiving nearly one-third of them, and the decision to lower the missionary age for women from 19 to 18.
We'll cover the case of a Rexburg man accused of setting his parents' home on fire after allegedly telling police God instructed him to do it, raising questions about revelation, mental illness, and claims of divine communication.
We'll also discuss the dedication of the new Nauvoo Temple Visitors' Center, including the Church's installation of a historic Tiffany stained-glass window that sold at auction for $237,500.
Next, we'll examine the plea agreement involving former LDS Young Men leader Virgil Larson, accused of giving nude massages to minors, and why the amended charges would allow him to avoid registering as a sex offender.
Finally, we'll discuss the viral video: Did the Mormon Church pass the test? We'll explore what that conversation reveals about missionaries and training around child safety in the church.
Join us live as we provide context behind the headlines, separate fact from speculation, and discuss what these stories reveal about Mormonism today.Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!
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Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the DiscordFri, 03 Jul 2026 - 3h 02min - 2258 - Mormon Wife Loses Faith, Husband is Elder’s Quorum President - Devlyn and Randy Day | Ep. 2169
What happens when one spouse loses their faith while the other is serving as an Elder’s Quorum President?
In this episode of Mormon Stories, Devlyn and Randy Day share their remarkable journey through one of the most difficult challenges a Mormon marriage can face: a mixed-faith relationship.
Raised in a deeply faithful Latter-day homes, they built what they believed was the ideal Mormon family. But after Devlyn began studying Church history–including Rough Stone Rolling, the Gospel Topics Essays, and the CES Letter–her testimony unraveled. Terrified of losing her marriage, she struggled for years with guilt, shame, postpartum depression, and the fear of disappointing everyone she loved.
Meanwhile, Randy remained a devoted believer. He served as an Elder’s Quorum President, met regularly with bishops, prayed endlessly for his wife to return, and wrestled with the heartbreaking belief that his eternal family might be slipping away.
Rather than ending in divorce, their story became one of patience, empathy, therapy, and unconditional love. Together they discuss growing up in Mormon culture, temple experiences, the November 2015 policy, church history, navigating depression, serving in callings and the impact those callings had on their family.
Whether you’re experiencing a faith crisis yourself, supporting a believing spouse, or trying to understand the challenges of a mixed-faith marriage, we hope this conversation brings hope, compassion, and understanding.
If this episode was meaningful to you, please consider subscribing, leaving a comment, and sharing it with someone who may need to hear this story.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Tue, 07 Jul 2026 - 4h 14min - 2257 - Explosive History in the William Clayton Diaries w/ Bryan Buchanan & LDS Discussions Pt 78 | Ep 2167
Welcome to another episode of LDS Discussions! We are joined again by Bryan Buchanan to discuss the William Clayton Diaries.
The William Clayton Diaries are among the most important firsthand records from Joseph Smith’s final years in Nauvoo. Few individuals stood closer to Joseph Smith than William Clayton, who served as clerk, confidant, and participant in many of the most controversial events of Mormon history.
In this episode, we dive directly into the diaries themselves. We examine what Clayton recorded, what historians can learn from his daily entries, and why these journals have become central to discussions about Joseph Smith’s plural marriages, the Council of Fifty, the Quorum of the Anointed, the Kinderhook Plates, Nauvoo politics, and the final months leading up to Joseph Smith’s death.
Along the way, we explore the lives of Joseph and Emma Smith, Margaret Moon, Sarah Whitney, Lucy Walker, Flora Woodworth, Eliza R. Snow, and many of the other figures who appear throughout these remarkable journals.
We also address modern claims that the diaries were altered, fabricated, or created after the fact, and compare those claims to the evidence available to historians who have studied the original manuscript.
Topics include William Clayton’s relationship with Joseph Smith, evidence for Joseph Smith’s polygamy, Emma’s reactions and resistance to the “P” or “priesthood,” the Moon sister’s involvement in polygamy, the strengths and limitations of Clayton as a source and why historians consider these diaries indispensable.
The William Clayton journals offer an unparalleled window into the inner workings of Nauvoo Mormonism. Whether you are a believer, skeptic, historian, or simply curious about early Mormon history, these records provide some of the most revealing evidence available from the period.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Wed, 01 Jul 2026 - 2h 19min - 2256 - Oaks’ True Church, Abusive Mormon Dentist?, Too Close to the Bishop - Mormon News 6.26.26 | Ep. 2165
On today's episode of Mormon News, John Dehlin and Meggan Hayes break down another busy week of headlines involving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This week we take a closer look at the 2026 Seminar for New Mission Leaders, where Church leaders doubled down on claims of exclusive authority, the "only true church," and what they describe as "true doctrine." We'll discuss what was taught and why it matters.
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14idTXmfqam/
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2026/06/18/read-summaries-photos-2026-seminar-new-mission-leaders/
https://youtu.be/FIKqJVU63Pk?si=d3bNWHUMYK8Uc2AP
https://youtu.be/bshDxxlcMu0?si=COTdwPlTv6l87PYO
We'll also cover the disturbing allegations against an Orem dentist accused of abusing a high school intern, along with his connections to the LDS community.
Links:
https://www.ksl.com/article/51540804/orem-dentist-accused-of-abusing-high-school-intern
http://www.youtube.com/@r.brucehowell2847
Next a discussion about bishop interviews, trust, and boundaries after the Church's official Young Women Worldwide page encouraged girls ages 12 to 17 to participate in a "How Well Do You Know Your Bishop?" activity designed to help them feel more comfortable with their bishop. We'll examine why some are raising concerns about normalizing close relationships between young girls and adult male ecclesiastical leaders, particularly in light of one-on-one worthiness interviews and the growing number of bishops listed in the Floodlit database.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DZdSd4mifYC/
https://floodlit.org/lpe/ever-bishop/
We'll also discuss reports that the temple naming system has changed and what could be behind the change.
Link:
https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/s/BHjrL95u1e
We'll examine the case of an Orem man accused of stealing two valuable Minerva Teichert paintings from his elderly mother, replacing them with copies, and selling the originals to help finance a new restaurant.
Link:
https://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/man-accused-of-stealing-paintings-by-famous-utah-artist-replacing-them-with-copies
Finally, we'll discuss BYU-Idaho's new ecclesiastical endorsement policy, which changes what happens when students allow their endorsements to expire, and what that says about accountability and institutional oversight.
Links:
https://byuiscroll.org/changes-to-ecclesiastical-endorsement-process-are-coming-to-byui/
https://web.byui.edu/policylibrary/policy/bf4987db-aa02-4437-be12-54fc93eeb185
Join us live as we provide context behind the headlines, separate fact from speculation, and discuss what these stories reveal about Mormonism today.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Fri, 26 Jun 2026 - 3h 44min - 2255 - Did LDS Leaders Teach That Sexual Sin Is Next to Murder? - LDS Discussions Pt. 76 | Ep. 2164
For years, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were taught that violations of the law of chastity were “next to murder” in seriousness. Recently, Jasmin Rappleye defended that teaching (and maybe changed its interpretation) in a viral video, sparking widespread discussion both inside and otuside Mormonism.
In this somehat impromptu epsiode in our LDS Discussiones series, we will examine the historical record and ask an important question: Has this doctrine actually been taught by LDS leaders?
Using General Conference addresses, First Presidency messages, Journal of Discourse sermons, and passages from Spencer W. Kimball’s The Miracle of Forgiveness, we trace more than a century of statements who repeatedly taught that sexual sin was second only to murder in seriousness.
Was this merely cultural rhetoric? A misunderstanding of scripture? Or was it a consistent teaching passed from one generation of church leaders to the next?
Join us as we examine the sources, read the original quotations, explore the history behind one of Mormonism’s most controversial teachings, and even share some of the reactions to Jasmin’s new video!
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 1h 23min - 2254 - Hidden History of the William Clayton Diaries w/ Bryan Buchanan - LDS Discussions Pt. 77 | Ep. 2166
Welcome to another episode of LDS Discussions! Today we are joined by Bryan Buchanan to discuss the William Clayton Diaries.
For decades, the William Clayton Diaries have occupied a near-mythical place in Mormon history. Hidden away in the First Presidency vault, copied in secret, fought over in court, leaked to researchers, and cited in some of the most controversial debates surrounding Joseph Smith and plural marriage, these journals have one of the most fascinating histories of any historical document in the Latter-day Saint tradition.
In this episode, we trace the remarkable journey of William Clatyon’s Nauvoo journals from the 1840s to the present day. We explore how historians such as James Allen, Dean Jessee, Leonard Arrington, Thomas Alexander, Andrew Ehat, Scott Faulring, and others gained access to these records, why the Church restricted them for so many years, and how copies eventually found their way into the hands of independent researchers and critics.
We also examine the legal battle surrounding the journals, the role of Jerald and Sandra Tanner in publishing portions of them, the impact of the Mark Hofmann era, and the ongoing debates over access, transparency, and historical scholarship within Mormonism.
With Yale University Press preparing the first complete scholarly edition of the William Clayton Diaries, this is the perfect time to revisit one of the most important archival stories in Mormon history.
We discuss the discovery and preservation of Clayton’s journals, the First Presidency vault and restricted documents, specific transcripts that were created for the Clayton diaries, how those transcriptions leaked out into the public and the lawsuit on these leaked transcripts. We also lightly discuss the recent news that additional parts of Clayton’s diaries have been released to the public and the debate around whether Joseph Smith was actually a polygamist.
Whether you’re interested in Mormon history, archival controversies, historiography, or the debate over Joseph Smith’s polygamy, this episode provides the essential backstory behind one of the most important historical sources from Nauvoo.
Be sure to join us for the next episode where we share some of the most controversial and exciting entries from William Clayton’s journals!
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At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Mon, 29 Jun 2026 - 3h 19min - 2253 - LDS Stake President Covers Up Abuse & Becomes Area Authority Seventy - Rebecca Gooden | Ep. 2163
What happens when a trusted Mormon leader learns about child sexual abuse –and choses not to report it?
In this powerful and heartbreaking episode, Rebecca Gooden and her son Matthew share their family’s story of abuse, betrayal, and institutional failure within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Years after discovering that her husband, Shawn Gooden, had sexually abused two of her younger brothers, Rebecca found herself confronting a devastating reality: church leaders had known about the abuse and failed to act. Despite allegations involving child sexual abuse, Shawn continued to receive leadership callings, serving in bishoprics, high councils, and eventually as a bishop and stake presidency counselor.
The story becomes even more troubling when Pennsylvania Stake President Rhett Hintze learned of the abuse in 2020. As a mandatory reporter under Pennsylvania law, Hintze was later charged with failure to report child abuse. Although the charges were ultimately dropped, many questions remain about how church leaders handled the case, why victims received little to no support, and why Hintze was later promoted to an Area Seventy.
Throughout this interview Rebecca and Matthew discuss Shawn Gooden’s abuse and eventual excommunication, the impact of abuse on victims and families, mandatory reporting laws and clergy responsibilities, how the Church handles abuse allegations, the doctrine of discernment, and institutional cover-ups. They also discuss why they ultimately stepped away from the Mormon church and Rebecca shares how she has now moved closer to healing, self-discovering (now calling herself Eloise), and greater empowerment.
This episode explores difficult but important questions about accountability, victim protection, and whether religious institutions truly prioritize the vulnerable when abuse is reported.
If you or someone you know has experienced abuse, we encourage you to contact local authorities, licensed therapists, and survivor support organizations.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Mon, 22 Jun 2026 - 4h 10min - 2252 - Kyle McKay Apologizes, Is "Mormon" Making a Comeback?, Gong and AI - Mormon News 6.19.26 | Ep. 2162
This week on Mormon Stories News, we take a closer look at the people, controversies, and events making waves across Mormonism.
We begin with the story of a disturbing abuse case involving a former LDS Priest Quorum Specialist accused of sexually abusing his nephew. The case has prompted conversations about trust, access to youth, safeguarding policies, and whether church members are adequately trained to recognize and prevent abuse within families and congregations.
We also examine a rare public apology from General Authority Seventy Kyle McKay. McKay recently acknowledged that previous statements he made regarding Church history were offensive and offered a correction. We discuss what was said and why the apology matters.
Can AI replace God? That's the question Elder Gerrit W. Gong recently addressed in a viral Church-produced video. We break down his comments, the Church's growing concern over artificial intelligence, and whether AI is becoming a competing source of information, guidance, and authority for members navigating faith questions.
Next, we turn to the appointment of Jay Jorgensen to the Utah Supreme Court. Jorgensen's nomination has sparked discussion because of his employment with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his statements regarding whether he would recuse himself from Church-related cases. We examine the concerns surrounding judicial independence, conflicts of interest, and public confidence in the courts.
We dive into the growing controversy surrounding Jeff Strong's book Torn. Strong's work has generated significant discussion among Latter-day Saints by examining why many members become disaffected or leave the Church. Recent responses from prominent LDS commentators argue that Strong's research methodology is flawed and that he misrepresents faithful members' experiences.
We finish with a brief snippet from Rebecca Bibliotecca about the ongoing temple drama in Fairview Texas.
What are your thoughts on this week's stories? Join the conversation in the comments.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Fri, 19 Jun 2026 - 1h 54min - 2251 - How LDS Apologists like Jasmin Rappleye Handle the Book of Abraham - LDS Discussions Pt. 75 | Ep. 2161
In a recent episode on the YouTube channel Hello Saints, Jeff McCullough interviewed Jasmin Rappleye (who got her degree from BYU in Ancient Near Eastern Studies) about one of Mormonism’s most controversial scriptures: the Book of Mormon.
During the discussion, several apologetic approaches to the Book of Abraham was presented. In this episode, we examine three of the most common theories used to defend Joseph Smith’s translation:
-The Missing Scroll Theory
-The Long Scroll Theory
-The Catalyst Theory
Drawing heavily from Dan Vogel’s groundbreaking book Book of Abraham Apologetics, we carefully review the historical evidence surrounding these claims, including the eyewitness accounts frequently cited by defenders of the Long Scroll Theory.
Do these accounts actually support the evidence of a lengthy missing papyrus containing the Book of Abraham? Or have they been selectively interpreted to fit a predetermined conclusion?
Along the way, we examine the work of prominent Egyptologists, discuss the relationship between Joseph Smith’s translation claims and the surviving papyri, and explore why even faithful scholars have increasingly moved away from defending the Book of Abraham as a literal translation of the existing Egyptian texts.
Join Kolby, Nemo, and Julia as they work through the evidence, compare competing apologetic arguments, and ask what explanation best fits the historical record.
In our next episode, we’ll examine a fourth and increasingly popular theory: that the Book of Abraham preserves authentic ancient Jewish traditions about Abraham and may contain an ancient core despite not being a direct translation of the surviving papyri.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Wed, 17 Jun 2026 - 2h 30min - 2250 - From Megachurch to Mormon: Watching the Church Become What I Left - Lance Kennedy | Ep. 2160
What happens when the son of a Pentecostal megachurch pastor decides to become Mormon?
In this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast, we sit down with Lance Kennedy to discuss his unique religious journey from evangelical Christianity to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Raised in Texas as the son of a prominent pastor, Lance grew up behind the scenes of one of the fastest-growing church movements in America, watching firsthand as churches evolved from small congregations into large-scale organizations.
Drawing from that experience, Lance offers a fascinating perspective on Mormonism as both an insider and an outsider. He shares what initially attracted him to the LDS Church, why Mormonism felt like a better fit than the religious tradition he was raised in, and how his background shaped the way he approached questions of belief, culture, and church growth.
Throughout the conversation, we explore the similarities and differences between evangelical Christianity and Mormonism, the challenges facing the modern LDS Church, and the tension between preserving a distinct religious identity and adapting to a changing world. Lance also discusses his experiences as a branch president in rural Texas, his thoughts on church history and transparency, and why he remains an active member despite his willingness to publicly discuss difficult issues.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Mon, 15 Jun 2026 - 3h 18min - 2249 - Mormons Not Christian Says Pete Hegseth's Department of War? - Mormon News 6.11.26 | Ep. 2159
This week on Mormon Stories News, John Dehlin along with Julia, and Brooklyn of the OSF team, break down some of the biggest stories making headlines in Mormonism.
President Nelson announced the Springfield, Missouri temple on April 2, 2023, yet ground was just broken for it on June 6, 2026. Why the delay? Have other temples been delayed? What is the average amount of time for a temple to be finished between its first announcement to dedication? What are the membership numbers that will fill these temples?
On June 7, 2026 General Authority Seventy Kyle S. McKay spoke at a Stake Conference in Yukon, Oklahoma. Shortly after the video was posted, however, Mormon church leaders quickly removed it. Join us as we go over the most controversial parts of his talk!
June has been dubbed “Fidelity Month” by Governor Cox. Cox did not announce the declaration with a news release, nor did he post it on social media as he has done at the beginning of June in the past years. But does Utah WANT this change? Is Cox trying to replace Pride Month?
On June 4th the Department of Defense made some changes to the recognized list of religions. The list included several “Christian” denominations such as Lutheran, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Methodists, etc. However, The LDS Church was not listed among the “Christian” denominations.
On June 6th Edward Smart, the father of well-known Elizabeth Smart, shared a public Instagram Post about his current status with the LDS Church.
The LDS Church is making changes to the Sacrament Meeting rooms! This story first broke with Rebecca Bibliotheca of Mormonish Podcast who shared that architectural plans for two LDS meeting house remodels reveal that the sacrament altar is now to be placed front and center under the pulpit. The plans will be in place by 2028 and this will be the new structure going forward.
In 2026, BYU Football player Parker Kingston was charged with first-degree felony rape in Utah. The incident was reported by a 20-year-old woman in February 2025. Kingston has pleaded not guilty and the case is proceeding through the Utah court system. News has been released concerning the request for a new judge for the case.
An invested citizen was able to attend a Utah City Council Meetingin which someone shared their concerns about the American Fork Police department in their handling of Reckless Ben (previously covered on Mormon Stories). This insider video gives a closer look at the concerned citizens of American Fork.
The Great Salt Lake is in critical condition with historically low water levels due to long-term drought and heavy water diversion for agriculture and urban use. These changes threaten key ecosystems and create toxic dust storms that impact air quality across the Wasatch Front. Governor Cox said he discussed with President Trump a potential federal funding around $1 billion.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Thu, 11 Jun 2026 - 2h 58min - 2247 - How a Mormon Therapist Lost His Faith - Brad Reedy | Ep. 2158
Today on Mormon Stories Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Brad Reedy, therapist, author, and founder of “Finding You Intensives”, to discuss his remarkable journey through faith, spirituality, addiction, and personal growth. We are also very glad to be joined by Samantha Shelly (from Zelph on the Shelf) for this uplifting conversation.
Raised outside of religion, Brad spent much of his youth searching for meaning and belonging. After struggling with substance abuse as a teenager and surviving a near-fatal overdose, he encountered Mormonism and found the structure, community, and spiritual direction had been missing from his life.
As his understanding of faith evolved, Brad found himself wrestling with questions about spirituality, identity, parenting, relationships, and what it means to live authentically. Together, we explore the tension between religion and spirituality, the challenges of faith transitions, and why something that once helped a person thrive may no longer fit later in life.
Brad shares his experience as a passionate convert, missionary, BYU student, and later a marriage and family therapist. Along the way, he reflects on the strengths and limitations of high-demand religions, the role that structure can play in healing and growth, and the difference between living from guilt versus living from love.
This conversation is a thoughtful exploration of transformation, self-discovery, and the ongoing search for meaning beyond certainty.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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Mon, 08 Jun 2026 - 2h 58min - 2246 - Mormon Sealings & Nate Oman w/ Bryan Buchanan - LDS Discussions Pt. 74 | Ep. 2156
In this episode, we expand on ideas presented by Nate Oman during a discussion on Faith Matters and trace the complicated, evolving history of Mormon sealings from Joseph Smith through the 20th century.
Today, “eternal families” are often presented as the central purpose of temple sealings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But historically, the story is much messier.
In this conversation, we explore how early sealings were not originally centered on the modern concept of nuclear families being together forever. Instead, sealing theology developed gradually during the Nauvoo period and often functioned as a way to create dynastic networks, priesthood connections, and systems of authority –what some critics compare to an MLM-style hierarchy of spiritual relationships.
We discuss the evolution of sealing theology from Joseph Smith to Brigham Young, baptisms for the dead and the trauma surrounding Alvin Smith’s death, the rise of dynastic sealings and the “Law of Adoption” where men were sealed to other men. We also discuss the relationship between sealings and plural marriage, how the sealing language changed over time, why Joseph Smith never initially sealed himself to Emma, the story of Jane Manning James and how she was “attached” to Joseph Smith instead of sealed. We also discuss the racial restrictions for Black Mormons, questions of informed consent, authority, and prophetic consistency, and whether the modern LDS concept of “forever families” would have been recognizable to Joseph Smith himself.
We also examine how doctrines once treated as essential and eternal –including the Law of Adoption –were later abandoned entirely, raising larger questions about revelation, institutional change, and the development of Mormon theology.
Whether you’re believing, questioning, post-Mormon, or simply interested in religious history, this episode offers a deep dive into one of the most controversial and misunderstood developments in Mormon history.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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Wed, 03 Jun 2026 - 3h 19min - 2245 - Traitor in the First Presidency - John Turner Pt. 38 | Ep. 2137
In Part 38 with historian John Turner we dive into his latest book Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. In this episode, we focus on Chapter 29, “Cool as a Cucumber,” unpacking the turbulent years of 1843-1844 –arguably the beginning of the end for Joseph Smith.
We explore mounting legal pressure, political entanglements, and growing internal dissent with Nauvoo. Along the way, we examine controversial and often difficult topics, including Joseph Smith’s relationship with William Law and his wife, accusations of coercion tied to plural marriage, and an alleged physical altercation involving Watler Bagby.
This episode traces how tensions –both inside and outside the church –escalaated rapidly, setting the stage for the final chapter of Joseph Smith’s life.
If you’d like to help keep this project going, please consider donating to support this series here. Your support makes long-form, in-depth historical discussion like this possible!
Purchase John Turner’s book here.
Let us know your thoughts on a Brigham Young series (comprising ten episodes) covering John Turner’s book Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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Fri, 17 Apr 2026 - 2h 11min - 2244 - From Anti-Scientologist to “Anti-Mormon” - “TrevAnon” from the Netherlands | Ep. 2155
We have a very special guest on Mormon Stories today, who some of our live audience may know as "TrevAnon" on YouTube. He has helped out for many years as a moderator for Mormon Stories livestreams, and he is here today to tell us why a Never-Mormon from the Netherlands would find interest in Mormonism.
This episode will begin with Trev's story, and how he developed his interest in cults and other high-demand religions--especially Scientology. Additionally, he has prepared a presentation that will compare and contrast Scientology to Mormonism. Join along as we hash out all the similarities and differences point by point.
We are grateful to TrevAnon (Corry) for sharing his story and expertise with our audience, and hope you find it as interesting as we did.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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Mon, 01 Jun 2026 - 3h 21min - 2242 - LDS Church Leaders Falling for Frauds - LDS Discussions Pt. 73 | Ep. 2153
Welcome to Episode 73 in our LDS Discussions series!
In this episode, we explore the long history of fraud, forgery, and "discernment" within Mormon history –from Joseph Smith’s treasure digging and the Kinderhook Plates to the Salamander Letter, Paul Dunn, Tim Ballard, and Jodi Hildebrandt.
We discuss why people believe extraordinary claims, the role of critical thinking and skepticism, and whether church leaders who claim divine guidance have actually demonstrated the “Gift of Discernment” they preach about. Along the way, we examine the Book of Abraham, the Kinderhook Plates controversy, Mark Hofmann’s forged documents, hidden church history, and modern scandals that continue to raise difficult questions for believers and critics alike.
The episode also looks at how faith can remain resilient even after exposure to false claims, and why many argue that institutional dishonesty –rather than belief itself –is the deeper issue.
Topics include: Joseph Smith’s treasure digging, the Book of Abraham facsimiles, how Elder Oaks defended the Salamander Letter, and the hiding of early Mormon documents. This discussion asks a central question: If church leaders claim special spiritual discernment, why were so many frauds, forgeries, and harmful figures embraced or defended for so long?
If you enjoy long-form Mormon history and analysis, consider subscribing and supporting the channel.
If you have thoughts on other topics you wish for us to cover, please leave them in the comments!
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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Wed, 27 May 2026 - 2h 08min - 2241 - Teen Stays Faithful after CES Letter and Mormon Stories Podcast - Gustavo Hernandez | Ep. 2152
Content Warning: Discussion of suicide and suicidal ideation.
In this episode of Mormon Stories, Gustavo Hernandez from Mexico City shares his experience growing up Mormon in Mexico, discovering difficult church history as a teenager, and ultimately choosing to remain an active, believing member of the Church while navigating doubt, anxiety, and faith crises.
Gustavo opens up about the shame culture surrounding worthiness, pornography confessions, and perfectionism in Mormonism –including how teachings from leaders like Spencer W. Kimball deeply affected his mental health as a young teen. He discusses experiencing panic attacks, existential dread, and suicidal thoughts while trying to reconcile faith, church history, and his desire to feel accepted by God.
Along the way, Gustavo encountered the CES Letter, Mormon Stories, exMormon Reddit, temple controversies, Joseph Smith’s polygamy, the priesthood ban, Freemasonry, and multiple First Vision accounts. Despite everything, he chose to stay active in the Church, serve a mission in Guatemala, and eventually became an institute teacher in Mexico.
The interview includes topics like what it’s like being Mormon in Mexico, growing up in a predominantly Catholic culture, p*rnography shame and bishop interviews, faith crisis as a fourteen year old boy, the CES Letter and apologetics, mission burnout, mental health and suicidal ideation, remaining active after losing certainly, as well as current beliefs about Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, polygamy, and LGBTQ issues.
Whether you agree with Gustavo’s conclusions or not, his story offers an honest and nuanced look at faith, doubt, mental health, and what it means to stay.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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Mon, 25 May 2026 - 3h 31min - 2240 - 40% of Mormons Raised in the U.S. Have Left the Church - Mormon News 5.22.26 | Ep. 2151
In this episode, John and Meggan examine several major stories shaping the current state of Mormonism, including new research on LDS disaffiliation and decline, increasing institutional strain on local leadership, financial fraud tied to prominent Utah business figures, and the continuing controversy surrounding the Fairview Texas temple.
•Drawing from research and analysis by Jeff Strongand team of researchers, we discuss what current membership and retention trends may reveal about blind spots devout Latter-day Saints have, the primary reasons for disaffiliation, how LDS trends compare with other denominations, gender differences in the decline, institutional trust, and why many members appear to be quietly disengaging from traditional LDS expectations.
•We also examine a recent Salt Lake Tribune report detailing how some Utah County prosecutors notify the church’s law firm when LDS bishops submit letters on behalf of criminal defendants, raising questions about ecclesiastical influence, legal systems, and institutional boundaries.
Additional topics include:
•A Church News livestream acknowledging how overwhelmed many LDS bishops have become while supporting young men
•The Noah’s Event Centers fraud convictionsinvolving active Latter-day Saints and ongoing questions surrounding discernment
• The final public plea from the mayor of Fairview, Texas asking the church to reconsider the height of the proposed temple steeple in an effort to preserve community trust.
•The church battling insurers over sex abuse settlementcoverage before the 10th Circuit Court
•And Charlie Bird and Ryan Clifford announced via social media this week that they have already begun the process to add a child to their family.
Together, these stories paint a larger picture of a church navigating growth, decline, public scrutiny, generational change, and increasing tension between institutional authority and individual experience.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Fri, 22 May 2026 - 2h 21min - 2239 - Seventh Day Adventism vs. Mormonism - Melissa Duge Spiers | (Duplicate)
For the first time on Mormon Stories Podcast, we’re diving into the world of Seventh-day Adventism. John sits down with Melissa Spiers, a former Seventh-day Adventist, to explore the history, beliefs, culture, and practices of the SDA Church—and to compare them with Mormonism along the way.
In Part 1 of this two-part series, Melissa gives an overview of Seventh-day Adventist origins, theology, lifestyle standards, and church culture, while John and Melissa discuss some of the surprising similarities and key differences between the SDA and LDS traditions.
Then later this week in Part 2, Melissa shares her personal story of growing up in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, her experiences within the faith, and the reasons she ultimately chose to leave.
If this topic interests you, be sure to check out Melissa’s book, "Holy Disobedience: Sex, Sin, and Secrets in the Biggest Church No One Knows."
You can purchase it here.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
One-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m
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Wed, 18 Mar 2026 - 2h 40min - 2238 - Leaving the Seventh-day Adventist Church - Melissa Duge Spiers Pt. 2 | Ep. 2150
In Part 2 of our series on Seventh-day Adventism, Melissa Spiers shares her personal story of growing up as a fourth-generation Adventist in a deeply religious family shaped by strict lifestyle rules, purity culture, and constant pressure to perform spiritually.
Melissa describes her experience navigating SDA education systems, thought control, and the intense expectations placed on young women within the church. She also discusses her eventual move away from Adventism, and the complicated relationship between religion, identity, and personal freedom.
Another major focus of this episode is Melissa’s discovery of abuse within her own family, the response from Seventh-day Adventist leadership, and the broader systems she believes protect abuse within high-control religious institutions. She shares how these experiences affected her relationships, mental health, and eventual religious deconstruction.
Throughout the conversation, Melissa reflects on healing, rebuilding life outside of religion, and the challenges many people face after leaving high-demand faith communities. We also discuss her new memoir, "Holy Disobedience: Sex, Sin, and Secrets in the Biggest Church No One Knows".
You can purchase it here.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
One-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Thu, 21 May 2026 - 2h 19min - 2237 - Seventh-day Adventism vs. Mormonism - Melissa Duge Spiers | Ep. 2149
For the first time on Mormon Stories Podcast, we’re diving into the world of Seventh-day Adventism. John sits down with Melissa Spiers, a former Seventh-day Adventist, to explore the history, beliefs, culture, and practices of the SDA Church—and to compare them with Mormonism along the way.
In Part 1 of this two-part series, Melissa gives an overview of Seventh-day Adventist origins, theology, lifestyle standards, and church culture, while John and Melissa discuss some of the surprising similarities and key differences between the SDA and LDS traditions.
Then later this week in Part 2, Melissa shares her personal story of growing up in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, her experiences within the faith, and the reasons she ultimately chose to leave.
If this topic interests you, be sure to check out Melissa’s book, "Holy Disobedience: Sex, Sin, and Secrets in the Biggest Church No One Knows."
You can purchase it here.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
One-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories
Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories
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Mon, 18 May 2026 - 2h 40min - 2236 - The Aftermath of Joseph Smith's Murder - John Turner Pt. 41 | Ep. 2148
Welcome to our final episode in our Joseph Smith: The Podcast series, where we cover John Turner’s new book “Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.” In this episode, we explore the immediate aftermath of Joseph Smith’s assassination and the profound consequences that followed his family, plural wives, and the early Latter-day Saint movement.
The chapter we are covering today is the Epilogue.
We look at the chaotic hours and days after his death in Nauvoo, including how his body and Hyrum’s were handled, the conditions of their temporary burial, and the secrecy surrounding their remains. The episode also examines Emma Smith’s role in the aftermath --her grief, her control over Joseph’s body, and the difficult position she found herself in as both widow and critic of polygamy.
We also discuss how Joseph’s plural wives responded to his death, the emotional and political complexities of their mourning, and the uneasy reality of their realtionships with Brigham Young and other church leaders. From there, we move into the succession crisis that followed --how leadership shifted, why Brigham Young ultimately prevailed over Sidney Rigdon, and how competing visions of the church began to emerge.
Finally, we step back to consider Joseph Smith’s broader legacy, the scale of opposition he faced, and how his influence continued to shape American religious history long after his death.
If you’d like to help keep this project going, please consider donating to support this series here. Your support makes long-form, in-depth historical discussion like this possible!
Purchase John Turner’s book here.
Let us know your thoughts on a Brigham Young series (comprising ten episodes) covering John Turner’s book Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet.
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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✳️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1
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Contact us:
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📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Fri, 15 May 2026 - 1h 45min
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