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Tina's upbringing in the Mormon Church seemed uneventful until she had a troubling temple experience that made her question whether it was a cult. Zane, initially attracted to Tina's spirituality, went through his own faith crisis after reading anti-Mormon literature but eventually had a "spiritual experience" reaffirming his belief in the church. Their story takes a dramatic turn when Tina starts losing her testimony, leading to emotional turmoil within their marriage, especially since Zane is called to be a bishop. The couple navigates the complexities of a non-believing bishop leading a congregation and the challenges of facing their doubts and fears while remaining true to themselves and their family. Note: The airing of this episode was delayed at the request of the Beards until they felt more comfortable in their circumstances for it to become public. Episode Show Notes YouTube Link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-ti

John Dehlin is joined by guests Spencer Anderson, Radio Free Mormon, and Rebecca Bibliotheca to go over the latest Widow’s Mite Report shedding light on the financial practices and transparency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We discuss the church's significant wealth and delve into its historical and current approach to charitable giving. We expose discrepancies in reported figures, revealing how the church combines various donations to inflate its humanitarian efforts. We explore whether the church could do more with its immense resources and discuss its environmental stewardship initiatives. Additionally, the conversation touches on tax issues in Australia and Canada. If you're curious about the financial side of religious institutions and their charitable efforts, this eye-opening discussion provides valuable insights. The Widow's Mite Report Overview Episode Show Notes YouTube Link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a do

Join hosts Mike, Nemo, and John Dehlin as they delve into the intricacies of spiritual witnesses within Mormonism. How do sincere seekers often end up with different answers when appealing to "the Spirit"? Can individuals be exploited by circumstances deliberately designed to create feelings of spiritual confirmation? What are the consequences when "spiritual witnesses" go wrong? Join us as we dive into the psychological phenomena of spiritual witnesses. We examine topics such as indoctrination, repetition, and the Illusory Truth effect, as well as other psychological mechanisms like confirmation bias, the backfire effect, and motivated reasoning. This episode can provide insight to your own spiritual experiences and provide tools to recognize attempts to manufacture the experience in you. Overview of Testimonies and Spiritual Witnesses in Mormonism (ldsdiscussions.com) Episode Show Notes YouTube Link _________________________ LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors! Help us continue to deliver qu

Today we will be covering the new hit movie Sound of Freedom - based loosely on the work of Tim Ballard, founder of Operation Underground Railroad. If you have first-hand stories of experiences with Tim Ballard and/or OUR, or other information that could be helpful to this episode, please email them to me at mormonstories@gmail.com. Joining us for the interview will be journalists Anna Merlan and Tim Marchman, who have both been heavily involved in coverage of this story. Human Trafficking Advocacy | Freedom Network USA Articles from Vice on Tim Ballard and OUR can be found below: 7/13/2023: Tim Ballard Has ‘Stepped Away’ From Operation Underground Railroad, Org Says 7/6/23: Anti-Trafficking Group With Long History of False Claims Gets Its Hollywood Moment 6/10/22: Operation Underground Railroad Touts Non-Existent Partnership With American Airlines 8/24/21: Inside the Shadowy Anti–Sex Trafficking Group OUR  6/10/21: Operation Underground Railroad’s Carefully Crafted Public Image Is Falling Apart 8/12/21: An

Join us for part three of our interview with Bill and Amanda Reel as we navigate the intricate topics of identity, spirituality, and the profound impact of shedding religious frameworks. We delve into discussions on morality, sexuality, and the complexities of relationships in a post-religious context, explore the meaning and purpose of life beyond religious constructs and the challenges of finding community and support outside of traditional religious structures. Prepare to be inspired and challenged as we venture into the realms of existentialism, the resolution of death, and the embrace of the present moment. Join us on this captivating exploration of life, spirituality, and the endless possibilities that lie beyond the confines of religious dogma. Donate to Mormon Discussions Mormon Discussions Podcast Website Mormon Discussion Inc. - YouTube MormonDiscussion (@mormondiscussion) | TikTok Mormon Discussions | Facebook Episode Show Notes YouTube Link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us con

Dive deeper into the captivating story of Bill and Amanda Reel as they embark on the second part of their remarkable journey. We explore their gripping encounters with church authorities, their disillusionment with Mormonism's truth claims, and their courageous decision to become whistleblowers within the faith. Discover the challenges they faced, including the lack of safety to be honest and the harm caused by the Mormon Church. Bill gives insight into the world of Mormon apologists and their ethics, as well as the transformative power of real authenticity when you can leave behind the burden of inauthenticity. Explore the shifting landscape of progressive Mormonism and the ultimate question of whether the Church's good outweighs its flaws. Prepare to be captivated by this thought-provoking exploration of faith, honesty, and the personal sacrifices made in pursuit of truth and freedom. Donate to Mormon Discussions Mormon Discussions Podcast Website Mormon Discussion Inc. - YouTube MormonDiscussion (@mormond

Discover the captivating story of Bill and Amanda Reel as they share their extraordinary journey through Mormonism, exploring Bill's transformation from a troubled youth seeking fatherly guidance to a dedicated bishop caught in a web of doubt and awakening. Unveil the challenges faced by this couple within the Mormon patriarchy, their relentless pursuit for truth, and how their experiences ultimately led them on a path of self-discovery and personal growth. Join us as we delve into the untold chapters of their lives, exposing the complexities and contradictions of faith, family, and the power of questioning within a religious institution. Donate to Mormon Discussions Mormon Discussions Podcast Website Mormon Discussion Inc. - YouTube MormonDiscussion (@mormondiscussion) | TikTok Mormon Discussions | Facebook Episode Show Notes YouTube Link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Suppor

Unearth the captivating rise of Brigham Young from the mesmerizing “Transfiguration” that altered Mormonism's course. Mike, Nemo, and John explore this event through meticulous analysis of historical records, contemporary journals, and a carefully constructed narrative. Unveil the astonishing accounts of miracles, including a highly cited backdated miracle and the use of carefully worded descriptions in "Saints." Discover why the Transfiguration holds immense significance for Mormonism and how it serves as a guide to the birth of miracle stories. Overview of the Transfiguration of Brigham Young and Miraculous Stories (ldsdiscussions.com) Episode Show Notes YouTube Link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com  PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117  Social Me

In today's episode, we delve into the remarkable story of Rachel Weaver—another member of BYU's Black Menaces. Prepare for an inspiring exploration of Rachel's life as a black convert to a conservative religion in a liberal environment to her life as a student at BYU. What eventually led her to forge her own path by stepping away from the faith that once defined her? Episode Show Notes Rachel Weaver - Instagram Nate Byrd - Instagram Black Menaces The Black Menaces Podcast The Black Menaces - Tik Tok The Black Menaces - YouTube The Black Menaces - Instagram The Black Menaces - Twitter Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com  PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117  Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord --- Send in a voic

Today we discuss a recent Supreme Court ruling permitting businesses to discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community. It has been alleged that the case was based on a fake document. The Alliance Defending Freedom, a prominent Christian organization, was heavily involved in the case and the Mormon Church submitted an amicus brief supporting the discrimination. Join us as we briefly examine some of this contentious case's facts. LDS Church's Amicus Brief Brenton Erickson – Public Defender Brenton's Linked In Brenton’s Tiktok Episode Show Notes Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com  PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117  Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh

In this episode we will review two books the Church "quietly" edited, making significant changes on the DL. The first is the Double Day version of the Book of Mormon published in 2004. The second is Rex Lee's "What do Mormons Believe? published in 1992. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

Join with John Dehlin and Gerardo as we interview social media influencer Hayley Rawle. She is the host of the “Girlscamp” Podcast, she was raised in the church, served a mission, married in the temple, and got her degree at BYU. In her story we will cover the struggles she had within her family, modesty culture, the hardships of serving a mission, gender roles in marriage, infertility, and more. As she puts it, “It’s like a normal Mormon story with a twist.” Episode Show Notes YouTube Link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com  PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117  Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

Join with us as we have a panel discussion of the new documentary series “Shiny Happy People” and its comparison to Mormonism. There are a striking number of similarities between Joseph Smith and IBLP leader Bill Gothard. We discuss the umbrella structure of IBLP and how abuse occurs so often in these High Demand groups and religions. Tia Levings, Brooke Arnold, and Lindsey Williams were personally interviewed and featured in Shiny Happy People because of their involvement with this group. Episode Show Notes YouTube Link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com  PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117  Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/m

Today we break new ground on Mormon Stories Podcast - we are interviewing a currently serving Mormon bishop who no longer believes in the core truth claims of the Mormon church (e.g. that it is the "one true church," that the Book of Mormon is historical, that Joseph Smith as a prophet in the way we are taught, in paying tithing, etc). Join us now as we learn about how he became a Mormon bishop, how he lost his literal Mormon faith as bishop, why he chose to "come out" on Mormon Stories Podcast while serving as bishop, and what he thinks the consequences will be for his actions. Episode Show Notes YouTube Link  Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com  PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117  Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

Join us as the two daughters of a Mormon Church’s Ensign Peak executive unravel the controversies, corruption, and conscience surrounding the LDS Church’s investment firm and its impact on the Mormon Church. Rylee and JoCee Porter share their initial doubts and concerns, discussing the morality of non-profits acting as for-profit entities and their reactions to David Nielsen's whistleblowing. We discuss the opulent Mormon temples in impoverished areas, the staggering $100 billion figure, and the ethical use of funds. Rylee and Jocee talk about their conversations with family members about Ensign Peak’s breaking of laws and the troubling implications of church leaders' involvement. Join us for an enlightening conversation that encourages critical thinking about the complexities surrounding Ensign Peak, raising questions about ethics, responsibility, and societal impact. Rylee Porter (@ryleecoyotee) • Instagram photos and videos Rylee Porter on Facebook JoCee

We continue delving into the challenges faced by sisters JoCee and Rylee Porter, daughters of an Advisor to Ensign Peak, the controversial Mormon investment company. JoCee’s story takes center-stage in this episode as she recalls feeling the need to be her family’s “Nephi”, (golden child) as both a reaction to the turmoil caused by Rylee’s perceived rebelliousness and an intense desire to feel her father’s love and attention. However, the more she achieves, the more she feels the constriction of Mormon gender roles. JoCee describes her journey into feminism, self-determination, self-discovery, and reconciliation with her sister Rylee just as the whistleblower leaks about Ensign Peak were coming to light… Rylee Porter (@ryleecoyotee) • Instagram photos and videos Rylee Porter on Facebook JoCee

Discover Rylee and JoCee Porter's challenges in a life intertwined with the LDS church, where their father served as an Ensign Peak Advisor, part of the Mormon Church's controversial investment company. In this episode, Rylee and Jocee recall their experiences as cultural minorities while their father worked on Wall Street and the cultural disparities they encountered upon moving to Utah, where they struggled with bullying and the insidious nature of Utah Mormonism. Uncover the pivotal moments that led Rylee to question the validity of the church’s truth claims and moral credibility, and eventually make the courageous decision to break free from the church at the cost of her family relationships. Get ready for an eye-opening conversation that delves into the complexities of faith, personal integrity, and the power of one's own principles. Rylee Porter (@ryleecoyotee) • Instagram photos and videos Rylee Porter on Facebook JoCee

Come listen and get involved as John and Nemo discuss the groundbreaking developments happening in the UK. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United Kingdom, due to the activism work of 21st Century Saints and the Britvengers Collective, is making DBS checks mandatory for those who work with children and youth. Episode Show Notes YouTube Link _________________________ Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox _________________________ Our Platforms: Mormon Stories Blog YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts _________________________ Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com  PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117  _________________________ Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord   --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

In the highly anticipated Part Two of Saane's story, we pick up as she navigates her first year at BYU. Prepare for a candid exploration of her experiences as a person of color, including the challenges of dating and the fetishization she encounters from those who served Polynesian missions. As the conversation unfolds, Saane reveals the pervasive racism and hostile environment she faced from white peers, exacerbated by the election of Donald Trump. Saane shares her journey of self-discovery as she grapples with deep conflicts between her beliefs, values and identity and her determination to make a difference wherever she serves be it family, BYU and her mission to Tahiti. Don't miss this eye-opening episode as Saane discusses her evolving views and offers recommendations for a more inclusive BYU, all while reflecting on her heritage and the profound impact of her experiences. Episode Show Notes YouTube Link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a

Today John Dehlin is joined by Tongan Mormon, Saane Siale, with special guests Nate Byrd from BYU’s Black Menaces, and Beau Oyler, her former Bishop, as they delve into the unique experiences and challenges faced by racial minorities within Mormonism. They discuss the integration of Mormonism into Tongan culture, the complexities of being part of an ethnic ward, and the impact of white beauty standards on individuals of color. They also explore the internalized racism and the pursuit of academic excellence within marginalized communities, shedding light on the need for advocacy and social justice. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation as Saane shares her journey, from her upbringing to her awakening as an activist, while grappling with her faith and preparing for her future at BYU. Episode Show Notes YouTube Link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon Ou