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Have you ever wondered how much the top-level Mormon church leaders know about the problems with LDS Church truth claims, and for how long they have known about these problems? Long before Mormon General Authority F. Enzio Busche lost his testimony in the Mormon church… Long before Mormon Area Authority Hans Mattsson lost his testimony in the Mormon church.... Long before the CES Letter…Long before Mormon Stories Podcast...Long before Grant Palmer....Long before the Leonard Arrington church history years…Long before Fawn Brodie wrote “No Man Knows My History”.... ….did you know that a high-level Mormon General Authority lost his faith in the historicity of the Book of Mormon -- in the early 1900s - after an in-depth study of the scientific problems with the Book of Mormon (e.g., archaeological, anthropological, linguistic, geographic)?More significantly, did you know that this same General Authority notified the LDS First Presidency of the scientific problems with the Book of Mormon via three separate manuscr

Today we interview Ed Decker -- ex-Mormon, Evangelical Christian, career "Anti-Mormon," and creator of the controversial 80's "anti-Mormon" movie called “The God Makers.”  Today’s interview focuses on four main areas: Part 1: Ed’s conversion to Mormonism, his life as a Mormon, his loss of faith, and his excommunication. Part 2: Ed’s “calling” to minister to Mormons, and the making of “The Godmakers.” Part 3: A discussion about the impact of and controversies surrounding “The God Makers.” Part 4: Ed’s unfortunate involvement in “The God Makers 2,” the negative fallout, and Ed’s life from then until now. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

Today we interview Ed Decker -- ex-Mormon, Evangelical Christian, career "Anti-Mormon," and creator of the controversial 80's "anti-Mormon" movie called “The God Makers.”  Today’s interview focuses on four main areas: Part 1: Ed’s conversion to Mormonism, his life as a Mormon, his loss of faith, and his excommunication. Part 2: Ed’s “calling” to minister to Mormons, and the making of “The Godmakers.” Part 3: A discussion about the impact of and controversies surrounding “The God Makers.” Part 4: Ed’s unfortunate involvement in “The God Makers 2,” the negative fallout, and Ed’s life from then until now. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

Today we interview Ed Decker -- ex-Mormon, Evangelical Christian, career "Anti-Mormon," and creator of the controversial 80's "anti-Mormon" movie called “The God Makers.”  Today’s interview focuses on four main areas: Part 1: Ed’s conversion to Mormonism, his life as a Mormon, his loss of faith, and his excommunication. Part 2: Ed’s “calling” to minister to Mormons, and the making of “The Godmakers.” Part 3: A discussion about the impact of and controversies surrounding “The God Makers.” Part 4: Ed’s unfortunate involvement in “The God Makers 2,” the negative fallout, and Ed’s life from then until now. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

Today we interview Ed Decker -- ex-Mormon, Evangelical Christian, career "Anti-Mormon," and creator of the controversial 80's "anti-Mormon" movie called “The God Makers.”  Today’s interview focuses on four main areas: Part 1: Ed’s conversion to Mormonism, his life as a Mormon, his loss of faith, and his excommunication. Part 2: Ed’s “calling” to minister to Mormons, and the making of “The Godmakers.” Part 3: A discussion about the impact of and controversies surrounding “The God Makers.” Part 4: Ed’s unfortunate involvement in “The God Makers 2,” the negative fallout, and Ed’s life from then until now. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

Today we interview Ed Decker -- ex-Mormon, Evangelical Christian, career "Anti-Mormon," and creator of the controversial 80's "anti-Mormon" movie called “The God Makers.”  Today’s interview focuses on four main areas: Part 1: Ed’s conversion to Mormonism, his life as a Mormon, his loss of faith, and his excommunication. Part 2: Ed’s “calling” to minister to Mormons, and the making of “The Godmakers.” Part 3: A discussion about the impact of and controversies surrounding “The God Makers.” Part 4: Ed’s unfortunate involvement in “The God Makers 2,” the negative fallout, and Ed’s life from then until now. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

When someone loses their faith in Mormonism, there are several paths  often followed.  One is to become agnostic or atheist, and never to rejoin a religion again.  One is to re-join a Christian church.  One is to follow a more fundamentalist Mormon path (e.g. Denver Snuffer, Preppers, Julie Rowe).  And one is to become susceptible to new age beliefs and other gurus or cult leaders.  Today we will be talking about the last option. Teal Swan (born Mary Teal Bosworth) is described on her web site as an American spiritual teacher, author, and social media personality.  She was raised in Logan, UT, and as a teenager was connected to controversial Mormon therapist Barbara Snow, who was at the center of the Satanic Ritual Abuse panic in the 1990s and 2000s.  After a very turbulent childhood, which involved self harm and suicidality, Teal pursued modeling for a time, and eventually began pursuing the path of becoming a spiritual guide. Teal's teachings on how to manage mental health issues have often been described a

When someone loses their faith in Mormonism, there are several paths  often followed.  One is to become agnostic or atheist, and never to rejoin a religion again.  One is to re-join a Christian church.  One is to follow a more fundamentalist Mormon path (e.g. Denver Snuffer, Preppers, Julie Rowe).  And one is to become susceptible to new age beliefs and other gurus or cult leaders.  Today we will be talking about the last option. Teal Swan (born Mary Teal Bosworth) is described on her web site as an American spiritual teacher, author, and social media personality.  She was raised in Logan, UT, and as a teenager was connected to controversial Mormon therapist Barbara Snow, who was at the center of the Satanic Ritual Abuse panic in the 1990s and 2000s.  After a very turbulent childhood, which involved self harm and suicidality, Teal pursued modeling for a time, and eventually began pursuing the path of becoming a spiritual guide. Teal's teachings on how to manage mental health issues have often been described a

When someone loses their faith in Mormonism, there are several paths  often followed.  One is to become agnostic or atheist, and never to rejoin a religion again.  One is to re-join a Christian church.  One is to follow a more fundamentalist Mormon path (e.g. Denver Snuffer, Preppers, Julie Rowe).  And one is to become susceptible to new age beliefs and other gurus or cult leaders.  Today we will be talking about the last option. Teal Swan (born Mary Teal Bosworth) is described on her web site as an American spiritual teacher, author, and social media personality.  She was raised in Logan, UT, and as a teenager was connected to controversial Mormon therapist Barbara Snow, who was at the center of the Satanic Ritual Abuse panic in the 1990s and 2000s.  After a very turbulent childhood, which involved self harm and suicidality, Teal pursued modeling for a time, and eventually began pursuing the path of becoming a spiritual guide. Teal's teachings on how to manage mental health issues have often been described a

When someone loses their faith in Mormonism, there are several paths  often followed.  One is to become agnostic or atheist, and never to rejoin a religion again.  One is to re-join a Christian church.  One is to follow a more fundamentalist Mormon path (e.g. Denver Snuffer, Preppers, Julie Rowe).  And one is to become susceptible to new age beliefs and other gurus or cult leaders.  Today we will be talking about the last option. Teal Swan (born Mary Teal Bosworth) is described on her web site as an American spiritual teacher, author, and social media personality.  She was raised in Logan, UT, and as a teenager was connected to controversial Mormon therapist Barbara Snow, who was at the center of the Satanic Ritual Abuse panic in the 1990s and 2000s.  After a very turbulent childhood, which involved self harm and suicidality, Teal pursued modeling for a time, and eventually began pursuing the path of becoming a spiritual guide. Teal's teachings on how to manage mental health issues have often been described a

For the past year a generous donor has been supporting a Mormon Stories billboard in Idaho Falls, Idaho (picture below).  Unfortunately, because of a change in financial situation, the donor is no longer able to continue supporting the billboard. If we can raise recurring pledges of $650/month from community members, or $7800 in total donations, we can continue this billboard for the next year.  If we can raise $3300 (only $700 more at this point) we can secure it with a 6 month contract. Please know that 100% of billboard donations go to billboards, and are fully tax deductible in the U.S. Here is the link to donate to this billboard campaign: https://donorbox.org/idaho-falls-mormon-stories-billboard-campaign-2020 Please support this billboard if you would like to see it continue in Idaho Falls.  Also, please spread the word if you know others who might be able/willing to support. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

Every once in a while we have an epic, multi-part Mormon Stories Podcast episode about a family who experiences a faith crisis together -- wherein multiple family members (including some of the children) participate in the re-telling of the story. This is one of those episodes.Sam and Sara Pinson were living the Mormon dream: raised in the LDS Church, married in the LDS temple, etc.  Sam obtained his “dream job” working 5 years for Microsoft, and later left Microsoft to start his own business.  The Pinson dream culminated in Sam and Sara moving to Ammon (Idaho Falls), Idaho, wherein Sam was called as a Mormon bishop.  Everything seemed perfect - except it wasn’t. Their teenage daughter, Olivia, was questioning both the church, and her sexuality. Their son, Sam Jr., was suffering with Scrupulosity (religious OCD) And both Sam and Sara were beginning to question their Mormon faith while Sam was serving as bishop. Today’s episode tells the story of how a devout Mormon family in Ammon, Idaho, led by a Mormon Bi

Every once in a while we have an epic, multi-part Mormon Stories Podcast episode about a family who experiences a faith crisis together -- wherein multiple family members (including some of the children) participate in the re-telling of the story. This is one of those episodes.Sam and Sara Pinson were living the Mormon dream: raised in the LDS Church, married in the LDS temple, etc.  Sam obtained his “dream job” working 5 years for Microsoft, and later left Microsoft to start his own business.  The Pinson dream culminated in Sam and Sara moving to Ammon (Idaho Falls), Idaho, wherein Sam was called as a Mormon bishop.  Everything seemed perfect - except it wasn’t. Their teenage daughter, Olivia, was questioning both the church, and her sexuality. Their son, Sam Jr., was suffering with Scrupulosity (religious OCD) And both Sam and Sara were beginning to question their Mormon faith while Sam was serving as bishop. Today’s episode tells the story of how a devout Mormon family in Ammon, Idaho, led by a Mormon Bi

Every once in a while we have an epic, multi-part Mormon Stories Podcast episode about a family who experiences a faith crisis together -- wherein multiple family members (including some of the children) participate in the re-telling of the story. This is one of those episodes.Sam and Sara Pinson were living the Mormon dream: raised in the LDS Church, married in the LDS temple, etc.  Sam obtained his “dream job” working 5 years for Microsoft, and later left Microsoft to start his own business.  The Pinson dream culminated in Sam and Sara moving to Ammon (Idaho Falls), Idaho, wherein Sam was called as a Mormon bishop.  Everything seemed perfect - except it wasn’t. Their teenage daughter, Olivia, was questioning both the church, and her sexuality. Their son, Sam Jr., was suffering with Scrupulosity (religious OCD) And both Sam and Sara were beginning to question their Mormon faith while Sam was serving as bishop. Today’s episode tells the story of how a devout Mormon family in Ammon, Idaho, led by a Mormon Bi

Every once in a while we have an epic, multi-part Mormon Stories Podcast episode about a family who experiences a faith crisis together -- wherein multiple family members (including some of the children) participate in the re-telling of the story. This is one of those episodes.Sam and Sara Pinson were living the Mormon dream: raised in the LDS Church, married in the LDS temple, etc.  Sam obtained his “dream job” working 5 years for Microsoft, and later left Microsoft to start his own business.  The Pinson dream culminated in Sam and Sara moving to Ammon (Idaho Falls), Idaho, wherein Sam was called as a Mormon bishop.  Everything seemed perfect - except it wasn’t. Their teenage daughter, Olivia, was questioning both the church, and her sexuality. Their son, Sam Jr., was suffering with Scrupulosity (religious OCD) And both Sam and Sara were beginning to question their Mormon faith while Sam was serving as bishop. Today’s episode tells the story of how a devout Mormon family in Ammon, Idaho, led by a Mormon Bi

Every once in a while we have an epic, multi-part Mormon Stories Podcast episode about a family who experiences a faith crisis together -- wherein multiple family members (including some of the children) participate in the re-telling of the story. This is one of those episodes.Sam and Sara Pinson were living the Mormon dream: raised in the LDS Church, married in the LDS temple, etc.  Sam obtained his “dream job” working 5 years for Microsoft, and later left Microsoft to start his own business.  The Pinson dream culminated in Sam and Sara moving to Ammon (Idaho Falls), Idaho, wherein Sam was called as a Mormon bishop.  Everything seemed perfect - except it wasn’t. Their teenage daughter, Olivia, was questioning both the church, and her sexuality. Their son, Sam Jr., was suffering with Scrupulosity (religious OCD) And both Sam and Sara were beginning to question their Mormon faith while Sam was serving as bishop. Today’s episode tells the story of how a devout Mormon family in Ammon, Idaho, led by a Mormon Bi

Every once in a while we have an epic, multi-part Mormon Stories Podcast episode about a family who experiences a faith crisis together -- wherein multiple family members (including some of the children) participate in the re-telling of the story. This is one of those episodes.Sam and Sara Pinson were living the Mormon dream: raised in the LDS Church, married in the LDS temple, etc.  Sam obtained his “dream job” working 5 years for Microsoft, and later left Microsoft to start his own business.  The Pinson dream culminated in Sam and Sara moving to Ammon (Idaho Falls), Idaho, wherein Sam was called as a Mormon bishop.  Everything seemed perfect - except it wasn’t. Their teenage daughter, Olivia, was questioning both the church, and her sexuality. Their son, Sam Jr., was suffering with Scrupulosity (religious OCD) And both Sam and Sara were beginning to question their Mormon faith while Sam was serving as bishop. Today’s episode tells the story of how a devout Mormon family in Ammon, Idaho, led by a Mormon Bi

Every once in a while we have an epic, multi-part Mormon Stories Podcast episode about a family who experiences a faith crisis together -- wherein multiple family members (including some of the children) participate in the re-telling of the story. This is one of those episodes.Sam and Sara Pinson were living the Mormon dream: raised in the LDS Church, married in the LDS temple, etc.  Sam obtained his “dream job” working 5 years for Microsoft, and later left Microsoft to start his own business.  The Pinson dream culminated in Sam and Sara moving to Ammon (Idaho Falls), Idaho, wherein Sam was called as a Mormon bishop.  Everything seemed perfect - except it wasn’t. Their teenage daughter, Olivia, was questioning both the church, and her sexuality. Their son, Sam Jr., was suffering with Scrupulosity (religious OCD) And both Sam and Sara were beginning to question their Mormon faith while Sam was serving as bishop. Today’s episode tells the story of how a devout Mormon family in Ammon, Idaho, led by a Mormon Bi

Yesterday afternoon I sat down with eight super-thoughtful Post-Mormons of color to discuss the unlawful killing of people of color by law enforcement officers and white citizens in the United States of America. While these killings happen on a monthly basis in the United States, and have been occurring for centuries -- three of the 2020 killings that seem to be invoking particularly strong reactions are those of: - George Floyd (46) - Killed in May in Minneapolis by police officer Derek Chauvin, while fellow officers watched. - Ahmaud Arbery (25) - Killed in South Georgia by Travis McMichael, while his father watched. - Breonna Taylor - Killed in March in Louisville by narcotics detectives after they knocked down her apartment door We are aware the killings of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery only because they were recorded by smart phones. As summarized by actor Will Smith, “Racism isn’t getting worse. It’s getting filmed.” These killings have led to numerous public protests throughout the United States, incl

Yesterday afternoon I sat down with eight super-thoughtful Post-Mormons of color to discuss the unlawful killing of people of color by law enforcement officers and white citizens in the United States of America. While these killings happen on a monthly basis in the United States, and have been occurring for centuries -- three of the 2020 killings that seem to be invoking particularly strong reactions are those of: - George Floyd (46) - Killed in May in Minneapolis by police officer Derek Chauvin, while fellow officers watched. - Ahmaud Arbery (25) - Killed in South Georgia by Travis McMichael, while his father watched. - Breonna Taylor - Killed in March in Louisville by narcotics detectives after they knocked down her apartment door We are aware the killings of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery only because they were recorded by smart phones. As summarized by actor Will Smith, “Racism isn’t getting worse. It’s getting filmed.” These killings have led to numerous public protests throughout the United States, incl