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

🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today

Our Platforms:

🎙️⁠Patreon ⁠

✳️⁠Spotify⁠

🖼️⁠Instagram ⁠

📧 MormonStories@gmail.com

📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Racist History Mormon Church Never Taught Me - Mariama Nadworna Pt. 2 | Ep. 2202 Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

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?

___________________

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

Our Platforms:

🎙️⁠Patreon ⁠

✳️⁠Spotify⁠

🖼️⁠Instagram ⁠

📧 MormonStories@gmail.com

📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Growing up Black and Mormon in the UK - Mariama Nadworna Pt. 1 | Ep. 2201 Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

What does it mean to grow up Black and Mormon in an overwhelmingly white church?

___________________

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

Our Platforms:

🎙️⁠Patreon ⁠

✳️⁠Spotify⁠

🖼️⁠Instagram ⁠

📧 MormonStories@gmail.com

📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

LDS Retention Drop, Church Opposes Abortion Rights in Idaho, Nevada - Mormon News 9.25.26 | Ep. 2200 Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

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

___________________

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

Our Platforms:

🎙️⁠Patreon ⁠

✳️⁠Spotify⁠

🖼️⁠Instagram ⁠

📧 MormonStories@gmail.com

📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

LDS Church Lawyer Speaks on Trademark Lawsuit vs. Mormon Stories - Mormon News 9.25.26 | Ep. 2199 Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

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

___________________

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

Our Platforms:

🎙️⁠Patreon ⁠

✳️⁠Spotify⁠

🖼️⁠Instagram ⁠

📧 MormonStories@gmail.com

📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Brigham Young Embraces Nauvoo Polygamy - The Brigham Young Podcast Pt. 3 | Ep. 2198 Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

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?

___________________

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

Our Platforms:

🎙️⁠Patreon ⁠

✳️⁠Spotify⁠

🖼️⁠Instagram ⁠

📧 MormonStories@gmail.com

📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Margi Dehlin on Life after Mormonism (Pt. 3 of 3 - Rec. 2016) | Ep. 686 Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

I am incredibly pleased to re-release this 3-part interview with my wife of 33 years, Margaret (Margi) Weber Dehlin - first recorded in 2016 (a year after our excommunication from the Mormon church). I say "our" excommunication, because Margi felt that when they excommunicated me, they excommunicated our family as well.

Part 1: Margi's life as a believing Mormon. This includes questions about how her family joined the LDS church in Washington D.C. during the 1970s, reflections on her own "conversion" to the church, Margi's favorite parts about being a believing, active Mormon, and the most challenging parts as well.

Part 2: Margi's faith crisis and transition away from Mormon orthodoxy, including our time trying to remain LDS as semi-believers, and her experiences and reflections on my excommunication. Topics include the impetus for Margi's faith transition, how she/we "came out" to our children parents, extended family, etc. as unorthodox Mormons, and what the most difficult and rewarding parts of the transition were.

Part 3: Margi's life and perspective now, as a post-Mormon, including reflections on her current beliefs and non-beliefs, her approach to nurturing a healthy/happy family without religion, how she approaches raising children without the church, and why she feels as though she and our family are happier and healthier than ever before after leaving the church.

___________________

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
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Our Platforms:
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Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF

Margi Dehlin - Why and How She Left the Mormon Church (Pt. 2 of 3 - Rec. 2016) | Ep. 685 Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

___________________

Margi Dehlin's Life as a Mormon (Pt. 1 of 3 - Rec. 2016) | Ep. 684 Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

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LDS Scholar Warned? 50 Million Members? Anti-Immigration? Early Marriage? - Mormon News | Ep. 2197 Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

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.

___________________

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