Mormon Stories Podcast

Latest Episodes:

664: The Excommunication of Amy and Jake Malouf Pt. 2 - The Verdict Oct 21, 2016

Show notes

In part two of my interview with Amy and Jake Malouf, we discuss the verdict from their October 11, 2016 Mormon Disciplinary Council on charges of Apostasy, along with their reactions to the verdict.

This is a link to the recent article from the Anchorage Press about Amy and Jake's disciplinary council.
This is a link to the letter Amy and Jake read during their disciplinary council.

663: A Very Rough, Unplanned, and Informal First Discussion about Mormon and Post-Mormon Polyamory and Consensual Non-Monogamy Oct 20, 2016

Show notes

On a recent trip from New Jersey to Vermont with Mormon Therapist Natasha Helfer Parker and Dr. Gina Colvin we decided to have a rough, unplanned, unrehearsed, and VERY informal first discussion about post-Mormon polyamory and non-monogamy.

For those who care deeply about this issue, there are a few very important things we would like to emphasize:

This is a rough, free-form, first discussion about orthodox, transitioning, and post-Mormon non-monogamy and polyamory. This is not meant to be a pre-planned, comprehensive, uber-professional treatment of the topic. If you are looking for such a treatment, please do not listen.
For those of you who are very knowledgable about and/or experienced with polyamory and non-monogamy, we openly acknowledge that we likely (or most definitely) employed several incorrect or improper terms, stereotypes, and biases in this discussion. We do this partially on purpose - because it gives us/you a chance to explore and correct common mistakes or misperceptions used regarding these sensitive and important topics.
For those of you who are interested in this topic, or who were frustrated in any way by this first treatment/discussion - we hope that you will give us your thoughts, perspective, and respectful criticisms in the blog comments. Then, please know what we 100% plan to have at least a few future guests on Mormon Stories Podcast to explore this topic more in-depth, and in more serious ways. If you have participated in polyamory and/or non-monogamy as an active, transitioning, or post-Mormon, we invite you to contact us about appearing in a future episode. mormonstories@gmail.com

Thanks for your patience, understanding, support, participation, and good will as we begin to explore this important topic that affects many people in orthodox, transitioning, and post-Mormonism.

662: Elna Baker's Mormon Transition Oct 20, 2016

Show notes

Elna Baker is the author of the highly acclaimed The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance: A Memoir. She is also a contributor to the podcast This American Life.

As part of the 2016 New York City Mormon Transitions Retreat Elna shares experiences regarding her faith transition away from Mormonism.

661: Abby Huntsman and Carrie Sheffield and their Transitions Out of Mormonism Oct 19, 2016

Show notes

As part of the 2016 Mormon Transitions New York Retreat we interview journalists Abby Huntsman and Carrie Sheffield. In this interview they discuss their transitions out of Mormonism.

Announcements: Hiring OSF DIrector of Operations, NYC Retreat October 14-16 Oct 04, 2016

Show notes

Announcements: Hiring OSF DIrector of Operations, NYC Retreat October 14-16.

660: Dr. Greg Prince Pt. 3 - How to Maintain Faith in Mormonism as an Intellectual Oct 04, 2016

Show notes

Dr. Greg Prince is best known within Mormonism as the author of three books:

- Power from on High: The Development of Mormon Priesthood
- David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism
- Leonard Arrington and the Writing of Mormon History

In this three-part series we discuss the following:

- Part 1: Greg's early years as a Mormon in the Los Angeles area, his graduate work as a dentist and as a pathologist, and his role in developing a cure for RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection), which has saved tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of infant lives.

- Part 2: Greg discusses the challenges of raising a son (Madison) with autism, then discusses how he developed a gospel framework that allowed him to avoid a faith crisis, which led to his entree into Mormon history authorship. We focus on his Priesthood book.

- Part 3: Greg goes deep into how he maintains faith/belief and activity in God/Christ/the LDS Church as a scientist, and after knowing so much troubling LDS history. He also lays out in detail his nuanced LDS testimony.

659: Dr. Greg Prince Pt. 2 - On Autism, Mormon History, and LDS Priesthood Oct 04, 2016

Show notes

Dr. Greg Prince is best known within Mormonism as the author of three books:

- Power from on High: The Development of Mormon Priesthood
- David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism
- Leonard Arrington and the Writing of Mormon History

In this three-part series we discuss the following:

658: Dr. Greg Prince Pt. 1 - Early Years, Developing a Cure for RSV Oct 04, 2016

Show notes

Dr. Greg Prince is best known within Mormonism as the author of three books:

- Power from on High: The Development of Mormon Priesthood
- David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism
- Leonard Arrington and the Writing of Mormon History

In this three-part series we discuss the following:

657: Apostasy in Anchorage, Alaska – The Excommunication of Amy and Jake Malouf Sep 28, 2016

Show notes

Amy and Jake Malouf have been devout LDS church members for their entire lives – living the past 14+ years in Anchorage, Alaska. They have served in high-level callings in their Anchorage ward, and are very well-respected and well-liked in their Alaska LDS community.

Two years ago Amy and Jake began to have doubts about the truthfulness of the LDS Church. As they began to share their questions/doubts/concerns about LDS doctrine and policy on Facebook (e.g., the November 2015 policy against LGBT Mormons and their children), their posts were monitored by ward and stake members and reported to the stake leadership. When they were directly asked by their stake president to remain silent about their questions/concerns/doubts/disbelief – they declined as a matter of conscience. Recently when they spoke out publicly on Facebook against the November, 2015 LGBT policy (out of concern for LDS LGBT youth suicides) they were informed by their LDS stake president that they will soon be excommunicated. The date/time of their disciplinary council is October 11, 2016 at 9pm Utah time.

This is their story.

P.S. Amy is a fabulous artist. Her artwork can be found here! www.amymalouf.com

656: Omar and Nancy Kader - The Journey of a Palestinian Boy Raised in Utah and His Amazing Wife Pt. 4 Sep 25, 2016

Show notes

Dr. Omar Kader was born in Provo, Utah to Palestinian immigrants. HIs father was a devout Muslim and a disabled World War I vet who owned a successful Provo fruit farm. During Omar's childhood he and his family were called the n-word by fellow Provoans, but fought to earn the respect of his community. Omar and his father were close friends of Dr. Hugh Nibley, who liked to practice his Arabic skills with Omar's dad.

In this epic multi-part series, we hear several inspiring stories, including:

How Omar escaped Palestine after being sent back there by his father to prevent him from marrying a Utah woman.
How Dr. Hugh Nibley fought to help Omar enroll in Brigham Young University.
How Omar met, courted, and married his amazing wife Nancy - a brilliant Mormon girl from Ogden, UT (this courtship included his conversion to the LDS faith). We also touch on what it was like to enter into a multi-cultural marriage in Utah during the 1960s.
Omar's draft into the Vietnam War (serving in Germany)
How Omar and Nancy risked expulsion from BYU for fighting against the Vietnam war and for supporting the BYU Student Democratic Party during the Earnest L. Wilkinson administration -- and how Hugh Nibley came to their rescue.
Omar's experiences obtaining a Ph.D. in International Relations at USC, along with his 10 year career at BYU wherein he faced both considerable racism and heroic support from certain BYU faculty and administrators.
Nancy's work with the Democratic party in Utah, which included interactions with actor Robert Redford.
Omar's decision to leave BYU and move to Washington D.C.
Omar's work as a lobbyist for Arab-Americans, which included meetings with Yasser Arafat and King Hussein of Jordan.
The part Omar played in helping BYU obtain the land to build the BYU Jerusalem center, which he later grew to regret.
Omar's scorching critiques of LDS apostles Ezra Taft Benson and Jeffrey R. Holland.
Omar's work as a successful businessman in Washington D.C. against all odds as an Arab-American.
Nancy's trial of faith after befriending Kate Kelly in her Virginia ward, and then watching her friend get excommunicated.
Where Omar and Nancy now stand with the LDS church, and with matters of faith.

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