Mormon Stories Podcast

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1677: John Larsen - Your Friend, the Church Oct 21, 2022

Show notes

Supreme Court Amicus Curie briefings are a way for organizations to influence and become involved in significant Court cases. For many years the church has used its high-powered attorneys to file briefs in major cases. We will discuss which cases and what the church truly values.

Special Guest: Sam Shelly

Update: We've got a new episode on another case the Church recently supported 1781: Mormon Church Involved in Supreme Court Discrimination Case Episode Show Notes

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1676: D&C 132 - Joseph Smith's Polygamy "Revelation" w/ LDS Discussions - 25 Oct 20, 2022

Show notes

Today’s episode continues the discussion on Polygamy with the (in)famous revelation still canonized in Mormon/LDS scripture as Section 132 of the Doctrine & Covenants. Mike sets up the historical & personal context of the timing of this revelation and the problematic ideas presented in it as coming from God including how God views women, redefining adultery and other moral issues, and the various rules and justifications given by God to practice polygamy.

Mike goes on to show that Joseph admits himself that polygamy is something he wanted, and despite being the receiver of the various specific rules defined by God, he nevertheless proceeds to break every one of them.

Finally, Mike goes over the many apologetics around this section of the Doctrine & Covenants and the problems with most of the arguments attempting to justify the revelation, Joseph’s polygamy, and the resulting polygamy among many of the branches of Mormonism, some continuing to this day.

Special Guest: Elisha Lee

Faith Unraveled Tiktok (Faith Transition Focused)
Soul Unraveled Tiktok (Personal Journey Focused)

LDS Discussion Essay on Polygamy

Episode Show Notes

LDS Discussions 6-Part Series on Polygamy:

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1675: Navigating a Faith Crisis as Brothers-in-law: Chris Lee and Mitch Hadfield Pt. 2 Oct 18, 2022

Show notes

Going through a faith crisis can be a lonely and isolating experience, especially in a believing family, so imagine the relief to find someone else is going through the same thing! Join John & Margi as they interview Chris Lee and Mitch Hadfield about their Mormon Story, their struggles with the faith, their relief to find understanding, support & solidarity with each other, and where their lives are now.

In Part 2 of 2, Chris and Mitch explain the sources of their individual faith crises and how they processed it. Chris’ was a slow burn with a long amount of time spent in progressive Mormonism, while Mitch went from fairly conservative to a nonbeliever overnight. They explain the results of sharing their faith loss with each other, their wives, and other believing family members and where Chris and Mitch find themselves today.

Chris Lee:

Episode Show Notes

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1674: Struggling to Complete a Mormon Mission: Chris Lee and Mitch Hadfield Pt. 1 Oct 17, 2022

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In Part 1 of 2, Chris and Mitch tell their respective stories growing up in Mormon families and share their individual struggles serving missions for the Church. Chris struggles deeply with depression and anxiety resulting in going home early though at the cost of guilt that will last for years. Mitch experiences shame over “unrepented sins,” difficulties of the mission, and deals with suicidal ideation, though his does finish the full two-year term.

Chris Lee:

Episode Show Notes

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1673: An Introduction to Mormon Polygamy w/ LDS Discussions - 24 Oct 13, 2022

Show notes

Mike and John discuss the timeline and cultural context surrounding Joseph Smith at the time he claims to receive the revelation on polygamy which became canonized and is still considered scripture for many modern Mormon branches, some who still practice it today, and even ones who don't, like the largest Mormon branch headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

LDS Discussion Essay on Polygamy Episode Show Notes LDS Discussions 6-Part Series on Polygamy:

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1672: Being Gay at BYU - Daniel Spencer Pt . 2 Oct 11, 2022

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Content Warning: Mention of sexual acts, suicide, & suicidal ideation

Join us for a very special episode & guest, Daniel Spencer (@DanBamBam on Social Media) to share his heartwarming story with us. From growing up as a closeted gay Mormon teenager in a country where being gay isn't just illegal, but dangerous, to his mission experiences and discovering his talent not just for comedy but for starting important conversations at BYU and beyond! Daniel Spencer (@DanBanBam)

TikTok: @danbanbam
Dry Bar Special: Accents Make You Hotter. Daniel Spencer
Insta: @danbanbam

Trigger Warning: Suicides & Suicidal Ideation

In this part 2 of 2, Daniel returns to share what the remainder of his mission was like, his studies at BYU, dealing with his homosexuality, learning more about the Church's history and truth claims, and his attempts to learn to speak his truth out loud after decades of hiding who he was. Daniel attempts to use social media to bring attention to important issues as well as give people a chance to speak their truth, even if anonymously.

Episode Show Notes

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1671: Growing Up Mormon in Zimbabwe - Daniel Spencer Pt . 1 Oct 10, 2022

Show notes

Content Warning: Mention of sexual acts, suicide, & suicidal ideation

TikTok: @danbanbam
Dry Bar Special: Accents Make You Hotter. Daniel Spencer
Insta: @danbanbam

Content Warning: Mention of sexual acts

In Part 1 of 2, Dan tells us about his Mormon upbringing in Zimbabwe, from how his parents met each other, ended up in Zimbabwe, and what may be different for Zimbabwean Latter-day Saints from the more common US & Utah-based stories. We learn what his teens were like, including sexual mores and education where Dan grew up and he shares his own experiences. We also learn when and how Dan began to gain his testimony of the Gospel, his decision to attend BYU and serve a mission, and what his experiences were like going through the Temple for the first time and his early mission experiences.

Episode Show Notes

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1670: October General Conference - Panel Discussion Oct 06, 2022

Show notes

Description: Join us for our very first General Conference Panel of Discussion on Mormon Stories Podcast. John, Samantha, Gerardo, Nemo, and John’s dad, David will analyze a few statements made during the October 2022 Mormon General Conference. You can't miss this one! Official Channel for General Conference Guest Panelists:

Samantha Shelly
- Samantha Shelley Coaching
- Zelph on the Shelf
Nemo the Mormon
- Nemo the Mormon YouTube Channel

Episode Show Notes

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1669: LDS Temple Endowment & Masonry w/ LDS Discussions - 23 Oct 06, 2022

Show notes

Join Mike and John as they discuss Mormonism’s early connection with Masonry through Joseph Smith and the unique problems it creates for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to grapple with today.
Covered topics include the timeline of Joseph becoming a Master Mason before introducing the similarly-themed rituals of the Temple Endowment Ceremony, why many members and apologists claim Masonry to be of ancient origin despite evidence to the contrary, the many parallels between the secret rituals of both organizations, and whether or the Temple Endowment involved false doctrines.

LDS Discussions Essay on the Temple & Masonry

Episode Show Notes

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1668: Mormon Stake Presidency Counselor Confronts General Authorities - Evan and Weston Smith Pt. 3 Oct 05, 2022

Show notes

Trigger Warning: Suicidal Ideation Evan Smith rose through the ranks of Mormon leadership ultimately becoming a Stake Presidency member. While serving as an LDS Bishop, Evan struggled with the Church’s positions on LGBTQ+ issues and later found out that his son Weston was gay. Even after coming out, Weston decided to serve an LDS Mission as an openly gay man, leading him to high levels of depression and heartbreaking experiences during and after coming back early from his mission. Evan became an advocate for LGBTQ people in the Church. His position as a Stake Presidency Counselor led him to a few confrontations/discussions with General Authorities and a later meeting at Church Headquarters where they discussed Evan’s progressive beliefs on LGBTQ matters. In Part 3 of 3, Evan describes getting called as a Stake Counselor, his attempts to be an ally for LGBTQ individuals and his subsequent faith crisis. Evan has a few debates/confrontations with Area Seventy Elder McCune (higher than Stake Presidency in Mormon leadership) over his gay son. Evan emails Apostles and other leaders on how the Church can change to be more loving and accepting of LGBTQ members resulting in a meeting with General Authority Allen D. Haynie. Evan continues faith deconstruction when his wife begins her faith crisis, and they both come to see the issues with sexism in the Church, biblical scholarship opening up new issues, and the family’s ultimate decision to leave the Church.

Episode Show Notes

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