Mormon Stories Podcast

Latest Episodes:

1383: Liz and Ray Interview John Dehlin (2021) Jan 13, 2021

Show notes

Recently two friends of mine (Liz Cannon and Ray Purcell) asked to interview me about my role and experiences over the past 20 years trying to support people experiencing a Mormon faith crisis.

This is our interview.

Note: This interview is not a "typical" Mormon Stories Podcast interview, in that it warrants a PG-13 "rating" due to some adult language and topics in the interview. Listener and viewer discretion is advised.

I hope you enjoy.

1382: How Mormonism Groomed us For, and Can Help Save us From Trumpism / Fascism Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

My reaction to yesterday's riot at the U.S. Capitol (January 6, 2021).

1381: Belief After the CES Letter Pt. 5 - A Passionate Q&A with Jim Bennett Jan 05, 2021

Show notes

Jim Bennett is the author of "A Faithful Reply to the CES Letter." He is also the son of the late Utah U.S. Senator Bob Bennett.

In Part 5 of a multi-part series with Jim, I bring to Jim listener/viewer questions, along with several questions/observations of my own, into a passionate, 4 hour final conversation.

If you were frustrated that I gave Jim "a pass" in the previous episodes, you may be more satisfied with this episode.

1380: Belief After the CES Letter - Feminism, Sexuality, Worthiness Interviews, Abuse, and Excommunication - Jim Bennett Pt. 4 Jan 02, 2021

Show notes

Jim Bennett is the author of "A Faithful Reply to the CES Letter." He is also the son of the late Utah U.S. Senator Bob Bennett.

In Part 4 of a multi-part series with Jim, we discuss in-depth his approach to maintaining belief in the Mormon church AFTER exposure to all of the historical and social problems currently vexing the LDS church, as highlighted in Jeremy Runnell's groundbreaking book "CES Letter: My Search for Answers to my Mormon Doubts."

Today's episode covers:

Women and the church and the Ordain Women movement.
The Mormon church's approach to "Law of Chastity" issues including pornography, masturbation, and one-on-one "worthiness interviews."
The Mormon church's handling and mishandling of sexual abuse cases.
The Mormon church's treatment (including excommunication) of activists and critics.
A closing discussion of the faith crisis "epidemic" within the modern LDS church, and Jim's opinions about the best way to handle the situation.

To thank Jim for his participation so far in this series, please email him at: jim@canonizer.com.

1379: Belief After the CES Letter - Polygamy, Racism, LGBTQ Issues and Prophets - Jim Bennett Pt. 3 Dec 31, 2020

Show notes

Jim Bennett is the author of "A Faithful Reply to the CES Letter." He is also the son of the late Utah U.S. Senator Bob Bennett.

In Part 2 of a multi-part series with Jim, we discuss in-depth his approach to maintaining belief in the Mormon church AFTER exposure to all of the historical and social problems currently vexing the LDS church, as highlighted in Jeremy Runnell's groundbreaking book "CES Letter: My Search for Answers to my Mormon Doubts."

Today's episode covers:

Joseph Smith's polygamy.
Racism in the Book of Mormon.
The LDS Church priesthood and temple ban on members of African descent.
The LDS Church's teachings regarding LGBTQ members and same-sex marriage.
What is the role/need for Mormon prophets?

Also, please do not miss my dear friend Bill Reel's super in-depth interview with Jim if you happened to miss it.

1378: Belief After the CES Letter - Book of Mormon, Book of Abraham, First Vision, Kinderhook Plates - Jim Bennett Pt. 2 Dec 31, 2020

Show notes

Jim Bennett is the author of "A Faithful Reply to the CES Letter." He is also the son of the late Utah U.S. Senator Bob Bennett.

Today's episode covers:

The Book of Mormon
The Witnesses to the Book of Mormon
The Book of Abraham
The Kinderhook Plates
The First Vision
And much, much more!

Also, please do not miss my dear friend Bill Reel's super in-depth interview with Jim if you happened to miss it.

1377: Belief After the CES Letter - God, Jesus, Prophets, and the "One True Church" - Jim Bennett Pt. 1 Dec 31, 2020

Show notes

Jim Bennett is the author of "A Faithful Reply to the CES Letter." He is also the son of the late Utah U.S. Senator Bob Bennett.

In Part 1 of a multi-part series with Jim, we discuss in-depth his approach to maintaining belief in the Mormon church AFTER exposure to to all of the historical and social problems currently vexing the LDS church, as highlighted in Jeremy Runnell's groundbreaking book "CES Letter: My Search for Answers to my Mormon Doubts.

Today's episode covers:

How/why to continue believing in God after a Mormon crisis of faith.
How/why to continue believing in Jesus after a Mormon crisis of faith.
What it means to Jim to be a fallible Mormon prophet.
How Jim views the claim that the Mormon church is the "one true church."
Jim's condemnation of FAIRMormon's recent YouTube videos attacking Jeremy Runnells and me.

1376: Bruce Bastian and Clint Ford - An Unexpected Love Story Dec 30, 2020

Show notes

Are you looking for a story of hope and love to end this gosh-forsaken year? Here you go.

WordPerfect co-founder and philanthropist Bruce Bastian (interviewed here and here) never expected to find love again after his mixed-orientation Mormon marriage dissolved.

Then he met Clint Ford.

This is an epic love story for the ages, folks. So hopeful. So inspiring. I hope you enjoy!!!! And I hope that this story makes you as happy as it made me.

1375: Bruce Bastian's Fight for Equality Dec 29, 2020

Show notes

Ten years ago I interviewed WordPerfect co-founder and philanthropist Bruce Bastian, wherein we discussed his life growing up as gay Mormon boy in Idaho, his years at WordPerfect, his journey "coming out" as a gay Mormon father in the 1990s, and his early efforts to support LGBTQ rights.

Since this first interview, Bruce became even more active in fighting for LGBTQ equality in the United States, continuing his involvement with the Human Rights Campaign and supporting LGBTQ equality in Utah - all of which meaningfully contributed to the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States in 2015.

Recently I sat down again with Bruce to record a history of these past 10 years from his perspective. I hope you enjoy!

1374: Enjoying Christmas after a Mormon Faith Crisis Dec 23, 2020

Show notes

Today, Anthony Miller, Jana Spangler and Brittney Hartley join us to discuss the topic of navigating and enjoying Christmas after a Mormon faith crisis.

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