Mormon Stories Podcast

Join us for a special episode featuring the father/daughter duo Ryan and Scout Fisher. Ryan, known for his work as a Book of Mormon defender and host of The Nephite Explorer series, shares his journey, including working closely with Tim Ballard and his experiences as a missionary in Poland, where he was kidnapped and locked in a jail cell. Ryan’s patriarchal blessing foretold that millions would know his name, leading him to embark on Heartland tours and excursions with his daughter Scout to prove the truth of the Book of Mormon. As Ryan became a hard-core prepper, Scout witnessed her parents' faith transition while she continued attending church. Trigger Warning: This episode covers topics such as kidnapping, suicide and suicidal ideation. Show Notes YouTube Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YoutubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTiktok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

Jackson and Hayden Paul are two brothers who run the Stick of Joseph YouTube channel. The Stick of Joseph channel seeks to make the Book of Mormon accessible by making engaging, entertaining and informative content. Jackson and Hayden are what some would call apologists for the Mormon church. Join us as we meet with them to hear their Mormon stories, and to understand how they continue to believe in core Mormon truth claims in spite of modern scientific evidence. Show Notes YouTube Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YoutubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTiktok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

Join us as we uncover what drove change within the Mormon Church, from government pressure on BYU to admit more black students to the church’s troubling response. We’ll dive into shocking letters sent to black prospective students, a five-step plan to keep them out, and the protests that followed. Learn how government intervention eventually forced the end of discrimination and explore why Mormon leaders were so uneasy with black students. This episode, featuring historian Dr. Matthew Harris, is part of our series on his book Second Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality. Show Notes YouTube Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YoutubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTiktok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

Today we are joined with Sandra Tanner to discuss Mormon historian, Richard Bushman's recent response to the CES Letter. Bushman's response was on the topic of the translation of the Book of Mormon. Did Joseph Smith really use a seer stone? Is the author of the CES Letter, Jeremy Runnells, wrong for feeling betrayed by the church? Did the church really hide that Joseph Smith had and used a seer stone to translate their most sacred text? Join us to find out these answers! Show Notes YouTube Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YoutubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTiktok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

Today we are joined with Sandra Tanner to discuss Mormon historian, Richard Bushman’s recent response to the CES Letter. Bushman’s response was on the topic of the translation of the Book of Mormon. Did Joseph Smith really use a seer stone? Is the author of the CES Letter, Jeremy Runnells, wrong for feeling betrayed by the church? Did the church really hide that Joseph Smith had and used a seer stone to translate their most sacred text? Join us to find out these answers! ⁠⁠Show Notes⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: ⁠⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Venmo⁠⁠ Our Platforms: ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ Contact us: ⁠MormonStories@gmail.com⁠ PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: ⁠⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Join the Discord⁠

Join us as historian Matthew Harris returns to discuss what happens when members of the Mormon Church First Presidency go rogue. We explore George Romney's support of Civil Rights versus Ezra Taft Benson's involvement with the John Birch Society. We'll also dive into the impact of white church members marching in the Civil Rights Movement and how figures like Stewart Udall, Cleon Skousen, Robert Welch, and Hugh B. Brown challenged the Brethren at Church Headquarters with their views and publications. Show Notes YouTube Episode Purchase Matt Harris’ book, Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality Donate to Matt Harris directly for this series with Donorbox _________________________ Mormon Stories Website YouTube Patreon Apple Podcasts MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently released new policies surrounding transgender members of the church. It has taken the news and social media by storm! Among other things, the new policies include a measure to annotate trans members’ records, grouping them with members who have committed sexual violence or child abuse. Today we are joined with Amanda and Shaye Scott to discuss these new policies. Show Notes YouTube episode Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YoutubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTiktok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

A new study shows that religion usually leads to a more positive body image but Mormons in Utah are getting cosmetic surgeries at a rate 10% higher than the national average. What’s driving this trend? Today, we’re talking with Dr. Julie Hanks, Alyssa Whitbeck, Celeste Davis, and others to explore what’s happening in Utah’s Mormon culture. Tune in to hear the real story behind these numbers. Show Notes YouTube Episode Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YoutubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTiktok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

Join Nate Byrd, Summer-Rayn, Dr. Darron Smith, and John Dehlin as they tackle the uncomfortable truths of Mormon leaders supporting racial segregation. This episode dives into topics like the European origin theory of the lost ten tribes, the discovery of black ancestry in those who appear white, patriarchs’ treatment of the “Curse of Cain,” and a shocking statement by Mormon prophet Harold B. Lee about closing BYU rather than admitting black students. Featuring clips from the episodes with historian Matthew Harris. Show Notes YouTube Purchase Matt Harris’ book, Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality Donate to Matt Harris directly for this series with Donorbox _________________________ Mormon Stories Website YouTube Patreon Apple Podcasts MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

Join us today as John and Margi interview Allison Shiffler. Raised in a part-member family, Allison faced struggles with body image, bulimia, and the perfectionism in Mormon culture. She went through two disciplinary councils questioning her worthiness. Despite this, Allison broke free from Mormon patriarchy, graduated from Columbia University, raised a child as a single mother, and became a therapist. Her story is a powerful example of empowerment, breaking down patriarchy, and discovering oneself beyond Mormonism. Show Notes YouTube Episode Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YoutubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTiktok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

Join us today as we discuss the priesthood and temple ban with historian Matthew Harris. Today we will discuss Hugh B. Brown and his attempts to lift the priesthood and temple ban for black members of the church. Hugh B. Brown was an attorney and joined the First Presidency in 1963. He made countless efforts to convince the Brethren that the ban on blacks should be lifted and even told the New York Times that there was a strong possibility the ban would soon be removed. This response caused a great deal of problems at Church Headquarters. Show Notes YouTube Episode Purchase Matt Harris’ book, Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality Donate to Matt Harris directly for this series with Donorbox _________________________ Mormon Stories Website YouTube Patreon Apple Podcasts MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

Today we are joined with Rebecca Bibliotheca and Landon Brophy (both of Mormonish Podcast) to discuss the breaking news over the proposed Mormon temple in Fairview, Texas. ⁠Show Notes⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: ⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠ ⁠Support us on Patreon⁠ ⁠PayPal⁠ ⁠Venmo⁠ Our Platforms: ⁠Youtube⁠ ⁠Patreon⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ Contact us: ⁠MormonStories@gmail.com⁠ PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: ⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠ ⁠Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠ ⁠Join the Discord⁠

Join us as a panel of Mormon women come together to discuss the controversies surrounding Hannah Neeleman, a ballerina who embraced the "tradwife" lifestyle. Critics argue that this lifestyle limits women's choices and reinforces patriarchal norms. Our panelists share their personal stories and reflections, addressing the challenges and regrets associated with the trad wife ideal in Mormonism. ⁠Show Notes⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: ⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠ ⁠Support us on Patreon⁠ ⁠PayPal⁠ ⁠Venmo⁠ Our Platforms: ⁠Youtube⁠ ⁠Patreon⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ Contact us: ⁠MormonStories@gmail.com⁠ PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: ⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠ ⁠Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠ ⁠Join the Discord⁠

Elisha Lee takes us on an emotional journey through her life from experiencing her parents' divorce as a child to facing intense shame and scrutiny as a teenager. She shares raw accounts of bishop interviews, religious scrupulosity, and the pressure to conform to church standards. As a young adult, Elisha threw herself into church devotion, only to later confront doubts that would unravel her faith. Her candid reflections on marriage, parenthood, and personal growth in the wake of leaving Mormonism offer valuable insights for anyone navigating religious transitions. This interview explores the complexities of deconstructing one's faith while finding new meaning and authentic relationships beyond the church. ⁠Show Notes⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: ⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠ ⁠Support us on Patreon⁠ ⁠PayPal⁠ ⁠Venmo⁠ Our Platforms: ⁠Youtube⁠ ⁠Patreon⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ Contact us: ⁠MormonStories@gmail.com⁠ PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: ⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠ ⁠Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠ ⁠Join the Discord⁠

Can ancient scripture be reinterpreted to erase racism? Mormon apologists are attempting just that with controversial 'skin of blackness' passages in the Book of Mormon. But can these efforts stand up to historical scrutiny, or do they merely obscure uncomfortable truths? Critics argue it whitewashes history and denies lived experiences. Join us as we critically examine how modern LDS apologists attempt to explain away racist teachings in early Mormon history and scripture by comparing their modern interpretations with the information they avoid most strenuously--the original words and primary sources of the doctrines to begin with. ⁠Show Notes⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: ⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠ ⁠Support us on Patreon⁠ ⁠PayPal⁠ ⁠Venmo⁠ Our Platforms: ⁠Youtube⁠ ⁠Patreon⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ Contact us: ⁠MormonStories@gmail.com⁠ PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: ⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠ ⁠Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠ ⁠Join the Discord⁠

In the 1950s and 60s, the Mormon church faced internal turmoil as a group of intellectuals known as the "Swearing Elders" challenged orthodox doctrines. This clash between free-thinking scholars and conservative leaders like Joseph Fielding Smith led to attempts at excommunication, spy infiltration, and the firing of liberal educators. Amidst this tension, Church President David O. McKay emerged as an unexpected protector of intellectual freedom. The period also saw the church grappling with civil rights issues and racial policies, as public pressure forced leaders to confront their teachings. This tumultuous era set the stage for decades of struggle between faith, scholarship, and authority in Mormonism. Show Notes YouTube Episode Purchase Matt Harris’ book, Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality Donate to Matt Harris directly for this series with Donorbox _________________________ Mormon Stories Website YouTube Patreon Apple Podcasts MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

As the first to be “born in the covenant” to convert parents, Rian Anderson's world revolved around the Church, until her mission became a crucible of mental anguish and familial tension. Expecting her experience to be one based on love and service, Rian was instead met with strict rules, surveillance, and spiritual turmoil as she continually felt forced to act against her own conscience & integrity. Through it all, Rian found support through weekly calls with her family, which she cherished. That is, until her family’s mounting concern for Rian’s welfare coincided with their loss of faith in the church. The oppressive atmosphere coupled with isolation due to the initial rise of COVID began to take its toll on her mental and physical health, neither of which were adequately addressed. Amid despair over her family's disaffection from Church, Rian experienced a burst ovarian cyst, an incredibly painful condition that can have severe complications. Instead of being advised to go to the hospital, she was made to wait it out instead, and as she began to battle depression and suicidal thoughts, her mission leaders' response was shocking: accusations of pride and instructions to cut ties with her doubting family. Certain that their concern for Rian’s spiritual well-being was superior to the love her “fallen” family had to offer back home, her Mission President and his wife insert themselves as surrogate parents for the remainder of her mission and beyond. Despite this initial interference, Rian finds herself facing her own faith crisis. As she considers what the actions of her “mission parents” truly cost her, Rian discovers for herself the real meaning of family, and her family had it all along. ⁠Show Notes⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: ⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠ ⁠Support us on Patreon⁠ ⁠PayPal⁠ ⁠Venmo⁠ Our Platforms: ⁠Youtube⁠ ⁠Patreon⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ Contact us: ⁠MormonStories@gmail.com⁠ PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: ⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠ ⁠Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠ ⁠Join the Discord⁠

Join with us today as we continue to discuss the history of racism in the Mormon church with historian Matt Harris. We will discuss segregation in Utah, including blood banks, hotels, in Relief Societies, etc. In the 1950s a talk was given by Mormon leader Mark E. Petersen that generated a lot of backlash from critics. Matt Harris gives an insider's view into the minds of these Mormon leaders and how they were not all in agreement with the priesthood and temple ban. Mark E. Peterson's Talk: Race Problems As They Affect The Church : Internet Archive Purchase Matt Harris’ book, Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality Donate to Matt Harris directly for this series with Donorbox _________________________ Mormon Stories Website YouTube Patreon Apple Podcasts MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

In this episode, we will dive deep into the unfolding legal action surrounding The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) and its financial practices. Multiple lawsuits alleging fraud over tithing will be consolidated into a high-stakes class action case, accusing the church and its investment arm, Ensign Peak Advisors, of misleading members about the use of their donations. We will break down the complexities of the case, exploring how plaintiffs from across the nation are coming together to challenge the church's financial transparency and demand accountability for what they claim is a multibillion-dollar "slush fund." Firm representing the lawsuit: https://www.seegerweiss.com/ https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2024/07/20/new-class-action-case-over-tithing/ ⁠Show Notes⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: ⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠ ⁠Support us on Patreon⁠ ⁠PayPal⁠ ⁠Venmo⁠ Our Platforms: ⁠Youtube⁠ ⁠Patreon⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ Contact us: ⁠MormonStories@gmail.com⁠ PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: ⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠ ⁠Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠ ⁠Join the Discord⁠

As part of our mini-series on Mormonism's Second Anointing Ritual, we are re-releasing part of Hans and Birgitta's original interview discussing their participation in this exclusive ceremony. ⁠Hans H. Mattsson⁠ is a 3rd generation LDS church member from Sweden who served as a bishop and stake president in Sweden before serving in the LDS church 3rd Quorum of the Seventy from 2000-2005 in the Europe Central area under LDS Apostle L. Tom Perry. After discovering troubling information about the Church's history and truth claims, the Mattssons, along with many Swedish saints wanted answers, leading up to the Church's infamously poor attempt to keep them in the fold, now known as "the Swedish Rescue." Truth Seeking with Hans & Birgitta Mattsson: Part 1 Part 2 Remembering the Swedish Rescue: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Hans' book may be purchased here ⁠Show Notes⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: ⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠ ⁠Support us on Patreon⁠ ⁠PayPal⁠ ⁠Venmo⁠ Our Platforms: ⁠Youtube⁠ ⁠Patreon⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ Contact us: ⁠MormonStories@gmail.com⁠ PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: ⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠ ⁠Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠ ⁠Join the Discord⁠