Mormon Stories Podcast

In this episode of LDS Discussions, we explore how BYU Professor Anthony Sweat’s artwork reflects the troubling aspects of church history found in the CES Letter by Jeremy Runnells. Despite being excommunicated for questioning the church, Runnells’ CES Letter, published in 2013, exposes discrepancies in the official narrative. Meanwhile, Sweat’s art, starting in 2014, delves into controversial topics like Joseph Smith's treasure digging, the use of a seer stone, and polygamy. We compare Sweat's paintings to the CES Letter's criticisms, highlighting how the church’s history is often presented inaccurately. Join us as we discuss these bold portrayals and the ongoing tension between church teachings and historical truth. ___________________ 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 One-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories Paypal: https://paypal.me/mormonstories Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6OgmoqJbOVRq-Lv1P7SzA/join Our Platforms: 🌐Mormon Stories Blog: https://www.mormonstories.org/episodes 🎙️Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories ✳️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1 🍎Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772 🖼️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormstories 📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast 🎮Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF Contact us: 📧 MormonStories@gmail.com 📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

In this episode of Mormon Stories, Erika Nordfelt shares her powerful journey from a devout Mormon upbringing to finding healing and self-discovery. Erika recounts her experiences growing up in a close-knit Mormon family, navigating high school in Colorado, and attending BYU-Idaho, where she faced struggles with religious expectations and marital dynamics shaped by the Church. She candidly discusses topics like sexual shame, pornography in marriage, and the role of Twelve-Step programs, highlighting the challenges of reconciling faith, identity, and personal growth. Erika opens up about her turning points, leaving the Church with her husband, and her work as a therapist, witnessing firsthand the impact of shame within Mormon culture. 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

January 9 saw the release of a new Netflix series, American Primeval, set in the context of mid-19th-century Utah. Though the series is fictionalized, many of the events and peoples depicted are real, including the Utah War, the Mountain Meadows Massacre, the Mormon settlers, and the Shoshone, Ute, and Paiute Indians. Historians Barbara Jones Brown and Darren Parry join host John Dehlin for this live podcast to answer viewer's questions about which aspects of the series are factual and which are historical fiction. Barbara is co-author of Vengeance Is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath, and Darren is the author of The Bear River Massacre: A Shoshone History. Barbara and Darren offer a unique perspective because they are not only historians of this time period in Utah, they are direct descendants of peoples depicted in the mini-series--Darren is Northwestern Shoshone, and Barbara is a descendant of perpetrators of the horrific massacre at Mountain Meadows. 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 DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

Join Lauren Johnson Matthias (@HiddenTrueCrime ) Megan Conner (@Third_Verse ) Mindy Caldwell, and John Dehlin as they react to Shari Franke's new book "The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom" by Shari Franke, Ruby Franke's oldest daughter. 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 DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

In this powerful episode of Mormon Stories, Claire and Jackson share their personal journeys of growing up in the Mormon church, struggling with shame, guilt, and anxiety, and eventually undergoing faith transitions. Claire discusses her challenges with modesty, body image, and mental health, especially during her mission, while Jackson opens up about his battles with pornography, shame, and a dangerous mission experience in Honduras. Together, they reflect on their experiences with church teachings, therapy, and the emotional toll of deconstructing their faith. This episode explores their healing process, the impact of questioning Mormonism, and the growth they’ve found in rebuilding their lives and relationship after leaving the church.

A recent article from the Salt Lake Tribune showcases how the Mormon church education commissioner Clark Gilbert has implemented stringent measures to ensure that faculty members across church-affiliated institutions, including Brigham Young University and BYU-Idaho, align with the church’s teachings. Professors are now facing many hardships. Their social media posts are being audited, many are being fired for showing LGBTQ+ and feminist support, or for experiencing doubts in their Mormon beliefs. Some professors are being terminated simply because their spouse stopped believing in the church. Top scholars no longer want to apply to BYU and many professors are seeking employment elsewhere. These changes have led many to argue that this approach suppresses academic freedom and creates an environment of fear among BYU faculty members, who may feel pressured to conform to specific interpretations of Mormon church doctrinal teachings to maintain their position. Join us today as we talk in-depth about these controversies and the recent news article from the Salt Lake Tribune titled "Dark Days: BYU professors are running scared as premier LDS school steps backwards." According to the US and World News Report, BYU ranked #61 in 2017 and then dropped to #109 in 2024 out of 436 National Universities, but are these new changes going to drop the university's ranking? Join the livestream to share your own personal experiences in this regard! Link to the original article: https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2025/01/05/byu-blue-why-these-are-dark-days/ 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 DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

In this episode, Sandra Tanner and Chris delve into key figures and moments in Mormon historical scholarship. They discuss individuals like Dee Jay Nelson, Mark Hoffman, and Wesley Walters, highlighting their contributions to uncovering evidence that challenges official LDS narratives, including the Palmyra revivals and the 1826 trial of Joseph Smith. The conversation touches on the work of scholars like Dan Vogel, Stan Larson, and D. Michael Quinn, as well as influential writers such as Fawn Brodie. Topics include changes in the Book of Mormon, early Mormon controversies, and the deeper complexities of Mormon history. This episode provides a compelling exploration of the intersection between faith, evidence, and critical analysis. 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 DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

NOTE: We apologize for the mishap earlier. This is a re-release of the episode with Ross Martin, unedited. We hope you enjoy it! This powerful and emotional story takes you through Marty’s life journey—from his upbringing in Mormonism, his experiences in high school and seminary, to his time in the military and beyond. Marty reflects on growing up in a trailer park, his mission to Jamaica, his struggles with faith, and his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. He candidly shares deeply personal moments: battling depression, losing loved ones, questioning his beliefs, and finding peace through family, a farm, and humanism. Explore topics of resilience, transformation, and healing as Marty recounts leaving Mormonism, confronting the trauma of war, and redefining his spiritual beliefs. A heartfelt account of faith, doubt, and the search for meaning. 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 DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

This video features Sandra Tanner, a descendant of Brigham Young, sharing insights into her family history and involvement in Mormon history. From Brigham Young's legal wife, Mary Ann Angell, to descendants of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, Sandra delves into the complexities of her heritage and polygamy's impact on her upbringing. The discussion explores Sandra's journey into Mormon historical research with her late husband, Jerald, encounters with figures like Ogden Kraut and Ervil LeBaron, and her work with notable journalists and podcasters, including Wallace Turner, Peggy Fletcher Stack, and John Dehlin. This episode offers a fascinating look at the intersections of faith, history, and media. 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 DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

This powerful and emotional story takes you through Marty’s life journey—from his upbringing in Mormonism, his experiences in high school and seminary, to his time in the military and beyond. Marty reflects on growing up in a trailer park, his mission to Jamaica, his struggles with faith, and his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. He candidly shares deeply personal moments: battling depression, losing loved ones, questioning his beliefs, and finding peace through family, a farm, and humanism. Explore topics of resilience, transformation, and healing as Marty recounts leaving Mormonism, confronting the trauma of war, and redefining his spiritual beliefs. A heartfelt account of faith, doubt, and the search for meaning. 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 DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

Join us for a discussion with Sandra Tanner and Dan Vogel as we explore a remarkable video featuring BYU Professor and leading Mormon historian Steven C. Harper. In this video, Harper addresses key issues with the First Vision narrative and acknowledges several challenges raised by the CES Letter. 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 DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

This video exposes a shocking case of abuse within the Mormon Church in Denmark, featuring former Bishop Lasse Meilsoe and journalist Michael Teschl. They discuss the Church’s mishandling of a rape case where a husband drugged and assaulted his wife, Kiran, over several years, confessing repeatedly to Church leaders. The Church’s actions to protect its image over victims, discouragement of reporting abuse to authorities, and their systemic prioritization of abusers are critically examined. Topics include Danish cultural responses, legal investigations into the Church’s practices, and the broader implications for Church transparency and accountability. A powerful and deeply unsettling look at abuse, complicity, and the fight for justice. 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 DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

Recently the Mormon Church released a new set of storybooks for children. For the storybook entitled "Doctrine and Covenants Stories" it has released a polygamy section that many feel is extremely harmful to children. Please join us as a Mormon Mom (Alyssa Witbeck) and a Mormon Therapist (Natasha Helfer) discuss their feelings about the likely harm that this section will cause to children. 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 DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

This video explores the rich history and ongoing journey of Mormon feminism through the lens of Exponent II. Katie Ludlow Rich and Heather Sundahl share their personal stories, including feminist awakenings, experiences with the Church, and their work preserving women’s voices in Mormon history. Topics include women’s roles in the Church, the suppression of women’s spiritual practices, mixed-faith marriages, and the impact of feminist movements like Ordain Women. Dive into the influence of Exponent II, the challenges faced by Mormon feminists, and the resilience of women seeking to redefine their roles in faith and community. 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 DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

Is religion dying in America? In this episode, we sit down with Ryan T. Cragun and Jesse M. Smith, authors of Goodbye Religion: The Causes and Consequences of Secularization. This groundbreaking book examines the surge in people leaving organized religion and its profound impact on American culture and society. Drawing on extensive data and over a hundred in-depth interviews, Cragun and Smith delve into the social, psychological, and environmental factors behind religious exit. They also address the misconceptions surrounding secularization, revealing that leaving religion is not the crisis it’s often portrayed to be. Instead, they show how nonreligious individuals remain socially engaged and committed to making a positive impact in their communities. 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 DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

Join us as we welcome scholar Brent Metcalfe for the 30th anniversary of his excommunication from the Mormon Church. We cover not only his excommunication but also his famous discovery of the “Mosiah First Priority” in the Book of Mormon translation. 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 DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

The LDS Church is quietly but significantly updating the introduction to the Book of Mormon, shifting its focus from historical claims to a broader, more spiritual narrative. In this episode , we dive deep into these changes, exploring what they reveal about the Church's evolving stance on the historicity of its sacred text. Is this an effort to address long-standing critiques about the lack of archaeological and genetic evidence? Or does it reflect a broader shift to make the Book of Mormon more approachable for a global audience? Join us as we unpack the implications of this significant change and discuss what it might mean for the future of 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 DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

In this episode, Samantha, John, and Gerardo unpack the fallout from a leaked audio clip of BYU Football captain and former Mormon Missionary Tyler Batty’s explicit halftime speech, recorded outside the locker room at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The speech, featuring vulgar language, has raised questions about BYU’s Honor Code, which strictly forbids profanity, vulgar language, and other conduct unbecoming of its standards. The controversy became even more interesting when BYU Coach Kalani Sitake defended Batty, calling his actions necessary for “helping the program.” Meanwhile, KSL, owned by the LDS Church, published an opinion piece telling critics to “get over it,” dismissing calls for accountability or discipline for Batty. We will explore the deeper implications of the incident, questioning whether public figures like Batty enjoy privileges denied to regular students—especially minorities—who are often held to stricter standards. 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 DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

Join us for our annual status report where we discuss our successes for 2024, our status as a sustainable podcast/non-profit, and our plans for 2025. If you want to donate to help keep Mormon Stories alive, or to support us during "Giving Tuesday" week, you can donate here: https://www.mormonstories.org/donate/

Join us as we dive deep into the unique experiences of several women navigating life in and outside of Mormonism. From patriarchal blessings and missions to the complexities of dating, marriage, and personal revelation, these stories explore the pressure to conform to Church expectations and the personal growth that comes from questioning them. We discuss YSA culture, worthiness interviews, and the Church's teachings on relationships, consent, and sexuality. The women share their experiences with dating apps, "soaking," and the confusion between spiritual promptings and anxiety. Other key topics include the Church's influence on women’s roles, the challenges of single life, political and faith landscapes, and deconstructing teachings like the Family Proclamation. With insights into the CES Letter, Joseph Smith’s history, and financial concerns, this video offers a candid, thought-provoking look at life within the Mormon framework and beyond. 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 DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmo Our Platforms: YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord