Mormon Stories Podcast

In this second episode exploring Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet by John G. Turner, we dive into Chapters 2 and 3, covering Joseph Smith's evolving accounts of the First Vision, early controversies, treasure digging escapades, and his transformation into a religious leader. We discuss historical inconsistencies, cultural influences, and Turner's critical conclusions about Smith's experiences and motivations. Based on Chapters 2 & 3 of John G. Turner’s book, topics include: The First Vision's late emergence and conflicting versions Treasure digging and supernatural claims The influence of revivalist culture Early church documents and evolving theology Turner's secular interpretation of Joseph Smith’s story ___________________ YouTube [https://youtu.be/StncwKuMzLs] 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 [https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m] * Support us on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * PayPal [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/mormonstories] * Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories] Our Platforms: * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/mormonstories?sub_confirmation=1] * Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772] Social Media: * Insta: @mormstories [https://www.instagram.com/mormstories] * TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast] * Join the Discord [https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF] Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Brooke is returning to Mormon Stories Podcast after 13 years, when she and her husband came on as the first couple to be interviewed on the podcast. Brooke’s husband at the time, John McLay was a CES employee who lost his faith while working for the church. It was an epic Mormon Stories interview, and we are excited to hear what Brooke has been up to since. We will hear about how Brooke has rebuilt her life and career after a divorce, and how her life has been impacted by sharing her story in such a public way. ___________________ YouTube [https://youtu.be/-ectTcMzCVk] Show Notes [https://www.mormonstories.org/my-life-after-mormon-stories-with-brooke-lark/] 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 [https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m] * Support us on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * PayPal [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/mormonstories] * Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories] Our Platforms: * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/mormonstories?sub_confirmation=1] * Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772] Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: * Insta: @mormstories [https://www.instagram.com/mormstories] * TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast] * Join the Discord [https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF]

Today we are rebroadcasting an older, classic, episode of Mormon Stories from 2012!In this episode we interview John and Brooke McLay. John served for 14 years as an employee of the LDS Church Education System (CES). In this capacity he served as: a seminary teacher and principal, an institute teacher and director, a BYU Education Week speaker and an EFY Director. John also served as a member of a stake high council, and was serving in a bishopric during the months leading up to his decision to leave the LDS Church. John and Brooke resigned their membership of the LDS Church in August of 2011.  This is their story.Join us in the next episode where we re-interview Brooke Lark! ___________________ YouTube [https://youtu.be/KwNA52iGQXA] Show Notes [https://www.mormonstories.org/ces-director-and-wife-leave-mormonism-john-and-brooke-lark-mclay-rebroadcast/] 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 [https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m] * Support us on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * PayPal [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/mormonstories] * Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories] Our Platforms: * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/mormonstories?sub_confirmation=1] * Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772] Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: * Insta: @mormstories [https://www.instagram.com/mormstories] * TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast] * Join the Discord [https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF]

We're kicking off this brand-new series with special guest John G. Turner, historian and author of the newly released book Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. In this episode, we dive into Turner's research process, the inspirations behind the book, and how his work compares to previous scholars like Fawn Brodie and Richard Bushman. We explore Joseph Smith’s visionary parents, his early years, the origins of the Book of Mormon, and whether the LDS Church has hidden key historical documents. ___________________ YouTube [https://youtu.be/DuPax_51l60] Show Notes [https://www.mormonstories.org/joseph-smith-the-prophet-podcast/] 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 [https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m] * Support us on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * PayPal [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/mormonstories] * Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories] Our Platforms: * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/mormonstories?sub_confirmation=1] * Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772] Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: * Insta: @mormstories [https://www.instagram.com/mormstories] * TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast] * Join the Discord [https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF]

Katherine Bernard (KB) Olsen is a never-mo (never Mormon) — but also one of the most devoted fans of Mormon Stories Podcast. A queer, secular journalist with deep Jewish roots and a high-fashion pedigree, Katherine has spent over 20 years captivated by the LDS Church — despite never being religious herself. In her first-ever full-length interview about her life story, she opens up about her lifelong curiosity with Mormonism, identity, belief, and American culture. KB's impressive journalism career includes work at Vogue, New York Times, and other top-tier New York publications. After moving from Maryland to attend NYU for journalism, she found herself drawn not only to art and culture — but also to spirituality, history, and the paradoxes of organized religion. Over the years, her interest in Mormonism became a deep and serious intellectual pursuit. What You'll Hear in This Interview: -Her upbringing in a secular household in Maryland -Her exploration of Jewish identity and eventual conversion -Her first exposure to Mormonism through South Park, Big Love, and The Book of Mormon musical -Her emotional journey coming out as gay in a non-supportive environment -Her reflections on shame, logic, identity, and community -Her nuanced take on Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and Mormon reality TV -Her insights into conditioning, religious extremism, and spiritual seeking This episode is a masterclass in curiosity — how someone with no personal ties to the LDS Church became one of its most thoughtful outside observers. KB explores Mormonism not as a critic or a believer, but as a seeker with a journalist’s eye. ___________________ YouTube [https://youtu.be/K438rFlpyDI] Show Notes [https://www.mormonstories.org/secular-never-mormon-obsessed-with-mormonism/] 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 [https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m] * ⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * ⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠ [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/mormonstories] * ⁠⁠Venmo⁠⁠ [https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories] Our Platforms: * ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/mormonstories?sub_confirmation=1] * ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404] * ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772] Social Media: * ⁠⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mormstories] * ⁠⁠TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast] * ⁠⁠Join the Discord⁠⁠ [https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF] Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117