Mormon Stories Podcast

LDS Church Sues Mormon Stories Podcast and John Dehlin

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is suing Mormon Stories Podcast and Dr. John Dehlin claiming trademark and copyright infringement.  We feel very confident in our standing in this case.  We also feel as though the church is mischaracterizing what happened in mediation in a way that is misleading, untrue, and damaging.   Please join us today to learn our perspective on what the LDS church demanded in mediation, what John Dehlin and Mormon Stories did to accommodate reasonable requests, and how you can help support Mormon Stories Podcast.   - To donate to the Mormon Stories Podcast legal defense fund, please click here: https://www.mormonstories.org/legal/ - To review a few quick responses to the church's press release, please click here [https://docs.google.com/document/d/12yHbpdPp2MeOYiUnO4AgHwgv-9ea68mXa9pPei4HRGc/edit?usp=sharing]. ___________________ YouTube [https://youtube.com/live/WFepk2ZoJtQ] Show Notes [https://www.mormonstories.org/lds-church-sues-mormon-stories-podcast-and-john-dehlin-ep-2139/] 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

How An Ex-Christian Experiences Mormonism - Jared Smith as @HeliocentricOfficial | Ep. 2138

In this episode, we sit down with Jared Smith –an ex-Christian, former Wheaton College student, and atheist YouTuber –to explore what happens when someone deeply rooted in evangelical Christianity takes a serious look at Mormonism. Jared shares his journey from devoted believer to skeptic, including his time at Wheaton College (often called the “Harvard of Christian institutions”), where he studied everything from apologetics to exorcism –and even Christian heavy metal. We dive into his firsthand experiences auditing religions, attending Mormon services, reading the Book of Mormon, and engaging with LDS culture from an outsider’s perspective.  Along the way, we explore what it’s like to WANT your religion to be true –and still lose it, the role of Jesus in Mormonism vs. traditional Christianity, those who take religion most seriously are the ones who seem to be leaving, the emotional and intellectual toll of deconstruction, what he thought when he read the Book of Mormon, and the intersection of belief, identity, and online content creation. We also discuss broader topics like Jehovah's Witnesses and blood doctrine, charismatic Christianity (including exorcism and speaking in tongues), and the culture of apologetics across faith traditions. Jared offers a thoughtful, non-combative perspective as someone more interested in understanding belief than attacking it –making this conversation a nuanced look at faith, doubt and everything in between. Check out Jared’s YouTube channel “Heliocentric”: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS5YtyTzVJo_N-vjub8te3g Videos to watch in preparation for our next episode with Jared Smith: * “This Mormon church sucked” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_iAA_Zp-GQ * His episode with Nemo the Mormon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQSo0aQQkbg * Jacob Hansen’s response to Jared - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOFghorZj9s ___________________ YouTube [https://youtu.be/BXAMQgwQ5LI] 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

Traitor in the First Presidency - John Turner Pt. 38 | Ep. 2137

In Part 38 with historian John Turner we dive into his latest book Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. In this episode, we focus on Chapter 29, “Cool as a Cucumber,” unpacking the turbulent years of 1843-1844 –arguably the beginning of the end for Joseph Smith. We explore mounting legal pressure, political entanglements, and growing internal dissent with Nauvoo. Along the way, we examine controversial and often difficult topics, including Joseph Smith’s relationship with William Law and his wife, accusations of coercion tied to plural marriage, and an alleged physical altercation involving Watler Bagby. This episode traces how tensions –both inside and outside the church –escalaated rapidly, setting the stage for the final chapter of Joseph Smith’s life. If you’d like to help keep this project going, please consider donating to support this series here [https://donorbox.org/josephsmith]. Your support makes long-form, in-depth historical discussion like this possible! Purchase John Turner’s book here [https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300255164/joseph-smith/]. Let us know your thoughts on a Brigham Young series (comprising ten episodes) covering John Turner’s book Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet. ___________________ YouTube [https://youtu.be/HL4LYbkxJek] Show Notes [https://www.mormonstories.org/traitor-in-the-first-presidency/] 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

Graduated BYU and Resigned Immediately - Ryan Huey | Ep. 2136

What would compel a BYU student to resign from the Church immediately after graduation? Join us today as we explore this question and more with our guest, Ryan Huey. Ryan was raised in Missouri as one of six children in a very devout Mormon family. He served an LDS mission in Texas, worked as an EFY counselor, and later attended BYU–Provo. But at multiple points throughout his Mormon upbringing, the foundations of his faith began to show cracks. Topics include: -Shame cycles -Mission experiences -Finding identity beyond Mormonism -BYU student culture and more We hope you enjoy this thoughtful conversation about faith, identity, and how to redefine your life beyond Mormonism. ___________________ Show Notes [https://www.mormonstories.org/graduated-byu-and-resigned-immediately/] YouTube [https://youtu.be/RrR0L6_2Upc] 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

Joseph Smith Introduces the Second Anointing - John Turner Pt. 37 | Ep. 2135

Welcome to Part 37 in our series with Dr. John Turner covering his new book “Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.” In this episode, we explore one of the most controversial and least understood rituals in early Mormonism: The Second Anointing.  While Emma Smith was away, tensions continued to rise –but when she returned, the conflict between her and Joseph Smith regarding polygamy reached a breaking point. Already furious over plural marriage, Emma confronted Joseph in a series of explosive moments –demanding accountability, destroying symbolic gifts, and treating his reputation, his movement, and even his future.  We follow the fallout from Emma’s return from St. Louis, including disputes involving figures like William Clayton and Eliza R. Snow, as well as the story of Flora Ann Woodworth –whose relationship with Joseph raises difficult questions about power, coercion, and consent. As Emma pushes back, Joseph faces a real fear: that she could leave him and expose everything. But then something changes. At the center of this episode is the introduction of the Second Anointing –a secret, elite ordinance promising exaltation, godhood, and eternal salvation not just for the individual, but for their family line. We break down the ritual itself, the promise that “nothing but the shedding of innocent blood” can prevent godhood, the ability to seal others to eternal life, parallels to religious indulgences, and the spiritual framing of the ordinances for those who received it.  We also examine how this moment may have shifted Emma’s resistance –and why, despite everything, she ultimately remained with Joseph until the very end. If you’d like to help keep this project going, please consider donating to support this series here [https://donorbox.org/josephsmith]. Your support makes long-form, in-depth historical discussion like this possible! Purchase John Turner’s book here [https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300255164/joseph-smith/]. Let us know your thoughts on a Brigham Young series (comprising ten episodes) covering John Turner’s book Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet. ___________________ Show Notes [https://www.mormonstories.org/joseph-smith-introduces-the-second-anointing/] YouTube [https://youtu.be/rdDXYQdvi7Q] 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