Podcasts about lds church

In a repeat broadcast, MRM's Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson discuss the historicity of LDS Church founder Joseph Smith's money-digging ways. What you may find out could surprise you.

⚠️Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of violence, self-harm, suicide, and religious trauma.In this deeply vulnerable and wide-ranging conversation, Kyson Dana shares his story of growing up Mormon, serving a mission in Russia, and the lifelong psychological, spiritual, and physical consequences that followed. What was supposed to be the “best two years” of his life became the most traumatic –shaping his identity, mental health, and eventual departure from the Church. Kyson opens up about generational trauma, internalized shame, self-policing, and suicidal ideation in his youth. He walks us through the intense pressure to be perfect, the weaponization of guilt and obedience, and how Mormonism taught him to disconnect from himself in order to survive. We dive deeply into the realities of missionary life in Russia: shrinking missions, violence, threats, abductions, murders, leadership silence, and explicit instructions NOT to tell families what was happening. Kyson recounts being told not to come home unless it was “in a coffin,” enduring extreme fasting, psychological abuse, and witnessing acts of violence that were never processed or acknowledged.Beyond the mission, Kyson shares how this trauma followed him into adulthood –fueling panic disorder, Complex PTSD, and a prolonged faith crisis. He discusses therapy, EMDR, creative work, and the careful, supported use of psychedelics as part of healing. We also explore his work helping teens navigate shame-based purity culture, pornography narratives (“Fight the new drug!”), and the dangerous conflation of morality with normal human behavior. This episode is about far more than Mormonism –it's about identity, belonging, survival, and what it takes to come back to yourself after an institution teaches you to turn yourself off. If you've ever felt broken by a system that promised salvation, you're not alone.___________________YouTubeAt 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 theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

THEY NEVER DESTROYED THE HELPLINE RECORDS! Did RFM just catch the LDS Church lying about its CSA Helpline records? In order to avoid turning over Helpline records, the Church has previously sworn all the records are destroyed at the end of each day. Now suddenly, in order to defend itself against the allegations of Beau… Read More »LDS Church Caught Lying!!! RFM: 440

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title:  What does the Family Proclamation Mean to You? [Episode I of II]Welcome to this two-part series where Valerie welcomes returned guest scholar Taylor Petrey to discuss the LDS Church's Family Proclamation to the World as it reaches its 30th anniversary.The heart of the episode centers on Taylor's controversial Salt Lake Tribune opinion piece in September 2025 (linked below) arguing that The Family Proclamation should be understood as commentary rather than revelation or unchanging doctrine. This characterization sparked significant pushback from conservative church members who insisted the document represents eternal, unchanging truth. Taylor and Valerie explore the complex and often inconsistent ways that the LDS Church uses terms like doctrine, revelation, policy, and commentary, noting how these categories shift depending on context and speaker. They discuss how the proclamation itself has been reinterpreted over time and set you up for the second part of their conversation where they dive deeply into the changing interpretations themselves. The Family ProclamationOp Ed by Taylor PetreyTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:11 Discussing the Family Proclamation01:48 Cultural and Political Context04:20 Historical Background of Family Proclamations07:04 The 1995 Proclamation and Its Impact13:21 Opinion Piece and Public Reaction24:43 Controversy and Clarifications27:57 Historical Changes in Church Teachings28:33 Modern Reinterpretations of Doctrine30:42 Balancing Eternal Truths and Continuing Revelation32:58 The Controversy of Words and Authority36:15 Revelation vs. Policy: A Case Study38:10 The Fluidity of Revelation43:45 The Role of Commentary in Church Doctrine48:20 Setting Up for the Next Episode51:36 Final Thoughts and ConclusionSupport the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie's Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

THEY NEVER DESTROYED THE HELPLINE RECORDS! Did RFM just catch the LDS Church lying about its CSA Helpline records? In order to avoid turning over Helpline records, the Church has previously sworn all the records are destroyed at the end of each day. Now suddenly, in order to defend itself against the allegations of Beau… Read More »LDS Church Caught Lying!!! RFM: 440 The post LDS Church Caught Lying!!! RFM: 440 appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

In a repeat broadcast, MRM's Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson discuss the historicity of LDS Church founder Joseph Smith's money-digging ways. What you may find out could surprise you.

Rick B (host of Gospel Tangents and LDS Faith Journeys) interviews Josh Gehly, an Evangelist for The Church of Jesus Christ (historically known as the Bickertonites), during Josh’s visit to Salt Lake City. Josh reveals that The Church of Jesus Christ has a small but growing domestic presence, including a mission in Salt Lake City. They are meeting Feb 7 near the airport at Holiday Inn East. Sunday morning at 10 am they will meets in the “Ninja Gym” in Sandy. The church reports significant international growth, particularly in Africa, while noting that the domestic church maintains a close-knit, “lowarchy” structure where leaders are servants rather than prophets. The conversation highlights significant theological divergences between the “Bickertonite” church and the mainstream LDS Church. Josh clarifies that his church is strictly anti-polygamy, viewing the practice as a sin, though they welcome members with varying historical views on whether Joseph Smith actually practiced it. They also reject the LDS concepts of eternal marriage, becoming gods (exaltation), and a Heavenly Mother, adhering instead to a more traditional view of the Godhead and the Bible/Book of Mormon. However, they are a “charismatic” faith, believing in and practicing spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues, visions, and miracles. Throughout the Q&A with the live audience, the speakers address sensitive topics including LGBTQ+ issues—which Josh's church views as sinful—and the challenges of maintaining faith in a secular world. Despite these differences, the dialogue emphasizes mutual respect, the centrality of Jesus Christ, and the value of interfaith friendship. https://youtu.be/RtZgc8erx7w

Welcome to Episode 30 of our series The Joseph Smith Podcast with Dr. John Turner where we discuss chapters from his new book “Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.”In this episode, we dive further into Chapter 24 (“Upper Rooms”) from John Turner's work and unpack the origins of the LDS Relief Society in May of 1842 –right in the middle of Joseph Smith's secret practice of polygamy. We explore whether the Relief Society was meant to empower women, function as a stepping stone to priesthood-like authority, or help manage rumors and moral fallout from Nauvoo's growing scandals.From Emma Smith's complicated position, to whispered accusations, to the infamous “Happiness Letter,” this conversation traces how secrecy, power, and polygamy collide –and what it all says about Joseph Smith's character. We also look at whistleblowers, public denials, internal investigations (or lack thereof), and how victims and critics were treated when scandals became impossible to contain. This is part Mormon history, part true crime, and part moral reckoning –with big questions about leadership, secrecy, and accountability. Please purchase the book ⁠here⁠.To support this series please donate ⁠here⁠. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.___________________YouTubeAt 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 theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

A new Netflix documentary on the 2002 kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart in Salt Lake City by Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee (all Mormons) has been released.  To what extent was this kidnapping influenced by Joseph Smith and/or Mormonism?  Join John, Samantha, Alyssa, and Taylor as they explore the Mormon connections to Elizbeth Smart's kidnapping.___________________YouTubeShow NotesAt 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 theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

Mormonish Podcast's Landon and Rebecca report back on their recent trip to Missouri. Hitting many of the LDS church history sites like Independence, Far West, Liberty Jail, The Garden of Eden, etc was a revelatory experience that we can't wait to share with all of you! We are calling this new subseries, "Where Will You Go?"This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This has gotten some traction and deserves a look. Context is required. The Middle East Forum wrote an investigative article claiming that the church was one of the major US donors to charities associated with Hamas and The Muslim Brotherhood. There are certainly some red flags, but we need to understand how the Middle East works. And this is not the first time these allegations have been made. Website: cwicmedia.com

Three women. Three abductions. Same beliefs. Same geography. Same church.Elleshia Seymour is now in Croatian custody after allegedly fleeing Utah with her four children because she believed the apocalypse was coming. She left behind a to-do list instructing herself to shred documents and buy a burner phone. She left a note she described as a "message from God." And she left a secret TikTok account filled with videos warning that Salt Lake City would be destroyed and COVID vaccines were turning people into zombies.Her children — ages 11, 8, 7, and 3 — are now trapped in a state-run orphanage in Dubrovnik. Their father is there. He can see them two hours a day. The three-year-old doesn't understand why he can't go home.This case would be disturbing enough on its own. But Elleshia Seymour isn't an anomaly. She's a pattern.Lori Vallow believed the same things. Her children J.J. and Tylee were murdered — their bodies found in her boyfriend Chad Daybell's backyard. Spring Thibaudeau believed the same things. She fled toward Canada with her teenage son before the FBI caught her.All three women came from LDS backgrounds. All three developed apocalyptic beliefs centered on the same theology — the same "end times" doctrine the Church teaches as mainstream. All three left children traumatized or dead.The LDS Church is worth an estimated $265 billion. It was fined by the SEC for hiding its wealth. It excommunicated Chad Daybell — but only after the murders. It excommunicated Julie Rowe — but only after years of influence.This is the story of a radicalization pipeline that keeps producing victims — and an institution that keeps looking the other way.#ElleshiaSeymour #LoriVallow #ChadDaybell #MormonDoomsday #LDSChurch #DoomsdayMom #TrueCrime #CroatiaAbduction #ChildAbduction #ReligiousExtremismJoin Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.

Four American children are trapped in a Croatian orphanage right now. Their father flew across the world to get them — and he's only allowed to see them two hours a day. The reason? Their mother, Elleshia Seymour, allegedly believed the apocalypse was coming. She loaded them onto a one-way flight to Europe, convinced that Salt Lake City was about to be destroyed and that COVID vaccines were turning people into zombies.Sound familiar? It should. Lori Vallow believed the same things. So did Spring Thibaudeau. Three "doomsday moms" in six years — all from the Mormon corridor, all with nearly identical beliefs, all leaving children traumatized or dead.The LDS Church calls these women "fringe." But when the same theology keeps producing the same tragedies in the same geography, at what point does it become an institutional problem? The Church teaches apocalyptic preparation as official doctrine. It allows members to claim "personal revelation" from God. It let Chad Daybell publish doomsday books and hold conferences for years before excommunicating him — after his stepdaughter's remains were found burned in his backyard.Meanwhile, the Church sits on $265 billion in assets. It paid $5 million in SEC fines for hiding its wealth. And it still hasn't addressed the radicalization pipeline operating within its own ecosystem.In this episode, we break down how Elleshia Seymour's case connects to a much larger pattern — and why the children of Mormon doomsday believers keep paying the price for an institution that won't police its own extremists.#ElleshiaSeymour #LoriVallow #ChadDaybell #DoomsdayMom #LDSChurch #MormonExtremism #ChildAbduction #CroatiaKidnapping #TrueCrime #HiddenKillersJoin Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.

Three women. Three abductions. Same beliefs. Same geography. Same church.Elleshia Seymour is now in Croatian custody after allegedly fleeing Utah with her four children because she believed the apocalypse was coming. She left behind a to-do list instructing herself to shred documents and buy a burner phone. She left a note she described as a "message from God." And she left a secret TikTok account filled with videos warning that Salt Lake City would be destroyed and COVID vaccines were turning people into zombies.Her children — ages 11, 8, 7, and 3 — are now trapped in a state-run orphanage in Dubrovnik. Their father is there. He can see them two hours a day. The three-year-old doesn't understand why he can't go home.This case would be disturbing enough on its own. But Elleshia Seymour isn't an anomaly. She's a pattern.Lori Vallow believed the same things. Her children J.J. and Tylee were murdered — their bodies found in her boyfriend Chad Daybell's backyard. Spring Thibaudeau believed the same things. She fled toward Canada with her teenage son before the FBI caught her.All three women came from LDS backgrounds. All three developed apocalyptic beliefs centered on the same theology — the same "end times" doctrine the Church teaches as mainstream. All three left children traumatized or dead.The LDS Church is worth an estimated $265 billion. It was fined by the SEC for hiding its wealth. It excommunicated Chad Daybell — but only after the murders. It excommunicated Julie Rowe — but only after years of influence.This is the story of a radicalization pipeline that keeps producing victims — and an institution that keeps looking the other way.#ElleshiaSeymour #LoriVallow #ChadDaybell #MormonDoomsday #LDSChurch #DoomsdayMom #TrueCrime #CroatiaAbduction #ChildAbduction #ReligiousExtremismJoin Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.

What happens when long-held faith begins to raise deeper questions?In today's episode, I'm joined by my longtime friend Kathy Hahn. Over nearly twenty years of friendship, I've watched Kathy live out her faith sincerely while also wrestling honestly with complex theological questions.A little more than two years ago, Kathy made the decision to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she and her husband have since been baptized and are now actively serving.In this thoughtful conversation, we explore what led her to the LDS Church, how she has reconciled theological differences with her former beliefs, and what it means to follow conviction when faith evolves.This episode is about curiosity and understanding in a world that too often doesn't appreciate either. Special Guest: Kathy Hahn

The Ericksons introduce a massive new scripture project for Independent Mormons and all Restorationists. We discuss the contentious issue of priesthood authority outside the LDS Church, and explain why they believe authority can exist in multiple branches of the Restoration simultaneously. https://youtu.be/aSKNhcLwtqY Don’t miss our other conversations on Mormon fundamentalism: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/fundamentalim/ 00:00 – Independent Mormons Restored Version of Scriptures: Discussion of a new “triple combination” project spearheaded by Drew Briney. This edition includes the 1840 Book of Mormon text, formatted in paragraphs, and contains nearly 100 unpublished revelations from Joseph Smith and John Taylor. 12:00 – Details of the New Edition: The new scriptures are annotated to show every substantial change in the text over history. It excludes “press releases” like the Manifestos but includes the Lectures on Faith and the full Wentworth Letter. 20:00 – The Authority Question: Rick asks how the Ericksons claim authority without belonging to an established group like the AUB or Kingstons. Joshua argues that authority is broadly distributed, citing the Book of Mormon where Lehi and Jeremiah held authority simultaneously without coordinating. 28:00 – Priesthood vs. Church: A discussion on the fundamentalist view that the priesthood exists independently of the corporate church structure. Joshua shares his experience of being rebaptized and reordained to align with scriptural requirements for married priesthood holders. 35:00 – Rebaptism: Why independents view rebaptism as a renewable covenant and a preparation for special events (like temple dedications), rather than a one-time event3536. • 40:00 – Can Josephites and Brighamites Unite?: The group discusses the difficulty of unifying the various Restoration branches, noting that polygamy is often the “third rail” that prevents full unity

On today's episode, we welcome two very special guests! Leopoldo Larcher and Emily Guincho are a father–daughter duo here to share their Italian Mormon story as the first family to join the LDS Church in Italy.Leopoldo details his experience of quickly being placed into leadership roles and bearing the responsibility of helping establish the structure of the Church in Italy. Over the years, he worked with many LDS Church leaders, from Ezra Taft Benson to Spencer W. Kimball.His daughter, Emily, joins us to share her own perspective on what it was like for her and her siblings to grow up in an environment dominated by church service and the immense pressure to represent Mormonism in their community.Together, Emily and Leopoldo reflect on what it meant to be Mormon pioneers in Italy, how their dedicated service affected their family life, and where they stand with the Church today. They also discuss what the LDS community looks like in Italy within a predominantly Catholic culture, and the challenges the Church faces as it attempts to establish a uniquely American institution in Europe.___________________YouTubeAt 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 theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

The largest group of Mormon polygamists don’t belong to a group! I’m talking to the Ericksons: Joshua, Charlotte, & Melissa who purchased the Sister Wives home from Kody Brown and his 4 wives from the TLC channel. We’ll talk about the resources independent Mormon fundamentalists can participate in, how they got their authority to do polygamy, and talk about priesthood in their family. Check out our conversation… https://youtu.be/7itxEX5H8nk Don’t miss our interviews with Mormon polygamists: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/fundamentalim/ I sat down with the Erickson family—Joshua, Melissa, and Charlotte—independent Mormon fundamentalists who purchased the Lehi, Utah home formerly owned by Kody Brown of TLC’s Sister Wives. The Ericksons discuss their journey from mainstream LDS  Church membership to independent polygamy, their blog Speaking of Polygamy, and their efforts to restore biblical feasts and practices. 00:00 – Welcome to the Sister Wives Brown Hotel: The Ericksons, who now live in the home designed for polygamy discuss the unique architecture, which includes connected apartments that facilitate communal living. 08:00 – Excommunication & New Fellowship: The family shares their transition out of the LDS Church. While they were excommunicated, they describe the experience as cordial and devoid of hard feelings. They soon found the Zarahemla Foundation, a non-denominational fellowship for restoration believers. 14:00 – Defining Independent Fundamentalism: Joshua explains that fundamentalism isn’t just about polygamy; it is about preserving original restoration principles. They discuss the misconception that leaving the church means losing opportunities to serve, arguing they have found even more ways to be “anxiously engaged”. 18:00 – Restoring the Feasts: We did a deep dive into why the Ericksons celebrate ancient Israelite holidays like Passover, the Feast of Tabernacles, and Yom Kippur. Joshua provides scriptural justification from Zechariah 14 and the JST of Luke 22, arguing these feasts are for all of Israel, not just the Jews. 26:00 – Wine Making & The Word of Wisdom: The family discusses their wine-making classes. They adhere to D&C 89 and Section 27, believing wine should be “of your own make” for sacraments, rather than water. 32:00 – Mormon Legacy Ministries: Introduction to a broad coalition of independent fundamentalists who provide a “soft landing” and fellowship for those questioning mainstream changes. 36:00 – The Temple in Missouri: The Ericksons recount their participation in the independent temple built near Humansville, Missouri, describing the celestial room’s fiber-optic star field and the dedication they felt among independent groups.

Welcome to Episode 70 of our LDS Discussions series!In this episode, our panel takes a deep dive into one of the most debated questions surrounding the Book of Mormon: were ancient metal plates a known concept in Joseph Smith's world, and are they truly comparable to the golden plates he described?We examine historical sources from the 18th and 19th centuries that reference metal records –brass, copper, lead, and stone –and place them within Joseph Smith's cultural and intellectual milieu. From biblical scholarship and early American speculation about Native American origins to apologists' use of presentism, this episode carefully distinguishes between general awareness of metal inscriptions and the specific, unprecedented claims of a large golden codex containing extensive narrative text.Along the way, we explore major figures, books, and ideas circulating before and during Joseph Smith's lifetime, assess whether these sources were likely known to him, and ask a crucial question: at what point does probability break down –not because of a single anachronism, but because of the sheer scale and complexity of the plates described in the Book of Mormon?This conversation builds toward a detailed timeline of Joseph Smith's environment, highlighting how concepts expanded, evolved, and were ultimately synthesized into something entirely new.Leave a comment letting us know if you like this format with John Dehlin being “not home.”___________________YouTubeAt 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 theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

The LDS Church teaches that its top leaders are prophets, seers, and revelators; men who speak for God and whose guidance deserves trust, obedience, and moral authority. When serious problems arise in Church history, doctrine, or policy, the most common explanation offered is simple: prophets are fallible. But does that explanation actually resolve the issue?… Read More »Does Prophetic Fallibility Solve the LDS Problem?

Tonight's top story looks at new national data revealing a growing gap inside the LDS Church — especially among Gen Z members. While many young adults are stepping away entirely, new research shows that those who remain often continue outward religious behaviors like church attendance and temple participation. But beneath the surface, something deeper is… Read More »Inside the Disappearance of LDS Devotion The post Inside the Disappearance of LDS Devotion appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

The LDS Church teaches that its top leaders are prophets, seers, and revelators; men who speak for God and whose guidance deserves trust, obedience, and moral authority. When serious problems arise in Church history, doctrine, or policy, the most common explanation offered is simple: prophets are fallible. But does that explanation actually resolve the issue?… Read More »Does Prophetic Fallibility Solve the LDS Problem? The post Does Prophetic Fallibility Solve the LDS Problem? appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

The LDS Church teaches that its top leaders are prophets, seers, and revelators; men who speak for God and whose guidance deserves trust, obedience, and moral authority. When serious problems arise in Church history, doctrine, or policy, the most common explanation offered is simple: prophets are fallible. But does that explanation actually resolve the issue? In this episode of Mormonism Live, we take a step back and examine what prophetic fallibility is being asked to accomplish, and whether it truly holds up under scrutiny. We walk through multiple categories where prophetic authority is expected to function reliably and where the Church and its apologists claim fallibility resolves the concerns, including: Foundational integrity Doctrinal and theological accuracy Moral judgment Prophetic discernment Revelation in real time Ethical leadership Institutional accountability Pastoral care and protection of the vulnerable Using clear historical examples including Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, modern prophets, and recent institutional decisions, we show how the same explanation is repeatedly used to absorb contradiction, reverse teachings, and excuse harm. Along the way, we ask the question that often goes unspoken: If prophets can confidently teach error, attribute it to God, and only later have it reclassified as opinion or mistake… how is anyone supposed to know when God is actually speaking? Fallibility may explain why mistakes happen — but it does not explain how members are meant to trust leaders in real time. Rather than attacking belief, this episode carefully examines whether the prophetic model itself functions as advertised — and what it means when authority becomes clear only in hindsight. This is not about expecting perfection. It's about whether divine authority can be trusted to guide human lives safely, honestly, and consistently.

More of Mormonism's canonized revelations originated in or near Kirtland than any other place. Yet many of the events connected with those revelations and their 1830s historical context have faded over time. Barely twenty-five years after the first of these Ohio revelations, Brigham Young lamented in 1856: “These revelations, after a lapse of years, become mystified [sic] to those who were not personally acquainted with the circumstances at the time they were given.” He gloomily predicted that eventually the revelations “may be as mysterious to our children . . . as the revelations contained in the Old and New Testaments are to this generation.” Now, more than 150 years later, the distance between what Brigham Young and his Kirtland contemporaries considered common knowledge and our understanding of the same material today has widened into a sometimes daunting gap. Mark Staker narrows the chasm in Hearken, O Ye People by reconstructing the cultural experiences by which Kirtland's Latter-day Saints made sense of the revelations Joseph Smith pronounced. This volume rebuilds that exciting decade using clues from numerous archives, privately held records, museum collections, and even the soil where early members planted corn and homes. From this vast array of sources he shapes a detailed narrative of weather, religious backgrounds, dialect differences, race relations, theological discussions, food preparation, frontier violence, astronomical phenomena, and myriad daily customs of nineteenth-century life. The result is a “from the ground up” experience that today's Latter-day Saints can all but walk into and touch. Mark Lyman Staker was a senior researcher in the Church History Department of the LDS Church when this was written. He received his PhD in cultural anthropology from University of Florida. For more than fifteen years, Mark has been involved in historic sites restoration and nineteenth-century expressions of the Latter-day Saint experience. He received the J. Talmage Jones Award of Excellence for an Outstanding Article on Mormon History from the Mormon History Association, and he has been involved in numerous museum exhibits. He and his wife, Kimberly, are the parents of seven children and live in West Bountiful, Utah. The post Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith's Ohio Revelations – Mark Staker – appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

In this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast, we talk with Jean Daniel about his journey from a devoted Mormon convert to a Christian pastor. Growing up in Boston, Jean discovered Mormonism as a teenager and found in it a strong sense of structure, identity, and belonging. He served a mission in San Diego, CA and was later married in the Newport beach temple.While studying at Harvard and Yale Divinity Schools, Jean began to see the value in many Christian traditions and ultimately let go of the idea of “one true church.” He shares how this shift led him toward a more open, hopeful approach to Christianity grounded in community. Today, Jean serves as the National Pastor of Canada for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).This is a thoughtful conversation about faith after Mormonism and building a meaningful spiritual community with progressive beliefs.Please purchase the book ⁠here⁠.To support this series please donate ⁠here⁠. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.___________________YouTubeAt 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 theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

Rick Bennett and Kurt Francom announce the launch of the Gospel Tangents Network and its new community forum, LDS Faith Journeys.org, designed to support members looking for support with history, doctrine, social issues, etc. The hosts discuss reframing the concept of a “faith crisis” into a “faith journey” to remove shame, with Kurt offering his “scuba gear on a bicycle” analogy to explain how personal trauma or baggage can hinder religious practice. The conversation covers Kurt's experience as a bishop with a counselor who left the Church, his involvement in Warrior Heart boot camps, and the dangers of publicizing polygamy denial or the book Visions of Glory. Finally, Rick pays tribute to the late podcaster Troy Ables and previews upcoming guests for the network, hopefully including Janice Allred. https://youtu.be/5PayNjM0y1s 00:00 — Introduction and Launch Rick Bennett welcomes Kurt Francom, host of the Leading Saints podcast, to announce the launch of the Gospel Tangents Network. Rick introduces the network’s 2nd website, LDSFaithJourneys.org, a forum designed for members to discuss history, doctrine, social issues and other issues where members needs support. 05:00 — “Faith Crisis” vs. “Faith Journeys” Rick and Kurt discuss the terminology used for those struggling with the Church. Kurt argues that the term “Faith Crisis” carries a heavy, negative connotation of brokenness, whereas “Faith Journey” suggests a natural evolution of faith. Kurt emphasizes that avoiding the “crisis” label helps remove shame, which is often a tool of the adversary. Rick hopes people don't stay in crisis very long and move onto more productive faith journeys. 15:00 — The Scuba Gear Analogy Kurt introduces a metaphor for religious struggle: imagining the Gospel as a functional bicycle that some members try to ride while wearing heavy “scuba gear” (trauma, baggage, or specific upbringing.) He suggests that for some, stepping away or “hitting the reset button” is necessary to remove the gear before they can successfully ride the bike again. 25:00 — A Bishop's Heartbreak Kurt shares a personal story from his time as a bishop regarding his second counselor, an attorney and capable leader. After reading Richard Bushman's Rough Stone Rolling in a BYU religion class, the counselor struggled with the “raw and real history” of Joseph Smith and eventually removed his name from Church records. This experience taught Kurt that just because the “standard formula” works for him, it does not mean it works for everyone. 35:00 — Warrior Heart Boot Camps Responding to a listener question, Kurt discusses his involvement with Warrior Heart, a non-denominational Christian men's retreat. He describes it as a place to “strip away all of the baggage” of faith tradition and allow men to focus solely on their relationship with God. 45:00 — Polygamy Revisionists & Excommunication Rick asks Kurt about the trend of members being excommunicated for claiming Joseph Smith did not practice polygamy. Kurt argues that while people are free to believe what they want, using a public platform to claim Brigham Young was a liar while Joseph was innocent creates a movement the Church must address. Rick adds that D&C 132 and the sealing power are so intertwined that rejecting Joseph's polygamy creates a massive theological problem. Rick doesn’t agree with polygamy revisionists and encourages leaders to avoid taking away membership. He shares a conversation with a Jewish friend who said it is impossible to be excommunicated from the Jewish religion, even for murder. “Let God be the judge.” Rick wishes the LDS Church moved closer to that admonition. 55:00 — Visions of Glory A listener asks about the book Visions of Glory. Is it helpful or harmful? Kurt describes it as harmful because it creates unhealthy narratives about the “mechanics of heaven” and end-times obsession. He notes that it consistently sells well, alongside Under the Banner of Heaven, which shows a cultural fascination with these topics. 58:00 — Future Content and Wrap Up Rick hopes to have a future episode involving the Succession Crisis, featuring figures like James Strang and William Bickerton. They conclude by encouraging listeners to register at the new website https://ldsfaithjourneys.org to ask questions and find support.

Follow Art: https://www.instagram.com/artolivas1/?hl=en What President Oaks says about mission age change for young women and the nature of future temple announcements https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/01/11/president-dallin-h-oaks-feels-responsibility-of-mantel-of-prophet-burley-idaho/? Funeral for victim of LDS Church shooting in Salt Lake City moved due to safety concerns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltupJ7GndBw? LDS Church purchases Texas ranch land, environmentalists protest https://www.chron.com/culture/religion/article/lds-church-texas-land-purchase-21296820.php? Utah Valley University President Astrid Tuminez announces she is stepping down https://www.ksl.com/article/51433117/utah-valley-university-president-astrid-tuminez-announces-she-is-stepping-down? President Oaks Dedicates the Burley Idaho Temple https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-oaks-dedicates-burley-idaho-temple? Milestones for Temples in California, Guatemala, Mozambique and Utah https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/milestones-for-temples-in-california-guatemala-mozambique-and-utah? Subscribe to the Prophets and Apostles on YouTube https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/prophets-and-apostles-youtube? Elder Bednar Shares Four ‘Miraculous' Events of the Restoration at Utah State University https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-bednar-addresses-four-miraculous-events-of-restoration-utah-state-univers? ‘Lamb of God' Comes to The Metropolitan Opera House https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/lamb-of-god-metropolitan-opera-house-lincoln-center? Worldwide Relief Society devotional to be held in March https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2026/01/15/worldwide-relief-society-devotional-march-17-2026-quentin-cook-camille-johnson? Former Senator Kyrsten Sinema Accused of Affair With Ex-Bodyguard https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/us/politics/kyrsten-sinema-affair-lawsuit.html

Welcome to Part 28 of our John G. Turner series of the Joseph Smith Podcast! Today we continue our deep dive into the Egyptian Materials, the Book of Abraham, and how its theology shaped Mormonism's most distinctive doctrines –including premortal existence, exaltation, intelligences, and the idea of God becoming God.This episode explores how Joseph Smith resumed work on the papyri in Nauvoo, publicly introduced the Book of Abraham, and used it as a vehicle for unfolding expansive cosmology and theology. We examine the papyri themselves, the facsimiles, translation claims, the catalyst theory, and why there is little evidence that key scrolls are missing.More importantly, we trace how the Book of Abraham becomes the theological backbone for ideas that later crystalize in the King Follett Discourse, the Plan of Salvation, the War in Heaven, and the belief that humans can become Gods.This is Part 2 of our discussion on the Egyptian Materials and their lasting influence on Mormon doctrine.Please purchase the book ⁠here⁠.To support this series please donate ⁠here⁠. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.___________________YouTubeShow NotesAt 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 theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

In a calculated hedge against hell, Dilbert creator Scott Adams announces a death-bed conversion to Christianity, explicitly framing it as Pascal's Wager—a cynical, calculated play for the afterlife. Christians celebrate, atheists groan, and we unpack why this story is catnip for religious propaganda, why the logic collapses instantly, and why deathbed conversions remain one of Christianity's favorite—and flimsiest—victory laps. (Adams passed away at age 68 from prostate cancer after we recorded the show.) Then: the Pope condemns medical aid in dying after Illinois legalizes it, a lawyer is fined $400,000 for warning a school about an accused priest, the U.S. Defense Secretary pushes Christianity deeper into the military, China cracks down on underground Christian churches, Israel prepares to relocate a so-called "lost tribe" from India, and the LDS Church quietly dismantles its all-female Temple Square mission. Support the show: www.thankgodimatheist.com/donate

In this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast, we sit down with Ceci Hendrickson, who shares her story of growing up in the FLDS Church before the rise of Warren Jeffs and witnessing how the church transformed under his leadership. Warren Jeffs was once her high school principal, long before he became the self-proclaimed prophet of the FLDS Church.Ceci walks us through her upbringing in a large polygamist family, where strict rules, indoctrination, and obedience were woven into everyday life. She describes how life changed dramatically when Warren Jeffs took power, detailing how religious practices became increasingly extreme. Families were torn apart as church members were regularly sent away, creating a culture of fear and paranoia within the community. We explore the realities of arranged marriages, the phrase “keep sweet,” and the systems that normalized control and abuse—especially for women and children.As a teenager, Ceci was suddenly told she would be married, launching her into a polygamous marriage that she now recognizes as child abuse. She shares what it was like to be reassigned within families, to live in hiding after crimes were committed, and to witness children—including her sister wife's 12-year-old stepdaughter—being handed over to Warren Jeffs himself as plural wives. We also discuss the YFZ Ranch in Texas, the 2008 raid, Warren Jeffs' continued control of the church from prison, and how his actions ultimately contributed to the unraveling of the FLDS community.We then discuss Ceci's escape from polygamy, how she managed to reclaim her children from the church, and how she built a new life for her family outside of the FLDS faith.Today, Ceci is a mother, entrepreneur, and advocate, using her voice to help other women find their way out and reclaim their lives.___________________YouTubeAt 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 theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

The most shocking part of Exponent II‘s history is the organization’s “FBI embezzlement story.” In 2017, the board discovered that a trusted treasurer and close friend had embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars over a six-year period. The theft was hidden because the money—often retreat deposits and subscription fees—was occasionally covered privately by the treasurer’s family to prevent the retreat centers from reporting non-payment. The discovery led to a federal investigation, and the treasurer eventually served 17 months in federal prison. This crisis forced Exponent II to professionalize its operations, moving away from a purely trust-based system to one utilizing outside auditors, forensic accounting, and transparent financial reporting. https://youtu.be/TNqUb4KH748 Don't miss our other conversations about Mormon feminism: https://gospeltangents.com/lds_theology/feminism/ Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Award-winning authors Katie Rich and Heather Sundal discuss the 50-year history of Exponent II. The organization has evolved from its 1970s roots into a modern, inclusive platform that now explicitly welcomes trans and non-binary individuals, as well as other gender minorities marginalized within the LDS Church. The authors highlight how their new book acts as an anthology, curating thousands of blog posts and magazine issues to show the organization's growth from a focus on traditional feminism to a broader “Mormon continuum” of belief and identity. The authors also highlights the literary heart of the organization through specific essays: Lavina Fielding Anderson: An essay on “spiritual autobiography” that challenges the idea that women must always subsume their desires, instead arguing that seeking personal joy is a spiritually healthy and “radical” pursuit. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich: A 1981 piece describing the grueling balance of being a mother of five and a doctoral candidate, famously noting that “well-behaved women seldom make history”. Embezzlement Despite the financial betrayal, the authors emphasize that the community’s response was one of overwhelming generosity. From Laurel Thatcher Ulrich offering immediate financial help to the journal Dialogue paying Exponent II a $10,000 guest-editing fee, the organization's survival proved that its “baby” was too important to the Mormon feminist community to let fail. Don't miss our other conversations about Mormon feminism: https://gospeltangents.com/lds_theology/feminism/ Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved

Welcome to episode 27 of the Joseph Smith Podcast with Dr. John G. Turner! In this episode, we take a deep dive into Joseph Smith's early practice of polygamy in Nauvoo, tracing how it began, how it expanded so rapidly, and what it reveals about power, belief, and risk.We examine the first plural marriages, the people Joseph trusted to introduce the practice, and the recurring patterns that emerge as polygamy spreads among church leadership. Along the way, we ask difficult questions about revelation, consent, secrecy, scripture, and whether Joseph believed his actions were divinely required –or something else entirely.This discussion also situates polygamy within the broader political and social pressures Joseph faced in the early 1840s, including legal threats, growing opposition, and his increasing confidence and recklessness as Nauvoo flourished. Ultimately, we explore whether Joseph's polygamy can be understood as sincere belief, institutional experimentation, abuse of authority, or some combination of all three.If you find this series valuable, consider liking, subscribing, and sharing. More episodes in this series are coming next!Please purchase the book ⁠here⁠.To support this series please donate ⁠here⁠. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.___________________YouTubeAt 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 theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

Andrea Muñoz Spannaus gave a conference talk in October 2025 about the importance of following the leaders of the LDS Church. For many, the leaders are just giving their opinion, but not according to Spannaus, who says complete devotion must be given to them. MRM's Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson take a closer look at the talk and discuss why Mormonism's doctrines should still be obtained by the teachings of the LDS scripture and leaders, not from members' personal opinions.

In Part 2 with artist and ex-Mormon creator Shelise Ann Sola, we pick up with what happens after you walk away from the LDS Church: family fallout, reclaiming your body and sexuality from modesty/purity culture, and learning how to trust your own inner authority instead of a prophet, bishop, or priesthood holder. Shelise talks about healing religious trauma, unpacking scrupulosity and intrusive fears about hell and worthiness, and the messy, funny, and sometimes dark reality of building a new life, new boundaries, and new beliefs in the “post-Mormon” wilderness.We also get into her online work: TikTok, podcasts, art, and ex-Mormon memes as a form of grief processing and community-building, why Mormonism and other high-demand religions can feel a little bit culty, and what's actually helped her feel safe, connected, and spiritually grounded on the other side.Be sure to follow Shelise's podcast, Cults to Consciousness, on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, and Shelise at sheliseannsola.com and on Instagram @sheliseann.Also…let it be known that:The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone or anything. Nobody's mad at you, just don't be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book hereCheck out our amazing sponsorsJoin A Little Bit Culty on PatreonGet poppin' fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCheck out our cult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah's TED Talk and buy her memoir, ScarredCREDITS:Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Citizens of SoundCo-Creator: Jess TardyAudio production: Will RetherfordProduction Coordinator: Lesli DinsmoreWriter: Sandra NomotoSocial media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke KeaneTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Black Skin A Curse From God? Rumors have been swirling recently that the LDS Church is changing certain verses in its African language translations of the Book of Mormon; certain verses that in the English Book of Mormon talk about black skin being a curse from God. The rumor is that those verses have been… Read More »LDS Church Changing Book of Mormon To Fool Africans? RFM: 434

Black Skin A Curse From God? Rumors have been swirling recently that the LDS Church is changing certain verses in its African language translations of the Book of Mormon; certain verses that in the English Book of Mormon talk about black skin being a curse from God. The rumor is that those verses have been… Read More »LDS Church Changing Book of Mormon To Fool Africans? RFM: 434 The post LDS Church Changing Book of Mormon To Fool Africans? RFM: 434 appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

Two people are dead and several are injured after a shooting outside an LDS church in Salt Lake City Wednesday evening. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means share what we know so far.  Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You'll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm.  Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC. Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137 Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Andrea Muñoz Spannaus gave a conference talk in October 2025 about the importance of following the leaders of the LDS Church. For many, the leaders are just giving their opinion, but not according to Spannaus, who says complete devotion must be given to them. MRM's Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson take a closer look at the talk and discuss why Mormonism's doctrines should still be obtained by the teachings of the LDS scripture and leaders, not from members' personal opinions.

Andrea Muñoz Spannaus gave a conference talk in October 2025 about the importance of following the leaders of the LDS Church. For many, the leaders are just giving their opinion, but not according to Spannaus, who says complete devotion must be given to them. MRM's Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson take a closer look at the talk and discuss why Mormonism's doctrines should still be obtained by the teachings of the LDS scripture and leaders, not from members' personal opinions.

Andrea Muñoz Spannaus gave a conference talk in October 2025 about the importance of following the leaders of the LDS Church. For many, the leaders are just giving their opinion, but not according to Spannaus, who says complete devotion must be given to them. MRM's Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson take a closer look at the talk and discuss why Mormonism's doctrines should still be obtained by the teachings of the LDS scripture and leaders, not from members' personal opinions.

What happens when a Mormon woman becomes the primary provider for her family –inside a religion that teaches her highest purpose is in the home?In this deeply personal and honest conversation, Cate Smith shares her journey growing up Mormon, internalizing the Family Proclamation, and believing her eternal destiny was marriage, motherhood, and supporting her husband. From being voted “most likely to be mom” as a teenager to entering the temple and covenanting to hearken to her husband, Cate explains how clearly her path seemed laid out for her.But life didn't unfold the way Mormonism promised.After earning a degree in accounting “as a backup,” Cate unexpectedly became the breadwinner, while her husband stepped into a more nurturing, stay-at-home role. What followed was grief, identity loss, social pressure, depression, and eventually therapy –along with the realization that the only thing wrong with being a working mom was being Mormon.As Cate began questioning gender roles, authority, and worth, those questions expanded into a full faith crisis –sparked by therapy, church culture, the Family Proclamation, Ensign Peak and SEC fraud revelations, racism in church history, and the fear-based framework of Mormon belief. She shares how integrity ultimately mattered more than certainty, and why she chose to resign from the Church before she even fully believed it wasn't true.Cate's story is raw, thoughtful, and deeply relatable –especially for women navigating faith, motherhood, careers, and self-trust after leaving a high-demand religion.___________________YouTubeAt 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 theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

Andrea Muñoz Spannaus gave a conference talk in October 2025 about the importance of following the leaders of the LDS Church. For many, the leaders are just giving their opinion, but not according to Spannaus, who says complete devotion must be given to them. MRM's Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson take a closer look at the talk and discuss why Mormonism's doctrines should still be obtained by the teachings of the LDS scripture and leaders, not from members' personal opinions.

"I personally believe that one of the ways in which the spirit speaks to someone such as myself is through logical sense. Which I think is interesting because usually those two things are pitted against each other. I never received the voice in my head saying, this is true when I'm reading the Book of Mormon as some people would. As something clicked in my head I would be at peace about it. And then obviously the heart and mind have to be unified in order to be spiritually in tune. So I am always like, well, if you're experiencing an absence of the spirit because you have all these logical problems, that's probably why. It's because your heart and mind need to be in tune. And that's obviously why I never received a purely spiritual witness, because my mind was just not in it, and my mind needs to be in it. And so I always like to view those two things as working together, not really working against each other."00:00 Facing a Crisis of Faith08:06 Seeking Answers and Facing Doubts11:54 Turning to Family and Church Leaders20:23 Finding Hope in Apologetic Literature23:54 Discovering Influential Books29:36 Advice for Navigating Anti-Religious Content32:39 Reconciling Faith and Logic39:20 What Makes The Church DifferentMemor Jewelry code COMEBACK for 10% offhttps://memorjewelry.com/Serve Clothing code COMEBACK for 15% offhttps://serveclothing.com/If you have a story to share please contact ashly.comebackpodcast@gmail.comFor inquiries contact info.comebackpodcast@gmail.comCome Back Team:Director, Founder, & Host: Ashly StoneEditor: Cara ReedOutreach Manager: Jenna CarlsonAssistant Editor: Michelle BergerAssistant Editor: Britt SmallzeArt Director: Jeremy GarciaProduction Director: Trent Wardwell

WHY MORMONS HAVE TO LIE ABOUT MORMONISM. RFM and Kolby Reddish take Austin Fife out behind the woodshed yet again in this newest analysis of “The Light and Truth Letter.” The more Austin defends the LDS Church, the deeper the hole he digs for Mormonism. In Chapter 19 titled “Critical Myths,” Austin Fife proves that… Read More »Mormon Myths: RFM: 433

WHY MORMONS HAVE TO LIE ABOUT MORMONISM. RFM and Kolby Reddish take Austin Fife out behind the woodshed yet again in this newest analysis of “The Light and Truth Letter.” The more Austin defends the LDS Church, the deeper the hole he digs for Mormonism. In Chapter 19 titled “Critical Myths,” Austin Fife proves that… Read More »Mormon Myths: RFM: 433 The post Mormon Myths: RFM: 433 appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

My friend Alex Cutini joins us to share his story: Alex Cutini grew up Catholic in Brazil, sensing early on that he was different from the other boys. At 18, his search for meaning led him to join the LDS Church, serve a mission a year later in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and eventually move to the United States to graduate from BYU-Idaho. Beneath the surface, the strain of hiding who he was grew into profound depression and moments of suicidal ideation. Coming out meant stepping away from the church and facing the heartbreak of family members who struggled to accept him. Yet alongside that pain came grace: a deep, enduring love with his husband Matt, now married for ten years, and unexpected, unwavering support from his mission president and the missionary and family who baptized him. As both of their families slowly learned how to love more fully, Alex found his way forward—toward healing, purpose, and ultimately becoming the CEO of Encircle, where his story now helps save lives. Alex then shares the story of Encircle, now serving communities through five locations across Utah. He honors Stephenie Larsen's original vision and courage in founding Encircle, and explains how that vision has grown into a lifeline for queer youth and their families. Encircle provides affirming clinical therapy, currently accepting new clients, alongside a wide range of free programs and services designed to create safety, connection, and hope. Together, these offerings reflect a simple but powerful mission: to ensure no young person or family has to navigate identity, mental health, or belonging alone. This is one of the most powerful podcasts we've ever done. Alex's coming-out story is profoundly moving as he shares his journey from shame to self-love and acceptance—traveling from darkness, depression, and little hope to light, happiness, and a deeper capacity to help others. I wish everyone—straight or queer—could hear his story. The principles and insights he shares have the power to help us all. Thank you, Alex, for being on the podcast and for your extraordinary work at Encircle. You are making a tremendous difference for good in our community, and you are one of my heroes. And to everyone involved with Encircle—thank you. I am deeply supportive of your lifesaving work. Links: Alex's Instagram: @alexcutini Alex's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexcutini/ Encircle's Instagram: @encircletogether Encircle: https://encircletogether.org/

Welcome to Part 26 of our Joseph Smith Podcast series! In this episode, we continue our deep dive into Chapter 22 of John Turner's new biography, Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet, as the story moves to the founding of Nauvoo, Illinois in 1840 –a fresh start for the Latter-day Saints and a turning point in Joseph Smith's theology and authority.We explore the emergence of baptism for the dead, one of the most distinctive doctrines introduced in Nauvoo, and how Joseph Smith framed proxy ordinances as answers to grief, death, and eternal family bonds. From New Testament passages to Adam Clarke's biblical commentary, we examine how this doctrine developed, why the Saints embraced it so enthusiastically, and how it eventually became tied to the temple.This episode also covers the doctrine of re-baptism, a ritual that allowed faithful members to recommit repeatedly, and what this reveals about early Mormon ideas of salvation, renewal, and belonging. We also introduce one of the most controversial figures of the Nauvoo period: John C. Bennett –a charismatic leader with a scandalous past whose rise and fall would have lasting consequences for Nauvoo, Joseph Smith, and the Church's political and legal standing.Along the way, we discuss Nauvoo's utopian hopes, strange theological ideas, spiritual experimentation, the growing power of the Nauvoo militia (and Joseph Smith), and the seeds of opposition that will eventually lead to Joseph Smith's death. Join us in the next episode for our discussion on Polygamy!Please purchase the book ⁠here⁠.To support this series please donate ⁠here⁠. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.___________________YouTubeAt 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 theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Appio Hunter, whose early life as a Portuguese-speaking Mormon kid, his journey through conversion therapy, and his eventual path to love, self-acceptance, and healing make for one of the most profound LGBTQ+ Mormon Stories ever shared on this channel.Raised between Southern California and Utah by a Brazilian mother and a father with deep pioneer-era lineage, Appio knew from age four that he was different. By adolescence, he recognized he was gay –just as he was absorbing the harsh anti-gay rhetoric embedded in Mormon culture of the era. What followed was years of masking, spiritual turmoil, self-hatred, and the crushing belief that he needed to be “fixed.”Appio was eventually ushered into LDS-supported Reparative Therapy, including talk therapy, group sessions, “baseball therapy,” and even a type of 12-step program designed to eliminate same-sex attraction. This path led him all the way to the early 1990s offices of senior LDS General Authorities –including Russell M. Nelson and Henry B. Eyring –where he was held up as a "success story" of conversion therapy.Beneath the surface of being the “poster boy” for Reparative Therapy, the cost was devastating: self-loathing, loneliness, suicidal ideation, and the tragic loss of peers who didn't survive the program. Ultimately, Appio's journey brought him toward authenticity and real love.This is a story of survival, identity, love, and liberation –a must-watch for anyone navigating faith transitions, LGBTQ+ issues, or the legacy of Mormon conversion therapy.___________________YouTubeAt 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 theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

Why are Mormons so popular, you ask? Because it's part of their faith.From Hulu's The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives to your favorite homemaking TikTok influencers, the women of the Church of Latter Day Saints have been gaining massive audiences for over a decade. Brittany is joined by Jana Riess, senior columnist at Religious News Service and author of The Next Mormons: How Millennials are Changing the LDS Church to discuss how Mormon culture provides some of TikTok's most powerful influencers with heavenly tools for viral success.This episode originally aired on November 12, 2024.Support Public Media. Join NPR Plus.Follow Brittany Luse on Instagram: @bmluseFor handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR's Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Please join us for a live episode with Roger Hendrix - one of the highest ranking Latter-day Saints ever interviewed on Mormon Stories Podcast.  Roger served as CES Director, Bishop, Stake Presidency Member, Mission President, and served for 18 years as a Trustee on the board of the Deseret Trust Company (called to the position by President Gordon B. Hinckley). We will be discussing the future of the LDS Church and the Mormon people, and would love to hear your opinions and questions too!___________________YouTubeAt 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 theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions