Podcasts about open stories foundation

1. HEART OF THE MATTER 1A. Record-Breaking Missionary Numbers — Pres. Oaks at New Mission Leader Seminar At the 2026 Seminar for New Mission Leaders (June 18–21, Provo MTC), President Dallin H. Oaks announced that the Church will soon have the largest number of full-time missionaries in its history, surpassing the current 87,000+ serving worldwide. The surge is driven by the first wave of 18-year-old sister missionaries (following the November policy change lowering the minimum age from 19) and the addition of 55 new missions in July, bringing the global total to 506. President Oaks outlined three characteristics defining the restored Church: (1) the fulness of doctrine (including eternal marriage between a man and a woman); (2) priesthood authority and keys; and (3) a unique testimony of Christ grounded in modern revelation and the First Vision. Sister Kristin Oaks also spoke, sharing six core truths missionaries teach. Source: Church Newsroom, June 20, 2026 Note: Strong potential for discussion on what ‘only true and living church’ means in a pluralistic world — Richie angle? 1B. New Hymn ‘Welcome Home’ — The Story Behind It Composer Andrea Brett explains how a 2017 encounter with Demetrius O’Neal — a recent convert serving as a greeter at a Spokane ward on a snowy Sunday morning — inspired her hymn ‘Welcome Home,’ now published in the new Hymns for Home and Church. Brett submitted 10 pieces when the global hymnbook was announced in 2018; this was the only one she’d written before the call. She received confirmation of its selection in February 2025, then had a full-circle moment when she and O’Neal sat near each other at the April 2025 General Conference as the Tabernacle Choir performed it. O’Neal’s name appears in the hymn’s tune name as a tribute. The hymn is now translated and sung globally. Source: Church Newsroom / Richie’s document 1C. Family History Records Are a ‘Sacred Thread’ — Elder Bragg at International Archivists Congress Elder Mark A. Bragg, General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Family History Department and FamilySearch International, was a keynote speaker at the III Congress of Archivists: Digital Archive Expo (DA-EXPO), held June 8–12 in Astana, Kazakhstan. He called family history records ‘the thin but sacred thread’ tying people together across generations, and argued that records are ‘in a very real sense, witnesses.’ Elder Bragg framed the digital revolution in genealogy in moral terms: for most of history, access to records was shaped by ‘proximity, resources and specialized knowledge,’ but today a record created in one place can be preserved in another, indexed in a third, and discovered by someone on the other side of the world. ‘The reach is astonishing. The speed is breathtaking. The possibilities are almost beyond measure.’ He also said that ‘access is an act of kindness’ — records only fulfill their divine purpose when they are found, understood, and used. His core message: preserving memory is an act of hope. ‘It says that the past is not dead to us and that the future deserves more than fragments.’ Source: Church News, June 17, 2026 Angle: Great ‘quiet but meaningful’ story — LDS family history going global and leveling the playing field for genealogy worldwide. 1D. America Gives — All 50 States Receive Food Donations The Church completed a milestone in its ‘America Gives’ initiative by delivering a shipping container of food to Hilo, Hawaii — marking all 50 states reached. The initiative aims to deliver 250 truckloads of food nationwide in 2026 to celebrate the U.S. 250th anniversary. In Hawaii, the food went to The Food Basket, distributed to 10 local nonprofits. Notably, 42% of residents on the island of Hawaii face food insecurity — the state’s highest rate. Rosie Rios, chair of America 250 and former U.S. Treasurer, praised the milestone. Local Methodist pastor Ted Lesnett said recipients will know ‘when they were hungry, someone cared.’ Source: Church Newsroom / Richie’s document 1E. Church Donates $250,000 NZD to Christchurch Anglican Cathedral Rebuild The Church announced a NZ$250,000 donation (June 19, 2026) toward the restoration of Christchurch’s iconic Anglican Cathedral — damaged in the February 2011 earthquake. Elder Peter F. Meurs (Pacific Area President) and Anglican Bishop Peter Carrell presided at the announcement. The donation comes as the project faces a $45M funding shortfall and an overall $219M budget. The Christchurch City Council has offered $15M contingent on government and Anglican Church matches. Notably, a New Zealand Buddhist community made a similar gift in 2023 — the LDS donation continues a cross-faith pattern of support for the heritage project. Source: Richie’s document Angle: Rare and heartwarming — LDS funds an Anglican cathedral. Good interfaith story. 1F. Central America Humanitarian Blitz — 5 Projects, 500,000+ People In late May and early June 2026, the Church announced five humanitarian projects across Central America (with Sister J. Anette Dennis, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, representing the Church). Projects include: the ‘Windows of Light’ eyecare program in El Salvador (350,000+ screenings to date); safe water access for 250,000+ in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (with UNICEF); nearly 750 computers/tablets donated to 66 educational institutions in Guatemala; and medical equipment for the ‘La Mascota’ children’s hospital in Nicaragua. Source: Church Newsroom, June 2026 2. FAITH & DOCTRINE 2A. President Christofferson in Philadelphia & Toronto A busy week of ministry for President D. Todd Christofferson: He offered the invocation at Becket’s Canterbury Medal Gala in Philadelphia (multifaith event celebrating religious liberty), alongside Elder Gary E. Stevenson and others. The group also visited the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall — fitting, ahead of America’s 250th. Christofferson reflected on D&C 101 and the Constitution’s purpose to protect ‘all flesh.’ From Philadelphia, he and Sister Christofferson traveled to Toronto, meeting 250+ missionaries in the Canada Toronto Mission weeks before it divides into three missions (Toronto West, Toronto East, and Montreal). He also spoke to hundreds of LDS youth, with one — Amelia Fischer — saying ‘no amount of words can describe how I felt tonight.’ Source: Richie’s document / Church Newsroom 2B. BYU Scholar Study: Religion Adds 7.6 Years to Life The BYU Wheatley Institute is releasing three reports analyzing 3,000 of the most scientifically rigorous studies (culled from 60,000+ papers by Duke University) on religion and health. Key findings: 33/34 studies show improved social health; 10/11 show improved mental health; 7/8 show improved physical health. Regular worshippers live an average of 7.6 years longer (up to 13.7 years longer for African Americans). A ‘landmark finding’: 256 studies show religion prevents/aids recovery from substance abuse (vs. 6 showing negative impact). Author Loren Marks recommends public health frameworks treat religious involvement like exercise recommendations. Source: Richie’s document 2C. Elder Soares Testifies in the Philippines Elder Ulisses Soares completed a two-week ministry in the Philippines (mid-May 2026), meeting with 600+ young single adults in Cebu, 450+ in Quezon City, and 340+ missionaries at the Philippines MTC. His recurring message: ‘His arms are extended to all of us.’ The Philippines has more than 905,000 Latter-day Saints — the Church’s fourth-largest national membership. Two new temples were also dedicated in the Philippines this month: the Davao Philippines Temple (Elder Renlund, May 3) and the Bacolod Philippines Temple (Elder Andersen, May 31). Source: Church Newsroom, June 17, 2026 3. CULTURE & CURIOSITIES 3A. LDS Author in Everyman’s Library — A First BYU biology and bioethics professor Steven L. Peck has reportedly become the first Latter-day Saint author included in the prestigious Everyman’s Library series (publishing canonical English fiction since 1906). His 2012 novella A Short Stay in Hell — a philosophical horror story about a Mormon man condemned to an afterlife library containing every possible book — went viral on BookTok and found a new audience. A literature historian noted: ‘No Mormon or Mormon-adjacent writer that I know of has ever been featured in this prestigious series.’ The Salt Lake Tribune covered the story, noting the irony that a theological horror story marks one of the most significant moments in LDS literary history. Source: Salt Lake Tribune / Richie’s document 3B. The Sasine Family — 40 Countries Before Age 1 Keith and Chelsea Sasine, an LDS couple stationed in Germany (Keith is an Army oral surgeon), made history in November 2025 by taking their youngest daughter Mia to 40 countries before her first birthday (March–November 2025), using a Honda Odyssey for European road trips. The family of six (including Izzy, 10; Abby, 9; and John, 4) attends local wards wherever they travel — a faith anchor the couple says strengthened their testimony and taught their kids the importance of the Sabbath globally. They’re planning a move to Colorado Springs in 2026. Source: Richie’s document 3C. Jen Affleck (Secret Lives of Mormon Wives) Expecting Baby #4 Jen Affleck, 27-year-old star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and Dancing with the Stars alum, announced June 18 that she and husband Zac Affleck are expecting their fourth child. She shared the news on Instagram captioned ‘Chapter Four.

What do Disney, Ferrari, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have in common? They're rather litigious when people do things they don't like. We go through the history of copyright and trademark to provide background for some notable recent lawsuits involving these companies. That launches us into a discussion about the recent lawsuit filed by the Mormon Church against John Dehlin, Mormon Stories, and the Open Stories Foundation. After that we talk about The Firm, a Tom Cruise movie where the good guy wins against the Mafia, a corrupt law firm, and the FBI. We end with some good news about targeting depression for treatment.   Show Notes:  https://copyrightalliance.org/copyright-law/copyright-act/ https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca5/24-10900/24-10900-2024-10-20.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_copyright https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhBpI13dxkI https://copyright.gov/about/1790-copyright-act.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gWaAJR5L18 https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript https://copyrightalliance.org/copyright-regulations/ https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/trademarks/law/Trademark_Statutes.pdf https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_trademark_law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_Act_of_1909 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_Act_of_1870 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Copyright_Act_of_1891 https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-disneyland-memorial-o_b_5859 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trademark_Dilution_Revision_Act https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arne_Anka https://www.courthousenews.com/disney-goes-on-trial-over-moana-copyright-infringement-claims/ https://blog.ipleaders.in/popular-copyright-infringement-cases-highlighting-disney-protective-intellectual-property-rights/ https://copyrightalliance.org/copyright-cases/disney-v-vidangel/ https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/disney-google-ai-copyright-infringement-cease-and-desist-letter-1236606429/ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/disney-sued-enforcing-rights-mickey-mouse-public-domain-1236378997/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us https://carbuzz.com/features/7-times-ferrari-filed-lawsuits-against-its-own-fans/ https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/a30750318/ferrari-purosangue-name-lawsuit/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFepk2ZoJtQ https://gileriodekel.com/2026/04/the-lds-church-is-suing-mormon-stories/ https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/getting-it-right-clarifying-trademark-branding-concerns https://www.reddit.com/r/mormon/comments/1svqcdy/a_tale_of_two_responses_the_book_of_mormon/ https://www.reddit.com/r/mormon/comments/1svnrzq/if_youre_worried_about_brand_confusion_and_people/ https://www.reddit.com/r/mormon/comments/1sxh2yy/lds_lawsuit_against_dehlin_too_little_too_late/ https://humblymybrain.substack.com/p/the-lds-church-vs-mormon-stories?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1b8vxy&triedRedirect=true https://www.reddit.com/r/mormon/comments/1suvu8w/re_mormon_stories_litigation_a_brief_primer_on/ https://www.reddit.com/r/mormon/comments/1sp83g4/lds_church_lawsuit_against_mormon_stories_rejects/   Index librorum prohibitorum (in Latin): https://archive.org/details/case_wing_z1020_i39_1664/mode/2up    MOGP: The Firm : https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106918/?ref_=tttrv_ov_bk  Where it's streaming: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-firm    Happy News: For the first time, scientists pinpoint the brain cells behind depression: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260423022010.htm    Accidental Medical Discoveries: How Tenacity and Pure Dumb Luck Changed the World by Robert W Winters.   Show Links: Email: glassboxpodcast@gmail.com  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod  Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social  Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/  Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html One time Paypal donation: bryceblankenagel@gmail.com  Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10  

Jenn Kamp’s bankruptcy lawsuit just keeps going from bad to worse. It is one thing for somebody else’s lawyer to accuse you of fraud, but you know things are bad when YOUR OWN LAWYER ACCUSES YOU OF FRAUD! Not only is Jenn Kamp trying to avoid paying John Dehlin and Open Stories Foundation for committing… Read More »Jenn Kamp’s Own Lawyer Accuses Her Of Fraud! : RFM: 368

Jenn Kamp’s bankruptcy lawsuit just keeps going from bad to worse. It is one thing for somebody else’s lawyer to accuse you of fraud, but you know things are bad when YOUR OWN LAWYER ACCUSES YOU OF FRAUD! Not only is Jenn Kamp trying to avoid paying John Dehlin and Open Stories Foundation for committing… Read More »Jenn Kamp’s Own Lawyer Accuses Her Of Fraud! : RFM: 368 The post Jenn Kamp’s Own Lawyer Accuses Her Of Fraud! : RFM: 368 appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

In this episode, we join Matt Harris to discuss the aftermath of lifting the priesthood and temple ban in the LDS Church. We explore how Bruce R. McConkie's account of the revelation was embellished and the damage control efforts by top church leaders. We also examine President Kimball's controversial remarks about Native Americans and his later regret over those comments. This discussion focuses on chapter eight of Matt Harris' book, "Second Class Saints." We are thrilled to announce that we have reached our donation goal to compensate Dr. Matt Harris for his contributions to this series. We sincerely thank everyone who supported this effort. While the goal to pay Matt has been met, producing this series incurred significant costs for the Open Stories Foundation. If you find value in this content and want to help cover these expenses and support future productions, we encourage you to donate at https://www.mormonstories.org/donate/ Your generosity makes a difference—thank you! Show Notes YouTube Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: YouTube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

What were the events and who were the key characters that led to the lifting of the priesthood and temple ban for black people? In this episode Matt Harris will answer those questions. Rumors have gone around that the ban was lifted due to the IRS threatening to take away their tax exempt status, or because of the lawsuits involving the NAACP, etc. Matt Harris puts many of these rumors to rest and answers the real reason why (and how) the ban was lifted. We are thrilled to announce that we have reached our donation goal to compensate Dr. Matt Harris for his contributions to this series. We sincerely thank everyone who supported this effort. While the goal to pay Matt has been met, producing this series incurred significant costs for the Open Stories Foundation. If you find value in this content and want to help cover these expenses and support future productions, we encourage you to donate at https://www.mormonstories.org/donate/ Your generosity makes a difference—thank you! Purchase Matt Harris' book here! “Second Class Saints” by Matt Harris https://www.amazon.com/Second-Class-Saints-Mormons-Struggle-Equality/dp/019769571X/ Show Notes YouTube Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: YouTube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

Season 2 of the Midlife Revolution! Podcast begins with a discussion with John Larsen- Philosopher, Farmer, Podcaster and Revolutionary! We talk about the Myth of the simple life, and how failure is an inevitability that we can learn to embrace as we make small changes that change everything! John Larsen's final Mormon Stories Episode: • Satan in Mormonism w/ John Larsen | E... John Larsen's current channel: / @johnlarsen1 The Dabbler Farm Website: www.dabblerfarm.orgAmazon Wish List for the Dabbler Farm: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls...John Larsen's Past Podcast, Mormon Expression is hosted at the Open Stories Foundation at www.openstoriesfoundation.org Visit www.third-verse.com/coaching to schedule a free 20 minute call with Megan!Join the community to gain access to perks!https://www.youtube.com/@Third_Verse/membershipAbout the Host: Megan Conner is the mother of 6 spectacular humans and a breaker of generational trauma cycles. She has spent the last 10 years overcoming the effects of child SA and other abusive relationships and cycles. She is the author of I Walked Through Fire to Get Here, which was written to give support and hope to other survivors. Megan is passionate about helping people make small changes that make their lives better every day. https://third-verse.com/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=29623844https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdTAwWoBlyiAEDIdahq5U6ghttps://www.instagram.com/third_verse/https://www.tiktok.com/@third_verseThanks for listening!Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please share with your friends! Buttons below.Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment! Is there a topic you'd like to hear more about? Let us know!Subscribe to the podcastGet automatic updates of new podcast episodes and live alerts by subscribing on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.Leave us an Apple Podcasts reviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like...

On May 15, 2024, Judge Faust of the Salt Lake City District Court issued terminating sanctions against Jenn Kamp in the defamation case brought against her by John Dehlin and the Open Stories Foundation. In the order, Judge Faust found that Jenn Kamp had engaged in a pattern of hiding evidence from the other party… Read More »Jenn Kamp Loses Defamation Lawsuit: RFM: 346

On May 15, 2024, Judge Faust of the Salt Lake City District Court issued terminating sanctions against Jenn Kamp in the defamation case brought against her by John Dehlin and the Open Stories Foundation. In the order, Judge Faust found that Jenn Kamp had engaged in a pattern of hiding evidence from the other party… Read More »Jenn Kamp Loses Defamation Lawsuit: RFM: 346 The post Jenn Kamp Loses Defamation Lawsuit: RFM: 346 appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

After failing to get me disbarred, Jenn Kamp has decided to add me to the lawsuit she has going with Open Stories Foundation and John Dehlin in Utah. Just when you thought things couldn’t get any crazier!

After failing to get me disbarred, Jenn Kamp has decided to add me to the lawsuit she has going with Open Stories Foundation and John Dehlin in Utah. Just when you thought things couldn’t get any crazier! The post Jenn Kamp Sues Radio Free Mormon: RFM: 328 appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

Whistleblowers often suffer consequences for speaking out, and our guest Dr. John Dehlin knows that first-hand. A 6th generation member, he was excommunicated from the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) for speaking up about gay rights and the suicide problem within the LDS church. They didn't like him raising those issues, but he persevered and is now helping others find their way out of religious faith crises and transition to a free life. Dr. Dehlin holds a master's degree in instructional technology and a Ph.D. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology. His interests revolve around the nexus of religion and mental health, emphasizing navigating religious faith crises and LGBTQ religious identity conflict. He is the CEO of the Open Stories Foundation. Yes, The BITE Model fits the LDS Church. The FLDS is much more destructive and extreme on the Influence Continuum. This is a blockbuster interview! Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 30, 2022 Greetings brothers and sisters! Welcome to the weekly MormonNewsRoundup where Dives and Al ruminate on the great and spacious beehive! Full Title Oct 30, 2022 Episode 31 - Mormonism with Murph joins the podcast, John Dehlin and OSF getting sued, LDS Church Canadian tithing under scrutiny, was BYU-I student called on a mission against her will?, and the legend RFM joins podcast next week Connect with Al and Dives! www.MormonNewsRoundup.org kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Voicemail Twitter Patreon YouTube Official Sponsor Music MormonMovieReviews Mormonism with the Murph News Articles Mormon Church in Canada moved $1B out of the country tax free — and it's legal Mormon church invests billions of dollars while grossly overstating its charitable giving Mormons not rich after all? John Dehlin getting sued Stop mourning those who leave the LDS Church Book of Mormon Horses finally found!? BYU-I Student called on a mission against her will? RFM to come on next week! Murph has left him some big shoes to fill! Question of the Week (available only on Anchor) How do you feel about the possibility of newly discovered horses on the American continent during Book of Mormon times? MNRU Poll of the Week (available only on Anchor) How do you feel about John Dehlin and the Open Stories Foundation getting sued? Chickens coming home to roost Vindicated. John Dehlin is a big contrast to Joseph Smith, a great example for us who never got into ANY legal trouble Anti-anti Mormon lies! Wait, does that make them true? The Open Stories Foundation is the ultimate oxymoron The Lord commanded Nephi to sign an NDA So much for forgiving 70 times seven Shoutout to Weird Alma for this episode's music. Thanks so much for ruminating with us on the great and spacious beehive! And remember, remember: No unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing! #lds, #mormon, #exmormon, #postmormon,#religion, #news, #ldschurch, #comeuntochrist, #churchofjesuschrist, #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints, #byu, #byui, #josephsmith, #comefollowme, #polygamy, #bookofmormon, #becauseofhim, #hearhim --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mormonnewsroundup/support

Wanting to share latest thoughts and feelings about our recent successes and our recalibration. Social Media/Information Links: MSP on Spotify Apple Podcasts MSP Blog Instagram Patreon TikTok Discord   Contact Us! MormonStories@gmail.com   Mormon Stories Podcast PO Box 171085 Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Join Jenn as she introduces a new addition to Open Stories Foundation. The Open Arms Collective is a group of women and gender non-binary individuals meeting monthly along the Wasatch Front, with open arms, to embrace our family and friends wherever they are on their faith journey! We hold monthly events to empower, learn, create and build community together. Please click here to register for upcoming events. ————— We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming! Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50 ————— MSP on Spotify MSP on Apple Podcasts MSP Blog Instagram Patreon TikTok Discord   Contact Us! *MormonStories@gmail.com *PO Box 171085 Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Hello, everyone! We are excited to announce some upcoming events for the Open Stories Foundation and our sister foundation THRIVE. There are several events coming up that we want to make you aware of today. All the events we talk about today can be found on MormonStories.org under the EVENTS tab. Check back frequently for new event announcements! SUPPORT GROUPS: Free and/or low-cost Faith Crisis Support Groups begin the week of February 22, 2022.  Support group locations: Bountiful, Holladay, American Fork, Provo, St George, & Online.  In-person sessions will be Tuesday nights from 7-9 pm. Online/Zoom sessions time and date will be announced soon.  All donations go towards making the OSF Support Groups program sustainable for future attendees. Please choose whatever amount you can afford. Link: https://donorbox.org/faith-crisis-support-group-8-weeks THRIVE MEETUP ALPINE, UT:  We also have a THRIVE meetup on Sunday, March 6th in Alpine, UT at KNOT AND PINE. This is an adults potluck and community building event. Follow the link above to sign up! www.knotandpine.com Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ZleUTNA6EjcYDb-nlGA5k_cXI9_UduFa2oeBXSS2RTc/viewform?edit_requested=true WORKSHOPS & RETREATS: Alpine Faith Crisis Workshop with John and Margi Dehlin on Sunday, March 20th. One day Workshop includes: Navigating a Faith Transition Rebuilding your Family & Life Values Communicating with believers Mental and spiritual health Healthy sexuality after a faith crisis Q&A with John and Margi Community *Lunch and snacks provided Link: https://donorbox.org/faith-crisis-workshop-alpine-lehi Mixed-Faith Marriage Retreat with John Dehlin & Julie Hanks in Provo, UT July 15-17th. This retreat is 2.5 days and will include: Navigating a faith crisis for yourself or a family member Improving your Mental Health Communicating with believing/non-believing family and friends Restructuring your family values together Healthy marriage/committed relationships after a faith crisis Spirituality after a faith crisis Healthy sexuality *Lunch and snacks provided on full retreat days Link: https://donorbox.org/mixed-faith-retreat-provo We are also planning on putting together a monthly meet-up for post-Mormon women in the Salt Lake City area.  Email events@openstoriesfoundation.org if you are interested in participating. ————— We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming! Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50 ————— MSP on Spotify MSP on Apple Podcasts MSP Blog Instagram Patreon TikTok Discord   Contact Us! MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085 Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Answering follow-up questions from the Salt Lake Tribune about the Open Stories Foundation and THRIVE given to us by Peggy Fletcher Stack and Tony Semerad. ————— We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming! Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50 ————— Show Notes: 2013 LDS Faith Crisis presentation leak: https://faenrandir.github.io/a_careful_examination/documents/faith_crisis_study/Faith_Crisis_R28e.pdf Matthew Harris Mormon Stories episode on Gospel Topics essays: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/1365-the-lds-gospel-topics-essays-a-history-by-dr-matt-harris/ The Line Podcast John Dehlin, Hans Mattsson: https://gimletmedia.com/shows/reply-all/2oh9ee Roger Hendrix interview: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/the-future-of-mormonism-roger-hendrix/ First episode on MORMON STORIES TRANSPARENCY Q&A FOR PEGGY FLETCHER STACK AND TONY SEMERAD – SALT LAKE TRIBUNE: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/mormon-stories-transparency-qa-for-peggy-fletcher-stack-and-tony-semerad-salt-lake-tribune/

As part of our longstanding and undying commitment to organizational transparency, please join me for a spontaneous Q&A about Mormon Stories Podcast, the Open Stories Foundation, the THRIVE Foundation, and any other topic you want us to discuss!  Please post your questions in the comments below!!! This video was made primarily as a response to what we believe was an unprofessional and unbalanced inquiry into the THRIVE Foundation by Peggy Fletcher Stack and Tony Semerad of the Salt Lake Tribune. This is my second attempt at a response.  My first response was a little angrier than I wanted it to be (I'm calling that the "caffeinated version"), and so I am rerecording to invoke my wiser self ("decaffeinated version"). The substance will remain the same, although the slides are slightly improved. ————— We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming! Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50 —————

Every year I try to provide donors and listeners with a "State of the Union" address for the Open Stories Foundation (the 501c3 non-profit that I lead which houses Mormon Stories Podcast), along with the overall success of Mormon Stories Podcast and the other OSF podcasts (Gift of the Mormon Faith Crisis Podcast, A Thoughtful Faith Podcast, and Mormon Mental Health Podcast). The topics for today will be: OSF / Mormon Stories Podcast Mission & What we are about Fiduciary stuff, governance Board status Effectiveness/reach of Mormon Stories Podcast OSF Finances OSF Strategy for 2021 and beyond OSF staff changes, including the addition of Carah Burrell to the staff for a trial period Plan for events and community OSF challenges/needs

In this edition of Mormon Stories Podcast, Margi Dehlin turns the tables and asks John all the questions—focusing on what surprised John about his excommunication process, what the best and most difficult parts of running Mormon Stories and The Open Stories Foundation are, what are some regrets he has, what keeps him up at night, what his motivations are behind his parenting and relationships, along with much more!

In this edition of Mormon Stories Podcast, Margi Dehlin turns the tables and asks John all the questions—focusing on what surprised John about his excommunication process, what the best and most difficult parts of running Mormon Stories and The Open Stories Foundation are, what are some regrets he has, what keeps him up at night, what his motivations are behind his parenting and relationships, along with much more!

The On The Other Side Podcast is a weekly, hour-long podcast distributed by the Open Stories Foundation. It is a diverse panel representing varied voices within the millennial religious experience who will discuss topics relating to their personal spiritual journeys For our first episode, we introduce our three co-hosts (Chris, Michelle, and Blake) and we chat about how each of them got to where they are now in relation to spiritual/religious identity, practice, and beliefs. Chris, Michelle, and Blake all grew up Mormon (LDS). But various experiences and issues throughout the years have made them feel more distanced from Mormonism in a variety of ways. While briefly summarizing the stories surrounding these experiences and issues, we end up discussing transcendence, zealous Mormon evangelism, missionary service, ritualistic Temple worship, historical/doctrinal study, and institutional disillusionment. In the future, we hope to explore some of these faith transition-related topics, both inside and outside of Mormonism, in much more depth. But to build the foundation for those conversations, we wanted to start with a robust introduction of our “origin stories,” so to speak. Enjoy!

This short episode, a conversation between Natasha Helfer Parker and Dan Wotherspoon, offers descriptions and registration details about the upcoming Mormon Matters Retreat, to be held in Salt Lake City October 13th–15th. You can find registration information at the Mormon Matters website (click the Mormon Matters Events button, which is along the top menu). Schedule: Friday (13th): 6 to 10 pm Saturday (14th): 9 am to 9 pm or later (includes lunch and dinner, and entertainment afterward—much of it starring you!) Sunday (15th): 9 am to 5 pm (lunch included) Cost: $200 per person; $350 per couple (even two friends or family members deciding to register together). This is a significant registration fee reduction from previous Mormon Matters and other Open Stories Foundation retreats. If you cannot afford to pay to attend, or can only swing some of the cost, please inquire abut partial or full scholarships and volunteering. We are working hard to encourage people to donate funds for others to attend, and we are happy to put you on a waiting list to see what might unfold. We look forward to seeing you at this event! We know it will be something everyone will really enjoy as well as receiving great perspectives, renewed energies, and making new friends!

In this episode John Dehlin (OSF Chief Executive Officer, Board Member) and Craig Woodfield (OSF Board Member, Finance Committee Chair) review the successes of the Open Stories Foundation for 2016.  Items discussed include: The OSF's longstanding commitment to financial transparency. The incredible growth of OSF podcasts in 2016. The emergence and success of a new retreats/workshops initiative to support Mormons experiencing a religious transition. A review of the newly released financial statements. Compensation of OSF staff and OSF podcasters. A discussion of the Mormon Transitions project. SUPER grateful for all the questions submitted by OSF donors and listeners. Please email any additional questions to: openstoriesboard@gmail.com.  

A bit of sad news, and a bit of happy news.  First the sad. Grant Palmer, author of An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins – certainly one of the most important books in 20th/21st century Mormonism, is dying of cancer.  I confirmed this with Grant yesterday – when he related to me that he likely only has weeks/months to live.  This information moves many of us deeply, since Grant’s courageous scholarship over the years (which has come at a great personal cost to him) has been instrumental in helping tens of thousands of Mormons understand their church history more accurately.  I dare say that projects like Mormon Stories Podcast, Mormon Think, Letter to a CES Director, and even the recent LDS Church Gospel Topics Essays would not exist without the courage and scholarship of Grant Palmer. Now for the happy news.  Mormon Stories Podcast and the Open Stories Foundation, along with a few supporters, will be holding a private event in Grant Palmer’s honor on the evening of February 15, 2017* in Utah – with the plan of live-streaming the event to all who are interested in showing support for Grant.  The event will include: An interview with Grant, wherein he will discuss his most recent book, along with reflections on his life. A chance for some of those who are grateful for Grant’s work to express appreciation for him. If you are interested in participating in this tribute/celebration, there are a few things you can do to participate: Record a brief Facebook or Youtube video expressing your gratitude to Grant (and his positive impact on your life), and post the link as a comment here. Write a text-based tribute to Grant in the comments section here. Send an email to mormonstories@gmail.com with “Grant Pamer” in the subject line, wherein you express to Grant your gratitude for the positive impact that his work has had on your life. Feel free to use the hash tag #grantpalmer for any of the tributes you share on social media.  Finally, these emails, blog comments, and videos will be gathered and shared with Grant at the live-steamed, worldwide event in honor of him. Thanks for taking the time to honor Grant with us, and we very much look forward to the evening of February 15th* wherein we hope to show Grant how much we love and appreciate him!  *Date subject to how Grant is doing/feeling.

Many people are feeling beat-up emotionally and spiritually right now on the heels of such a difficult and ugly election season. Regardless of whether “our” preferred candidate won or not, the election campaign generated great divisiveness, often causing breakdowns in relationships with friends and loved ones--as well as general pessimism over such a divided electorate. As a result of this exhaustion and general sense of malaise many have experienced, three Open Stories Foundation podcast hosts—Gina Colvin of A Thoughtful Faith, Kristy Money of Mormon Transitions, and Dan Wotherspoon of Mormon Matters—decided it might be nice to talk about this difficult time and various ideas for dealing with the election aftermath in healthy, affirming ways. In the conversation here, they share their own emotions and experiences during the past months and since the close of the election, as well as what has worked for them as they struggle to make sense of what has happened, tend to their own emotional and spiritual care, and as they determine how they want to move forward. May things said here be helpful to others!

On this episode, I tell everybody just how at home I felt at the Sunstone Symposium. Sunstone is a convention for Mormons and non-Mormons to gather together and talk about the hard issues, with presentations by authors, historians, podcasters, and directors of various foundations; some believers, others non-believers. I had the opportunity to totally geek out and interview some authors, historians, and podcasters that I revere and frequently cite as sources for my research. The audio quality isn’t great, but the content is superb. You’ll hear audio clips from Grant Palmer, D. Michael Quinn, H. Michael Marquardt, John Hammond, Lindsay Park, and John Dehlin. For links to their works check the bottom of the show notes.   Show Links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon http://patreon.com/nakedmormonism Outro music by Jason Comeau http://aloststateofmind.com/ Show Artwork http://weirdmormonshit.com/ Voicemail Line (864)Nake-dMo (625-3366)   Interviewee links:   Grant Palmer – Insider’s View of Mormon Origins https://www.amazon.com/Insiders-View-Mormon-Origins/dp/1560851570 "My Ah-Ha Moments While Researching Mormon History" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= Michael Quinn – Wiki page with all his books https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D._Michael_Quinn  Michael Marquardt – The Rise of Mormonism 1816-1844 https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Mormonism-1816-1844-Michael-Marquardt/dp/1597814709 Mormon Central https://user.xmission.com/~research/central/   Tyler Glenn Trash – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNqnLdX4TM8   John Hammond – Island Adventures http://signaturebooks.com/island-adventures-hammond/   Infants on Thrones – http://infantsonthrones.com/   Lindsay Hansen Park – Year of Polygamy http://www.yearofpolygamy.com/ Color of Heaven http://feministmormonhousewivespodcast.org/category/color-of-heaven-podcast/   John Dehlin – Mormon Stories Podcast http://www.mormonstories.org/ Open Stories Foundation http://openstoriesfoundation.org/   Sunstone Symposium webpage https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/   The Pulpit Podcast with Joey and Andrew http://pulpit.libsyn.com/ Mama Dragons http://mamadragons.org/ Mark with Lost Mormonism http://www.lostmormonism.com/category/magic/ Jeremy Runnells CES Letter http://cesletter.com/ Rainbow Radio Presents with Dan https://www.facebook.com/events/531518513700585/ Konw the Trut Ministries Podcast https://www.facebook.com/Konw-The-Trut-813666238693097/?fref=ts

Well, this is it, we finally close the book on the Book of Mormon. But before we do, Moroni makes a bunch of questionable claims, and even gives us the famous "Moroni Promise". We also learn about a little trick for how to render god completely powerless, and you'll never guess how simple it is. Then it's all done, and I decide to pray. Yes, that's right, I pray... But before all that John Dehlin joins me to talk about the new partnership for the Taylor Scholarship with the Open Stories Foundation. And you'll also hear about my upcoming trip to Salt Lake City, Utah! “Drink” Count – 4 (6 if you include the Dehlin drinks) Just the one beer (or is it champagne?)  If you'd like to directly donate to the "new and improved" Taylor Scholarship, you can do so by clicking here

After nearly a year break, A Thoughtful Faith podcast is back! Mark Crego and Gina Colvin are taking over the administrative reins, as well as serving as co-hosts. We are also thrilled that longtime ATF host Sarah Collett will continue conducting interviews. This “get to know the new gang” episode is hosted by Open Stories Foundation board member Dan Wotherspoon and features Mark and Gina sharing the broad outlines (and many specifics!) about their own faith journeys within Mormonism, as well as about their plans for the podcast going forward.

In this presentation we try to cover the following: 1) what are Mormon Stories and the Open Stories Foundation trying to do? and 2) what can be done to keep them both alive.

For many Mormons, their faith and relationship to the LDS Church has forever changed from what they were growing up. And this is how it should be. We’re all called to growth and to assuming responsibility for our own life choices, including the most compelling vision of what existence is all about, how we want to live, with whom do we want to associate, what it is that brings us (or promises us, we sense if we keep going) the greatest joy. In the faith and spirituality arena, religions all contain visions of what it means to be a fully flourishing human being (including, for some, divine potentialities), and they outline practices and create communities designed to help foster growth toward their particular vision. The rub comes when communities and leaders, out of utility (trying to meet the needs of the most people or its especially fragile members), or from fear, ideals of protective love, or simply being engaged in day-to-day operations fail to encourage the kind of maturation that life (and even their community’s highest teachings) points people toward. What is someone in the community to do when the greatest focus is on the spiritual needs of children and youth and others who seem to want continuing dependence upon the institution when they find themselves ready to venture into new views and enter into that new, more mature relationship with the institution and its founding scriptures, sacred narratives, and communal forms? How does this person live into greater richness when all the messaging seems to call for "safety" within the fold or continued reliance on others’ wisdom and authority? This seems to be one of the main crossroads faced by listeners to and conversations within this and other Open Stories Foundation podcasts and online forums, as well as other places in the LDS "bloggernacle." In these discussions, the term "Middle Way Mormonism" has arisen (though not without its limitations as a term) as a way to describe the path that some are attempting, which is to negotiate the tensions between no longer accepting all the foundational claims and narratives in their simplest formulations, feeling the need to develop one’s own authentic faith and mature relationship with the LDS church and family members who may not yet feel the same call to explore the rich thickets of ideas and stories and sensibilities that don’t fully align with institutional forms, yet still hoping to remain within and fully engage the Mormon community. It is a path in between the extremes of pure conforming and giving primary responsibility for our religious ideals and the direction we walk to others, and formally leaving Mormonism. In this episode, Scott Holley hosts a panel discussion on the possibilities, promises, and perils involved in the attempt to live and flourish within these tensions. On the panel are Jared Anderson, Andrew Ainsworth, and Mormon Matters’ usual host Dan Wotherspoon, who, along with Scott, have each spent a great deal of time and concentrated effort in seeking the ideal balance for them. Following a framing that takes them into Middle Way tensions regarding beliefs, behaviors, and ones sense of belonging, what are the prices they see someone is called to pay when they walk a path outside that well-worn center groove? What are the rewards of staying engaged with a community? What better way might be out there waiting for someone who chooses to disengage from Mormonism? Where are the signs of hope for greater peace and comfort, and where are places of support found for those who choose a Middle Way Mormon walk?

For many Mormons, their faith and relationship to the LDS Church has forever changed from what they were growing up. And this is how it should be. We’re all called to growth and to assuming responsibility for our own life choices, including the most compelling vision of what existence is all about, how we want to live, with whom do we want to associate, what it is that brings us (or promises us, we sense if we keep going) the greatest joy. In the faith and spirituality arena, religions all contain visions of what it means to be a fully flourishing human being (including, for some, divine potentialities), and they outline practices and create communities designed to help foster growth toward their particular vision. The rub comes when communities and leaders, out of utility (trying to meet the needs of the most people or its especially fragile members), or from fear, ideals of protective love, or simply being engaged in day-to-day operations fail to encourage the kind of maturation that life (and even their community’s highest teachings) points people toward. What is someone in the community to do when the greatest focus is on the spiritual needs of children and youth and others who seem to want continuing dependence upon the institution when they find themselves ready to venture into new views and enter into that new, more mature relationship with the institution and its founding scriptures, sacred narratives, and communal forms? How does this person live into greater richness when all the messaging seems to call for "safety" within the fold or continued reliance on others’ wisdom and authority? This seems to be one of the main crossroads faced by listeners to and conversations within this and other Open Stories Foundation podcasts and online forums, as well as other places in the LDS "bloggernacle." In these discussions, the term "Middle Way Mormonism" has arisen (though not without its limitations as a term) as a way to describe the path that some are attempting, which is to negotiate the tensions between no longer accepting all the foundational claims and narratives in their simplest formulations, feeling the need to develop one’s own authentic faith and mature relationship with the LDS church and family members who may not yet feel the same call to explore the rich thickets of ideas and stories and sensibilities that don’t fully align with institutional forms, yet still hoping to remain within and fully engage the Mormon community. It is a path in between the extremes of pure conforming and giving primary responsibility for our religious ideals and the direction we walk to others, and formally leaving Mormonism. In this episode, Scott Holley hosts a panel discussion on the possibilities, promises, and perils involved in the attempt to live and flourish within these tensions. On the panel are Jared Anderson, Andrew Ainsworth, and Mormon Matters’ usual host Dan Wotherspoon, who, along with Scott, have each spent a great deal of time and concentrated effort in seeking the ideal balance for them. Following a framing that takes them into Middle Way tensions regarding beliefs, behaviors, and ones sense of belonging, what are the prices they see someone is called to pay when they walk a path outside that well-worn center groove? What are the rewards of staying engaged with a community? What better way might be out there waiting for someone who chooses to disengage from Mormonism? Where are the signs of hope for greater peace and comfort, and where are places of support found for those who choose a Middle Way Mormon walk?

This episode is an attempt to aid in processing the current moment in which various Mormon-watching communities are beginning to digest the preliminary results that have recently been released from the Open Stories Foundation survey about why Mormons leave the church, which comes on the heels of remarks made in December at Utah State University by LDS Church Historian Elder Marlin Jensen and reported on in numerous recent news stories in which he reflects on the current disaffection crisis and the Church’s plans to help address it. What does the survey suggest? How might the LDS Church move ahead more effectively--and how might we as members of these online communities assist in claiming a greater space within Mormonism for a more accurate telling of its history and an acceptance of a wider variety of ways of orienting toward Mormonism’s scriptures and shaping narratives? What are some tools or framings that might be helpful to those who through these news stories (and others yet to come as more results are released) might be hearing about are deciding to truly examine many of the complexities of church history and doctrine for the first time? Joining Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon in reflecting on this current moment are podcast veterans, professor, blogger, and LDS commentator Joanna Brooks, professor and holder of the Leonard J. Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture at Utah State University Philip Barlow, and first-time podcast guest and financial strategist Scott Holley, who served as a key analyst for the survey.