A Croatia & Slovenia Mormon Excommunication Story w/ Sara and Mitja Lakner Bevc | Ep. 2042

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has unanimously rejected James Huntsman's fraud lawsuit against the LDS/Mormon Church, which claimed that the church misled the membership over its tithing usage.Join John, Gerardo, and attorney Kolby Reddish to break down the decision.Show NotesYouTube00:04:26 Initial reactions to the news 00:13:00 Huntsman Procedure Explained00:15:45 Where the Three Tithing Cases started00:21:55 False statements made by the Church saying it would NOT use tithing funds00:48:22 What is the definition of fraud?01:01:05 The Church omitted half of the statement that changed the meaning01:10:50 “Reserve funds” come from tithing for a “rainy day”01:31:00 Why we should all become churches01:34:47 More from the Majority Decision01:42:55 Closing thoughts - we need to be accurate on how we talk about it01:45:10 Judge Bress’ Concurrence02:06:55 Bumatay’s Concurrence02:20:55 Summary of the judicial breakdownMormon 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 VenmoOur Platforms: YouTube Patreon Spotify Apple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media: Insta: @mormstories TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

1 Feb 2h 32min

Austin Wheeler shares his personal journey navigating Mormonism, military culture, and faith deconstruction. He recounts growing up in the church, his early experiences with trauma, and how Mormonism influenced his views on violence and masculinity. After a series of life events—ranging from military service at West Point to his mission in Taiwan—he confronts the toxic elements of both the military and the church, including dehumanization and harmful beliefs. Ultimately, he reflects on how his experiences shaped his disillusionment with Mormonism, his struggles with identity, and the deep questions about purpose and meaning that arose as a result.Show NotesYouTube00:01:55 Introductions00:08:55 His parents divorced when he was in seventh grade00:10:00 He was sexually assaulted by a ward member and doubled down in his belief00:31:00 How his High School shaped his identity00:42:15 Prepper culture associated with the military culture00:58:55 The Mormon culture is that they are going to build you in OUR image01:20:00 Experiences at the Mormon Singles Ward01:23:37 Called to the Tawaiian mission01:36:00 He started a fight club in the MTC01:45:00 Mormon culture makes a lot of people weird01:50:35 His mission president thought he was sick because he had sinned01:53:15 They sent him home for worthiness reasons, not because he was sick02:03:45 He went back on his mission02:24:00 Meeting his wife02:42:00 Authority and obedience in the church and in the military02:56:20 Opening his mind to the reality that the church had a lot of shortcomings03:07:10 How did his military career end?03:19:45 How did his military service end?03:27:35 Because he was never deployed is he happy or sad? Broken or healed?03:36:35 If you want to connect with people who have been in the military03:48:30 Nihilistic views and the emptiness of existence03:53:20 Final thoughts___________________At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and 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🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor todayOne-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories Paypal: https://paypal.me/mormonstories Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6OgmoqJbOVRq-Lv1P7SzA/joinOur Platforms:🌐Mormon Stories Blog: https://www.mormonstories.org/episodes 🎙️Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories ✳️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1 🍎Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772 🖼️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormstories 📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast 🎮Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF Contact us:📧 MormonStories@gmail.com📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

27 Jan 3h 57min

Paul reflects on his journey from being raised in the Mormon church to eventually leaving it. He opens up about his childhood, feeling isolated due to his neurodivergence, and his complicated relationship with his family. Paul shares his path to Mormonism, how he felt a strong connection to the faith at first, and his experiences as a missionary, including the challenges he faced in Argentina. Over time, he became disillusioned with the church, particularly after learning new information and struggling with its stance on LGBTQ issues. As Paul navigates life post-church, he discusses his career, his evolving understanding of love and relationships, and the healing process through music and self-reflection. The episode explores his feelings of loneliness, the importance of recognizing toxic behavior, and his journey to self-acceptance after leaving the Mormon faith.Show NotesYouTube00:03:35 Defining neurodivergence00:14:30 Religious experiences before the LDS church00:27:18 First introduction to Morminsim00:47:28 Mission call to Buenos Aires and being pressured to confess sexual sins01:00:55 How neurodivergence played into his mission01:16:28 Parental alienation & trying to reconnect with his mom01:32:58 “Mormonism is passive aggressive”01:41:25 Paul began to get in trouble for questioning priesthood holders01:59:20 November 2015 LGBT policy and Paul’s choice to stop attending church02:14:50 Feeling love from the members, but not the institution02:28:25 Narcissists only see their own reality02:44:10 Do you feel more fulfilled than when you were Mormon?02:56:04 Final questions - “Where will you go?”___________________At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and 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🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor todayOne-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories Paypal: https://paypal.me/mormonstories Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6OgmoqJbOVRq-Lv1P7SzA/joinOur Platforms:🌐Mormon Stories Blog: https://www.mormonstories.org/episodes 🎙️Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories ✳️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1 🍎Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772 🖼️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormstories 📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast 🎮Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF Contact us:📧 MormonStories@gmail.com📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

24 Jan 3h

In this episode of LDS Discussions, we explore how BYU Professor Anthony Sweat’s artwork reflects the troubling aspects of church history found in the CES Letter by Jeremy Runnells. Despite being excommunicated for questioning the church, Runnells’ CES Letter, published in 2013, exposes discrepancies in the official narrative. Meanwhile, Sweat’s art, starting in 2014, delves into controversial topics like Joseph Smith's treasure digging, the use of a seer stone, and polygamy. We compare Sweat's paintings to the CES Letter's criticisms, highlighting how the church’s history is often presented inaccurately. Join us as we discuss these bold portrayals and the ongoing tension between church teachings and historical truth.Show NotesYouTube00:00:00 Intro00:06:55 This is episode 60 of LDS Discussions00:10:50 Introduction to Anthony Sweat00:15:20 Historical overview with these controversial topics being covered00:22:30 Earlier artwork depicting images of the restoration00:34:30 The CES Letter by Jeremy Runnells was published in 201300:35:50 How members were taught the translation happened versus how it actually happened00:41:33 First painting - “The First Visions” by Anthony Sweat00:54:46 Quote from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy00:57:22 “Gazelem, A Stone” by Anthony Sweat, Joseph obtaining his brown seer stone01:06:13 The Harmony Treasure Searcher by Anthony Sweat01:15:25 Joseph Smith’s white stone and brown stone01:18:46 Clip of Anthony Sweat sharing concerns from a BYU student01:22:07 CES Letter and Anthony Sweat saying correct artwork wouldn’t communicate what the Church wants to communicate01:26:45 “Oliver Cowdery and the Gift of the Rod” by Anthony Sweat01:33:44 “The Ordination of Q. Walker Lewis” by Anthony Sweat01:39:09 “An Angel with a Drawn Sword” by Anthony Sweat01:48:06 “Destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor” by Anthony Sweat01:52:25 “Purgatory: Joseph, Emma, and the Revelation on Plural Marriage” by Anthony Sweat01:59:44 Clip of Anthony Sweat talking about painting controversial aspects of church history02:02:35 The church is still trying NOT to show the rock in a hat during translation02:07:25 Clip of Anthony Sweat and the translation process (the church telling an artist to change his painting)02:13:13 Other depictions from Anthony Sweat___________________At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and 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🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor todayOne-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories Paypal: https://paypal.me/mormonstories Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6OgmoqJbOVRq-Lv1P7SzA/joinOur Platforms:🌐Mormon Stories Blog: https://www.mormonstories.org/episodes 🎙️Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories ✳️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1 🍎Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772 🖼️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormstories 📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast 🎮Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF Contact us:📧 MormonStories@gmail.com📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

21 Jan 2h 36min

In this episode of Mormon Stories, Erika Nordfelt shares her powerful journey from a devout Mormon upbringing to finding healing and self-discovery. Erika recounts her experiences growing up in a close-knit Mormon family, navigating high school in Colorado, and attending BYU-Idaho, where she faced struggles with religious expectations and marital dynamics shaped by the Church.She candidly discusses topics like sexual shame, pornography in marriage, and the role of Twelve-Step programs, highlighting the challenges of reconciling faith, identity, and personal growth. Erika opens up about her turning points, leaving the Church with her husband, and her work as a therapist, witnessing firsthand the impact of shame within Mormon culture.Show NotesYouTube00:00:00 Intro00:03:18 Erika’s intention for coming onto Mormon Stories and sharing her story00:06:12 Erika’s upbringing and her parents00:14:32 The best of Mormonism is being raised outside of Utah or Idaho, Mormonism should be the salt not the whole meal00:16:30 High School years and feeling undesirable in the dating aspect00:23:18 Her relationship with her body in dance and modesty00:35:00 Sexual neglect in her upbringing and in the Mormon church00:37:26 Attending BYU-Idaho - She did not serve a mission because she met her husband00:49:20 Her awareness to physical touch and how she was raised00:54:20 How the Mormon church shaped their marital relationship as far as gender roles, etc.01:06:07 Learning that her husband struggled with masturbation and porn and how she handled it 01:20:00 She felt so much despair when her husband confessed to viewing pornography01:29:23 The Twelve Step Program and what part it played in her marriage01:39:20 How long did she go to these Twelve Step meetings and was it working?01:46:10 Moving to Rexburg and getting new jobs on campus01:56:00 Seeing clients for the first time at the BYU-Idaho Counseling Center02:03:55 She had a front row seat to Mormon suffering while working as a counselor02:14:35 Checking in with their marriage during this time in their life02:26:55 The beginning of the end lasted for five years, holes being poked in the Gospel02:33:10 She began exploring troublesome church topics from a safe place in the church02:43:40 Has leaving the church affected her therapy practice at all?02:50:40 A better way to approach porn and masturbation03:19:13 Erika Nordfelt wrote a book called “Don’t Walk Alone”____________Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:Our Platforms:Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:

17 Jan 3h 25min

January 9 saw the release of a new Netflix series, American Primeval, set in the context of mid-19th-century Utah. Though the series is fictionalized, many of the events and peoples depicted are real, including the Utah War, the Mountain Meadows Massacre, the Mormon settlers, and the Shoshone, Ute, and Paiute Indians.Historians Barbara Jones Brown and Darren Parry join host John Dehlin for this live podcast to answer viewer's questions about which aspects of the series are factual and which are historical fiction. Barbara is co-author of Vengeance Is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath, and Darren is the author of The Bear River Massacre: A Shoshone History. Barbara and Darren offer a unique perspective because they are not only historians of this time period in Utah, they are direct descendants of peoples depicted in the mini-series--Darren is Northwestern Shoshone, and Barbara is a descendant of perpetrators of the horrific massacre at Mountain Meadows. Show NotesYouTube00:00:00 Intro00:06:25 Photos of ancestors00:14:15 The creators did not intend this to be historically accurate 00:23:55 We need to debunk that this was done by the Native Americans, it was NOT00:33:45 Jim Bridger’s character was the funnest character in the show00:42:45 Brigham Young (Kim Coates) what is right and wrong00:47:40 Jedediah M. Grant and the Mormon Reformation00:57:25 Elias Higbee and John M. Higbee01:07:45 Mountain Meadows started as a cattle raid01:18:50 Made up fiction from the Nauvoo Legion01:26:11 Two Moons - great female lead who had had her tongue cut out01:30:40 Red Feather01:35:00 Winter Bird - Strong female character01:39:10 Sarah Rowell and Devin Rowell - neither were Mormon, main characters, 01:43:20 Jacob Pratt and Abish Pratt were both Mormon01:46:55 Wild Bill Hickman - member of the Nauvoo Legion01:51:20 What Barbara said about the missed opportunity in the TV show01:55:00 Ned BlackhawkMormon 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 VenmoOur Platforms: YouTube Patreon Spotify Apple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media: Insta: @mormstories TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

14 Jan 2h

Join Lauren Johnson Matthias (@HiddenTrueCrime ) Megan Conner (@Third_Verse ) Mindy Caldwell, and John Dehlin as they react to Shari Franke's new book "The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom" by Shari Franke, Ruby Franke's oldest daughter.Show NotesYouTube00:02:15 Trigger warning for the book00:14:30 Questions that will be covered in this episode involving Jodi, Ruby, Kevin, and the Mormon church00:19:32 Ruby and Kevin’s formation of their relationship and early family life00:28:30 Was Ruby Franke set up with a disadvantage by Mormon gender roles?00:35:18 Personality dynamics in the Franke family and Ruby’s profile as a mom and how much room the children had for their emotions00:39:42 Childhood emotional neglect with Ruby Franke and her children00:43:25 The pajama story and Ruby telling Shari she’d been friends after she had a baby00:57:38 Mormonism and Vlogging01:05:20 Consent and ethics in family vlogging01:12:00 Shari Franke’s mental health - thinking that her tummy aches are demonic possession01:29:03 Ruby removed Shari from therapy after Shari wanted to quit piano01:40:50 Shari starts her own YouTube channel, while Ruby did not help her grow it she demand some of the proceeds of the account01:43:46 Chad’s involvement in Shari’s story01:52:30 Why Ruby reached out to Jodi was because of Chad02:13:30 Meeting with Jodi as their therapist and showing her business structure as a cult02:21:10 Truth and Distortion became the bane of Shari’s existence02:34:50 Jodi’s tactics around isolation02:41:18 How Jodi saw sex everywhere and how she and Ruby were queer02:49:23 Visions of Glory and how it ties in with Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt02:56:34 Shari Franke compared Lori Vallow to Ruby Franke03:00:30 Thom Harrison and his influence over these cult leaders within the Mormon church03:11:35 The darkest part of the book was about Derek and Shari’s sexual assault03:31:14 Church disciplinary part of Shari’s story involving what happened with Derek03:41:55 Shari is familyless for a while, running into her dad on the BYU campus and he was afraid to talk to her04:04:05 Who is the main villain in this story? Is it Jodi or Ruby?04:12:24 Shari drawing connections in the Mormon church04:27:15 Shari’s final comments at the end of the book about her mother being narcissistic 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 VenmoOur Platforms: YouTube Patreon Spotify Apple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media: Insta: @mormstories TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

10 Jan 4h 42min

In this powerful episode of Mormon Stories, Clare and Jackson share their personal journeys of growing up in the Mormon church, struggling with shame, guilt, and anxiety, and eventually undergoing faith transitions. Clare discusses her challenges with modesty, body image, and mental health, especially during her mission, while Jackson opens up about his battles with pornography, shame, and a dangerous mission experience in Honduras. Together, they reflect on their experiences with church teachings, therapy, and the emotional toll of deconstructing their faith. This episode explores their healing process, the impact of questioning Mormonism, and the growth they’ve found in rebuilding their lives and relationship after leaving the church.Show NotesYouTube00:01:35 Intentions for being on Mormon Stories00:17:50 Modesty and Young Women lessons00:23:30 High School years00:32:34 Jackson’s Mormon upbringing00:39:40 Adolescent years00:47:13 Issues with pornography and masturbation01:07:20 Claire’s mission01:16:13 Having panic attacks while serving her mission01:27:35 Someone proposed to her on her mission01:28:25 Jackson’s mission01:35:00 Jackson’s dangerous mission experience01:47:25 Claire going to college after her mission01:51:30 He went through a disciplinary council01:58:20 He was assigned to the Addiction Recovery Program02:04:55 Meeting, engaged and married was five months02:17:40 Parenthood and the church02:24:25 TikTok was her demise of her testimony02:31:10 Why she didn’t tell her husband of her struggles in the church02:40:16 Jackson’s journey with his testimony02:47:40 What happened after the faith crisis?02:55:50 Healing after the faith transitions03:07:00 How will their friends and parents respond to this episode?03:14:03 Rebuilding after their faith transition____________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 VenmoOur Platforms: YouTube Patreon Spotify Apple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media: Insta: @mormstories TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

8 Jan 3h 30min