Mormon Stories Podcast
TAKING DOWN the Two by Twos Cult (2x2, The Truth) - Kari & Kyle Hanks Pt. 2 | Ep. 2009
In Part 2 of our story, Kyle opens up about his life growing up in the Two by Twos faith — from a childhood shaped by pressure to "uphold the family name," to navigating chronic illness and suppressing his passions for music and basketball in order to prioritize church. We talk about the expectations around professing young, the control over dating, marriage, and even parenting — including the harmful encouragement of corporal punishment.
As cracks began to form during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyle and Kari found themselves questioning everything they believed. From hidden doubts, religious trauma, and Kari’s journey of discovering her bisexuality, to the couple’s darkest moments and eventual transformation, this episode dives deep into how they began rebuilding their lives outside the 2x2 world.
We also discuss the emerging abuse allegations within the Two by Twos church, the beginnings of their Ex-Two by Two support group, and the broader fight for transparency and accountability in a faith that claims to have no organization at all. This is a raw, emotional, and revealing chapter of their deconstruction journey.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:04:02 Kyle’s background & upbringing as a 2x2
00:16:17 What happens when a child “professes”?
00:29:06 Feeling immense pressure to stick to the gospel
00:34:21 His views on dating at the time
00:44:40 2x2 Wedding
00:48:23 Were told by multiple people the needed to “break their kids” - corporal punishment very big among 2x2
00:56:40 How did 2x2 members look at covid/the vaccine/masks?
01:12:49 Kari told Kyle she was atheist
01:26:24 Kyle had the feeling that he just ran off a cliff
01:37:21 Kari realized, if it feels like the only way out is death, it is not a healthy religion - realized he was giving too much to something that was not giving back
01:46:09 Kari got her ears pierced for the first time - was a very liberating experience
01:47:15 “The Ex 2x2 Support Group”
01:53:38 Highly respected overseer found dead in a hotel room
02:15:25 “If there is no organization, there is no organization to sue”
02:29:55 ‘How do you shut down an organization that doesn't exist?”
02:35:02 How much money does the 2x2 church have? How can it be tracked?
02:42:00 How do they try to gather with ex-members?
02:53:15 Conclusion
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