Mormon Stories Podcast My Mormon Bishop Dad was Excommunicated for Polygamy - Laurel Hell | Ep. 2038
Jul 7, 2025
Laurel Hell shares her gripping journey of growing up in an orthodox Mormon family, marked by her father's excommunication over polygamy. She confronts the abuse and trauma tied to purity culture and rigid church doctrines. Laurel reflects on her mission in Poland, battling anxiety and shame, while navigating the toxic dynamics of Young Single Adult culture. Her journey of deconstruction leads her to reclaim her sexuality, ultimately leaving the church and embracing healing. Her story is a powerful testament to resilience and self-acceptance.
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Father's Polygamy Revelation
- Laurel Hell's father, while bishop, received a 'revelation' to enter a plural marriage with a ward member.
- This secret plural relationship eventually led to his excommunication for apostasy.
Bishop's Invasive Confession
- Laurel Hell was traumatized by her bishop's invasive and inappropriate questions during a masturbation confession.
- This experience led her to abstain from masturbation for 16 years.
Mission Revelation Repressed
- On mission, Laurel Hell had a sudden revelation that Joseph Smith was a fraud.
- She repressed this insight until after her mission, showing cognitive dissonance at play.
