Latter Day Struggles

A therapist and guest discuss the challenges faced by LDS parents with disaffiliated youth, exploring research findings and the complexities of the parent-child relationship. They offer insights and empathy for all parties involved, aiming to shed light on this difficult dynamic and promote healing within families.

Valerie and Nathan delve into the sin of exclusion within religious systems, emphasizing the importance of including outcasts like single, queer, and female individuals for the church's wholeness. They discuss the role of 'edge workers' in raising awareness of marginalized groups and advocate for a more inclusive and compassionate approach in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In this episode, the hosts discuss redefining the concept of God in a faith crisis, moving towards a compassionate and universalist view. They draw wisdom from various theologians and scholars, challenging traditional perceptions of a conditionally-loving God. The conversation sets the stage for upcoming discussions on the harmful effects of patriarchy, discovering the True Self, and honoring dissenting voices.

Beloved voice in our Latter-day Saint progressive community, Dan Wotherspoon, shares his personal journey from rebellion to spiritual awakening. They discuss the importance of individual discernment, transitioning to active engagement in faith development, and insights from Wotherspoon's experience at Richard Rohr's 'Living School'. Also explores essence of worship, expanding perspectives on God's love, and gratitude in faith expansion.

Jana Spangler, a student of Father Richard Rohr and participant in the Living School's program, discusses her spiritual growth and teachings from the Living School. They explore the shift toward more meaningful, mystical connection and the importance of finding the sacred in the profane. Jana shares wisdom about becoming non-dualistic, advocating for social justice, and embracing an embodied Christianity. They also discuss the teachings and unique perspectives of Richard Rohr and other teachers at the Living School.

Send us a Positive Review!In today's episode, Valerie and her friend and colleague Dr. Julie Hanks delve into the complex emotional landscape of staying somehow connected to the LDS Church. They explore the importance of self-definition and psychological health, advocating for boundary-setting and personal spiritual responsibility and reflect on the intricate dynamics of faith, community, and individual well-being in the context of the LDS faith. Because they have found THIS TOPIC to be so heavy on the minds of so many of their mutual listeners, they have decided to host a four-evening Question and Response (Q&R) series in February of 2024 to extend a lifeline to those wrestling with these challenges and offer resources for navigating faith and personal growth. Link to enroll directly below!Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!Support the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Donate: ⁠Venmo or Patreon⁠ Visit our Website

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Historical Exploration of LDS Temple Admission Process [Part III of IV]Welcome to episode three in this four-part series on the history of the LDS temple recommend interview!  Today, Valerie and Nathan continue this conversation by focusing on the evolution of temple admission from no process at all, to a vague, self-reflective process, to a process governed by adherence of specific theological beliefs and practices which changed depending a variety of factors discussed in this episode. One example they that explore is the shift in the demand for support of the practice of plural marriage to excommunication for the practice plural marriage--both connected to temple eligibility. They talk about how the temple recommend has become a forum for assessing and withholding worship privileges connected to issues such as loyalty, tithing, and LGBTQ identities, intellectualism, and feminism. As they unwrap the layers of historical context their hope is to demystify both the content and the process of the temple recommend interview, in hopes that you will feel less anxious and more empowered to connect with God through the temple if you feel that this will authentically enhance your spiritual journey. Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!Support the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Donate: ⁠Venmo or Patreon⁠ Visit our Website

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title:  Historical Exploration of LDS Temple Admission Process [Part I of IV]In this profoundly enlightening four-part series, Valerie and Nathan explore the complex issues surrounding worthiness and temple recommend interviews within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They delve into the hurtful misinterpretations of unworthiness, the struggle for direct spirituality versus patriarchal intermediaries, and they make sense of the discomfort and anxiety that many people feel due to the temple recommend interview process as members spiritually evolve. Their conversation also touches on the broader landscape of temple observance across various religious traditions as a way to see that temple worship is common and life-giving to many amongst spiritual traditions worldwide.Friday's episode begins the historical analysis of the changes in the interview, exploring such topics as word of wisdom, chastity, cursing, and plural marriage...just to name a few!  See you there! Referenced in this episode: The History of Temple Admission Standards: Journal of Mormon History Vol. 24, No. 1, 1998 (usu.edu)Temple Recommend Evolution – Wheat & Tares (wheatandtares.org)Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!Support the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Donate: ⁠Venmo or Patreon⁠ Visit our Website

Expert on LDS history, Greg Prince, discusses David O. McKay's leadership in the LDS church, including the temple/priesthood ban, handling of Benson's anti-communist obsession, and McConkie's 'Mormon Doctrine.' They explore the interplay between policy, revelation, and societal readiness. The conversation also touches on the church's structural comparisons to a corporation, power dynamics, and the personal impact of church policies on its members.

Send us a Positive Review!Hello Latter Day Struggles friends! In this bonus episode, I share the details of many of the ways that I am supporting your LDS (and surrounding) faith expansion journeys. As a psychotherapist trained in intimate and family relationships, trauma, and group-work, I could never have guessed that my specific course-work would lead me to LDS faith crisis because when I was in this intensive training process, I didn't even know what faith crisis was and had not experienced anything of the sort in my own life. YET. Well, God works in mysterious ways, right? When life happened and my eyes began to be opened to spiritual growth that I didn't even know was possible (for both me and thousands having similar experiences), I was ready *enough* to step into this space due to the preparation that I didn't even know was happening. So take a listen to this quick informational episode and join me for whatever portion of my offerings work for you. I love you all! Here's to a happy and thriving 2024 in our faith expansion journey together! ————————————————————To enroll in Val’s webinars and new group go to latterdaystruggles.com. ————————————————————To enroll in the first session of Val and Dr. Julie Hanks’ “Do I Stay or Do I Go” Q&R series go to drjuliehanks.ask.me. Support the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Donate: ⁠Venmo or Patreon⁠ Visit our Website