Latter Day Struggles

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 showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources 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 showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources 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 showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources 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 showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: A Sweeping Conversation on the New Mormon History, Hierarchy, & Social Justice [Part I of IV]Welcome back to "Latter Day Struggles," for another not-to-be-missed four-part series with distinguished guest, Greg Prince—an influential voice in progressive Mormon circles and a man of diverse expertise and deep compassion. In today’s episode, we explore Greg's seven generations of Latter-Day Saint heritage and his application of scientific principles to the study of Mormon history and theology. As a devoted researcher and advocate, Greg delves into the LDS Church's engagement with LGBTQ issues in general and their many-decades-long involvement fighting gay marriage, as detailed in Greg's excellent book "Gay Rights and the Mormon Church: Intended Actions: Unintended Consequences". FRIDAY'S episode II of this series will focus on Greg's experience writing "Leonard Arrington and the Writing of Mormon History" and a fascinating conversation about this era from a man who can offer some first-hand wisdom. Please subscribe to listen! Info below!Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there! Gay Rights and the Mormon Church: Intended Actions—Unintended Consequences: https://amzn.to/47f5SezSupport the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

Send us a Positive Review!In this thought-provoking episode Valerie delves into the topic of women and church hierarchy, focusing on the symbolic and practical implications of women seated at the stand in church leadership. Valerie shares her personal connections to the San Francisco Bay Area (where the recent "seating chart" debacle took place) with her experience as a missionary in that area. She contrasts gender policies within the LDS framework to those of other denominations and unpacks some of the complexities of gender dynamics, the influence of historical and transgenerational trauma, and suggests reimagining stewardship beyond traditional hierarchies. Tune in for an insightful dialogue and be sure to catch Friday's episode reading and analyzing Amy McPhie Allebest’s influential essay "Dear Mormon Man, Tell Me What Would You Do?"Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!————————————————————————————————————— Support the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: A Sketch of the Life & Work of Mormon Feminist Maxine Hanks [Part III of IV]In this beautiful episode 3, Valerie continues the deep dive into the beautiful life story of special guest, Maxine Hanks. From exploring her theological journey into early Christian gnosticism, to her experiences in Christian liturgy, to her studies at Harvard, to her work as a Chaplain, and finally her return to the LDS Church, Maxine's journey offers a unique perspective on faith and self-discovery. Her fascinating path interweaves elements of personal growth, mission, and calling with a desire to be instrumental in community reconciliation and part of an expanding body of Christ. This episode also introduces a further exploration of Maxine’s reintroduction experience to the LDS faith (which is detailed in the final episode of this series). The final episode of this series delves into Maxine's reconciliation experience with the LDS church, her thoughts on others in her September 6 cohort whose experiences were not as generous, and her vision for a more loving body of Christ as a church who learns the power of true ministry.Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!Support the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: A Sketch of the Life & Work of Mormon Feminist Maxine Hanks [Part I of IV]In this first of a compelling four-part series, Valerie welcomes Maxine Hanks, editor of the groundbreaking feminist book "Women and Authority" which led to the infamous "September 6" purge of 1993, where many LDS feminists and scholars were disciplined by the LDS church for their scholarship and advocacy work. In the next four episodes, Valerie welcomes Maxine Hanks to the Latter Day Struggles podcast where Maxine offers a detailed account of her own life story, beginning with her call to help her LDS church see its own feminist roots, her word editing "Women and Authority" and details not only her own intriguing experience as one of the "September 6" but also her sacred and circuitous 20-year journey of faith expansion following her excommunication that culminated in her decision to return to formal LDS affiliation. Today's episode specifically focuses on her sacred experiences feeling called to uncover the powerful feminist underpinnings that are unique to the early Mormon faith and how and why this project was a lightning bolt for her patriarchal Mormon community. Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!————————————————————————————————————— SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through ⁠⁠⁠a paid subscription ($9.99/month)⁠. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/bddk8ak7 ⁠Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribe⁠https://valeriehamaker.com/how-to-subscribe/ ——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on ⁠Patreon.com⁠!——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited ⁠⁠⁠Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups⁠⁠⁠⁠! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Details about availability on ⁠⁠⁠⁠latterdaystruggles.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/——————————————————————————————————————COURSES: Now available! “⁠⁠⁠⁠A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion⁠⁠⁠⁠” parts I and II. See what else is offered on ⁠⁠⁠latterdaystruggles.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

Valerie and Nathan discuss the fundamental importance of parental influence, concerns about fear and guilt tactics used in the church, and the need for understanding stages of faith development. They explore reasons why parents in LDS faith crisis found Elder Godoy's talk painful and reframe the concept of 'weak links' and 'strong links'. They emphasize the harm of rigidity, guilt, and fear tactics on weary parents and call for empathy in parenting during LDS faith journey.