Latter Day Struggles

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Expanding our Theology [Part I of II] This week Valerie and Nathan tackle two fundamental aspects of LDS observance--scriptures and prayer--and walk you through ways in which each of these concepts can be either helpful to our spiritual journeys are harmful to our spiritual growth experiences. Episode 207 reflects on the complexities of scripture, tackling the risks associated with misusing scriptures as tools of oppression and highlighting the damage caused when sacred texts are used to justify harmful actions, even on a catastrophic scale. They discuss the importance of expanding our definition of what "counts" as scripture, the importance of truly tapping into our powers of personal revelation to discern when a voice is prophetic, and how books can be a mirror reflecting our connection to the divine.Friday's episode 208 tackles how concept of prayer in the LDS faith tradition can be experienced as both deeply connecting to our true selves and our higher powers OR how teachings and practices associated with prayer can be instrumental in harming our relationship with self, others, and God. Valerie and Nathan's desire in this series is to shine a light on the impact of certain aspects of religious faith and practice in the hopes that we can all experience our faith tradition in ways that truly support our spiritual development. 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 Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Exploring Family Challenges when LDS Young Adults Disaffiliate [Part III of IV]In this part three of this series, Valerie and her therapist colleague Liz Macdonald delve further into the complexities of navigating faith disaffiliation among young adults in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their conversation today focuses on the unique challenges faced in families who belong to "covenantal religions", including the anxiety and isolation that both parents and their evolving young adult children can feel when facing the eternal threats of noncompliance with church covenants. Liz and Valerie delve into the double-bind that people might feel in "covenantal" religious systems (such as LDS and Judaism) where some may feel that they must choose between the crucial human task of authentic spiritual self development and requirement to make and keep certain belief-based covenants in order to be allowed connection with God and family for eternity. Friday's final episode of this series (available via subscription) delves deeply into a highly respected model of human growth and development and explores a possible correlation between the degree of psychological (under) development and one’s inability to tolerate the faith expansion process of loved ones. They also discuss how the healthy development of the young adult children might be impacted by lack of support from their parents in the crucial young adult years. This series is intended to offer love and empathy for all both the more traditionally believing LDS parents and their disaffiliated young adult children, shining a light on the extreme complexity of this situation and hoping to offer insights that will help families in our community heal. Please share this series with those who might benefit from this enlightening and healing discussion! 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 Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

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