

Mormon Stories Podcast
Dr. John Dehlin
Mormon Stories Podcast is an attempt to build understanding between and about Mormons through the telling of stories in both audio and video formats.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 3, 2023 • 2h 9min
1832: Russell M. Nelson's Miracle Stories w/ LDS Discussions Ep. 47
In this captivating episode with John Dehlin, Nemo the Mormon, and Mike on LDS Discussions, we delve into the controversial miracle stories of Mormon Prophet Russell M. Nelson. What are the implications for a spokesperson of God to fabricate and exaggerate, including (or especially) in regards to revelation like the November 2015 LGBT exclusionary policy. Join us in unraveling the motivations behind these distortions and why they hold significant consequences. How do these accounts shape our understanding of religious leadership? Episode Show Notes YouTube Link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

Oct 31, 2023 • 2h 58min
1831: Another Mormon Prepper Disaster: Blaze Thibaudeau
Blaze Thibaudeau is a 16-year-old boy from Gilbert, Arizona who went missing recently. He was found in Alaska with his mother and uncle. According to the news, his mother and uncle are under a doomsday "delusion" and believe in the imminent Second Coming of Christ. They see Blaze as a "Davidic servant" who plays a significant role in the Savior's return. Is this yet another example of Mormon fundamentalist extremism tied to Visions of Glory and Thom Harrison? Episode Show Notes YouTube Link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

Oct 26, 2023 • 1h 42min
1830: Reconstruction After LDS Prepper-ism - Kim and Josh Coffin Pt. 3
Kim and Josh Coffin's candid discussion with John Dehlin delves into their journey of faith transition within the Mormon Church, exploring the challenges and triumphs of rebuilding their identities and relationships post-departure. Kim's exploration of her LGBTQIA identity, Josh's shift in parenting roles, and their mutual reframing of mental health and gender dynamics are emphasized. The interview highlights their shared experiences of loss, disassociation, and the transformation of their personal and communal beliefs. The Coffins' unwavering commitment to rediscovering authenticity and embracing personal growth serves as an inspiring narrative for those navigating the complexities of faith and identity within and beyond religious communities. Sweet Red Poppy - Cricut, Sewing, Crafting & DIY Tutorials Episode Show Notes YouTube Link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

Oct 25, 2023 • 1h 32min
1829: Mormon Preppers Step Away - Kim and Josh Coffin Pt. 2
Kim and Josh Coffin recount their experiences with the world of visions and apocalyptic beliefs in Mormonism, discussing the influence of figures like Chad Daybell and the controversial AVOW community. They shed light on their personal encounters with end-time preparations, the impact on family dynamics, and the implications of their father's involvement with Chad Daybell. The interview touches on the church's handling of such groups and the lack of clear condemnation, raising questions about accountability and the need for more decisive action. The Coffins' candid exploration of their family dynamics within the context of these extreme beliefs serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked apocalyptic communities within the Mormon faith. Sweet Red Poppy - Cricut, Sewing, Crafting & DIY Tutorials Episode Show Notes YouTube Link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

Oct 24, 2023 • 3h 16min
1828: Mormon Prepper Life - Kim (Parrett) and Josh Coffin Pt 1
Kim's upbringing was fraught with fear, driven by intense preparations for the Second Coming. Themes of spiritual scrupulosity and the ominous echoes of evil spirits were deeply ingrained. Her father's prepper mindset, financial exploitation, and extreme beliefs added to the tumult. Josh's narrative exposes the suffocating expectations of righteousness and conditional love, culminating in his distressing mission experience and subsequent social rejection. This candid conversation delves into the challenges and repercussions of rigid Mormon ideology, underscoring the profound impacts on individuals and families. The gripping insights shared here provide a raw and thought-provoking glimpse into the complex realities faced by many within the Mormon community. Sweet Red Poppy - Cricut, Sewing, Crafting & DIY Tutorials Episode Show Notes YouTube Link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

Oct 20, 2023 • 1h 52min
1827: Religion & Scarcity Brain w/ Michael Easter
Join us as we interview Michael Easter, former fitness director of Men's Health magazine. Topics discussed include addiction, scarcity brain, religion's connection to scarcity, evolutionary mismatch and overeating, journalism reflections, addiction recovery and connection, heart disease-free tribe's diet, impact of ultra-processed food, challenges of book writing, variables rewards, influence of quantification, scarcity, religion, and identity, pursuit of milestones and missing the present, scarcity and material possessions, appreciation and call for donations.

Oct 18, 2023 • 2h 33min
1826: Mentor to Jodi Hildebrandt, Tim Ballard, Chad Daybell, Lori Vallow - Thom Harrison
In this riveting discussion with John Dehlin and panelists Lauren Mathias, Megan Connor, and Mindy Caldwell, we explore the disturbing connections between Thom Harrison's book "Visions of Glory" and the recent fundamentalist Mormon crime cases, including the Vallow-Daybell tragedy and the Tim Ballard controversy. The panel dissects the influence of Harrison's teachings on individuals like Lori Vallow and others involved in extreme religious practices, shedding light on the dangerous impact of unverified spiritual claims. They also delve into the concerning associations with psychic mediums, shadow governments, and the spread of radical ideologies within certain Mormon communities, raising critical questions about the role of these beliefs in recent criminal incidents. Episode Show Notes YouTube Link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

Oct 17, 2023 • 5h
1825: Visions of Glory, Thom Harrison, and Mormon Neo-Fundamentalism
Today we will discuss someone described as the "spiritual leader" of alleged murders Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow, alleged abuser Tim Ballard, and recently-imprisoned Jodi Hildebrandt. Thom Harrison is a prominent Utah therapist who published a book called "Visions of Glory" in 2012, focusing on three of his alleged near death experiences (including personal visitations from Jesus Christ). As has been uncovered over the past few years, Thom Harrison' and his book "Visions of Glory" have been highly influential across the Mormon "prepper" neo-fundamentalist community, and particularly in the lives and stories of Chad Daybell, Lori Vallow, Tim Ballard, Jodi Hildebrant, as well as other "preppers" such as Julie Rowe, Rod Meldrum, and alleged abuser-therapist Maurice Harker. Part of what has made Visions of Glory so successful is that Thom (through the pseudonym Spencer) claims in his book that his visions were approved of by an un-named Mormon apostle (who now is known to be the late Neal A. Maxwell). Finally, we will discuss how the Mormon church was made aware of Thom Harrison and his book in the 2012-2013 time period, and chose to promote Thom to bishop instead of to punish him and/or stop the publishing of his book. Lauren Matthias (Hidden True Crime Podcast), Megan Connor (Lori Vallow's cousin), and Mindy Caldwell (Mormon super-sluether) will be joining us for this panel discussion. Episode Show Notes YouTube Link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

10 snips
Oct 13, 2023 • 2h 36min
1824: The September Six and the Struggle for the Soul of Mormonism w/ Dr. Sara Patterson
Book Club is back with Rebecca Bibliotheca! Joining her and John Dehlin is Dr. Sarah Patterson as she introduces us to her book on the “September Six”, a group of scholars and feminists excommunicated from the LDS Church in September 1993. The interview examines the impact of excommunications, the power of the Church's stance on purity, and the consequences for members. Sarah also highlights the importance of remembering those who paved the way for open conversations and change within the Church. The September Six and the Struggle for the Soul of Mormonism by Sara Patterson Episode Show Notes Watch on YouTube Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

Oct 11, 2023 • 1h 54min
1823: The Reed Smoot Hearings w/ John Larsen
John Larsen, an expert on LDS history and theology, joins the host to discuss the Reed Smoot Hearings, a pivotal moment in Mormon history. They delve into the historical context, the persecution and politicization of polygamy, Joseph F. Smith's testimony, and the impact of the hearings on Mormons in America.