Mormon Stories Podcast

Over the past several years faithful Mormon Tim Ballard has brought much attention to the topic of human trafficking via his work with Operation Underground Railroad and the new movie "Sound of Freedom." During Ballard's fundraisers he often invokes his LDS faith as the foundation for his anti-trafficking. One possible problem with Ballard's Mormon-based anti-trafficking advocacy is that the founder of his religion - Joseph Smith - would very possibly qualify by today's standards as a human trafficker. In today's episode we use The Nauvoo Expositor - published by LDS Church 1st Presidency Member William Law - as the jumping off point to explore the question: was Joseph Smith involved in human trafficking? Joining us will be Julia Sanders, Nemo, and Samantha Shelley. 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

Join us for part two with our insightful guest, Celeste Davis. Picking up from where we left off she takes us on her transformative path of leaving the Mormon Church and reevaluating her beliefs with courage and vulnerability. From deconstructing patriarchy, capitalism, and monogamy to embracing uncertainty and finding self-compassion, Celeste shares practical tools and profound insights for spiritual growth. Her journey of self-discovery offers a fresh perspective on beliefs about God, Jesus, and the afterlife, inspiring listeners to explore their own unique paths and live authentically. If you're seeking enlightenment, emotional regulation, and a deeper understanding of self, this conversation is a must-listen. 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

Join John and Margi as they interview spiritual director, Celeste Davis. Celeste was born and raised in the church, went to BYU, served a mission in Slovenia, and married in the temple. For many years Celeste wrote for the Church’s official blog and, as of today, those articles can still be found there. During the church’s involvement with Prop 8 and the 2015 Exclusion Policy, Celeste’s husband began to lose hope in the church. Celeste grappled with the burden of holding her family in Mormonism but began to question even God himself. Who is God and how can we have a relationship with him?  Celeste Davis Instagram - Celeste M. Davis Website - celestemdavis.com Substack - Celeste M Davis Tik Tok - Celeste M Davis Blog - Marriage Laboratory Poem - Why I don't talk about Jesus anymore   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

Step into the thought-provoking world of hosts John Larsen, Carah Burrell, and John Dehlin as they delve into the life and beliefs of Ezra Taft Benson, an influential figure in Mormonism. Uncovering historical insights, they explore Benson's views on communism, civil rights, and his perplexing association with conspiracy theories. From dissecting Benson's rigid authoritarian stance to questioning his understanding of communism, they candidly evaluate the impact of his leadership within the Church. With engaging discussions on American exceptionalism, the divinity of the Constitution, and the role of women in Benson's teachings, this episode invites listeners to reflect on how religious leaders can shape doctrines and beliefs. Whether you're curious about the intersections of religion and politics, the complexity of prophetic claims, or the enduring legacy of influential figures, this enthralling conversation will leave you pondering the relevance of Ezra Taft Benson's teachings in today's ever-changing world. Explore the fascinating journey of a man whose beliefs have sparked both admiration and controversy, and join the hosts in exploring the possibility of reconciling past prophecies with present realities. Episode Show Notes YouTube Link Dabbler Farm Wishlist   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

Tina's upbringing in the Mormon Church seemed uneventful until she had a troubling temple experience that made her question whether it was a cult. Zane, initially attracted to Tina's spirituality, went through his own faith crisis after reading anti-Mormon literature but eventually had a "spiritual experience" reaffirming his belief in the church. Their story takes a dramatic turn when Tina starts losing her testimony, leading to emotional turmoil within their marriage, especially since Zane is called to be a bishop. The couple navigates the complexities of a non-believing bishop leading a congregation and the challenges of facing their doubts and fears while remaining true to themselves and their family. Note: The airing of this episode was delayed at the request of the Beards until they felt more comfortable in their circumstances for it to become public. 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

John Dehlin is joined by guests Spencer Anderson, Radio Free Mormon, and Rebecca Bibliotheca to go over the latest Widow’s Mite Report shedding light on the financial practices and transparency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We discuss the church's significant wealth and delve into its historical and current approach to charitable giving. We expose discrepancies in reported figures, revealing how the church combines various donations to inflate its humanitarian efforts. We explore whether the church could do more with its immense resources and discuss its environmental stewardship initiatives. Additionally, the conversation touches on tax issues in Australia and Canada. If you're curious about the financial side of religious institutions and their charitable efforts, this eye-opening discussion provides valuable insights. The Widow's Mite Report Overview 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

Join hosts Mike, Nemo, and John Dehlin as they delve into the intricacies of spiritual witnesses within Mormonism. How do sincere seekers often end up with different answers when appealing to "the Spirit"? Can individuals be exploited by circumstances deliberately designed to create feelings of spiritual confirmation? What are the consequences when "spiritual witnesses" go wrong? Join us as we dive into the psychological phenomena of spiritual witnesses. We examine topics such as indoctrination, repetition, and the Illusory Truth effect, as well as other psychological mechanisms like confirmation bias, the backfire effect, and motivated reasoning. This episode can provide insight to your own spiritual experiences and provide tools to recognize attempts to manufacture the experience in you. Overview of Testimonies and Spiritual Witnesses in Mormonism (ldsdiscussions.com) Episode Show Notes YouTube Link _________________________ LDS Discussions is made possible by 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 LDS Discussions Platforms: LDS Discussions Website LDS Discussions Playlist on YouTube Contact LDS Discussions: Twitter: @ldsdicussions Facebook: @ldsdiscussion Insta: @ldsdiscussions Email: ldsdiscussions@gmail.com Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

Today we will be covering the new hit movie Sound of Freedom - based loosely on the work of Tim Ballard, founder of Operation Underground Railroad. If you have first-hand stories of experiences with Tim Ballard and/or OUR, or other information that could be helpful to this episode, please email them to me at mormonstories@gmail.com. Joining us for the interview will be journalists Anna Merlan and Tim Marchman, who have both been heavily involved in coverage of this story. Human Trafficking Advocacy | Freedom Network USA Articles from Vice on Tim Ballard and OUR can be found below: 7/13/2023: Tim Ballard Has ‘Stepped Away’ From Operation Underground Railroad, Org Says 7/6/23: Anti-Trafficking Group With Long History of False Claims Gets Its Hollywood Moment 6/10/22: Operation Underground Railroad Touts Non-Existent Partnership With American Airlines 8/24/21: Inside the Shadowy Anti–Sex Trafficking Group OUR  6/10/21: Operation Underground Railroad’s Carefully Crafted Public Image Is Falling Apart 8/12/21: Anti-Trafficking Charity Operation Underground Railroad Has Another Murky Rescue Story 3/8/21: Inside a Massive Anti-Trafficking Charity's Blundering Overseas Missions 12/10/20: A Famed Anti-Sex Trafficking Group Has a Problem With the Truth 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

Join us for part three of our interview with Bill and Amanda Reel as we navigate the intricate topics of identity, spirituality, and the profound impact of shedding religious frameworks. We delve into discussions on morality, sexuality, and the complexities of relationships in a post-religious context, explore the meaning and purpose of life beyond religious constructs and the challenges of finding community and support outside of traditional religious structures. Prepare to be inspired and challenged as we venture into the realms of existentialism, the resolution of death, and the embrace of the present moment. Join us on this captivating exploration of life, spirituality, and the endless possibilities that lie beyond the confines of religious dogma. Donate to Mormon Discussions Mormon Discussions Podcast Website Mormon Discussion Inc. - YouTube MormonDiscussion (@mormondiscussion) | TikTok Mormon Discussions | Facebook 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 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

Dive deeper into the captivating story of Bill and Amanda Reel as they embark on the second part of their remarkable journey. We explore their gripping encounters with church authorities, their disillusionment with Mormonism's truth claims, and their courageous decision to become whistleblowers within the faith. Discover the challenges they faced, including the lack of safety to be honest and the harm caused by the Mormon Church. Bill gives insight into the world of Mormon apologists and their ethics, as well as the transformative power of real authenticity when you can leave behind the burden of inauthenticity. Explore the shifting landscape of progressive Mormonism and the ultimate question of whether the Church's good outweighs its flaws. Prepare to be captivated by this thought-provoking exploration of faith, honesty, and the personal sacrifices made in pursuit of truth and freedom. Donate to Mormon Discussions Mormon Discussions Podcast Website Mormon Discussion Inc. - YouTube MormonDiscussion (@mormondiscussion) | TikTok Mormon Discussions | Facebook 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 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