Mormon Stories Podcast

Today we discuss: – LDS Church membership growth/statistics for 2022. – Arizona court upholds clergy privilege in child abuse case. – LDS leader in Trenton charged with allegedly enticing teen girl from congregation. – LDS apostle Jeffrey Holland ‘excused’ from church duties due to ill health. He won’t speak at SUU.

Carah Burrell and John review the recent, deeply troubling devotional delivered earlier this week by David Glen Hatch at BYU-Hawaii. 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

Join us as we discuss surprises, let downs, best talks, worst talks etc in this year’s April General Conference, where members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) listen to messages from top leaders in the Church. What were the real intentions and messages behind this year’s talks? Did they address the recent scandals & controversy regarding the SEC fine for fraudulently creating shell companies to hide its wealth from members and the public? Was anything missing that we would normally expect to hear? Episode Show Notes View 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 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

As our first test run (pre-pilot), we review the April 2023 LDS Church General. Specific topics include: – Our intentions for Mormon News Weekly Podcast. – We introduce ourselves. – Peacemakers Needed | Russell M. Nelson | April 2023 General Conference. – The Greatest Easter Story Ever Told | Gary E. Stevenson | April 2023 General Conference – Do You Know Why I as a Christian Believe in Christ? | Ahmad S. Corbitt | April 2023 – Mormon Church to pay fine to settle charges it hid an approximately $32 billion investment fund – SEC Cease and Desist Order Against the LDS Church for Securities Deception. – SEC Charges The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Its Investment Management Company for Disclosure Failures and Misstated Filings – Church Auditing Department Report, 2022 | April 2023 General Conference Please email us with your feedback: mormonnews@gmail.com.

Join us for part 2 of our review of the Widow’s Mite Report, which investigates and reports on LDS Church finances. Today we will discuss Ensign Peak Advisors, the Mormon church’s real estate holdings, and their extensive construction of temples. Episode Show Notes 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

Join us as we explore the story of what would lead a super-faithful and believing Mormon mother of three to try psychedelic mushrooms (psilocybin) for the first time...and what happened next.

Today we discuss several problematic "revelations" by LDS prophets that succeeded Joseph Smith.  These include: John Taylor's 1886 revelation on the continuation of polygamy. The multiple "manifestos" allegedly ending the practice of polygamy (but not really). The lifting of the 1978 priesthood and temple ban against Mormons of African descent. Changes to the LDS temple ceremony over the years. Russell M. Nelson's condemnation of the use of the "Mormon" identity after Gordon B. Hinckley and Thomas S. Monson's strong support of the "Mormon" identity. The 2015 LGBTQ Exclusion policy, and the subsequent 2019 reversal of the policy/doctrine. The Mark Hofmann forgeries. Episode Show Notes  LDS Discussions Essay  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 LDS Discussions Platforms: LDS Discussions Website LDS Discussions on Anchor LDS Discussions on Spotify 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 are inviting a panel of Southern Utah University students to discuss their objections to the invitation to have Mormon apostle Jeffrey R. Holland speak at an upcoming graduation ceremony, especially as a man who has used his status, privilege, wealth and power to platform anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, including violent metaphors, which have directly harmed so many in that community. Follow @SUU_commencement_protest on instagram for updates and ways to help. If you'd like to build up the platform for these brave students from SUU representing themselves and other marginalized peers, there are a number of ways you can help: 1. Please like & share this episode to give it more visibility and traction 2. Sign the Change.org petition 3. Email SUU's Chair, Vice Chair, and the Board of Trustees: trustees@suu.edu jodihart@suu.edu ericschmutz@suu.edu president@suu.edu 4. Fill out SUU's Feedback form on the 2023 Commencement Speaker 5. Follow @SUU_commencement_protest on instagram 6. If you know any queer students at SUU, please reach out and let them know you support them. Watch on YouTube Episode Show Notes 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 Show Notes: Mormon Stories Content 1439-1440: A Mexican Mormon Story – Gerardo 1470: When LDS Apostle Jeffrey Holland Calls You Out – Gay BYU Valedictorian Matt Easton

Lance and Brandee Heppler began to question and ultimately leave the Mormon Church after their son Lake experienced mismanagement and mistreatment during his missionary training and service. This experience, along with their daughter Darby coming out as gay and being rejected by the Church, led them to start questioning Church teachings and practices. They also began to educate themselves about Church history and controversies through sources like the "Mormons & Masons" documentary, "Mormon Stories," and the CES Letter. Further cracks in their faith emerged when Brandee became aware of a child abuse incident at their local stake center that had been covered up by Church leaders. Despite these concerns, the Hepplers continued to attend Church and pretend to believe for a time. However, they eventually reached a breaking point and decided to leave the Church altogether. They found that prioritizing their family and their own happiness outside of the Church was more important than following Church rules and teachings that were not serving them. 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

Join Lance and Brandee Heppler as they share their personal journeys in Mormonism and delve into mental health challenges they faced as they tried to be good Mormon parents. In this episode, Lance talks about his orthodox upbringing in Oregon, serving his mission in South Carolina, and his panic of finding someone to marry before graduating from BYU. Meanwhile, Brandee shares her struggle of not fitting in at church due in part to her parents being converts and her undiagnosed ADHD, making her wonder why it seemed God made her too "rowdy" as a woman instead of more subdued and "proper". Together they navigate the traditional gender roles expected of them as a married couple in the church while raising young children and serving in various callings. As they grapple with issues such as feminism and LGBTQ issues in the church, they also confront their own mental health struggles and the lack of support from the Mormon community. They share powerful insights about the often transactional nature of Mormon relationships and the harmful effects that come from some teachings that associate mental health struggles with sin. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by those raised in Mormonism and the impact it can have on mental health. 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