Mormon Stories Podcast

In this conversation, Erika Nordfelt, a mental health professional from Rexburg, Idaho, shares her enlightening journey from a strict Mormon upbringing to healing and self-discovery. She dives into the intricacies of sexual shame within the Mormon community and the importance of open dialogue about sexuality. Erika reflects on her experiences navigating faith, identity, and relationships, while advocating for a more compassionate approach to mental health. Her insights shed light on the often stigmatized topics of pornography, shame, and the challenges faced by those transitioning out of rigid belief systems.

January 9 saw the release of a new Netflix series, American Primeval, set in the context of mid-19th-century Utah. Though the series is fictionalized, many of the events and peoples depicted are real, including the Utah War, the Mountain Meadows Massacre, the Mormon settlers, and the Shoshone, Ute, and Paiute Indians.Historians Barbara Jones Brown and Darren Parry join host John Dehlin for this live podcast to answer viewer's questions about which aspects of the series are factual and which are historical fiction. Barbara is co-author of Vengeance Is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath, and Darren is the author of The Bear River Massacre: A Shoshone History. Barbara and Darren offer a unique perspective because they are not only historians of this time period in Utah, they are direct descendants of peoples depicted in the mini-series--Darren is Northwestern Shoshone, and Barbara is a descendant of perpetrators of the horrific massacre at Mountain Meadows. Show NotesYouTube00:00:00 Intro00:06:25 Photos of ancestors00:14:15 The creators did not intend this to be historically accurate 00:23:55 We need to debunk that this was done by the Native Americans, it was NOT00:33:45 Jim Bridger’s character was the funnest character in the show00:42:45 Brigham Young (Kim Coates) what is right and wrong00:47:40 Jedediah M. Grant and the Mormon Reformation00:57:25 Elias Higbee and John M. Higbee01:07:45 Mountain Meadows started as a cattle raid01:18:50 Made up fiction from the Nauvoo Legion01:26:11 Two Moons - great female lead who had had her tongue cut out01:30:40 Red Feather01:35:00 Winter Bird - Strong female character01:39:10 Sarah Rowell and Devin Rowell - neither were Mormon, main characters, 01:43:20 Jacob Pratt and Abish Pratt were both Mormon01:46:55 Wild Bill Hickman - member of the Nauvoo Legion01:51:20 What Barbara said about the missed opportunity in the TV show01:55:00 Ned BlackhawkMormon 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 VenmoOur Platforms: YouTube Patreon Spotify Apple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media: Insta: @mormstories TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

Join Lauren Johnson Matthias (@HiddenTrueCrime ) Megan Conner (@Third_Verse ) Mindy Caldwell, and John Dehlin as they react to Shari Franke's new book "The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom" by Shari Franke, Ruby Franke's oldest daughter.Show NotesYouTube00:02:15 Trigger warning for the book00:14:30 Questions that will be covered in this episode involving Jodi, Ruby, Kevin, and the Mormon church00:19:32 Ruby and Kevin’s formation of their relationship and early family life00:28:30 Was Ruby Franke set up with a disadvantage by Mormon gender roles?00:35:18 Personality dynamics in the Franke family and Ruby’s profile as a mom and how much room the children had for their emotions00:39:42 Childhood emotional neglect with Ruby Franke and her children00:43:25 The pajama story and Ruby telling Shari she’d been friends after she had a baby00:57:38 Mormonism and Vlogging01:05:20 Consent and ethics in family vlogging01:12:00 Shari Franke’s mental health - thinking that her tummy aches are demonic possession01:29:03 Ruby removed Shari from therapy after Shari wanted to quit piano01:40:50 Shari starts her own YouTube channel, while Ruby did not help her grow it she demand some of the proceeds of the account01:43:46 Chad’s involvement in Shari’s story01:52:30 Why Ruby reached out to Jodi was because of Chad02:13:30 Meeting with Jodi as their therapist and showing her business structure as a cult02:21:10 Truth and Distortion became the bane of Shari’s existence02:34:50 Jodi’s tactics around isolation02:41:18 How Jodi saw sex everywhere and how she and Ruby were queer02:49:23 Visions of Glory and how it ties in with Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt02:56:34 Shari Franke compared Lori Vallow to Ruby Franke03:00:30 Thom Harrison and his influence over these cult leaders within the Mormon church03:11:35 The darkest part of the book was about Derek and Shari’s sexual assault03:31:14 Church disciplinary part of Shari’s story involving what happened with Derek03:41:55 Shari is familyless for a while, running into her dad on the BYU campus and he was afraid to talk to her04:04:05 Who is the main villain in this story? Is it Jodi or Ruby?04:12:24 Shari drawing connections in the Mormon church04:27:15 Shari’s final comments at the end of the book about her mother being narcissistic 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 VenmoOur Platforms: YouTube Patreon Spotify Apple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media: Insta: @mormstories TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

Clare Howell Adams, a former devout Mormon, shares her struggles with anxiety, OCD, and the pressures of purity culture, alongside her husband, Jackson Adams, who discusses his battles with pornography and a difficult missionary experience. They delve into the emotional toll of faith transition, exploring topics like the impact of modesty on body image, the overwhelming shame cultivated by strict teachings, and the long-lasting effects of their missionary journeys. Together, they highlight their healing journey, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and open dialogue in overcoming their past.

Brigham Young University faculty are grappling with new policies that enforce strict adherence to church teachings. Professors face job insecurity over social media activity and personal beliefs, with some losing their positions for supporting LGBTQ+ rights. The culture at BYU is shifting towards suppression of diverse thought, raising concerns about academic freedom and fear among faculty. As the university's rankings decline, discussions center on the impact of these changes and the pressing need for greater inclusivity and integrity within the institution.

Sandra Tanner, a pivotal figure in Mormon historical scholarship, teams up with Chris to dissect the complexities of Mormon history. They spotlight key contributors like Dee Jay Nelson and Mark Hoffman, examining the unsettling truths behind official narratives. The duo tackles controversial topics, including inaccuracies in Joseph Smith's interpretations and the book's evolution. Tanner emphasizes the critical importance of evidence in understanding faith, while highlighting the often-challenging relationship between scholars and the church.

Sandra Tanner, a descendant of Brigham Young and prominent historian, shares her profound insights into the complexities of Mormon polygamy and heritage. She delves into her family history, including the life of Mary Ann Angell, highlighting the emotional struggles of polygamous life. Tanner recounts her journey in historical research with her late husband, Jerald, and reflects on pivotal encounters with notable figures in the faith. Their discussion intertwines personal narratives with significant events like the Mountain Meadows Massacre, fostering a nuanced understanding of belief and legacy.

Ross “Marty” Martin, an Army Ranger, discusses his upbringing in a Mormon family, touching on his childhood in a trailer park and his military experiences. Alongside him, his wife Margie shares insights on their journey together. Marty reflects on struggling with faith during his mission in Jamaica, facing the horrors of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and dealing with personal trauma. The conversation explores themes of resilience, identity, and healing, as they navigate the complexities of faith, the challenge of military life, and the search for meaning.

Join us for a discussion with Sandra Tanner and Dan Vogel as we explore a remarkable video featuring BYU Professor and leading Mormon historian Steven C. Harper. In this video, Harper addresses key issues with the First Vision narrative and acknowledges several challenges raised by the CES Letter.Show NotesYouTube00:07:40 Wesley Walters00:13:45 Clip - Fawn Brodie00:26:09 Clip - Steven Harper on Joseph changing his story00:27:37 Summary of the 1838 Account of the First Vision00:39:42 Hermeneutics of doubt and trust00:42:55 Clip - Bushman taking a charitable approach00:50:02 Clip - publishing through Oxford00:56:12 Clip - Memory studies nature of memory01:00:38 John calling BS on Joseph Smith’s vision01:19:15 Joseph Smith believed that God and Jesus were one being in 183201:30:50 The problem with Mormon apologetics with the First Vision01:37:50 Clip - Critics not trusting Joseph Smith01:45:32 Clip - How can you know without the Spirit?01:55:45 Faith is a matter of choice?02:01:19 Clip - BYU responding to Wes Walters02:18:12 Clip - How many accounts of the First Vision?02:36:20 Who visited him changes from 1832 to 183802:38:55 Clip - There will always be doubt02:54:00 Clip - I might not have seen what Joseph saw02:56:55 Distinguishing features of modern Mormonism03:03:46 Mental gymnastics03:13:50 Clip - Who does Joseph tell?03:19:00 Joseph Smith’s name on the Methodist Sunday School03:24:55 Clip - Ask Joseph Smith03:34:25 Final thoughts 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 VenmoOur Platforms: YouTube Patreon Spotify Apple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media: Insta: @mormstories TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

This video exposes a shocking case of abuse within the Mormon Church in Denmark, featuring former Bishop Lasse Meilsoe and journalist Michael Teschl. They discuss the Church’s mishandling of a rape case where a husband drugged and assaulted his wife, Kiran, over several years, confessing repeatedly to Church leaders. The Church’s actions to protect its image over victims, discouragement of reporting abuse to authorities, and their systemic prioritization of abusers are critically examined.Topics include Danish cultural responses, legal investigations into the Church’s practices, and the broader implications for Church transparency and accountability. A powerful and deeply unsettling look at abuse, complicity, and the fight for justice.Show NotesYouTube00:02:17 Church using the same cover-up techniques as in the States00:07:15 Lasse Meilsoe and Michael Teschl introduced00:13:50 Lack of attention to Mormon Church in Denmark00:17:40 How the abuse story came to light00:22:15 Church court for the abuser00:30:40 The abuser is sent home to continue marriage00:35:11 Abuser watches wife take sleeping pills00:41:10 Abuser’s role on the High Council00:46:00 Church threatens leaders who report abuse00:56:20 Detailed timeline of the abuse (6 years)01:01:00 Church’s four-page email response01:14:35 Church leaders deny knowledge of abuse01:20:55 Kiran divorces Peter01:28:50 Church knowingly keeps abuser in leadership01:34:11 Church's sole focus on self-preservation01:41:56 “The Church is more important than the members”01:49:40 Impact of the scandal on church activity rates in Denmark01:54:05 Is Bishop Meilsoe worried about excommunication?01:55:25 Closing remarksMormon 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 VenmoOur Platforms: YouTube Patreon Spotify Apple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media: Insta: @mormstories TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord