For the past two years a predominantly LDS neighborhood in southeastern Sandy, Utah (known as "Autumn Ridge") has been flying an unusually large number of rainbow flags during PRIDE week to show their support for fellow LGBTQ community members.  Last week, a faithful, non-LGBTQ-affirming Latter-day Saint neighbor in this community sent a somewhat self-righteous, pretentious, and cowardly letter to his/her fellow LDS neighbors, questioning their faithfulness to the LDS Church due to their flying of these rainbow flags.  In response, a wonderful, faithful LDS Church member and neighbor named Cynthia K. Phillips penned a courageous, thoughtful response to this letter, which can be accessed here. Today we interview the two founders of the "Project Rainbow" initiative in the Autumn Ridge section of Sandy, Utah: Kristy and Willy Donahoo.  We also interview Cynthia Phillips, who is an active, believing member of her local LDS ward, and who fervently supports this initiative. Our goals with this episode are: To spotlight good people doing good things. To inspire YOU to sponsor a Project Rainbow initiative in your neighborhood.  Our hope is to turn Utah, Idaho, and Arizona RAINBOW-COLORED! Please join us with your comments and questions! Bios: Kristy Donahoo is a financial advisor and partner with Ray LeVitre, CFP™. Together, Much of Kristy’s career spanned over 20 years in executive management positions in Northern California/Silicon Valley with high tech and early internet companies. When she relocated to Utah, she was personally recruited by Utah’s Governor Michael O. Leavitt to lead the state’s hosting and business development programs for the 2002 Olympics. She later went on to teach in a highly regarded private Utah school prior to becoming a financial advisor. Kristy and her husband moved to Utah from California about 20 years ago. They enjoy Utah for its people, the four seasons and proximity to their four adult children. She and her family enjoy beach time in California and Hawaii during summers and snow sports during Utah winters. Kristy serves on the Advisory Board of the John Williams Encircle Home in Salt Lake City, a resource center for at-risk LGBTQ+ youth and their families. William Donahoo is an attorney with Donahoo & Associates and also handles case management and firm administration. William joined the firm in 2009 and specializes in prevailing wage cases, representing employee interests.  Cynthia Phillips has been a teacher and administrator in secondary schools for the past 35 years during which she has taught Latin, History, English Language Arts, and Ancient Greek. Cindy is currently a secondary teacher at the Weilenmann School of Discovery, a public charter school located in Park City, UT, where she also served as the Executive Director for many years. During her career, she has never allowed administrative assignments take her fully out of the classroom because teaching and students are her love and passion.  Prior to her administrative and teaching positions at the Weilenmann School, Cindy was an administrator and teacher at the Waterford School, a private school located in Sandy, UT. Cindy is currently a member of the governor-appointed Utah State Charter School Board, a member of the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission, a member of the Lone Peak Hospital Board in Draper, UT, and a former member of the Northeastern Utah Educational Services Board.  Cindy holds a BA in Latin from Brigham Young University, an MA in Classics from Tufts University, an MA in History from the University of Utah, and she is currently a PhD candidate in Comparative Languages and Cultural Studies at the University of Utah. Cindy and her husband, Greg, reside in Sandy, UT and Heber, UT. They have five children and fourteen grandchildren. 

Mormon Stories - LDS

1355: The Sandy, Utah Rainbow Flag Revolution - Willy & Kristy Donahoo and Cynthia Phillips

Katie Harmon was raised Catholic in Laramie, Wyoming. After falling in love with a Mormon boy at age 15, Katie became socially/emotionally converted to the LDS Church in spite of... High ambitions for herself (Katie was a 4.0 student, got a 33 on her ACT, was in AP classes, got a full ride scholarship to the University of Wyoming, and wanted to become a doctor) and Strongly valuing social justice (e.g., anti-homophobia, anti-sexism, anti-racism). As Katie became fully committed to the Mormon church, she saw her original aspirations slowly slip away, as she began to follow "the Mormon way for women." Katie ended up: Experiencing severe Scrupulosity as a Mormon woman. Enduring an invasive and inappropriate "sexual repentance" process. Marrying 3 months after graduating high school to a man she had only known 7 months. Getting sealed to her husband while her non-LDS family sat outside the Mormon temple. Having three children within a short period of time before she felt ready to do so, based on LDS teachings. Feeling frustrated when, after her 2nd child was diagnosed with major health issues at 20 weeks, priesthood blessings failed to heal her ailing child. She basically discovered after conversion that the "Priesthood power" was not real, and did not work. Confronting the stifling "ableism" of Mormon doctrine, theology, and culture. As Katie's hopes and dreams began to fall apart, she began studying Mormonism more closely, and discovered that she was not taught as an investigator important truths about Mormon history and the LDS church that would likely have prevented her from joining. Katie's motivation for doing this interview is to call on the LDS Church to be fully honest in its missionary efforts, and in its education of children and youth, so that people like her can not be misled into joining and/or committing their lives to the Mormon church without being fully informed about its history, doctrine, and theology.

1354: Informed Consent and "Ableism" in the LDS Church - Katie Harmon

The TikTok platform has become a major player in global culture, and the ExMormon TikTok community has become very active/vibrant over the past few months. Today we feature ExMormon TikTok sensation Kayla White (ExMormonMindy). Her channel can be found here. This is Kayla's story.

1353: TikTok's "ExMormonMindy" - Kayla White

Brennan Harris’ dad, Kip Brower Harris, took his own life on January 9, 2019, while he was employed as Dean of Students at Brigham Young University - Idaho.  During his 30 year career at BYU Idaho, Kip Harris had served twice as a Mormon bishop, served in a Mormon Stake Presidency, and was personal friends with LDS Church apostle David Bednar.  In the final years of his second term as bishop, Kip Harris became involved in an extra-marital affair with a neighbor and ward member.  Inexplicably, when Kip Harris was found in a car with this neighbor/ward member by a Sugar City police officer, this police officer informed Kip Harris' LDS church leaders (violating the separation of church and state).  Kip Harris' church leaders, in turn, notified Harris' employer (BYU Idaho), who then put Kim Harris on leave (threatening to fire him).  This horrific sequence of confidentiality violations led Kim Harris to feel like his only option was to take his own life, which he did in January of 2019.  Press coverage of Kip Harris' death can be found here and here. Brennan Harris, Kip's son, believes that the LDS Church, BYU Idaho, and Sugar City police are all partially responsible for his father’s death.  Brennan has written publicly about his father's story at these links: A brief biography of Kip Harris by his son, Brennan. A description of the events leading up Kim Harris' death by suicide, also written by Brennan.   This is Brennan’s story.

1352: My Father's Death by Suicide as BYU-Idaho Dean - The Brennan and Kip Harris Story

Ezra Taft Benson is perhaps the most controversial apostle-president in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For nearly fifty years he delivered impassioned sermons in Utah and elsewhere, mixing religion with ultraconservative right-wing political views and conspiracy theories. His teachings inspired Mormon extremists to stockpile weapons, predict the end of the world, and commit acts of violence against their government. The First Presidency rebuked him, his fellow apostles wanted him disciplined, and grassroots Mormons called for his removal from the Quorum of the Twelve. Yet Benson was beloved by millions of Latter-day Saints, who praised him for his stances against communism, socialism, and the welfare state, and admired his service as secretary of agriculture under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Using previously restricted documents from archives across the United States. Matthew L. Harris breaks new ground as the first to evaluate why Benson embraced a radical form of conservatism, and how under his leadership Mormons became the most reliable supporters of the Republican Party of any religious group in America. Matthew L. Harris is professor of history at Colorado State University-Pueblo. He is the author of The Mormon Church and Blacks: A Documentary History and editor of Thunder from the Right: Ezra Taft Benson in Mormonism and Politics. Matthew's new book can be purchased here: https://uofupress.lib.utah.edu/watchman-on-the-tower/

1351: Ezra Taft Benson and the Making of the Mormon Right (Matt Harris) - Pt. 2

1350: Ezra Taft Benson and the Making of the Mormon Right (Matt Harris) - Pt. 1

 Mormon Stories Podcast Friends, Have you ever been touched, inspired, or educated by a particular 3-10 minute segment of a Mormon Stories Podcast episode? If so, I could really use your help. I am looking to create 100 short, 5-10 minute YouTube videos that include highlights of the most touching or memorable Mormon Stories podcast moments. Consequently, I am seeking volunteers who are willing to go to YouTube and email to me the episode link and time codes (start and stop) of their favorite highlights from past Mormon Stories Podcast episodes. From there I will chop up the videos and put them on my new "Understanding Mormonism" YouTube channel.   If you are willing to help, please email the YouTube link and time code (start/step) to:  understandmormonism@gmail.com And thank you SO much! John Dehlin 

Mormon Stories Video Shorts - Please Help me Reach Thousands More

Is there more than one way to be a Mormon? What qualifies as "authentic Mormonism"? Has it always been this way? Is it possible to reconcile religious belief with a natural, scientific view of the universe? Many people see secular and religious views as incompatible. They seem to believe it necessary to suspend disbelief and accept superstition in order to be religious, or that religion is an obstacle to productive engagement with the world. Even many of us who still profess some level of religiosity will admit that religion sometimes makes productive engagement more difficult and is sometimes less effective than it could be. For those who believe in prophecies of the eventual redemption of humanity, is it possible to work toward a vision of the future that is understood only vaguely, if at all? What is the effect of faith that is not active? Might active faith in Mormon (and other religious) visions of the future be essential to realizing them? Today we'll be talking with Carl Youngblood about his life as a Mormon and a transhumanist, what that word even means, and how his struggle to apply his faith meaningfully in our rapidly changing world has led him to co-found the Mormon Transhumanist Association, where he currently serves as a member of the board of Directors. Carl looks forward to sharing his ideas and answering your questions about his life and faith.

1349: Mormon Transhumanism with Carl Youngblood

Was your marriage destroyed, or almost destroyed by the LDS Church's 12-step program for pornography "addiction"? Join us today as we sit down with Nik and Dawna Berry to discuss how the LDS Church's 12-step program for Pornography addiction almost ruined their marriage, and how they survived and healed from it.

1348: Surviving the LDS Church's 12-Step Pornography "Addiction" Program (Dawna and Nick Berry)

Mitch Shira is an actor and impressionst whose TikTok videos have been taking the progressive and post-Mormon world by storm.  Under the TikTok handle "genie_man," Mitch impersonates past and present LDS Church General Authorities with incredible accuracy and sharp-edged humor.  Today, meet the man behind the voices.  Warning: Adult humor.  Discussion of electro-schock therapy of LGBTQ Mormons. A sampling of MItch's videos: Gordon B. Hinckley Boyd K. Packer Thomas S. Monson Jeffrey R. Holland Gollum/Smeagol A compilation of GA's in an aspirational apology for LDS Church past wrongdoings. 

1347: Mitch Shira - Impersonating LDS General Authorities as TikTok’s "genie_man"

Join us today as we bring back the wonderful, groundbreaking historian Shannon Caldwell Montez. Previously on Mormon Stories, Shannon shared with us: Her research regarding how LDS Church general authority, historian, and chief apologist B.H. Roberts lost his testimony in Book of Mormon historicity, and Her own heartbreaking and inspiring story as a Mormon woman, wife, and mother. Today Shannon returns to share with us her research regarding "The Secret Mormon Meetings of 1922" - which were organized by LDS Church General Authority B.H. Roberts after he failed to obtain any meaningful or useful answers from the LDS Church First Presidency, Quorum of the 12, or other General Authorities regarding the deep and significant scientific problems that completely undermine the credibility of the Book of Mormon as ancient history. Shannon's thesis is outstanding, and it can be found here.

1346: Shannon Caldwell Montez - The Secret Mormon Meetings of 1922

 As part of our ongoing series on 21st century Mormonism outside of the United States, today we interview Douglas Stilgoe. Douglas is a 23 year old, 3rd generation Mormon raised in Warwickshire, England (Coventry England Stake).   Douglas' story is interesting for many reasons: He discusses life as a Mormon in the UK in the 2000's. He was raised in the same area as Tom Phillips, the high-ranking Mormon church leader in the U.K. who lost his faith and left the church AFTER receiving his 2nd anointing. His story explores how painful and damaging Mormonism can be on families when a parent loses their faith. He discusses his own very recent loss of faith as a young adult in the U.K., after being a very devout believing youth (just over the past year).   For more information on Tom Phillips and the 2nd Anointing, see here. 

1345: Douglas Stilgoe - Leaving the LDS Church as a Young Adult in the U.K.

 Today I will be reviewing my recent research into the topic of how the pirate Captain William Kidd and the practice of New England treasure digging that followed Kidd directly inspired Joseph Smith to create the Book of Mormon.   I've been doing this research in preparation for a new Youtube channel I'm launching called "Understanding Mormonism with Dr. John Dehlin."   I need your help in the following ways:   1) I'd love to know if there are any important errors or omissions in my research. 2) I'd love to know if you find the research interesting/worthwhile overall. 3) I am making a call for listeners to submit their own essays/PowerPoint presentations for future videos in this project.   Any feedback, questions, or any submissions can be sent to:   understandmormonism@gmail.com     

1344: Captain Kidd, Treasure Digging, Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon

 Karen Adam was raised in a same-sex household in Scotland (her mother identified as Lesbian). She joined the Mormon church at age 17 in 1992 after a teenage pregnancy. Karen lived as a member of the LDS Church in Scotland for almost 20 years - maturing from a young teenage mother to serving as LDS Sunday School teacher, Young Women’s President, Compassionate Service Leader, Relief Society Teacher, Primary Presidency, etc.   Karen was married and sealed for eternity in an LDS temple, and for years helped raise six children, living a very traditional LDS family life.   When Karen’s marriage fell apart she found solace in serving the wider community in Scotland outside the confines of her Scottish Mormon ward. This led on to a political awakening, and ultimately to her leaving the LDS church, and running for political office in Scotland.   Topics covered in this episode include: Converting to the LDS Church in Scotland, Teenage pregnancy. Being a devout Mormon in Scotland. Navigating an abusive marriage that included drug addiction. Navigating divorce and remarriage within the Mormon church in Scotland. Dealing with harmful messages and policies regarding female sexuality as a Mormon Scott, including damaging bishop interviews. Responding to the Mormon church's harmful LGBTQ policies as a Mormon Scott having been raised in a same-sex household. Experiencing a Mormon faith crisis in Scotland. Rebuilding life as a post-Mormon divorced Scottish mother. Throwing her hat into the political ring in mid-life as a Scottish ex-Mormon woman. This is Karen's story. 

1343: Karen Adam - From Scottish Mormon Mother to Political Activist

As many of you will recall, Shannon Caldwell Montez joined us on Mormon Stories Podcast in July, 2020 to tell us her own story, as well as to tell us the story of B.H. Roberts - the LDS Church historian and General Authority who was tasked to answer problems about Book of Mormon historicity, only to lose his testimony of the Book of Mormon as a historical document. During the B.H. Roberts episode we learned about a series of all-day meetings B.H. Roberts had in January, 1922 with the LDS Church First Presidency, Quorum of 12 Apostles, and the Quorum of 70 to discuss these Book of Mormon problems in-depth. Ultimately, Shannon shows in her thesis that the LDS church leadership was both unprepared and unwilling to address the problems Roberts presented - resulting in much disappointment and frustration for Roberts. In this follow-up interview with Shannon, we review evidence addressing the question as to whether or not Mormon General Authority and church historian B.H. Roberts lost his testimony of the Book of Mormon as a historical document. Resources Mentioned in the Podcast Include: Shannon's Thesis: The Secret Mormon Meetings of 1922 B.H. Roberts and the Book of Mormon by Thomas G. Alexander in Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought B.H. Roberts's Studies of the Book of Mormon by Brigham D. Madsen in Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought "Is There Any Way to Escape These Difficulties?": The Book of Mormon Studies of B.H. Roberts by George D. Smith in Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. Mr. Couch and Elder Roberts, by Richard F. Keeler in Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. View of the Hebrews by Mormon Handbook Remembering B.H. Roberts by Sterling M. McMurrin in Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. Defending the Keystone: An Overview of the Arguments For and Against View of the Hebrews as a Possible Source for the Book of Mormon by Madison U  Sowell in Sunstone Magazine MormonThink B.H. Roberts Quotes B.H. Roberts' Secret Manuscript by Jerald and Sandra Tanner Terryl Givens Misrepresents B.H. Roberts by Rollo Tomasi B.H. Roberts Book Stirs Controversy by Ron Bitton in Sunstone Magazine The Works of B.H. Roberts on Project Gutenberg 

1342: Did B.H. Roberts Lose His Testimony of the Book of Mormon?

Mormon Stories is an attempt to build understanding between and about Mormons through the telling of stories in both audio and video formats.

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Mormon Stories - LDS

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