This podcast reminds me of an experience I had as a kid growing up in the midwest. Like many LDS families, my parents took us to Kirtland Ohio to visit early church history sites. We visited the Newel K. Whitney store (and the school of the prophets), the Jon Johnson home, and of course the Kirtland temple. I distinctly remember visiting the temple with a member of the RLDS church leading our tour. Our tour group was composed mostly of LDS families and it was clear that none of us had met a member of the RLDS church before. I think I was more interested in understanding who the RLDS people were and how they related to me (my parents didn’t want to talk about it much). The members of the tour group starting pressing our guide about his faith and ask more uncomfortable questions (like, “why didn’t your people travel west with the saints?”). The poor tour guide did his best to be polite yet direct. His answers generated even more uncomfortable questions and the tour turned into a “bible bash” between the father of one family and the tour guide. I remember wanting to hide under the benches in the lower court of the temple and wishing the insensitive LDS man would shut up. I give a lot of credit to this humble tour guide – it was clear he had been through this many times and did his best to reflect on the sacredness of the building under increasingly hostile questions. Perhaps we need more sensitivity training in our Sunday school.

I would just like to say that I think it is unfortunate that the decision of the RLDS to become more academically open was a ‘mistake’ because membership dropped so drastically. Why should membership numbers be a measure of success or failure? I think a better measure (albeit a practically impossible one to make) is how happy and fulfilled those who are members are as a result of their Church membership and how easily they facilitate members to come and go on their own quest to find happiness and fulfillment.

When I was growing up, there was tiny branch of the Reorganized Church near my home in Compton, California. A tiny building (probably a home previously) was converted for worship. At the front was a tall glass cabinet with the schedule of meeting times, etc. Across the top (but inside) was a motto I remember. It stated: OUR CREED – ALL TRUTH.

I was glad to hear John speak of the Restoration branches. I wonder if their growth has slowed. As I recall, the problem was higher priesthood offices were not available to give direction. As the few high priests who went into branches die, it would seem that the problem gets even more pronounced. I would love to hear what John thinks of the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, with its Smith family leadership?

Keep up the podcasts! Shalom.

I’m not sure if it’s inevitable….but I do hope that someday there’s a place for folks like us to be open/authentic in the church….while still allowing the church to remain strong.

Hamer, Thanks for dispelling multiple myths that I had heard as a youth (not too long ago).

I am really glad that Mormon Stories is now alive again.

Best of Luck!

I sat still for a moment and realized that The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was not a winning name. It was not catchy. It did not resound with a message and mostly it was way too long to be a winner.

I bought another copy of the book and sent it to President Sheehy (who was in the First Presidency at the time). He was about to take a trip to California and promised he would read it on the way.

I don’t know how much the book had to do with the name change but I know it made an impression on him because he told me it did.

Very interesting interview.