This week we will be interviewing Russ Walker (FreedomWorks), Connor Boyak (Libertas Institute), and others about the Libertarian movement, and about the Mormon presence therein. Please post your questions for them below.
Blog Archives
417: Dr. Ryan Cragun on his new book “What You Don’t Know About Religion (but should)”
Today we interview Dr. Ryan Cragun about his new book, “What You Don’t Know about Religion (but Should).” Ryan is a professor at the University of Tampa, and specializes in the sociological study of religion, focusing on Mormonism, the nonreligious, and secularization. Topics covered in this podcast include: Why are people religious? Are religious people more educated than nonreligious people? Are religious people more moral, more humble, or happier? Are religious people more or less prejudiced than nonreligious people? Is religion good for your health and happiness? Are people becoming more or less religious? What are the alternatives to religion?…
416: The Street-Legal Version of Mormon’s Book with Michael Hicks
As the 7th feature of our Mormon Stories Book Club series, we feature Michael Hicks and his book The Street-Legal Version of Mormon’s Book, accompanied by podcast host Heather Olson Beal and readers Mark Brown and Jonathan Yarrington. Please support Mormon Stories by purchasing The Street-Legal Version of Mormon’s Book through this link. A small amount of the proceeds go to help support Mormon Stories. Michael Hicks, a composer, performer, scholar, and poet, has been teaching in the BYU School of Music since 1985. For more biographical information about Michael, see here and here. ============== Title: The Street-Legal Version of…
415: Kate Kelly on the Ordination of Mormon Women (ordainwomen.org)
Today we interview Kate Kelly – Co-founder of the Ordain Women website (http://ordainwomen.org). In this episode we discuss: why Kate and her associates are calling for the ordination of LDS women, how female ordination might benefit both the institutional church and its members, and how others can support this initiative. Additional links mentioned in the podcast are listed below. The ordainwomen.org April 6 Launch Event Info Salt Lake Tribune Article on Kate and the initiative The FAIR talk on the LDS church and gender They “Why Mormons Question” survey referred to in the interview “A gift given, a gift taken…
412-414: Josh and Lolly Weed on Their Love Story, Mixed-Orientation Marriages, and LDS/LGBT Issues
In this three part interview with Josh and Lolly Weed we discuss: Part 1: How they fell in love and decided to marry, in spite of both knowing that Josh is gay Part 2: The complexities and risks of living in a mixed-orientation marriage, and Part 3: LGBT issues within the LDS church
408-411: Brett Bradshaw – Gay Marriage and Fatherhood
On this historic day when the United States Supreme Court is considering the legality of gay marriage, we share with you our interview with Brett Bradshaw. Brett is the son of longtime Mormon LGBT advocates Marge and William Bradshaw. In this four-part interview Brett discusses: Part 1: His early LDS years, his mission service, falling in love with his husband (Jeff), and his decision to leave the LDS church. Part 2: His process of coming out as a gay man, and his thoughts on exploring sexuality in healthy ways Part 3: His decision to marry Jeff, have a child (Madeline)…
406-407: James McConkie: Family, Faith, Bruce R. McConkie, and the Historical Christ
Jay Griffith and Sarah Collett (of A Thoughtful Faith Podcast) sit with James W. McConkie to speak with him about his personal history and family. As a nephew of Bruce R. McConkie and Joseph B. Wirthlin, Jim has a unique perspective of the Church and the brethren and a valuable approach to the Gospel. Speaking about his faith, parenting, and his views on the historical Christ, Jim explains his approach to doubt and difficult questions.
Moving Forward
Stephen Smoot of the Student Review recently asked me to comment on the Greg Smith article. This was my response to Stephen, and it is the only public thing I plan on saying about the affair going forward. ======== Stephen, I think my biggest regret in this whole ordeal is that I’ve allowed myself to be become a distraction to the real issue: that there are thousands of sincere LDS church members and former members who are struggling with their faith and/or their church-related experiences. I believe that they are in desperate need of greater empathy and support, and that…
403: Brian Hales Pt. 2 – 12 Myths Regarding Joseph Smith’s Polygamy
In this episode Dr. Brian C. Hales discusses 12 myths regarding Joseph Smith’s practice of polygamy. Joseph Smith had a reputation as a womanizer. The Joseph Smith – Fanny Alger relationship was not a plural marriage. Joseph Smith’s polygamy was all about sex, in other words, “multiply and replenish the earth.” Joseph Smith had no children by his plural wives. Joseph Smith had sexual relations with 14 year olds. John C. Bennett was a polygamy insider in Nauvoo. None of Joseph Smith’s plural marriages were non-sexual “eternity-only” sealings. Joseph Smith’s teachings allow sexual polyandry. Some of Joseph Smith’s marriages included…
402: Brian Hales Pt. 1 – A Refutation of Grant Palmer’s Treatment of Sexual Allegations Against Joseph Smith
In this episode Dr. Brian C. Hales refutes Grant Palmer’s podcast and article on sexual allegations against Joseph Smith. Click here to obtain the PowerPoint presentation for this podcast. Click here to listen to Grant Palmer’s podcast outlining his interpretation of sexual allegations against Joseph Smith. Click here to read Grant Palmer’s discussion of these allegations. Click here to purchase Brian’s new books entitled “Joseph Smith’s Polygamy Vols. 1-3″ Click here to check out Brian’s website called “MormonFundamentalism.com” Click here to check out Brian’s website called “JosephSmithsPolygamy.com” Also, Brian C.Hales will be speaking about his research and signing copies at Benchmark Books (3269 S Main…
401: A Short Stay in Hell with Steven L. Peck
As the 5th feature of our Mormon Stories Book Club series, we feature Steven Peck and his book A Short Stay in Hell, accompanied by the following readers: Heather Olson Beal, Matt Nokleby, and Amanda Nokleby. Please click on the link to purchase your book through Amazon. A small amount of the proceeds go to help support Mormon Stories. ============== Title: A Short Stay in Hell Author: Steven Peck Publisher: Strange Violin Editions Genre: Fiction Year: 2012 Pages: 108 Binding: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle ISBN-13: 978-0983748427 Price: $21.95 (hardcover), $9.56 (paperback), $2.99 (Kindle) Support Mormon Stories by purchasing A Short Stay…
400: Top 5 Myths and Truths about Why Committed Mormons Leave the Church
I created this video/presentation for two reasons: To dispel any misunderstandings about why people leave the church (and what happens to them when they do) that came about as a result of my recent podcast interview, and I’ve been wanting to update my “Why people leave the LDS church” youtube video for some time to include the results from the “Why Mormons Question” survey. Please watch and provide feedback if you can…and then share w/ family, friends, and church members/leaders who lack understanding or empathy. Powerpoint presentation can be found here.
397-399: John Dehlin and Faith Reconstruction
In this three-part interview conducted by Sarah Collett of A Thoughtful Faith podcast we discuss: My ups, downs, and ups with the church The story behind the “Why Mormons Question” survey, including my interactions with a few church leaders A discussion of the Daniel Peterson/Neil A. Maxwell institute incident last year The reasons behind the discontinuation of the Mormon Stories conferences and communities Interactions w/ my bishop and stake president over the past year How and why I’ve returned to full activity in the church Big thanks to Sarah and Micah for all of their hard work.
A Clarification about the Mormon Stories Regional Communities and Conferences
In my recent interview entitled “John Dehlin and Faith Reconstruction” I made some comments about the Mormon Stories Regional Communities and Conferences that have apparently hurt many people, so I’d like to offer a few brief clarifications and a sincere apology. To provide a tiny bit of background, about a year and a half ago we (at the Open Stories Foundation) were concerned/saddened by the very large number of struggling and/or disaffected Mormons that we were encountering across the globe, and felt motivated to create a number of Facebook support groups with the intent of seeding the formation of regional,…
396: Kristine Haglund and Brent Metcalfe (2012 Seattle Conference)
Dialogue Editor Kristine Haglund and author Brent Metcalfe speak at the 2012 Mormon Stories Seattle Conference.
392-395: Ralph Hancock – Critic of Mormon Liberalism
Dr. Ralph C. Hancock is a professor of political science at Brigham Young University. He holds a B.A. and an M.A. from BYU and a Ph.D. from Harvard University, and teaches classes on American and French political history as well as the history of political thought. He is currently serving as president of the John Adams Center for the Study of Faith, Philosophy and Public Affairs at BYU, and within Mormonism is perhaps best known as a critic of Mormon liberalism and feminism. You can read Dr. Hancock’s writings here, and responses to some of his writings here, here, here and…
389-391: Top 10 Mormon Mental Health Issues
In this 3-part interview with Natasha Helfer Parker we launch a new podcast initiative called “Mormon Mental Health.” For this episode we discuss the top 10 (or 11) mental health issues commonly faced by Mormons. Episode 1: Depression, Anxiety, Trauma and Masturbation Episode 2: Pornography, Addiction, Marriage and Divorce Episode 3: Sexual Intimacy, Parenting, Faith Crisis and Coping with same-sex attraction as a Mormon.
388: Carol Lynn Pearson and “the Hero’s Journey of the Gay and Lesbian Mormon”
As part of a new podcast initiative called “Gay Mormon Stories” (in cooperation with Mormon Stories Book Club) we interview the beloved poet, playwright, LGBT activist and Mormon author Carol Lynn Pearson about her new book entitled, “The Hero’s Journey of the Gay and Lesbian Mormon” (click here for the Kindle version, and here for the print version). From Carol Lynn: I am so happy to introduce the fourth (and probably final) of my works that focuses on the needs of our gay brothers and sisters. We live in a wonderful day. Science has shown that a homosexual orientation is…
387: McKay Coppins – A Mormon Reporter on the Romney Bus
In this episode of Mormon Stories we interview journalist McKay Coppins. McKay is a graduate of Brigham Young University and a journalist for BuzzFeed. During the 2011-2012 U.S. presidential campaign, McKay was assigned the task of reporting on fellow-Mormon and presidential candidate Mitt Romney. This is his story. McKay’s reflections on covering the Romney campaign can be found in this excellent article, “A Mormon Reporter on the Romney Bus.”
385-386: Fiona and Terryl Givens and “The God Who Weeps”
In this two-part interview we speak with Fiona and Terryl Givens on the release of their new book “The God Who Weeps: How Mormonism Makes Sense of Life.” In part 1, we interview Fiona about her life. In part 2, we speak with both Terryl and Fiona Givens about their new book.
383: Mr. Deity’s Brian Dalton Discusses Book of Mormon Racism with Dan Wotherspoon and Charles Harrell
This Mormon Matters episode hosted by Dan Wotherspoon examines the status of the claim that the Book of Mormon teaches that dark skin is a curse from God, that because of their wickedness God cursed a group of people and actually brought about a miraculous change in their skin color so as to make them seem “loathsome” and not enticing to a more righteous group with whom they were in conflict. This claim relies upon a literal reading of various passages in the Book of Mormon that seem to draw this conclusion, as well as an extremely strong view about prophetic…
381-382: 2012 New York City Conference Pts. 3 & 4 – Political Panel and Story Sharing
2012 New York City Conference Mormon Stories Pts. 3 & 4 – Political Panel and Story Sharing.
379: 2012 New York City Conference Featuring Richard Bushman, Andrew Kimball and the Sabre Rattlers
Richard Bushman and Andrew Kimball speak, and the Sabre Rattlers perform at the 2012 New York Mormon Stories conference.
Strategy Announcement for 2012
Mormon Stories Listeners/Supporters, If you can, please take the time to listen to the strategy announcement below. A few important highlights: We are shifting our emphasis back to podcasts for the next few years. Podcast changes include the following: Mormon Stories will add: A monthly book club discussion with authors (please purchase your books through Mormon Stories if you can) A monthly discussion panel on current events in Mormonism An increased emphasis on practical and transition issues within Mormonism Mormon Matters, Mormon Stories Sunday School and A Thoughtful Faith will continue their respective awesomness — please, please, please support these…
377-378: Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet with John G. Turner
As the 2nd feature of our Mormon Stories Book Club series (organized by the brilliant Heather Olsen Beal), we feature John G. Turner and his new book “Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet, accompanied by Dialogue Foundation chair elect Morris Thurston. Please click on the image to the right to purchase your book through Amazon. A small amount of the proceed go to help support Mormon Stories. ============== Title: Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet Author: John G. Turner Publisher: Harvard University Press Genre: Biography Year: 2012 Pages: 352 Binding: Hardcover ISBN-13: 0674049675 Price: $26.00 Support Mormon Stories by purchasing Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet through…
376: Margaret Young – Race and Gender Dynamics in Modern Mormonism
A Thoughtful Faith’s Kylan Rice presents an interview with LDS author, filmmaker, and playwright Margaret Young. In this interview Margaret shares her story of how she became enthralled with Mormon Race Dynamics, and how she has spent her life as an advocate for Black Mormon issues in LDS culture. Margaret also discusses how gender dynamics present challenges to her and other LDS women, and how she reconciles these issues with her faith in the Gospel. Guest host Kylan Rice is a producer for BYU Radio, a poet, and a student of English literature. He also contributes, as a guest writer,…
374-375: Eldon Kartchner Pts. 3 & 4: Losing Heather to Cancer, Grief, and its Impact on Faith
In parts 3 and 4 of a 4-part series, Eldon Kartchner discusses: 1) losing his wife, Heather, to cancer, 2) his grieving process, and 3) the impact her death has had on his religious faith. In part 4, Eldon is joined by several family members to discuss their reactions to Heather’s death as well. Part 3 Part 4
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