Blog Archives

Richard Dutcher Explains Why He Left the LDS Church

April 19, 2007
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Richard Dutcher Explains Why He Left the LDS Church

UPDATE! – Watch our interview with Richard Dutcher (10/03/2010) It’s no secret — I’m a huge Richard Dutcher fan. Of course I’m sad that he’s taking some time off from the LDS Church, perhaps permanently. But he’s still very Mormon. And he still will be making Mormon movies (as I define them) — just, perhaps, no longer geared towards an LDS audience specifically. Anyway, Richard has written a follow-up to his “Parting words” essay, explaining why he left the LDS Church (Full text included below). He has posted it as a comment to my good friend Serenity Valley’s post on…

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A First Draft of an Essay: “How to Stay in the LDS Church After Becoming Disaffected”

April 10, 2007
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I get asked several times weekly via email, “John — how in the world do you remain active in the LDS Church after all you know? How do you keep from going insane? How do your raise your children, etc?” I have finally written out a very rough 1st draft of our approach. I would love to share it with those of you who sincerely self-identify as one of the following: Seriously struggling to remain active in the LDS Church, and currently considering leaving Have gone inactive or have left completely, but would seriously consider returning, if you could just…

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Mormons Heighten Public Relations Efforts

April 10, 2007
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Mormons Heighten Public Relations Efforts

Politico: Mormons Heighten Public Relations Efforts By: Andrew Glass April 9, 2007 04:20 PM EST Amid heightened scrutiny because of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney’s White House bid, the Mormon church is raising its public relations profile, making moves that reflect deep concerns over widely held myths about the faith and internal anxiety over the need to convince outsiders that it will remain neutral as a Mormon runs in the 2008 contest. “We have to walk a very fine line to stay away from political issues,” said Michael Otterson, media relations director for the 12.6 million-member worldwide Church of Jesus…

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On Truth, Reconciliation, Humanity, and Ubuntu

April 8, 2007
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On Truth, Reconciliation, Humanity, and Ubuntu

The conversation we had last week on my personal blog about Askgramps.org, testimonies, and faith really got me thinking (so a huge thanks to Matt Evans, Michael, Eve, Trevor, Kaimi, Bored in Vernal, Kaimi, Jimbob, Ann, Steve M, RT, Hueffenhardt, Nee, A. Nonny Mouse, DavidH, and the others for inspiring me). This morning I was listening to another amazing “Speaking of Faith” interview by Krista Tippett — this time about South Africa’s “Truth and Reconciliation” initiatives that followed Apartheid. Within the interview, for me, were the most amazing of insights (audio available here — beginning around the 8:15 mark): Dr.…

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Trailer Out for the Upcoming PBS / Frontline / American Experience Documentary “The Mormons”

April 4, 2007
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Trailer Out for the Upcoming PBS / Frontline / American Experience Documentary “The Mormons”

Just found out from T&S that the trailer is now out for the PBS / Frontline / American Experience Documentary “The Mormons.” It does look very interesting. Check it out. Set to air April 30th and May 1st, 2007

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Even More on LDS Church Statistics

April 4, 2007
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Even More on LDS Church Statistics

My buddy Paul sent me these.  More for the record than anything.  LDS Church Statistics as of 2007.

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Mormon Stories Picked up by 610 AM KVNU Radio in Logan, Utah

April 3, 2007
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Hey! I should have mentioned a few weeks back that Mormon Stories podcast has just been picked up by KVNU radio station here in Logan, UT (thanks to my very good buddy Tom Grover, host of KVNU’s For the People). We’re on Sundays at 10:35 AM, and then again at 7:35 PM. It turns out that 610 AM KVNU has pretty decent geographical coverage in Utah, so if you’re in the area, please check it out (for fun, if for nothing else) — and then come back and let us know that you heard it. Who knows — maybe other…

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An Arab American Mormon Comedian? — Aron Kader and the Axis of Evil Comedy Tour

April 3, 2007
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An Arab American Mormon Comedian? — Aron Kader and the Axis of Evil Comedy Tour

I was minding my own business, listening to Terry Gross’ Fresh Air — and what to my surprise did I discover? There is a new comedy troup running around called the “Axis of Evil Comedy Tour“. What’s even more interesting (to us, at least) is that one of the comedians was introduced by Ms. Gross as the “son of an Arab father and a Mormon mother.” Turns out it’s Omar Kader’s son (who is also Mormon by the way, or at least was). This may be old news to all of you, but it’s new news to me. When I…

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More 2007 LDS Membership Statistics

April 1, 2007
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Just got these from a friend. I have no idea what they mean, but ya’ll can analyze, come back, and explain.  If you can’t read, save to your hard drive, and find a way to expand visually. LDS Official Membership Annual Growth 1860-2005 10 year moving average. LDS Missionary Service and Baptisms 1977 to 2007 Please return, and report.

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April 2007 LDS General Conference Statistics: No Unhallowed Hand Shall Stop the Work from Progressing

March 31, 2007
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April 2007 LDS General Conference Statistics: No Unhallowed Hand Shall Stop the Work from Progressing

LDS Church stats for 2006 are out, and the story to me is: growth is strong. 44 new stakes 3 new missions 388 new wards and branches 307,737 more members An increase in 29,737 more convert baptisms than in the previous year 1,104 more missionaries than we had last year 5.1 baptisms per full time missionary — an increase over 4.7 from the previous 2 years. A few other stats listed below. Raw stats can be found here. Finally, I do wish that they would publish activity rates. I also wish that the church would allow external auditors to publish…

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An Illustration of Why I Do Mormon Stories Podcast : Anti-LDS DVDs in Arizona

March 27, 2007
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For the last year or so, I’ve had 3 primary goals for all I do with Mormon Stories Podcast: –More Knowledge within Mormonism –More Understanding/Empathy/Compassion within Mormonism –Less Pain within Mormonism When I conduct an interview, it is always with these 3 goals in mind. Recently I’ve had to discuss and justify (in a friendly setting) the costs/benefits of what I do (which is a very healthy exercise, I might add). Clearly I feel like what I’m/we’re trying to do is a good thing, but sometimes it’s hard to articulate. Perhaps this recent news article I stumbled upon today helps…

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Today, It’s a Wonderful Life

March 25, 2007
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Today, It’s a Wonderful Life

I have so many reasons to count my blessings this week…so bear with me as I mention a few…. The very generous and supportive letters I received last week (both as comments to the post, and in private) in response to my call for help were more than I coud have ever hoped for. Thanks to all of you from the bottom of my heart. To me, this was my Jimmy Stewart/Frank Capra moment — and it will remain with me always. Rest assured that these letters were put to very good use, and that they made a huge difference.…

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Neil LaBute bears a heavy load

March 22, 2007
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Neil LaBute bears a heavy load

 2007-03-16 — JewishJournal.Com: Arts in L.A. Whether it’s business or religion, the ‘Fat Pig’ playwright tells it like it is By Naomi Pfefferman, Arts & Entertainment Editor Neil LaBute. Photo by Lisa Carpenter During one of many cringe-worthy moments in Neil LaBute’s play, “Fat Pig,” a cad chastises a co-worker for dating a plus-sized woman named Helen. “I don’t understand you taking God’s good gifts and pissing on ‘em,” the cad, Carter, warns his colleague, Tom. Tom is handsome and successful, and Helen is simply considered too fat to grace the arm of a corporate player. It doesn’t matter that…

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Mormon Senator Harry Reid: Why I Believe

March 21, 2007
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Mormon Senator Harry Reid: Why I Believe

I’m sure others have blogged about this, but I just discovered (via buddy Eric). A good, classic Mormon Story. Why I Believe: Harry Reid by Harry Reid March 15, 2002 Printed from Mormon Life (http://deseretbook.com/mormon-life) For me, the title of this…would better be Why I’m Glad I Believed. I was born and raised in Searchlight, Nevada, a mining town of about two hundred people. Mining was not the main industry in Searchlight when I grew up; the number-one business was prostitution. At one time in my youth there were thirteen separate bordellos in town. I went to a two-room school,…

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Lecture on LDS women at UVSC Thursday night: Claudia Bushman

March 21, 2007
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(From my good buddy Eric) Deseret News: OREM — Columbia University professor Claudia Bushman will speak Thursday at Utah Valley State College on the topic “Should LDS Women Speak Out? Thoughts on Our Place.” Bushman’s lecture is at 7 p.m. in room 101 of the Liberal Arts Building. The lecture is free and open to the public. Bushman is this year’s presenter of the Eugene England Lecture for UVSC’s Religious Studies Program. She is also the author of the book, “Building the Kingdom: A History of Mormons in America.”

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A few letters

March 20, 2007
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Mormon Stories Listeners, A small situation has arisen and I’d love to gather a few letters from folks who feel like Mormon Stories has helped them find a way to remain active in the church when they otherwise might not have. If you are able to help, please either email me at mormonstories@gmail.com or post your story here. Thanks so much, and sorry to be a burden.

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14TH Annual Mormon Women’s Rocky Mountain Retreat

March 7, 2007
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14TH Annual Mormon Women’s Rocky Mountain Retreat

14TH Annual Rocky Mountain Retreat June 1-3, 2007 Snow Mountain Ranch, Winter Park, Colorado

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Thanks for your support

March 7, 2007
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Thanks for your support

I just want to thank our listeners for their support.  It really means a lot.  More (pink) Mormon Stories goodness very soon!!!!

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Me, Grant Palmer, and Wikipedia

March 7, 2007
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Me, Grant Palmer, and Wikipedia

Wow. We’ve officially arrived. In the Wikipedia entry on Grant Palmer, our podcast interview w/ Mr. Palmer (and Mr. Bushman) is mentioned. They also compare Grant Palmer to Galileo. Those of you with WAY too much time on your hands, or who want to Snark me, can even now begin writing a blurb on my own, personal “yet to be created wikipedia entry” (I’m not allowed to write about myself. That would not be neutral). This Web 2.0 thing is starting to get a little crazy, eh?

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MTV’s Engaged and Underage Episode 6: Mormon Temple Marriage and the Exclusion of Non-Members

March 6, 2007
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MTV’s Engaged and Underage Episode 6: Mormon Temple Marriage and the Exclusion of Non-Members

(Props to Tom Grover for the Head’s up) MTV is running a series called “Engaged and Underage” on underage marriages in the U.S. One of the couples they are spotlighting is a Mormon couple — she was raised in the church, he converted. Within this episode, they explore how hard it is for non-LDS families to be excluded from the wedding ceremony in the LDS temple. It’s definitely an interesting Mormon story.  Some parts are QUITE painful. To watch the episode, click here and then click on the “Engaged and Underage: Episode 6 — Play All” link at the top…

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U.N.L.V. Forward Does Not Lack Family Support ( Mormon Fundamentalist Polygamy Meets NCAA Basketball )

March 5, 2007
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U.N.L.V. Forward Does Not Lack Family Support ( Mormon Fundamentalist Polygamy Meets NCAA Basketball )

NY Times: LAS VEGAS, March 4 — (Again from Paula) When the cheering section for Joe Darger is at full strength, it includes his father, his mother, his 18 siblings and his father’s other wife. They wear red T-shirts, blow on red noisemakers and wave red pompoms. They appear no different from any other group in the U.N.L.V. family section — only larger and louder. “We cheer for all the players,” said John Darger, Joe’s father. “We like to get a little rowdy.” John Darger is married to Carollee Darger, Joe’s mother. He is also married to Elizabeth Darger, the…

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(Mormon) Radio Open Source

March 2, 2007
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Check this out. It would be fun to think about what types of things we could do within Mormonism and the Bloggernacle like Radio Open Source. Brainstorming? Thoughts? Volunteers?

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Niblet Awards

March 1, 2007
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Hey! A few John Dehlin-affiliated sites were nominated in the Niblet Awards. The nominations were for: Mormon Stories: Best Podcast The Cultural Hall: Best New Blog John Dehlin: Unsung hero If you are so inclined, check it out!

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Bloggernacle Fast For Peace: March 4th

February 23, 2007
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From Bored in Vernal: “Hi, Bloggernacle Friends, Some of us would like to do a Bloggernacle fast on Sunday March 4. We are fasting for for peace in Iran and that American and world leaders will be directed to work in peaceful ways for the solutions to political tensions. If you can support this, will you write a post on it and let your readers know? Thanks, Bored in Vernal”

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Some good writing/thinking on Blogs, Forums, and Community

February 23, 2007
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For those of you ever-noodling about how to nurture and grow community on the Internet within Mormonism, here are some great blog posts/thoughts on the matter. I’m always interested in thinking of new ways to move the community ball forward.  Any of this interesting to any of you in the Mormon Bloggernacle context?  With this article in particular, I’d be interested in learning where all of you think the Bloggernacle is today (which of the 3 models) — and what direction you think it is heading. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!!!!

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054: Nate Oman — On Messiness, Harvard, the Bloggernacle, and Thoughtful Faith

February 22, 2007
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Chances are, you’ve never heard of Nate Oman. Nevertheless — Nate is a Mormon worth knowing. Born to Sunstone and Dialogue – style parents, Nate was raised to expect “messiness” within both the world, and his Church. After serving an LDS mission in Korea and graduating from BYU, Nate attended Harvard Law School. During law school, Nate became one of the very first Mormon bloggers on the Internet, and is one of the founders of the juggernaut blog “timesandseasons.org” — you might even call Nate Oman the godfather of the Mormon bloggernacle (or the network of Mormon-themed blogs on the…

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Mormon Women’s Issues Podcast Series Update

February 21, 2007
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As some of you know, I am preparing to do a podcast series on Mormon Women’s issues (see here and here). I have received some EXCELLENT essays from a handful of Mormon women, and am very excited about every one. A few final updates: I’m looking to record the 1st set of stories next week (week of Feb 26th). For those of you who have submitted essays, please email me with couple of dates/times that work for you I still need more essays, so if you have not submitted, please consider doing so. Please do not feel like you have…

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053: The Trolley Square Mall Murders — An Interview with Witness Matt Lund

February 17, 2007
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053: The Trolley Square Mall Murders — An Interview with Witness Matt Lund

To keep this podcast alive, please consider donating to Mormon Stories by clicking on the “Make a Donation” button at the top right of this blog. ============================ At 6:44pm on February 13th in Salt Lake City, Utah — an 18-year-old Salt Lake City resident and Bosnian immigrant named Sulejman Talovic entered Trolley Square mall with a shotgun and began a shooting spree. In the end, 9 people were shot, and 6 were killed, including Talovic himself. One of the witnesses to this event was Matt Lund — father of 6 children, and member of the LDS Church. This is his…

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052: J. Bonner Ritchie—On Organizations, Individuals, and Pillars of Thoughtful Faith

February 16, 2007
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052: J. Bonner Ritchie—On Organizations, Individuals, and Pillars of Thoughtful Faith

To keep this podcast alive, please consider donating to Mormon Stories by clicking on the “Make a Donation” button at the top right of this blog. Also, please show Sunstone your gratitude for the following presentation by either subscribing to the magazine, donating, or purchasing some of the MP3s from their library. ============================ A few weeks ago, a very close friend of mine named Russell mailed me a CD full of his favorite Sunstone Symposium MP3s. While several of struck me as profound, one presentation in particular was groundbreaking, and almost breathtaking to me. It was a presentation delivered in…

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Mitt Romney and Mormonism: On Point

February 13, 2007
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Mitt Romney and Mormonism: On Point

For those interested, check it out. Former Massachusetts governor, Republican Mitt Romney formally throws his hat in the ring for the presidency today. Romney comes to the contest as successful businessman, state leader, increasingly conservative politician who saved the 2002 Winter Olympics – and as a Mormon. He’s hardly the first Mormon political leader – or presidential candidate. Orin Hatch ran. So did Mitt Romney’s own father. But Mitt Romney is running hard to be the favored candidate of the religious right. Howard Berkes, Salt Lake City-based correspondent for NPR Richard Bushman, Emeritus Professor of History at Columbia University and…

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