It's a long, complex story--but the short version is simply that I'm (basically) finished with my Master's degree, the university grant I've been working under has changed (ending my current role as of 10/31/2006), and I'm needing to focus on finding my next full-time job/career (a wife and 4 kids demand as such). Mormon Stories (the podcast, blog, email, and phone calls) takes an incredible amount of time and energy (mostly emotional), and for my family's sake, I really need to focus on my job/career right now.
By the way, if any of you have contacts in the technology or education industries, my resume can be found at: http://www.johndehlin.com. :)
There's a longer discussion I could engage in about the pros/cons of candid discussion about controversial Mormon issues over the Internet, but I'll save that for those of you want to correspond with me directly/personally. The net takeaway is that I know I've helped a few people, but I'm not totally convinced that the overall impact of Mormon Stories was positive (all things considered).
Did the LDS Church request or pressure you to take down Mormon Stories?
No. Not in any way. I'd be the first to tell you if this were so, and such an action (if done inappropriately, or without sensitivity to the struggling) would likely only increase my likelihood of keeping it going. I'm on great terms with my bishop, hold 2 callings in my ward (still Elder's Quorum instructor--taught another lesson last week on Racism, btw), and have never been contacted by the church for my work with Mormon Stories in any way.
The bishop knows about my interest/focus on the tougher aspects of LDS history, and in helping people work through becoming disaffected with the church, so I've been quite candid about the whole thing. He's been *very* understanding and supportive.
Has your family been pressuring you to take it down?
No. My family has been super supportive of me. They worry about my happiness and career, but have been very generous in support of my creative/outreach efforts on this front..
Does this mean you're leaving the LDS Church as well?
No. I'm Mormon for life (as long as they'll have me). I love the Church (warts and all), have a testimony of many of its core teachings (especially those that deal with how to live one's life), see it as much more of a positive than negative influence in people's lives (and on society), and have not found anything that works better for me and my family (and no longer expect to). For us, the LDS Church is a place to serve, and be served--plain and simple (and in that order). My wife and I have developed a few, simple approaches to raising our kids in the Church which help to "inoculate" them against the tougher, mostly cultural issues that folks like us face (absolutist truth and authority claims, cultural perceptions of prophetic "infallibility", cultural or religious feelings of superiority, etc.), and from there--we are quite happy with our ongoing membership. We also completely understand, and empathize, with those who decide that the LDS Church is no longer for them (though I do appreciate the chance to convince them to stick around). :)
Why have you removed links to your own story on your podcast?
I went back and listened to my own story last week, and am not happy with it at all (especially part 3). I might try to recreate it at some point, but I was way too angry and flippant at the time I recorded it, and it does not represent (in many, many ways) how I'm feeling about things these days--especially in tone.
That said, I'm happy to share w/ those who are really, really interested on a case-by-case basis. Please email me your story, and why you want/need to listen to it, and I'll gladly share.
How can you do this to us--abandon us, so to speak?
This was a really hard decision for me--to walk away--so don't make it harder for me. :) All I can say is that I've tried really hard to help those who struggle with the LDS Church over historical/dosctrinal issues, have absolutely loved the friendships I've made over the past year, and hope to stay in touch with those of you who are interested.
I hope some of you will consider carrying the torch, as well. In the meantime, I can wholeheartedly recommend http://www.sunstoneonline.com and http://www.SunstoneBlog.com as sites dedicated to the same issues Mormon Stories was interested in, as well as bridging the gap between various Mormons of all stripes, both True Believers and Sincere Doubters. They even have Podcasts!!! I know the rest of the contributors and they are all first-rate folk. And if you aren’t a subscriber already, do yourself a favor and subscribe to Sunstone Magazine! It's one of the few places in the world that attempts to offer a faithful, yet semi-objective look at Mormonism. Sunstone really needs your support to survive.
Help! My life/family/world is falling apart because
of the stuff I've recently discovered about Mormon history and doctrine. I need your help to make it through this very challenging time!!!!
This is one scenario I will always make time for. If this describes your state/situation, and you need help, please do not hesitate to contact me for counsel/advice. I will make time for you.