In this episode Scott H. interviews Matt Martinich of the Cumorah Foundation. Matt takes us on a tour of the triumphs and challenges of Mormonism throughout the world. Matt’s blog can be found at: LDS Church Growth.
320: Changing Demographics in the Worldwide LDS Church with Matt Martinich of the Cumorah Foundation
319: Changing Mormon Demographics in the U.S. with Dr. Ryan Cragun
In this episode Scott H. and I interview sociologist Dr. Ryan Cragun about his newly published report called, “Mormons in the United States 1990-2008: Socio-demographic Trends and Regional Differences.” Some of the findings of the report include: Mormons were 1.4% of the U.S. adult population in 2008, a proportion unchanged since 1990. The Mormons of Utah are the only religious group in the U.S. today that comprises a numerical majority of a state‘s population (57% of Utah). Mormons remain the most geographically isolated and uniquely distributed American religious group (only 19% are found east of the Mississippi River). The Mormon population increase…
317-318: BYU Professor Charles Harrell and the Evolution of Mormon Doctrine
In this episode, BYU Professor Charles Harrell discusses his new book entitled: “This Is My Doctrine: The Development of Mormon Theology.” Please remember that you can purchase this book at a discount using the code: MSTORIES. Proceeds will go to Mormon Stories. “In this first-of-its-kind comprehensive treatment of the development of Mormon theology, Charles Harrell traces the history of Latter-day Saint doctrines from the times of the Old Testament to the present. He describes how Mormonism has carried on the tradition of the biblical authors, early Christians, and later Protestants in reinterpreting scripture to accommodate new theological ideas while attempting…
313-316: John and Brooke McLay – From CES to Ex-Mormons
In this episode we interview John and Brooke McLay. John served for 14 years as an employee of the LDS Church Education System (CES). In this capacity he served as: a seminary teacher and principal, an institute teacher and director, a BYU Education Week speaker and an EFY Director. John also served as a member of a stake high council, and was serving in a bishopric during the months leading up to his decision to leave the LDS Church. John and Brooke resigned their membership of the LDS Church in August of 2011. This is their story. Part 1: Growing…
307-311: Translating the Book of Mormon with Brant Gardner
In our 5-part conversation with Brant Gardner about his new book entitled “The Gift and Power: Translating the Book of Mormon,” we discuss most of the major issues with the Book of Mormon including: Joseph Smith’s use of folk magic, the Book of Mormon translation process (including the peep stone in the hat), Book of Mormon anachronisms, DNA and race. This interview attempts to address many of the issues discussed in our interviews with Grant Palmer and Dr. Michael Coe. For a limited time Greg Kofford Books is offering The Gift and Power: Translating the Book of Mormon at a 20%…
305-306: Flunking Sainthood with Jana Riess
Today we spend two good hours with author and scholar Jana Reiss. Jana is the author/editor of nine books, including: Mormonism for Dummies and What Would Buffy Do? Jana is a convert to the LDS Church, and also has a Ph.D. from Columbia University. In this episode Jana discusses: her early years being raised by secular parents, her conversion to God/Christianity, and her ultimate conversion to Mormonism. We also discuss with Jana her new book, “Flunking Sainthood.”
How has your local Mormon Stories community helped you stay active in the LDS Church?
MS Friends, A very dear friend (who happens to still value his membership in the LDS Church) is being threatened with a stake disciplinary council for holding a regional Mormon Stories conference, and for his involvement in his regional MS Facebook community. Consequently, we’re gathering testimonials from people who feel like their local Mormon Stories Facebook community and/or regional conferences have helped them stay active in the LDS Church. If you have a quick “testimony” or story to share with this good brother’s stake president, please comment below. Also, if you have time and are willing/able to cull this link…
304: Inside the Phoenix Mormon Stories Support Community
In this episode, four members of the Phoenix Mormon Stories Support Community – Kendahl, Lauren, Scott, and James — discuss: 1) the value that this community has played in their lives, and 2) the lessons they have learned about how to successfully run such a community. If you are interested in joining a Mormon Stories Support Community in your area, please click here. If you are interested in starting a new community, please email Anne at MormonStories@gmail.com.
Seeking Input on Your Questions/Needs Regarding Faith Transitions
Hey everyone, Joanna Brooks, Brian Johnston and I (along with other Mormon Stories friends) are collaborating on pulling together some content (articles, books, podcasts, etc.) to help people who are struggling in an LDS faith transition. At this early stage, we just want to know what types of questions or problems you would most value having us try address. Please use this blog post to list questions/topics that would be most valuable to you. This is super important, so thanks in advance. John, Joanna, Brian and Team
302-303: James McLachlan — Compelling Mormonism
James McLachlan is a professor of philosophy and religion at Western Carolina University, and is actively involved in academic discussions of Mormonism as a co-chair of the American Academy of Religion’s Mormon Studies Group and a board member and past president of the Society for Mormon Philosophy and Theology. But to overplay his academic bona fides is possibly a mistake, because, as this interview with longtime friend and Mormon Stories contributor Dan Wotherspoon reveals, Jim is the opposite of the stuffy scholar stereotype. In this two-part interview, his incredibly quick and inquisitive mind is on full display, but it’s his…
300-301: LDS Women and Sexual Desire with Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife
This workshop on LDS Women and Sexual Desire was delivered on September 23rd, 2011 by Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife. In this presentation, Jennifer speaks to LDS women about the cultural and psychological barriers to sexual desire, as well as how to shift one’s relationship to sexuality to make it more pleasurable and desirable. Jennifer offers online courses on sexuality as well, which can be found here. Sources for SLC Women’s Presentation. Finlayson-Fife, J. (2002). Sexual Agency in Patriarchal Culture: The Case of Mormon Women. Boston College. UMI: Ann Arbor, MI. McCarthy, B. & McCarthy, E. (2003). Rekindling Desire: A Step by…
299: LDS Bishop Kevin Kloosterman’s Talk on Homosexuals in the LDS Church
While we understand that nuance and context are sometimes difficult to capture in news articles, we are worried that some of the framing in this SL Tribune article (especially the headline) might give the wrong impression about LDS Bishop Kevin Kloosterman’s talk on homosexuals in the LDS Church, which was given on 11/6/2011 during the Mormon Stories “Circling the Wagons” conference in Salt Lake City, UT in support of our LDS LGBT brothers and sisters. Consequently, the full audio and transcript of Kevin’s talk have been included below, to give people the chance to read/hear what Kevin was trying to communicate. In…
298: We Really Need Your Support
Mormon Stories Listeners / Community Members – This is John, and I/we really need your help. Over the past several months, in spite of the quality interviews/presentations we’ve delivered (Terryl Givens, Michael Quinn, Michael Coe, Joanna Brooks, Daniel Peterson, Greg Prince, etc.), and in spite of the many regional conferences and Facebook communities we’ve helped to organize (for which we lose money) — we’ve had a high percentage of our original financial subscribers (from 2 years ago) drop out due to either: 1) financial cost-cutting (tough financial times for many) or 2) they have lost interest in Mormonism generally (so far…
297: 2011 Washington D.C. Conference Testimony Meeting
On October 15th, the 2011 Washington D.C. Mormon Stories Conference was held in the home of Greg and JaLynn Prince. Eighty splendid community members were in attendance. In this segment, members of the Washington D.C. Mormon Stories community bear their testimonies. Thanks to all who participated!!!
296: Why Mormon Stories, Why I Left, and Why I Stay
On October 15th, the 2011 Washington D.C. Mormon Stories Conference was held in the home of Greg and JaLynn Prince. In this presentation: John Dehlin discussed the motives behind Mormon Stories Steve Kovalenko delivered a presentation on why he left the LDS Church, Chelsea Shields Strayer who explained why she stays in the LDS Church
295: Greg Prince on “Big Tent Mormonism”
On October 15th, the 2011 Washington D.C. Mormon Stories Conference was held in the home of Greg and JaLynn Prince. Eighty splendid community members were in attendance. In this presentation, Greg Prince discussed his perspectives on “Big Tent Mormonism.”
294: Childhood Sexual Abuse with Dr. Barbara Morrell
In today’s interview, Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. Barbara Morrell — a licensed psychologist working in the Brigham Young University Counselling and Psychological Services. She divides her time between doing psychotherapy and coordinating the Stress Management and Biofeedback Services. Her interest in and experience with treating childhood sexual abuse began during her masters program in 1985 working as a volunteer counselor with AMACs (Adults Molested as Children). She received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from BYU in 1997 and wrote her dissertation on adult men who had been sexually abused as children. Barbara began working in the BYU Counseling Center…
289-293: Terryl Givens — An Approach to Thoughtful, Honest and Faithful Mormonism
Terryl Givens did graduate work at Cornell University in Intellectual History and UNC Chapel Hill where he received his PhD in Comparative Literature. He holds the James A. Bostwick chair of English, and is Professor of Literature and Religion at the University of Richmond, where he teaches courses in 19th century studies, and the Bible’s influence on western literature. As a commentator on Mormon religion and culture, he has appeared on PBS, NPR, and CNN. Author of ten books, his writing has been praised by the New York Times as “provocative reading,” and includes, most recently, When Souls had Wings,…
288: Treating Depression in Mormon Culture
Natasha Helfer Parker (the Mormon Therapist) interviews Dr. Christopher Helfer and Dr. Vicki Winkle, two 4-year residents at the University of Utah in the psychiatric program, regarding depression. Both were raised in the LDS faith. This podcast offers basic education as to what clinical depression entails, current “best practice” treatments that are backed by scientific research, and includes some discussion as to how depression manifests within Mormon culture.
285-287: D. Michael Quinn – 21st Century Mormon Enigma
On August 12th, 2011 Mormon Stories held an event in honor and celebration of Mormon Historian D. Michael Quinn. Michael Quinn is undoubtedly one of the most important historical figures in 20th and 21st century Mormonism. Michael Quinn has a Ph.D. in history from Yale University and worked as an LDS church historian (under Davis Bitton and Leonard Arrington) and as a BYU history professor for many years. Several of his books, including The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, and Early Mormonism and the Magical World View have literally changed the face of Mormon…
281-284: Eugene England’s Life and Legacy
Eugene England (1933–2001) (his website can be found here) was one of the founders and great leaders in Mormon Studies and independent Mormon discussions. He and four others founded Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, for which he served as its first editor. He was instrumental in the creation of the Association for Mormon Letters, and he is considered the champion of the “personal essay” as a powerful form for Mormon expression. England was a peace activist, whose reflections on having been present in the Vatican during the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II (one of the bullets…
Questions for Terryl Givens
I have a very unique opportunity to interview someone who (in my mind, anyway) is one of the most important minds in 21st century Mormonism: Terryl Givens. He’s written several books on Mormonism — all published through Oxford Press, including: The Viper on the Hearth: Mormons, Myths, and the Construction of Heresy (Religion in America) By the Hand of Mormon: The American Scripture that Launched a New World Religion People of Paradox: A History of Mormon Culture When Souls Had Wings: Pre-Mortal Existence in Western Thought And a new, yet-to-be released book on Parley P. Pratt. called: Parley P. Pratt: The…
280: How to Have Better Sex in Your Mormon Marriage
In today’s episode Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife joins Natasha Helfer Parker (the Mormon therapist) and John Dehlin to discuss…..sex: specifically, how to have a better sex life in your Mormon Marriage. Reference was also made to the following: Dr. Finlayson-Fife will be having a 2-day workshop on sexuality and desire in Salt Lake City on September 23rd and 24th, 2011. For more information click here. Passionate Marriage: a book by Dr. David Schnarch Our previous podcast interview on LDS Female Sexuality with Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife. Our previous interview on Pornography, Masturbation, Sex and Marriage in Mormonism. We hope you….enjoy. :)
275-279: One Mormon Family’s Battle with Mental Illness and Depression
In this episode, Natasha Helfer Parker anonymously interviews a mother/son duo about the unique challenges of experiencing mental illness as an active Mormon family. Mother and son candidly discuss what they went through as she faced a nervous breakdown, comorbidity of several diagnoses, suicidality and her history of sexual abuse during her childhood. Discussion on how their Mormon faith both helped and hindered aspects of their healing is broached as well as thoughts and direction for others who may be facing similar situations.
271-274: LDS Apologist – Dr. Daniel C. Peterson
Daniel C. Peterson is a professor of Islamic Studies and Arabic in the Department of Asian and Near Eastern Languages at Brigham Young University and currently serves as editor-in-chief of BYU’s Middle Eastern Texts Initiative. He is a member of the executive council of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship at Brigham Young University. Peterson is known for his work as an apologist and scholar on subjects dealing with claims of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), of which he is a member. He has served as the editor of the FARMS Review, a periodical…
268-270: Dr. Michael Coe – An Outsider’s View of Book of Mormon Archaeology
Dr. Michael Coe is the Charles J. MacCurdy professor emeritus of Anthropology at Yale University and curator emeritus of the Division of Anthropology at the school’s Peabody Museum of Natural History. He is an expert on the Maya, who inhabited the same part of Mexico and Central American where Mormon scholars say the events of the Book of Mormon took place. In this interview, Coe discusses the challenges facing Mormon archaeologists attempting to prove the historical truth of their central scripture and his own views on Joseph Smith. A few resources from the interview include: Dr. Coe’s 1973 Dialogue article…
267: Michael Quinn, History and the Mormon World View
This episode is a rebroadcast from the 1995 Salt Lake Sunstone Symposium. Entitled, “The Church Years: Michael Quinn, History, and the Mormon World View,” it includes Dr. Martha Sonntag Bradley interviewing D. Michael Quinn about his life as a Mormon church historian.
266: “Coming Out” as Gay to Mormon Parents
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews J. Seth Anderson and his parents about what it was like for their family when Seth told them he was homosexual. Seth is a community activist and self proclaimed local historian in Phoenix, Arizona. Born in Provo, UT, he grew up in Utah, California and Arizona. He plays piano, is a seminary graduate and served a mission in Samara, Russia. His day job is in ocean transportation and logistics, but the rest of his time is devoted to building community. He is currently working on a book about downtown Phoenix that will be released in November, he…
264-265: BYU Professor and LDS Church Employee Kendall Wilcox Comes out as Gay
Kendall Wilcox is a lifelong member of the LDS church, returned missionary, BYU graduate, filmmaker, BYU professor, producer for BYUTV…..and he is (now) an openly gay man AND an LDS church employee. This is his story, and below are the links to his 2 new initiatives: 1) Empathy First (a non-profit dedicated to promoting empathy), and 2) his documentary entitled “Far Between.” Empathy First Initiative: http://www.empathyfirstinitiative.org/ Far Between Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/farbetweenmovie Jon Hastings’ blog: http://listentowhoiam.blogspot.com/ Joseph Broom’s blog: http://invictuspilgrim.blogspot.com/
263: 2011 SLC Conference Pt. 5 – Comedian Bengt Washburn on Mormonism
On June 11, 2011, members of the Mormon Stories community held their 2nd regional conference in Salt Lake City. After the conference, Comedian Bengt Washburn performed a short routine on Mormonism.
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