In this 2015 Sunstone Symposium presentation, the wonderful Lindsay Hansen Park interviews me (John Dehlin) on the 10 year anniversary of Mormon Stories podcast. Warning — I get a bit emotion during this one….so listeners beware!
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In this 2015 Sunstone Symposium presentation, the wonderful Lindsay Hansen Park interviews me (John Dehlin) on the 10 year anniversary of Mormon Stories podcast. Warning — I get a bit emotion during this one….so listeners beware!
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16 Responses
Loved hearing about the last 10years. Just wanted to say that as en ex Jehovah’s Witness coming to this website because we don’t seem to have anything positive about helping those leaving our religion. I get a bit of a bad niggle every time I hear Jehovah’s witnesses put in the same cult category as some other religions by Mormons. This podcast not especially, but I do find Mormons group us in with them In other podcasts I’ve heard.
While we leave for different reasons we essential go through the same problems of losing friends and family who are not allowed to talk to us or feel uncomfortable with it. We have no ritual,no sacrament nothing like what Mormons do and I’ve seen nothing that would put us in that category unless you want to put the authoritarian aspect in which we may be the same. But essentially leaving causes the same issues for us as it does for you. In many aspects we are not different.
Maybe in future podcasts along with the Mormons you can interview people of different faiths and their crisis so we can remove this cult stigma because I grew up in my religion thinking the same about Mormons.
Good point… although it would be hard to include stories regarding other faiths in podcasts that focus on Mormon topics. It would be interesting nonetheless.
Yeah I know, this is about Mormons, but I guess I was trying to say that religions like ours make us similar in the way our religions are ingrained. There are aspects of my religion that are as much ingrained as my please and thank you’s. They just come with the territory. A disbelief of idolatry is an example. I can’t lose that belief even if I tried it’s like reprogramming me to say YES to everything I meant NO for. I think I just was wondering if Mormons knew that other religious groups who leave have the same issues.
The Future, just to make it clear: I think (and many ex-mos as well) that the LDS faith is as much a cult as JW, Scientology, Islam, etc. I believe John once described it very well: “A cult is any organization that will not let you leave with your dignity intact.”
Dear John,
I’m still watching your interview … enjoying it immensely.
It saddened me to hear your uncertainty in response to the question, “Is there a God?” … and your wondering if we exist beyond death.
I highly, highly recommend that you read Michael Newton’s books, starting with “Journey of Souls” and then “Destiny of Souls”. He is also a PhD psychologist. His transcripts of what thousands of his clients reported to him under deep hypnosis paints an awe inspiring picture of the Spirit Realm which is our True Home and where we reunite after death with our ‘Spirit Group’ … our actual Eternal Family.
Michael Newton was atheist prior to hearing the stunningly consistent, detailed revelations from his clients describing the nonphysical reality of our Life Between Lives. I found these books riveting and fascinating.
If you email me your shipping address, John, I will gift you with copies of these amazing books (shipped from amazon.com). It would be my deep privilege to share what I experienced as a true Window into Eternity and a wonderful glimpse beyond the veil.
Congratulations to you on Ten Years of truly making our Pale Blue Dot a kinder, gentler place for humanity.
John, you have been self diagnosed for some time, the mistakes you admit to are as human, as a self-aware as any human in the public sphere. That, to me, is a “awesome” duty –– to self-reflect on the fly and make abridgments and modifications is a “true sign” of grace.
You are a Mensch of the highest order in my estimation. If I were a Mormon I’d rank you in the highest echelon of self-scrutiny Mormon or no.
Thank you for you insight into your psyche, your personal journey into what it is to be human.
P.S. I’m thankful for Linsey’s hair being done up so she didn’t have to wave it back and forth diminishing distraction to the viewer.
Ephima
And what about Lindsay’s bare shoulders? John, didn’t you have a jacket handy for emergencies like that?
I no longer “know” that heavenly father loves me or any of the rest, but I do know that I have whatever there is — a day, a decade or two (I’m 66) — to live my life fully and honestly and to live gently on this planet. If god exists, I am grateful and a little angry about how he/she/it/they has/have behaved. If not, I love the best I can and feel gratitude every day for the beauty and love all around! Much of my peace comes from listening to you and your guests. But not just you. Also John Larson and Lindsay Hansen Park and all the Infants — especially that newest Infant, John the Historian. So, god bless the heretics! And thank you John.
John,
What is the status of your excommunication appeal? Please let us know when you hear back.
Why would John want to appeal what may be the best thing that every happened to him?
I appealed to ensure accountability on the part of the First Presidency.
Thanks for your comment, John.
I acknowledge your good intentions, but we all know that ‘accountability’ and “First Presidency” cannot possibly coexist in the same sentence.
PS – Lemme know if you’d like to take me up on my Michael Newton book offer posted above. I presume you’re able to access my email address from the admin side. I learned more about Creation and our True Nature from his writing than from all the scriptures I’ve ever studied.
I just thoroughly enjoyed this interview! Two of my most favorite people talking about all things Mormon. I loved Lindsays humor, and I loved Johns candor and courage. I would expect nothing less of these wonderful people. Thank you for shining your light. You don’t know how much of a difference you both have made in my world !!
Dear John – One thing I would ask – at different points you have posted …. and I mean this a gently as I can say it… rumours (i.e. the BSA and its relationship with the Church)
I would like to suggest – pleaes do not do that. If you can – please post after the Church has responded. NOT because I want to defend the Church – – merely to keep you above their fray if you will…
Either way I am very thankful nd grateful for what you have done.
Yes John, a deep dive into the BSA would lift the veil a titch further.
I’d liken it to what happened to the youth movement in Deutschland in the 30’s.
I’ve heard an aspiring Mormon Elder can rise to Eagle Scout within 6 months, is this true?
Merit Badges are given out like script to the chosen while the organization is used as a
Recruiting Tool for Our Heavenly Father.
I have had first hand experience with this sectarian manipulation of our nation’s youth.
Mr. Dehlin, I’m Aura. I’m From Colombia. I Served a mission and Married in the Santiago, Chile Temple. Does it sound familiar? Well, I could not make it to your podcast celebration. But I’m thankful for all your hard work and for saving me from ruining a whole and generation. Thanks to you, I’m facing a Faith crisis…… not really. I just want to thank you for opening my eyes, my mind and for helping me to see things as they really are. May God bless you and your family for all you have done.