Matt Purcell is the grandson of Spencer Palmer, former BYU professor of religion, mission president, temple president, LDS church area authority, personal friend of Mormon Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, and likely recipient of the top secret Mormon church Second Anointing ritual.
In today’s episode, Matt tells his story of being one of several victims of sexual abuse by his grandfather. Matt is joined by his wife, Stephanie. Both share their Mormon stories, which include their faith journeys after discovering problematic Mormon church history.
In part two of our interview, Matt and Stephanie dive into the effects of infertility and postpartum depression, the wheels that started turning in their heads after the 2015 exclusion policy, and much, much more. We are so lucky to get to hear Matt and Stephanie’s journey and hope you enjoy Carah Burrell as your host on this epic two-part Mormon Story!
**Trigger warning on this episode***
Show Notes:
- Matt and Stephanie’s Instagram
- Letter for my Wife
- Brother Jake’s youtube channel
- Elder Holland on the BBC
- 50 Problems with the Mormon church
- 50 More Problems with the Mormon church
- Books by Spencer Palmer
- Tom Phillips Mormon Stories interview on second anointing
- HANS AND BIRGITTA MATTSSON Mormon Stories
- Patriarchal blessing website:
- “Educated” Tara Westover book
Part 1:
Part 2:
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11 Responses
Stephanie, did you ever talk to your youth bishop about the allegation he made to your father? Because here’s what I heard: your father used fear to alienate you from your mother. When you reached out to another trusted adult (the Bishop) to confide in him about your father’s abusive, controlling behavior, your father once again took steps to scare you away from your bishop too.
TLDR; I think it is quite possible that your father intentionally lied about the nature of the concerns that the Bishop raised with him so that you wouldn’t trust or go back to the bishop.
Does Matt accuse Spencer Palmer of abusing him? Or his other grandpa? The synopsis seems to imply that it is Spencer Palmer. But if it Spencer Palmer why wouldn’t the synopsis just say that plainly?
I am wondering if there are pictures online of Matt Purcell’s grandpa so I can see if I am remembering the same man that Matt resembles so closely from my trips to the temples starting on Halloween 🎃 1982.
A question to John and Cara firstI grew up on Apple Blossom Lane, a contnuation of Murray Holladay Road. I am wondering how close my childhood home is to you now.
I am also wondering if there are pictures online of Matt Purcell’s grandpa so I can see if I am remembering the same man that Matt resembles so closely from my trips to the temples starting on Halloween 🎃 1982.
David Broadbesnt and his father were both OBGYN. I worked in labor and delivery at utah Valley Hospital. He was a creep. His dad was worse. He was cruel and unkind to his patient. His dads favorite thing to say was “well it was fun getting it in but not so fun getting it right”. As far as rectal exams. Some doctors perform them. But they talk to the patient and are he take time to talk to the patient first about it. I’m so sorry.
Mom of 8
Thank you to Stephanie and Matt. They are truly thoughtful, admirable, and courageous. Both are so articulate and very interesting. What great people! It was an outstanding podcast.
Have a link to the YouTube video they mentioned about other faiths saying they know the truth?
I kinda like the long interviews. I cleaned my house, did laundry and organized a few messes while listening. As a survivor of childhood trauma, i know it takes a lot of guts to come forward with this stuff. Some people won’t want to believe it, some will have guilt they didn’t know, and you will be supported by lots of people who have been through similar trauma!
Thank you for sharing your stories. Your examples will help others to come forward and get the help and support they need to get through. All the guilt thats piled on in the name of Savior! To quote a fave movie line, “if Jesus came back now and saw what was happening in his name, He would never stop throwing up” take care!
I just met with my very loving bishopric yesterday, Jan 1, 2023 to request that my membership be removed from church records, after 51 years as a “card carrying, all in mormon” 82 year old woman. This has come after much prayer, study and reflection.
I’m so appreciative of these podcasts.
The Second Anointing is superfluous. The truly righteous get the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost…..None of the top brethren have ever had this according to Dallin H. Oaks 2016 Bellevue, Washington Minute 30ish. Only God the Father can perform the BFHG.
Being faithful to that BFHG will eventually result in receiving your calling and election made sure by the direct voice of God saying: THOU SHALT WITH US PARTAKE OF ETERNAL LIFE…..repeated twice as all three speak the same. …….first hand experience speaking, Incidentally, I got that 19 years after the BFHG. Both had nothing to do with being LDS. God draws you to the BFHG and the C&E hits without expectation. BTY, Hinckley was a neighbor growing up and after my BFHG I annoyed every LDS congregation with my knowledge and zeal. After I was given to open up THE WONDERS OF ETERNITY in a studied paper for four years, Hinckley pressed five stakes who all refused to ex me until he pressed upon BYU Faculty to toss me without a charge.
Second Anointing is BOGUS IMO!
I went back and looked it up just to make sure. But I am missing were Jesus Christ taught for everyone to be dedicated to revealing and claiming what is not truth? If you chose to leave a belief because of points of history and time then leave, why dedicate in publishing what you are publishing which is your negative moments and experiences with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints? I think you just want to complain and this is the topic that gets you off the most. I am an inactive member and will never be an active member again but I will never understand why effort is put into clashing and debating. When it’s someone’s own personal belief. The right way will find everyone if that’s what you are truly seeking. Do you know right now were I live, meaning my apartment complex relies on the Bishop storehouse for food? Are you going to week after week make sure an entire apartment complex is able to feed themselves? Do you know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints offers a addiction recovery class once a week that the focus is on Jesus Christ and his forgiveness. Maybe you should change your name to people who are members of the Mormon faith, instead of Mormon stories because like it’s ridiculous to think that every Catholic clergy was a pedophile, it’s disgusting and wrong because a strong majority of Catholic clergy are the most terrific human beings in the world, the same with Rabbis and leaders of Islam and Hindu and Buddhist and so on. Just like it’s a person who pulls the trigger on a gun, not the gun being the bad guy. And John Denhin your the first with this Gmail account and remember your interview with Ed Decker, I wrote in an email about the name Ed. Bioware