In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven reflects on the isolation he experienced after leaving the Mormon church and the challenges of rebuilding a sense of community. Initially skeptical of church life, he eventually found support and authenticity at Venture Church and later in Kauai, discovering that both large and small church environments can offer meaningful connections. Pastor Di emphasizes the importance of community, noting that genuine relationships are often easier to build in faith-based settings. The speaker highlights the transformative power of finding a supportive community, especially for those leaving religions like Mormonism, and the deep bonds that form through shared faith and experiences.

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In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di explore Joseph Smith's magical worldview, including treasure digging, supernatural encounters, and the use of artifacts like a Jupiter talisman. They examine how these elements blend folk magic with early Mormon history, critiquing the rigid, works-based practices tied to temple rituals. Emphasizing compassion for those in Mormonism, they contrast its theology with the freedom and grace found in a relational faith in God.

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In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the control mechanisms in the Mormon Church, focusing on the extreme obedience demanded from missionaries and the psychological toll of strict rules. They critique the legalistic environment at Mormon-affiliated schools like BYU and how it fosters feelings of unworthiness. The hosts argue that teachings on obedience and blessings create guilt and spiritual confusion, exemplified by Joseph Smith's controversial polygamy doctrine. Emphasizing that God's love is unconditional, they advocate for embracing grace, self-forgiveness, and a more liberated, grace-centered approach to faith.

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Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di explore the impact of anti-Mormon chants at sports events, focusing on a 2001 game between Oregon and BYU. Kai shares his personal struggle with anger and resentment after leaving the Mormon Church, and how these emotions strained his relationships with family. The conversation highlights the challenges of processing anger toward a former faith and emphasizes the importance of healing, particularly through the concept of "selfish forgiveness"—forgiving not for others, but for personal peace. The speakers discuss how media, such as the Mormon Stories podcast, can fuel anger and impede emotional healing. They acknowledge that while anger after leaving the Mormon Church is natural, holding onto it can harm one’s well-being. Forgiveness is framed as an ongoing, individual process that doesn’t excuse past wrongs, but helps release negativity, ultimately improving emotional health and relationships.

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In this episode, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss Kai's spiritual experiences in the Mormon Church and how he now views them after leaving the faith. Kai shares two key moments: feeling divinely prompted to invest in a difficult property and to marry his wife at a young age. While he once saw these as divine interventions, he now questions if they were his own efforts. Di argues that spiritual experiences can happen outside any specific religious context, and the conversation explores how people interpret such experiences, especially when transitioning between faiths. They discuss the challenge of distinguishing divine guidance from emotional responses and encourage listeners to reconsider their experiences beyond religious frameworks. The episode invites listeners to share their own stories, as doing so can help deepen their spiritual journey.

Show Notes:
Mormon Segulls: https://issuu.com/utah10/docs/uhq_volume38_1970_number3/s/107089
Jesus for Mormons Ep18: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXgP2wAo0no

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In this episode, Kai Van Leuven interviews Pastor David Diaz to discuss what worship is in the Christian church. David explains that worship is not just music but a lifestyle of honoring God through actions, generosity, and praise. He touches on tithing as a heart matter and highlights various forms of worship expression, like raising hands or waving flags. Ultimately, worship is about honoring God in all aspects of life. The hosts highlights that worship is a way to connect with God, and it can take many forms, from singing to quiet reflection. It emphasizes that worship isn’t about performance but about the heart’s posture. People are encouraged to experiment with different ways of worship, as it can lead to healing and a deeper relationship with God. Ultimately, worship is about encountering God's presence, which brings transformation.

Check out our playlist of worship songs: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5vb0yihgxqHSDqy11EjX3M?si=1uIosbLMTuCvM_fnjTGHrg&pi=u-clpaYuIMTuaP

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In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the significance of Mormon garments—sacred underwear worn by church members—covering recent changes like sleeveless styles and the belief in their protective symbolism. They also address the controversy surrounding Joseph Smith not wearing his garments at his death, which raises questions about their importance. The conversation critiques the rigid modesty standards, particularly the pressures faced by women, emphasizing the guilt and shame associated with these expectations. The hosts argue that linking worthiness to clothing is harmful and advocate for a more compassionate approach to spirituality.

Show Notes:
Joseph F. Smith describes garments as unchanged. | B. H. Roberts: https://bhroberts.org/records/09wgH3-kO8Oec/joseph_f_smith_describes_garments_as_unchanged Sleeveless LDS temple garments are coming to the U.S. Here’s when: https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2024/10/17/heres-when-sleeveless-lds-temple/
LDS Garments and Agency | The Religious Studies Project: https://www.religiousstudiesproject.com/podcast/lds-garments-and-agency/
Joseph F. Smith - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_F._Smith
Church Updates Temple Recommend Interview Questions: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/october-2019-general-conference-temple-recommend Mormon Church Introduces SLEEVELESS Garments: https://youtu.be/mQ9RMIo7eC4?si=d-dIwNXy_GaKDsl9
Juvenile Instructor » From the Archives: Brigham Young on Joseph Smith’s Last Mistake: https://juvenileinstructor.org/from-the-archives-brigham-young-on-josephs-smith-last-mistake/
Temple Garments: https://mormonr.org/qnas/0DdNd/temple_garments

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In this episode, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the "fight or flight" response, focusing on Kai's journey after leaving the Mormon Church. He reflects on his past as a fighter and his struggle with avoidance, highlighting his attempts to escape through travel and major life changes. The conversation emphasizes the importance of confronting challenges for healing, the clarity gained from living minimally, and the value of processing emotions and seeking support from therapists. Kai also shares his experience adjusting to life in Hawaii while finding purpose in his move. Ultimately, the episode encourages listeners to seek help and build resilience on their healing journeys.

Show Notes:
Cleveland Clinic: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-happens-to-your-body-during-the-fight-or-flight-response 
Huberman on Grief: https://youtu.be/dzOvi0Aa2EA?si=BD-k-850mo1bqpcb 
How do disappear: https://medium.com/@hijab7437/the-art-of-disappearing-how-to-disappear-without-a-trace-f5a3e26396a3 
Chad Zapitul Story: https://www.win-magazine.com/2012/03/13/unfulfilled-ncaa-promises-still-sting-20-years-later-for-zaputil/ 

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In this episode, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss emotions and spirituality for those leaving Mormonism. They highlight the church's focus on feelings as truth and the risks of emotional manipulation. Using testimonies, including one from a young woman in a polygamist group, they advocate for balancing emotional awareness with critical thinking. They introduce "elevation emotion," the positive feelings from witnessing kindness, which can enhance connection and purpose. They emphasize that actions speak louder than words, encourage seeking joy beyond material possessions, and reference Jesus' teachings on living in the present. They also suggest a decision-making framework involving biblical insights and trusted counsel, inviting listeners to explore their faith journeys thoughtfully.

Show Notes: 
Ask Reality, My LDS Journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycUvC9s4VYA 
​​Elevation, What it is and Why do we need it? https://www.thepositivepsychologypeople.com/elevation-what-is-it-and-why-do-we-need-it/#:~:text=Haidt%20(2000)%20characterised%20elevation%20as,motivation%20to%20behave%20more%20altruistically. 
CES Letter: https://cesletter.org/CES-Letter.pdf 
Elevation study by Thomson, A. L., & Siegel, J. T. (2017). : https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2017-31938-013 

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In this episode of "Jesus for Mormons," hosts Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the relationship between faith and works, emphasizing that genuine faith in Jesus leads to good deeds. Kai reflects on his past in the Mormon Church, encouraged by a friend to view his experiences as valuable rather than wasted. He shares a boating mishap as a lesson in learning from mistakes and highlights the lasting impact of a heartfelt letter from a family he influenced during his missionary work. The episode encourages listeners to embrace their past positively and focus on personal growth and relationships.

Show Notes:

Sunk Cost Reality: Sunk Cost Reality, Ep7, #exmormon #mormonchurch #mormonstories #jesusformormons 

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