Jesus for Mormons

In this episode of "Jesus for Mormons," Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the financial structure of Mormon wards, estimating they generate around $600,000 in tithing annually with minimal expenses. Kai compares this to Circus Circus in Las Vegas, highlighting themes of financial accountability. They also emphasize the importance of transparency in church finances and community-building activities, concluding with a focus on trust and respect in church leadership, inviting listener engagement.

Mormon Whistleblower - https://youtu.be/k3_Fhq7sEHo?si=FnmaKxx0iQcT_iXX Widows Mite - https://thewidowsmite.org/
Mormon Stories Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/live/YemKD2GtVwA?si=Edh88XpJwQkIrPGV Mormon Stories Podcast- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAOqZHyxbtg&list=PLxq5opj6GqOBpeZFSE0_Cdw3oz2gJDprC Ward Radio- https://www.youtube.com/live/Z7ZNGZosC38?si=BkpRsVMgJ4McXvyr

Contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/kxt1hS692rDMcJi8/
Website: https://jesusformormons.com/

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the Mormon Church’s significant financial assets, valued at $265 billion, and question whether the church is fulfilling its non-profit mission or simply accumulating wealth. They highlight declining membership and outdated traditions as signs of disconnect and draw parallels to the "Parable of the Talents," criticizing the church for hoarding resources. The conversation emphasizes the importance of transparency, honesty, and using resources for the benefit of the community.

Show Notes:
46% of millennials are active: https://religionnews.com/2019/03/27/how-many-millennials-are-really-leaving-the-lds-church/ 2016

History of sacrament meeting: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/sacrament-meetings?lang=eng

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Membership_history_of_the_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints#cite_note-9 - population of the church 

https://widowsmitereport.wordpress.com/2023update/ - Widows Mite Report


Contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/kxt1hS692rDMcJi8/
Website: https://jesusformormons.com/

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss Kai's initial hostility towards Brandon, Di's husband and a pastor, due to his past bias against religious leaders from outside his former Mormon faith. Despite his skepticism, Kai was taken aback by Brandon's genuine and down-to-earth approach, which contrasted with his preconceived notions. This encounter led Kai to reconsider his negative views and engage more openly with the church community. The narrator reflects on their surprising encounter with Brandon, a former Mormon bishop, who was much more humble and authentic than expected. This experience challenged their preconceived notions about church leaders and made them reconsider their own biases. They emphasize the importance of grace, patience, and personal growth while acknowledging the ongoing struggle to overcome past frustrations and show kindness to others.

Contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/kxt1hS692rDMcJi8/
Website: https://jesusformormons.com/

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss how detailed confessions in the Mormon Church can cause unnecessary shame and guilt. They contrast this with the simple, direct forgiveness from Jesus. They argue that these practices can lead to guilt and psychological harm, making forgiveness seem conditional. They also address the harm from strict teachings on sexual sin and early marriages. They stress the importance of grace and respectful conversations about intimacy, advocating for removing shame and focusing on God's grace rather than institutional processes.
 
Show Notes:   
Protest Secret Lives of Mormon Wives:  https://www.abc4.com/news/local-news/abc4-meets-with-cast-members-for-the-secret-lives-of-mormon-wives/   

Secret lives of Mormon Wives https://www.hulu.com/series/58cd73be-408d-4eed-8e3d-82339f3f93e2?cmp=11932&utm_source=google&utm_medium=SEM&utm_campaign=CM_SEM_Various+Niche+Originals&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw_4S3BhAAEiwA_64YhhluehF22t34MKoLbYjrnvwRm-ZBOiNQNvGa3Y0GHxUfrUDFaOSrohoCcIYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds   

Under the Banner of Heaven:  https://www.hulu.com/series/under-the-banner-of-heaven-9c4ae394-e9c4-4a6d-985e-314270602c6b   

Mormon No More: https://www.hulu.com/series/mormon-no-more-61c6289d-1038-45a4-a982-6fad782a00f1   

Bishops guide for handling sexual sin {Handbook 2}  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/08702_eng.pdf?lang=eng 


Contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/kxt1hS692rDMcJi8/
Website: https://jesusformormons.com/

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons episode, Kai Van Leuven explores a removed segment from the Mormon temple ceremony that emphasized a divisive "us vs. them" mentality, likely leading to its 1990 removal as the church aimed for a more inclusive image. Kai uses a personal landlord experience to illustrate how past trauma can shape one's mindset, arguing that ex-Mormons may still retain beliefs that affect their view of other religions. He notes that many ex-Mormons turn to atheism or other belief systems due to lasting emotional scars and encourages them to confront and address these issues for a more open and self-aware spiritual journey.
 
Contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/kxt1hS692rDMcJi8/
Website: https://jesusformormons.com/

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di challenge Brad Wilcox's claim that non-Mormons are "playing church" and that leaving the Mormon church means losing everything valuable. It highlights frustration with spiritual elitism and the impact of these beliefs on inclusivity and personal faith. The speaker finds Wilcox's views manipulative and harmful, especially to youth, and contrasts them with a more open Christian perspective where leaving a church doesn’t equate to losing faith or value.
 
Contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/kxt1hS692rDMcJi8/
Website: https://jesusformormons.com/

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven, and Pastor Di discuss the concept of "anti" in Mormonism, exploring how anything negative toward the church is labeled as anti, even if it's historically accurate. The hosts talk about how Mormon missionaries, like Kai, are trained to promote the Book of Mormon as the most correct book, which undermines other Christian beliefs. They also discuss the aggressive nature of missionary work and how it challenges the authority of other religious leaders, creating an "us vs. them" mentality. This mindset, they argue, can affect ex-Mormons, making them skeptical of other faiths and contributing to why many ex-Mormons are agnostic or atheist.


Contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/kxt1hS692rDMcJi8/
Website: https://jesusformormons.com/

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di reflect on the emotional content from previous episodes and discuss grief as a motivated state. They compare the dress codes of the Mormon church with those of Venture Church. Kai shares a personal experience of feeling disappointment from a friend after going against his tribe. Despite these challenges, they both express hope for the future and anticipation for continuing their podcast journey in the next episode.
 
Contact us: [email protected], and Facebook: Jesus for Mormons.

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di explore the themes of shame, guilt, and sin. They share personal stories about the effects of these emotions within and beyond the Mormon church. The discussion emphasizes the importance of finding a supportive community and seeking healing. Di offers theological insights on God's promise of hope and restoration, while Kai reflects on the loneliness experienced when leaving the church. They encourage listeners to reach out for support and share their own journeys.
 
Contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/kxt1hS692rDMcJi8/
Website: https://jesusformormons.com/

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di explore the concept of sunk costs—the reluctance to abandon a course of action due to heavy investment—particularly in the context of the Mormon Church. They discuss sunk costs like church callings, tithing, missed opportunities, missions, and strained relationships after leaving. The hosts stress the importance of recognizing intentions and moving forward with grace and self-compassion. They encourage listeners to share their own experiences and consider letting go of unproductive investments. The episode concludes with an invitation for feedback and stories for future discussions.
 
Contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/kxt1hS692rDMcJi8/
Website: https://jesusformormons.com/