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Series Title: Some Complexities of the BYU Experience in 2024 [Part I of II]

In this episode Valerie welcomes special guest Brian Dille, a BYU alumnus and member of a professional organization responsible for accrediting institutions of higher learning in the USA. This series tackles the complex and pressing issue of academic freedom at Brigham Young University, especially in light of recent curriculum changes where the “musket” talk was made required reading for all incoming BYU freshmen. 

Brian and Valerie delve into the definition and historical context of academic freedom, exploring its crucial role in scientific progress and how it relates to current issues connected to BYU's relationship with academic accreditation. Friday's episode stresses the impact of the "musket talk" on all individuals at BYU and how integration of this talk signals not only concern for academic freedom but also the need for ongoing corrective dialogue inviting love, inclusion, and reform in an effort to protect those on the margins at church and on the campuses of church-operated schools. 

Join Valerie and Brian for both of these powerful episodes as they navigate some crucial Latter Day Struggles with respect, insight, and a firm commitment to honest discourse.

https://valeriehamaker.com/one-one-consultations/

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Series Title: The Impact of Gender Inequality in the LDS Faith [Part IV of IV]

In this final episode of this 4-part series focused on issues of women and equality in the LDS church, Valerie and Nathan explore how healthy identity development is stifled for both men and women due to the patriarchal structure of the church. They discuss how a patriarchy cultivates a robust false self ego identity in the "one up" male gender and how the structure of the church stifles healthy ego development in the “one down” female gender in several ways (which they discuss in detail in this episode). This entire series calls for a reevaluation of the current unequal distribution of opportunities for the growth and development of the true self in the LDS church and invites this church to become a place where all humans are nurtured in the development of their whole selves. 

https://valeriehamaker.com/one-one-consultations/

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Series Title: The Impact of Gender Inequality in the LDS Faith [Part III of IV]

In this conversation Valerie and Nathan explore words—because words matter. They talk about the expanding use of the words "authority" and "power" connected to females and priesthood, thereby encouraging LDS women to understand their already-existing status in the church, while (significantly) never ever connecting women's roles and responsibilities to priesthood "keys". 

Val and Nathan discuss how these semantics games tend to land on modern-day LDS women (not well!) and further begin a discussion about how this disparity in equality shapes the psyches in the women of this organization. 

They further contend that not having priesthood "keys" is *not* about women desiring status, attention, or prestige. It is about longing for their spiritual system to support their innate equality in the eyes of God. It is about providing women with a spiritual context wherein they are allowed to grow and thrive as human beings. 

Friday's final episode in this series breaks down five ways that women's development is stifled due to their unequal status in the LDS church. Subscribe to catch this [and every past and future Friday] episode. Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!

https://valeriehamaker.com/one-one-consultations/

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Series Title: The Impact of Gender Inequality in the LDS Faith [Part II of IV]

In this episode Valerie and Nathan delve into the topic of organizational structures and how these structures powerful communicate their values to their constituents. 

They break down many examples of how the value of each member of any organization is communicated through how the system is structured AND that the way an organization structures itself always communicates a message far more powerful than any public statement of value made to or about it’s constituents. 

This conversation sets the stage for two more conversations forthcoming, where Val and Nathan further explore the influence of systemic structures on personal empowerment and the broad, often untapped potential of women within faith organizations in general and the LDS faith in particular. 

This series is intended to raise the consciousness of our LDS organization so that we may see how longstanding [and sometime unquestioned] organizational structures and practices are negatively impacting many women within this organization. 

https://valeriehamaker.com/one-one-consultations/

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Series Title: The Impact of Gender Inequality in the LDS Faith [Part I of IV]

Join Valerie as she explores a variety of topics connected to the 2024 rebirth of the Law of Common Consent demonstrated by LDS women throughout the world who recently voted "opposed" to claims that women in the LDS church have more authority than women of other church's worldwide. 

In this episode, Valerie processes a variety of topics including: 

** Several reasons why the LDS church has chronic struggles with allowing women equality. 

**A conversation about historical lack of collaboration with systems of learning, knowledge, and worldwide restoration enlightenment. 

**A maladaptive commitment to "immovability". 

** A conversation about the need to address intersectionality of the feminine divine and queer issues in LDS "eternal family" theology. 

**Encouragement to embody love as the foundational energy of lasting spiritually-empowering social reform. 

Friday's episode begins a three-part conversation between Valerie and Nathan addressing how structural issues within the LDS church powerfully communicates its value of women, regardless of what is spoken *about* women or *to* women.

https://valeriehamaker.com/one-one-consultations/

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Healing from LDS Faith Crisis: The Personal Journey of Nick [Part II of II]

In this poignant second part of their conversation, Valerie and her guest, Nick, delve deep into the turbulent emotions surrounding Nick's evolving relationship with the Book of Mormon and its author, Joseph Smith. 

Nick candidly opens up about his journey from idealizing the scripture as a source of solace during his Navy days, especially during deployments to Iraq, to confronting the stark realities of Joseph Smith's life, which led to feelings of betrayal and grief. 

Despite these challenges, Nick has navigated through his anger to a place where he can still recognize the comfort this book provided him, while also expanding his definition of spiritual connections beyond traditional religious confines. 

Valerie and Nick's discussion underscores the complex nature of faith, the process of healing, and the importance of authenticity in one's spiritual journey. They invite their listeners to embrace the idea that one can find scripture in diverse sources and emphasize that personal growth allows one to appreciate the duality of both the good and the harmful parts of one's beliefs. 

This episode is a testament to the resilience of faith and the freedom found in exploring spirituality on one's terms.

https://valeriehamaker.com/one-one-consultations/

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Healing from LDS Faith Crisis: The Personal Journey of Nick [Part I of II]

In this heartfelt episode, Valerie and special guest Nick take an intimate look into the personal journey his healing and self-discovery. They dive deep into Nick's past, discussing the challenges of reconciling his relationship with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while confronting lifelong negative beliefs about himself. 

Nick candidly shares his experiences with loneliness, sexual shame, and his reliance on pornography as a coping mechanism. Together, they explore the significance of nurturing one's inner child, the detrimental effects of internalized shame, and the beauty in transforming pain into compassion and understanding for both oneself and others. 

As they dissect the complex emotions tied to faith and sexuality, both Valerie and Nick underscore the importance of self-compassion, removing judgment, and fostering open conversations as tools for healing and growth. 

Friday's episode continues this conversation between Nick and Valerie as they explore another aspect of his LDS faith expansion personal journey: Healing from betrayal trauma connected to the Book of Mormon. 

If you want to find peace in your relationship with the Book of Mormon, listen to this tender episode.Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!

Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!

—————————————————————————————————————
SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through ⁠⁠⁠a paid subscription ($9.99/month), available here⁠. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For a step-by-step guide on how to subscribe and support the podcast, click here.

——————————————————————————————————————

SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie by making a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.⁠
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT GROUPS: As a trauma therapist, Valerie continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become more psychologically and spiritually healthy. All support groups are currently full, however, a new evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To learn more click here.
——————————————————————————————————————LATTER DAY NIGHT LIVE! Register for our latest 3-part webinar ser

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Series Title: Expanding our Theology [Part II of II]

In this thought-provoking episode, Valerie and Nathan delve deep into the complexities and true nature of prayer within the church. 

Through a compassionate lens, they discuss the symbolism and healing power of a congregation coming together in prayer, exploring the rich tapestry of how gratitude and worship are expressed across cultures and within the LDS faith tradition. 

They also courageously tackle the tougher issues—examining how the exclusion of women from certain church rituals and how withholding prayer privileges for any reason is unkind, incongruent with the nature of God and deeply psychologically and spiritually harmful. 

They challenge the pressures and misplaced expectations surrounding priesthood blessings, sharing heartfelt personal stories, and emphasize that spirituality should emanate from authentic and continuous engagement with the divine, not from ideas around transactional, sufficient faith, or worthiness. 

https://valeriehamaker.com/one-one-consultations/

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Series Title: Expanding our Theology [Part I of II] 

This week Valerie and Nathan tackle two fundamental aspects of LDS observance--scriptures and prayer--and walk you through ways in which each of these concepts can be either helpful to our spiritual journeys are harmful to our spiritual growth experiences. 

Episode 207 reflects on the complexities of scripture, tackling the risks associated with misusing scriptures as tools of oppression and highlighting the damage caused when sacred texts are used to justify harmful actions, even on a catastrophic scale. 

They discuss the importance of expanding our definition of what "counts" as scripture, the importance of truly tapping into our powers of personal revelation to discern when a voice is prophetic, and how books can be a mirror reflecting our connection to the divine.

Friday's episode 208 tackles how concept of prayer in the LDS faith tradition can be experienced as both deeply connecting to our true selves and our higher powers OR how teachings and practices associated with prayer can be instrumental in harming our relationship with self, others, and God. 

Valerie and Nathan's desire in this series is to shine a light on the impact of certain aspects of religious faith and practice in the hopes that we can all experience our faith tradition in ways that truly support our spiritual development. 

Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!

https://valeriehamaker.com/one-one-consultations/

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Series Title: Exploring Family Challenges when LDS Young Adults Disaffiliate [Part IV of IV]

In this final episode in this mind-blowing four-part series tackling struggles between some parents and their disaffiliating LDS young adults, Valerie and guest therapist Liz Macdonald explore psychologist Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial development—and use this theory of development to better understand what is going on between more traditionally believing LDS parents and their disaffiliating young adult children. 

This theory of development can shine a light on why some parents struggle so much in allowing their adolescent and young adults children the autonomy to grow into their own truths. 

This theory also can help us better understand the impact that parental underdevelopment might have on adolescents and young adults in completing successfully their own developmental life tasks. 

This series is intended to offer love and empathy for all: both the more traditionally believing LDS parents and their disaffiliated young adult children, shining a light on the extreme complexity of this situation and hoping to offer insights that will help families in our community heal. Please share this series with those who might benefit from this enlightening and healing discussion! 

https://valeriehamaker.com/one-one-consultations/

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