Latter Day Struggles

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Series Title: Moving Beyond the Transactional Gospel [Part II of II]

In this follow up episode Valerie and guest Steve Young delve into more specific examples related to the power of moving away from seeing the world through the lens of transaction and towards embodying more purely the teachings of Jesus Christ defined by unconditional love.  

 With personal examples from his own journey, Steve and Val hone in on four concepts that have shaped Steve's own spiritual life and personal work:  gentle persuasion, meekness, long suffering and love unfeigned.  

This discussion exemplifies how one can commit to personal discipleship and practice these principles in their own realms--whether it be in personal relationships, professionally, or in formal spiritual settings.  

Val and Steve's hope in this series is to ignite further interest in first seeing more clearly where transaction exists, articulating how this way of relating is spiritually damning, and inviting each of us and our religious system into a higher, holier way of discipleship.  

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Series Title: Moving Beyond the Transactional Gospel [Part I of II]

Is it time to graduate from your "Pee Wee" (aka "beginner level" for all of you non-football players) level of discipleship?  If you're listening to this podcast, we are pretty sure the answer is a resounding YES!  Bring on the Pro-Level! 

In this enlightening episode of Latter Day Struggles, Valerie welcomes special guest Steve Young to delve into the transformative power of love within the context of faith expansion in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Together they explore ideas from Steve's book, "The Law of Love," highlighting the journey from transaction towards an upward leaning desire towards selfless love as the foundation of all belief and relationship.  

Together, they address the inevitable anxieties surrounding non-transactional relationships with God and challenge listeners to embrace a higher, more intimate relationship with the divine, moving away from prescriptive (transactional) guidelines towards personal, holistic engagement with self, faith, others, and ultimately with God. 

This episode offers a profound perspective on love's capacity to evoke authenticity and divine potential in ourselves and others.  

Friday's episode is a tender conversation between Steve and Val where they share how their own strivings to embody the Law of Love has changed them and enriched their relationships.   

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Series Title: A Study of Loyalty [Part II of II]

In this advanced content exclusive part two of this series, Valerie and Nathan continue to analyze the complexities of loyalty and how and when it can clash with personal integrity. 

Together, they explore the potential conflicts arising when loyalty is prioritized over love within church institutions, and particularly how this near enemy attribute can be encouraged when discussing sensitive issues related to the LGBTQ community, a struggle owning complex historical issues, and other topics that would require openness, transparency, and full accountability for our system to meet its true potential as a place of spiritual health and healing. 

As always, their conversation emphasizes the necessity of open dialogue, respect,  and love-based virtues to foster a truly healthy spiritual community within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  

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Series Title: A Study of Loyalty [Part I of II]

In this episode Valerie and Nathan delve into the delicate relationship between love, loyalty, and integrity. They discuss how loyalty, when prioritized over love, can lead to moral conflicts, confusion and systemic issues. 

The conversation centers around recognizing loyalty as a near enemy to love, particularly within political, religious, and social contexts. With their usual compassion and candor, Valerie and Nathan advocate for genuine love over superficial loyalty. Tune in to explore how loyalty can overshadow true virtues and how embracing love as the true virtue can foster healthy connection and growth.

Friday’s powerful advanced content exclusive episode will delve deeper into how unquestioned loyalty is both damaging and dangerous, particularly within a religious system. Valerie and Nathan examine the proper place that loyalty should hold within relationships, and how Christlike love, compassion and one’s own integrity should always come first. 

Don’t miss this compelling and thought provoking episode of Latter Day Struggles!

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Series Title: Atonement & the American Criminal Justice System [Part IV of IV]

In this capstone episode concluding their groundbreaking four-part series treating the intersection of atonement theology, trauma healing, and the penal justice system, Valerie and Fiona Givens dive into some beautiful and unique contributions that can be found in LDS theology.  They highlight some obscure but profound ideas hidden within Mormon doctrine that uncovers a God who loves infinitely, has compassion for the wounds that impact us throughout life, and who ultimately welcomes us all home.  

Please join Valerie and Fiona as they uncover some beautiful LDS gems hidden in plain sight that add to the larger Christian and spiritual conversation helping us find peace, healing, and spiritual transformation.  

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Series Title: Atonement & the American Criminal Justice System [Part III of IV]

Welcome to this episode where Valerie and special guest Fiona Givens dive deep into each of their favorite topics:  neuroscience & trauma (looking at you Valerie!) & healthy atonement theology (now looking at you Fiona!). 

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the impact of trauma on individuals, especially those within the criminal justice system. Fiona brings insights from scholars and trauma experts, emphasizing that what is often perceived as deviant behavior is deeply rooted in trauma and human woundedness. 

Fiona and Valerie advocate for a theological vision committed to healing and redemption, affirming that a compassionate approach can lead to true transformation and restoration.   This one is a must-listen and quite possibly will have you pondering things you haven't ever connected before!

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Series Title: Atonement & the American Criminal Justice System [Part II of IV]

In this enlightening episode Valerie and Fiona Givens delve deep into the historical and theological underpinnings of atonement theology and its profound impact on the American penal justice system. 

Fiona provides a rich historical context, explaining the shift from early Christian views that emphasized Christ's life, incarnation, and resurrection to the later Western focus on crucifixion and suffering, which laid the groundwork for a theology of substitution and punishment. 

They critically examine how these beliefs manifest in punitive practices, advocate for a shift towards a more rehabilitative approach, and set the stage for further discussion in the next episode on the need to reconcile atonement theology and treatment of criminals with contemporary understandings of neuroscience and trauma. 

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Series Title: Atonement & the American Criminal Justice System [Part I of IV]

Welcome to a podcast series that has been months in the making and one that you will NOT want to miss if you desire to find health and healing in your relationship with God, atonement, hope, and healing.  

In this four part series, Valerie welcomes return guest and gifted LDS theologian Fiona Givens. Together they delve deeply into the development of various atonement theologies and their impact on both the average Christian "sinner" as well as the "criminal", especially and how each "deserves" to be punished.  

This series explores roots of atonement theology; how, why, where, and when it changed, and how the atonement theology that came to North America eventually impacted the criminal justice system.  

They further explore how modern neuroscience has become an unexpected partner in revealing the infinite goodness and inevitable woundedness of all human kind and how our understanding the nature of the brain can bring about lasting reform of our atonement theology and our criminal justice system.  

Don't miss this entire series packed with cutting edge scholarship and a windfall of hope and healing on our ongoing reimagining of God's infinite love for all of their children.  

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Series Title:  Exposing the Near Enemy [Part IV of IV]

In this thought-provoking final episode of this series, Valerie explores the complex historical and cultural factors that contribute to the prevalence of unique near enemy behaviors within the LDS Church. She discusses how the church's trauma history, including persecution and isolation, has fostered a culture of extreme self-protection and difficulty with self-confrontation. 

Valerie also examines unresolved shadow characteristics related to gender, sexuality, and power, drawing connections to the church's struggle with reform and accountability.  With her usual candor and affection for her home institution, Valerie offers her feelings that true virtue requires a courageous commitment to ongoing self-reflection and growth, both personally and within the church community. 

The episode, series, and entire podcast highlights the transformative potential that humility, love, and accountability have in fostering authenticity and spiritual development within individuals and spiritual institutions.  

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Series Title:  Exposing the Near Enemy [Part III of IV]

In this episode Val and Nathan continue their deep dive into applications of the Buddhist concept of the near enemy, shining a light on how this concept might apply to how the LDS and surrounding community might grow in light and truth as these ideas are understood and embraced. 

They focus on how behaviors like self-aggrandizing, pity, and clinging subtly undermine virtues such as charity, compassion, and love, often posing as their close allies. 

They analyze how these near enemies negatively impact missionary work, intimate relationships, and spiritual growth within the Latter-Day Saints community, particularly highlighting how spiritual exceptionalism and codependency in eternal marriage theology can hurt connection at the micro and the macro levels. 

The episode culminates in a reflective call for embracing both light and shadow selves and emphasizes acting from a place of genuine love and virtue rather than fear or the desire for validation.             

Thank you for joining us in this series intended to expand our capacities to grow whole and healthy in and around the LDS church.

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