Latter Day Struggles

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Series Title: A Sketch of the Life & Work of Mormon Feminist Maxine Hanks [Part I of IV]

In this first of a compelling four-part series, Valerie welcomes Maxine Hanks, editor of the groundbreaking feminist book "Women and Authority" which led to the infamous "September 6" purge of 1993, where many LDS feminists and scholars were disciplined by the LDS church for their scholarship and advocacy work. 

In the next four episodes, Valerie welcomes Maxine Hanks to the Latter Day Struggles podcast where Maxine offers a detailed account of her own life story, beginning with her call to help her LDS church see its own feminist roots, her word editing "Women and Authority" and details not only her own intriguing experience as one of the "September 6" but also her sacred and circuitous 20-year journey of faith expansion following her excommunication that culminated in her decision to return to formal LDS affiliation. 

Today's episode specifically focuses on her sacred experiences feeling called to uncover the powerful feminist underpinnings that are unique to the early Mormon faith and how and why this project was a lightning bolt for her patriarchal Mormon community. 

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

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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through ⁠⁠⁠a paid subscription ($9.99/month)⁠. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/bddk8ak7 ⁠Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribe⁠https://valeriehamaker.com/how-to-subscribe/ 

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SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on ⁠Patreon.com⁠!

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SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited ⁠⁠⁠Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups⁠⁠⁠⁠! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Details about availability on ⁠⁠⁠⁠latterdaystruggles.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/

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COURSES: Now available! “⁠⁠⁠⁠A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion⁠⁠⁠⁠” parts I and II. See what else is offered on ⁠⁠⁠latterdaystruggles.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/course-library

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CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! ⁠https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/private-practice/⁠

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Series Title: Exploration of GC Address ‘For the Sake of Your Posterity’ by E. Godoy [Part II of II]

In this episode Val and Nathan continue their conversation exploring E Godoy's talk "For the Sake of Your Posterity" and focus on the anxiety and pain this talk caused many faith-expanding parents in and around the LDS church. 

Valerie breaks down several neurological reasons why this talk's fear and guilt orientation especially impacts people in early faith crisis and Nathan shares some personal experiences about why this talk was painful as it revealed to him how his earlier compliance to talks of this nature actually negatively impacted his own capacity to love his children well. Join them in this tender episode advocating for more understanding and compassion on questing parents in LDS faith expansion.

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Series Title: Exploration of GC Address ‘For the Sake of Your Posterity’ by E. Godoy [Part I of II]

In this episode Valerie and Nathan discuss Elder Godoy's talk 'For the Sake of Your Posterity'. In this episode they focus on the following: 

• Support of the fundamental importance of the influence of parents
• Deep concerns about fear and guilt tactics used to motivate behavior of church members
• The importance of understanding stages of faith development to offer context and grace instead of judgment 

Friday's part two of this conversation covers the following:

• Several reasons why parents in LDS faith crisis found this address particularly painful
• Val and Nathan's personal experiences as parents navigating parenthood from both perspectives and their reframing of the concept of "weak links" and "strong links" 
• An invitation to the idea that parents considered “weak links” are actually practicing extreme courage and strength in changing their parenting techniques to fit the unique spiritual needs of themselves and their families.

The series explores the potential harm that rigidity, guilt, and fear tactics have on weary and vulnerable parents wrestling with deep spiritual questions. Join Valerie and Nathan this week as they call for a more empathetic approach to parenting in the context of LDS faith journey.Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!

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Series Title: Exploration of Adam Miller's Book “Original Grace” [Part IV of IV]

In this final episode of Valerie's 4-part visit with Adam Miller, they delve into Adam's recent RESTORE CONFERENCE address, covering some tender and personal territory around about God's love, our futile efforts to earn it, and how we are all both endlessly beloved and on a fool's errand in trying to earn our lovability. 

Using a children's classic from the "Frog and Toad" series and the parable of the Prodigal Son, Adam and Valerie end their series hopefully helping you feel differently about grace, justice, atonement, the nature of God and your own nature.  This episode is tender, powerful, and unforgettable.  It reminds us of our infinite lovability...a reminder that cannot come too often on the faith journey.  

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Series Title: Exploration of Adam Miller's Book “Original Grace” [Part III of IV]

In this episode studying Adam's fascinating book "Original Grace", Valerie and Adam dive into the challenging concept of suffering as linked to God's wrath. They address the damaging theology of viewing suffering as punishment and explore the doctrine of original grace. 

Adam differentiates between justice and suffering within this doctrine. 

Val discuss how beliefs about God's nature impact our responses to suffering. She highlights potential harm in traditional atonement models, and suggests a shift towards an understanding of original grace. 

In their final episode in this series together (next in line on your queue!), Val and Adam do a deep dive into Adam's recent presentation at the Restore Conference hosted by the Faith Matters Foundation. Don't miss this!

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

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Series Title: Exploration of Adam Miller's Book “Original Grace” [Part II of IV]

 

In this episode Valerie and guest scholar, author, and theologian Adam Miller  delve into the complexities of justice and love in relation to God's law. They explore how justice can be mistaken for retribution, and how love is not a reward or prize, but an active choice and response to suffering. 

Valerie shares her perspective on rebellion and the transformative power of experiencing God's love, while Adam emphasizes the urgency of salvation in the present while also acknowledging the potential for redemption for all. 

Don't miss this deep and beautiful portion of Valerie's and Adam's in-depth conversation about healing ideas connected to Christ's atonement and its power to heal through love.

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Friday Episodes Annual Access $89

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Series Title: Exploration of Adam Miller's Book “Original Grace” [Part I of IV]

Welcome to an exploration on a book that has truly changed the way to see ourselves, God, grace, and a healthy gospel of Jesus Christ.  Val has invited Adam Miller on a deep exploration of his ideas connected to the atonement of Jesus Christ covered in his book "Original Grace". 

In this first episode of this series Valerie and Adam dive into a thought-provoking discussion about the concept of grace, focusing on the larger Christian and Latter-day Saint traditions.

Adam shares his insights from his book "Original Grace," emphasizing that grace should be seen as the original intention of God rather than a backup plan.

Val and Adam explore why grace is often viewed as a backup plan, reflecting on human nature and our instinctual need for survival. They also touch on the topics of justice and heterodoxy, setting the stage for the next episode's deeper exploration.

Join Valerie and Adam in this captivating conversation that challenges traditional interpretations and paves the way for a more nuanced understanding of grace and its implications in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

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

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Series Title: A Tribute to Lavina Fielding Anderson [Part II of II]

In this second half of a beautiful conversation celebrating the life of recently deceased Lavina Fielding Anderson, Valerie continues to learn from Lavina's son, Christina Anderson about his mother's life and legacy, picking up their conversation from Monday in 1993, where her exposure of widespread ecclesiastical abuse was met with fear and eventual church discipline.

Christian shares his reminiscences of his parents' emotional experience at this time, their struggles, and their eventual triumph to draw a circle of love large enough to include those who had unjustly shut them out. This episode is a true testimony that it is possible to embody both love of others and the integrity to stand up for one's convictions.

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Friday Episodes Annual Access $89

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Series Title: A Tribute to Lavina Fielding Anderson [Part I of II]

In this heartfelt episode, Valerie and guest Christian Anderson reflect on the life and legacy of Lavina Fielding Anderson, Christian's mother: a writer, scholar, and passionate believer in protecting the vulnerable and champion for a more inclusive Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

Join Valerie and Christian as they explore Lavina's early life, her convictions, and her eventual confrontation with the LDS church around issues of ecclesiastical abuse. 

In Friday's episode, Christian recounts his own feelings and memories of Lavina's brave and courageous life and legacy. This episode delves into the importance of speaking up for what is right and the need for checks and balances within religious institutions.

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Subscriber-only episode

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In this part II of their analysis of THINK CELESTIAL, Valerie and Nathan continue to thoroughly examine the psychological, relational, and theological implications of Nelson's talk, highlighting potential harmful ideas and the importance of maintaining healthy perspectives within religious discourse. Key topics addressed in this episode include: -A conversation about the concept of a God who gets offended at the suffering of their children-A reframe around the concept of addiction and how love (not judgment) is the means of healing -A conversation about extreme damage done in encouraging individuals to choose loyalty to an institution over family and loved ones who want and deserve dialogue about challenging topics related to spirituality.Referenced in this episode: Think Celestial: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/51nelson?lang=eng About Cults: https://drsteveeichel.com/about-cults Demon Copperhead: https://a.co/d/8s9PXt1——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.com!——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited ⁠⁠Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups⁠⁠⁠!  As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Details about availability on ⁠⁠⁠latterdaystruggles.com⁠⁠⁠⁠.  These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!     https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/how-to-join-a-support-group/——————————————————————————————————————COURSES: Now available! “⁠⁠⁠A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion⁠⁠⁠” parts I and II. See what else is offered on ⁠⁠latterdaystruggles.com⁠⁠⁠⁠     https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/course-library/——————————————————————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/private-practice/——————————————————————

**More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.**

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