Mormon Stories Podcast

John Dehlin is joined by guests Spencer Anderson, Radio Free Mormon, and Rebecca Bibliotheca to go over the latest Widow’s Mite Report shedding light on the financial practices and transparency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We discuss the church's significant wealth and delve into its historical and current approach to charitable giving. We expose discrepancies in reported figures, revealing how the church combines various donations to inflate its humanitarian efforts. We explore whether the church could do more with its immense resources and discuss its environmental stewardship initiatives. Additionally, the conversation touches on tax issues in Australia and Canada. If you're curious about the financial side of religious institutions and their charitable efforts, this eye-opening discussion provides valuable insights.

The Widow's Mite Report Overview

Episode Show Notes

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Join hosts Mike, Nemo, and John Dehlin as they delve into the intricacies of spiritual witnesses within Mormonism. How do sincere seekers often end up with different answers when appealing to "the Spirit"? Can individuals be exploited by circumstances deliberately designed to create feelings of spiritual confirmation? What are the consequences when "spiritual witnesses" go wrong?

Join us as we dive into the psychological phenomena of spiritual witnesses. We examine topics such as indoctrination, repetition, and the Illusory Truth effect, as well as other psychological mechanisms like confirmation bias, the backfire effect, and motivated reasoning. This episode can provide insight to your own spiritual experiences and provide tools to recognize attempts to manufacture the experience in you.

Overview of Testimonies and Spiritual Witnesses in Mormonism (ldsdiscussions.com)

Episode Show Notes

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Today we will be covering the new hit movie Sound of Freedom - based loosely on the work of Tim Ballard, founder of Operation Underground Railroad.

If you have first-hand stories of experiences with Tim Ballard and/or OUR, or other information that could be helpful to this episode, please email them to me at [email protected].

Joining us for the interview will be journalists Anna Merlan and Tim Marchman, who have both been heavily involved in coverage of this story.

Human Trafficking Advocacy | Freedom Network USA

Articles from Vice on Tim Ballard and OUR can be found below:

• 7/13/2023: Tim Ballard Has ‘Stepped Away’ From Operation Underground Railroad, Org Says
• 7/6/23: Anti-Trafficking Group With Long History of False Claims Gets Its Hollywood Moment
• 6/10/22: Operation Underground Railroad Touts Non-Existent Partnership With American Airlines
• 8/24/21: Inside the Shadowy Anti–Sex Trafficking Group OUR 
• 6/10/21: Operation Underground Railroad’s Carefully Crafted Public Image Is Falling Apart
• 8/12/21: Anti-Trafficking Charity Operation Underground Railroad Has Another Murky Rescue Story
• 3/8/21: Inside a Massive Anti-Trafficking Charity's Blundering Overseas Missions
• 12/10/20: A Famed Anti-Sex Trafficking Group Has a Problem With the Truth

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Join us for part three of our interview with Bill and Amanda Reel as we navigate the intricate topics of identity, spirituality, and the profound impact of shedding religious frameworks. We delve into discussions on morality, sexuality, and the complexities of relationships in a post-religious context, explore the meaning and purpose of life beyond religious constructs and the challenges of finding community and support outside of traditional religious structures. Prepare to be inspired and challenged as we venture into the realms of existentialism, the resolution of death, and the embrace of the present moment. Join us on this captivating exploration of life, spirituality, and the endless possibilities that lie beyond the confines of religious dogma.

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Dive deeper into the captivating story of Bill and Amanda Reel as they embark on the second part of their remarkable journey. We explore their gripping encounters with church authorities, their disillusionment with Mormonism's truth claims, and their courageous decision to become whistleblowers within the faith. Discover the challenges they faced, including the lack of safety to be honest and the harm caused by the Mormon Church. Bill gives insight into the world of Mormon apologists and their ethics, as well as the transformative power of real authenticity when you can leave behind the burden of inauthenticity. Explore the shifting landscape of progressive Mormonism and the ultimate question of whether the Church's good outweighs its flaws. Prepare to be captivated by this thought-provoking exploration of faith, honesty, and the personal sacrifices made in pursuit of truth and freedom.

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Discover the captivating story of Bill and Amanda Reel as they share their extraordinary journey through Mormonism, exploring Bill's transformation from a troubled youth seeking fatherly guidance to a dedicated bishop caught in a web of doubt and awakening. Unveil the challenges faced by this couple within the Mormon patriarchy, their relentless pursuit for truth, and how their experiences ultimately led them on a path of self-discovery and personal growth. Join us as we delve into the untold chapters of their lives, exposing the complexities and contradictions of faith, family, and the power of questioning within a religious institution.

Donate to Mormon Discussions

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Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

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PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 

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Unearth the captivating rise of Brigham Young from the mesmerizing “Transfiguration” that altered Mormonism's course. Mike, Nemo, and John explore this event through meticulous analysis of historical records, contemporary journals, and a carefully constructed narrative. Unveil the astonishing accounts of miracles, including a highly cited backdated miracle and the use of carefully worded descriptions in "Saints." Discover why the Transfiguration holds immense significance for Mormonism and how it serves as a guide to the birth of miracle stories.

Overview of the Transfiguration of Brigham Young and Miraculous Stories (ldsdiscussions.com)

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PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 

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In today's episode, we delve into the remarkable story of Rachel Weaver—another member of BYU's Black Menaces. Prepare for an inspiring exploration of Rachel's life as a black convert to a conservative religion in a liberal environment to her life as a student at BYU. What eventually led her to forge her own path by stepping away from the faith that once defined her?

Episode Show Notes

• Rachel Weaver - Instagram
• Nate Byrd - Instagram

Black Menaces

• The Black Menaces Podcast
• The Black Menaces - Tik Tok
• The Black Menaces - YouTube
• The Black Menaces - Instagram
• The Black Menaces - Twitter

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PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 

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Today we discuss a recent Supreme Court ruling permitting businesses to discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community. It has been alleged that the case was based on a fake document. The Alliance Defending Freedom, a prominent Christian organization, was heavily involved in the case and the Mormon Church submitted an amicus brief supporting the discrimination. Join us as we briefly examine some of this contentious case's facts.

LDS Church's Amicus Brief

Brenton Erickson – Public Defender

• Brenton's Linked In
• Brenton’s Tiktok

Episode Show Notes

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PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 

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• Join the Discord

In this episode we will review two books the Church "quietly" edited, making significant changes on the DL. The first is the Double Day version of the Book of Mormon published in 2004. The second is Rex Lee's "What do Mormons Believe? published in 1992.