Mormon Stories Podcast

Join us for two unique Mormon Stories as John Dehlin & Samantha Shelley interview Tommy & Madison Johnson. Tommy made fans and haters on both sides of belief when he hit the TikTok scene during COVID with funny skits on the peculiarities of Mormonism. What viewers couldn't see was that Tommy was struggling to know how to deal with many of the messier topics in Church History as well as the darker sides of modern Mormon doctrines such as the stance against the LGBTQ+ community, which includes his own sister, while ALSO navigating his mixed-faith marriage with Madison who stopped believing entirely after their Temple Marriage. Madison describes her life as having been "born into a faith crisis" due to stigma and family shame around being conceived out of wedlock by a teen mother. Madison's struggles with the faith continued through most of her life despite her levels of activity/involvement in the Church, even through her Temple Marriage with Tom. Madison leaves the Church upon finding the CES letter and she and Tommy work through what this will mean for their marriage, and even end up on an episode of the podcast "Marriage on a Tightrope" with Katie & Allan Mount. They finish off with where the couple is at today and how life is going since all of the changes they've been through. Guests:

• Tommy
  • Instagram: @thetomsters
  • TikTok: @thetomsters
• Madison
  • Instagram: @madison.ashlee
  • Tiktok: @madsashlee
• Samantha (host)
  • Samantha Shelley Coaching  
  • Zelph on the Shelf

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

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• Patreon
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[email protected]  Mormon Stories Podcast PO Box 171085 Salt Lake City, UT 84117 

• Insta: @mormstories
• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast
• Join the Discord

Supreme Court Amicus Curie briefings are a way for organizations to influence and become involved in significant Court cases. For many years the church has used its high-powered attorneys to file briefs in major cases. We will discuss which cases and what the church truly values. 

Special Guest: Sam Shelly

• Samantha Shelley Coaching  
• Zelph on the Shelf

Mormon Expressions is made possible by generous donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

• Donate to support John/Carah for Mormon Expressions

John & Carah on Other Platforms:

• Mormon Expressions Podcast on Spotify
• Nuancehoe on YouTube
• Nuancehoe on Patreon
• John Larsen on YouTube

Support Mormon Stories Podcast here:

• One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
• Support us on Patreon
• Pick “Mormon Stories” as your charity on Amazon Smile or through the Amazon App

Our Platforms:

• Patreon
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

[email protected] PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

• Insta: @mormstories
• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast
• Join the Discord

Today’s episode continues the discussion on Polygamy with the (in)famous revelation still canonized in Mormon/LDS scripture as Section 132 of the Doctrine & Covenants. Mike sets up the historical & personal context of the timing of this revelation and the problematic ideas presented in it as coming from God including how God views women, redefining adultery and other moral issues, and the various rules and justifications given by God to practice polygamy. 

Mike goes on to show that Joseph admits himself that polygamy is something he wanted, and despite being the receiver of the various specific rules defined by God, he nevertheless proceeds to break every one of them. 

Finally, Mike goes over the many apologetics around this section of the Doctrine & Covenants and the problems with most of the arguments attempting to justify the revelation, Joseph’s polygamy, and the resulting polygamy among many of the branches of Mormonism, some continuing to this day. 

Special Guest: Elisha Lee

• Faith Unraveled Tiktok (Faith Transition Focused)
• Soul Unraveled Tiktok (Personal Journey Focused)

LDS Discussion Essay on Polygamy

Episode Show Notes

• Part 1: An Introduction to Mormon Polygamy - 24
• Part 3: Joseph Smith’s Plural Marriage Proposals Pt 1 – 26
• Part 4: Joseph Smith’s Plural Marriage Proposals Pt 2 – 27
• Part 5: The Happiness Letter (Joseph Smith’s Proposition to Nancy Rigdon) – 28
• Part 6: Polygamy Apologetics, Spiritual Wifery, etc – 29

_________________________

LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors!
Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

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Contact LDS Discussions:

• Twitter: @ldsdicussions
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Contact us:

[email protected]

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Social Media:

• Insta: @mormstories
• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast
• Join the Discord

Going through a faith crisis can be a lonely and isolating experience, especially in a believing family, so imagine the relief to find someone else is going through the same thing! Join John & Margi as they interview Chris Lee and Mitch Hadfield about their Mormon Story, their struggles with the faith, their relief to find understanding, support & solidarity with each other, and where their lives are now.

In Part 2 of 2, Chris and Mitch explain the sources of their individual faith crises and how they processed it. Chris’ was a slow burn with a long amount of time spent in progressive Mormonism, while Mitch went from fairly conservative to a nonbeliever overnight. They explain the results of sharing their faith loss with each other, their wives, and other believing family members and where Chris and Mitch find themselves today. 

Chris Lee:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Tiktok

Episode Show Notes

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

• One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
• Support us on Patreon
• Pick “Mormon Stories” as your charity on Amazon Smile or through the Amazon App 

• Mormon Stories Blog
• Patreon
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

[email protected] 

Mormon Stories Podcast

PO Box 171085

Salt Lake City, UT 84117 

• Insta: @mormstories
• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast
• Join the Discord

Going through a faith crisis can be a lonely and isolating experience, especially in a believing family, so imagine the relief to find someone else is going through the same thing! Join John & Margi as they interview Chris Lee and Mitch Hadfield about their Mormon Story, their struggles with the faith, their relief to find understanding, support & solidarity with each other, and where their lives are now.

In Part 1 of 2, Chris and Mitch tell their respective stories growing up in Mormon families and share their individual struggles serving missions for the Church. Chris struggles deeply with depression and anxiety resulting in going home early though at the cost of guilt that will last for years. Mitch experiences shame over “unrepented sins,” difficulties of the mission, and deals with suicidal ideation, though his does finish the full two-year term.

Chris Lee:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Tiktok

Episode Show Notes

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

• One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
• Support us on Patreon
• Pick “Mormon Stories” as your charity on Amazon Smile or through the Amazon App 

• Mormon Stories Blog
• Patreon
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

[email protected] 

Mormon Stories Podcast

PO Box 171085

Salt Lake City, UT 84117 

• Insta: @mormstories
• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast
• Join the Discord

Mike and John discuss the timeline and cultural context surrounding Joseph Smith at the time he claims to receive the revelation on polygamy which became canonized and is still considered scripture for many modern Mormon branches, some who still practice it today, and even ones who don't, like the largest Mormon branch headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

• Part 2: D&C 132 – Joseph Smith’s Polygamy “Revelation” - 25
• Part 3: Joseph Smith’s Plural Marriage Proposals Pt 1 – 26
• Part 4: Joseph Smith’s Plural Marriage Proposals Pt 2 – 27
• Part 5: The Happiness Letter (Joseph Smith’s Proposition to Nancy Rigdon) – 28
• Part 6: Polygamy Apologetics, Spiritual Wifery, etc – 29

_________________________

LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors!
Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

• One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
• Support us on Patreon
• Pick “Mormon Stories” as your charity on Amazon Smile or through the Amazon App

LDS Discussions Platforms:

• LDS Discussions Website
• LDS Discussions Playlist on YouTube

Contact LDS Discussions:

• Twitter: @ldsdicussions
• Facebook: @ldsdiscussion
• Insta: @ldsdiscussions
• Email: [email protected]

Contact us:

[email protected]

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Social Media:

• Insta: @mormstories
• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast
• Join the Discord

Content Warning: Mention of sexual acts, suicide, & suicidal ideation

Join us for a very special episode & guest, Daniel Spencer (@DanBamBam on Social Media) to share his heartwarming story with us. From growing up as a closeted gay Mormon teenager in a country where being gay isn't just illegal, but dangerous, to his mission experiences and discovering his talent not just for comedy but for starting important conversations at BYU and beyond! Daniel Spencer (@DanBanBam)

• TikTok: @danbanbam
• Dry Bar Special: Accents Make You Hotter. Daniel Spencer
• Insta: @danbanbam

Trigger Warning: Suicides & Suicidal Ideation

In this part 2 of 2, Daniel returns to share what the remainder of his mission was like, his studies at BYU, dealing with his homosexuality, learning more about the Church's history and truth claims, and his attempts to learn to speak his truth out loud after decades of hiding who he was. Daniel attempts to use social media to bring attention to important issues as well as give people a chance to speak their truth, even if anonymously.

Episode Show Notes

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

• One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
• Support us on Patreon
• Pick “Mormon Stories” as your charity on Amazon Smile or through the Amazon App 

• Mormon Stories Blog
• Patreon
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• Apple Podcasts

[email protected] 

Mormon Stories Podcast

PO Box 171085

Salt Lake City, UT 84117 

• Insta: @mormstories
• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast
• Join the Discord

Content Warning: Mention of sexual acts, suicide, & suicidal ideation

Join us for a very special episode & guest, Daniel Spencer (@DanBamBam on Social Media) to share his heartwarming story with us. From growing up as a closeted gay Mormon teenager in a country where being gay isn't just illegal, but dangerous, to his mission experiences and discovering his talent not just for comedy but for starting important conversations at BYU and beyond! Daniel Spencer (@DanBanBam)

• TikTok: @danbanbam
• Dry Bar Special: Accents Make You Hotter. Daniel Spencer
• Insta: @danbanbam

Content Warning: Mention of sexual acts

In Part 1 of 2, Dan tells us about his Mormon upbringing in Zimbabwe, from how his parents met each other, ended up in Zimbabwe, and what may be different for Zimbabwean Latter-day Saints from the more common US & Utah-based stories. We learn what his teens were like, including sexual mores and education where Dan grew up and he shares his own experiences. We also learn when and how Dan began to gain his testimony of the Gospel, his decision to attend BYU and serve a mission, and what his experiences were like going through the Temple for the first time and his early mission experiences.

Episode Show Notes

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

• One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
• Support us on Patreon
• Pick “Mormon Stories” as your charity on Amazon Smile or through the Amazon App 

• Mormon Stories Blog
• Patreon
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[email protected] 

Mormon Stories Podcast

PO Box 171085

Salt Lake City, UT 84117 

• Insta: @mormstories
• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast
• Join the Discord

Description: Join us for our very first General Conference Panel of Discussion on Mormon Stories Podcast. John, Samantha, Gerardo, Nemo, and John’s dad, David will analyze a few statements made during the October 2022 Mormon General Conference. You can't miss this one! Official Channel for General Conference Guest Panelists:

• Samantha Shelly
  • Samantha Shelley Coaching  
  • Zelph on the Shelf
• Nemo the Mormon
  • Nemo the Mormon YouTube Channel

Episode Show Notes

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

• One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
• Support us on Patreon
• Pick “Mormon Stories” as your charity on Amazon Smile or through the Amazon App 

• Mormon Stories Blog
• Patreon
• Spotify
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[email protected]  Mormon Stories Podcast PO Box 171085 Salt Lake City, UT 84117 

• Insta: @mormstories
• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast
• Join the Discord

Join Mike and John as they discuss Mormonism’s early connection with Masonry through Joseph Smith and the unique problems it creates for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to grapple with today.

Covered topics include the timeline of Joseph becoming a Master Mason before introducing the similarly-themed rituals of the Temple Endowment Ceremony, why many members and apologists claim Masonry to be of ancient origin despite evidence to the contrary, the many parallels between the secret rituals of both organizations, and whether or the Temple Endowment involved false doctrines.

LDS Discussions Essay on the Temple & Masonry 

Episode Show Notes

_________________________

LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors!
Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

• One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
• Support us on Patreon
• Pick “Mormon Stories” as your charity on Amazon Smile or through the Amazon App

LDS Discussions Platforms:

• LDS Discussions Website
• LDS Discussions Playlist on YouTube

Contact LDS Discussions:

• Twitter: @ldsdicussions
• Facebook: @ldsdiscussion
• Insta: @ldsdiscussions
• Email: [email protected]

Contact us:

[email protected]

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Social Media:

• Insta: @mormstories
• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast
• Join the Discord