Mormon Stories Podcast

A strong trigger warning leads off this special Mormon Stories episode with our guest who prefers to be referred to as “Rachel '' for this interview. We discuss Rachel’s father being called as a mission president, the abuse she endured, and the subsequent cover-up from those in positions of power in the LDS church.

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Show notes:

• The LDS church's Gospel Topics Essays
• Mormon Stories episode with Matt Long

Is there space in the Mormon church for non-literal believers? Mormon Stories is joined today by Jon Westover, professor and former church apologist with FAIR Mormon to help us discover if the non-orthodox  “middle way” is still a tenable path. We hope you enjoy hearing Jon’s story! 

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Show notes:

• Ed Decker Mormon Stories interview
• Jon’s “Human Capital Innovations Podcast”
• Elder Packer General Conference remarks about same-sex attraction 
• Why People Leave the Church Mormon Stories video
• Laurie Lee Hall Mormon Story
• John Dehlin vs Scott Gordon debate at UVU
• John Lynch MS interview
• Queer Mormon Theology Blair Osler

Sarah Edmondson and Nippy Ames are our guests for this epic Mormon Stories interview where we discuss their escape from the NXIVM cult. We discuss the similarities between NXIVM leader Keith Raniere and Joseph Smith, including secret societies existing within the larger group, and the similar tactics used to control so many people.

Sarah and Nippy share which vulnerabilities led them to become involved in NXIVM and once they were in, what tactics were used to get them to ignore red flags and their own instincts, even as far as Sarah allowing herself to be “branded” with Keith Raniere’s initials on her skin. How does one “wake up” after being willing to go so far?

Sarah and Nippy share their paths to regaining control of their own minds and bodies to face the hard truth about what they used to believe–and how they turn that devastation into a united determination to expose Keith for what he really is to the world. We hope you’ll resonate with Sarah and Nippy’s fascinating and gripping story!

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Show notes and links:

• A Little Bit Culty podcast
• The Vow on HBO
• Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult That Bound My Life
• Don't Call it a Cult: The Shocking Story of Keith Raniere and the Women of NXIVM
• Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith
• Holy Hell film
• Wild Wild Country
• Recovering Agency: Lifting the Veil of Mormon Mind Control

Mormon Stories is honored to sit down with Cody Alan, host and producer of CMT Radio in Nashville, TN. In this fun and heartfelt interview, we discuss Cody's conversion to the LDS church as well as his suppression and acceptance of his gay identity. Cody shares so much wisdom with us and we hear some fun stories about his life in country radio and the musical artists who have supported him through this long and hard journey to come out. We hope you enjoy our interview with Cody and support him by purchasing a copy of his new book, "Hear's the Thing: Lessons on Listening, Life, and Love".

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Recently in a speech given at the University of Virginia, Mormon apostle Elder Dallin H. Oaks denied that Electroshock Therapy as a form of gay conversion therapy was used/studied during his tenure as president of Brigham Young University in the 1970s.

Join us on 11/18/2021 at 3pm (mountain) where we will discuss the history of Electroshock Therapy at BYU - and determine whether or not Dallin H. Oaks was being truthful when he denied that gay Electroshock therapy was used/studied at BYU during his time as BYU President. We will be joined by historian Connell O'Donovan and Kyle Ashworth.

Show Notes:

• Part 1 of Mormon Stories discussion about Oaks' visit to UVA 
• "Going Forward with Religious Freedom and Nondiscrimination," address by Elder Dallin H. Oaks at the University of Virginia on November 12, 2021
• Q&A session (and partial transcript) with Dallin Oaks before the UVA address Latter Gay Stories podcast, hosted by Kyle Ashworth 
• Mormon historian Connell O'Donovan 
• "On The Record: A Chronology of LGBTQ+ Messaging," by Latter Gay Stories Affirmation LGBTQ Mormons, Family, and Friends 
• Dallin H. Oaks’ bio
• "A Message to Young Men," Boyd K. Packer's "little factory" talk from 1976 General Conference, in which he compared sperm production to a factory as a way to discourage boys from masturbating 
• A side-by-side comparison of the original vs. the Church-edited version of Hartman Rector's 1981 General Conference talk "Turning the Hearts"
• "Effect of Visual Stimuli in Electric Aversion Therapy," by Max Ford McBride, Psychology dissertation, Brigham Young University, 1976 
• FAIR's response to electroshock and vomit aversion at BYU 
• Legacies, BYU Electroshock Documentary, Gentile Pictures, 1996
  Goodbye, I Love You by Carol Lynn Pearson 
• The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball 
• "The Abominable and Detestable Crime Against Nature: A Revised History of Homosexuality & Mormonism, 1840-1980," by Connell O'Donovan 
• Dr. Allen Bergin apologizes for his role in carrying out electroshock aversion at BYU in the 1970s
• "Dallin Oaks says shock therapy of gays didn't happen at BYU while he was president. Records show otherwise," by Peggy Fletcher Stack, Salt Lake Tribune, November 16, 2021

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We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming!

Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50

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Recently in a speech given at the University of Virginia, Mormon apostle Elder Dallin H. Oaks denied that Electroshock Therapy as a form of gay conversion therapy was used/studied during his tenure as president of Brigham Young University in the 1970s.

Join us on 11/18/2021 at 3pm (mountain) where we will discuss the history of Electroshock Therapy at BYU - and determine whether or not Dallin H. Oaks was being truthful when he denied that gay Electroshock therapy was used/studied at BYU during his time as BYU President. We will be joined by historian Connell O'Donovan and Kyle Ashworth.

Show Notes:

• "Going Forward with Religious Freedom and Nondiscrimination," address by Dallin Oaks at the University of Virginia on November 12, 2021
• Q&A session with Dallin Oaks prior to the UVA address
• Latter Gay Stories podcast, hosted by Kyle Ashworth
• Mormon Stories interview with Hannah Comeau
• Hunter et. al. v. the United States Department of Education
• The Religious Exemption Accountability Project
• "School of Law event with Dallin Oaks draws protest from Lambda Law Alliance," by Merrill Hart, The Cavalier Daily, November 16, 2021
• "On The Record: A Chronology of LGBTQ+ Messaging," by Latter Gay Stories
• Mormon Stories interviews with Greg Prince
• "Principles to Govern Possible Public Statement on Legislation Affecting Rights of Homosexuals," Statement by Dallin Oaks on August 7, 1984
• "Dallin Oaks says shock therapy of gays didn't happen at BYU while he was president. Records show otherwise," by Peggy Fletcher Stack, Salt Lake Tribune, November 16, 2021
• Church statement denouncing conversion therapy---insofar as it involves "abusive practices" and allowing a "religious exemption" to the ban
• A screenshot of the 2012 Church website "Mormon and Gay"
• Another screenshot of the 2012 Church website "Mormon and Gay"
• In 2016, the name, tone, and content of the “Mormon and Gay” website were changed.
• "The Popular Myth of the Victimless Crime," by Dallin H. Oaks, Brigham Young University Press, 1974

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We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming!

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*PO Box 171085

Salt Lake City, UT 84117

What happens when two closeted lesbian Mormon women marry men, have children, then cross paths and fall in love? In this very special Mormon Stories 2 part episode, we are honored to share one of the most important interviews in the history of the podcast. This is the story of Lena Schwen and Sal Osborne. In part 1, Sal describes dating in high school, feeling as though part of her died as she married a man in the LDS temple, and struggling with her ex-husband and band mate as they toured in the group “Love You Long Time”. Lena, a teenage convert from a divorced Catholtic Italian home, takes us through the heartbreaking events that led to her conversion into the LDS church. Lena has a truly unique story and fascinating perspectives from the eyes of a convert! We end part one with Lena realizing that raising children with the values taught by the LDS church made her feel like her time being a dedicated Mormon wife was running out. We hope you’ll tune in to part 2 to hear how these two amazing women overcame enormous hurdles to become the couple they are today!

Show Notes:

• Wipeout, Season 2 Episode 8, Sal and her former husband were the winners 
• Sal and her husband's band, Love You Long Time 
• Sal's Instagram for coaching LGBTQ people who are coming out 
• Peace Out podcast hosted by Sal Osborne 
• Lena's holistic nutrition business 
• Mormon Stories interview with Tyler Glenn 
• Mormon Stories interview with Wayne and Alex Sermon 
• Lesbians Who Look Like Justin Bieber 
• The Principles of Healthy Sexuality, with Natasha Helfer, on Mormon Stories 
• Mormon Stories interview with Tom Phillips 
• Letter for My Wife 
• Jennifer Finlayson-Fife's "Art of Desire" workshops 
• The Family: A Proclamation to the World 
• Testimonies and Spiritual Experiences Across Religions - Emotions are Not Reliable to Discern Truth

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We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming!

Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50

—————

—————

We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming!

Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50

—————

MSP on Spotify

MSP on Apple Podcasts

MSP Blog

Instagram

Patreon

TikTok

Discord

Contact Us!

*[email protected]

*PO Box 171085

Salt Lake City, UT 84117

What happens when two closeted lesbian Mormon women marry men, have children, then cross paths and fall in love? In this very special Mormon Stories 2 part episode, we are honored to share one of the most important interviews in the history of the podcast. This is the story of Lena Schwen and Sal Osborne. In part 1, Sal describes dating in high school, feeling as though part of her died as she married a man in the LDS temple, and struggling with her ex-husband and band mate as they toured in the group “Love You Long Time”. Lena, a teenage convert from a divorced Catholtic Italian home, takes us through the heartbreaking events that led to her conversion into the LDS church. Lena has a truly unique story and fascinating perspectives from the eyes of a convert! We end part one with Lena realizing that raising children with the values taught by the LDS church made her feel like her time being a dedicated Mormon wife was running out. We hope you’ll tune in to part 2 to hear how these two amazing women overcame enormous hurdles to become the couple they are today!

Show Notes:

• Wipeout, Season 2 Episode 8, Sal and her former husband were the winners 
• Sal and her husband's band, Love You Long Time 
• Sal's Instagram for coaching LGBTQ people who are coming out 
• Peace Out podcast hosted by Sal Osborne 
• Lena's holistic nutrition business 
• Mormon Stories interview with Tyler Glenn 
• Mormon Stories interview with Wayne and Alex Sermon 
• Lesbians Who Look Like Justin Bieber 
• The Principles of Healthy Sexuality, with Natasha Helfer, on Mormon Stories 
• Mormon Stories interview with Tom Phillips 
• Letter for My Wife 
• Jennifer Finlayson-Fife's "Art of Desire" workshops 
• The Family: A Proclamation to the World 
• Testimonies and Spiritual Experiences Across Religions - Emotions are Not Reliable to Discern Truth

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We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming!

Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50

—————

MSP on Spotify

MSP on Apple Podcasts

MSP Blog

Instagram

Patreon

TikTok

Discord

Contact Us!

*[email protected]

*PO Box 171085

Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Join us this Wednesday at noon as Luna Corbden, Marc Oslund, Gerardo, and John discuss the Mormon Church's efforts to use the psychological theory of inoculation to pre-expose the youth to weakened versions of the troubling history through an updated CES and Sunday School curriculum. 

"... Please, before you send them into the world, inoculate your students by providing faithful, thoughtful, and accurate interpretation of gospel doctrine, the scriptures, our history, and those topics that are sometimes misunderstood.

The effort for gospel transparency and spiritual inoculation through a thoughtful study of doctrine and history, coupled with a burning testimony, is the best antidote we have to help students avoid and/or deal with questions, doubt, or faith crises they may face in this information age."

M. Russell Ballard, February 26, 2016

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts/article/evening-with-a-general-authority/2016/02/the-opportunities-and-responsibilities-of-ces-teachers-in-the-21st-century?lang=eng

Show Notes:

• Recovering Agency: Lifting the Veil of Mormon Mind Control by Luna Lindsey Corbden
• "Examining Mormon Mind Control" with Luna Lindsey Corbden on Mormon Stories 
• Mormon Stories interview with Marc Oslund 
• M. Russell Ballard's February 2016 CES Employees Devotional encouraging "inoculation" 
• "Sister to Sister," 2019 BYU Women's Conference 
• "Youth Need 'Inoculation' Against the World," by Melissa Merrill, Ensign, 2004 
• "Will You Engage in the Wrestle?" a 2016 devotional by Sheri Dew at BYU-Idaho 
• "Doctrinal Mastery," a 2016 Seminary training by Chad H. Webb
• Mormon Stories' interview with Sandra Tanner 
• "Boys Need Heroes Close By," by President Spencer W. Kimball at General Conference 1976
• Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men by Lundy Bancroft "Freedom or Captivity," by Matthew Flitton, Ensign, 2018
• "Dispelling the Illusion of Invulnerability: The Motivations and Mechanisms of Resistance to Persuasion," by BJ Sagarin, et. al., Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2002 
• Marc Oslund's Instagram 
• Luna Cordben's Twitter 
• Luna Corbden's website

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We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming!

Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50

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MSP on Spotify

MSP on Apple Podcasts

MSP Blog

Instagram

Patreon

TikTok

Discord

Contact Us!

*[email protected]

*PO Box 171085

Salt Lake City, UT 84117

James Jesse Strang (March 21, 1813 – July 9, 1856) was an American religious leader, politician and self-proclaimed monarch. In 1844 he claimed to have been appointed to be the successor of Joseph Smith as leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite),[a] a faction of the Latter Day Saint movement. Strang testified that he had possession of a letter from Smith naming him as his successor, and furthermore reported that he had been ordained to the prophetic office by an angel. His organization is claimed by his followers to be the sole legitimate continuation of the Church of Christ founded by Joseph Smith fourteen years before. (Source: Wikipedia)

Show notes:

• Mormon Expression with John Larsen
• "Worst Regional Conference Ever," with John Larsen on Mormon Stories
• King of Beaver Island: The Life and Assassination of James Jesse Strang by Roger Van Noord
• Joseph Smith's "Letter of Appointment" to James Strang
• Images of the Voree Plates
• The Book of the Law of the Lord, Strang's translation of the Vorhee Plates
• The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power by D. Michael Quinn
• The Manipulated Mind: Brainwashing, Conditioning, and Indoctrination by Denise Winn
• By the Hand of Mormon: The American Scripture that Launched a New World Religion by Terryl L. Givens
• Recovering Agency: Lifting the Veil of Mormon Mind Control by Luna Lindsey Corbden
• Mormon Stories' interview with Luna Lindsey Corbden

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We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming!

Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50

—————

MSP on Spotify

MSP on Apple Podcasts

MSP Blog

Instagram

Patreon

TikTok

Discord

Contact Us!

*[email protected]

*PO Box 171085

Salt Lake City, UT 84117