Mormon Stories Podcast

As part of a multi-part series on claims of Satanic Ritual Abuse within Mormonism, today we are interviewing Dr. David Frankfurter - author of "Evil Incarnate: Rumors of Demonic Conspiracy and Satanic Abuse in History."

David Frankfurter holds the William Goodwin Aurelio Chair of the Appreciation of Scripture at Boston University. He joined the faculty of B.U. in the fall of 2010. A scholar of ancient Mediterranean religions with specialties in Jewish and Christian apocalyptic literature, magical texts, popular religion, and Egypt in the Roman and late antique periods, Frankfurter’s particular interests revolve around theoretical issues like the place of magic in religion, the relationship of religion and violence, the nature of Christianization, and the representation of evil in culture.

After earning his B.A. in Religion from Wesleyan University, M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School, and M.A./Ph.D. from Princeton University, Frankfurter taught at the College of Charleston and the University of New Hampshire, and he held fellowships at the Institute for Advanced Study (1993-95) and the Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study (2007-8), as well as research grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (1992) and the Guggenheim Foundation (2007-8).

A HUGE thank you to Rick Phillips for making this episode possible.

In today's episode I will provide a brief introduction to the history of Satanic Ritual Abuse Claims Within Mormonism. My intention is to follow up a few more episodes from experts and others who are able/willing to give first-hand accounts relating to this topic.

In today's episode we sit down with Hannah Comeau, who shares her story about struggling with Scrupulosity (Religious OCD) and feminist inclinations as a Mormon teenage girl in Rexburg, Idaho.

In today's episode we sit down with Hannah Comeau, who shares her story about struggling with Scrupulosity (Religious OCD) and feminist inclinations as a Mormon teenage girl in Rexburg, Idaho.

In today's episode we sit down with Hannah Comeau, who shares her story about struggling with Scrupulosity (Religious OCD) and feminist inclinations as a Mormon teenage girl in Rexburg, Idaho.

Five years years ago, upon completing my Psychology Ph.D., I began holding retreats and workshops to support Mormons in faith crisis, and specifically to help reduce anxiety, depression, suicidality, family strife, and unnecessary divorce for those experiencing a Mormon Faith Crisis.  For many of these workshops and retreats, I was fortunate to co-present with Natasha Helfer Parker and Margi Dehlin.

In August of 2019 we decided to hold a weekend retreat and record the entire experience ,including the attendee participation.  This is that retreat, which was held from 8/30 to 9/1/2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 40 audience members participated.  The following topics were addressed:

• Understanding and Navigating a Religious Transition
• Fundamentals of Mental Health in a Religious Transition
• The Key to Healthy Relationships: Emotional Intimacy
• Healthy Sexuality After a Faith Transition
• Conscious Parenting
• Communicating with Believing Family and Friends

We hope you enjoy this content.  It is the best insight we can share to help you navigate your religious transition.

Finally, a HUGE thanks goes to Clint and Jeni Martin for underwriting this event.

Five years years ago, upon completing my Psychology Ph.D., I began holding retreats and workshops to support Mormons in faith crisis, and specifically to help reduce anxiety, depression, suicidality, family strife, and unnecessary divorce for those experiencing a Mormon Faith Crisis.  For many of these workshops and retreats, I was fortunate to co-present with Natasha Helfer Parker and Margi Dehlin.

In August of 2019 we decided to hold a weekend retreat and record the entire experience ,including the attendee participation.  This is that retreat, which was held from 8/30 to 9/1/2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 40 audience members participated.  The following topics were addressed:

• Understanding and Navigating a Religious Transition
• Fundamentals of Mental Health in a Religious Transition
• The Key to Healthy Relationships: Emotional Intimacy
• Healthy Sexuality After a Faith Transition
• Conscious Parenting
• Communicating with Believing Family and Friends

We hope you enjoy this content.  It is the best insight we can share to help you navigate your religious transition.

Finally, a HUGE thanks goes to Clint and Jeni Martin for underwriting this event.

Five years years ago, upon completing my Psychology Ph.D., I began holding retreats and workshops to support Mormons in faith crisis, and specifically to help reduce anxiety, depression, suicidality, family strife, and unnecessary divorce for those experiencing a Mormon Faith Crisis.  For many of these workshops and retreats, I was fortunate to co-present with Natasha Helfer Parker and Margi Dehlin.

In August of 2019 we decided to hold a weekend retreat and record the entire experience ,including the attendee participation.  This is that retreat, which was held from 8/30 to 9/1/2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 40 audience members participated.  The following topics were addressed:

• Understanding and Navigating a Religious Transition
• Fundamentals of Mental Health in a Religious Transition
• The Key to Healthy Relationships: Emotional Intimacy
• Healthy Sexuality After a Faith Transition
• Conscious Parenting
• Communicating with Believing Family and Friends

We hope you enjoy this content.  It is the best insight we can share to help you navigate your religious transition.

Finally, a HUGE thanks goes to Clint and Jeni Martin for underwriting this event.

Five years years ago, upon completing my Psychology Ph.D., I began holding retreats and workshops to support Mormons in faith crisis, and specifically to help reduce anxiety, depression, suicidality, family strife, and unnecessary divorce for those experiencing a Mormon Faith Crisis.  For many of these workshops and retreats, I was fortunate to co-present with Natasha Helfer Parker and Margi Dehlin.

In August of 2019 we decided to hold a weekend retreat and record the entire experience ,including the attendee participation.  This is that retreat, which was held from 8/30 to 9/1/2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 40 audience members participated.  The following topics were addressed:

• Understanding and Navigating a Religious Transition
• Fundamentals of Mental Health in a Religious Transition
• The Key to Healthy Relationships: Emotional Intimacy
• Healthy Sexuality After a Faith Transition
• Conscious Parenting
• Communicating with Believing Family and Friends

We hope you enjoy this content.  It is the best insight we can share to help you navigate your religious transition.

Finally, a HUGE thanks goes to Clint and Jeni Martin for underwriting this event.

Five years years ago, upon completing my Psychology Ph.D., I began holding retreats and workshops to support Mormons in faith crisis, and specifically to help reduce anxiety, depression, suicidality, family strife, and unnecessary divorce for those experiencing a Mormon Faith Crisis.  For many of these workshops and retreats, I was fortunate to co-present with Natasha Helfer Parker and Margi Dehlin.

In August of 2019 we decided to hold a weekend retreat and record the entire experience ,including the attendee participation.  This is that retreat, which was held from 8/30 to 9/1/2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 40 audience members participated.  The following topics were addressed:

• Understanding and Navigating a Religious Transition
• Fundamentals of Mental Health in a Religious Transition
• The Key to Healthy Relationships: Emotional Intimacy
• Healthy Sexuality After a Faith Transition
• Conscious Parenting
• Communicating with Believing Family and Friends

We hope you enjoy this content.  It is the best insight we can share to help you navigate your religious transition.

Finally, a HUGE thanks goes to Clint and Jeni Martin for underwriting this event.