In this second episode exploring Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet by John G. Turner, we dive into Chapters 2 and 3, covering Joseph Smith's evolving accounts of the First Vision, early controversies, treasure digging escapades, and his transformation into a religious leader. We discuss historical inconsistencies, cultural influences, and Turner's critical conclusions about Smith's experiences and motivations.

Based on Chapters 2 & 3 of John G. Turner’s book, topics include:

The First Vision's late emergence and conflicting versions

Treasure digging and supernatural claims

The influence of revivalist culture

Early church documents and evolving theology

Turner's secular interpretation of Joseph Smith’s story

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Brooke is returning to Mormon Stories Podcast after 13 years, when she and her husband came on as the first couple to be interviewed on the podcast. Brooke’s husband at the time, John McLay was a CES employee who lost his faith while working for the church. It was an epic Mormon Stories interview, and we are excited to hear what Brooke has been up to since. We will hear about how Brooke has rebuilt her life and career after a divorce, and how her life has been impacted by sharing her story in such a public way.

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Today we are rebroadcasting an older, classic, episode of Mormon Stories from 2012!In this episode we interview John and Brooke McLay. John served for 14 years as an employee of the LDS Church Education System (CES). In this capacity he served as: a seminary teacher and principal, an institute teacher and director, a BYU Education Week speaker and an EFY Director. John also served as a member of a stake high council, and was serving in a bishopric during the months leading up to his decision to leave the LDS Church. John and Brooke resigned their membership of the LDS Church in August of 2011.  This is their story.Join us in the next episode where we re-interview Brooke Lark!

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We're kicking off this brand-new series with special guest John G. Turner, historian and author of the newly released book Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.

In this episode, we dive into Turner's research process, the inspirations behind the book, and how his work compares to previous scholars like Fawn Brodie and Richard Bushman. We explore Joseph Smith’s visionary parents, his early years, the origins of the Book of Mormon, and whether the LDS Church has hidden key historical documents.

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Katherine Bernard (KB) Olsen is a never-mo (never Mormon) — but also one of the most devoted fans of Mormon Stories Podcast. A queer, secular journalist with deep Jewish roots and a high-fashion pedigree, Katherine has spent over 20 years captivated by the LDS Church — despite never being religious herself. In her first-ever full-length interview about her life story, she opens up about her lifelong curiosity with Mormonism, identity, belief, and American culture.

KB's impressive journalism career includes work at Vogue, New York Times, and other top-tier New York publications. After moving from Maryland to attend NYU for journalism, she found herself drawn not only to art and culture — but also to spirituality, history, and the paradoxes of organized religion. Over the years, her interest in Mormonism became a deep and serious intellectual pursuit.

What You'll Hear in This Interview:

-Her upbringing in a secular household in Maryland

-Her exploration of Jewish identity and eventual conversion

-Her first exposure to Mormonism through South Park, Big Love, and The Book of Mormon musical

-Her emotional journey coming out as gay in a non-supportive environment

-Her reflections on shame, logic, identity, and community

-Her nuanced take on Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and Mormon reality TV

-Her insights into conditioning, religious extremism, and spiritual seeking

This episode is a masterclass in curiosity — how someone with no personal ties to the LDS Church became one of its most thoughtful outside observers. KB explores Mormonism not as a critic or a believer, but as a seeker with a journalist’s eye.

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Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

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Join Natasha Helfer, Chelsea Homer, and Alyssa Witbeck as we review Episodes 1-4 of Season 2 of the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives...where we answer the questions: What is Mormon soft swinging, and is that really a thing?

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Please join us Thursday evening at 6pm Utah time for a call-in show discussing the topic of "Are Mormons Christian?"

This is part 2 of a weekly call-in show format that we are experimenting with.

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In this deeply moving and raw interview, Jennie shares her powerful life story—from growing up in a strict Mormon household to breaking free from the expectations that shaped her identity. She opens up about her parents’ conversions, her challenging marriage, the emotional toll of purity culture, and her gradual disillusionment with the church.

Jennie also recounts the heartbreaking loss of her daughter Izzy, and how grief reshaped her spirituality and perspective on life. Through it all, she finds resilience, healing, and the courage to choose herself.

A story of love, loss, faith, and transformation you won't forget.

Topics Include:

-Childhood in a devout LDS family

-Marriage, purity culture, and incompatibilities in marriage 

-Crisis of faith and discovering church history

-Navigating grief after the loss of her daughter

Subscribe for more real stories about faith, loss, and rebuilding.

Show Notes can be found on the Mormon Stories Blog here.

Watch this episode on YouTube here.

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Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

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PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

In this emotional and deeply honest episode, Eve and her parents, Neal and Christa, share their powerful story of faith, devotion, awakening, and transformation. Raised in a multi-generational Mormon household, Eve and her family lived and breathed the teachings of the LDS Church—until the cracks began to show.

From Neal’s time as a bishop and Christa’s strong belief in Mormon womanhood, to Eve’s mission and eventual faith transition, this conversation explores:

The impact of religious upbringing and cultural expectations

The emotional toll of unaddressed questions and historical issues

How Gospel Topics Essays, polyandry, and the church’s lack of transparency triggered a faith crisis

Eve’s pivotal role in helping her parents deconstruct their beliefs

The cost—and freedom—of walking away

Heartfelt, raw, and eye-opening, this interview shines a light on the complexity of leaving a high-demand religion and finding connection, purpose, and joy on the other side.

Show Notes can be found on the Mormon Stories Blog here.

Watch this episode on YouTube here.

___________________

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

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Contact us:

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PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Join us as we revisit this epic interview with John Dehlin and Carah Burrell, which originally aired on Carah's channel in 2023.

Eve, a good friend of Carah Burrell's, was an active and faithful member of the LDS Church at the time of this interview. She had begun to question aspects of the Church—particularly polygamy—and agreed to sit down with Carah and John for a truly unique conversation. In this interview, they simply presented her with factual information about LDS history and captured her real-time reactions.

This one-of-a-kind interview is now being shared on Mormon Stories Podcast for the very first time. Be sure to join us later this week as Eve returns to the podcast—this time with both of her parents, who have experienced their own faith journeys since Eve's original interview two years ago.

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Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

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

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Our Platforms:

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

Social Media:

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