Siblings in Zion

Is this the end?! In this season 5 finale, we discuss the decision to intensionally end the production of this podcast, reflect on why we started it, our current positions on faith and disbelief after these last 5 years, how doing this has changed our lives and our relationship to each other, and where we intend to go from here.

We also discuss the experience of watching the film 'Heretic' and how it was very different for both us, especially for Lisa as a former Sister Missionary.

To all the people who have listened to us, wherever you came from, however you came away from it - thank you.

Thank you especially to those who have reached out to us with messages of support, encouragement and gratitude, it has meant a great deal to us.

Until we meet again!

Love,

Brother Dan & Sister Lisa

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Website: siblingsinzion.com

Instagram: instagram.com/siblingsinzion

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@siblingsinzion

Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com

The siblings are joined by special return guest Brother Jordan to talk about the predatory organization (or cult) known as Twin Flames Universe, which claims that 'You can have Harmonious Twin Flame Union if you choose to take the spiritual journey all the way to your natural destination of eternal love' … also, make a lot of personal sacrifices and of course pay a bunch of money.

They discuss the leaders of the group, their manipulative tactics and schemes, the victims who have spoken out, comparisons with other modern cults like Scientology, NXIVM, and of course the LDS Church.

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Escaping Twin Flames (Netflix) - https://www.netflix.com/watch/81658403

Desperately Seeking Soulmate - https://www.amazon.com/Desperately-Seeking-Soulmate-Escaping-Universe/dp/B0CG7C7N1C

'Twin Flames' podcast - https://wondery.com/shows/twin-flames/

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Website: siblingsinzion.com

Instagram: instagram.com/siblingsinzion

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@siblingsinzion

Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com

The siblings discuss the documentary series 'Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God', the cast of characters, their motivations, the grotesque circumstances of their leader's demise, and the consequences of her absence. And of course they make comparisons to other religions, cults, and the rise of their female leaders in particular. They also discuss the spread of ideas through the internet, the concept of free will, and judgement of human actions.

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Love Has Won - https://shorturl.at/pjUqJ

The Way Down (Gwen Shamblin) - https://shorturl.at/ICoIm

Lori Vallo - https://shorturl.at/EcCCa

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Website: siblingsinzion.com

Instagram: instagram.com/siblingsinzion

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@siblingsinzion

Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com

Sister Lisa shares the story and meaning of her first tattoo, an update on her feelings around her grad school experience, and her thoughts on reading 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood.

The siblings then discuss recent thoughts around death and the treatment of remains, and their potential preferences for their own bodies.

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The Common Mormon: Papilio_polytes

The Testaments: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Testaments

From Here to Eternity: https://caitlindoughty.com/books/from-here-to-eternity/

Stiff: stiff.html

Six Feet Under: https://www.hbo.com/six-feet-under

'Hell Together': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAysF5mJjM0

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Website: siblingsinzion.com

Instagram: instagram.com/siblingsinzion

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@siblingsinzion

Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com

Sister Lisa shares her struggles and thoughts on her grad school experience as she prepares to be a therapist, and how her religious past informs her approach and understanding of the system.

The siblings read some *fascinating* articles on tithing from the most recent issue of Liahona, and discuss how much they think about this whole Mormonism thing these days and how much they really need to talk about it going forward …

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Website: siblingsinzion.com

Instagram: instagram.com/siblingsinzion

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@siblingsinzion

Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com

Sister Lisa shares more eyebrow-raising notes from her BYU-Idaho classes. Dating, sexuality, gender and marriage roles, revelation, 'NCMO', suppressing desire, boundaries, bogus statistics, terrible advice & more!

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Christopher Columbus episode of Everywhere You Go is Bullsh*t: https://shorturl.at/vQgS3

Website: siblingsinzion.com

Instagram: instagram.com/siblingsinzion

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@siblingsinzion

Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com

Sister Lisa shares highlights from her notes taken during several classes at BYU-Idaho, including some real whoppers from 'Prep for Temple Marriage' that drive Brother Dan to bewilderment and the both of them to giggles.

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The ExMo Candle Co. - https://exmocandles.com/

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Website: siblingsinzion.com

Instagram: instagram.com/siblingsinzion

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@siblingsinzion

Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com

Bonus material from our episode 'Christian & Atheist Walk Into a Bar' - Comparing Christian and Mormon hymns, the power of music and art in relation to faith in God, as well as a Christian perspective on Stoicism and the precariousness of interpreting the Bible.

Bonus points to those who have seen SLC Punk! - https://youtu.be/6qr-wDh95TM

Website: siblingsinzion.com

Instagram: instagram.com/siblingsinzion

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@siblingsinzion

Dan and Lisa welcome Brother Bryan, a Christian who was previously involved with the Four Square church and now associates with the Church of the Nazarene.

Bryan and Dan have had several fruitful discussions around Faith, Atheism, Christian denominations, biblical literalism, similarities and contrasts in their respective religious experiences, and have have found friendship and comradery in them. So, we gave him an open invite to have one of those discussions on the show. We also welcome our mutual friend Brother Armando, a former Christian who told his story on the previous episode 'Confessions of a Former Shi**y Youth Pastor'.

We appreciate Bryan's willingness to express his faith, his vulnerability in sharing his personal experience, and his willingness to recognize the shortcomings in religious organizations and inappropriate applications of personal beliefs. We hope anyone who cares to comment on our discussion will show the same courtesy and respect we show each other.

'Instead of coming from the gratitude and the place of - God loves me, and taking that love and sharing that with other people, they beat them over the head with a Bible and say - God hates you! It's terrible irony. And that breaks my heart more than anything'

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Church_of_the_Nazarene

Website: siblingsinzion.com

Instagram: instagram.com/siblingsinzion

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@siblingsinzion

Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com

For those who have already read or are quite familiar with the 'King Follett Discourse', this episode of our reading and commentary is abridged to contain less of the text read aloud. You can find the complete version previously published ...

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In this episode the siblings read and comment on 'The King Follett Discourse', its theological significance, and its influence on Mormonism.

In April of 1844, Joseph Smith spoke to a crowd of many thousands (saints and detractors alike) and delivered what would be the most directly recorded public address of his life, and the last such address he would give before his death in June.

The sermon is also one of the most consequential and controversial in regards to the unique doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as it contains the theology of man's potential progression to Godhood, the origin of our Heavenly Father as a man and not an otherwise eternal entity, the council of Gods that planned this world and its salvation, the physical stature of those in the afterlife who died as children, and the eternal nature of matter and intelligence.

However, despite its significance and pedigree of record, it has never been canonized by the church and it seems many members are unaware of the event or the origin of these themes …

In this episode, we read the amalgamated text published by BYU Studies in its entirety and commentate throughout.

The King Follett Sermon (BYU Studies) - https://bit.ly/3H6VlYZ

LDS Church History Topics essay - https://bit.ly/3H4HPoG

1960s pamphlet version - B001L3RLPW

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Website: siblingsinzion.com

Instagram: instagram.com/siblingsinzion

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@siblingsinzion

Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com