Jesus for Mormons

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the significance of Mormon garments—sacred underwear worn by church members—covering recent changes like sleeveless styles and the belief in their protective symbolism. They also address the controversy surrounding Joseph Smith not wearing his garments at his death, which raises questions about their importance. The convers...

In this episode, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the "fight or flight" response, focusing on Kai's journey after leaving the Mormon Church. He reflects on his past as a fighter and his struggle with avoidance, highlighting his attempts to escape through travel and major life changes. The conversation emphasizes the importance of confronting challenges for healing, the clarity gained from livi...

In this episode, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss emotions and spirituality for those leaving Mormonism. They highlight the church's focus on feelings as truth and the risks of emotional manipulation. Using testimonies, including one from a young woman in a polygamist group, they advocate for balancing emotional awareness with critical thinking. They introduce "elevation emotion," the positive...

In this episode of "Jesus for Mormons," hosts Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the relationship between faith and works, emphasizing that genuine faith in Jesus leads to good deeds. Kai reflects on his past in the Mormon Church, encouraged by a friend to view his experiences as valuable rather than wasted. He shares a boating mishap as a lesson in learning from mistakes and highlights the last...

In this episode of "Jesus for Mormons," Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the financial structure of Mormon wards, estimating they generate around $600,000 in tithing annually with minimal expenses. Kai compares this to Circus Circus in Las Vegas, highlighting themes of financial accountability. They also emphasize the importance of transparency in church finances and community-building activit...

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the Mormon Church’s significant financial assets, valued at $265 billion, and question whether the church is fulfilling its non-profit mission or simply accumulating wealth. They highlight declining membership and outdated traditions as signs of disconnect and draw parallels to the "Parable of the Talents," criticizing the...

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss Kai's initial hostility towards Brandon, Di's husband and a pastor, due to his past bias against religious leaders from outside his former Mormon faith. Despite his skepticism, Kai was taken aback by Brandon's genuine and down-to-earth approach, which contrasted with his preconceived notions. This encounter led Kai to recon...

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss how detailed confessions in the Mormon Church can cause unnecessary shame and guilt. They contrast this with the simple, direct forgiveness from Jesus. They argue that these practices can lead to guilt and psychological harm, making forgiveness seem conditional. They also address the harm from strict teachings on sexual sin...

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons episode, Kai Van Leuven explores a removed segment from the Mormon temple ceremony that emphasized a divisive "us vs. them" mentality, likely leading to its 1990 removal as the church aimed for a more inclusive image. Kai uses a personal landlord experience to illustrate how past trauma can shape one's mindset, arguing that ex-Mormons may still retain beliefs t...

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di challenge Brad Wilcox's claim that non-Mormons are "playing church" and that leaving the Mormon church means losing everything valuable. It highlights frustration with spiritual elitism and the impact of these beliefs on inclusivity and personal faith. The speaker finds Wilcox's views manipulative and harmful, especially to youth, a...

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven, and Pastor Di discuss the concept of "anti" in Mormonism, exploring how anything negative toward the church is labeled as anti, even if it's historically accurate. The hosts talk about how Mormon missionaries, like Kai, are trained to promote the Book of Mormon as the most correct book, which undermines other Christian beliefs. They also discus...

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di reflect on the emotional content from previous episodes and discuss grief as a motivated state. They compare the dress codes of the Mormon church with those of Venture Church. Kai shares a personal experience of feeling disappointment from a friend after going against his tribe. Despite these challenges, they both express hope for...

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di explore the themes of shame, guilt, and sin. They share personal stories about the effects of these emotions within and beyond the Mormon church. The discussion emphasizes the importance of finding a supportive community and seeking healing. Di offers theological insights on God's promise of hope and restoration, while Kai reflects...

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di explore the concept of sunk costs—the reluctance to abandon a course of action due to heavy investment—particularly in the context of the Mormon Church. They discuss sunk costs like church callings, tithing, missed opportunities, missions, and strained relationships after leaving. The hosts stress the importance of recognizing inte...

his episode of Jesus for Mormons emphasizes mental health and grieving, sharing personal experiences and strategies for overcoming difficult situations. Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the stages of grief, the importance of self-compassion, and the conscious choice to move forward. They offer practical tips such as setting boundaries with negative influences and prioritizing self-care. The co...

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the challenges of leaving the Mormon church and its impact on his family and his relationships. He recounts his experience of informing his family, particularly his mother, about his decision and the emotional reactions it triggered. The episode explores the complexities of mixed-faith relationships, emphasizing the need fo...

After leaving the Mormon church, Kai Van Leuven faced depression and nihilism due to consuming negative content about the church. He struggled to separate his belief in God from his negative experiences and felt manipulated by religion. A moment of reflection at a doctor's office led him to acknowledge his mental state and regret not healing faster. Pastor Di, offered empathy and validation for th...

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven recounts his experience attending a mainstream Christian church with his family on Easter, highlighting the contrasts in worship style and practices between this church and the Mormon church. He reflects on the significance of asking challenging questions and maintaining a critical perspective on faith. Kai also addresses the need to balance bli...

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di explore Kai's faith crisis within the Mormon church. Kai shares his emotional reactions to historical figures and the pressures he faced to conform from a young age. He recounts his mission experience in St. Louis, where he encountered criticisms of Mormonism and misconceptions. A significant turning point occurred when Kai learned...

In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the recent moral failings of Micah Wilder, a former leader of Adams Road Ministry, who was found to be involved in unethical behavior while preaching against such practices. They explore the impact on the ex-Mormon Christian community, emphasizing feelings of betrayal and the broader implications for religious leadership. T...

Kai Van Leuven, a lifelong Mormon with deep family roots in the church, recounts his journey of faith crisis and departure. Triggered by troubling historical accounts and inconsistencies in church teachings, Kai’s confidence in Mormonism eroded, leading him to abruptly leave the church and request to be removed from all church roles and contact lists. Despite his pain and sense of betrayal, he now...