Mormon Stories Podcast

As part of our mini-series on Mormonism's Second Anointing Ritual, we are re-releasing part of Hans and Birgitta's original interview discussing their participation in this exclusive ceremony. ⁠Hans H. Mattsson⁠ is a 3rd generation LDS church member from Sweden who served as a bishop and stake president in Sweden before serving in the LDS church 3rd Quorum of the Seventy from 2000-2005 in the Euro...

Join us today as we discuss Mormon the priesthood and temple ban with historian Matt Harris. We will be talking about missionary work in South Africa, patriarchal blessings for black individuals, the removal of church leaders because of their ancestry, and the notes from the top secret meeting that came to be known as the Bennion report. Nate Byrd of the Black Menaces is joining us today to share...

In this compelling rebroadcast (first time on youtube), we revisit John Dehlin's 2012 interview with Tom Phillips, a U.K. convert and former LDS stake president whose close friendships with LDS leaders like Harold Hillam, Gordon Hinkley, Russel Ballard, and Jeffrey Holland likely led to the invitation to receive the religion's most exclusive ordinance, the Second Anointing. However, Tom's journey...

Today we are joined by Dr. Darron Smith, Summur-Rayn Barrett, and Nate Byrd of Black Menaces to react to the first three episodes with Matt Harris. Their commentary unpacks Joseph Smith's complex racial attitudes, Brigham Young's implementation of the priesthood ban, and the painful legacy of racist doctrines. Their candid discussion highlights the urgent need for accountability within the Mormon...

Tonight we will be discussing one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 NBA Draft - the fall of Duke forward Kyle Filipowski. Filipowski is a skilled 7-foot big man, two-time All-ACC selection and All-American in 2024. He was projected as a first-round pick by many accounts, but ended up being chosen as the second pick of the second round. Most are blaming Kyle's Mormon girlfriend - Caitlin Hut...

Hayley and Courtney bravely unmask the devastating impacts of sexual shaming in the LDS Church. Representing Provo and Rexburg, two cities with highly dense Mormon populations, Courtney & Hayley reveal how dogmatic teachings warp self-worth and consent. This raw conversation offers validation and healing for those grappling with religious sexual shame, charting a path toward self-acceptance an...

Join us today as we discuss Mormon the priesthood and temple ban with historian Matt Harris. We will be talking about missionary work in South Africa, patriarchal blessings for black individuals, the removal of church leaders because of their ancestry, and the notes from the top secret meeting that came to be known as the Bennion report. Nate Byrd of the Black Menaces is joining us today to share...

From basketball dreams deferred to navigating faith crises, Darren and Jennifer Rogers share their journey out of Mormonism and into a new paradigm of parenting. With candid insights about gender roles, sexual shame, and the struggle to find identity beyond the church, this couple offers hope for those questioning their beliefs. Their story of rebellion, conformity, and ultimately forging their ow...

Derren Klein didn't know a split-second decision to examine a document headed for the trash would blow open not just a family secret, but one of the Mormon Church's most-guarded, controversial, and exclusive rituals: the Second Anointing. This discovery set Klein on a transformative journey as he confronted unsettling truths about his faith, family history, and the very foundations of Morm...

Join with us today as we discuss the priesthood and temple ban with historian Matt Harris. Joseph F. Smith and Joseph Fielding Smith, both Mormon leaders, could not find any doctrinal bases for the priesthood and temple ban and yet it still remained for decades. Members of the church performed blackface and wrote racist poems published in church periodicals. Many of the Mormon leaders did not agre...

A former Mormon Temple Presidency member from the U.K., Martin Lock, candidly discusses his disillusionment with the LDS Church after learning troubling historical facts. He reveals shocking details about temple rituals, the Second Anointing ceremony granting eternal life, and how polygamy drove the creation of temple sealings. Lock's journey from devout believer to critic exposes the deep sch...

Shrouded in secrecy, the Second Anointing ritual promises the highest blessings of exaltation and godhood to worthy Mormons. But with its history steeped in polygamy and secret combinations, this ceremonial rite has sparked intense debate. Uncover the veiled truths of this sacred ordinance as we delve into accounts from former members, historical documents, and the church's tight-lipped stance...

John Dehlin is in the hot seat again, this time with Graham Martin’s podcast, The Cross Examiner. Graham takes on the case of Rationality vs Religion using his experience as a lawyer to examine claims, making his listeners the “jury.” The Cross Examiner (youtube.com) Show Notes YouTube Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:...

In this new series on Mormon Leadership, historian Matt Harris discusses Mormonism's early racism, focusing on the priesthood and temple ban for Black members. He explores the church's opposition to civil rights, the experiences of Black Latter-day Saints like Jane Manning James and Elijah Abel, and the evolving theology around race. Harris challenges misconceptions about prophetic revelation and...

Julia joins the team again to examine the fates of the alleged witnesses to the golden plates of the Book of Mormon, revealing a trail of broken testimonies, apostasies and bizarre offshoots. Nearly all the witnesses later followed eccentric claimants like James Strang, raising serious credibility issues. By scrutinizing discrepancies in accounts, shifting narratives around Joseph Smith's "transla...

Rebecca and Landon from Mormonish Podcast is joined by Radio Free Mormon and Randy Bell to reveal the Mormon church's aggressive tactics to circumvent local building codes for new temples - from funneling money through law firms to influence city councils, to privily threatening opposition that they'll "turn up the heat" and "win" regardless of opposition. Despite publi...

We are super excited to announce a new tv project in development - led by ex-Mormon Heather Gay of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. In my opinion, this project has the potential to move the needle in our goal to bring more transparency to Mormon church. Heather's plea is included below. Please email her production company if you are interested. "To all my Bad Mormons – The last few...

In a gripping interview, Megan Conner unpacks the chilling details surrounding Chad Daybell's guilty verdict for murdering his wife and children, tying it to the dangerous offshoots of Mormon teachings. With raw emotion, Conner condemns the LDS Church's silence which enabled Daybell's doomsday cult beliefs like "blood atonement" and gathering the 144,000. She issues an impass...

Content Warning: suic*de In this riveting podcast, Randy Bell, delves into the chilling story of Heaven's Gate, a cult that led 39 members to a mass suicide in 1997. Through captivating insights, Bell unravels the cult's manipulative tactics, explores the twisted beliefs of its leaders, and highlights the importance of critical thinking in recognizing and avoiding such dangerous groups. Br...

In a captivating panel discussion, former Relief Society Presidents from Mormonism share their raw and honest experiences navigating the complexities of their roles. From confronting gender inequalities to grappling with spiritual doubts, these women offer a rare glimpse into the challenges faced by women in leadership positions within a patriarchal system. Their stories are both empowering and he...

Join us today as we interview Tennessee Mormon Bishop Nathan Hinckley as he shares with us: His recent LDS faith deconstruction How he shared his thoughts on the internet, leading to an invitation to meet with is LDS Stake President The surprising outcome of their "confrontation." We will be hosting a Tennessee meet-up on 5/24/24 thru 5/26/2024. It will be super casual.   Show Notes YouT...

In this riveting interview, @nemothemormon and @analyzingmormonism are back to delve into the lesser-known accounts surrounding the plates of the Book of Mormon. Witness testimonies, some published decades after the events, paint a conflicting picture of the plates' appearance, size, and the circumstances under which they were allegedly shown. From the curious case of Josiah Stoll, who claimed to...

Join us today as we discuss the shocking wave of excommunications hitting at least five married lesbian couples in the Mormon Church across the US. These events stand in stark contrast to what we thought was a hopeful shift in welcoming LGBT married couples in the Church. Here are a few questions for the Church: What happened? Is the right to preserve one's membership intact a privilege reserv...

John Dehlin is joined by Natasha Helfer and Janae Thompson to discuss and react to Kevin Franke's second police interview in the controversial child ab*se case surrounding his former wife, Ruby Franke, and their LDS therapist, Jodi Hildebrandt. Natasha & John's Faith Transitions Course for Therapists Janae Thompson's The King of Random (youtube.com) Show Notes Youtube Mormon Storie...

Were the 8 witnesses to Joseph Smith's golden plates actually credible? Or just gullible relatives caught up in his delusion? Shockingly candid statements from witnesses like Hiram Page and John Whitmer seem to contradict and undermine official LDS teachings about their testimonies. What are the implications of the past witnesses on today’s modern church? Episode Show Notes YouTube Link __________...