Mormon Stories Podcast

In this episode of Mormon Stories, J. Nelson-Seawright interviews David Campbell , Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame and the founding director of the Rooney Center for the Study of American Democracy, about his celebrated research on religion and politics in America. Professor Campbell argues that the current partisan environment, in which religious people mostly suppo...

This week The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released its long-awaited series of essays on polygamy in Kirtland/Nauvoo, Utah and post-manifesto polygamy, igniting a firestorm of discussion on online. In this episode, we bring together an all-star cast of Mormon Stories favorites to discuss the Kirtland/Nauvoo essay: Lindsay Hansen Park, who in the middle of an amazing and incredibly e...

Kirk Caudle made headlines over the summer when he resigned from the church after working as an online religion instructor for BYU-Idaho. However he still attends church regularly and has strong ties to Mormonism.   In Part 2 of this cross-over episode with A Thoughtful Faith podcast, Kirk talks in detail about his resignation from the church, as well as his Mormon Book Review podcast and its affi...

Kirk Caudle made headlines over the summer when he resigned from the church after working as an online religion instructor for BYU-Idaho. However he still attends church regularly and has strong ties to Mormonism.   In Part 1 of this cross-over episode with A Thoughtful Faith podcast, Kirk talks about growing up in the church and the influence that had on his pursuit of Mormon Studies. He also tal...

In this episode, we talk to Brent about his interactions and run-ins with prominent Mormon apologists like Daniel Peterson, Lou Midgley and others. We also talk about the recent history of BYU's Maxwell Institute and what he sees in its future and in the future of Mormon apologetics overall. We'll also explore with Brent his ability to construct a healthy and happy life outside of Mormonism. Be su...

In Part 5 of our interview with Brent Metcalfe, one of the foremost Mormon scholars, we explore the history surrounding Joseph Smith and  the Book of Abraham  (one of the primary scriptural texts for the LDS Church) . We also talk about the concept of translation, Joseph Smith's views on his "translations," the traditional apologetic responses concerning the Book of Abraham ( Hugh Nibley ,  John G...

In the highly anticipated follow up to our first interview, Brent Metcalfe continues his story. In Part 4, Brent examines some of the issues surrounding traditional approaches to the Book of Mormon.

In the highly anticipated follow up to our first interview, Brent Metcalfe continues his story. In Part 3, Brent discusses the aftermath of the Hofmann murders, including the trial and Hoffman's eventual plea deal. He also discusses the events leading up to, and including, his excommunication.

In their latest book, The Crucible of Doubt, published by Deseret Book, Fiona and Terryl Givens tackle perhaps their most daunting -- and important -- subject to date: doubt in the context of Mormon faith. In Part 2, Terryl and Fiona take us through the book as we discuss the elements of Mormonism that cause some of the biggest doubts and how to approach them with new paradigms.

In their latest book, The Crucible of Doubt, published by Deseret Book, Fiona and Terryl Givens tackle perhaps their most daunting -- and important -- subject to date: doubt in the context of Mormon faith. In Part 1, we interview a Mormon Stories listener and contributer, James Patterson, about his struggles with doubt and how the book helped him.

Few people had more of a front-row seat to the goings-on surrounding Mark Hofmann, the "Salamander Letter," and the tragic events of October 1985, what would be dubbed as the "Mormon Murders." As a personal friend and research assistant for both Steve Christensen and Mark Hofmann, Brent Metcalfe watched the whole episode unfold before his eyes. In Part 2, Brent describes working for and with Steve...

Few people had more of a front-row seat to the goings-on surrounding Mark Hofmann and the tragic events of October 1985, what would be dubbed as the "Mormon Murders." As a personal friend and research assistant for both Steve Christensen and Mark Hofmann, Brent Metcalfe watched the whole episode unfold before his eyes. In Part 1, Brent talks about his early days in the Church and his time working...

Since 2011, Mara and Danny Koefed have been blogging about their positive approach to life, even in the face of the sometimes heartbreaking circumstances life seems to have thrown their way. A Blog About Love stands as a the Koefed’s testimony of the human spirit’s ability to transcend despair and difficulty and view life for the positive, uplifting, even loving experience it can be. In this two-p...

Since 2011, Mara and Danny Koefed have been blogging about their positive approach to life, even in the face of the sometimes heartbreaking circumstances life seems to have thrown their way. A Blog About Love stands as a the Koefed’s testimony of the human spirit’s ability to transcend despair and difficulty and view life for the positive, uplifting, even loving experience it can be. In this two-p...

In this three-part series we interview Neil Ransom (Kate Kelly's husband, and Ph. D. candidate in anthropology) and we speak with Kate about her excommunication and the aftermath. Some of the fascinating tidbits we explore: Neil's early years growing up in Africa How Neil's mission, along with his attending BYU-Idaho, actually turned him into a progressive Mormon How Kate and Neil met (their love...

In this three-part series we interview Neil Ransom (Kate Kelly's husband, and Ph. D. candidate in anthropology) and we speak with Kate about her excommunication and the aftermath. Some of the fascinating tidbits we explore: Neil's early years growing up in Africa How Neil's mission, along with his attending BYU-Idaho, actually turned him into a progressive Mormon How Kate and Neil met (their love...

In this three-part series we interview Neil Ransom (Kate Kelly's husband, and Ph. D. candidate in anthropology) and we speak with Kate about her excommunication and the aftermath. Some of the fascinating tidbits we explore: Neil's early years growing up in Africa How Neil's mission, along with his attending BYU-Idaho, actually turned him into a progressive Mormon How Kate and Neil met (their love...

Natasha Helfer Parker, John Dehlin, and Margi Dehlin will be hosting a 6 hour workshop for current, mixed-faith, and former Mormon couples who are navigating faith issues, parenting, and sexuality in either a mixed-faith, post-orthodox, or a post-Mormon context.  Couples and individuals are welcome to attend, but the content will be oriented towards helping married couples deal with faith transiti...

In this episode we interview Alex Beam: author of "American Crucifixion: The Murder of Joseph Smith and the Fate of the Mormon Church."  Alex provides an extremely insightful and compelling "outsider's view" of Joseph Smith's final years in Nauvoo, along with his murder and legacy.

Christine Jeppsen Clark is a mother of six, a former Mormon Tabernacle Choir member, a Ph. D. graduate student focusing on dementia, and a dear personal friend. She is also the daughter of the late Elder Malcolm S. Jeppsen: former LDS General Authority, personal physician and best friend to Elder Boyd K. Packer, and a GA who was directly involved in the excommunication of Avraham Gileadi (one of t...

Christine Jeppsen Clark is a mother of six, a former Mormon Tabernacle Choir member, a Ph. D. graduate student focusing on dementia, and a dear personal friend. She is also the daughter of the late Elder Malcolm S. Jeppsen: former LDS General Authority, personal physician and best friend to Elder Boyd K. Packer, and a GA who was directly involved in the excommunication of Avraham Gileadi (one of t...

Christine Jeppsen Clark is a mother of six, a former Mormon Tabernacle Choir member, a Ph. D. graduate student focusing on dementia, and a dear personal friend. She is also the daughter of the late Elder Malcolm S. Jeppsen: former LDS General Authority, personal physician and best friend to Elder Boyd K. Packer, and a GA who was directly involved in the excommunication of Avraham Gileadi (one of t...

Christine Jeppsen Clark is a mother of six, a former Mormon Tabernacle Choir member, a Ph. D. graduate student focusing on dementia, and a dear personal friend. She is also the daughter of the late Elder Malcolm S. Jeppsen: former LDS General Authority, personal physician and best friend to Elder Boyd K. Packer, and a GA who was directly involved in the excommunication of Avraham Gileadi (one of t...

In February 2012, Jeremy Runnels experienced a crisis of faith, which subsequently led to a faith transition in the summer of 2012. In the spring of 2013, Jeremy was approached and asked by a Church Education System (CES) Director to share his concerns and questions about the LDS Church’s origins, history, and current practices. In response, Jeremy wrote what later became publicly known as Letter...

In February 2012, Jeremy Runnels experienced a crisis of faith, which subsequently led to a faith transition in the summer of 2012. In the spring of 2013, Jeremy was approached and asked by a Church Education System (CES) Director to share his concerns and questions about the LDS Church’s origins, history, and current practices. In response, Jeremy wrote what later became publicly known as Letter...