“Best Of Mormon Stories”

400: Top 5 Myths and Truths about Why Committed Mormons Leave the Church

February 10, 2013
By John Dehlin
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I created this video/presentation for two reasons: To dispel any misunderstandings about why people leave the church (and what happens to them when they do) that came about as a result of my recent podcast interview, and I’ve been wanting to update my “Why people leave the LDS church” youtube video for some time to include the results from the “Why Mormons Question” survey. Please watch and provide feedback if you can…and then share w/ family, friends, and church members/leaders who lack understanding or empathy.  Powerpoint presentation can be found here.

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397-399: John Dehlin and Faith Reconstruction

January 28, 2013
By John Dehlin
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In this three-part interview conducted by Sarah Collett of A Thoughtful Faith podcast we discuss: My ups, downs, and ups with the church The story behind the “Why Mormons Question” survey, including my interactions with a few church leaders A discussion of the Daniel Peterson/Neil A. Maxwell institute incident last year The reasons behind the discontinuation of the Mormon Stories conferences and communities Interactions w/ my bishop and stake president over the past year How and why I’ve returned to full activity in the church Big thanks to Sarah and Micah for all of their hard work.

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389-391: Top 10 Mormon Mental Health Issues

December 21, 2012
By John Dehlin
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In this 3-part interview with Natasha Helfer Parker we launch a new podcast initiative called “Mormon Mental Health.”  For this episode we discuss the top 10 (or 11) mental health issues commonly faced by Mormons. Episode 1: Depression, Anxiety, Trauma and Masturbation Episode 2: Pornography, Addiction, Marriage and Divorce Episode 3: Sexual Intimacy, Parenting, Faith Crisis and Coping with same-sex attraction as a Mormon.

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385-386: Fiona and Terryl Givens and “The God Who Weeps”

November 21, 2012
By John Dehlin
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In this two-part interview we speak with Fiona and Terryl Givens on the release of their new book “The God Who Weeps: How Mormonism Makes Sense of Life.” In part 1, we interview Fiona about her life. In part 2, we speak with both Terryl and Fiona Givens about their new book.

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370-371: Philip Barlow and A Thoughtful Faith

September 9, 2012
By John Dehlin
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Philip Barlow is editor of the book “A Thoughtful Faith,” which was pivotal in my faith transition as a BYU student and beyond.  He currently sits in the Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture, at Utah State University. He earned a B. A. from Weber State College and an M.T.S. and Ph.D. (1988, with an emphasis on Religion and American Culture and on the History of Christianity) from Harvard University. He spent two years as a Mellon Fellow at the University of Rochester after which he became professor of Theological Studies at Hanover College in Indiana. In addition to…

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365: Why I Stay — John Dehlin

July 28, 2012
By John Dehlin
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This presentation was delivered as part of the 2012 Salt Lake Symposium held on July 27th. To listen to the entire session, click here. The text for the talk can be found here.

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355: What Mormon Stories is Trying to Do, and How to Keep it Alive

June 25, 2012
By John Dehlin

In this presentation we try to cover the following: 1) what are Mormon Stories and the Open Stories Foundation trying to do? and 2) what can be done to keep them both alive.

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350-352: Dance Champion Benji Schwimmer

May 30, 2012
By John Dehlin
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Benji Schwimmer is a world renowned dancer and choreographer. He is best known for winning Season 2 of the hit tv show So You Think You Can Dance. In this 3-part interview, Benji discusses the following: Part 1: His early years, and his LDS mission experience, Part 2: His experiences on So You Think You Can Dance, and Part 3: His attempts to come to terms with his sexuality and his LDS faith.

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348-349: Simon Southerton, DNA, Lamanites and the Book of Mormon

May 21, 2012
By John Dehlin
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Simon Southerton is a native Australian, geneticist, former LDS bishop, and author of the book “Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA and the Mormon Church.”   Simon was a member of the LDS church for almost 30 years, serving a mission in Melbourne (1981-83), marrying in the New Zealand Temple in 1983, and serving in numerous church positions including four terms as Young Men President,  a counselor in several bishoprics and branch presidencies, and finally as bishop. While serving as bishop Simon began studying Native American DNA which he expected to have Middle Eastern origins, given the primary Book…

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346-347: Boston 2012 Conference with Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, John Dehlin, Joanna Brooks and Open-Mic Story Sharing

May 9, 2012
By John Dehlin
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Speakers at the 2012 Boston Regional Mormon Stories conference were asked to address the topic of: Using personal narratives to create spaces where Mormons of all levels of orthodoxy can interact authentically. Part 1: Dr. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich discusses the importance and of history and personal narrative within religious traditions and John Dehlin discusses the evolution of Mormon Stories and the role it plays in the lives of listeners and community members. Part 2: Joanna Brooks talks about changes in spiritual narrative scripts over time and how telling personal stories affects community development. Conference attendees share their personal stories in an open-mic…

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343-344: Mormonism and the Internet with John Dehlin, Scott Gordon (FAIR) and Rosemary Avance

May 2, 2012
By John Dehlin
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As part of the March 2012 “Mormonism and the Internet” conference held at Utah Valley University, John Dehlin, Scott Gordon (of the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research or FAIR) and Rosemary Avance discuss LDS disaffection and apologetics. John’s “Why Mormons Question” presentation with visuals: Part 1 – John Dehlin, Scott Gordon, Rosemary Avance: Part 2 – Panel Discussion:

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Grant Palmer on Sexual Allegations Against Joseph Smith, William and Jane Law, and His Resignation

February 26, 2012
By John Dehlin
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In this episode Grant Palmer, author of “An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins,” returns to Mormon Stories to discuss: Sexual allegations made against Joseph Smith during his early years The story of William and Jane Law, and An update on Grant’s resignation from the LDS church Warning: The material on this podcast is very sensitive and will likely be considered offensive by traditional LDS church believers.  Please do not listen if your faith is tender, or if you are seeking to avoid any critical discussion of Joseph Smith or the LDS church. Finally, to listen to our original interview with…

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313-316: John and Brooke McLay – From CES to Ex-Mormons

January 8, 2012
By John Dehlin
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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. Part 1: Growing…

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305-306: Flunking Sainthood with Jana Riess

December 15, 2011
By John Dehlin
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Today we spend two good hours with author and scholar Jana Reiss.  Jana is the author/editor of nine books, including: Mormonism for Dummies and What Would Buffy Do?  Jana is a convert to the LDS Church, and also has a Ph.D. from Columbia University. In this episode Jana discusses: her early years being raised by secular parents, her conversion to God/Christianity, and her ultimate conversion to Mormonism.  We also discuss with Jana her new book, “Flunking Sainthood.”

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289-293: Terryl Givens — An Approach to Thoughtful, Honest and Faithful Mormonism

September 28, 2011
By John Dehlin
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Terryl Givens did graduate work at Cornell University in Intellectual History and UNC Chapel Hill where he received his PhD in Comparative Literature. He holds the James A. Bostwick chair of English, and is Professor of Literature and Religion at the University of Richmond, where he teaches courses in 19th century studies, and the Bible’s influence on western literature. As a commentator on Mormon religion and culture, he has appeared on PBS, NPR, and CNN. Author of ten books, his writing has been praised by the New York Times as “provocative reading,” and includes, most recently, When Souls had Wings,…

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285-287: D. Michael Quinn – 21st Century Mormon Enigma

September 17, 2011
By John Dehlin
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On August 12th, 2011 Mormon Stories held an event in honor and celebration of Mormon Historian D. Michael Quinn. Michael Quinn is undoubtedly one of the most important historical figures in 20th and 21st century Mormonism. Michael Quinn has a Ph.D. in history from Yale University and worked as an LDS church historian (under Davis Bitton and Leonard Arrington) and as a BYU history professor for many years. Several of his books, including The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, and Early Mormonism and the Magical World View have literally changed the face of Mormon…

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271-274: LDS Apologist – Dr. Daniel C. Peterson

August 19, 2011
By John Dehlin
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Daniel C. Peterson is a professor of Islamic Studies and Arabic in the Department of Asian and Near Eastern Languages at Brigham Young University and currently serves as editor-in-chief of BYU’s Middle Eastern Texts Initiative. He is a member of the executive council of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship at Brigham Young University. Peterson is known for his work as an apologist and scholar on subjects dealing with claims of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), of which he is a member. He has served as the editor of the FARMS Review, a periodical…

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267: Michael Quinn, History and the Mormon World View

August 6, 2011
By John Dehlin
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This episode is a rebroadcast from the 1995 Salt Lake Sunstone Symposium. Entitled, “The Church Years: Michael Quinn, History, and the Mormon World View,” it includes Dr. Martha Sonntag Bradley interviewing D. Michael Quinn about his life as a Mormon church historian.

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260: 2011 SLC Conference Pt. 2 – Joanna Brooks on Mormon Identity in the 21st Century: Claiming and Belonging

June 24, 2011
By John Dehlin
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On June 11, 2011, members of the Mormon Stories community held their 2nd regional conference in Salt Lake City.  In this keynote address entitled “Mormon Identity in the 21st Century: Claiming and Belonging”, professor and author Joanna Brooks explores a more expansive vision for Mormon identity. Introduction by Anne McMullin Peffer. Music by Holly Anderson Robbins.

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259: 2011 SLC Conference Pt. 1 – Welcome, Shared Values, and Carol Lynn Pearson on “No More US vs. THEM”

June 21, 2011
By John Dehlin
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