Mormon Stories Podcast

Dr. John Dehlin
Mormon Stories Podcast

Mormon Stories Podcast is an attempt to build understanding between and about Mormons through the telling of stories in both audio and video formats.

  1. 10 JAN

    Shari Franke's "The House of My Mother" - Mormons React to Ruby Franke’s Daughter | Ep. 1982

    Join Lauren Johnson Matthias (@HiddenTrueCrime ) Megan Conner (@Third_Verse ) Mindy Caldwell, and John Dehlin as they react to Shari Franke's new book "The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom" by Shari Franke, Ruby Franke's oldest daughter. Show Notes YouTube 00:02:15 Trigger warning for the book 00:14:30 Questions that will be covered in this episode involving Jodi, Ruby, Kevin, and the Mormon church 00:19:32 Ruby and Kevin’s formation of their relationship and early family life 00:28:30 Was Ruby Franke set up with a disadvantage by Mormon gender roles? 00:35:18 Personality dynamics in the Franke family and Ruby’s profile as a mom and how much room the children had for their emotions 00:39:42 Childhood emotional neglect with Ruby Franke and her children 00:43:25 The pajama story and Ruby telling Shari she’d been friends after she had a baby 00:57:38 Mormonism and Vlogging 01:05:20 Consent and ethics in family vlogging 01:12:00 Shari Franke’s mental health - thinking that her tummy aches are demonic possession 01:29:03 Ruby removed Shari from therapy after Shari wanted to quit piano 01:40:50 Shari starts her own YouTube channel, while Ruby did not help her grow it she demand some of the proceeds of the account 01:43:46 Chad’s involvement in Shari’s story 01:52:30 Why Ruby reached out to Jodi was because of Chad 02:13:30 Meeting with Jodi as their therapist and showing her business structure as a cult 02:21:10 Truth and Distortion became the bane of Shari’s existence 02:34:50 Jodi’s tactics around isolation 02:41:18 How Jodi saw sex everywhere and how she and Ruby were queer 02:49:23 Visions of Glory and how it ties in with Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt 02:56:34 Shari Franke compared Lori Vallow to Ruby Franke 03:00:30 Thom Harrison and his influence over these cult leaders within the Mormon church 03:11:35 The darkest part of the book was about Derek and Shari’s sexual assault 03:31:14 Church disciplinary part of Shari’s story involving what happened with Derek 03:41:55 Shari is familyless for a while, running into her dad on the BYU campus and he was afraid to talk to her 04:04:05 Who is the main villain in this story? Is it Jodi or Ruby? 04:12:24 Shari drawing connections in the Mormon church 04:27:15 Shari’s final comments at the end of the book about her mother being narcissistic Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: YouTube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

    4h 42m

  2. 11 FEB

    Mormon Church Facing New Sex Abuse & Trafficking Lawsuits | Ep. 1991

    We sit down with the attorneys behind the explosive lawsuits filed against LDS Church, alleging decades of systemic child sexual abuse and institutional cover-up. These lawsuits include shocking claims of abuse facilitated by Church leaders across multiple states and even international borders, with some cases framed under federal trafficking statutes.The attorneys reveal how these cases aim to hold the Church accountable, explain the legal strategy behind the state and federal coordination efforts, and share the stories of survivors fighting for justice. Show Notes YouTube 00:05:30 Anne Andrews 00:06:55 Kimberly DeGonia 00:08:55 Kolby Reddish 00:16:38 The human trafficking statute and how we define human trafficking 00:36:50 The Atonement and the church protecting itself 00:41:25 Describing the events in the way that lawyers do - High Level and what that means 00:42:43 Importance of the victim’s age 00:52:17 Discussion of the American criminal justice system 01:08:25 Charges are filed against Payton 01:19:50 Was Payton ever disciplined by the church? 01:32:50 Movement to consolidate the cases in Los Angeles 01:52:18 Dispelling myths on mandatory reporting laws 01:55:52 Rough timeline of proceedings ahead 02:17:00 Issues of Church and State laws? 02:24:00 What suggestions do they have for the LDS church to handle these situations better? 02:33:32 What is their motivation in defending these cases? 02:52:11 Final thoughts Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: YouTube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

    2h 54m

  3. 3 DAYS AGO

    Mormon Church Changes Children Polygamy Lesson After Online Criticisms | Ep. 1995

    In December 2024, the Mormon Church released a new chapter in the children’s Doctrine and Covenants Stories on the topic of polygamy. In that chapter they discuss how God sometimes commands his people to live polygamy and how hard it was for Joseph Smith to obey. The chapter also discusses how Joseph’s wife Emma did not want her husband to marry other women. Children were even taught that some of the brethren were arrested and put in prison for living polygamy. After the release of that chapter many people spoke up, criticizing the church for this new content. Many believed these stories were too heavy for children and that by releasing this chapter the Mormon Church was actively teaching a story of sexual assault and grooming. Today we learned that the church changed this chapter. Certain phrasing was removed as well as entire sections of the chapter. Is this due to online criticism of the church teaching children polygamy? Does the Mormon Church cave under pressure? Join us today as John, Julia (from Analyzing Mormonism), and Alyssa Witbeck discuss these changes. YouTube Show Notes 00:07:55 Clip - Criticism forces the church to change 00:25:36 Clip - Nathan Hinckley talking about them using the word “hard” 00:26:15 Comparing the original and the new version 00:35:20 Clip - Is God okay with forced polygamy? 00:36:55 Comparing the changes on the second image 00:42:20 Clip - “The Mormon church is participating in sexual assault” 00:53:46 Clip - Michelle Stone on Emma Smith00:56:10 In the new version this section has been completely taken out 01:01:58 Clip - “How did this get through the review process?” 01:15:22 Clip - Mormon leaders went to prison01:19:24 The last panel did not change on Woodruff’s manifesto 01:26:08 Polygamy is still hard on women today in an eternal aspect 01:36:25 What was the 2015 Exclusion Policy and how the church rolled it back 01:32:40 Answers from the Church History Survey 01:48:17 The story of Zina Huntington 01:50:30 Clip - Can consent be given in a Mormon context? 01:54:55 This is a positive change overall 02:03:10 What is it that causes people to question their faith? 02:06:11 Clip - “A faith that blinds you is problematic” 02:08:25 Final thoughts ___________________ At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.   Our overall mission is to:  1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology 2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis 3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions Want to create live streams like this?  Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4530951114981376 🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today One-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories  Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories  Paypal: https://paypal.me/mormonstories  Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6OgmoqJbOVRq-Lv1P7SzA/join Our Platforms: 🌐Mormon Stories Blog: https://www.mormonstories.org/episodes  🎙️Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories  ✳️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1  🍎Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772  🖼️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormstories  📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast  🎮Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF  Contact us: 📧 MormonStories@gmail.com 📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 #MormonStories #Mormon #lds

    2h 18m

  4. 4 DAYS AGO

    The LDS Church History Transparency Quiz - Please Complete and Share | Ep. 1994

    A 15 question quiz has been designed to facilitate healthy discussions about factual LDS Church history, and LDS Church historical transparency. It should take less than 5 minutes to complete. Audience: This quiz is for anyone who has ever been an LDS Church member, including active and inactive LDS Church members, and former LDS. Please take this quiz yourself, and then please invite family, friends, and (most importantly) LDS church leaders and missionaries to take the quiz as well. We are hopeful that the survey can serve as a way for you and others to healthily discuss factual LDS Church history, as well as the LDS Church's overall record of historical transparency. NOTE: All of the historical facts below have been recognized by the LDS church as valid, to the best of our understanding. References have been included for discussion. We will be awarding a modest number of cash awards to those who complete the survey in its entirety, and who are willing to share compelling insights or experiences - which might include coming on the podcast to discuss their experiences.  We are also considering the option of administering this survey as a scientific, random survey.  If you are interested in supporting such a project, feel free to donate at the link below. Enjoy! And please email us with any feedback or experiences you'd like to share. Survey link: https://forms.gle/3o7Tr6ZHKzoEBpMs8 To donate to this project: https://donorbox.org/ldschurchresearch YouTube Show Notes 00:08:30 Going over the survey together, email, etc. 00:12:00 Question one - Were you taught about Joseph Smith’s 1826 Treasure digging trial? 00:14:10 Question two: What were you taught regarding the Book of Mormon translation? 00:15:50 Question three: What were you taught about the priesthood restoration? 00:17:18 Question four: Were you taught that Joseph Smith had over thirty wives? 00:18:20 Question five: Were you taught that Joseph Smith hid his first marriages from his wife Emma? 00:22:20 Question six: Were you taught about the different accounts of the First Vision 00:24:55 Question seven: Were you taught that Joseph Smith allowed black men to have the priesthood? 00:27:44 Question eight: Were you taught that Joseph Smith was a Freemason? 00:29:40 Question nine: Where you taught that the Book of Abraham is a false translation? 00:32:10 Question ten: Were you taught about Joseph Smith destroying the Nauvoo Expositor? 00:35:00 Question eleven: Do you feel like the Church has been fully honest? 00:35:35 Question twelve: Do you feel like the truth claims are important? 00:36:55 Question thirteen: Would you have made different decisions had you known? 00:38:29 Question fourteen: Did the church intentionally withhold this information? 00:58:40 Why did the church even release the Gospel Topics Essays? 01:30:00 Share this survey with friends and family Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: ⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠ ⁠Support us on Patreon⁠ ⁠PayPal⁠ ⁠Venmo⁠ Our Platforms: ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠Patreon⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: ⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠ ⁠TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠ ⁠Join the Discord

    1h 42m

  5. 5 DAYS AGO

    Lost My Pentecostal Faith Studying Mormonism - Anna Schreyer and the Assemblies of God | Ep. 1993

    Anna shares her personal journey growing up as a Pentecostal Charismatic in Utah, detailing her experiences within the Assemblies of God (AG) church, and the struggles and beliefs that shaped her faith. Although she has never been Mormon, Anna has a unique perspective of the LDS church as she grew up surrounded by Mormonism in Utah. Anna also delves into her time as a missionary in Mozambique, her eventual questioning of her beliefs, and the emotional journey of leaving the church. The conversation touches on the challenges of leaving a high-demand religion and finding new paths to healing and authenticity. Show Notes YouTube 00:04:14 Anna’s intention 00:15:35 “Gift of Tongues” vs “Speaking in Tongues” 00:25:43 Both of Anna’s parents are pastors 00:40:00 The belief in “healing” abilities in Assemblies of God 00:56:00 Anna diagnosed with cancer around age two, they thought religion could heal her 01:19:20 Why do “mainstream” Christians not see Mormons as Christians? 01:33:18 Anna was conditioned to believe that expressing emotion shows closeness to God 01:52:08 Anna talks about what it was like to have Mormon parents not want their kids to be around her 02:01:17 Speaking in tongues for the first time 02:16:50 Creating false memories 02:26:45 How are sexual transgressions seen in evangelicalism vs mormonism? 02:38:05 Anna stopped attending church and school because she felt so ashamed 02:40:50 Anna’s connections with the Latter Day Church of Christ or the polygamist Kingston Group 02:52:41 Anna’s time in Mozambique 03:02:45 It took Anna years to adjust back to normal after her work on her mission 03:10:20 Anna felt like God was calling her home to “save the Mormons” 03:21:10 Anna voicing: “I have created an image of myself that isn't real” 03:38:30 Questioning what to do with her life after leaving that mission 03:47:20 Anna began to see red flags in her pastor -he was not financially transparent and sexist 03:52:15 Anna’s pastor gives sermon called “Four Bad Reasons that People Leave the Church” 04:12:04 Anna feels extremely alone now after leaving 04:25:00 Her parents are still not very willing to view things that are critical of the church 04:45:13 Watched Margi’s “Coming home to myself” THRIVE presentation 04:50:08 What are her moments where she taps into beauty or pleasure? 04:53:46 Final questions for Anna Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: YouTube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

    5h 8m

  6. 14 FEB

    Did Joseph Smith Have Sex With His Plural Wives? | LDS Discussions 62 | Ep. 1992

    Many have asked the question: Did Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith have sex with his polygamous wives? During his lifetime, Joseph Smith engaged in polygamy (which was illegal in the state of Illinois) and his wives consisted of women who were underage, women who were single, women who were widowed, and women who were already legally married. What is the evidence for his sexual relations with them? Additionally a number of the brethren were also commanded to live polygamy, what is the evidence for sexual relations in those unions? Were any children born in polygamy during the prophet’s life? Join us for a unique LDS Discussions episode where we explore these topics and answer these questions. Show Notes YouTube 00:10:50 The purpose of polygamy from the scriptures - Book of Mormon Jacob 2:27-30 00:14:05 List of all 35 of Joseph Smith’s wives 00:19:45 Color coded list of the wives and sexual relations with Joseph Smith 00:26:55 Fanny Alger was Joseph Smith’s first “polygamous” wife 00:32:45 Lucinda Pendleton Harris was the first polyandrous wife 00:38:20 Zina Huntington was already married and was seven months pregnant 00:45:30 Presendia Buell didn’t know if her son was Joseph’s son 00:49:42 Levirate Marriage with Agnes Smith, Joseph Smith’s sister-in-law 00:58:44 Sylvia Sessions Lyon thought her daughter was actually Joseph Smith’s 01:01:15 How can the Mormon polygamy deniers explain this away? 01:12:40 Elizabeth Durfee helped Joseph arrange new plural marriages 01:19:00 Did Emma Smith push Eliza R. Snow down the stairs? 01:22:26 Clip - Emma Smith did not attend Relief Society through all of 1843 01:30:06 Sarah Ann Whitney had a fake or “front husband” after she married Joseph Smith 01:38:00 Joseph Smith visited Flora Ann Woodworth often 01:54:50 Lucy Walker answers the question of why Joseph Smith didn’t have children in polygamy 02:05:36 Helen Mar Kimball was only fourteen years old 02:25:50 Desdemona Fullmer dreamed that Emma was going to poison her 02:36:40 Malissa Lott’s testimony that she slept with Joseph Smith 02:46:10 Human Trafficking in Mormon history 03:03:10 Children born into polygamy 03:08:52 The final count for who Joseph Smith had sex with and who he did not Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: YouTube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

    3h 19m

  7. 7 FEB

    Faithful Historian Deceives Mormons - Keith Erekson | Ep. 1990 | LDS Discussions Ep. 61

    Keith Erekson serves as the director of the historical research and outreach for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On January 12, 2025 he gave a fireside in which he answered tough questions. Today we are responding to that fireside and discussing such topics as polygamy, Joseph Smith marrying women who were already married, and the church hiding aspects of its history. Show Notes YouTube 00:03:40 Introducing the original fireside with Keith Erekson 00:10:23 Background on Keith Erekson who works for the Church 00:17:08 Erekson saying the church never hid anything from its history 00:21:30 How the Church has hidden its history 00:30:35 Mountain Meadows Massacre 00:37:25 Utah Mormon Reformation Questions 00:43:42 The Word of Wisdom 00:58:57 The Lord is guiding President Nelson to lead the church today 01:02:00 Clip of Elder Holland explaining how the Church moves with the world 01:08:19 Joseph Smith publicly denying that he lived polygamy 01:17:00 These firesides are for questioning members 01:18:42 John C. Bennett’s list of Joseph Smith’s wives 01:22:52 Denials of polygamy 01:29:29 What is the purpose of polygamy? 01:33:53 Monogamy is the rule plurality is the exception 01:42:16 The New and Everlasting Covenant means polygamy 01:52:52 Erekson on the Restoration of All Things 02:03:05 Why did Joseph Smith marry women who were already married? 02:10:40 The Law of Adoption 02:19:03 Joseph’s wives getting sealed to other people after his death 02:20:24 Sealings for Time only 02:21:54 Time and Eternity only sealings 02:31:31 Erekson on Mary Elizabeth Rollins 02:34:10 Dan Vogel on Mary Elizabeth Rolins 02:40:26 Is polygamy required for exaltation? 02:51:22 Are women just prizes in Mormonism? 02:55:46 Erekson on the Book of Abraham 03:07:50 Finding the scrolls for the Book of Abraham 03:12:20 Erekson saying we’ve always called these funerary texts 03:21:15 The diagram produced in the Book of Abraham 03:24:11 Joseph Smith and the Catalyst Theory for the Book of Abraham 03:27:00 Grading Keith Erekson on his knowledge, honesty, etc. Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: YouTube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

    3h 37m

  8. 3 FEB

    My Mormon Truth Crisis as an Attorney - Justin Sweeney | Ep. 1989

    In today's episode, John sits down for a conversation with immigration attorney, Justin Sweeney. Justin grew up LDS in Mesa, AZ, served a mission in Argentina, and has served in many leadership positions within the church. He was even serving in his branch presidency up until the end of 2024. Justin discusses how he felt overworked in his church callings, questioning polygamy and masonry, and his journey of discovering the true history of the church. Show Notes YouTube 00:01:20 Justin’s experience with a “Truth Crisis” not “Faith Crisis” and Intentions 00:14:43 Growing up, High School, and sports 00:26:17 Justin’s experience at the MTC 00:36:35 “Fraudulent” baptisms in Latin American missions 00:40:55 Being called to YSA bishopric 00:53:47 Justing finishing law school & became immigration attorney 01:09:57 Justin began to feel like an outsider from mormonism 01:18:00 Discussion about the Godmakers and the lack of women in the Eternal Plan 01:25:15 Justin Sweeney’s “Truth crisis” begins 01:39:30 Justin was “using his lawyer brain to asses Mormonism” 01:44:50 Learning about the “stone in the hat” and that the church still has it 01:55:00 Comparing Mormonism to Santa Claus 02:05:33 Women are second class people in Mormonism 02:10:52 Justin discussing the LDS SEC order from an attorney’s perspective 02:23:00 Reading Second Class Saints by Matt Harris with his wife and kids 02:26:20 Why not keep it to himself and continue to “fake it” 02:32:25 “My intention is not to tell people to leave the church” 02:38:47 Elder Holland “stay in the boat” marketing video 02:44:35 Why isn't he afraid of excommunication by coming on Mormon Stories? 02:54:09 Final thoughts - Is he happier now no longer believing? Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: YouTube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

    3h 2m
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Hosts & Guests

About

Mormon Stories Podcast is an attempt to build understanding between and about Mormons through the telling of stories in both audio and video formats.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. John Dehlin
  • Years Active
    2009 - 2025
  • Episodes
    2K
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dr. John Dehlin
  • Show Website
    Mormon Stories Podcast

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