Why I Stay Mormon in 2025 - Proving Contraries w/ Dave McKenzie | Ep. 2004
After being inspired by the Mormon Stories Paul brothers episode, Dave courageously shares his powerful journey through faith, family struggles, and self-discovery. From his upbringing in a traditional Mormon household to navigating complex questions about church history, LGBTQ+ issues, and personal loss, Dave's story is one of resilience and hope. He reflects on his brother's tragic passing, his evolving beliefs, and why he ultimately chooses to stay active in the church today. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about faith, doubt, and finding meaning through it all.Show NotesYouTube00:03:12 Dave’s intention for coming on Mormon Stories00:08:03 Dave’s mormon story begins - explaining family background00:13:41 Story of backpacking with his brother and having an accident00:24:46 Dave’s mission to Warsaw, Poland00:34:50 Life after his mission - dating and marriage01:01:05 Dave’s experience with a Roman Catholic woman that inspired him - introduced him to interracial marriage01:13:30 Dave thought “If I remain silent now, I am a hypocrite to my own testimony” (regarding his friend leaving the church)01:21:04 Why do we call it going down the rabbit hole when it is actually coming out into the light?01:45:00 “Does God help amputees?” argument02:00:50 “There has to be recognition that what we were taught was not the truth”02:17:30 Why John Dehlin does Mormon Stories02:46:17 Elder Holland “greatest missionary of all time” experience02:59:55 Dave discusses the Book of Mormon03:36:44 Dave’s younger brother, Dan, passed away in 202303:44:19 What are the main reasons that he chooses to stay active in 2025?04:01:26 What is his response to the fact that the church does a lot of harm to people as well? How does he personally work through this04:11:30 Dave feels that there are real advancements being made in the church currently04:20:24 ConclusionMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord
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4:35:17
Joseph Smith Polygamy Denialism w/ John Hamer | Ep. 2003
In this episode, we’re joined by historian and mapmaker John Hamer as he responds to Michelle Stone’s recent claims that Joseph Smith did not practice polygamy. Drawing from historical records, primary sources, and his extensive research, John offers context and analysis on one of the most debated topics in Latter-day Saint history. Join us for an insightful conversation unpacking the complexities of Joseph Smith’s involvement in early Mormon polygamy.John Hamer is an American-Canadian historian who has focused primarily on Mormon history and has published a number of books on the topic, including Scattering of the Saints: Schism Within Mormonism and House of the Lord: The Story of the Kirtland Temple. John Hamer was raised in the Mormon Church, left the religion and joined the Community of Christ Church in 2010 and now serves as a pastor in their Toronto Congregation.Show NotesYouTubeMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord
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2:26:38
Did Joseph Smith Use 19th-Century Bible Scholarship to produce the Book of Mormon? | Ep. 2002
New research by PhD student Colby Townsend reveals striking connections between The Book of Mormon and Adam Clarke’s Bible Commentary, a widely used biblical resource in Joseph Smith’s time. In this episode, we explore how Smith engaged with Clarke’s insights, made textual modifications, and reframed biblical passages to fit his theological vision. Was Smith restoring lost scripture, or was he influenced by contemporary scholarship?Show NotesYouTube00:11:35 Summary of Joseph Smith using the Adam Clarke Commentary00:17:06 During this time, this is NOT considered plagiarism00:19:55 The new article by Colby Townsend00:23:24 Clip of Hayley talking about Joseph Smith using the Bible Commentary00:29:45 What were we taught about how the Book of Mormon was produced?00:30:17 Quote from David Whitmer on the translation through the seer stone00:35:00 The Expansion Theory00:40:26 Quote from Emma on the Book of Mormon translation00:42:33 Quote from Martin Harris on it being a direct translation00:44:00 There is no account from Oliver Cowdery on the translation process; Oliver was also willing to lie00:44:51 Clip of Brad Wilcox on how the Book of Mormon was translation00:48:08 Background of Colby Townsend 00:50:08 Quotes from the article00:57:55 Joseph used other Bible Commentaries01:02:00 Conclusion from Colby Townsend’s article01:07:40 Clip of the the Bible not having plain and precious things being removed01:09:25 Clip - The Book of Mormon is to bring back the things lost from the Bible01:11:20 2 Nephi 11:2 Nephi talks about the importance of Isaiah01:22:43 Quote from the Colby’s article about how Joseph was well versed in the Bible01:24:55 Dan Vogel’s theory about the presence of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon01:26:14 Colby Townsend discussing Joseph and Methodism01:29:25 Adam Clarke’s Biblical Commentary01:33:35 Joseph’s access to Clarke01:40:00 Comparing The Book of Mormon to the Adam Clarke Commentary01:49:35 Joseph copying both the KJV and then Adam Clarke’s commentary01:58:38 Next example in Isaiah 50:2 “their fish is dried up”02:12:20 The example of Isaiah 2: 12-16 “cedars and oaks” and “high mountains and lofty hills”02:18:45 Isaiah 9:3 “thou hast increased their joy”02:24:20 Gerardo found his own examples02:32:24 Examples in Isaiah 14:3 “in that day”02:38:59 Isaiah 49:1 “O ye distant lands”02:48:10 Example Isaiah 29:11 “read it, for it is sealed up”02:56:50 If this is the most correct book why was so much of it changed?Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord
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3:07:06
Family Abandons Mormon Church After 40 Years of Faith - Kevin and Jennifer Lundquist | Ep. 2001
In this heartfelt episode, Kevin and Jennifer share their inspiring journey through their Mormon upbringing, missions, and eventual faith transition. They discuss navigating doubts, supporting their gay and transgender children, and redefining what love and family mean. From facing church pressures to embracing authenticity, their story highlights resilience, acceptance, and the power of unconditional love. Don't miss this moving conversation about finding peace and purpose beyond organized religion.Show NotesYouTube00:05:25 Kevin’s story begins00:14:20 Kevin met with general authority Paul H. Dunn to get approved for his mission00:27:58 Jennifer’s Story begins00:36:11 They met again with Paull Dunn about getting married in the temple00:48:38 Defining their own gender roles in their marriage01:01:18 Concerns with paying tithing01:09:00 Teenage son struggling with p*rn and coming out as gay01:17:48 Their gay son decided to serve a mission; he was told his mission will “cure him of his gayness”01:30:00 Mission president refused to let him go home, and had possession of his passport01:38:00 Kevin told his son “never try to make the church work for you - it never will”01:51:55 Their gay son says that if he was not able to leave the mission he may have committed suicide02:08:50 Their daughter tells them she is done with the church; she experienced love bombing02:12:50 Kevin asks his mom, “If the church wasn't true would you want to know” - she says no02:16:50 “If there is a place in the church for my gay son, we will reconsider”02:30:40 Discussing transgender issues in the church02:40:48 Why do a lot of ex-Mormons turn to atheism after leaving the church?02:28:20 Has the way that they see “love” and “family” changed over the years? What do they mean for them now?02:56:23 Final thoughtsMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord
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3:03:36
Lori Vallow Dateline Interview - MORMONS RESPOND! | Ep. 2000
Lori Vallow Daybell was interviewed on NBC/Dateline Exclusive. Keith Morrison sat down with convicted murderer and Mormon mom, Lori Vallow, to talk about her case. Her two children, Tylee and J.J. were last seen in September of 2019 and she and her new husband Chad Daybell were arrested and charged for their murder. During the Dateline interview, Lori said that she and Chad Daybell were going to be exonerated because of Jesus. “I have seen things in the future that Jesus showed me when I was in heaven.” She went on to say that “Jesus is a funny guy and a wonderful person that loves everybody and especially loves her.” Lori has long been desirous to appear on Dateline and finally got her wish. She is also charged with conspiracy in the attempted murder of her niece’s ex-husband in another case.Show NotesYouTube00:00:30 Lauren Mathias, Megan Conner, Gerardo and John00:10:00 She went in surprised, she’d heard most of it, but was surprised at Lori’s anger00:17:50 Gerardo feels the interview would have been different with someone with a cult background00:19:25 Did the interview show us the real Lori Vallow?00:29:50 Lori is trying to lay groundwork for blaming Tylee for JJ’s death00:34:00 Discussing the evidence that Tylee was killed weeks before JJ00:47:40 Lori claiming that she met Jesus00:51:25 Polling the audience about weather Lori Vallow believes this is true01:09:30 Where do Chad’s beliefs begin and end?01:12:05 Lori bringing in the spare tire and the car chair01:25:00 We didn’t see much of the 90 minute interview between Lori and Keith01:29:55 What Keith did that Lauren did not like01:37:00 Was JJ asleep or was he already dead?01:39:30 How Mormons view death and how Lori did not have a lot of grief or sadness in this01:41:50 Lori saying that Tammy loves her and she loves Tammy01:55:20 It was clearly disturbing to see Alex and Chad unloading a pickup truck02:05:55 Alex’s death - was it natural causes or a murder?02:18:00 Harmful places in Visions of Glory 02:19:55 Mormon beliefs that play into this crime 02:31:00 Other individuals who killed their children because they thought their children were possessed02:39:00 Lauren being a members of the church02:49:45 Lori saying that she’s right and “I told you so”03:18:30 Keith pointed out that Lori was giving parenting adviceMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord
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