Mormon Stories Podcast

This week on Mormon Stories News, John Dehlin along with Julia, and Brooklyn of the OSF team, break down some of the biggest stories making headlines in Mormonism.

President Nelson announced the Springfield, Missouri temple on April 2, 2023, yet ground was just broken for it on June 6, 2026. Why the delay? Have other temples been delayed? What is the average amount of time for a temple to be finished between its first announcement to dedication? What are the membership numbers that will fill these temples?

On June 7, 2026 General Authority Seventy Kyle...

Today on Mormon Stories Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Brad Reedy, therapist, author, and founder of “Finding You Intensives”, to discuss his remarkable journey through faith, spirituality, addiction, and personal growth. We are also very glad to be joined by Samantha Shelly (from Zelph on the Shelf) for this uplifting conversation. 

Raised outside of religion, Brad spent much of his youth searching for meaning and belonging. After struggling with substance abuse as a teenager and surviving a near-fatal overdose, he encountered Mormonism and found the structure, community, and spiritual direction  had been missing from h...

What started as a dispute over a massive LEGO Star Wars collection has exploded into one of the strangest stories on YouTube.

Join Dr. John Dehlin, Julia Sanders of Analyzing Mormonism, and never-Mormon commentator Matt Gillespie of Matt's Kustom Kreations, as they investigate the viral controversy surrounding a LEGO collection reportedly worth more than $200,000. Together, they examine the timeline of events, the competing claims, the lawsuits, the corporate takeover of a Bricks & Minifigs franchise, and the investigation that brought national attention to the story.

A family consigned a collection...

In this episode, we expand on ideas presented by Nate Oman during a discussion on Faith Matters and trace the complicated, evolving history of Mormon sealings from Joseph Smith through the 20th century.

Today, “eternal families” are often presented as the central purpose of temple sealings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But historically, the story is much messier.

In this conversation, we explore how early sealings were not originally centered on the modern concept of nuclear families being together forever. Instead, sealing theology developed gradually duri...

We have a very special guest on Mormon Stories today, who some of our live audience may know as "TrevAnon" on YouTube. He has helped out for many years as a moderator for Mormon Stories livestreams, and he is here today to tell us why a Never-Mormon from the Netherlands would find interest in Mormonism. 

This episode will begin with Trev's story, and how he developed his interest in cults and other high-demand religions--especially Scientology. Additionally, he has prepared a presentation that will compare and contrast Scientology to Mormonism. Join along as we hash o...

This week on Mormon Stories News, John Dehlin and Meggan Hayes break down some of the biggest stories making headlines in Mormonism.We begin with the growing scandal surrounding former Pinal County Sheriff and congressional candidate Mark Lamb. Recent reporting from The Arizona Republic details allegations involving explicit messages, secret relationships, and accusations that raise serious questions about image management, accountability, and whether Mormon leaders around Lamb have helped to protect him from consequences. We also examine the case of former LDS stake president Patrick Bucknum, who has been accused by federal authorities of orchestrating a years-long fraud scheme...

Welcome to Episode 73 in our LDS Discussions series!

In this episode, we explore the long history of fraud, forgery, and "discernment" within Mormon history –from Joseph Smith’s treasure digging and the Kinderhook Plates to the Salamander Letter, Paul Dunn, Tim Ballard, and Jodi Hildebrandt.

We discuss why people believe extraordinary claims, the role of critical thinking and skepticism, and whether church leaders who claim divine guidance have actually demonstrated the “Gift of Discernment” they preach about. Along the way, we examine the Book of Abraham, the Kinderhook Plates controve...

Content Warning: Discussion of suicide and suicidal ideation.

In this episode of Mormon Stories, Gustavo Hernandez from Mexico City shares his experience growing up Mormon in Mexico, discovering difficult church history as a teenager, and ultimately choosing to remain an active, believing member of the Church while navigating doubt, anxiety, and faith crises. 

Gustavo opens up about the shame culture surrounding worthiness, pornography confessions, and perfectionism in Mormonism –including how teachings from leaders like Spencer W. Kimball deeply affected his mental health as a young teen. He discusses experiencing pan...

In this episode, John and Meggan examine several major stories shaping the current state of Mormonism, including new research on LDS disaffiliation and decline, increasing institutional strain on local leadership, financial fraud tied to prominent Utah business figures, and the continuing controversy surrounding the Fairview Texas temple.

•Drawing from research and analysis by Jeff Strong and team of researchers, we discuss what current membership and retention trends may reveal about blind spots devout Latter-day Saints have, the primary reasons for disaffiliation, how LDS trends compare with other denominations, gender differences in the decline, institutional tr...

In Part 2 of our series on Seventh-day Adventism, Melissa Spiers shares her personal story of growing up as a fourth-generation Adventist in a deeply religious family shaped by strict lifestyle rules, purity culture, and constant pressure to perform spiritually.

Melissa describes her experience navigating SDA education systems, thought control, and the intense expectations placed on young women within the church. She also discusses her eventual move away from Adventism, and the complicated relationship between religion, identity, and personal freedom.

Another major focus of this episode is Melissa’s discovery of...

For the first time on Mormon Stories Podcast, we’re diving into the world of Seventh-day Adventism. John sits down with Melissa Spiers, a former Seventh-day Adventist, to explore the history, beliefs, culture, and practices of the SDA Church—and to compare them with Mormonism along the way.

In Part 1 of this two-part series, Melissa gives an overview of Seventh-day Adventist origins, theology, lifestyle standards, and church culture, while John and Melissa discuss some of the surprising similarities and key differences between the SDA and LDS traditions.

Then later this...

Welcome to our final episode in our Joseph Smith: The Podcast series, where we cover John Turner’s new book “Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.” In this episode, we explore the immediate aftermath of Joseph Smith’s assassination and the profound consequences that followed his family, plural wives, and the early Latter-day Saint movement.

The chapter we are covering today is the Epilogue.

We look at the chaotic hours and days after his death in Nauvoo, including how his body and Hyrum’s were handled, t...

In this episode, we dive into the life and legacy of Ernest L. Wilkinson, president of Brigham Young University from 1952 to 1971. Known for rapidly expanding BYU into a major religious university, Wilkinson was also a deeply polarizing figure whose leadership raised serious questions about race, politics, academic freedom, and loyalty within the Church.

Joined by historian and longtime Signature Books publisher Gary Bergera, we explore Wilkinson’s diary collection and what it reveals about his ambitions, fears, and decisions.

From alleged “spy ring”activity among faculty, to clashes with Apostl...

Another Mormon podcaster has been excommunicated for apostasy. In this episode, Landon Brophy of the Mormonish Podcat joins us to share his full Mormon story –from devoted BYU-bound Eagle Scout, missionary, seminary teacher, bishopric member, and military chaplain path… to publicly questioning church truth-claims and ultimately being excommunicated by the LDS Church. And all after seven years of being in-active. 

Landon walks through his faith crisis step-by-step: discovering problems with the Book of Abraham, DNA and archeology issues surrounding the Book of Mormon, biblical scholarship, FARMS apologetics, and the moment he realized the evidence no lo...

Welcome to Episode 72 in our LDS Discussions series! This episode is a treat because for the first time in the history of LDS Discussions, every panelist is actually IN studio!

Today we are doing a deep dive into one of the most foundational (and controversial) questions surrounding the Book of Mormon: What does the text actually claim about itself –and do those claims hold up?

We explore the Book of Mormon’s own statements about its origins, including the assertion that it was written in “Reformed Egyptian,” the idea that Egy...

In today's episode, sisters Meggan and Julie share what it was like growing up in a family of 14 children in a very strict Mormon household. They describe a home built around structure, obedience, and high expectations: early morning scripture study, strict rules, limited privacy, and constant pressure to represent the “ideal” Mormon family. 

They each re-tell their own experiences growing up in this environment, and discuss why they found their relationship fractured for many years—then reveal how they re-kindled their relationship. They also each discuss their individual faith journeys and where they stand with th...

Welcome to Part 40 of our Joseph Smith Podcast series with Dr. John Turner!

Today we are covering the final chapter of Dr. John Turner’s new book,  Joseph Smith; The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. The chapter is titled “Bleeding Hearts.”

In this episode we unpack the turbulent final months of Joseph Smith’s life in 1844. We explore escalating legal pressures, political tensions in Nauvoo, and the controversial events surrounding the Nauvoo Expositor, press freedom, and Smith’s increasingly complex role as prophet, mayor, and military leader.

<...

Welcome back to part 2 of Dr. Michael Coe week here on Mormon Stories Podcast, where we are re-releasing some on the most important episodes in the history of this channel. 

The original description for this episode reads:

"We are excited to revisit Dr. Michael Coe at his home in New Haven, Connecticut, to discuss some of the challenges facing Mormon archaeologists attempting to prove the historical truth of their central scripture.

Dr. Michael Coe is the Charles J. MacCurdy Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Yale University and C...

Join us today for another re-mastered classic Mormon Stories episode! 

This interview with Dr. Michael Coe is one of the most important Mormon Stories episodes to date. In order to introduce this significant conversation to our newer audiences, we have compiled it into a single episode and re-broadcasting it. 

The original description for this episode reads,

"Dr. Michael Coe is the Charles J. MacCurdy professor emeritus of Anthropology at Yale University and curator emeritus of the Division of Anthropology at the school’s Peabody Muse...

Welcome to Part 39 of our Joseph Smith Podcast series with Dr. John Turner!

In Chapter 30 titled “The Kingdom (which covers the year 1844), we explore what may be the true beginning of the end for Joseph SMith –politically, socially, and religiously. 

This episode dives into Joseph Smith’s unexpected run for President of the United States, including the development of his platform, his views on slavery, and how he attempted to position himself within the broader national debate. We examine the role of figures like William Phelps in shaping the platfor...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is suing Mormon Stories Podcast and Dr. John Dehlin claiming trademark and copyright infringement.  We feel very confident in our standing in this case.  We also feel as though the church is mischaracterizing what happened in mediation in a way that is misleading, untrue, and damaging.  

Please join us today to learn our perspective on what the LDS church demanded in mediation, what John Dehlin and Mormon Stories did to accommodate reasonable requests, and how you can help support Mormon Stories Podcast.  

...

In this episode, we sit down with Jared Smith –an ex-Christian, former Wheaton College student, and atheist YouTuber –to explore what happens when someone deeply rooted in evangelical Christianity takes a serious look at Mormonism.

Jared shares his journey from devoted believer to skeptic, including his time at Wheaton College (often called the “Harvard of Christian institutions”), where he studied everything from apologetics to exorcism –and even Christian heavy metal.

We dive into his firsthand experiences auditing religions, attending Mormon services, reading the Book of Mormon, and engaging with LDS cultur...

In Part 38 with historian John Turner we dive into his latest book Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. In this episode, we focus on Chapter 29, “Cool as a Cucumber,” unpacking the turbulent years of 1843-1844 –arguably the beginning of the end for Joseph Smith.

We explore mounting legal pressure, political entanglements, and growing internal dissent with Nauvoo. Along the way, we examine controversial and often difficult topics, including Joseph Smith’s relationship with William Law and his wife, accusations of coercion tied to plural marriage, and an alleged physical altercation involvin...

What would compel a BYU student to resign from the Church immediately after graduation? Join us today as we explore this question and more with our guest, Ryan Huey.

Ryan was raised in Missouri as one of six children in a very devout Mormon family. He served an LDS mission in Texas, worked as an EFY counselor, and later attended BYU–Provo. But at multiple points throughout his Mormon upbringing, the foundations of his faith began to show cracks.

Topics include:

-Shame cycles

-Mission struggles

What would compel a BYU student to resign from the Church immediately after graduation? Join us today as we explore this question and more with our guest, Ryan Huey.

Ryan was raised in Missouri as one of six children in a very devout Mormon family. He served an LDS mission in Texas, worked as an EFY counselor, and later attended BYU–Provo. But at multiple points throughout his Mormon upbringing, the foundations of his faith began to show cracks.

Topics include:

-Shame cycles

-Mission experiences

Welcome to Part 37 in our series with Dr. John Turner covering his new book “Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.”

In this episode, we explore one of the most controversial and least understood rituals in early Mormonism: The Second Anointing. 

While Emma Smith was away, tensions continued to rise –but when she returned, the conflict between her and Joseph Smith regarding polygamy reached a breaking point. Already furious over plural marriage, Emma confronted Joseph in a series of explosive moments –demanding accountability, destroying symbolic gifts, and treat...

Today we are joined by Dr. John Lundwall (PhD, comparative myth and religion), to share what he believes is the BIGGEST anachronism in the book of Mormon – the text itself. 

Using his expertise in ancient religions and how they are practiced, Dr. Lundwall offers an analysis of the religious cultures that exist in the Book of Mormon and how they are inconsistent with any other ancient religious practices. He examines early religious expression through rock art, solar deities, and ritual spaces, highlighting how ancient belief systems were primarily oral, symbolic, and embodied—expressed through ritua...

Welcome to Part 36 of our Joseph Smith Podcast series with Dr. John Turner covering his new book “Joseph Smith: Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.”

Today we are covering Chapter 28: "Anointed" that covers 1843. 

In this episode, we explore one of the most explosive and painful chapters in early Mormon history –Emma Smith’s direct opposition to Joseph Smith over the practice of polygamy. As tensions rise within Nauvoo, Emma confronts the growing reality of plural marriage, leading to deep personal conflict, secrecy, and division.

We exam...

Joining John & Mergi Dehlin today is Chelsey Rencher Liaga, here to share her Mormon story of how she was “groomed” for Mormon motherhood, and how this hindered the development of her own mental health and self identity.

Chelsey was born in Gilbert, Arizona (a heavily Mormon community) and had a typical Mormon upbringing. She suffered from perfectionism as a child, which later led to body dysmorphia issues and an eating disorder that affected her time on her mission in Spokane, Washington.

After her mission she met her husband at BYU...

Following the passing of my dear friend and former BYU professor, Dr. William Bradshaw, we are honoring his life today by re-broadcasting my interview with him from 2010.

The original description for this episode is as follows:

"In this episode, John Dehlin interviews one of his former professors and mentors, Dr. William Bradshaw, on a wide variety of topics. Dr. Bradshaw has just recently retired from a rich and fulfilling career as a molecular biology professor at BYU in which he influenced thousands of students to continually be open to...

Join us to speak with Bridget Read about her new article in New York Magazine entitled "Under the Mormon Influence: How the Women of Utah Blogged and Posted Their Way Into American Hearts and Wallets."

Bridget Read has been a writer at New York Magazine since 2019 and is the author of "Little Bosses Everywhere: How the Pyramid Scheme Shaped America."

If you’d like to help keep this project going, please consider donating to support this series here. Your support makes long-form, in-depth historical discussion like this possible!

...

Welcome back to Part 35 of our series with Dr. John Turner discussing his new book “Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.”

In 1843, Joseph Smith began introducing some of his closest family members – including his wife Emma Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith –to the controversial and secretive practice of plural marriage.

This episode dives into one of the most complex and debated periods of early Latter-day Saint history. We explore the story of the Kinderhook Plates –a set of six brass plates that briefly captured Joseph Smi...

Today, Debora Meireles Ling joins John and Margi to share her journey growing up in a deeply orthodox LDS family in Brazil, where Mormonism shaped nearly every part of her life. As a teenager, Debora felt intense pressure to live the gospel perfectly and struggled with perfectionism as she tried to meet the expectations placed on faithful members.

Debora was called to serve a mission in the São Paulo South Mission, but the experience quickly became overwhelming. After experiencing severe anxiety and panic attacks, she was sent home early—a devastating event she ini...

Welcome back to Part 34 of our series with Dr. John G. Turner! Today we are covering most of Chapter 27 in John Turner’s new book Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. The chapter is called “Deep Water” and covers the year 1843.

The main topic for today is polygamy.

Join us as we discuss several of Joseph Smith’s wives such as Flora Woodworth, Eliza R. Snow, Sarah Ann Whitney, Lucy Walker, etc. John Dehlin challenges Dr. John Turner on specific aspects such as whether Emma Smith re...

In his official 1838 history, Joseph Smith described discovering the golden plates inside a carefully constructed stone box in the Hill Cumorah. According to his account, the box contained the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and a breastplate.

But what happened to that stone box?

In this episode of LDS Discussions, we take a deep dive into the historical record surrounding the stone box narrative. We compare Joseph Smith’s 1838 history with earlier and later accounts, statements from witnesses like David Whitmer, Martin Harris, and Oliver Cowdery, and later retellings fr...

Please join us as we interview Chase McWhorter from Secret Lives of Mormon Wives about his Mormon Story.

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YouTube

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. Su...

In Part 38 with historian John Turner we dive into his latest book Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. In this episode, we focus on Chapter 29, “Cool as a Cucumber,” unpacking the turbulent years of 1843-1844 –arguably the beginning of the end for Joseph Smith.

We explore mounting legal pressure, political entanglements, and growing internal dissent with Nauvoo. Along the way, we examine controversial and often difficult topics, including Joseph Smith’s relationship with William Law and his wife, accusations of coercion tied to plural marriage, and an alleged physical altercation involvin...

Join Michelle Stone and Cheryl Bruno as they discuss the history of the Mormon polygamy wars that erupted in the U.S. AFTER the death of Joseph Smith.

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YouTube

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, an...

Join us as we conclude Carol Lynn Pearson week on Mormon Stories Podcast!

Today we have planned a celebration & Q&A with beloved author, poet, feminist, and activist Carol Lynn Pearson. We will have several guests on to share their dedications to Carol Lynn. And Barbara Brown from Signature Books will join us as we also discuss the new release of: The Diaries of Carol Lynn Pearson--Mormon Author, Feminist, and Activist: Volume 1 (1956-1990).

Please help us support Carol Lynn Pearson and purchase her new memoir, here.

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Welcome back to Carol Lynn Pearson week on Mormon Stories podcast, as we re-visit two very important interviews with a one-of-a-kind Mormon woman.

Today's episode was originally recorded in 2018, when we teamed up with Sunstone to do a live recording where we discussed Pearson's book, The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy. Special thanks to the Salt Lake City Community of Christ for hosting such a wonderful evening and for the many listeners who came to enjoy the experience.

In our next episode, we will close out the week by welcoming...