Mormon Stories - LDS

In episode 1 of a 3 part series, we meet James W. Parkinson--a high profile personal injury lawyer, and a member of the LDS Church. In this episode we discuss Jim's early years in Indio, CA, his early career as a law student and lawyer, his involvement in the"Big Tobacco" settlement, and his introduction to Harold Poole--LDS member and survivor of the Bataan Death March.

Grant Palmer served as a CES Institute Director and Seminary/Institute Teacher for over 30 years. In part 4 of this 4 part series, Grant discusses the early reactions to his book, his trial with the LDS Church for apostacy (which ultimately led to his disfellowship), his thoughts about how the LDS Church might constructively deal with these tough historical issues, and his testimony of how focusing on Christ could benefit all sides of these issues.

Grant Palmer served as a CES Institute Director and Seminary/Institute Teacher for over 30 years. In part 3 of this 4 part series, Grant takes us through a deep dive into his 1st book--An Insider's View of Mormon Origins. During this episode we cover Joseph Smith's treasure seeking and usage of peep stones, the actual mechanics of the Book of Mormon Process, the actual accounts of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon, the multiple versions of Joseph Smith's First Vision story, and the evolution of the LDS Priesthood accounts.

Grant Palmer served as a CES Institute Director and Seminary/Institute Teacher for over 30 years. In part 2 of this 4 part series, Grant talks about his move from California to Salt Lake City, how the Mark Hofman bombings affected him and his colleagues, and his subsequent deep dive into LDS History. Grant also discusses his arrival at the decision to write his book--An Insider's View of Mormon Origins.

Grant Palmer served as a CES Institute Director and Seminary/Institute Teacher for over 30 years. In part 1 of this 4 part series, Grant talks about his childhood (growing up in Salt Lake City), his mission experience in Virginia, and his early years with the Church Education System.

At least once each week a listener will ask me (John Dehlin) about my testimony in the LDS Church. Liberals or ex-Mormons call me an apologist. Conservatives accuse me of being a"wolf in sheep's clothing." So, to dispel the speculation--and in response to lots and lots of requests, I reluctantly share my story within the Mormon context. In this episode, I discuss aspects of the LDS Faith that I do and don't believe. I also provide around 13 reasons for why I choose to remain a Mormon.

At least once each week a listener will ask me (John Dehlin) about my testimony in the LDS Church. Liberals or ex-Mormons call me an apologist. Conservatives accuse me of being a"wolf in sheep's clothing." So, to dispel the speculation--and in response to lots and lots of requests, I reluctantly share my story within the Mormon context. In this episode, I discuss my marriage, the importance of the church to my family, and the experiences I had as a seminary teacher in Seattle that led to the dissolution of my testimony in the LDS Church (as I knew it). I also discuss how the writings of Eugene England, Lowell Bennion, T. Edgar Lyon, Leonard Arrington, and others (in Sunstone and Dialogue) helped me to reconstruct my faith.

At least once each week a listener will ask me (John Dehlin) about my testimony in the LDS Church. Liberals or ex-Mormons call me an apologist. Conservatives accuse me of being a"wolf in sheep's clothing." So, to dispel the speculation--and in response to lots and lots of requests, I reluctantly share my story within the Mormon context. In this episode, I discuss my childhood, youth, and missionary experiences within the Mormon church, through the end of my university years at BYU.

Recently, Brigham Young University invited Darius Gray--one of the founders of the LDS Genesis Group, and a black Mormon for over 30 years--to make a presentation entitled,"Blacks and the LDS Priesthood." In this interview, Darius re-delivers this presentation, along with Margaret Young. Darius and Margaret are co-authors of a trilogy dealing with black Mormon history entitled: Standing on the Promises.

In part 2 of a 2 part series, we interview Ann--a pleasant, yet forceful presence in the bloggernacle, and leader within New Order Mormonism. According to the New Order Mormon Website,"New Order Mormons are those who no longer believe some (or much) of the dogma or doctrines of the LDS church, but who want to maintain membership for cultural and social reasons."

In part 3 of a 3 part series, we interview Darron Smith--a black man who joined the LDS church as a teenager in Tennessee. After serving a mission for the LDS Church and graduating from the University of Utah, Darron began a 10 year teaching career at church-owned Brigham Young University. After 10 years of teaching at BYU, Darron's employment was terminated in response to (according to Darron) his public writings and speaking--wherein Darron openly called for the LDS Church to apologize for, and renounce the racists statements of past Church leaders. In this series, Darron discusses his upbringing in the Church, provides a brief history of Blacks within the Church, discusses his termination from BYU, and his hopes for the LDS Church in the future with regard to these issues.

In part 2 of a 3 part series, we interview Darron Smith--a black man who joined the LDS church as a teenager in Tennessee. After serving a mission for the LDS Church and graduating from the University of Utah, Darron began a 10 year teaching career at church-owned Brigham Young University. After 10 years of teaching at BYU, Darron's employment was terminated in response to (according to Darron) his public writings and speaking--wherein Darron openly called for the LDS Church to apologize for, and renounce the racists statements of past Church leaders. In this series, Darron discusses his upbringing in the Church, provides a brief history of Blacks within the Church, discusses his termination from BYU, and his hopes for the LDS Church in the future with regard to these issues.

In part 1 of a 3 part series, we interview Darron Smith--a black man who joined the LDS church as a teenager in Tennessee. After serving a mission for the LDS Church and graduating from the University of Utah, Darron began a 10 year teaching career at church-owned Brigham Young University. After 10 years of teaching at BYU, Darron's employment was terminated in response to (according to Darron) his public writings and speaking--wherein Darron openly called for the LDS Church to apologize for, and renounce the racists statements of past Church leaders. In this series, Darron discusses his upbringing in the Church, provides a brief history of Blacks within the Church, discusses his termination from BYU, and his hopes for the LDS Church in the future with regard to these issues.

In part 3 of a 3 part interview, we interview Buckley Jeppson. Buckley, 57, says he's been informed verbally by a senior church leader that his life is incompatible with the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that a disciplinary council will soon address the matter. Jeppson, of Washington, D.C., married Mike Kessler in Toronto on Aug. 27, 2004. It is believed that if Jeppson is excommunicated, it would be the first time a Mormon in a legal, same-sex marriage was punished by the church. Jeppson claims that over the past five months Nolan Archibald, his Stake President and CEO of Black and Decker, has encouraged him to resign his church membership, which would avoid disciplinary action.

In part 2 of a 3 part interview, we interview Buckley Jeppson. Buckley, 57, says he's been informed verbally by a senior church leader that his life is incompatible with the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that a disciplinary council will soon address the matter. Jeppson, of Washington, D.C., married Mike Kessler in Toronto on Aug. 27, 2004. It is believed that if Jeppson is excommunicated, it would be the first time a Mormon in a legal, same-sex marriage was punished by the church. Jeppson claims that over the past five months Nolan Archibald, his Stake President and CEO of Black and Decker, has encouraged him to resign his church membership, which would avoid disciplinary action.