Unveiling Grace Podcast

Mike and Lynn Wilder were dedicated, temple-worthy, faithful Mormons. When their son Micah discovered the saving, healing grace of Jesus on his LDS mission, he encouraged his parents to read the Bible, with the open, trusting eyes of a child. They did, and what they discovered led them to leave their LDS faith and write the book, 7 Reasons We Left Mormonism.  In this series, Joel and Lynn explore these seven reasons and why they can be life changing for Christians and Mormons alike. Part 4 looks at Reasons 6, exploring the Mormon Scripture that Joseph used to justify his many wives, and was used to make Mormon polygamy essential for eternal life and godhood.

Mike and Lynn Wilder were dedicated, temple-worthy, faithful Mormons. When their son Micah discovered the saving, healing grace of Jesus on his LDS mission, he encouraged his parents to read the Bible, with the open, trusting eyes of a child. They did, and what they discovered led them to write the book, 7 Reasons We Left Mormonism.  In this series, Joel and Lynn explore these seven reasons and why they can be life changing for Christians and Mormons alike. Part 3 looks at Reasons 5, exploring the essential nature of LDS Temple Ordinances in order to have salvation and eternal life.  

Mike and Lynn Wilder were dedicated, committed, faithful Mormons. When their son Micah discovered the saving, healing grace of Jesus on his LDS mission, he encouraged his parents to read the Bible, with the open, trusting eyes of a child. They did, and what they discovered led them to write the book, 7 Reasons We Left Mormonism. In this series, Joel and Lynn explore these seven reasons and why they can be life changing for Christians and Mormons alike. Part 2 looks at Reasons 3 & 4 dealing with the Mormon authority and how they view the nature of God.

Mike and Lynn Wilder were dedicated, committed, faithful Mormons. When their son Micah discovered the saving, healing grace of Jesus on his LDS mission, he encouraged his parents to read the Bible, with the open, trusting eyes of a child. They did, and what they discovered led to write the book, 7 Reasons We Left Mormonism.  In this series, Joel and Lynn explore these seven reasons and why they can be life changing for Christians and Mormons alike. Part 1 looks at Reasons 1 & 2 dealing with the Book of Mormon and the LDS concept of ongoing revelation.

Caitlyn had given up on God. Her religion led her to feel she'd never measure up or be good enough for God, so why try? But God spoke a message to her heart that shook her to the core and set her on a path to find the truth about God and the relationship with Him she'd always wanted. God showed up, transforming her life with his love and forgiveness, and bringing her into a relationship based on grace - a grace that heals.

Caitlyn tried - she really did. When her returned-Mormon-missionary, temple-endowed husband turned abusive she went to her LDS leaders for help and support.  Instead of helping her they asked her what she was doing to provoke her husband. Following her separation, a protective order and eventual divorce, life got even worse. Caitlyn decided she'd never be good enough for the Mormon God so she quit trying. But God wasn't done and he gave her a message that shook her to the core. 

In this moving conclusion to Melanie's story she shares how God brought her face to face with herself, how He showed her amazing grace, love, and forgiveness, and how Jesus has provided deep healing that has freed her to love others in life-changing ways.

This is a sometimes jarring episode as Melanie continues sharing her story of abuse, abandonment, running from God and then back to HIm and how God used grace from various places to bring restoration to her broken life. Join Lynn and Joel as they laugh and grieve with Melanie as she shares part 2 of her story. The show notes include links to documentation that abuse, both sexual and emotional, is too often part of performance-based religion, as well as resources to help bring healing.  

Melanie has an amazing story of searching, doing it on her own in performance-based religion, losing everything, walking away from God and finding her life restored in Jesus when she surrendered it all back to Him. When she deserved and expected God's scolding and wrath she got a hug instead. Listen, be encouraged, laugh with us and experience a grace that heals.  

Sherale exudes a joy that stands in sharp distinction to this first part of her spiritual journey. But it wasn't always this way. The tragic murder of her cousin at a family reunion left her questioning God and sent her spiraling into the darkest place she'd ever been. In the midst of partying and drinking to numb the pain, God drew her to a message of healing and forgiveness that transformed her life, her marriage, and her family. In this conclusion to her story, Sherale shares her journey out of darkenss into hope and concludes with a deeply personal message of healing grace for anyone in need of acceptance and love.

Sherale exudes a joy that stands in sharp distinction to this first part of her spiritual journey. Her happy LDS life wasn't filling the hole inside and it nearly vanished altogether when she found herself a single mom at age 18. She worked to make a life for herself and her daughter and was finally living comfortably. Then the tragic death of her cousin at a family reunion left her questioning God and sent her spiraling into the darkest place she'd ever been.

As a Mormon Ray could never find a way to offload the guilt and shame of his sin, especially pornography, that was like a bag of rocks on his back. In fact, every attempt to try harder, live better, do more only met with failure that only added more rocks to his burden. One day in desperation he called out to Jesus to do for him what he could never do for himself, and in an amazing gift of grace, Jesus took the porn addiction completely away. It has led a to a life of transformed relationships, both with God and others, and Ray isn't about to go back. He's found too much love, forgiveness, and grace.

Ray was raised LDS and never even considered an alternative spiritual path. After all, he'd been told repeatedly none existed outside his Mormon faith. Yet, when his LDS church leaders suddenly excommunicated him he decided this was a sign from God. He stayed spiritually open and God showed up with grace that healed his spirit, removed his addiction to porn, and transformed his life.

Lori's Mormon husband followed his feelings right into an affair and his deception rocked both their worlds. But God used it and the fallout to draw them to truth and to Jesus. In Part 2 Lori talks about the Mormon temple experience that scared her, how God used it to draw her to himself, and how her husband's teachings after his death reached his LDS mom. 

Lori's Mormon husband followed his feelings right into an affair and his deception rocked both their worlds. But God used it and the fallout to draw them to truth and to Jesus. In part 1 Lori shares God's pursuit of her heart, her family history, and the evidence that convinced her Joseph Smith was not a true prophet of God. We are left wondering about what exactly happened to her in the Mormon temple that scared her so badly.