Summary: Join us in this episode of Faith Transitions as we discuss with author <a href="http://digitalreligion.tamu.edu/users/jessica-finnigan" target="_blank">Jessica Finnigan</a> some very compelling stories about the ups and downs of her struggle with faith and doubt (including run-ins with her priesthood leadership). <a href="http://jessicafinnigan.com/" target="_blank">Jessica </a>is a contributor to a range of religious studies topics, including <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixz9WrWJ7v8" target="_blank">Mormon studies</a>, and is an occasional blogger at <a href="http://rationalfaiths.com/author/jessica-f/" target="_blank">Rational Faiths</a>. Jessica holds graduate degrees from both the University of Cambridge and King’s College London, emphasizing Religious Studies. Her story begins in the Lutheran tradition, finds its way to the Methodist church, and then to Mormonism. Jessica and her family have now transitioned out of the Mormon faith.<br> This episode represents the close of our opening “series” of transition stories within Mormonism. The series does not represent our conclusion with the Mormon faith. In fact, in November we will be presenting two more Mormon transition stories. Our decision to present two additional Mormon transition stories together relates to the topic of race within Mormonism. We felt it timely to contribute these two stories now given <a href="http://www.sltrib.com/home/3021661-155/about-new-mormon-apostle-ronald-a" target="_blank">the new callings into church leadership</a>, a “change” that is challenging people’s assumptions about what it means to be a Mormon, and what it means to be represented by one’s ecclesiastical leaders (<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/11/us/black-mormons-assess-churchs-racial-progress.html?_r=1" target="_blank">example from recent New York Times article</a>). Watch for that on Nov. 1.<br>
