Mormon Transitions

[Anonymous]

*** Brian, if this was already posted, please combine the threads. I didn’t see it but I could’ve missed it. ***

Brian has a new podcast and it’s fabulous. I listened to it this morning and was just so impressed with the compassion, empathy, and love that Brian, Joanna Brooks, and John Dehlin clearly have for those who struggle in and out of the church.

http://www.mormontransitions.org/

Please recommend this to anyone you think might be struggling or even leaders you think might be short on compassion.

end of shameless plug…

Cate

[Anonymous]

Thanks M&G. I am really excited about this site and the new series of materials. I’m putting together material for the next one right now: How to Talk Spouse & Family. I hope to get that one done in the next few weeks.

The episode was uploaded late last week, but we were waiting until today to promote it. We were still tweaking some things at the site, and waiting until after the holiday weekend.

[Anonymous]

As usual, job well-done, Brian.

I really enjoyed it also.

I need to hear the next one you have on deck. It feels like I’d like to listen to the first one with people close to me, but then I don’t think it would be received right..it would feel more like I’m trying to push some thoughts on them they aren’t ready for.

But I really, really enjoyed it. It’s all a journey. I look forward to more.

Thanks Brian! :thumbup:

[Anonymous]

I’ve only had a chance to listen to the first little bit, but I like and appreciate what I’m hearing. Thanks Brian, John, and Joanna.

I’m a little confused about the relationship between these different organizations: open stories foundation, mormon stories, mormon matters, and now mormon transitions, and even this site. Certainly there are a lot of similarities and cross-pollination, as a lot of the same people are involved in many or all of these organizations. Is there an overarching collaboration, strategy and division of labor, so to speak, or is there simply so much stuff to say that these venues pop up organically?

[Anonymous]

There’s a lot of “cross pollination” all over the world of internet Mormonism, everywhere. Folks who help run this site also write for prominent Mormon blogs, for example. I think there’s natural and organic intersections of interest where different folks combine their efforts on projects when the passions and interest align.

As for the John Dehlin-spawned Open Stories Foundation projects, here’s a brief breakdown:

Open Stories Foundation: The umbrella non-profit organization overseeing it all.

[Anonymous]

I also listened and enjoyed, great job! I appreciate the effort to soften how “crisis” comes across, I get the meaning behind “transitions” but the way it first hit me was moving from one point to another definable point: Like moving from belief to disbelief. I get that many people experience just that – but my personal preference would have been “faith journey” over “faith transition.” To me it leaves things more open to further light and knowledge. Not that it matters at all — I just felt like throwing out my opinion.

Heber13 wrote:

It feels like I’d like to listen to the first one with people close to me, but then I don’t think it would be received right..it would feel more like I’m trying to push some thoughts on them they aren’t ready for.

I also had this thought. At times I was thinking “this would be great to help some members better understand what happens!” but in the end I realize they won’t feel safe unless they can stamp the source as authorized and “safe.” I have wondered if some “true blue” 100% traditional fully literal believing podcast (whatever that means) could ever host someone that could explain their faith journey in a way that would be both well received, and an accurate representation of what so many people experience. From the one side the traditionals will always be seen as guilty of something like blaming the victim — and the struggling will (always?) be seen by the traditionals as not having enough faith to support their shelf.

I would really love to bridge that gap, but like I say it would take a completely “faithful” host.

[Anonymous]

Orson wrote:

I have wondered if some “true blue” 100% traditional fully literal believing podcast (whatever that means) could ever host someone that could explain their faith journey in a way that would be both well received, and an accurate representation of what so many people experience.

Not when the party line is that those undergoing such a journey were never really committed in the first place … whatever that may mean.

Quote:

I would really love to bridge that gap, but like I say it would take a completely “faithful” host.

Good luck with that. Because of views like the one I just mentioned, I see it as more of a chasm than a gap. But to be fair, I think the width varies from person to person.

[Anonymous]

Given my unique journey, I might be able to pull it off. I’ll leave that to others to decide.

[Anonymous]

I had the same question about all these different organizations helping people with faith issues… It can be a bit confusing, kind of like a company that has a lot of products that are very similar to the point you don’t know which one is for you.

I think there are a few reasons for it. One is that John likely has a trait called Ideation which means he has a lot of ideas, and people with ideation (like myself) often start a lot of things to see where they lead. Some continue on in the hands of other people, and occasionally, some wither on the vine.

Also, I think learning how to really reach people who are undergoing a faith crisis/transition is something that everyone is learning how to do. The Church hasn’t been that good at it (based on my years as a priesthood leader). The orientation toward Rescue Efforts has tended to be short-term (visit the family and ask them to come back), and there is a healthy dose of judgmentalism thrown into the mix. This judgmentalism prevents the getting to the heart of people’s issues — leading to excuses, dead-ends, and people who just leave for what sound like inexplicable reasons.

So, as a result, we have all these different attempts to reach people through unofficial channels, some who tend to touch different people different ways. Which is actually good because there is a broad spectrum of faith-struggles out there.

Overall, I see the large menu of unofficial places to go for faith help not available in your local Ward, as a positive — provided you put the time into figuring out what they have to offer, and particularly, the kind of people they attract.

One of the blessings of the Internet — just as you can get just about any speciality item not found in your local stores, you can go online and find someone who has specialized in the sort of faith issues you are struggling with.

[Anonymous]

Orson wrote:

I would really love to bridge that gap, but like I say it would take a completely “faithful” host.

Wow. I *LOVE* this idea. I could not do it alone, but it immediately got the gears turning in my head. I know a guy here in my local area that is a self-described “TBM” (and proud of it) but is fully aware of all the issues. I would love to get you involved in a podcast like this too Ray. Maybe the 3 of us could pull of a panel discussion on how to talk to the disaffected. I just thought of a third other person too.

We can make it a podcast that is 100% “safe” and comfortable (as much as possible) for traditional believers. There’s a huge need out there for this, I think. And I don’t think anyone has pulled it off so far. It would be a cool challenge.

[Anonymous]

I think it would be a great eye-opener for a Traditional believer to see alternate and probably more effective ways of talking to people who are not into full-fledged activity.

[Author]

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