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[img]http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/unnamed.png [/img] http://mormondiscussionpodcast.orghttp://mormondiscussionpodcast.org” class=”bbcode_url”> Jon Young sits down with Ty Mansfield to discuss his journey and navigating Same Sex Attraction. Ty discusses how we as a Church culture handle LGBT issues, Ty’s personal journey, and how he has persevered on his own spiritual journey. Ty’s spiritual struggle and need to separate the gospel from culture in the church is a story all of us can relate to, regardless of our challenges.
[img]http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Missionaries-walking-away.jpg [/img] http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/” class=”bbcode_url”> Faithfully Courageously MormonToday I sit down with Mark (Not his real name as it has been changed to protect his identity). He is a young man who is getting ready to go on his mission shortly. He also happens to be gay. He tells his story. When he knew, Coming out to Family, and how they have responded. He talks of realizing there are paths available on both sides of the spectrum and yet he sees his journey as his and he owns it. He is genuine and authentic and his story can have deep meaning to each of us as we began to figure out where we go from here!
[img]http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/specialwit.jpg [/img] Reconciling Special Witnesseshttp://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/” class=”bbcode_url”> We hear the Leaders testify with certainty that they and the Church are led by Christ. We have had some leaders approach language that implies they have seen Christ. We also receive teachings that seem to offend, sadden, and even possibly harm us. How are we to reconcile A Church led by Christ with teachings that marginalize and ostracize at times? This episode deals with paradigms and frameworks that will help us make it all fit if we are willing to push ahead. I think there are many paradigms that can make things work in our minds, this is only one alternative that has worked for me.
Bill, just want to say thanks for these podcasts. Your honest discussions have helped me work honestly and positively within my ward. My experience at church has become more proactive as I have spoken up, rather than sitting quietly and suffering through. I have had great discussions with many of the members, TBM and liberal, about issues of believing, and feel my voice is valued. Lots of good changes. So thanks. Hope you are able to do what you are doing for a long time, in some capacity or another. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
+1 on startpoor’s post above. And on this one specifically, I am probably one of those that prodded DB to do this episode. I have calmed down a bit, but this still is an area that bothers me most.
I heard someone say, “I know we say ‘prophets are not perfect’ but reading the details of Joseph’s life made me think, ‘but not THAT imperfect'” I can’t tell if I am more upset because I feel a ton of the church membership have serious leadership worship issues and take what is said by any GA or above and almost feel that they can take it even further than the GA said to PROVE they are more righteous. And/or I might just be upset that I don’t understand why God would not be able to correct things (or even lead in some cases) rather than waiting 1/2 a person’s lifetime to make some needed changes.
Still struggling with this area, but I really respect these podcasts. It is easy to find some leader bashing, but I am not interested in that. I have a lot of respect for people (even if misguided at times) that devote huge parts of their life to the church. Yes yes I know many are paid (I wish they would just disclose that and be done with it). But it can take a LOT of a person’s time being in upper leadership callings. I do respect them and really try to put my myself in their shoes. And when I do that, I would like some feedback on areas for improvement.
startpoor wrote:Bill, just want to say thanks for these podcasts. Your honest discussions have helped me work honestly and positively within my ward. My experience at church has become more proactive as I have spoken up, rather than sitting quietly and suffering through. I have had great discussions with many of the members, TBM and liberal, about issues of believing, and feel my voice is valued. Lots of good changes. So thanks. Hope you are able to do what you are doing for a long time, in some capacity or another.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks
[img]http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/adammiller.jpg [/img] Adam Miller: Letter to a CES Studenthttp://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/” class=”bbcode_url”> How concerned should we be with Mormonism’s historical truth claims? Are we missing the point entirely by debating historocity? Today Guest Host Jon Young talks with Adam Miller about his popular post “Letter to a CES Student”, a response to Jeremy Runnels’ “Letter to a CES Director.” Unlike debunking efforts at FairMormon, Miller’s response is more philosophical than apologetic. Thanks to Jon Young for putting this together.
[img]http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/JessOlsen-218×205.jpg [/img] Jeff Olsen: Near Death Experienceshttp://mormondiscussionpodcast.orghttp://mormondiscussionpodcast.org” class=”bbcode_url”> Today I sit down with Jeff Olsen, who share with us his Near Death Experience and how it has affected him and his faith. We talk generally about NDE’s (Near Death Experiences) and what we are to make of them. Are they real? Is it the Brain firing synapses as one last ditch effort to save itself? Or perhaps, is it possible, that they are indeed real? Jeff and I make the case that there is something divine going on, so join us as we try to make sense of it all. This is one that will touch your heart!!!
DBMormon wrote:http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/” class=”bbcode_url”> We each have our bad days and our good days. This podcast USUALLY tries to focus on positive ways to deal with the issues while dealing directly with the real questions. Today is not that episode. Like you I have bad days and bad weeks and even bad months. Today is me talking out loud about what I think and feel in my bad days. If the message always being positive is important to you, you will want to skip this episode. Email me your thoughts on this episode both good and bad – reelmormon at gmail dot com
Boy have I had a bad week and makes me wonder more if over the years I can stay in. I am less frustrated about the past than I am at leader’s dealing with people as they talk about the church’s history. But you know, it does not tear me up inside like it did 2 years ago. It is more of “bummer” and I get on with my dayThanks for sharing. I feel that if everyone in their worst moment could just know it gets easier (most of the time) 
[img]http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/RiverRideOnDarkFoggyNight.jpg [/img] Dark Night of the Soulhttp://mormondiscussionpodcast.orghttp://mormondiscussionpodcast.org” class=”bbcode_url”> Today we talk about James Fowler’s Stages of Faith but we do so using two perspectives that have built on Fowler. As a background for our episode we use the following articles
http://www.faithformationlearningexchange.net/uploads/5/2/4/6/5246709/faith_development__faith_formation_-_keeley.pdf ” class=”bbcode_url”> http://www.faithformationlearningexchange.net/uploads/5/2/4/6/5246709/faith_development__faith_formation_-_keeley.pdf http://www.thebattleofarmageddon.com/stages_of_faith.pdf ” class=”bbcode_url”> http://www.thebattleofarmageddon.com/stages_of_faith.pdf With these as a backdrop we will discuss how hard the Dark Night of the Soul is but also show it is a call to God rather than a push to discard him and your faith.
[img]http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Samuel-Brown.jpg [/img] Samuel Brown: Holy Dyinghttp://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/” class=”bbcode_url”> Today we sit down with LDS author and scholar Samuel M. Brown, author of “In Heaven As It Is On Earth”. We talk about death in Joseph Smith’s culture, Alvin’s Death, Treasure Hunting and Sacrificial circles, and unique views of death that would be strange to us but the norm for Joseph’s culture.
http://samuelbrown.net/http://samuelbrown.net/” class=”bbcode_url”> 
[img]http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/inclusion_logo.jpg [/img] Doctrine of Inclusionhttp://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/” class=”bbcode_url”> Today we discuss Elder Ballard’s 2001 October Conference Talk “Doctrine of Inclusion” and we add to it with Elder Oak’s recent conference talk in October 2014, “Loving Others and Living with Differences”. Using these talks we try to dispel some cultural things we do as Mormons that hurt others and marginalize unnecessarily. Inclusion is a Doctrine!!!
DBMormon wrote:mormondiscussion.podbean.com
My latest podcast is up. I would like on a small scale to try and tackle what mormonstories does but from a more faithful perspective. I am wondering several things.
1.) Do many of you listen to Podcasts? What niche is not among them that would interest you?
I do listen to them, but I find really long ones challenging to make time for. I think short ones are better with a kind of narrow focus, or perhaps a variety of different length ones. In terms of topics? I think topics on mental health would be good. A poll I did here at StayLDS indicated that a high proportion of people who come to STayLDS have suffered from some form of depression, anxiety or other mental health experience. I think people with those tendencies might have a harder time navigating the experiences that trigger those emotions.
The church can have a negative impact on your mental health due to guilt, burn-out etcetera, so podcasts on boundary-setting, helping people be more tolerant of people who suffer from bi-polarism, or depression, or anxiety might help. Topics on how to avoid burn out would be good, if you don’t already have podcasts on that.
Also, cognitive methods of finding peace beyond the simple “pray and read the scriptures” prescription we always get. Perhaps an LDS cognitive therapist who could help us understand methods of controlling/directing thoughts that are useful. Ellsworth and Ellsworth wrote a book called “getting to know the real you” that is very good with this, and uses an LDS perspective. The book was written back in the 80’s but I found it helpful — someone like Ellsworth and Ellsworth who can provide advice on how to direct thoughts to create peace would be great.
Quote:2.) What you think of my podcast? What could I do differently? How can I be better?
I did write to you with a topic a while ago (months ago) when you asked for topics, and didn’t hear back. So, if you make a request, you might want to respond to people who suggest items, if simply to strengthen relationships — even if the topic is a dud.
Quote:3.) I want to capture faith crisis in a way that is a comfort to others in similar situations. While I am trying to keep a faithful perspective I would love to interview all ends of the spectrum. Anyone interested in doing an interview?
I’m chuckling as I only read this question after I wrote my response above. This is what I proposed some time ago — I could do something on how to cope with burn-out by investing disposable, service time in serviceorganizations outside the church — while still remaining active within the church. I had a period several years ago when I had gained 80 pounds, entered into mild depression due to a negative church experience, and couldn’t get released from my HPGL calling in a timely way. My employer had also pulled me aside and told me I’d aged 10 years and needed to make changes as she was worried about me. I also had to withdraw from one project at work, and as a result, was fired from a part-time responsibility I had been assigned at extra pay. It was that critical — the pressure I faced from having too many demands on my time.
After I was released and accepted a non-challenging calling in which I was not growing, and getting over feeling like I’d broken up with my girlfriend (my service in the church), I then turned my efforts to community service, lost the 80 pounds, and got rejuvinated. So, I was able to continue progressing in my leadership abililty, service to humanity, etcetera, and grew in ways I couldn’t in the church, won a Volunteer of the Year award, and gained a huge amount of confidence (tempered, I hope by the ever-present knowledge that I’m not perfect). My happiness grew. At one point,I found I was not getting the support I needed from the infrastructure in one organization, so I was able to leave the position gently when my term expired, while securing another that was equally satisfying. The ability to serve on my own terms, for the length of time the position worked for me, was empowering and also rejuvinating during that period. It was in contrast to the “serve where placed until released” model we have in the church, which really contributed to my commitment crisis at the time (not FAITH crisis — commitment crisis).
I also found it interesting how I had to deal with a local Bishop who considered me a bench-warmer because he didn’t see me actively serving in the WArd, and treated me as such. So I launched a quiet, internal PR program for myself to help the Bpric see the totality of what I was doing (serving as much as an HPGL but just not at church). It seemed to work pretty well.
I also had to deal with my family and other church members not placing much value on the work I was doing outside the church. I tried to frame it that priesthood service also involves service to humanity, with limited success. Also, how my respect for church members grew as I observed the kinds of new interpersonal problems that existed in other organizations outside the church when people don’t have a common set of values to guide them.
I also found my happiness quotient went up dramatically due to all the newness and learning in this new service. Was community service without challenges? Definitely not. The same kinds of problems we see in the church exist in all organizations. But I found I was able to cope with them far better because they did not happen in the context of a religious organization with large claims about its divine commission. I also think it lowered my expectations of the church for when I return to serving there.
I am thinking of going back to my old Ward with my son now that we have a new Bishop. For the youth program and maybe even get involved in scouting.
I think this could be made faithful overall, as an unorthodox way of getting oneself rejuvinated when church experience can be very repetitive over the decades and decades some of us are adult members — while still remaining active.
SilentDawning wrote:I did write to you with a topic a while ago (months ago) when you asked for topics, and didn’t hear back. So, if you make a request, you might want to respond to people who suggest items, if simply to strengthen relationships — even if the topic is a dud.
Sorry for not responding. It was not intentional. I get multiple emails a week on a slow week and I try to respond to all but at times a few fall through the cracks. I am deeply sorry. I spend a ton of time doing this and it can be overwhelming. I realize communication is key and I often fall short…. Sorry
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