Mormon Stories Podcast

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A Mormon Military Story w/ Army Ranger Ross “Marty” Martin | Ep. 1977

Dec 30, 2024

Guest

Ross “Marty” Martin

Guest

Margie Martin

Ross “Marty” Martin, an Army Ranger, discusses his upbringing in a Mormon family, touching on his childhood in a trailer park and his military experiences. Alongside him, his wife Margie shares insights on their journey together. Marty reflects on struggling with faith during his mission in Jamaica, facing the horrors of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and dealing with personal trauma. The conversation explores themes of resilience, identity, and healing, as they navigate the complexities of faith, the challenge of military life, and the search for meaning.

05:56:26

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Episode notes

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Reconciling Faith and War

John Dehlin asked how Marty reconciled his faith's peace teachings with military training.
Marty explained that he saw it as a holy war after 9/11, trusting God for protection.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Afghanistan Deployment and Injury

Marty deployed to Afghanistan, initially romanticizing the war and finding beauty in the culture.
He broke his tibia on a corn cob during a fast rope insertion.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Brother's Death and Faith Crisis

Marty's brother's imprisonment and death triggered his faith crisis.
Reading "Rough Stone Rolling" further intensified his doubts about church history.

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Roots of Faith and Family

01:31 • 26min

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Legacy of Service and Self-Discovery

27:53 • 15min

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Navigating High School: Sports, Work, and the Outdoors

42:31 • 2min

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Growing Through Struggles

44:24 • 7min

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Journey of Faith and Growth

51:04 • 32min

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Journey to Enlistment: A Personal Reflection

01:22:50 • 13min

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Faith and Duty: A Soldier's Journey

01:35:42 • 32min

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Rivalries Among Elite Military Forces

02:07:42 • 2min

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Reflections on War and Personal Growth

02:09:49 • 23min

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Reflections from the Frontlines

02:33:11 • 9min

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Elite Forces and Unexpected Encounters in Baghdad

02:41:51 • 2min

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Navigating Conflict: Reflections on War and Faith

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Delivering Life: A Soldier's Unexpected Fatherhood Experience

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Facing the Shadows of War

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Navigating Faith and Trauma Post-Military Service

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Navigating Doubt and Belonging in Faith

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Navigating Guilt and Identity in Military Life

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Transformative Journeys: Faith, Protection, and the Cycle of Life

04:34:54 • 2min

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Navigating Grief and Identity: A Journey of Healing

04:37:13 • 15min

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A Serendipitous Encounter on the Road

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05:02:30 • 20min

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Geopolitics and Appeasement: Lessons from History

05:22:21 • 14min

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Navigating Faith and Adversity

05:36:28 • 13min

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The Principles of a True Warrior

05:49:28 • 5min

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This powerful and emotional story takes you through Marty’s life journey—from his upbringing in Mormonism, his experiences in high school and seminary, to his time in the military and beyond. Marty reflects on growing up in a trailer park, his mission to Jamaica, his struggles with faith, and his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. He candidly shares deeply personal moments: battling depression, losing loved ones, questioning his beliefs, and finding peace through family, a farm, and humanism.Explore topics of resilience, transformation, and healing as Marty recounts leaving Mormonism, confronting the trauma of war, and redefining his spiritual beliefs. A heartfelt account of faith, doubt, and the search for meaning.

Show Notes

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00:02:30 Intentions for Marty

00:10:20 Growing up in Mormonism

00:24:00 The dynamic of his mother working and his dad being abusive

00:30:50 Interests in High School

00:50:30 Meeting his wife

00:51:20 Getting called to serve his mission in Jamaica

01:23:40 He joined the army without talking to his wife

02:04:45 Going to Afghanistan

02:22:00 Having their first daughter

02:34:35 Feeling the Spirit of Darkness while fighting in Iraq and questioning God

02:54:20 Catching Saddam Hussein and understanding why he did what he did

03:06:00 Reading the book Rough Stone Rolling changed his life

03:09:10 He delivered his daughter in their van by himself

03:14:40 Doing the Lord’s work at finding better ways to kill bad guys

03:24:10 Feeling unworthy to baptize his daughter due to his involvement in war violence

03:36:40 Finding Mormon Stories

03:41:46 Reading The CES Letter and discovering that it was not true

03:58:12 Leaving Mormonism helped him to not be so judgmental

04:18:20 Living a farm life has helped him find peace and connect better to himself and others

04:32:00 How he felt about the Mormon church and being in the military

04:49:56 Story of his father's death while in hospice and his belief in a higher power

05:43:20 Living his life by this new code

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