Latter Day Struggles

Send us a Positive Review!Hey Latter Day Struggles! Due to your many requests—we are dropping a Latter Day Struggles series in “audiobook” format. You can enjoy the entire narrative arc in a single, uninterrupted format! Enjoy the experience as things 'click' into place as you take in this 'audiobook'! Please let us know what is happening within you as you transcend and include Mormonism one series at a time! As a bonus drop, we have prepared one of our favorite series titled, "Community Healing: How our Greatest Wounds & our Greatest Healing Happens through Human Relationship" for you!  Enjoy this deep dive.Timestamps:00:00 Welcome and Reset 10:32 Faith Crisis Isolation 16:00 Shunning and Going Underground 27:53 Finding Support Groups 36:38 Quotes on Group Healing 48:56 Trust the Healing Process 56:17 Roadmap Out of Chaos 01:01:19 Witnessed Healing in Relationship 01:13:25 Beyond All In or Out 01:21:22 Curriculum True Self to Rebirth 01:27:37 Relationships and Patriarchy Work 01:35:08 Hope Through Community 01:42:07 Introducing the True Self 01:59:37 Gnostics and Inner Authority 02:16:18 Love Over Fear 02:26:10 Sharing True Self Statements 02:45:22 Grief and Identity Shift 02:56:20 Writing the True Self Statement 03:03:02 Love Based Spiritual Growth 03:16:25 A Healthier Faith Relationship 03:23:23 Men Patriarchy and Identity 03:31:52 Reclaiming the Core Self 03:39:51 True Self Statement Practice 03:44:26 Welcome to Eden Poem 03:54:16 Community Stories Begin  04:11:37 Community and Belonging 04:46:17 Seeing Pain Not Ideas04:53:18 Final Invitation to Heal Support the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website

Send us a Positive Review!In this follow up episode on recent LDS news that women are now allowed to serve in Sunday School presidencies, Val & Nathan pivot to the peculiar part of the announcement prohibiting no "mixed-gender" presidencies and share the outcome of their exploration of this odd move.  Upon deeper reflection, the move seems less about worries about slippery slopes towards sexual iniquity and possibly more about preserving another kind of slippery slope--the one that disrupts what some feel is the "natural order of the universe".  If a female formally presides over a male in one realm of the LDS church, what could this possibly lead to?  Listen in as we propose that moves of this nature is proof that ultimately an all male priesthood must be surrendered...even if excruciatingly slowly...if the LDS church is going to survive in the long run.  Timestamps:00:00 Welcome and Context 02:09 Reading the New Policy 02:46 First Reactions and Jokes 04:54 Why Mixed Gender Feels Weird 5:51 Relief Society President and Bishop — Mixed Gender Already Exists08:21 Loyalist Perspective Brainstorm 09:32 Women Under Men in Leadership 11:09 Nathan's BYU Co-Mission Leader Experience13:33 Men Under Women and Shame 15:53 Two Existential Questions the Church Dodged17:14 Presiding and Priesthood Questions 19:13 Can Women Practice Revelation Without Male Approval?22:49 Priesthood as Human Construct — "All or None of Us Have It"25:12 Keys vs Duties Explained 28:12 Baptism Witnesses — A Case Study in Power Shifts29:47 Power and Control Creep 32:39 Family Proclamation Implications 35:23 Women Leading Faith Journeys at Home37:38 Joseph Smith Gave Women Blessings — Then They Were Taken Back39:25 What Reforms Might Come Next 44:21 Closing Thoughts and Farewell Support the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Straight Talk on Patriarchy and Harm [Part II of II]In this episode Val & Nathan lay out a several reasons why they feel that the LDS church is not able to address the strong correlation between its patriarchal structure, s*xual abuse & s*xual abuse under-reporting. The foundation of this struggle is a refusal to question the divinity of patriarchy...which leads to the patterns outlined in this episode. Please note--episodes of this nature are intended to be "hard on system, soft on people." Val & Nathan maintain that no person is actively trying to harm others--but harm is the inevitable outcome of structures that will not confront their own shadows.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:16 Recap of Previous Episode 01:00 Nathan's Faith Journey and Institutional Critique 02:43 The Harm of Institutional Patriarchy 05:11 Centralized Authority and Its Consequences 07:38 Theological Justifications and Their Flaws 11:45 The "Ship vs. People" Metaphor 15:20 Patriarchy in the Book of Jacob 17:38 Patterns of Abuse and Institutional Response 21:15 Science vs. Religion: Reconciling Evidence 25:30 Handling Abuse Internally 30:41 Legal Counsel and Institutional Protection 35:32 Credibility Issues and Reporting Abuse 38:45 Women Reporting to Women: Limitations 41:24 Conclusion and Call for Change Support the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website

Send us a Positive Review!In this episode I respond to your requests to explore the March 2026 Church news release announcing that women can now serve in ward Sunday School presidencies, and how this is linked to stages of psychological/faith development.Please share this episode if it resonates! Link to the church's announcement can be found HERE.Timestamps:00:00 Welcome and context01:21 Gratitude and reflection03:58 Reading the news release07:52 What we will cover09:04 Big picture framing11:43 Liminal perspective reactions16:59 Loyalist perspective reactions19:58 Faith development stages24:08 Leadership tension and paths27:01 Beyond black and white28:14 Real Reform Or Optics29:05 Why Change Is Slow31:10 Gradualism Explained32:55 Lincoln And Strategy37:37 Applying Gradualism Today39:36 Women Priesthood Forecast41:08 Near Enemy Concept45:43 Near Enemy In Practice48:41 Divine Authority Corner52:11 Continuing Revelation Tension56:17 Community And Next Steps58:25 Closing Reflections Support the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Straight Talk on Patriarchy and Harm [Part I of II] In this episode I read to you a shocking and brilliant article that I wish every Latter-day Saint can hear. This is a tough topic but one where reform will not touch until we start looking it in the eye. Please listen and share this article. Thank you to the Dialogue Foundation and to the author Suzanne E. Greco, whose trailblazing work may eventually be instrumental in preventing countless LDS women and girls from future harm. She wrote the article. I read the article. Please do your part and share the article (via the podcast or linked HERE!)Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Context00:26 Upcoming Episode Preview 03:31 Reading the Article: Confronting Men's Violence 05:26 Author's Background and Article Introduction 06:26 Article Reading: Violence Against Women in LDS Church 11:11 Personal Story of Abuse 14:56 Credibility Issues and External Validation 19:59 Global Perspective on Violence Against Women 25:38 Utah Statistics and Under-Reporting 28:38 Male Ecclesiastical Leaders as First Responders 32:38 Challenges and Solutions 33:18 Solution One: Legal Changes and Clergy-Penitent Laws 38:31 High-Profile Cases and Institutional Betrayal 42:58 Solution Two: Women's Ministry and Male Protection Racket 46:23 Solution Three: Training and Education 48:23 DARVO Tactics and Victim-Perpetrator Dynamics 52:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Support the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website

Send us a Positive Review!One thing that Val is always juggling is how to do it all and maintain her sense of humor, high commitment to play, and overall sanity.  She loves running the podcast, the groups, and squeezes work with amazing LDS faith-journeying individuals and couples between the cracks (which is a highlight of her week!) Fitting it all in can become tricky, which is why she has been looking for the 'just right' person to help with individuals & couples in Utah looking for a mental health worker with the stamp of approval from Val at Latter Day Struggles. In today's episode you will meet Heather Sundahl, the newest member of Valerie's Latter Day Struggles team.  Heather is a licensed mental health worker, a resident of Utah and strongly endorsed by Valerie as someone you can trust on your faith expansion journey.   If you loved their laughter, tears (mostly Val!) and banter, you'll love knowing that Heather plans to come on a few times a year to tackle tough topics with Val relevant to your healing and growth.  Jump over to latterdaystruggles.com if you're from Utah and want to work with Heather.  Timestamps:00:00 Welcome And Guest Intro01:01 Heather Background And Mentors04:07 Early LDS Gender Messages07:03 BYU Awakening Moment09:58 Storytelling And Exponent Two12:27 Becoming A Therapist14:23 Healing Through Narrative17:42 Owning Faith Narratives19:18 Eve And Going Off Script21:35 Life Beyond The Script25:47 Navigating Church Tensions26:57 Community Over Purity28:05 Permission to Be Honest29:05 Jesus as the Anchor29:23 Self Care for LDS Women31:24 Beyond Constant Sacrifice33:51 Therapy Approach and Boundaries35:33 Staying or Leaving the Church39:02 Trusting Your Inner Compass43:43 Faith Journeys and Belonging49:08 Honoring Mormon Identity51:14 Closing Vision and Next Steps Support the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website

Send us a Positive Review!We've heard it a thousand times...and probably have said it a few times ourselves.  "The ________will never change."  You fill in the blank..."The world will never change" or "the church will never change"...and yet they do.  How does evolution actually happen?  This "bonus episode" is a download that Val had over the weekend after asking herself why she was doing this platform.  The answer to her question is what you will hear in this episode.  In short, the only way anything ever changes is when a small group of people gather and use their synergy to productively heal themselves and thoughtfully agitate for change in their worlds.  Its how it has always been and always will be.  Listen in and decide if you are someone who wants to be a part of the change that is already underway in our world right now.  "We Shall Be Known" by MaMuseTimestamps:00:00 Bonus Episode Check In00:32 Existential Questions02:01 Live Fellowship Vision03:56 Awakening Or Breakdown05:54 Labor Pains of New Consciousness07:05 Thesis Antithesis Synthesis09:51 Seekers As Change Agents11:19 Why Side Communities Matter12:48 Community for Healing and Growth14:53 Early Church Example20:02 Feminine Divine and Equality21:35 Institutions Retrench26:08 Laboratories of Expanding Consciousness30:07 Transformation In Groups34:51 Who This Is For36:16 Needs The Fellowship Meets42:45 How Live Fellowship Works48:40 Founding Group Details53:36 Song And Great Turning58:07 Enrollment And Scholarships01:00:14 Closing Thanks Support the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website

Send us a Positive Review!In this episode Val is joined by Jana Riess, author and researcher of the LDS spectrum of experience and Jason Bergman, former BYU professor & faculty member.  Together they discuss the many facets of the Clark Gilbert call to the Q12 of the LDS church.   In this conversation Jason contrasts his experience on the BYU faculty both before and during Gilbert's leadership and candidly shares the painful and life altering impact Gilbert's fervor for loyalty and conformity of LDS orthodoxy had on him and his career.  They also explore the possibility that well-intended loyalty to tradition can actually fracture lives, families, and even the potential good that churches can do in the long run--especially when loyalty to old ways end up getting in the way of further light and truth hiding in plain sight.  Join them for another bold, courageous, and candid conversation inviting spiritual growth in and around the LDS church.  Jana's Salt Lake Tribune ArticleTimestamps:00:00 Welcome and Guests00:36 Why This Topic Matters01:55 Jana Riess Research03:42 Jason BYU Background07:20 Mixed Reactions Online12:11 Why Gilbert Stands Out17:27 Culture Warrior Defined27:12 Polarization and Autonomy35:53 BYU Orthodoxy Crackdown40:43 Honor Code Turmoil Timeline43:58 Choosing to Leave BYU44:56 Faculty Fear and Silence47:15 Big Tent Tensions49:14 Incognito Faculty Support52:41 Loyalty Oath Explained58:33 Surveillance and Dismissals01:00:35 Hiring and Worthiness Filters01:02:52 Growth Versus Orthodoxy01:07:31 Data on Same Sex Marriage01:10:02 What BYU Lost01:17:44 Evolution One Funeral01:20:46 Gerontocracy and Mini Me01:22:07 Final Thanks and Farewell Support the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website

Send us a Positive Review!Join us for this one-time-only recording of our FIRST Latter Day Struggles "Live Fellowship"!  What is this, you ask?  Valerie has decided to offer a gathering place for those on the LDS and surrounding faith expansion journey wanting consistent (2x/month!) connection with her to go deeper into the mind & heart expanding content on both the Monday and Friday tracks of the Latter Day Struggles podcast.  In this opening gathering, Valerie explored with those in attendance how both The Family Proclamation to the World and the call of Clark Gilbert to the Q12 are reflections of a historical moment and a choice point that all organizations confront as they grow.  The question?   Do we adapt to a more connected and pluralistic world that is experiencing an awakening of light and truth? Or do we double down in fear-based conformity? This amazing interactive Fellowship Live episode gives you a taste of how your faith journey can move beyond a passive listening experience and towards active healing and connection with other seekers like yourself.   Jump in now and you can become a founding shaper of the first cohesive and intentional community of individuals whose LDS faith journey was an entry point into their greatest spiritual growth and evolution.  If you listened and this is for you, jump into the Latter Day Struggles LIVE FELLOWSHIP by clicking on the link below and enroll.  Timestamps:00:00 Welcome: Why Seeing Faces Matters 00:51 Building a Faith-Expansion Community 02:33 What a "Sangha" Is 04:14 How the Fellowship Works 05:23 What This Space Is (and Isn't) 07:43 Ground Rules: Staying with Growth 09:28 Why Context Heals 10:48 The Family Proclamation & Clark Gilbert 13:57 America and the LDS Church as Parallel Institutions 15:52 Master Narratives & Threatened Identity 19:38 Retrench or Adapt: The Choice Point 27:00 Discussion: Authoritarian Systems vs. Healthy Communities 32:54 Pocket Communities Over Polarization 34:08 Seeing the System with Compassion 37:50 Why Narrative Change Feels Threatening 40:00 High-Level Language vs. Real-Life Details 42:42 Moving Beyond Fixed Rules 46:45 Transcend & Include 51:37 Rethinking Prophecy 56:13 Our Role in the Larger Awakening 01:00:16 Closing: Breakout Groups & What's Next Support the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: What does the Family Proclamation Mean to You? [Episode II of II]This episode of Latter Day Struggles continues a two-part conversation about the LDS Church's Proclamation on the Family, examining the tension between claims of unchanging doctrine and the historical reality of doctrinal evolution.Petrey demonstrates through historical analysis that LDS teachings on gender, sexuality, marriage, and family have repeatedly changed over time—from positions on interracial marriage and the priesthood ban, to birth control prohibitions, plural marriage, conversion therapy for LGBTQ individuals, and women wearing pants. The conversation highlights how church leaders have consistently taught that their current positions were "unchanging doctrine" until those positions eventually changed, creating a pattern that contradicts claims of doctrinal fixity. Petrey offers a constructive framework for understanding doctrine as historically contingent and evolving—consistent with the LDS concept of continuing revelation—rather than eternally fixed. The Family ProclamationOp Ed by Taylor PetreyTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome 00:19 - Overview of the Proclamation to the Family 01:19 - Recap: Last Week's Discussion 01:31 - Defining Doctrine and Authority 02:08 - What Does 'Doctrine' Mean to Members? 03:48 - The Salvational Weight of Doctrine 05:31 - Elder Rasband's Talk and Proclamation Analysis 09:40 - Historical Changes in LDS Doctrine 11:41 - Race, Interracial Marriage, and Doctrinal Change 13:14 - Birth Control and Plural Marriage 15:11 - History vs. Faith-Promoting Narratives 17:34 - Redefining Doctrine: Making Space for Change 20:06 - Conversion Therapy and Evolving LGBTQ Positions 22:31 - Holding Contradictory Positions Simultaneously 25:31 - Challenges of Authoritarianism in the Church 28:09 - Religious Authority Across Denominations 32:33 - Who Defines History vs. Who Defines Doctrine? 34:22 - Doctrine as Continuing Revelation 35:15 - Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions Support the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website