Mormon Stories Podcast

Dr. Omar Kader was born in Provo, Utah to Palestinian immigrants. HIs father was a devout Muslim and a disabled World War I vet who owned a successful Provo fruit farm. During Omar's childhood he and his family were called the n-word by fellow Provoans, but fought to earn the respect of his community. Omar and his father were close friends of Dr. Hugh Nibley, who liked to practice his Arabic skills with Omar's dad. In this epic multi-part series, we hear several inspiring stories, including: How Omar escaped Palestine after being sent back there by his father to prevent him from marrying a Utah woman. How Dr. Hugh Nibley fought to help Omar enroll in Brigham Young University. How Omar met, courted, and married his amazing wife Nancy - a brilliant Mormon girl from Ogden, UT (this courtship included his conversion to the LDS faith). We also touch on what it was like to enter into a multi-cultural marriage in Utah during the 1960s. Omar's draft into the Vietnam War (serving in Germany) How Omar and Nancy risked expulsion from BYU for fighting against the Vietnam war and for supporting the BYU Student Democratic Party during the Earnest L. Wilkinson administration -- and how Hugh Nibley came to their rescue. Omar's experiences obtaining a Ph.D. in International Relations at USC, along with his 10 year career at BYU wherein he faced both considerable racism and heroic support from certain BYU faculty and administrators. Nancy's work with the Democratic party in Utah, which included interactions with actor Robert Redford. Omar's decision to leave BYU and move to Washington D.C. Omar's work as a lobbyist for Arab-Americans, which included meetings with Yasser Arafat and King Hussein of Jordan. The part Omar played in helping BYU obtain the land to build the BYU Jerusalem center, which he later grew to regret. Omar's scorching critiques of LDS apostles Ezra Taft Benson and Jeffrey R. Holland. Omar's work as a successful businessman in Washington D.C. against all odds as an Arab-American. Nancy's trial of faith after befriending Kate Kelly in her Virginia ward, and then watching her friend get excommunicated. Where Omar and Nancy now stand with the LDS church, and with matters of faith.

In this epic, three-part interview with Paul, Lisa, and Kyle, we learn about one ordinary Mormon family’s extraordinary Mormon transition. Topics covered in this episode include: Living as an orthodox Mormon family in rural Utah. Dealing with a crisis of faith in a large, orthodox Mormon family. Living in a mixed-faith marriage. How to ineffectively and effectively communicate with believing family members (siblings, extended family). Dealing with a missionary in the field while the family is having a crisis of faith. Supporting a gay child. Leaving the church after decades of service, and in mid-life. As a parent, sitting outside your own child’s wedding. Finding communities of support (and joy) after leaving the church.

In this epic, three-part interview with Paul, Lisa, and Kyle, we learn about one ordinary Mormon family’s extraordinary Mormon transition. Topics covered in this episode include: Living as an orthodox Mormon family in rural Utah. Dealing with a crisis of faith in a large, orthodox Mormon family. Living in a mixed-faith marriage. How to ineffectively and effectively communicate with believing family members (siblings, extended family). Dealing with a missionary in the field while the family is having a crisis of faith. Supporting a gay child. Leaving the church after decades of service, and in mid-life. As a parent, sitting outside your own child’s wedding. Finding communities of support (and joy) after leaving the church.

In this epic, three-part interview with Paul, Lisa, and Kyle, we learn about one ordinary Mormon family’s extraordinary Mormon transition. Topics covered in this episode include: Living as an orthodox Mormon family in rural Utah. Dealing with a crisis of faith in a large, orthodox Mormon family. Living in a mixed-faith marriage. How to ineffectively and effectively communicate with believing family members (siblings, extended family). Dealing with a missionary in the field while the family is having a crisis of faith. Supporting a gay child. Leaving the church after decades of service, and in mid-life. As a parent, sitting outside your own child’s wedding. Finding communities of support (and joy) after leaving the church.

M. Russell Ballard Regional Broadcast - 9-11-2016

Sam Young lived as an orthodox Mormon for several decades, including a full term as an LDS bishop and many years as a stake high counselor. After stumbling on the LDS Gospel Topics Essays and learning about Joseph Smith's polyandry, the Book of Abraham translation problems, etc. -- and specifically after the LDS Church November 2015 policy change regarding LGBT members and their children -- Sam experienced an LDS faith crisis. Over time, Sam developed his own method for expressing concern about LDS policy and administrative problems -- he decided to begin living the Law of Common Consent as found in Doctrine and Covenants 26, which to him means that during every ward, stake and general conference Sam will be voting opposed when asked to sustain the LDS first presidency and the quorum of the 12 apostles. Sam is also inviting other LDS church members to consider a similar approach if they object to recent policy and administrative changes. This interview includes Jamie Hanis Handy and Sam's 85 year old mother, Bertie, who recently resigned her church membership over similar concerns to Sam.

Jacob realized he was gay only a few months before he left for his LDS mission. He served in the San Jose, Costa Rica mission from August 2012 to September 2013. While serving in Costa Rica, a zone leader became attracted to Jacob, and as they began to do "splits," During these splits, Jacob and his ZL would occasionally "cuddle" in bed - but did not engage in any overt sexual behaviors. This is Jacob's mission story.

Rose Sorenson was raised in a devout LDS household (Idaho Falls, ID), but began having doubts as a 12 year old. Although she continued to struggle with perfectionism and doubts as a teenager, Rose decided that the LDS church's decision in 2013 to lower the missionary age for women was a "sign" that she should serve a mission to strengthen her testimony. She served in the Georgia Atlanta North Mission from March 2013 to August 2014. After a year of struggling with her testimony, including bouts of depression and anxiety -- and after reading the Book of Mormon four times without receiving a spiritual witness that the book was true -- Rose decided that she was an atheist, but remained determined to complete her mission. This is Rose's story.

Tre was raised in Oakland, CA as a bi-racial Mormon (Filipino mother and New Zealander/Maori father).  While he was very committed doctrinally to Mormonism, he was not crazy about Mormon culture, and was taught the fundamentals of critical thinking from a young age.  Prior to and during his mission, Tre was tormented by doubts, along with teachings and rules regarding "self abuse." For over a year on his mission Tre was taught that lack of success on his mission was due to these practices/weaknesses.  After becoming zone leader, Tre became aware of a sex scandal that reached the highest levels of missionary leadership. This is Tre’s story. 

Mike Woodruff knew that he was attracted to men by age 14. After consulting with his LDS bishop, he was told that his “same-sex attraction” would “resolve itself” once he served an LDS mission. His LDS patriarchal blessing also assured him that he would serve a complete LDS mission. After being called to the Leeds, England mission, Mike was physically and emotionally abused by his first companion. Suffering with severe PTSD symptoms, he tried for two months to remain in the mission, but did not receive appropriate mental health care. Instead, his mission-assigned therapist focused primarily on encouraging Mike to read his scriptures and pray more, which only reinforced his feelings of shame/blame as an abuse victim. In addition, Mike’s abusive companion was never punished for the abuse (to his knowledge), and was simply reassigned to other missionaries. Mike ended up returning home early from his mission (after 3 months of service), and spent several years trying to reconcile the shame/guilt that he felt, heal from his PTSD, and reconcile his same-sex sexuality. Mike consulted North Star LDS to help him manage his sexuality and remain faithful LDS, but this approach ultimately led him to a suicide attempt. Mike ultimately found peace and mental health by leaving the LDS church, and coming out as a gay man.