Mormon Stories Podcast

Speaker: Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Apostles for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Title: The Free Exercise of Religion in Our Time Date: February 9 2016 Location: Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies Description: Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right. Yet in many seen and unseen ways its validity is challenged at the margins every day. Elder Dallin H. Oaks, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will speak about the importance of maintaining and protecting religious liberty in the international sphere. After his remarks he will field questions in an audience Q&A. Source: This presentation was recorded by Andrew Evans in accordance with District of Columbia law. Note: As the final question of the evening, Andrew Evans asked Elder Oaks the following question: Andrew's Question: "Less than a year ago, right here in Washington, DC, my friend killed himself. He was Mormon and gay. You've gone on record that, 'the Church does not give apologies'. Does religious freedom absolve you from responsibility in the gay Mormon suicide crisis?"   Elder Oaks' Response: "I think that's a question that will be answered on judgment day. I can't answer that beyond what has already been said. I know that those tragic events happen. And it's not unique simply to the question of sexual preference. There are other cases where people have taken their own lives and blamed a church--my church--or a government, or somebody else for their taking their own lives, and I think those things have to be judged by a higher authority than exists on this earth, and I am ready to be accountable to that authority, but I think part of what my responsibility extends to, is trying to teach people to be loving, and civil and sensitive to one another so that people will not feel driven, whatever the policy disagreements, whatever the rules of the church, or the practices of a church, or any other organization, if they are administered with kindness, at the highest level or at the level of the congregation or the ward, they won't drive people to take those extreme measures; that's part of my responsibility to teach that. And beyond that, I will be accountable to higher authority for that. That's the way I look on that. Nobody is sadder about a case like that than I am. Maybe that's a good note to end on."

On February 1, 2016 the LDS Church re-released a media statement originally released in 2013 entitled “Effectiveness of Church Approach to Preventing Child Abuse.”  In this press release (authored by Kirton & McConkie partner and LDS 1st Quorum of the 70 member Elder Von G. Keetch) the LDS Church claimed that "no religious organization has done more" to prevent child abuse, and touted their child abuse approach as "the gold standard" amongst all churches. Immediately the Mormon Internet exploded with the stories of past and present victims of LDS-related sexual abuse, expressing sadness, frustration, feelings of invalidation, sickness, and (at times) horror over the church's statement/claims.  For examples, see here, here, and here. In this episode of Mormon Stories we interview Matt Long -- a criminal defense and victim's rights attorney who has considerable experience prosecuting (and defending) perpetrators of child abuse in Arizona -- many of which were within the LDS church system. In part 1 of this episode we discuss the mindset and techniques of child/sex abusers. In part 2 we discuss the recent LDS Church new release, and Matt's perspective on what the LDS Church could do to improve its approach to child/sex abuse. More on Matt: Matt uses the skills he developed as a sex crimes prosecutor to protect victims' rights and represent victims in lawsuits against offenders and institutions, such as fraternities, schools, businesses, or churches, that allowed abuse to occur. When he's not arguing in court, Matt argues with the other infants on the infants on thrones podcast at infantsonthrones.com.  You can reach Matt at 480-833-1113 or e-mail his paralegal at kristin@azlegal.com with any questions about victim representation.

On February 1, 2016 the LDS Church re-released a media statement originally released in 2013 entitled “Effectiveness of Church Approach to Preventing Child Abuse.”  In this press release (authored by Kirton & McConkie partner and LDS 1st Quorum of the 70 member Elder Von G. Keetch) the LDS Church claimed that "no religious organization has done more" to prevent child abuse, and touted their child abuse approach as "the gold standard" amongst all churches. Immediately the Mormon Internet exploded with the stories of past and present victims of LDS-related sexual abuse, expressing sadness, frustration, feelings of invalidation, sickness, and (at times) horror over the church's statement/claims.  For examples, see here, here, and here. In this episode of Mormon Stories we interview Matt Long -- a criminal defense and victim's rights attorney who has considerable experience prosecuting (and defending) perpetrators of child abuse in Arizona -- many of which were within the LDS church system. In part 1 of this episode we discuss the mindset and techniques of child/sex abusers. In part 2 we discuss the recent LDS Church new release, and Matt's perspective on what the LDS Church could do to improve its approach to child/sex abuse. More on Matt: Matt uses the skills he developed as a sex crimes prosecutor to protect victims' rights and represent victims in lawsuits against offenders and institutions, such as fraternities, schools, businesses, or churches, that allowed abuse to occur. When he's not arguing in court, Matt argues with the other infants on the infants on thrones podcast at infantsonthrones.com.  You can reach Matt at 480-833-1113 or e-mail his paralegal at kristin@azlegal.com with any questions about victim representation.

In 2003, Matt Elggren and I met while working at Microsoft.  Together, along with others, we discovered troubling things about LDS Church history. For most of the past thirteen years, Matt has not attended church and has more or less quietly supported his believing wife and children. For fear of losing his family, Matt chose silence....as did his extended family. It was basically thirteen years of "don't ask don't tell" with no hope of resolution for Matt. This changed in October of 2015 when Matt's brother-in-law, Clay Christensen, began a 6-week slide into total disbelief after 51 years of devout membership, which included 7 years as a high-level LDS Church employee. After losing his faith, Clay didn't choose silence. This is Matt and Clay's story of family, faith, doubt, and hope.

In 2003, Matt Elggren and I met while working at Microsoft.  Together, along with others, we discovered troubling things about LDS Church history. For most of the past thirteen years, Matt has not attended church and has more or less quietly supported his believing wife and children. For fear of losing his family, Matt chose silence....as did his extended family. It was basically thirteen years of "don't ask don't tell" with no hope of resolution for Matt. This changed in October of 2015 when Matt's brother-in-law, Clay Christensen, began a 6-week slide into total disbelief after 51 years of devout membership, which included 7 years as a high-level LDS Church employee. After losing his faith, Clay didn't choose silence. This is Matt and Clay's story.

On Home of the Brave podcast, Peabody Award winning producer Scott Carrier interviews Brand Thornton, a believing LDC church member and a member of the Bundy militia, who explains the Mormon/religious/spiritual justifications for the occupation.  Brand says, "Absolutely, God told us to do this," and quotes from the Doctrine and Covenants in his justifications.

As parts 3 and 4 in our series reviewing the events of Mormonism in 2015, we assemble another all-star panel including Lindsay Hansen Park, Dr. Gina Colvin, Dr. Kristy Money, and Sean Carter.  Some of the topics discussed included: The state of the Mormon Internet (blogs, podcast, social media) Social group formations in progressive and post-Mormonism The state of Mormon Feminism The impact of disciplinary councils and excommunication on modern Mormonism (hint: it isn't good) The state of Progressive Mormonism Issues of race and multi-culturalism within modern Mormon culture (LDS and post-Mormon) The state of Mormon Studies Retrenchment/leadership crisis/corporatism in the modern LDS Church We hope you enjoy it!!!!

As parts 3 and 4 in our series reviewing the events of Mormonism in 2015, we assemble another all-star panel including Lindsay Hansen Park, Dr. Gina Colvin, Dr. Kristy Money, and Sean Carter.  Some of the topics discussed included: The state of the Mormon Internet (blogs, podcast, social media) Social group formations in progressive and post-Mormonism The state of Mormon Feminism The impact of disciplinary councils and excommunication on modern Mormonism (hint: it isn't good) The state of Progressive Mormonism Issues of race and multi-culturalism within modern Mormon culture (LDS and post-Mormon) The state of Mormon Studies Retrenchment/leadership crisis/corporatism in the modern LDS Church We hope you enjoy it!!!!

In this episode we assemble an all-star panel to discuss the events of Mormonism in 2015.  Panelists include Dr. J. Nelson Seawright, John Hamer, Jamie Hanis-Handy, and Marisa Calderwood. Topics discussed include: The impact of Kate Kelly's excommunication on Mormon feminism and the events of 2015. The increase of excommunications for apostasy, including those of John Dehlin, Rock Waterman, and Marisa and Carson Calderwood. The death of three LDS apostles, including Boyd K. Packer. The November 2015 LDS policy change naming same-sex married individuals as mandatory apostates, and preventing their children from membership in the church. The release of the LDS Gospel Topics essays, and their impact on LDS activity/inactivity/apostasy The status of Mormon apologetics The status of progressive Mormonism

In this episode we assemble an all-star panel to discuss the events of Mormonism in 2015.  Panelists include Dr. J. Nelson Seawright, John Hamer, Jamie Hanis-Handy, and Marisa Calderwood. Topics discussed include: The impact of Kate Kelly's excommunication on Mormon feminism and the events of 2015. The increase of excommunications for apostasy, including those of John Dehlin, Rock Waterman, and Marisa and Carson Calderwood. The death of three LDS apostles, including Boyd K. Packer. The November 2015 LDS policy change naming same-sex married individuals as mandatory apostates, and preventing their children from membership in the church. The release of the LDS Gospel Topics essays, and their impact on LDS activity/inactivity/apostasy The status of Mormon apologetics The status of progressive Mormonism