Being honest, loyal to your partner, not drinking alcohol, doesn't smoke, doesn't swear, doesn't drink tea, coffee, coke is not just a Mormon thing. There's so many people who possess all these qualities who aren't Mormons.
Great interview. Great questions. Many people don’t understand how devastating it is losing your childhood faith. Especially when it is part of everything you are. John gives a good explanation. It is something Mormons can only sympathize with but can not understand. Your understanding of everything you know about yourself, about the world around you, about death and life disappears in just one moment. It is incredibly scary. I have had people tell me I could just come back. But for me to that would only make it worst. I would be living a lie and I would know I was living a lie and that life would not be an option for me. I want to echo John’s comments. I want people to be happy whatever that looks like. I have love for all people and hope they find their happiness. I do have moments of frustration and even anger with the church and the lies it allowed and allows to be perpetuated when it knows the true. But as John said it is starting to try to clean that up. It just may be a little too late for me.
Deven Ransom I lost my childhood faith as a JW but for me it was a gain not a lost it was so lovely to be able to celebrate Christmas 🎄 and birthdays 🎂 and to know that I have a spirit that leaves my body at death which is not oblivion as I’d been taught and that Jesus died for my sins not just to pay back Adams sin and it’s not just the 144000 that go to heaven we could all get back to the celestial kingdom and families can be together forever!!! I wasn’t happy as a JW it was a cold and hostile faith and I had to unlearn so much but I am happy as a Latter Day Saint and I’m so grateful for my testimony.
People experience that devastation when they are part of a cult with little to no ties to the "outside" world. I know many people who have walked away from their childhood faith without any devastation. Belonging to a cult is a whole other experience which many of us who belong to mainstream Christianity cannot really understand. John's podcasts have educated me.
Mormon Stories has given me a wider vocabulary to discuss my faith crisis and a more powerful lens through which I can view myself and my still-Mormon relatives.
You speak for so many of us who are still members but remain silent trying to be faithful but also realizing that the church has not been open and honest with it's knowledge of uncomfortable history.
Honest question here and hopefully you will give an honest answer. Has the church not been honest and open with uncomfortable history, or has their response just not been a response you liked?
@@LegalAmerican4 I appreciate your honest question. I don't really have time to explain my concerns as a lifelong member in a text. However as much as I would like to believe the church has been truthful about the truth claims we all have been taught, my study both in prayer and logic has led me to believe that we have been purposely deceived. It sickens me when reality set in. The church isn't what it claims to be and you will continue seeing it reverse course until it normalizes itself in the minds and hearts of the rising generation.
The next Mormons was a great book for me active LDS with unorthodox belief. It was comforting to realize that unorthodox LDS beliefs are a lot more common among active LDS than you might think.
If telling the truth about the church and church history is "tearing down the church" then the truth should prevail and the church should be torn down.
If the Mormon church is a house fire John Dehlin is someone who got out, but instead of just leaving--which he has every right to do--he turned to help douse the flames.
I miss the strong sense of brotherhood but I don't miss the constant cognitive dissonance. Most members are not aware how often it happens to them. Being a member is not really that fun, unless you're kind of a passive member and don't care about the doctrine very much, if that makes sense.
I didn’t know true friendship or connection til leaving the Church. I’m much happier! I’m thankful for John and what a huge help MSP was for me when I had my faith crisis!! I’ll be glad when my family realizes that we choose our belief system. I don’t care what they believe as long as they are happy, why can’t they do that for me??
I wish the church will be more open to hear people out! It’s a big lose for the church to not having all these wonderful people they excommunicated! What have they done wrong when all they did was trying to make our church a better and safer place for all!
I lost my faith in the church because my shelf broke, while what started as a faith promoting journey learning the history of the church and the life of Joseph Smith. My whole world view and view of reality was turned on it’s side. What hurt the worst besides almost destroying my marriage was that my hero’s so called Prophets and Apostles had lied to me. I was raised in a 19th century con.
It is not evil to question or explore the reasons why someone believes. Those active Mormons who have had an spiritual witness probably question the spiritual witness that other Christians have had.
@The Last Danite In what ways could my position be honestly mistaken? Or in other words, what information out there regarding the danite faction during Joseph Smith day would support a belief that they were a violent wing of Joseph Smith's enforcement of Doctrine and policy?
Wow, this interview given a year ago and John still entertains the idea of becoming a member of the church again, despite his commentary on troubling things from the church as he did in his top five myths about why Mormons leave the church video and his recent tithing video. Talk about your cognitive dissonance. People have had it better than it's ever been in the history of humanity, but this life is so hard - what? Despite me having a hard time understanding John's disposition on some points, I know that he has a thorough understanding of we ex-mormons and what that all comes with and this is why I love and support the guy.
you are talking about the same guy who made a 30K+ payout to Anne McMullin, right? aka Rosebud? The guy who hides his 6-digit annual income from the public?
John had spot on responses. This news host really put John on the hotseat, so to speak, but gave excellent responses to the host. John is a great Mormon pioneer "faith crisis" expert and deserves a great amount of credit for helping Mormons worldwide with getting through and understanding their very painful Mormon faith crisis journey. I found out about Mormon Stories in 2010 - 2011. Hearing those interviews really reduced my own feelings of isolation from a Mormon faith crisis journey. I wonder if this news host is an active member of the LDS faith. He really seemed to know the right questions to ask John about his mission and work in the "Open Stories Foundation" organization.
I’m devastated to learn all this after listening to your videos. We lost our sweet daughter in 2020 and the church teachings is we will unite again. All the teachings in the temple, I’m completely heartbroken 💔! We’ve been members for 56 years.
John you are a great man. You support the church for the good things they do, but you hit on critical issues that the church needs to change. Stop excommunicating members that want to be members.
My wife and I left the church and have felt nothing but great RELIEF !! We set down that bag of bricks we carried around for years. Life suddenly turned for the better.
John will continue to be a thorn in the side of many who obtain and maintain their enviable positions by readily asserting their self-proclaimed moral, spiritual, and intellectual superiority.
There isn't such a thing a "moral superiority" just moral. Abortion is immoral - just because someone comes along as says its immoral doesn't mean they are morally "superior" John Delhin's atheism isn't talked about because that would ruin his podcast and livelihood.
@@jamesmatheson007 Are you SURE John is a n atheist? Or is that just something that people like to assert to justify their disagreement with his guests, podcasts, positions, etc. ?
Focus on relationships and the now vs an institution or company. Makes 100% sense. Relationship to the ones you actually know over time spent listening to some distant leaders who don't actually want to know you.
This man probably saved many people from committing suicide. a true pioneer in helping people with faith crisis. LDS church is on downhill path and losing a lot of members. Missionary work is stagnant with very little progress mostly in less educated areas of the world. Top leaders are lost and desperately resorting to marketing tactics to keep members believing, as more and more information become available more members will end up leaving. Eventually the church will have to stop using the term Prophet, Seer and Revelator to address men who ironically don't prophesy, don't have visions and only get revelations on trivial things such as change church logo, nickname, tell women how many earrings to wear, etc.. They will likely change its canonized scriptures to "Written by inspiration" Instead of "Translation" they will likely start dropping the term "Only true church on earth" among other things. The new generation won't buy into these radical assertions about the church when the history and evidences indicate otherwise.
I'm impressed with John and how he was wrapped his own experiences and growth around going forward as a pro family and pro-healthy and sacred human in the world today. In my opinion, the church needs to come clean on it's history. And accept that the world is now in the 21st century and people are exploring and discovering new truths based on a maturing evolving human knowledge in a highly technological society. Without honesty and growth in idealism, the church will cease to be relevant. I don't know if those in power who have so much invested in the past status quo, can look beyond their own selfishness, to the better of their flock. I'm highly skeptical.
I’m impressed how much money he’s made starting his own religious group with himself as prophet and his own record of taking advantage of women. Hilarious how much he wraps himself in a flag of just a guy asking questions.
Maybe I misunderstood you, maybe there is a need for this type of thing, good luck and be guided by the spirit always. Then you know your doing the right thing!
It amazes me the some people can say that they've studied all church history and can say that their okay with such things as Joseph Smith having relations with girls as young as 15 when he himself is 33 amongst other things
Didn't you know? Back then, 15 year olds were always being snatched by 30 year old. It was just part of the normal life. And remember she was "nearly" 15. Get it right.
30:05 you say yes, but the shaking of your head says otherwise. I am with you John. I also have no hope that the church will ever be a healthy place for the average person.
This interview reminds me of what Richard Dawkins said of jesus. He said he has no reason to doubt his historicity, that he was a moralist, a philosopher, ahead of his time.
At 4:15. What john is talking about are progressive Mormons, who want to pick at choose what they like or dislike about the church. The problem is the LDS church is traditional or orthodox. So I don't see John getting back in any time soon.
I didn't have a “faith crisis.” I had a figurative truth crisis in the sense that I can't belong to a religion that is not based on truth. I'm so white I’m almost albino, but the history of the Mormon church's racism is a non-starter for me ever being a Mormon again, no matter how much it reforms. I want life after death, to live with my wife for eternity, etc. but that proves nothing, except wishful thinking.
The church is very open and honest changes are made from revelation to the prophet to suit our changing times we can't judge Gods ways are not our ways when you learn to love your enemies then the holy spirit will guide your understanding
I suspect John is using coded language here when saying that he “helped improve the church”, as not to trigger anyone’s Us vs Them reflex and to appear neutral, which is a good move, assuming that’s what he’s doing. When the LDS Church had its dirty laundry aired publicly several years back and it went viral, what other option did the LDS Church have but transparency... well their version of “transparency” anyways. Their best, strategic move - once they were outed several years back- was to act like all this new information - which wasn’t readily available or actively taught in the entire existence of the church - wasn’t “new”, and it was there all along, that way they could act as if they weren’t being dishonest or deceptive or changing narratives, right? If you had a multi-billion dollar business that was at risk because of some earth shattering information, your options are: - Deny the legitimacy of the information and smear the credibility of those pushing the unflattering revelations. - Pretend that you had been transparent and truthful all along, by making excuses and alterations to accommodate this troubling information in a way that appears genuinely and authentically honest and forthcoming. The LDS Church used part of option one (discredit troublemakers and those who pushed the troubling information, i.e. the farce ex-communications of John Delhin and Jeremy Runnels) as well as option #2. Based on this churches’ history of dishonesty and deceptive behavior, I strongly suspect that the LDS Church ended up standing by its troubled history for the sake of damage control and not out of sincere attempts to inform and educate its members. John is playing it safe and unfortunately letting them off the hook by saying that they have “improved”. When a liar or deceiver is forced to come clean because of undeniable evidence brought forth, they are no more ethical or trustworthy merely because they admit that the information is accurate.
I’ve listened to John Dehlin since the beginning of Mormon stories. I became disaffected from the church on my own and felt like crap at the time of my faith crisis. Mormon Stories picked me up, put a warm blanket around me and kept me going. John doesn’t know me but our paths have briefly crossed. He quoted me once when he undertook a survey of people’s feelings about the church. I was non plussed and bemused when he was excommunicated. I couldn’t believe it. I had never heard John speak of the church in the pejorative. He interview the faithful as well as those who questioned. But even those who questioned tended to be thoughtful, earnest and honest seekers of truth. There were exceptions but John’s terrific interview style kept them on track. I don’t know, but I thought John was a great advert for the church. They really shot themselves through the foot there.
I do have to admire John. I would probably have been kicked off of the show for lack of tact when it comes to Mormonism. I have the ability to recreate my spiritual experiences almost always at-will. For example, I can pretend to be the most evil person in existence,** and tell myself to have “the feelings of the spirit” (the “burning of the bosom”) and sure enough I can almost always give myself the same feelings, even though I’m an atheist. The “feelings” still feel good, but mean nothing but that my brain works and that I feel good from the feelings I cause. Alleged feelings of the spirit, no matter the religion, are mere products of the human mind, not from an external source. **I don't do it anymore because one time I was experimenting with my brain. I decided I would try to “go crazy,” to see if I could do it at will like I can usually do with the “feelings of the spirit.” Something came over my mind, and I scared myself because I actually had to “snap out of it” to regain whatever trance I put myself in (self-hypnosis?) Now, I know that a “snapping feeling” is real feeling, but before I thought “snap out of it” was a metaphor for coming to our senses, not an actual “snap.” The Mormon church can't reform. If it reforms it will be just another religion, and we already have thousands of sects of Christianity. We need at least one less: the Mormon church.
If people want to know the truth about latterday saints don't listen to Mormon stories it is not all truth and its exaggerated listen to david Alexander he is an active latterday saint
Criticizing the horrible Mormon church is too hard for this goody two shoes. He knows it is false, knows the many lies, the Corporation is not a church, and he needs to address his identity issues. Social suicide within the church to be an intellectual...close its doors.
John i used one of your Videos to try to awaken my best childhood n church friend. He loved my views n devotion to Severing God though have been Xed long ago . He has withdrawn from me since my awakening . Concerning your video he commented that you or your interviewee not sure which of you he was speaking about. He said you -him use to be married to his wife's mother and said that you had nothing going for youself and did this to make money. Members need an out to hide truth form getting between them n the church. Does S W ring a bell ? South Florida
We agree. We also agree that Dehlin should be open with history as well. Make an informed decision about the Mormon Podcast community. www.mormoninterpreter.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/SMITH1-Review-Mormon-Stories.pdf
Eric Lopez, while you use more WiFi than Nephi, what does god need with Billions in stocks, managed by the church? kutv.com/news/local/mormonleaks-says-new-documents-link-lds-church-to-companies-worth-over-32-billion?
@@kennethd.9436 the church says it's saving up for the very last days before the Savior returns but then they also say money will be worthless in the very last days 🤷🏻♀️
I don’t believe this man at all. This is an act it seems. He’s playing nice here, but watch any of his videos and you see a very opposite character. His approach to the church not friendly, or inspiring, or respectful. His goals are not in anyway supportive of any part of the church whatsoever.
@@gcm091767 I know what you mean bro, traditions can be a very fearful thing. I hope that in 2020 ppl can start to live more genuinely, living in the closet is no way to live, Filipinos are such awesome, fun, and embracing ppl, i hope brother.
It’s amazing how well humans can cope with their own delusions. John Delhin watching John Delhin would be the first to say that John Delhin is deluding himself into believing he is happy and doing the right thing. Since leaving John has established his own religious organization that requires his personal touch and a few hundred bucks to leave the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; he’s become his own Joseph Smith in the Wasatch Valley. It’s also hilariously ironic that he has accused, repeatedly, Joseph Smith of infidelity and taking advantage of women when John himself has been credibly accused of abusing his position and taking advantage of women and was also caught on a boat conducting a naked one-on-one counseling session with a woman leaving the church. If we can’t condemn John, then why do we take seriously his condemnation of leaders who created and performed so much more good for the world while being imperfect as well?
Mr Dehlin , So , you disagreed with the spiritual side of the “organisation” therefore you got excommunicated , however you miss the social/goodness side of mormonism. If Joseph Smith was an utterly false prophet and the Book of Mormon is pure falsehood and Brigham Young together with all the hierarchy of the “church” until today are equally false , then isn’t it the case that’s the whole structure would collapse upon itself ? Social goodness and love for your neighbours is clearly taught by the Holy Bible and Christ our Lord and therefore it has never been a unique teaching of the One and Only True Church (LDS) . Also there are many secular organisations that provide all of that . Have you ever read the Holy Bible complete , all 66 books from Genesis to Revelation and maybe more than once ? The differences between The Holy Bible and the book of mormon will stand out right in front of your eyes , AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE
Dear Alex, like many Mormons, I’m afraid you believe in a false dichotomy. IE that the church is either completely good or entirely false. That logic doesn't work because it's very, very possible for things to have a duel nature: to be both good and bad. Take Thomas Jefferson for an example. He wrote the Declaration of Independence, but he also owned and raped his slave, Sally Hemings. He was part good, part evil. What devout members sometimes fail to understand is that ex Mormons don’t all believe Joseph smith was a fraud or entirely false. Many of us believe he is much more complicated that. Most ex-Mormons have no problem admitting that there are many good elements of the church. However, while it may be true that church members are earnest and the Book of Mormon says some beautiful things about charity, it is also true that Joseph smith’s doctrine is the fruit of Warren Jeffs’s beliefs and that utah has the highest lgbtq suicide rate in the nation. And that the teachings about race in the Book of Mormon enabled years of genocide and erasure of native Americans. The church has good. But you limit yourself when you don’t allow yourself to find truth in the many different forms it comes in, including facts and history since hearts can deceive, as Timothy says.
Bob Evans asked the right question! Would you CHOOSE the steps you made toward your faith crisis? A faith crisis can be solved by deep study of the Book of Mormon. Choosing to study the doctrine and follow the prophet, keeping the commandments and humbly praying to ask God what is true is the tried and tested way. This man is NOT helping the Church. See he doesn’t even know if there is a God now. That’s what happens to people who throw the gospel aside. Eventually as promised in the scriptures, everything they knew is washed out of their minds and they are left to themselves to kick against the pricks. Prayer must be engaged in always. God knows who we are and how and when He needs to respond to us. We need to stretch spiritually. This man is an intellectual and it is clear that Intellectualism puts ones spiritual growth on hold. The crux of the matter is this: Did Joseph Smith see God and Christ in that grove of trees and was he a prophet of God? For “Post Mormon,” “progressive Mormon” and “faith transition” read “apostate.” A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
WOW!...Notice how much power he is giving THE CHURCH!,...and he isnt saying anything about GOD or What GOD expects from all of us!.........disappointing!
Well God is a subjective concept. Lots of people view God in lots of different ways. the church and church culture is what's being discussed in this interview, so it would be unprofessional to go off topic and discuss God.
As a donor to Mormon Stories, this was a good interview, but I must say this: What kind of patty-cake, taffy pulling statement is it to say that John Dehlin hopes women can get on a bit more of an equal footing in the church!? A bit more equal?? How about equal, full stop? Women comprise more than 50% of the membership and yet have no positions of true authority. Come on John, don't short change the women next time you have the opportunity to speak to a diverse audience. Stop the patty caking!
I agree, but hes also patty-caking to hold on to any of it. It's all untrue nonsense, and I don't understand why he holds on to it. (Even with his explanation here)
John make your money being honest the history of the church and prophet wasn't perfect nothing on earth is perfect jesus is the only perfect one and Joseph Smith had faults like all prophets
9:59 "Post-mormons deserve community too, and they are healthier when they have it." ... what a beautifully humanizing statement.
amen. hang in there brother
Amazing questions and even better responses. We need more open and honest dialogue like this!
See Mormon Stories channel
Glad that Bob didn't become defensive but kept an open mind. Great interview.
Being honest, loyal to your partner, not drinking alcohol, doesn't smoke, doesn't swear, doesn't drink tea, coffee, coke is not just a Mormon thing. There's so many people who possess all these qualities who aren't Mormons.
Great interview. Great questions.
Many people don’t understand how devastating it is losing your childhood faith. Especially when it is part of everything you are. John gives a good explanation. It is something Mormons can only sympathize with but can not understand. Your understanding of everything you know about yourself, about the world around you, about death and life disappears in just one moment. It is incredibly scary. I have had people tell me I could just come back. But for me to that would only make it worst. I would be living a lie and I would know I was living a lie and that life would not be an option for me.
I want to echo John’s comments. I want people to be happy whatever that looks like. I have love for all people and hope they find their happiness. I do have moments of frustration and even anger with the church and the lies it allowed and allows to be perpetuated when it knows the true. But as John said it is starting to try to clean that up. It just may be a little too late for me.
Deven Ransom I lost my childhood faith as a JW but for me it was a gain not a lost it was so lovely to be able to celebrate Christmas 🎄 and birthdays 🎂 and to know that I have a spirit that leaves my body at death which is not oblivion as I’d been taught and that Jesus died for my sins not just to pay back Adams sin and it’s not just the 144000 that go to heaven we could all get back to the celestial kingdom and families can be together forever!!! I wasn’t happy as a JW it was a cold and hostile faith and I had to unlearn so much but I am happy as a Latter Day Saint and I’m so grateful for my testimony.
People experience that devastation when they are part of a cult with little to no ties to the "outside" world. I know many people who have walked away from their childhood faith without any devastation. Belonging to a cult is a whole other experience which many of us who belong to mainstream Christianity cannot really understand. John's podcasts have educated me.
Mormon Stories has given me a wider vocabulary to discuss my faith crisis and a more powerful lens through which I can view myself and my still-Mormon relatives.
You speak for so many of us who are still members but remain silent trying to be faithful but also realizing that the church has not been open and honest with it's knowledge of uncomfortable history.
Honest question here and hopefully you will give an honest answer. Has the church not been honest and open with uncomfortable history, or has their response just not been a response you liked?
@@LegalAmerican4 I appreciate your honest question. I don't really have time to explain my concerns as a lifelong member in a text. However as much as I would like to believe the church has been truthful about the truth claims we all have been taught, my study both in prayer and logic has led me to believe that we have been purposely deceived. It sickens me when reality set in. The church isn't what it claims to be and you will continue seeing it reverse course until it normalizes itself in the minds and hearts of the rising generation.
The next Mormons was a great book for me active LDS with unorthodox belief. It was comforting to realize that unorthodox LDS beliefs are a lot more common among active LDS than you might think.
If telling the truth about the church and church history is "tearing down the church" then the truth should prevail and the church should be torn down.
If the Mormon church is a house fire John Dehlin is someone who got out, but instead of just leaving--which he has every right to do--he turned to help douse the flames.
Yeah... his water buckets are full of gasoline
@@Billsbob exactly
@@Billsbob he has a firefighter hose of gasoline
Great interview with thoughtful conversation!
I miss the strong sense of brotherhood but I don't miss the constant cognitive dissonance. Most members are not aware how often it happens to them. Being a member is not really that fun, unless you're kind of a passive member and don't care about the doctrine very much, if that makes sense.
Such a powerful explanation of all the “feels” of a Faith crisis. Spot on.
This interview was very well carried out on both sides. Thank you, Fox 13 and John Dehlin.
I didn’t know true friendship or connection til leaving the Church. I’m much happier! I’m thankful for John and what a huge help MSP was for me when I had my faith crisis!! I’ll be glad when my family realizes that we choose our belief system. I don’t care what they believe as long as they are happy, why can’t they do that for me??
maxwell oh, but your version of Christianity is the correct one, right?
I wish the church will be more open to hear people out! It’s a big lose for the church to not having all these wonderful people they excommunicated! What have they done wrong when all they did was trying to make our church a better and safer place for all!
I lost my faith in the church because my shelf broke, while what started as a faith promoting journey learning the history of the church and the life of Joseph Smith. My whole world view and view of reality was turned on it’s side. What hurt the worst besides almost destroying my marriage was that my hero’s so called Prophets and Apostles had lied to me. I was raised in a 19th century con.
Great interview Bob and John 👍. I think I see a bridge being built. Thanks for all you do. ♥️
Redrock YogiMomma
We can only hope.
It is not evil to question or explore the reasons why someone believes. Those active Mormons who have had an spiritual witness probably question the spiritual witness that other Christians have had.
Amen
With that screen name I imagine you don't do a lot of questioning at all.
"The Last Danite" is why.
@The Last Danite
Possibly the Assumption arises in that the Danites were often a violent arm in enforcing the church's position.
@The Last Danite
In what ways could my position be honestly mistaken? Or in other words, what information out there regarding the danite faction during Joseph Smith day would support a belief that they were a violent wing of Joseph Smith's enforcement of Doctrine and policy?
Thank you John, you are a trailblazer for many, many, people. Thank you for being brave.
Wow, this interview given a year ago and John still entertains the idea of becoming a member of the church again, despite his commentary on troubling things from the church as he did in his top five myths about why Mormons leave the church video and his recent tithing video.
Talk about your cognitive dissonance.
People have had it better than it's ever been in the history of humanity, but this life is so hard - what?
Despite me having a hard time understanding John's disposition on some points, I know that he has a thorough understanding of we ex-mormons and what that all comes with and this is why I love and support the guy.
God bless you, John. I am not LDS but l enjoy your presentation, your integrity and courage. From Ireland 🇮🇪
Wonderful human being, John.
So glad I came across his podcast 2 years ago.
you are talking about the same guy who made a 30K+ payout to Anne McMullin, right? aka Rosebud? The guy who hides his 6-digit annual income from the public?
Great interview thanks John and for what you do and for Mormon stories
Such a great interview John.
John is true pioneer! Thank you so much for all you do.
We all love john dehlin
Joe Cook true... he’s a hero
John has made my life better
Same
John had spot on responses. This news host really put John on the hotseat, so to speak, but gave excellent responses to the host. John is a great Mormon pioneer "faith crisis" expert and deserves a great amount of credit for helping Mormons worldwide with getting through and understanding their very painful Mormon faith crisis journey. I found out about Mormon Stories in 2010 - 2011. Hearing those interviews really reduced my own feelings of isolation from a Mormon faith crisis journey. I wonder if this news host is an active member of the LDS faith. He really seemed to know the right questions to ask John about his mission and work in the "Open Stories Foundation" organization.
You better do your home work .. why would you follow a cheater
@@jeffreybernson7978 Just like people who follow "false" prophets of the Mormon cult church. Time to do YOUR HOMEWORK.
@@markkrispin6944 don’t waste your time .. he cheated on his wife… why would you follow a cheater
I’m devastated to learn all this after listening to your videos.
We lost our sweet daughter in 2020 and the church teachings is we will unite again. All the teachings in the temple, I’m completely heartbroken 💔! We’ve been members for 56 years.
John you are a great man. You support the church for the good things they do, but you hit on critical issues that the church needs to change. Stop excommunicating members that want to be members.
He calls the church a cult. So his family members are in a cult. Don’t believe the spit and polish you see here.
My wife and I left the church and have felt nothing but great RELIEF !! We set down that bag of bricks we carried around for years. Life suddenly turned for the better.
John will continue to be a thorn in the side of many who obtain and maintain their enviable positions by readily asserting their self-proclaimed moral, spiritual, and intellectual superiority.
There isn't such a thing a "moral superiority" just moral. Abortion is immoral - just because someone comes along as says its immoral doesn't mean they are morally "superior"
John Delhin's atheism isn't talked about because that would ruin his podcast and livelihood.
@@jamesmatheson007 Are you SURE John is a n atheist? Or is that just something that people like to assert to justify their disagreement with his guests, podcasts, positions, etc. ?
Fantastic interview!!
Id like to start a Thrive community in Scotland .
The interview was very informative and covered so many pertinent issues.
You are amazing, John Dehlin. Thanks for all you do!
Much love John.
Joseph was a true prophet
Good interview of a great leader...Worth a listen!
Solid responses from John. I can see he is vulnerable and genuine about his answers. Keep up the good work John.
I have enjoyed listening to you and get it.
I look forward to the day when you come back with us. Times are changing.
Wow much has changed in 3 years.
I’m going to have to watch this again but at first glance, it seems like Bob is conducting this interview with the church’s PR in mind. 🤔
Thanks for what you do!
Focus on relationships and the now vs an institution or company. Makes 100% sense. Relationship to the ones you actually know over time spent listening to some distant leaders who don't actually want to know you.
At 13:35
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
--Carl Sagan
John Dehlin: "I'm the most Mormon ex-Mormon on the planet...in terms of my behavior"
Rosebud: SMH
This man probably saved many people from committing suicide. a true pioneer in helping people with faith crisis. LDS church is on downhill path and losing a lot of members. Missionary work is stagnant with very little progress mostly in less educated areas of the world. Top leaders are lost and desperately resorting to marketing tactics to keep members believing, as more and more information become available more members will end up leaving. Eventually the church will have to stop using the term Prophet, Seer and Revelator to address men who ironically don't prophesy, don't have visions and only get revelations on trivial things such as change church logo, nickname, tell women how many earrings to wear, etc.. They will likely change its canonized scriptures to "Written by inspiration" Instead of "Translation" they will likely start dropping the term "Only true church on earth" among other things. The new generation won't buy into these radical assertions about the church when the history and evidences indicate otherwise.
I'm impressed with John and how he was wrapped his own experiences and growth around going forward as a pro family and pro-healthy and sacred human in the world today. In my opinion, the church needs to come clean on it's history. And accept that the world is now in the 21st century and people are exploring and discovering new truths based on a maturing evolving human knowledge in a highly technological society. Without honesty and growth in idealism, the church will cease to be relevant. I don't know if those in power who have so much invested in the past status quo, can look beyond their own selfishness, to the better of their flock. I'm highly skeptical.
I’m impressed how much money he’s made starting his own religious group with himself as prophet and his own record of taking advantage of women. Hilarious how much he wraps himself in a flag of just a guy asking questions.
John dahlin knows the church is a fraud, but has to play nice in this interview
Maybe I misunderstood you, maybe there is a need for this type of thing, good luck and be guided by the spirit always. Then you know your doing the right thing!
Great interview
Wonderful. Thank you John!
Fantastic interaction and content. ❤
Thrive is not about tearing down the Church, but what I do personally is...
It amazes me the some people can say that they've studied all church history and can say that their okay with such things as Joseph Smith having relations with girls as young as 15 when he himself is 33 amongst other things
Thats the style of John... Spread false acusations and when you get corrected, pretend to be still true to a good cause.
Didn't you know? Back then, 15 year olds were always being snatched by 30 year old. It was just part of the normal life. And remember she was "nearly" 15. Get it right.
I've watched many of John's interviews. Thanks, Mr. Dehlin! 1Corinthians 15:1-4
Of all the silly religions out there, this gotta be the easiest to debunk, by far. Along with scientology.
Agreed, and yet they're two of the most successful cults of all time
@@JMo-uh5cd sadly people love to get conned..
30:05 you say yes, but the shaking of your head says otherwise. I am with you John. I also have no hope that the church will ever be a healthy place for the average person.
Really well done, John, thank you!
So upbeat here, and not ONE negative thing to say about the Church! Hmm!?
This interview reminds me of what Richard Dawkins said of jesus. He said he has no reason to doubt his historicity, that he was a moralist, a philosopher, ahead of his time.
At 4:15. What john is talking about are progressive Mormons, who want to pick at choose what they like or dislike about the church. The problem is the LDS church is traditional or orthodox. So I don't see John getting back in any time soon.
I didn't have a “faith crisis.” I had a figurative truth crisis in the sense that I can't belong to a religion that is not based on truth. I'm so white I’m almost albino, but the history of the Mormon church's racism is a non-starter for me ever being a Mormon again, no matter how much it reforms.
I want life after death, to live with my wife for eternity, etc. but that proves nothing, except wishful thinking.
The church is very open and honest changes are made from revelation to the prophet to suit our changing times we can't judge Gods ways are not our ways when you learn to love your enemies then the holy spirit will guide your understanding
I suspect John is using coded language here when saying that he “helped improve the church”, as not to trigger anyone’s Us vs Them reflex and to appear neutral, which is a good move, assuming that’s what he’s doing. When the LDS Church had its dirty laundry aired publicly several years back and it went viral, what other option did the LDS Church have but transparency... well their version of “transparency” anyways.
Their best, strategic move - once they were outed several years back- was to act like all this new information - which wasn’t readily available or actively taught in the entire existence of the church - wasn’t “new”, and it was there all along, that way they could act as if they weren’t being dishonest or deceptive or changing narratives, right?
If you had a multi-billion dollar business that was at risk because of some earth shattering information, your options are:
- Deny the legitimacy of the information and smear the credibility of those pushing the unflattering revelations.
- Pretend that you had been transparent and truthful all along, by making excuses and alterations to accommodate this troubling information in a way that appears genuinely and authentically honest and forthcoming.
The LDS Church used part of option one (discredit troublemakers and those who pushed the troubling information, i.e. the farce ex-communications of John Delhin and Jeremy Runnels) as well as option #2.
Based on this churches’ history of dishonesty and deceptive behavior, I strongly suspect that the LDS Church ended up standing by its troubled history for the sake of damage control and not out of sincere attempts to inform and educate its members. John is playing it safe and unfortunately letting them off the hook by saying that they have “improved”.
When a liar or deceiver is forced to come clean because of undeniable evidence brought forth, they are no more ethical or trustworthy merely because they admit that the information is accurate.
Well done
I’ve listened to John Dehlin since the beginning of Mormon stories. I became disaffected from the church on my own and felt like crap at the time of my faith crisis.
Mormon Stories picked me up, put a warm blanket around me and kept me going.
John doesn’t know me but our paths have briefly crossed. He quoted me once when he undertook a survey of people’s feelings about the church.
I was non plussed and bemused when he was excommunicated. I couldn’t believe it. I had never heard John speak of the church in the pejorative. He interview the faithful as well as those who questioned. But even those who questioned tended to be thoughtful, earnest and honest seekers of truth. There were exceptions but John’s terrific interview style kept them on track.
I don’t know, but I thought John was a great advert for the church.
They really shot themselves through the foot there.
Very sincere interview
Reeeally????? He said he was faithful to his wife ... that is a lie ... he has been a cheater for 20 years ... you better do your home work
Beautiful interview, John. Can't wait to see you at Thrive Chicago in April!
Be careful.. he has been caught cheating ... some financial questions... look at the books !!!
I do have to admire John. I would probably have been kicked off of the show for lack of tact when it comes to Mormonism.
I have the ability to recreate my spiritual experiences almost always at-will. For example, I can pretend to be the most evil person in existence,** and tell myself to have “the feelings of the spirit” (the “burning of the bosom”) and sure enough I can almost always give myself the same feelings, even though I’m an atheist. The “feelings” still feel good, but mean nothing but that my brain works and that I feel good from the feelings I cause. Alleged feelings of the spirit, no matter the religion, are mere products of the human mind, not from an external source.
**I don't do it anymore because one time I was experimenting with my brain. I decided I would try to “go crazy,” to see if I could do it at will like I can usually do with the “feelings of the spirit.” Something came over my mind, and I scared myself because I actually had to “snap out of it” to regain whatever trance I put myself in (self-hypnosis?) Now, I know that a “snapping feeling” is real feeling, but before I thought “snap out of it” was a metaphor for coming to our senses, not an actual “snap.”
The Mormon church can't reform. If it reforms it will be just another religion, and we already have thousands of sects of Christianity. We need at least one less: the Mormon church.
Remember the BITE model: A cult is a cult is a cult.
I think that you have had a positive effect on the church.
It is sad you lost friends and family. It is not like that everywhere in the world.
John is a great guy who really has a heart for all people! Love Mormon Stories!!!!!
I've tried alcohol. I like it. I don't reccomend it
Interesting interview...but it’s a lot more than 3 questions!!
Cool “thrive” Logo 😂
If people want to know the truth about latterday saints don't listen to Mormon stories it is not all truth and its exaggerated listen to david Alexander he is an active latterday saint
3 questions Bob! 3
Great interview.
Criticizing the horrible Mormon church is too hard for this goody two shoes. He knows it is false, knows the many lies, the Corporation is not a church, and he needs to address his identity issues. Social suicide within the church to be an intellectual...close its doors.
John i used one of your Videos to try to awaken my best childhood n church friend. He loved my views n devotion to Severing God though have been Xed long ago .
He has withdrawn from me since my awakening .
Concerning your video he commented that you or your interviewee not sure which of you he was speaking about. He said you -him use to be married to his wife's mother and said that you had nothing going for youself and did this to make money. Members need an out to hide truth form getting between them n the church.
Does S W ring a bell ? South Florida
Dr. of what??
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
LDS people, be open with your history!
We agree. We also agree that Dehlin should be open with history as well. Make an informed decision about the Mormon Podcast community.
www.mormoninterpreter.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/SMITH1-Review-Mormon-Stories.pdf
Eric Lopez, while you use more WiFi than Nephi, what does god need with Billions in stocks, managed by the church?
kutv.com/news/local/mormonleaks-says-new-documents-link-lds-church-to-companies-worth-over-32-billion?
@@ericlopez7120 Great resource!
@@ericlopez7120 Such a weird and pointless paper...very clearly biased towards protecting the church
@@kennethd.9436 the church says it's saving up for the very last days before the Savior returns but then they also say money will be worthless in the very last days 🤷🏻♀️
Three questions?
Brilliant interview. Great responses from John.
I don’t believe this man at all. This is an act it seems. He’s playing nice here, but watch any of his videos and you see a very opposite character. His approach to the church not friendly, or inspiring, or respectful. His goals are not in anyway supportive of any part of the church whatsoever.
"Oh god, that's a massive mic.... oh wait"
John i wholeheartedly respect you Sir.
Is there a Thrive in the Philippines?
If there isn't one, it's coming soon 😊👍
@@MaxwellsUnearthly make it soonest
@@gcm091767 ha ha, right on!!, make sure our lovely Phillipinos watch Mormon stories, because it would be awesome to have a thrive out there too!!
@@MaxwellsUnearthly i know that many are watching! They are just sometimes timid and doesnt want to come out in the open for fear of reprisals
@@gcm091767 I know what you mean bro, traditions can be a very fearful thing. I hope that in 2020 ppl can start to live more genuinely, living in the closet is no way to live, Filipinos are such awesome, fun, and embracing ppl, i hope brother.
"Tenet", not "tenant".
It’s amazing how well humans can cope with their own delusions. John Delhin watching John Delhin would be the first to say that John Delhin is deluding himself into believing he is happy and doing the right thing. Since leaving John has established his own religious organization that requires his personal touch and a few hundred bucks to leave the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; he’s become his own Joseph Smith in the Wasatch Valley. It’s also hilariously ironic that he has accused, repeatedly, Joseph Smith of infidelity and taking advantage of women when John himself has been credibly accused of abusing his position and taking advantage of women and was also caught on a boat conducting a naked one-on-one counseling session with a woman leaving the church. If we can’t condemn John, then why do we take seriously his condemnation of leaders who created and performed so much more good for the world while being imperfect as well?
Mr Dehlin ,
So , you disagreed with the spiritual
side of the “organisation” therefore you got excommunicated , however you miss the social/goodness side of mormonism.
If Joseph Smith was an utterly false prophet and the Book of Mormon is pure falsehood and Brigham Young together with all the hierarchy of the
“church” until today are equally false , then isn’t it the case that’s the whole structure would collapse upon itself ?
Social goodness and love for your neighbours is clearly taught by the Holy Bible and Christ our Lord and therefore it has never been a unique
teaching of the One and Only True Church (LDS) . Also there are many secular organisations that provide all of that .
Have you ever read the Holy Bible
complete , all 66 books from Genesis to Revelation and maybe more than once ? The differences between The Holy Bible and the book of mormon will stand out right in front of your eyes ,
AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU
FREE
Dear Alex, like many Mormons, I’m afraid you believe in a false dichotomy. IE that the church is either completely good or entirely false. That logic doesn't work because it's very, very possible for things to have a duel nature: to be both good and bad. Take Thomas Jefferson for an example. He wrote the Declaration of Independence, but he also owned and raped his slave, Sally Hemings. He was part good, part evil. What devout members sometimes fail to understand is that ex Mormons don’t all believe Joseph smith was a fraud or entirely false. Many of us believe he is much more complicated that. Most ex-Mormons have no problem admitting that there are many good elements of the church. However, while it may be true that church members are earnest and the Book of Mormon says some beautiful things about charity, it is also true that Joseph smith’s doctrine is the fruit of Warren Jeffs’s beliefs and that utah has the highest lgbtq suicide rate in the nation. And that the teachings about race in the Book of Mormon enabled years of genocide and erasure of native Americans. The church has good. But you limit yourself when you don’t allow yourself to find truth in the many different forms it comes in, including facts and history since hearts can deceive, as Timothy says.
Use the real full name of the Church, which is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Incorporated.
Bob Evans asked the right question! Would you CHOOSE the steps you made toward your faith crisis? A faith crisis can be solved by deep study of the Book of Mormon. Choosing to study the doctrine and follow the prophet, keeping the commandments and humbly praying to ask God what is true is the tried and tested way.
This man is NOT helping the Church. See he doesn’t even know if there is a God now. That’s what happens to people who throw the gospel aside. Eventually as promised in the scriptures, everything they knew is washed out of their minds and they are left to themselves to kick against the pricks.
Prayer must be engaged in always. God knows who we are and how and when He needs to respond to us. We need to stretch spiritually.
This man is an intellectual and it is clear that Intellectualism puts ones spiritual growth on hold.
The crux of the matter is this: Did Joseph Smith see God and Christ in that grove of trees and was he a prophet of God?
For “Post Mormon,” “progressive Mormon” and “faith transition” read “apostate.” A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
So when you're a sheep in wolves clothing...
WOW!...Notice how much power he is giving THE CHURCH!,...and he isnt saying anything about GOD or What GOD expects from all of us!.........disappointing!
Well God is a subjective concept. Lots of people view God in lots of different ways. the church and church culture is what's being discussed in this interview, so it would be unprofessional to go off topic and discuss God.
As a donor to Mormon Stories, this was a good interview, but I must say this: What kind of patty-cake, taffy pulling statement is it to say that John Dehlin hopes women can get on a bit more of an equal footing in the church!? A bit more equal?? How about equal, full stop? Women comprise more than 50% of the membership and yet have no positions of true authority. Come on John, don't short change the women next time you have the opportunity to speak to a diverse audience. Stop the patty caking!
I agree, but hes also patty-caking to hold on to any of it. It's all untrue nonsense, and I don't understand why he holds on to it. (Even with his explanation here)
John make your money being honest the history of the church and prophet wasn't perfect nothing on earth is perfect jesus is the only perfect one and Joseph Smith had faults like all prophets
Amazing questions, numb answers. The interview is an example to christian debates.