I served an LDS mission in Guatemala in the late 1980s. As my mission progressed, we began to average over 700 baptisms per month, with some companionships baptizing over 40 in one month. When I tried to talk with my mission president about the issue--it got messy. Today we claim 12+ million members in the Church, but truth be told, less than 1/2 of them actually attend church -- and 1/3 of them are nowhere to be found.

Mormon Stories - LDS (Unofficial - MormonThink.com)

001: Kiddie Baps...My Mission Experience in Guatemala

David O. McKay presented a dramatic contrast to his predecessors: an athletic, movie-star-handsome, clean-shaven figure who often wore a white double-breasted suit; contrasted to the dark-suited, bearded polygamists (or, in the case of George Albert Smith, son of a polygamist) who preceded him as Church President ever since Joseph Smith. In an age prior to professional image-makers, he instinctively grasped the importance of appearance, and coupled it to the substance of a professional educator to become an icon of Mormonism whose persona did much to change the negative image of the Church in much of the world.

002: Gregory Prince and "David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism"

In this podcast, we interview Gregory Prince, author of "David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism", as he discusses President McKay's involvement in the Blacks/Priesthood issue.

003: Gregory Prince, David O. McKay and the Blacks/Priesthood Issue"

004: Inside the Mind of an Anti-Mormon

The Mason/Mormon connection consistently ranks as a top 10 issues for those who are struggling with, or who have left the LDS Church. Greg Kearney, a lifelong, multi-generational Mormon and Master Mason, discusses the history of Masonry, how it became associated with the LDS Church, and why this association is a positive, and not a negative one.

005: Masonry and Mormonism -- An interview with Greg Kearney, a lifelong, multi-generational Mormon and Master Mason"

Over the past 2-3 years, LDS-themed blogs have literally erupted with activity. Today, there is an entire ecosystem of LDS bloggers, and literally hundreds of LDS blogs in the Internet. In this 2005 Sunstone Seattle presentation (to which I was invited to speak), I review the LDS Bloggernacle (past and present), and then discuss my vision for what might be possible in the future, including podcasts, wikis, screencasts, and multimedia content. I also discuss the importance of Sunstone and Dialogue reaching out to these communities.

006: A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Mormon Cybergalaxy

In part 1 of a 3 part series, we interview John Lynch, Chairman of the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR), a volunteer group dedicated to Mormon Apologetics. In this episode, John Lynch discusses his conversion to the church, his journey into apologetics, and some of the basics about FAIR.

007: Inside the Mind of a Mormon Apologist Pt. 1

In part 2 of this 3 part series, we continue our interview with John Lynch, Chairman of the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR), a volunteer group dedicated to Mormon Apologetics. In this episode, John Lynch discusses the top issues bubbling up to FAIR these days, the realities of LDS leadership, the distinction between "good" and "bad" apologetics, the growing problem of "Internet Mormonism", and answers the question as to whether or not Mormon apologetics is a gateway to apostacy.

008: Inside the Mind of a Mormon Apologist Pt. 2

In this concluding episode (part 3 of 3), we interview with John Lynch, Chairman of FAIRâ-the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research. Within the segement, John Lynch discusses the most common issues faced by FAIR, and assesses (in his view) which issues do and do not have merit. John also discusses how members of the Church should treat those struggling in their faith. Finally, John Lynch provides some thoughts/insight into some of President Hinckleyâs more controversial responses in his media interviews over the past several years (including Larry King Live, L.A. Times, etc.).

009: Inside the Mind of a Mormon Apologist Pt. 3

Over the past few months, Iâve developed a friendship with several members of the LDS Bloggernacle-including a young couple known as Serenity Valley and Roasted Tomatoes. This husband/wife pair live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and run a blog called, Latter-Day Saint Liberation Front. Serenity and RT are interesting and inspirational for many reasons one of which being the spiritual journeys that each of them traveled on their way towards being sealed in the LDS Temple (RT being a former atheist turned LDS missionary, and Serenity having left the church to become an Episcopalian, only to return later). In part 1 of this 2 part series, we learn about their early years within the LDS church, and their journeys away from, and back to, faith.

010: Finding our Way Back Home Pt. 1

In part 2 of this interview, we continue our conversation with Serenity Valley and Roasted Tomatoes-a young LDS couple living in the San Francisco Bay area, and creators of the LDS Blog Latter-Day Saint Liberation Front. In this episode, Serenity and RT discuss her ultimate return to Mormonism, the impact it has had on their marriage and family, and conclude with a very candid and somewhat courageous discussion of their testimonies-some of which can safely be considered non-mainstream or alternative within the LDS paradigm.

011: Finding our Way Back Home Pt. 2

In part 1 of a 3 part series, we interview Todd Compton about the basics of polygamy in the Mormon church. Todd Compton is the author of the book In Sacred Loneliness.

012: An Introduction to Mormon Polygamy with Todd Compton Pt. 1

In part 2 of a 3 part series, we interview Todd Compton about the basics of polygamy in the Mormon church. Todd Compton is the author of the book In Sacred Loneliness.

013: An Introduction to Mormon Polygamy with Todd Compton Pt. 2

In part 3 of a 3 part series, we interview Todd Compton about the basics of polygamy in the Mormon church. Todd Compton is the author of the book In Sacred Loneliness.

014: An Introduction to Mormon Polygamy with Todd Compton Pt. 3

Mormon Stories podcast, created by John Dehlin, was retired in 2007. MormonThink.com is re-posting this podcast, along with John's other works, for those who still want/need the information. Because John released all of his podcast episodes with a Creative Commons license, we are within our full legal rights to post them here.

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Mormon Stories - LDS (Unofficial - MormonThink.com)

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