This two-part episode is a co-release with the Mormon Stories Podcast. It is a discussion that took place on 29 June 2017 in front of a live internet audience featuring John and Margi Dehlin interviewing (and conveying audience comments and questions for) Jeralee Renshaw, Mark Crego, and Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon. Jeralee, Mark, and Dan are three of the moderators of the Facebook group, “A Thoughtful Faith Support Group” as well actively engaged members of the LDS Church. The interactions between the panel, hosts, and audience range from subjects such as “How is it you have managed to stay actively (and happily) engaged with Mormonism while knowing what you know of the issues and complexities that trouble so many people?”, to questions about the Facebook group and interactions there, to assessments of whether or not it is more or less difficult to remain engaged as a Mormon with nuanced views at this time than in the past, and much more!
Comments 1
This FaceBook group sounds interesting, and I’m wondering if I would be allowed to join it…
I was a member of the LDS church for 33 years, but I resigned 12 years ago. However, I am still married to it, since my husband remains 150% “TBM”. I am trying to make peace between us regarding religion, although I don’t know at this point if that will ever involve a return to the LDS church on my part or not. From what was said in this podcast about the kind of members you’re looking for, I would probably qualify in pretty much all of the other ways you described, except that I’m not currently a member of the LDS church, although I do still attend with my husband when I’m up to it. So my question is: Do you have to be a current member of the LDS church in order to be a member of this FaceBook Group, or can you just be someone who has to live with it and wants to do so in more healthy ways?
I feel the need for a “counterbalance” to what I hear from my husband at home and to what I hear at his ward most Sundays whenever I attend, since I no longer have a religious affiliation of my own. I was a member of a Unitarian Universalist congregation for most of those 12 years, but that ended earlier this year, so I now feel very much alone in my “spiritual journey”, and I’m wondering if this FaceBook group might help by providing a safe place where I might be able to share my thoughts and experiences with like-minded people.
EDiL13 (Elohim’s Daughter in Law)
(Note: This is the “handle” I’ve been using when I’ve posted comments on Mormon Stories, but I would be willing to use my real name on the FaceBook group if required.)