Mormon Stories 1389: Catching Up with John Larsen (2021)

John Larsen is one of the most influential and well-respected figures within Modern progressive and post-Mormon communities.  John (along with his ex-wife Zilpha) was the co-host of Mormon Expression podcast for several years, and he is an occasional host of Sunstone Podcast.  He has appeared on Mormon Stories Podcast several times over the past decade.

In today's episode I bring John Larsen back, and we discuss several topics, including:

Divorce after a faith crisis.
Raising children with mental illness after a faith crisis.
Alcohol and drug use after a faith crisis.
Non-monogamy/swinging after a faith crisis.
The LDS Church's response to the COVID pandemic.
The impact of the QAnon phenomenon within the United States, and within the LDS Church.
How political polarization within the U.S. is tearing apart some Utah wards and families.
What it would take to bring John Larsen back as a podcaster.
The need for kindness within both political and religious discourse, and how challenging this can be.

John Larsen is one of my favorite thinkers in modern Mormonism, and is a fantastic guest.  you will not be disappointed with this episode.

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Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Introducing John Larsen and Mormon Expression
0:09:22 - The End of Mormon Expression
0:18:27 - QAnon and the relationship to the early church
0:21:42 - More Mormon Expression/Misunderstanding scripture
0:24:50 - Being An ex-ExMormon
0:33:31 - Is the world better without the church?
0:38:42 - The infection of the right-wing in the church (short)
0:40:26 - Children, social media culture, lack of religion
0:47:25 - The "Deterioration of Society" and the role of religion in America
0:56:07 - Divorce and Stereotypes
1:04:32 - John Larsen's relationship after the divorce
1:06:23 - Sexuality
1:32:32 - Psychedelics
1:41:48 - Breaking the bubble of Mormonism, "we suck!"
2:14:32 - Buddhism and Spirituality
2:24:15 - Mormonism Discussion Begins
2:26:44 - Russell M. Nelson & the Coronavirus Pandemic
2:32:51 - Mormonism's relationship to Anti-government, Conservatism, QAnon
2:46:58 - Defending the indefensible/apologetics
2:50:18 - "The church has blood on it's hands."
3:03:39 - Church finances and repentance
3:14:49 - What do mormons believe in? The future of mormonism
3:22:12 - The tragedy of new communities and the future
3:37:53 - Making the change within, what's effective, the internet

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Some of the Mormon Expression episodes mention in this episode include:

Episode 27: The Word of Wisdom for Dummies
Episode 95a: Doctrine and Covenants 132 for Dummies Part 1
Episode 95b: Doctrine and Covenants 132 for Dummies part 2
Episode 275: How to Become an Ex-ex-Mormon
Episode 276: How to build a transoceanic vessel

John's past Mormon Stories Podcast episode include:

Episodes 186-187: "Mormon Stories Broadcasts Live with John Larsen and You!"
Episode 312: Mormon Expression Interviews John Dehlin
Episode 531: "John Larsen's Mormon Expression"
Episode 1097: "Building Community after Mormonism: A Conversation with John Larsen"

#mormon #lds #churchofjesuschrist

Видео Mormon Stories 1389: Catching Up with John Larsen (2021) канала Mormon Stories Podcast