A Mormon Military Story w/ Army Ranger Ross “Marty” Martin | Ep. 1977 (Edited Re-Release)

[@ce6654]

Ross Martin was my Team Leader in the US Army when we deployed with LRS! I'm honestly honored to know him!

[@slidin122]

He has so much in common with my Army son who is serving currently. Duty stations and Basic etc

[@barbaraanderson3475]

Thanks! I just finished the episode with Marty. His story was so amazing and real! His truths are heartfelt and appreciated. Thank you for the best 5 hours of listening to his story

[@runrachellady]

I’ve watched a LOT of Mormon Stories podcast over the years, and this is one that will really stick with me. Thank you for your courage and your service, Marty.

[@becky4890]

4:39:20 this whole insight from Margie was beautiful. I struggled to empathize with this guest, but when Margie summarized it, I understood so much better what has been motivating him. Much love to all involved in this interview ❤

[@leannekruizinga8798]

Marty your openness and vulnerability your truest integrity comes shining through, to me you are a life warrior for truth and honor. I see your greatness . I also grew up in the church in Australia and having to accept the dishonor of the church is heartbreaking . Your story is inspiring and empowering. Thankyou so much for sharing so deeply. ❤

[@hsavage2899]

Ross seems like such a kind hearted good man! I enjoyed his episode so much. Thank you Marty.

[@kimberlyreynolds5421]

Marty, All that is in your code was evident in your story. Thank-you for your service and for sharing so others can grow from your experiences. You are on your path!

[@katuu4]

I love mormon stories podcast. I have been watching/listening to it since it had 90 000 subscribers. I am from Estonian and have nothing to too with mormonism. I have been watching handful of episodes but this one is my very favorite. In the beginning I was like oh my gosh 6 hours can I do this .After 20 in I could not stop listening it 👌🏻

[@susiekathryn8570]

One of our favorite interviews. So emotional and inspiring. Thank you for your service to our country. You have seen things that most of us will never see, but watched it on tv. Keep on doing what you’re doing.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@hnikkig4811]

This is the ONE for me. My fav Mormon story. The things he said were beyond anything that could of helped me. I can't even articulately say what I'm thinking. Thank you.

[@Mystic-p7h]

I love when he said, “that’s not how it happened“ when he went out with the Missionaries. I had the exact same feeling. It took me five years to go through the process of understanding everything that I was taught when I was baptized at the age of 11 in 1978. Thank you so much for your service. I was raised in the Marine Corps for 20 years.

[@abbyeh1]

As a military wife, thank you for doing a military series! (I hope you get some military wives on future episodes, too. 🤞) Thanks for coming on and sharing your story, Marty. ❤

[@MerilynRowan]

This was an amazing interview on so many levels. And I didn’t feel like he glorified the war at all. He struggled with it and was very honest about it. Thank you so much for doing this.

[@donnellallan]

This was powerful. I just kept thinking, overall, how blessed his children are to have such a father. Thanks to you all for this very special episode. 🩷

[@JeffDayPoppy]

Thank you for re-posting this. I found the last third or so to be especially worthwhile. Going into it, due to my own biases I honestly didn't expect to find a story billed with an Army Ranger theme to be enjoyable, but Ross overturned my expectations. 💕👏

[@ant.o.nina.123]

I never got to the last third it was on my list to go back to to listen. So that's awesome

[@Gremguitar]

I hardly ever am brought to tears. This man's story took me to places in my past I have long forgotten. So much to relate to. Thank you "Marty" for your service, and thank you for sharing your story.

[@brmo8589]

I love Mormon stories and I listened to this yesterday on my I phone, and as i listened I said hmm this sounds like my cousins husband. Turns out it is im Amy’s first cousin Branden aka bud. I use to spend a week every summer in green river with Amy’s family. Thank you for sharing your story Ross!

[@jennyoung5470]

Love the Martins! Our paths crossed briefly at Fort Bragg. It was people like them that made that my absolute favorite place to attend church. Listening to this has brought back a lot of good memories associated with my time as a military wife. And it’s made me cry as I process the hard things that also were part of my life then.

[@tommyregister]

Absolutely loved this episode. As somebody who left the fire service as well as Mormonism around the same time, the void of purpose also killed me. His words were dead on. Thank you Marty!

[@Robynsonfire]

As always, Margie adds SO MUCH to every interview. She's so insightful and thoughtful and empathetic. She truly is such an amazing addition to everything she is apart of. ❤❤❤

[@kaylaly7811]

Thank you Marty for your service and telling your story. My Grandfather was a Sargeant in the Korean war. I use to always ask him to tell us his war stories and what it was like. He was one that held it in, and wouldn't tell us kids. I always wished he would have told us his story before he passed. Thanks to you and your story, I now am able to better understand why he felt he couldn't tell us. I knew he probably went through, a lot over there. After his passing, my family was cleaning up his home and going through his things to get the home ready to sell. We found his war photo album and we were shocked to see him and his war buddies standing there posing with some Koreans they "unalived" kind of like when when people pose with a deer they just caught. Also was scarred when I saw him and his buddies standing under this beautiful waterfall and looked down to see them bathing in it! Funny, my sisters and I started screaming in horror for that photo, but not the other. Anyway, I appreciate and honor your experiences. Thank you!! ❤

[@slidin122]

My father rarely spoke of Korea, except for when I was washing my car when I was 17 and listening to the Clash “Rock The Casbah” and my dad walks by and says nonchalantly “I have been there” it was the only story he told me of Korea! Now my son is at Camp Humphreys in Korea until June

[@paulmartinezsd]

Marty's authenticity and vulnerability are infectious. They found a real gem with Marty.

[@99blackbirds]

I Dont like WAR and i condemn war but if I have to go to WAR...to protect my family!!!! . by GOD I want MARTY on my side! this was good!!!

[@cherylduncan5158]

I really enjoyed this episode so much. I’m glad he can keep going back to church. I would have a hard time going back.

[@dianemelling5446]

Loved this❤I actually live in the Blackfoot area by lots of the Martins. Thanks for sharing this story

[@rmj4978]

I loved this edited and extended version! Amazing!!

[@KathyMizikar]

Thank you for all that you have done for our country. Thank you for sharing your story. It was so moving.❤

[@Jayjays964]

Love the new backgrounds, John. A very unique story today. Thanks for sharing.

[@green-n1l]

Such a vulnerable and beautiful story ❤ thank you Marty and mormon stories

[@chelseydixon6833]

I’m an OIF/OEF army combat veteran. I related to this in so many ways. Especially the loss of faith equated with the withdrawal from Afghanistan. It devastated me. Truly destroyed my sense of reality.

[@slidin122]

My good friend said the same while he had his tours in Afghanistan. He was my Mish Companion and we finally met up after 33 years of not knowing where each of us were

[@juliemackenzie559]

Good for you Ross.....for continuing to believe in a higher power! Seek and you will find. Knock and the door shall be opened.

[@Captainmoroni1]

Great Epsiode!! Thank you for your service and story!! Well done thou good and faithful servant!! 🙏🏼😮‍💨🤟🏼💪🏼🫶🏼🔥🎁🫶🏼🤟🏼💪🏼🙏🏼

[@deltatrader72]

I might be on the other side of the political isle than Marty, but god damn this dude been through the shit and is a warrior! Mad respect for you Marty, thank you for your service and thank you for your story.

[@nicolerichman595]

Loved this! 🥹 WOW! Amazing human.

[@JazzBreadWater]

Its interesting that our own internal voice is sometimes thought to be the Holy Ghost.

[@kayoliver5530]

Listening to Marty was so interesting. Maternal grandfather served in WWII and his father served in WWI and sadly died before he could meet his youngest son my grandad, never spoke about the war, the limited information we he we know he was in charge of q Battalion of Gurkas and they the Gurkas saved my granddad's Life even they got word of possible ambush. My greatgrandfather was award the Victoria Cross Postunously. He and my grandfather served in the Scots Guard, i have a cousin who served in the Irish Guard all in the UK. i also have friends who have served in more recent years. I have the utmost respect for Veterans. So thank you for your Service Marty, George, James, Andy, Billy and Mark and all my ancestors who also died in WWI (which is way to many). And to all serving and ex military reading this, thank you.

[@janicetanner]

My dad was a Marine in Vietnam and suffered greatly. I had to watch your MS episode over a few days because your vulnerability was touching and helped me understand the mind of someone who has been in combat. I know many service people don’t share their experiences, thank you for sharing yours.

[@marthashepherd341]

He is such an eloquent Gentleman. Thank You Sir, for Your Service 🙏♥️🙏♥️🙏♥️

[@cupcakesonrainydays]

Loved his story!

[@Tjo-s6y]

I had a family life that turmoil was common. I to found the love , peace and myself in and with nature. Animals are my safe friends, family I can trust. and when they leave I feel it’s my fault, and I’m abandoned again. Even though I know that isn’t true in my mind, but my body memory reacts from past traumas. And in truth I am losing a friend. I had to learn to isolate where the pain was radiating from in my body. For me it’s a pressure point midsection, wish bone area . And it tells me it’s coming from the subconscious where memories are stored. And I to live a personal relationship with God . Always have, but it has matured and grown with life and experiences. Taking out the human guidelines of organized religion allows us to have a relationship without boundaries with our father God / brother Jesus.

[@jennifermay8710]

Im watching this 5 days after it aired. I am really enjoying his military stories. Thank you, Marty, for your service and for being willing to share your story.

[@marthashepherd341]

Such a Gentle Soul. ❤

[@slidin122]

He may be the Sgt Major my son met At Benning 6 years ago. He allowed him to go to church while there. His Base station is JBLM currently while he is in Korea.

[@alb5632]

Hey I loved listening to your podcast in jail you should try to put videos on to the app

[@timothygilroy1629]

Powerful stuff. I was also prompted to leave the church, there certainly is a higher power out there.

[@Seeg11007]

I relate so closely with Marty in this one. I had very similar experiences to his in dealing with the complex morality of war, as well as the disappointment at the church's handling of it. I love this episode, I'm definitely sharing with some other Soldiers I know!

[@slidin122]

Thank you sir 🙏 most of my friends and now my son is serving. Bless all of you

[@valerismith9929]

I got about halfway through this interview and it disappeared. Now it’s showing that it will be released again and I’m just curious as to why it disappeared the first time?

[@dianethulin1700]

Second that

[@mormonstories]

Unfortunately there was an issue with the edits on the first premiere of this episode, so we are re-premiering the fixed version. We apologise for the confusion!

[@jennasorscia9044]

Ty so much! ​@@mormonstories

[@valerismith9929]

Wow. That was so powerful. I appreciate his candidness and truthfulness.

[@WayOutHerePodcast]

Aw my mom is from Blackfoot area (Aberdeen!). Do you know the Shipleys??

[@jaymesc1018]

Can’t imagine being raised in such a way to join the military without so much as a conversation with my partner?

[@Lizicles1]

Yeah as an AF wife that has my jaw on the ground. I had to pause to process 😮

[@steveciambrone8543]

He was young still learning about life and marriage

[@TS-iv9ml]

​@Lizicles1 in the marine corps, if they wanted you to have a spouse they woulda issued one. Not an easy life as a military spouse. That is one incredibly strong amazing wife.

[@HardWired417]

Well he was young and impulsive. Did you miss the part that he kept cancelling his wedding? Or the part that he was raised "wild and feral?" 😂

[@workofheartllc]

My sisters husband, converted and they have one heck of an amazing family, he went from ranger to general I believe now. I pray they find Jesus and free from the church all the time ❤

[@wendymerrillperry9699]

Riveting. From a fellow Monster Addict.

[@denisekeeran9883]

Yikes on his dad calling his mom a cow and laughing about it. What the what?

[@rachelcannon9102]

Agreed. This Marty guy actually called that a good story and laughed about it as well. I couldn't listen to it after that.

[@denisekeeran9883]

@@rachelcannon9102 He said he and his wife had a similar story and I was like two strikes within the first few minutes. I only listened a little while longer and then gave up.

[@alisonwhite2243]

@@bsc78 completely agree. They might argue that as hosts, they are there to simply facilitate the interviewee's story, but there have been so many instances where they have inserted opinion (which I enjoy)..... so why not call out or question this odd story in this instance? Or even more odd, his reaction to the story about his parents. Surely his reaction speaks to his attitude toward the story and further, in my opinion, women...

[@denisekeeran9883]

@@bsc78 I wanted to assume it was nervous laughter, but I'm curious what they edited out since it was pulled and re-edited.

[@torrenceire]

@@alisonwhite2243I think it’s self evidently cringe. Also he shared a “lesson learned” that he told his kids “you never know who you’re gonna marry so don’t insult people”. Nothing for John and Margi to correct. That’s the appropriate lesson- don’t insult people.

[@JazzBreadWater]

You are all so rude, he probably didn't go into the military thinking that he woulf be doing harm, these people are often brainwashed. If you never walked the walk of somebody else then you Cannot hold the Crown to be able to judge them. I myself have done things that I would have never done Until I was provoked to do so or Until my belief had been changed overtime with abuse and torture. No one knows what other people go through and I'm not saying it's an excuseBut everybody learns at different times, And we go through things at different times for different reasons

[@JazzBreadWater]

One of the things I've always struggled with with just believing in God and general is why do a lot of Christians get to experience these miracles but then there's other innocent people like children for example that are tortured from the day they're born to the daily die. If we're giving God the glory for the miracles we need to also give him the glory for the tagedies. It's basic accountability. I could Be wrong and I tell myself well I have a finite mind so God will explain this thing to you later right? All these excuses sound a lot like what people that are in anabusive relationship to tell themselves so to stay and not move on.

[@JazzBreadWater]

Gangs and cults provide some form of structure as well, thank goodness it wasn't that . Military Definitely provides structure.

[@JazzBreadWater]

Those videos are made to trigger emotions, This man is very emotional to begin with.

[@99blackbirds]

i hate the current LDS leaders so much!! But I hate the CES letters even more!!!... the CES letters only picks apart the lettuce and tomatoes and never talks about the giant juicy hamburger in its fa ce!!! the CES letters is not good enough!!!! for me!!! (I'm a REBEL Mormon)

[@slidin122]

There is so much more than the CES

[@99blackbirds]

@@slidin122 I respect the CES letter it brings up some good points. But its not that wise. MOST things can be explained. Just cuz our leaders cant explain them..

[@jacalineballif9584]

I just never understood how anyone can take out their frustrations by hunting and terrorizing animals. This really got to me as I was deciding to leave this cult. A lot to do with their poor treatment of animals. I’m not judging hunting for food, but popping off groundhogs The churches stance on hunting really was the icing on the cake for me leaving as people would laugh and joke about it at the pulpit. I’d had to walk out. Also ps. : Don’t know why numbers keep spearing in my messages!

[@sethpackham8074]

I grew up in Blackfoot a few years older than Marty (I didn't know him), but most people our age would know of the boy he accused of the sexual assault by first name alone. I'm a bit surprised that you wouldn't edit that out.

[@Marty_NC_Ranch]

Why?

[@Freaky0Nina]

I condemn his military service, and the fact you thanked him for it John. But i do appreciate this as a record of what he did and thought and felt. That being saud, I wonder if his wife has a different view on how great their marriage life has went. Men don't recognize how much they are proffiting off unpaid female labor. That he didn't discuss it with her... that's terrifying. She could have been widowed early on, and what then?

[@bongazuma]

Hearing him say third world countries have a smell “like burning gabbage” is so offensive and so stereotypical

[@rubynz7285]

It's sadly accurate..

[@slidin122]

Have you been to one ?

[@rubynz7285]

@@slidin122 Multiple, or I wouldn't have the audacity to have an opinion.

[@lifegirl7]

I thank him for sharing his story but I'm going to have to try to finish it another time. The way he talks about other countries is gross to me, and Turkey is not a 3rd world country.

[@joemomma1580]

@@MicroBrewsRule Maybe you’re just mistaking pride, love, and sense of duty, for cockiness. I’ve seen cocky. This guy just really loved doing his job and it shows. Most people will never find that. Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion. Most can’t make it into the job unless they really want it. The sense of duty and camaraderie once you’re there is unrivaled. You simply don’t understand and you likely never will.

[@MicroBrewsRule]

@joemomma1580 my husband served in the Navy 20 years; I understand more than you know, and maybe 2 people outside of the Navy knows what his job was. No, that was straight up public bragging and not patriotic at all.

[@denisekeeran9883]

I stopped listening shortly after he laughed about his dad calling his mom a cow. The energy with this one is just not for me. Seeing your comment and others here lets me know I didn't miss anything.

[@lifegirl7]

@@denisekeeran9883 Yeah that one was rough too.

[@joemomma1580]

@@MicroBrewsRuleYou’re entitled to your opinion. I respectfully disagree.

[@elilass8410]

Stop celebrating american imperialism, whether it's through mormon missions or american military intervention. stop glorifying american soldiers and thanking them for their service when they have participated in reducing irak to rubble and destabilizing the middle east.

[@kayoliver5530]

Blame Bush and Blair don't blame the soldiers who were just going their jobs and were fooled by Bushes, lies like so many others. Bush and Blair are the ones that should have to answer for what has happened to Iraq and The middle East

[@kayoliver5530]

@@elilass8410 Dobby blame the soldiers, the blame lies, in this instance with Bush and Blair. Over here in the UK Blair even made last that a prime minister cannot be tried for treason, because he knew there were no weapons of mass destruction and Bush wanted to continue where is father left off and Blair accrued just like a star trick idiot and went along with it for the oil money. Both should have to pay for what they have done to Iraq and the middle East. The fact that Blair became a member of a middle Eastern peace envoy world be laughable if it wasn't so despicable of him

[@joemomma1580]

⁠@@bsc78when’s the last time you’ve been to Iraq? It’s more stable than ever. Certainly more safe than the days of Saddam. Afghanistan is in shambles. Before we left women had freedoms like jobs, schooling, and wearing western clothing. Now women can’t even leave the house. They can’t have their windows open. They can’t show any of their body. So yes we got into the conflicts for the wrong reasons. Yes war happened and it was terrible. Yes things could’ve been done better. Despite all this, the men that went there from the US did everything they could to make life better for those people. Everyone will hate. They hate when we go somewhere and they’ll hate when we don’t (Ukraine). All we can do is our best. Do our best to make the best of what we are asked to do. Thanks for the hate. Keep it coming

[@elilass8410]

@@kayoliver5530 I also blame the soldiers actually. indoctrination and being lied to is powerful, sure, but just like when someone's committed harm as a mormon, it might explain but the victims arent obliged to forgive for the harm done in the name of ideology. the soldiers who murdered and bombed and terrorized people the world over ARE at least somewhat responsible. orders and lies aren't excuses, that's the same excuses the wehrmacht soldiers used. would you be as forgiving of conscripted russian soldiers killing ukrainians right now?

[@kayoliver5530]

@@elilass8410 I can't change the soldiers, that's was morning thatu could could do other than follow orders. Many knew it was wrong but if they spoke of ee then they would sent to Prison, like my cousin, they would be sent To prson they're families left destiitute with nothing nothing it's not D As easy as you seem to think it's just famillies left destiitute. , who serves fall flex bag for