Mormon Stories

[@ginamiller6754]

God bless Ed Decker! I just checked, it’s Jan. 2023 and he is still alive and a Pastor. His work has been so beneficial to do many, myself included!

[@kassivit5618]

Reading his book, when I was 18, changed my life. I was like a child growing up and realizing Santa Claus is not real. I’ve never looked back since. Thank you, Ed. You are a legend!

[@akswrkzvyuu7jhd]

Wow! Ed Decker at 85 and he is still sharp as a tack. Honestly, John, this is the best Mormon Stories interview I have seen.

[@markpeter1968]

Ed Decker -a Christian hero.Thank you, Ed. You are a legend!

[@Charalldredge]

HOLY CRAP! I have Dutch reform Deckers from NY along with Stuyvesant’s in my genealogy! I also moved from that area back east to get away from my family and moved to SLC, met a lax Mormon guy, converted and then we both left after our 10th year of marriage. We have both Never been happier. Wow! The parallels!!!!!

[@Lovecatholicfaith]

John I barely started to read that book and this podcast pops up ❤ it’s a miracle 😊😅 Just to confirmation that my testimony died 😂

[@sheliabryant3997]

Intelligent people who have been preyed upon in their normal gentle nature and when vulnerable tend to get tired of it after a while. Beware the the ire of the patient man. Especially when you have pushed him to the edge. Then, he will always be the one who saves your sorry arse.

[@lcwalker2920]

The only regret I have in our leaving process was using the exit letter in the back of the book. It wasn't my idea, it was hubby's. He was po'd that the local leaders hadn't honored our request for name removal and thought something, shall we say, a little firmer would work. It did, but it left some pretty bad feelings in its wake.

[@Corolrose1218]

Just because someone disagrees with you doesn’t mean they hate you.

[@janebaily3758]

Thanks for this series of interviews. Very very interesting

[@carolinew1152]

Yeah.... when you ask to have your name removed from the church records..... they have to set up a kangaroo-court so THEY can excommunicate you!!!!! Happened to me also early 90’s when I asked to have my name removed! Pretty silly! (Ugh)

[@kassivit5618]

It’s like, “you can’t quit, I fire you!” 😳

[@srso4660]

You can now go on a website and request that your name be removed on QuitMormon.com. You do have to send a notarized letter to prove your identity but you don't have to say why you're leaving. I know this because I just went through the process of removing my name from the records.

[@carolinew1152]

SRS thank you for sharing that information! Good to know and pass along to others.

[@redcurrantart]

It changed by the time I had my name removed about 2009. All I did was write a letter to my bishop, he sent it to church offices. They sent a form letter telling me basically I was damned unless I changed my mind (they gave me 30 days) the sent another letter saying I had been removed.

[@TheHeidishuler]

Ed when you lived in the Seattle area my grandpa was a 70 and went on an appointment with missionaries and you were there. I guess when grandpa left he quoted Amos 3:7 to you and left. That’s the family story. Also, I would’ve given anything to have been at the Puyallup fair when you booth was next to the missionaries. 😂😂

[@82566]

This was the second book I read following the "No man knows my history " by Fawn Brody during my "wake up " & omg 😲it scared me at first just because I was new to learning the truth & the thought of my loved ones still in the church following devoutly idk just a jumble of emotions there ...but I suggest this book highly idc what ppl say . Thank you for this interview 🙏there's always two sides to a coin good or bad I believe bolth should be heard

[@sammystayton7952]

Really interesting conversation, but somewhat marred by John's struggle to engage someone who is clearly a fundamentalist of a different faith. Leaving Mormonism because you deconstruct the entire concept of faith is very different than leaving to fully embrace another fundamentalist religion.

[@jasonanderson02]

..the conversation in itself seems like a struggle!

[@egonaigner4757]

Yeah, I agree. Ed was not a good conversationalist in any way and it feels like he engaged the conversation like he did his anti-Mormon crusade: stubborn, aggressive, and trapped in his own narrative. Though I don't believe anymore, this guy has some untethered beliefs about Mormonism.

[@caseyjude5472]

I think he lies, and sometimes blames it on being old. (I think he’s lied to himself as well.) That’s the problem with lying, it’s hard to remember how many & what lies you’ve told.

[@sammystayton7952]

@@jasonanderson02 Yeah, at times it seemed like a power struggle of two people asserting different realities. Not sure I would do better under the circumstances, honestly.

[@Hanna-yn5ou]

Finally a Mormon Stories episode to do with the religion, history or culture! I skip the ones about rainbow activist type topics or feminism. Been there, done that and there are so activists who do that. Ed Decker is quite a character... Without him, they'd still be into all that strange stuff in the temple....

[@bodytrainer1crane730]

John Dehlin is a talented interviewer. It really shows in this interview.

[@yams317]

wanted to like this interview but decker seems like a bad dude. who abandons their wife and newborn in the hospital? reminds me of so many evangelical men who will drop crazy stuff in their story, not seem at all apologetic or reflective, then rant about jesus and being born again

[@robertwojnar5166]

I remember ed decker when my uncle was trying to get my parents out of the church back in the early 80s. He was a household dirty word. Watching this i can relate with a lot of what he is saying. I also understand not wanting to go into personal stuff. Plus things were different 40-50 years ago. I also understand how things were being an east coast mormon and some of the oddities back decades ago. Some bishops or branch presidents didnt necessarily follow salt lakes instruction manuals, plus alot of east coast converts still had a lot of nonmormon religious influence that took stuff off the rails sometimes easily since congregations were not as transient as they are today. So i can see where ed went back to lds church just thinking he could clear it up for his lds cohorts at that time. It was a different world then.

[@hrh4961]

Something to remember: the second "m" is silent. Something never to forget: MOUNTAIN MEADOWS.

[@82566]

Yessss 😳😢 wow I live in utah but have never been to the site & really never heard of the massacre until I started reading the "no no books " just read a few books such as the account of John D.Lee .

[@christiamonson]

Fascinating!

[@lcwalker2920]

Ward Clerk is called the "fourth member of the Bishopric" and has access to records. But they do not function as the Bishop and the counselors do.

[@paulaward2075]

Hello from Tyler Texas U.S.A.

[@lcwalker2920]

I used to live not far from Katy TX

[@fnjsaunders]

I served my mission with Ed's son.

[@kate4biglittlevoices]

Bobby?

[@bossendenwoodconvict]

I liked the FIRST Godmakers film; The Second one contained a number of false and irrelevant, charges (against Gordon B.Hincley.) It also implied that a woman had been killed by mormons, when in fact she had commited suicide.

[@bossendenwoodconvict]

@@vinster9165 Real.

[@Hanna-yn5ou]

Agree! The first one was okay, the other was bad.

[@redcurrantart]

@@bossendenwoodconvict Haven’t seen the second one, but even in the first one where he tries to claim it’s related to Satanism it felt a bit much. It’s like ‘you had all the facts even with a bit of spin.... but why throw this in here?’ Even listening to him he just seems less about trying to present truth or facts which are damning enough on his own... but his story just seems off.

[@bossendenwoodconvict]

@@redcurrantart I agree. Ed Decker often seems angry and wants to induce fear of mormons and mormonism. He'll often imply that mormonism is akin to satanism. He was desperate to stop the church's growth, and in the 80's believed its own growth projections. I did also! As it is, with the internet, the church is shrinking in much of the world. So, all that worry, all that sensationalism, all that anger etc on Ed's part, turned out to be a massive waste of time!

[@RobotClean138-lx1bo]

I had the "pleasure" of seeing William Schnoebelen speak once. Bill was too much of a grifter for even Ed Decker. He claimed to have been an old order Catholic priest, a warlock, member of the church of Satan, a literal vampire, and when things got too hot he became a Mormon. Of course, he eventually became a born again and went to work for Ed Decker, until he was fired.

[@scottmarshall4840]

Where can I find something better? I was raised in a protestant faith until Mormon missionaries found me and baptized me as a young man. I have continued to study other faiths for over thirty years and I have been amazed at all the anti-Mormon materials in print, film and on the internet. I am an inquisitive and practical soul so I have searched out the answers to the multitude of “problems” critics of the Mormon faith have claimed. After considering both sides, I cannot break loose of the Church’s hold on me because of the following reasons. (1) The Mormon Church has instilled in me, and my family a more deep and personal love of my Savior Jesus Christ than I could have reached in any other faith. I have a sure knowledge that He is my Savior and the only One through whom I can be saved. The Book of Mormon has added so much to the wonderful accounts of Him in the New Testament. The testimony and lives of good Mormons have led me to know that they are true followers of Christ. While I have met wonderful Christians in other faiths, none have stronger belief in the Savior than good Mormons. Help me! Where can I find something better? (2) The Mormons taught me that I am a child of God created in His image, and not just His creation. (Genesis 1:26 “And God said Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” The Trinity is The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost. Three separate Beings with one purpose. The other faiths taught me that God is one Being with three names, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost. And that He is a Spirit without form that fills the whole universe. While this sounds impressive, it would mean that He is only my Creator and not my Father in Heaven. I would be just one of His creations. For example, I can create a beautiful Corvette, and I would love it, but it can never compare with the love I have for my children. I know that my Father in Heaven is my Father in Heaven-and that is much more intimate and personal for me, than to love a Father who is an intangible Spirit - Creator, to whom I am just something He created. The net result is that my children and I have a much more personal relationship with God, and His Son, Jesus Christ. Where can I find something better? (3) Eternal Marriage and families - What an awesome demonstration of the love and Fatherhood of God. Mormons are the only faith that believes that God ordained the family as an Eternal unit. All other faiths teach that marriage ends at death. Because of this belief, Mormon families are the strongest (on average) of any people on Earth. I know from personal experience, that these teachings have helped me and my children to have stronger families in Christ. Where can I find something better? (4) The Church missionary system: The Mormon church offers a chance for my children to voluntarily serve as full time representatives of the Lord for two years. Every Christian religion says it believes Christ’s admonition to “feed My sheep” and share His Word, but, none, not even the Jehovah’s Witnesses have as good a means to make it a positive and life changing experience as the Mormons. I did this myself, and I know from personal experience that nothing can replace the experience, joy and testimony of Jesus Christ I received on my two year mission. I now know why the Bible emphasizes sharing His Word so much. Why do other faiths not promote programs like this for their members? Some offer “mission trips” lasting days or weeks, but this is only a pale shadow of the Mormons two year program. Some faiths have full time missionaries, but their numbers are so small compared to their membership, and they don’t encourage all their youth to go on missions. As many as half of Mormon youth go on missions. I have often said that it is worth being a Mormon just for the blessing of seeing my children have the two year mission experience when they are young. Where can I find something better? (5) The Mormon Health Code - Why don’t other faiths do this? I need help teaching my children to avoid alcohol, tobacco and drugs. All faiths believe the body is a temple, but none have as much success teaching their children to avoid unhealthy habits, as do the Mormons. It would be worth being a Mormon just to avoid the problems of seeing my children and grandchildren suffer from the effects of alcohol and drugs, not to mention tobacco. Where can I find something better? (6) Unpaid Ministry - Mormons don’t have to get paid to share the good news of Jesus Christ. I have always had a problem with ministers who would say, “ Give your money to God, but make the check out to me.” Mormon leaders of congregations (called bishops) have regular jobs. That is how they support themselves and they serve the congregation for free because they love the Lord. Mormons actually provide better support to each member of the congregation than faiths with paid preachers, because of the organization of visiting and home teachers, (also unpaid) that help the bishops check the welfare of every member every month! No other faith comes close to that service for the members, even with paid ministry. Even the two-year missionaries pay their own way. It works great. There is no reason other faiths could not do this too. Why don’t they? I love knowing that when I come to church, that they are glad to see me because they care about me, and not about what donations I might give them. Also, Mormons don’t have collection plates. Giving is personal and private and visitors are treated like guests. You would not invite a friend to dinner and then put a collection plate in his face and say “ Wasn’t that good?” Also, I have investigated the way the Church uses funds and it is inspiring. Where can I find something better? On top of all this, while opponents fuss that that false prophets lead us, the Bible clearly states repeatedly that it is through the Name of Jesus that we are saved. Virtually all other Christians believe that if we accept Christ as our Savior we are saved. By this standard, all Mormons are saved, even if we did have “false” prophets. I must say that if we are to judge prophets by their fruits, then I am really caught in this Mormon trap, because of all the wonderful “fruits” I have personally witnessed over the last thirty years. I could go on and on, but, the bottom line is that because of all the blessings and happiness I have received, I guess I am really stuck being a Mormon. Please help me if you know anything that is better. Scott Marshall [e-mail]

[@jimlove952]

Agree with everything you have explained here.

[@sheliabryant3997]

@scottmarshall4840 They got you good, didn't they? You must have been very vulnerable. They are masters at bringing you into co-dependence and dangerous mind-games. By the time you realize it, you are done for.

[@777igg]

He crossed paths with the Infamous Notorious and sometimes funny Dr. Walter Martin.

[@mimiwest3256]

Yes, Dr. Martin is infamous and notorious among Seventh-day Adventists too. Even though he didn't declare them a cult (because the men he spoke with lied about Adventism), he later was ready to declare them a cult...which they are. He passed away before he was able to do so. I understand Ed's feeling of leaving the darkness. That's how I felt when I was finally out of SDA'ism. The LDS and SDA's have a lot in common. Kind of the same song second verse type of thing. That's why I enjoy Mormon Stories. There is so much commonality with Adventism.

[@drbulbul]

Such a convoluted story! Wait, wait, what happened to the first wife?!

[@Hanna-yn5ou]

He implied that his first wife was doing something seriously strange and inappropriate and for that reason he divorced her. He's saying that the bishop agreed that she was doing something wrong.

[@larriveeman]

not the best interviewer

[@charlesprice242]

Missionaries don’t go out at 40 years old. He also said the missionary just lost his wife & then he went out to serve a mission. That don’t happen at 40 years old.

[@roxybennett3964]

You have not heard older senior missionaries?😂 plenty of boomers doing it!

[@ameliareaganwright2758]

The interviewer was rather confrontational and interrupted Mr. Decker far too many times. I wish he had spoken less, letting Mr. Decker tell his full story, from beginning to present.

[@debraewing2859]

Agree. Usually John stays pretty unbiased and I"ve always enjoyed listening to his interviews. But John's introduction of Ed Decker showed bias, and John's tone throughout the interview was both dismissive and confrontational. It was obvious throughout the interview that John clearly did not like or trust Ed Decker. I knew next to nothing about Mr. Decker, but the interview made me uncomfortable because of John's tone and his obvious bias and distrust.

[@bryanpoulsen8969]

Had no idea this guy used to be Mormon until now

[@conundrum44]

I didn't either, but should have. Never Mormons generally don't care about Mormonism that much.

[@hiya4668]

This could have been good...his dates didn’t even begin to make sense and he skips from his first marriage to his third...it doesn’t add up to me. Way too many holes in his story!

[@wuhaninstituteofvirology]

umm, his story's too convoluted & jumping around/leaving things out - but that's the interviewer's fault by cutting in all the time & confusing the old man *should just let him tell his whole story no interruptions from start to finish, as he can remember it, make notes, then revisit key points afterwards (to clarify)...

[@senorfrijol5305]

Let’s start from the beginning where were you born? Well I was born in Heaven John conceived from Heavenly Parents!

[@clearstonewindows]

Wait...This guy still around?

[@matthewsherlock3742]

I have a hard time believing anything he says.

[@sheliabryant3997]

@matthewsherlock3742 He does jump around, but his head is full - immensely intelligent - and much trauma in his life. But if you listen, you can follow him. He was duped into unforgivable trauma over his first child and is a person who fights predators. GOOD ON HIM.

[@kellyoradio5029]

Wow...what a lovely guy!

[@holdruss6197]

He is a shifty character

[@jonnyhilljackson5788]

who mormon men?

[@sheliabryant3997]

@holdruss6197 He was essentially an orphan caught up by gypsies and simply does not appreciate the predators being "all over him".

[@juanantonioruizceniceros2019]

jajajajajja, What a ridiculous book, do something useful

[@yams317]

wanted to like this interview but decker seems like a bad dude. who abandons their wife and newborn in the hospital? reminds me of so many evangelical men who will drop crazy stuff in their story, not seem at all apologetic or reflective, then rant about jesus and being born again