How to Stay in the Mormon Church with Carol Lynn Pearson | Ep. 1709

[@reddish22]

I want to thank Carol Lynn so much for this interview. My wife and I exited the Church this year and I have struggled to understand people in my life who have remained. I think seeing Carol Lynn’s integrity and grace has really helped me understand the people I love that are still in to a deeper level. I am so grateful to share this world with such a beautiful, incredible soul. What a wonderful gift for me personally in what has been a very difficult first Christmas on the outside.

[@campbellduke1853]

I am an avid watcher from Scotand. 67 yrs old. Baptised in 1968 - Seminary Graduate - Served Full Time Mission - Married in the Temple - served in Church at Bishopric and Stake level. Now OUT for many of the reasons well discussed on Mormon Stories. My Big Question is "What relevance do I have". Being LDS in Scotland means being 1 of 3500 LDS in a population of 5.5 million. Being LDS is almost irrelevant in such a very non LDS Society. There has never been a critical mass of members here. Being Ex LDS is even LESS relevant. What would be the value NOW in being baptised in Scotland? Or going back to Church?

[@tawnyachristensen7310]

Don't want to imagine a world without Carol Lynn Pearson.

[@toducate]

Carol Lynn Pearson is a beautiful example for all of us on both sides of membership. Exemplifying how to make an impact with boldness and love.

[@allymccat1814]

I was in the same WC ward with her in the early 80’s. Was in awe of her. She’s very fortunate to still be there. It’s more forgiving than any other ward in the church as a whole. If I said the same things as her where I live now, I’d be excommunicated. I’m not sure where the church is heading now. Focusing more on Jesus, avoiding certain verses, still keeping secrets and history, doesn’t make the past and present crimes/beliefs right or forgotten.

[@scottbrandon6244]

I think many LDS members are at church for one reason: a relationship with God. They ignore the church historicity problems, informed consent problems, BM geography issues, sociological problems past and present, and changes in doctrine. Some of those people may even be unaware of those issues. Carol takes this perspective. She is in it for community, spiritual healing, and following the Savior and His mission of helping others.

[@user-js2yh6ki9z]

I think you are absolutely right. I think there are also many who feel very conflicted and uncomfortable as they try to stay when they no longer believe as they once did and so perhaps most leave or stay in a kind of resigned and lonely silence but some manage to find and choose their own way to stay and in so doing perhaps make a difference.

[@garys.2291]

A relationship with a false Jesus, not the one of the Bible.

[@ginafrancis4950]

You can have a relationship with god without the church. Especially a church that is founded on nothing but one man’s vivid imagination.

[@user-js2yh6ki9z]

@@ginafrancis4950 That’s a really good point and clearly some peoples preference. Perhaps all churches and religions are based on someone’s vivid imagination. But maybe there can still be value in a shared journey and belonging to a flawed but well meaning community of neighbors even if there are some major issues with the institution and the leaders.

[@mylittlebug14]

@@user-js2yh6ki9z I agree that some who stay know about the problems with history etc. I know people like this now. However it's pretty obvious that many are still astoundingly unaware of those issues.

[@FatherVampire]

CLP: "See, the quick answer to your question (why I remain) is that I would not be able to stay in this Church if I did not have and take the opportunity to make this organization -- and this may be an arrogant statement -- to, to better it." (13:13) "In ... the first episode we did here I acknowledged that my calling... and I feel that this is a calling, whether it's from God, whether it's from life, whether it's from my DNA, whatever it is... I have a calling... So here I am addressing the huge phenomenon of Patriarchy..." (13:39) Yes... this is a bit arrogant as well as short-sighted, given the mass of former members who believed likewise and were excommunicated (e.g., Oliver Cowdery, William Law, ... and all the way to the present day with D. Michael Quinn and even our own Dr. John Dehlin). All thought the Church would somehow listen to them and change their ways. All thought they could make the leopard change its spots... while still remaining a leopard. And all were excommunicated for their efforts, of course. A leopard is a leopard... just as the Church is the Church. As should be obvious... if the Church ever admitted such foundational errors, they would lose the very foundation upon which ALL their power absolutely depends. Sooner could you convince Nazism to give up its foundational racism than to ever think the Church is going to admit its own foundational racism, misogyny, etc., doesn't come directly from God through revelation. They've painted themselves into a corner from which they can never escape... except they completely break down the walls of that very corner... destroying the structure, itself. That will never happen. As with Nazism, so with the Church also: If as a member you disagree with its foundational beliefs and practices, might I suggest resigning your membership so as to no longer present yourself to the world a willing and knowing participant in and believer of such despicable beliefs and practices? Regardless other considerations, nothing should matter more than one's own personal integrity and in living an authentic life.

[@williamwood3290]

I agree. Take a stand!

[@AubreyJM]

Yes! GOD IS LOVE.

[@41810979]

If there is a god! I enjoy just treating others well and not worrying about some supreme being!

[@lolocsun]

The BIBLE'S God is LOVE... The BoM+ one threatens to DESTROY those who won't submit to polygamy... D&C132:54&64...

[@zephyrr914]

I truly feel Carol Lynn. Many of us aren’t structurally perfect but love our Saviour with all our being. I know it will all be right in the end. We must care for one another.

[@superhappy2880]

i’m at this very crossroads right now…… i want to remove my records from the church entirely. I honestly don’t want to be associated with the hypocrisy any longer. After watching all the videos on this channel, my heart is broken and i can’t go back…. i want to shout it out from the roof tops that this church is downright evil. I think about all the crap i dealt with…. the corruption….. the secrets ….I’m done.

[@pattykake7195]

Yes…once you realise you have been deceived and lied to…it’s such a great feeling to leave the corporation far behind….👍🏽

[@LaLaJonesG]

Good for you!

[@lorijohnston7795]

I currently share in your painful experience. God bless!

[@merricat3025]

I am a nevermo. I don't doubt there some very nice Mormons as there in every religion. I have met Atheist that are kinder than christians I know . What I don't get is remaining in a church started by a conman. He was no prophet just like Mohammed was no prophet. All these prophets were about sex and power.

[@rosemariebennett7213]

This was a year ago. Is she still active in the church?

[@AubreyJM]

So, Carol has taken on the task/mission to heal the Mormon church single-handedly? Wow, what a daunting burden! May God's Love surround her in this difficult self-imposed task/mission. I tried to do my part to convince my bishopric to be more progressive for a few years, but I was labelled as a "wolf among sheep". 😶‍🌫

[@LaLaJonesG]

You hit the nail on the head - she’s a martyr if I ever saw one!

[@Sadie37]

I think belonging and being loved and accepted in you’re ward must be so great. But there are so many of us that this is just not the case! Sadly we may as well be invisible.😔

[@javiervargas5940]

Let's start our own ward!

[@Sadie37]

@@javiervargas5940 ❤️

[@Sadie37]

@@brianwaller7383 😔😔😔

[@christinemiller8723]

I converted in 2015 at age 50. Single never married female with no kids. Singles dances are awful! I feel ignored and shunned for being single. It's all about family or nothing.

[@sjordan7085]

@@christinemiller8723 LOL, I tend to agree. A friend wanted me to go to church, "So that I could meet a good man, one that would not drink or smoke." Apparently, that part is true, but it comes with one or two caveats, such as being willing to sell one's soul, do as you are told and, conform to the max. None of that works for me, especially when it comes with a heavy dose of mind-control! But. if one is willing to 'play the game', there are 'rewards' to be had.

[@rosemariebennett7213]

Good questions , John . She does a good job with her answers.

[@scottpurves]

I respect her writing, but cannot stay in and keep my integrity no matter how much mental gymnastics I try. Beside, you cannot affect change from within until you're an apostle.

[@pollywinkle2451]

Keep up John ! Gays who are married are not excommunicated ! When my granddaughter married her girlfriend, her present and past bishop asked to come because they love her and her family ( her dad is in the bishopric). She and her wife go to church every Sunday .

[@pollywinkle2451]

She is making a difference. I don’t know the date of this interview, but there now is a Saturday night conf. meeting for women, and women giving prayers in general conference. Also both Sat. Night conferences are available for all to view.

[@mylittlebug14]

@@pollywinkle2451 that is absolutely wonderful. However I do not at all get the impression that this is the norm. I know of many who have been excommunicated simply for being part of a gay marriage. I do, however, believe that many who stay will begin to make small differences. It's just sad that the local wards and stakes are given so little autonomy from Salt Lake. So much more good could be done if local lay members and local leaders could put more supports in place for minorities without having to have so many small decisions approved through Salt Lake first. The members who stay stay because they want to etc. I see various movements popping up all over online in the world of progressive Mormonism. Those people who know the problems and stay anyway are so badass in my opinion. Not everyone can bring themselves to stay though.

[@suzansweatman9287]

Ppppplppppppll like? But.

[@suzansweatman9287]

Ppppplppppppll like? But.

[@mariheward]

So many critical comments here… I wish people could be ok with others choosing things they wouldn’t choose themself. I try to validate the choices those I love that have left the church make. I believe they have integrity. Why can’t those that leave the church do the same for Carol Lynn? The same for me?

[@janamckay]

But how long will the Brethren let her stay?

[@cindihunter9119]

I believe Carolyn has hit on something profound between the patriarchy and partnership, yet it appears to not be of any concern or consideration within the LDS church's leaders, nor do I believe that their open to such a way of thinking... I struggle with all of these same issues. My experience tells me that, I'm not wanted/ needed... The leaders have stated, time and time again, "we will not apologize now or ever! We know what's best, and if you want or need something beyond that, then simply, DEPART!"

[@kathalloran5828]

We all cherry pick . Everyday we make choices based on preferences. We like this food, we don't like that one, we like this item of clothing, we don't like that one, we like this book, friend, lover, career and so on. Obviously when it comes to bigger issues we apply some logic to our preferences or we risk becoming prejudiced and biased. I definitely spent my time in the church living more in accordance with my principles which I still had to re-evaluate anyway and I still do re-evaluate those now that I'm not an active member of the church. Admittedly I wasn't raised Lds but personal authority just makes sense. I absolutely relate to what she is saying.

[@funkyfreshtx]

here’s my thing as a recent exmormon (2020): I’m all for people being part of a religion as long as it doesn’t physically harm others, and I get that for some they need religion to keep feeding them morality and goodness and if they even want to make covenants that’s fine, just don’t come tell me that I have to abide by your beliefs and that it’s the only way to get to heaven. that’s utterly false.

[@mylittlebug14]

Yes, I am against religion harming physically. I also am against religion harming people emotionally and influencing their decisions to the point that their lives eventually pretty much fall apart.

[@funkyfreshtx]

@@mylittlebug14 exactly!!!

[@maam-yj8ph]

I am more upset with the normalization of sexual abuse of children, teenagers, and young adults than the contradictory doctrinal/historical iterations.

[@michaelvision360]

Thank you for your work. Your words. I am looking forward to reading your books.

[@carolesemkowich7200]

Margi, you are so beautiful. I hope John knows how fortunate he is.

[@bettycrocking]

Carol thanks for helping my heart heal.

[@whitajeman]

I have wrestled with my membership for years. Inactive for 15. Then reactivated during the very unique time of holding church at home during the pandemic. I continued to attend for quite some time after that. And then I fell back to inactivity after experiencing my faith crisis that I had truly "skipped" during my first span of inactivity- I first left the church right after highschool during which time I had learned that my Dad was excommunicated for adultery but was, in my opinion, welcomed back into the waters of baptism too easily and too quickly while NO support was given to my Mother. It had hurt me in a way that I couldn't tolerate the patriarchy but at that young age I didnt have the language or the tools to really recognize WHY I felt as I did. I simple ran away. But more recently, I had to take a pause to study and find the love of God/Goodness as Carol Lynn calls it on my own after my first year into brick and mortar worship happened to land on studying D&C. Its refreshing to have had time to hear the entire past interview and now this one with Carol Lynn giving me a new perspective and a whole load of new material to study.

[@bonnylouwho76]

I LOVE YOU CAROLYN! I have carried your book of poetry from my freshman year of college at Ricks, quoting poignant lines from it that serve as personal mantras, as well as providing so many others with comfort and strength as well! " Line Upon Line." In fact I just quoted one of the lines is a comment I JUST left on another video of this channel about three minutes ago!

[@kurt666morris]

John, 1 of your best interviews ever. You asked probing tough questions with alot of respect and sincerity. I loved the give and take between both of you. ......Carol rightfully pointed out the uninspired degrading concept of polygamy in the past, present, and future. Has she ever in depth talked about the Temple Ceremony? Maybe she shouldn't as that might put her in hot water and get her excommunicated. I wondered if she thought the ceremony was borrowed or stolen from the Free Masons? Or did she find any of it to be spiritually enlightening and helpful? If you ask her that on a follow up show please give her notice ahead of time. I wouldn't want her to have to uncomfortably take the 5th on the whole topic.

[@ngatihine6072]

Yes, thanks. I CAN pick and choose. I love a buffet. I enjoyed champagne last night.

[@sjordan7085]

The LDS Church is, in some ways, like a giant co-operative. It caters to every aspect of a person's life Often members are so busy with their callings, and other church activities, that they have little time for any life outside of church, because it quickly becomes their entire existance. Granted, many members are very successful, and well educated, to some extent due in part to the contacts the church provides. Tithing and the fact that members tend to marry other members born into the church or converts, produces a very tight knit community. It is no wonder that when folk choose to leave the organization, their lives seem to be in a state of free- fall, often causing mental health issues. And, that is before other issues such as homosexuality are addressed. Though a dear friend, a Psychologist, was a very devoted Mormon for more than fifty years, I noticed that she was far more assertive than most Mormon women, and clearly had the respect of church leaders. However, I doubt she would have been a member had she not suffered several very traumatic events in her life. Happy well-adjusted successful individuals are far less likely to listen to the missionaries, or accept their teachings. And, even if they choose to investigate the church, the obvious mind-control some of us find shocking, to say nothing of the interchanging of, the concept that rather than being secret, many church ideals/rituals are sacred; is over-looked. There are so many ways the church cleverly controls members, and suppresses logical, independent thought, which clearly is not encouraged. So, it is difficult to see how anyone would willingly become part of such an organization, except by being born into it. if they chose to evaluate it logically. I think it more likely that most members are unwilling to 'break free of the chains' of being brain-washed. Even when they become aware of church history, and are able to accept the abuse of under age girls and polygamy. Somehow, being able to overlook major flaws comes easily, as they are put on ' the the back burner', never to be addressed. It seems that sometimes when we are comfortable, we may be less willing to 'rock the boat, especially when that causes us to risk losing the affection of family members and close friends.

[@RLH9265]

She has made a very good point that we must stand and claim our OWN authority for your own life. It is an aspect of being brave .

[@sjordan7085]

Or, don't allow anyone to persuade you to give up one's OWN authority in the first place!

[@monicaenriquez8643]

Merry Christmas John & Margi and all your family, friends and loved ones!

[@41810979]

I’m sorry. Much respect to her but others sharing her opinions would not be left alone. She’s tolerated because of her impact decades ago. Mormon celebrities can do what they want and the church turns a blind eye to them. Molly Mormon would be excommunicated immediately!!

[@gaiaheart1]

I totally agree!!

[@W.A.J.J.]

Yep. Also, it’s such an apologist method to redefine a critical term such as god, to fit a paradigm that justifies continued belief. The fact is, we were told “XYZ is true.” and XYZ never happened.

[@lorijohnston7795]

As I reflect on my great-great grandmother who was duped, at age 18, into believing that she was supposed to be wife number 2 to a 38 year old with a wife and 12 kids. She ended up being his sex slave, then sent to Canada when polygamy was outlawed. I used to think that I was honoring my heritage by staying until one morning, I felt her presence and pain. To honor her is to run!

[@pollywinkle2451]

One doesn’t have to believe everything a church does to go to that church! My Catholic friends go even tho they don’t believe in its forbidding birth control and divorce.

[@lukev483]

One doesn’t have to go to church at all to be happy and satisfied with life or even to be able to help others.

[@lorijohnston7795]

That is completely different than the church lying and hiding truth from investigators and members. The BOM is a work of fiction, not an ancient recored. They claim to have prophets? Some Mormons drink coffee and don't pay tithing which aligns more along with your premise.

[@garyclark3755]

I am reposting PhoenixRising's post three days ago ... because she expressed my sentiments about CLP: "I think if she were not a famous poet and writer within the church, she'd be bounced so quickly she wouldn't know what hit her. She's a celebrity and it would be very bad PR to oust her. She has special status. I guarantee if she moved into my stake she'd be a pariah. There would be no love emanating whatsoever. I grew up having her held up repeatedly as a great example of an achieving Mormon woman and proof that women could be treated as "equals". That faded away many years ago and I've heard nothing at all about her for years until very recently. My personal experience has been that outside the circle of intelligentsia in Utah, critical thinking on a lot of things is not and never has been embraced by church members and if you persist in doing it openly, they make your life hell....." Carol has been winning Stake President roulette. She is being USED (I could say "pimped") by The Brethren to display a level of faux tolerance that does not exist for non-famous members. Her admission that her SP had been shielding her from repeated arrows from Salt Lake City indicates she would have been X'd if it were totally up to The Brethren ... who have not hesitated to throw countless other dissident members into their woodchipper. On a positive note, she is having a "positive" (if not lifesaving) influence on individual members by giving them permission to become a Cafeteria Mormon and attempt to ignore some of the toxic poisons dispensed by The Brethren. The best solution to Mormon Toxicity is to leave it all in your rearview mirror, but for many members, the family & relationship costs of exiting are simply too intense and painful to endure. For these members, emulating Carol might be the best self-care decision. At the end of the day, I respect Carol's choice to remain on the membership records even though she is NOT a real Mormon. Many of her close friends have left, and she is OK with that. She hesitates to use the word EVIL to describe The Brethren ... even though she acknowledges that serious DAMAGE is being inflicted. As long as Carol continues to keep her mouth shut "inside the chapel" she will probably be tolerated for the duration. The Brethren are spectacularly self-destructive and are destroying the Church with their dinosaur hubris, but apparently not stupid enough to excommunicate the lovely and talented human being Carol Lynn Pearson.

[@gaiaheart1]

Totally agree!!

[@tbd849]

I wasn't aware of Carol's work, so it was nice to learn about her contributions to humanity. I like her stand-where-you-are philosophy and appreciate the feminist in her. I may have been more of a feminist in how I interpreted the church than I realized at the time. I thought the priesthood was supposed to help men let go of patriarchal dominance by softening their hearts. By being in a position to be humbled and offer compassion and service and see and learn about people and their needs to gain empathy. When I saw men get authoritarian-like and come from a place of self-interest as opposed to a place of empathy, I believed they were not honoring the priesthood and were actually doing the opposite of what it was supposed to teach them how to be. I wouldn't have used the same terminology in the 90s but I thought the priesthood was to help men get in touch with their divine feminine, and that was one of the reasons women didn't need it because they were naturally more in touch with it. I believed the savior embodied all of the best characteristics of men and women and to become more like him the priesthood would help men. I don't know if thinking that being child bearers helps women get more in touch with their divine masculine would be a feminist idea but at the time it kind of fit for me. I realize now we all need help accessing our divine feminine and masculine identities in order to be whole humans. I don't see male or female attributes belonging to one sex, but being established terms they help to illustrate an idea of balance like Yin and Yang

[@maam-yj8ph]

I actually worked with a Hispanic branch where the male leaders openly said this, that women were naturally more inclined to prioritize nurturing children, elderly, disabled people etc and that the Lord's Priesthood program was to incentivize men to embrace the same values.

[@hbendzulla8213]

Karen Lynn Pearson, is a wonderful nice lady and she wants only the best for everybody. I do have to say that I don’t agree with everything she says and predicts. However, I love her.

[@mikeb.7381]

Best thing she could do is to throw out the LDS entirely and join an actual Christian denomination. It's just sad to see members who waste their entire lives living a proven fraud that has nothing to do with Jesus.

[@hobgoblin1976]

Christianity is also a proven fraud, although bearing the apparent imprimatur of the passing of time and number of adherents.

[@mikeb.7381]

@@hobgoblin1976 It's not a fraud. Plenty of archaeological evidence supporting the Bible as opposed to the BoM. Nice try.

[@hobgoblin1976]

@@mikeb.7381 Which parts of the Bible (meaning :library")? Please share peer reviewed sound archeological evidence of the Exodus myth or the empty tomb of Jesus? There's nothing. It is as true history as Scandinavian myths.

[@srso4660]

@@hobgoblin1976 I guess he didn't have any evidence. I'm shocked 😱

[@srso4660]

@@mikeb.7381 religion was invented when the first con man met the first fool. ~Mark Twain

[@rosemariebennett7213]

Is this why I'm still in this church? Because of love ? That could very well be why. I can be part of my ward and sisters also even though I don't honor Joseph Smith as a prophet. I stay for Jesus Christ and find I do serve him best here . At least for now in my life. I have never expressed my feelings about polygamy, celestial marriage , the idea you must be married to have the highest degree of celestial glory. I've never told my bishop or anyone that. I think I'd be excommunicated if I did ! So I stay still and do go to the temple without a husband in the church. Thank you Carol for doing those things I can't. I stay for why you stay. I think I'm needed here .

[@timisa58]

As a former evangelical Christian, I can see just how difficult it is for people to leave religion though there is little to no evidence of a divine nature. Some, after discovering the enormous evidence of deception of their church, they persist in staying in. I can see how people find it difficult to release and many find themselves incapable of living a truly independent life w/o arbitrary expectations. It is also shocking and disturbing that so many are damaged by religion that they don't know how to create community among a human condition that has learned to do so for thousands of years. I would rather have a 'good' theist than a terrible non-believer or atheist. For me, the actions of either are what matter most. God is not an issue for me. Your actions are...BUT as soon as your religion or flavour of religion interferes with my own right to live life fully, I am coming at you. Again, this applies across the board. People leave because they learn the truth. I am not certain if Carol cares about all of the truth. I feel she is one person who needs this religion because she wouldn't know what else to do if she stopped believing. A lot of believers of varying faiths are in this position. Too much imvested, too much to lose. Often unwilling to do the most to rock the boat in fear of losing it all. I could be wrong.

[@frankcastle5513]

This isn't a comment on this podcast specifically, but generally. After having first heard you back in 2005 by downloading your podcast for my hour long commutes, and off and on for the past few years, I am awed about how many doctrinal and scriptural things you are off about. Especially after doing this so much over the past 17 years. How can that be?

[@frankcastle5513]

​@@mylittlebug14 That would be an inaccurate assumption. However, I am a believer in Christ that was raised in the Church. As an amateur student of the scriptures, and having taught and been taught in the ways of the Mormons I often see how John et al. sometimes don't get certain passages of scripture as I mentioned, but they also at times somewhat misrepresent/misinterpret Mormon theology. Now I don't know if that is because their experience simply differed from mine, or if it is because they just never had more understanding. Perhaps I am being nitpicky, but I would expect more from people that spend as much time and effort in this domain as they have/do (they are de facto professionals). Maybe it's an artifact of them being in the business of deconstructing and not constructing. мир тебе и счастливого Рождества

[@gaiaheart1]

I felt listening to Carol that she inadvertently describes that the Mormon Church is showing they consider her an asset due to who she is and perhaps are concerned if they tell her to leave that she will then speak negatively of the church. Her picking and choosing of what she believes goes totally against the teachings of the church. She kept saying she is considered a 'valuable resource' by the church. Margi and John, you two are awesome .. letting Carol give such long winded answers to your questions, which I found weren't really answers, but rather tangents where she wanted to go. You are both so respectful and your questions were great. I'm not normally so critical of a podcast, but I found Carol really hard to listen to on some many levels.

[@rosemariebennett7213]

She's very blessed members still help her. I see so many who are not.

[@jonipitcher7185]

I don't feel like I'm willing to keep my mouth shut and watch my daughters not get treated the same as my son. I also don't like so much about the culture. Not to mention the history and the current leaders. I wish the things that bother me about the church was less important.

[@thehedin6]

She stays for the social aspect. Change from within. There’s no testimony there, and that’s okay.

[@adamovard5329]

Does this lady carry a temple recommend? If I have the same views could I still attend the temple?

[@mormonstories]

No.

[@Wytebiker]

it wasn't Joseph Smith that made the error. check out the book by Val Brinkerhoff, Whitney Horning, Richard and Pamela Price, hemlock knots,.

[@patricianoel7782]

Can you remember the title? 😮

[@garyclark3755]

This revelation just in: Carol Lynn Pearson is an à la handcarte Mormon. (Yes, you can quote me on that ... )

[@DeathValleyDazed]

Carol Lynn Pearson and Patrick Mason must be Mormon soulmates? Anyone know if Carol Lynn Pearson pays a full tithe and has a current temple recommend? If you notice John and Margi let Carol Lynn Pearson speak uninterrupted which was smart because it allowed a full display of her cognitive dissonance manifest by creative but misguided metaphors.

[@mormonstories]

My understanding is that CLP neither has a temple recommend nor pays a full tithing.

[@DeathValleyDazed]

@@mormonstories Thanks for this information which I take as good news. Mormon Stories is a huge LDS culture game changer so keep putting your porn shoulders to the wheel!

[@mariheward]

I heard her say on a book club that she pays her “tithing” money to the FO fund. Her bishop said “ok great, we will just move it over to the tithing fund so that you can be a full tithe prayer”. And she said “No you will not. That money is for fast offering”.

[@harlanlang6556]

It seems that there are many LDS leaders who want to change the church according to the views of Carol, but at the top they are trapped in a religious structure which makes this impossible. She also mentions that her "feeling" drives her decision to stay in the church which seems to be very Mormon, whatever feels right is right. That's probably how we all make spiritual decisions, but underlying strong feelings usually is a long history of rational conclusions. I wonder if Carol ever reflected on her own family history in which the first of her ancestors to become Mormon abandoned their previous religions instead of remaining in them in order to improve them. You can even go back to the first Jews who followed Jesus instead of remaining with their Jewish tribe in order to improve it. All religions start with people making the decision to break with the old and go down a different path. I guess how we make these decisions depends a lot on our personalities, how willing we are to accept risks in order to further the good of all.

[@patricianoel7782]

She is living a life void of integrity. She is a walking billboard for the LDS church.

[@gaiaheart1]

Yes .. without a doubt ... saying many times she is a valuable asset to the church ... totally void of integrity!!!

[@user-mn447]

Does she attend and believe in the temple?

[@Truthatallcosts777]

What a cringy title. Who would want to stay, seriously.

[@LaLaJonesG]

Carolyn may want to investigate the Catholic faith as the Virgin Mary is HUGE. But she’s not part of the Godhead as Carolyn states. She’s the MOTHER OF GOD. She may want to spend more time being curious about how other religions regard women in connection to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

[@mads597]

Catholics only appreciate Mary for her role in relation to men, most specifically in support of the lead character Jesus. Mary is only ever considered with regards to her virginity/sexual “purity”, or in regards to her physical and symbolic role as a mother/maternal figure. She’s only valued as a female bodily vessel used to benefit the fulfillment of someone else’s plans. She has no agency, no authority, merely a passive symbol of idealized womanhood: either the eternal virgin or the nurturing maternal womb. And she’s celebrated because she’s NOT like the third and final female biblical persona: the sinful, devious seductress (because female sexuality is only morally acceptable when it’s controlled by and for the sake of men, obviously)

[@ltepezano]

@@mads597nteresting I grew up Catholic but was never taught these things specifically or put much thought into it. We prayed to Mary and held her in deep regard. Her being the virgin mother of Jesus was never really talked about in the purity sense of abstinence. Perhaps it’s written somewhere but that was never how I heard it in my 12 years of catholic school or being raised Catholic. I’m not saying you’re wrong, but this is a first for me.

[@adamovard5329]

September 6?

[@Hhelloo697]

The longer they do nothing, the weaker they get.

[@rosemariebennett7213]

I'm actually surprised she can be outspoken about gay rights and for women. It didn't work for David Archuletta . But I applaud her. And I'm sorry it didn't work for John and Margi . He obviously wanted to work with church leaders.

[@Catholic_Papalist_Hunter]

Isn't that hypocritical to stay?

[@ready1fire1aim1]

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that a significant portion of its members are descended from or adopted into the tribe of Ephraim, believing that they are charged with restoring the lost tribes in the latter days, as prophesied by Isaiah. Along with members of the tribe of Judah, members of the tribe of Ephraim are believed to be playing an important leadership roles for covenant Israel in the last days." Soooo...what are the Mormon Church thoughts on the Tribe of Ephraim's Book of Joshua (Samaritan Chronicle)? And how is nobody seeing it clearly shows who Jesus was in the Old Testament? (We all know the Masoretic Text version of Book of Joshua is NOT Jesus) His name was Hoshea ( הוֹשֵׁעַ⁠‎ Hōšēaʿ, lit. 'Save') the son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim, but Moses called him "Yehoshua" (translated as "Joshua" in English), the name by which he is commonly known in English. According to the Bible, he was born in Egypt prior to the Exodus.

[@thomaspearson1919]

What Mormons don't want to hear.. The Bible says, Man did not exist until his physical creation on Earth, and the Lord formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. and became a living soul. Also Howbeit that was NOT the first is SPIRITUAL, but that which is NATURAL and afterwards that which is spiritual.. Genesis 2 - 7 & Corinthians 15 - 46.. Sorry Mormons you were not born in heaven with heavenly parents, and lived in heavenly mansions. All this was dreamt up from Joseph Smith.. A LIAR he was.

[@markkrispin6944]

What is Mormon Church does not want to hear. "Mormonism is a cult", "Mormonism is not Christian", "Mormon Church leaders are racists and liars". Should I continue??

[@thomaspearson1919]

@@markkrispin6944 You don't need too as an investigator you said it all.

[@hobgoblin1976]

"The Bible says"... Why not "The Lord of the Rings" says... Or "The Illiad" says... So many myths to choose from, why the obsession with the mythical texts of Judeochristianity?

[@Jupiter_Crash]

Am I the only one listening that thinks this is just “woo?” There’s no there there in anything she professes.

[@Instavids94]

Carol Baskin

[@write.31]

It's not the Mormon church

[@garys.2291]

Indeed. I call it the Mormon cult.

[@write.31]

That great

[@ContactaHablemos]

I just could not stand her responses. In my opinion, SO selfish! A white old woman speaking from privilege. That’s NOT Mormonism! Please don’t laugh at our reality!