Progressive Mormon Carol Lynn Pearson - Advocate for Feminism and LGBTQ Rights | Ep. 1708

[@cmr6255]

Ms. Pearson’s words on grief helped me through the loss of my baby in 1984. I will always be grateful.

[@ruelynng59]

I was excommunicated from the LDS Church almost 40 years ago because I am Gay. Over the last year, I started to listen to Mormon Stories and Latter-day Gay stories. I have found it interesting; I never felt I had a "faith Crisis" with the Mormon Church. My attitude was, " You don't want to be a member; fine, I don't need to be a member." In the early years, whenever I was a part of a religious discussion, I always corrected the missed information about Mormon beliefs. Thus I was called a Gay Mormon. I appreciate Carol Lynn's work; it has helped bring our family back together. Unlike her, I don't feel I need to belong to a Church or religious organization to be guided by the divine and lead a spiritual life. The Mormon Church, like other churches, offers me nothing that I am not lacking. I am still trying to fully understand why those who are LGBTQ still feel the need to stay within the Mormon Church because I have never felt God's love there.

[@ambers8]

Oh man! What a great episode! As a young mother in the 80s, I read “Goodbye, I love you”. It had such an impact on me! I love her so much! After leaving the church a few years ago, in my 50’s, after raising my sons in the church, I have loved the freedom of not “knowing” anything, but, being open to everything. I love the concept of God being both male and female. Thank you for another great episode!

[@kimgoeckeritz6320]

One of my favorite MS episodes. So much love and wisdom. I never had a grandma, as both mine had passed before I was born, and I wish everyone had a grandmother like Carol Lynn Pearson! Her emotional intelligence and maturity deserves rock star status!

[@nedsantos1415]

It was her book "Goodbye, I Love You" that led me out of the shadow. Thank you, Carol. Thank you.

[@mariheward]

Excellent podcast. Thank you to John and Margi for inviting Carol Lynn back especially now that you have landed in different places. Carol Lynn has been a driving force for decades but I have seen and heard so much from her the past year and she has become a wave that is now a tsunami that is changing the church and hopefully the world. It may still seem slow, but it’s happening and it’s past the point of stopping. We are so blessed to have people like Carol Lynn share her wisdom and insights with us. Thank you!

[@darlenewoolf6767]

Carol Lynn is an absolute delight. Love Her ❤️

[@FreckledGemini]

I’ve been overwhelmed w a mental image of where we go. I lost my mom in 15, dad in 18, little bro committed suicide in 20 and several other losses between there. I’ve had to completely readjust who I am. I was raised by 2 golden but overzealous converts that were drawn to the normalcy and sense of belonging. It was a source of peace they’d never even been aware of. I get it. Neither had a super loving or functional upbringing. I’m pissed I was dragged into that coping mechanism. It brought me shame and inadequacy that I’ve only recently shed. With the help of this community FOR SURE. And so so so many days spent writing, reading, watching self help content, devouring philosophy. The way she describes a cosmic pair is more human than what I now see in my mind, but I can feel what she feels when she says it. All I see when I think of my mom is pink and blues starts. Millions. The are all my mom. She is in and amongst it all. I hear her. See her. Feel her. I’ve also started seeing my death culminate in a beautiful explosions of these colors and then just being amongst it all. Part of it. In it. On it. It’s a beautiful gift that I believe I created for me. It’s more accepting. It’s love. No comparing worth according to indoctrination. I’m grateful for my brain and the fact that my coping mechanism doesn’t harm my children. It’s actually so much more loving and accepting than any Mormon experience I ever had. I almost sometimes envy them. They are freer. Calmer. Less self critical. Waaaay more self accepting. Just more food for thought. I couldn’t stop today. Lol. ❤

[@haroldwhite5761]

'The Tao that can be told is not the true Tao'. I was a 70's kid, grew up with Pearson's writings and am so grateful for that! Dragged my parents to performance of Mother Wove the Morning in 1991 SLC, it is an excellent piece of work. I wish the church appreciated better what a pearl is in their midst, honestly modeling a genuine spiritual journey. As a child in Utah, several pedophiles were in my life and Pearson's work gave me something to hold onto that made sense, as opposed to everything church men said and did. I don't think the patriarchy understands that patriarchy harms men as well as women. I see God as being beyond gender, because God is beyond duality.

[@tawnyachristensen7310]

Love Carol Lynn Pearson! She has brought much light, comfort and understanding into my life! She is a gift to the people of the LDS Church and to the world.

[@personofinterest8731]

A lot of buffering going on. I love Carol Lynne. I am a fellow-poet who also imagines this vast godness that I draw on and feel part of. I remember the god I had coming into Mormonism just shrank and shrank over 30 years and just went pfffft like a deflating balloon! It started emerging again once I was free of that LDS *knowingness* that I found so depressing. I too like the magic of not having it pinned down like a butterfly in your collection. Lovely talk. I'm a cobwebby person, as poets can be, and I get her. (⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)⁠❤

[@bethhoyle3033]

My head just blew off seeing this face in the thumbnails. I have loved CLP since I was LITTLE!! Yay!!

[@Ryan_Keith]

John and Margie are so cute ❤

[@sanachristian4577]

Beginnings changed my life. Demian, and Siddartha by Hesse and Beginnings by Carol Lynn Pearson were my go to books. I worked as a volunteer with Gerald (there were two Gerald’s. Patton and Pearson!) at The Gathering Place. 1972 Provo, Utah. Love you, Carol Lynn! Thank you for your lovingkindness!

[@carolshaw8240]

Love maximize the godliness and minimize the evil!!

[@AubreyJM]

Margie looks beautiful! 💞

[@JasonP313]

This is a phenomenal interview and such an inspiring woman!

[@getjuliet]

Just bought Finding Mother God. What a remarkable woman you are! Thank you!

[@Damariobros]

I remember one day in the last year or two my mom and I were talking about going to an Autism Pride event. Not LGBTQ+, not Feminism, but AUTISM. Neurodivergence. Dad overheard the word "pride" from across the house and he just about lost it, completely forgetting what the word 'Autism' even meant, and forgetting that his own son and daughter had it, thinking 'pride' meant we were going to a pride parade or to some event supporting LGBTQ+. He had to be reminded about Autism and have it explained, we're going to an AUTISM pride event, not an LGBTQ+ pride event. The power of conservative propaganda and of the Church's word regarding these topics is so damaging. I want my dad back one day.

[@Jharrison6014]

I'm on the autism scale, a couple of my therapists call it "Asperger's" AND i am also transgender. In a statistic I read; it says people with autism have 7 times more probability with having trouble with their born gender. Although i haven't seen any like me in the last 2 towns we've lived in. I just never fit in throughout my life in any category. My circles were very small. Still are.

[@williamwallaceg2627]

Enjoy life and admit you don’t know. Everything the Mormon Church tries to discourage.

[@kwood2805]

Does anyone else feel like they could use a hug from Carol Lynn?

[@AubreyJM]

Wow. What a LEGEND!!! I'm star-struck!!

[@susangroom960]

Though I left LDS, I live in the wonder and intricacies of the world. G.d is so much more than our mortal minds can comprehend. Intelligence we can never understand. Ms. Pearson has been added to my list of favorite humans.

[@toriboyd4123]

Very fun to see you two sitting together like this. Margi is such a beautiful woman inside and out. Always enjoy seeing/hearing her on Mormon Stories.

[@jodiholsinger3253]

MS. Carol Lynn, thank you for sharing your life, your faith and wisdom to others. I first encountered your work when my first, temple sealed husband came out as gay after several years of marriage. It was a shock but the words of "Goodbye, I love you" helped me maintain my sanity and I knew that I needed to care for him in a Christlike manner. I have heard you speak numerous times and read all of your published work. You are such a gift and a blessing to myself and so many others. God bless you ❤️

[@anjelikag]

I can’t believe I am just hearing about Carol now. Her heart is beautiful. She seems like the type of person that just oozes of love. People like her make me believe in Jesus again.

[@froggie9871]

Thank you. Her poetry made me cry.

[@Vetionarian]

Amazing discussion. I love love so much that she is doing so much good in the world and finds a way to still not abandon her faith while still advocating for truth and right. Bravo!

[@shches8480]

I love Carol Lynn Pearson's poetry! It's beautiful and amazing from its smallest detail to its largest vision.

[@hbendzulla8213]

John and Margie, a perfect fit.

[@alohagrace2225]

A long time fan of this beautiful woman, CLP. Love her books. Such a great poet, healer and educator of life.💜

[@alhetcis1578]

Thanks John and Margie!!!

[@DRAMericA1]

With respect, The world continues to be deceived. Only when people recognize and cease the imposition of one's will onto another will the humanity evolve for the better. When oppression ends, love will begin. Until such time the world will forever remain convinced the old ways are loving ways.

[@scoop2591]

Margi you look beautiful ! This is the most relaxed, happy, comfortable in your own skin I've ever seen you!!! Life must be going well for you, sooo glad !🤩🤩🤩

[@crystalchristensen7972]

@CarolLynnPearson. I Love You and appreciate you and your work so so much ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Thank You for everything you do for all of us 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@chrewtransformation]

Amazing episode ❤️

[@harlanlang6556]

Carol is such a deep, thoughtful person who would fit into almost any rational religious group. But I'm surprised that she's accepted by Mormons, but I think she is a really good influence on any Mormon. I love her way of describing God as that force which is at the root of reality, whatever name you wish to call it. Scientists put the age of the universe at 13.8 billion years. Before that time there was nothing. So that means that the Source of the universe was not a material thing, because matter did not exist. So the Source was non-material, some might say spiritual. Science also shows that every effect has a cause, so the universe needs to have a Cause. Buddhists call this the First Cause. They don't use the word God, but we know what they mean, don't we. Metaphors are the best way of conveying concepts which are beyond words. I like to think of God as an endless Ocean, a genderless word, and we are all drops from that Ocean. Contained in that metaphor is the implication that our nature as a drop is to some degree the same as the nature of the Ocean. Carol agrees with most religions that God is within us, not "out there" somewhere in the universe. I also liked Carol's notion of doing good as a practice connected to believing in God. All historical religions value and promote doing good to others. But all religions also have a model of doing good. Jesus is the model for Christians, Muhammed for Muslims, Buddha for Buddhists, etc. "Doing good" on a large scale produces spiritual civilizations. I agree with Carol's concept that God is beyond our capacity to personify, or know, but each religion provides a personification of the Unknowable in the Persons of Jesus, Muhammed, Buddha, Krishna, etc. These historical Figures are relatable and awe inspiring. They're the ultimate Role Models. I just watched an interview with Billy Joel in which he was asked how he created his music. He said that he "heard" his music in dreams and then wrote it down after waking up. This is the experience of many artists and scientists. Somehow the world within us which we experience at times in dreams is the source of knowledge and understanding. This is strong evidence that there is a reality beyond the material world in which we exist. Matter provides the tools for investigating the material universe, but our minds are not material, knowledge is not material, understanding is not material, and love is not material. A true materialist would live a drab existence. On top of that, matter isn't what it appears to be. Matter at its core is energy according to theoretical physicists.

[@SR-bw3sc]

NeverMo here. Wonderful interview! Greatly appreciate Ms. Pearson's profound thoughts and comments on God. Baha'i Faith understanding of God is: "The Unknowable Essence."

[@celicalostandfound]

At 49 Minutes there is talk about "God is Love." and I am not too sure I feel this is the case. Firstly my thoughts of what God is, even if there is a God has been put into a spin since my faith crisis. Having said that I lean towards that there is something out there. Call it God, a creator, entity. But if that creator created this existence it then created everything that is in it. Love, hate, life, death, miracles and disappointment. All of it. To simply say God is Love is too narrow.

[@ausnetting]

Exactly my sentiment.

[@ginafrancis4950]

I know this is going to sound awful but I’m always asking this question- if god is the creator of all and is purely love then why is it necessary for us to kill and eat other sentient beings (I include plant life too) to survive. Don’t tell me it’s the fall of Adam I don’t by into that either. God supposedly knows everything and sees everything so this supposed god knew this was how all this god “ love” would manifest. I think of a little child in East Africa with a worm burrowing through his eyeball. The worm cannot live any other way, except burrowing thru eyeballs. I find that hard to reconcile with the notion of a divine and benevolent creator. David Attenborough.

[@ausnetting]

If her brand of spirituality works for her, more power to her. To me it feels like the standard definition of god is nothing like what she’s describing, so it doesn’t feel like any kind of Mormonism or even Christianity. Personally, the idea of god has no explanatory power to describe why the universe is as it appears to me, so I don’t see any value in pursuing it.

[@clay2633]

John and Margi are cute. I like them.

[@jaylarsen67]

My accreditation ass(oxidation) grants Open Stories Foundation the authority to grant Carolyn Pearson an Honorary Doctorate. Also BYU accreditation needs to be revoked for giving me a degree. ,,😊

[@sumanadasawijayapala5372]

Thank you for sharing Ms. Pearson's perspectives. Now to maintain balance, could you host a reactionary, misogynistic, election-denying member of LDS please? 😆

[@bobdavis9727]

“Ignorant translators, careless transcribes, or designing and corrupt priests…” with grudge-carrying poets,… publish misrepresentations, deceptions,… All are false doctrines with no saving grace, goodness,…

[@FreckledGemini]

My new favorite femme! I want to have a slumber party. Margie? 😘😘😘

[@Truthatallcosts777]

Yes God is giving you another chance to leave the church.

[@howardwoods342]

Jesus Christ is the way the truth and life. Scripture begins and ends with the Holy Bible as it says in the Bible. YASHUA is where our focus, devotion, love and attention should be. For from Christ flows life and true happiness, and only through Christ can salvation be attained. GOD bless you all.

[@Ilene-forward]

Amen, we are not to be worshipped or a god.

[@johnmichaelson9173]

If a omnipotent, omnipresent God needs another chance, then it isn't God. What's the problem living without this ridiculous God construct? Just get on with your lives.