Mormon Expression Podcast Episode 4

[_Gadianton Plumber]

Tom is a stud in every sense of the word.

[_Absolutist]

Likewise for a site called Mormon Expressions. I see no Mormon expressions but I do see a lot of exmormon expressions. Thus, in my opinion, the site is not being honest in what the name claims to be.

Hey why me, are you LDS? Inactive, Active? Or are you a Ex-Mo, NeverMo? I have read some of your posts and truthfully I'm really unsure what you would consider yourself. I know that if you do feel like you represent the active/faithful LDS member that would really sadden me. I would expect this highly judgmental attitude from others on this board, but from a person that is supposed to be Christ-centered...That would really sadden me. But I don't know you and I really don't even know your background, so I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt.

You seem to have me pegged and everyone else on the podcast for that matter. You are wrong, but hey, at least you don't think so and that is what is important.

In fact, I'm not so sure you are the right fit for our audience for the podcast. Our audience is designed for those who want to hear discussions from people with different perspectives about Mormon topics. From what I can tell, you are way too intensively critical and judgmental and you are really missing some of the educational and entertaining aspects of the podcast. So why don't you just not listen then? That's what I would do if I were you. And then maybe then you could spend a little more time working on that beam in your own eye.

[_Absolutist]

Tom is a stud in every sense of the word.

I think that the statement, "Tom is cool" is an understatement.

Thanks for the nice words bro.

-Tom

[_why me]

Hey why me, are you LDS? Inactive, Active? Or are you a Ex-Mo, NeverMo? I have read some of your posts and truthfully I'm really unsure what you would consider yourself. I know that if you do feel like you represent the active/faithful LDS member that would really sadden me. I would expect this highly judgmental attitude from others on this board, but from a person that is supposed to be Christ-centered...That would really sadden me. But I don't know you and I really don't even know your background, so I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt.

You seem to have me pegged and everyone else on the podcast for that matter. You are wrong, but hey, at least you don't think so and that is what is important.

In fact, I'm not so sure you are the right fit for our audience for the podcast. Our audience is designed for those who want to hear discussions from people with different perspectives about Mormon topics. From what I can tell, you are way too intensively critical and judgmental and you are really missing some of the educational and entertaining aspects of the podcast. So why don't you just not listen then? That's what I would do if I were you. And then maybe then you could spend a little more time working on that beam in your own eye.

I have only a couple of problems with the podcasts so far. First, they are critical of the LDS church and as such they are bias. Second, the name of the site.

Now I do believe that if the podcasts begin to interview active Mormons who believe in the restored church I would then begin to see some balance in the podcasts. But at this time, the site leans toward the critical. And as such, I would not call the site Mormon expressions but rather I would call the site something else which would make for a better fit.

if I discovered a site called 'Catholic Expressions' and I listened to five podcasts that we basically critical of the catholic church, I would not like the idea that the site is called catholic expressions since I would also hope that the pluses of the church were discussed and that it would have active true believing catholics discuss their faith.

And so, John's biasness is coming out in the podcasts. He should learn from John Dehlin.

I am an inactive member of the LDS church.

[_John Larsen]

And so, John's biasness is coming out in the podcasts. He should learn from John Dehlin.

I like John and his podcast. But if you think he was unbiased, you are smoking crack my friend. John's stated bias was to contextualize in order to preserve belief. He makes no pretense about that not being his purpose.

[_RockSlider]

John,
Thanks!

I listened to all of the currently available pod casts over the last few days. All of them were good. The one discussing “who is a Mormon” was very good for me.

I’m old school and have considered myself a “jack Mormon”, about the only title that existed 30 years ago (I think the politically correct term that evolved with all political correctness growth stemming from that time would be “inactive”). Of course “heathen” is also good.

After listening to this, I can see that things have changed (and I think for the long term good), that I can now rightly, and without shame call myself a Mormon. I have no choice but to be a cultural Mormon. I have no choice in simply stepping away from years of dedicated involvement and the mental/emotional/spiritually engrained patterns that were set and the years it takes to come to terms with (i.e. see my fly in the mouth story).

In my day, a New age Mormon was not a Mormon (hell chapel Mormons were not true Mormons), but have not all paid their price in different ways?

Through years of inactivity I continued to put my children on missions, pay fast offerings when the deacons come around (no sense in being mean to them, and this is one fund that stays local and is given back to those in need), accept home teachers, support wife/kids still going to church, live with the pity poured out to my wife/children over my great fall etc.

Damn right, LDS.inc has no ownership of the title!

I AM A Mormon!

Wow … that feels good

[_John Larsen]

John,
Thanks!

I listened to all of the currently available pod casts over the last few days. All of them were good. The one discussing “who is a Mormon” was very good for me.

I’m old school and have considered myself a “jack Mormon”, about the only title that existed 30 years ago (I think the politically correct term that evolved with all political correctness growth stemming from that time would be “inactive”). Of course “heathen” is also good.

After listening to this, I can see that things have changed (and I think for the long term good), that I can now rightly, and without shame call myself a Mormon. I have no choice but to be a cultural Mormon. I have no choice in simply stepping away from years of dedicated involvement and the mental/emotional/spiritually engrained patterns that were set and the years it takes to come to terms with (i.e. see my fly in the mouth story).

In my day, a New age Mormon was not a Mormon (hell chapel Mormons were not true Mormons), but have not all paid their price in different ways?

Through years of inactivity I continued to put my children on missions, pay fast offerings when the deacons come around (no sense in being mean to them, and this is one fund that stays local and is given back to those in need), accept home teachers, support wife/kids still going to church, live with the pity poured out to my wife/children over my great fall etc.

Damn right, LDS.inc has no ownership of the title!

I AM A Mormon!

Wow … that feels good

Yeah, if you listen to the podcast you can see that the entire panel decides they are all Mormons in the end, even the ones who have resigned. I think that is important.

[_why me]

And so, John's biasness is coming out in the podcasts. He should learn from John Dehlin.

I like John and his podcast. But if you think he was unbiased, you are smoking crack my friend. John's stated bias was to contextualize in order to preserve belief. He makes no pretense about that not being his purpose.

I was referring to John's guest list. He had a broad spectrum of guests from TBM's to Polygamists to exmembers. It was well-balanced. I think that you made a mistake in coming out swinging against the LDS chruch. If you would have taken the Dehlin route with your guest list, your podcast would have more impact. At this moment, the post and exer crowd will sing your praises but the TBM crowd will begin to avoid your podcast. And that is unfortunate.

[_Gadianton Plumber]

Unless the panel ALWAYS presented the church in the best possible light, the TBMs were going to stay away. That's the nature of small minded people, they seek out what tells them what they are already telling themselves. It makes it easier. John, would you turn down any guest or topic, especially those that might make the church look good?

:P

[_Yoda]

Well, John has kindly asked me to participate in the next podcast. I am active LDS, but I tend to "tell it like it is".....especially since the topic is Women's Issues.

Stay tuned, folks!