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Hello all

So, I was asked by someone to watch the 2011 SLC Mormon Stories Conference.

For the purpose of this thread, I wanted to comment on what is called part 4 on the You-Tube link - or "Testimony" meeting section. (This part was a little over an hour.)

To say that it impacted me would be an understatement. It was emotional, deep, real, and powerful on many levels (in my opinion). Truth be told, my eyes became a little watery watching it.

The speakers who gave their "testimony" where a mix of Mormons, X-Mormons, Struggling Mormons, and at least one never-Mo who was an Atheist. There were mothers who approached the microphone holding their babies, men and women who lost their battle to hold back tears as they spoke, loving husbands and loving wives who spoke to their spouses in the audience, and others who suggested that Mormon Stories saved their marriages.

After watching this, these are the words that come to my mind.

Compassion!
Kindness!
Community!
Support!
Sincere!
Family!
Genuine!
Humility!
Goodness!
Understanding!
Valuable!


My impression of John Dehlin:
Clearly, I don't know John Dehlin in any real sense (After all, I am a never-Mo who will never have the occasion to cross his path) but from what little I do know about him, I find him to be an extraordinary man who is filled with love and compassion for his fellow human beings. I am a fan!

Have you seen it?
What say you?

Peace,
Ceeboo

I was there and felt "the Spirit" as strong or stronger than many occasions at church or the temple. My views have changed somewhat on the whole liberal / uncorrelated / middle-way / new order Mormon approach, but it was definitely a great experience to be among people with whom I could speak completely freely about my real feelings about Mormonism. Can't do that at church. The whole "big tent" approach that is championed by the Joanna Brooks types is many, many years and many apostles away.

Glad it was put together and then recorded by selfless volunteers so folks like you could benefit from it over a year later.

That Ceeboo is just an old softy! Now look here Ceeboo, here is the plan ... we get you baptized, then you have a crisis of faith, then you can go middle way and be right at home in these here Mormon Stories testimony meetings.

Hello friend

RockSlider wrote:That Ceeboo is just an old softy! Now look here Ceeboo, here is the plan ... we get you baptized, then you have a crisis of faith, then you can go middle way and be right at home in these here Mormon Stories testimony meetings.

Perhaps my OP was a little confusing?

I was simply and only commenting on the real life impact, of real life people, who find themselves trying to 'manage' Mormonism in their real life/families. To be able to put human faces with these emotions and struggles gave me a much greater sense of how much others have invested in Mormonism, and potentially, how much is at risk should they decide to make a change.

Ceeboo will not be getting dunked! It is without question or exception that I find Mormonism (and all the claims that sorround Mormonism) to be completely and entirely false on every level.

BUT.....This does not mean that I can't find compassion and/or understanding to and for my fellow human beings that call themselves Mormon, used to call themselves Mormon, and/or are considering what options they might consider calling themselves as they move forward! I do, indeed!

Simply put, reading types words on a message board are a very different thing than seeing the faces and hearing the voices of human beings, in my opinion. That's all I was really trying to say

Peace,
Ceeboo

I agree with you Ceeboo. These conferences were very helpful and therapeutic to those going through a crisis of faith. Sad to see that Mormon Stories have stopped doing them. Can't help but notice that all group activities (local Facebook communities, MS conferences etc.) are going away since John Dehlin's local church leadership started leaning on him. Chalk up another one for the corporation of the president.

Hey Willy

Willy Law wrote: These conferences were very helpful and therapeutic to those going through a crisis of faith.

It sure looked that way to me (from a distance)

Sad to see that Mormon Stories have stopped doing them.

I didn't know this!
Hmmmmm?

Can't help but notice that all group activities (local Facebook communities, MS conferences etc.) are going away since John Dehlin's local church leadership started leaning on him.

John's local church leadership started leaning on him? There are no more MS conferences? I didn't know this either!

Why?
Has John written or shared anyhting about this?

Sad!

Peace,
Ceeboo

Here is a link. It happened about the same time John was meeting with his stake president.
Seems he is distancing himself from forming anything that can be construed as a group. Appears as though he wants the Facebook communities and conferences to continue just without the Mormon Stories name being attached.
It's a bummer, but it is his baby and he can do with it as he sees fit.

http://mormonstories.org/strategy-announcement-for-2012/

Willy Law wrote:Here is a link. It happened about the same time John was meeting with his stake president.
Seems he is distancing himself from forming anything that can be construed as a group. Appears as though he wants the Facebook communities and conferences to continue just without the Mormon Stories name being attached.
It's a bummer, but it is his baby and he can do with it as he sees fit.

http://mormonstories.org/strategy-announcement-for-2012/

Thanks again, Willy.

Kinda hard to understand what this all means (Code?)

Also, it looks like the reason he gives for conference termination is lack of money/time/energy (Maybe more code?)

Anyway, sad to see that this help and compassion has seemingly been stopped (or at least paused for the moment)

Peace,
Ceeboo

Ceeboo wrote:
Also, it looks like the reason he gives for conference termination is lack of money/time/energy (Maybe more code?)

And that might very well be the case. I can imagine organizing these can be extremely draining. To me the timing just seemed odd with John's contact with his stake president and the fact that the items that were axed were all functions that encouraged an actual support community that met outside of the internet and offered support.
I can't bring myself to criticize John, his work was a life saver to my wife and I as we were crashing down the rabbit hole.

Willy Law wrote:I can't bring myself to criticize John,

From my view (as far away as it surely may be), nor can I!

his work was a life saver to my wife and I as we were crashing down the rabbit hole.

Peace,
Ceeboo