Today, 3 Mormons are back to call the Strengthening Church Members Committee. This Committee serves the church leadership as an Orwellian group of dutiful spies who track down the activities of members who have been deemed apostate. These files contain screenshots of online activities and other evidence of apostasy. Once a member gains the level of public attention that is deemed problematic to the LDS highest authority, the member’s local leaders, Bishops and Stake Presidents, are given the go-ahead to begin disciplinary action. As you may remember from MHH Ep57, myself, Lesley Butterfield and Bryce Blankenagel are still members of record and have not yet resigned for unique reasons. So we decided to call Elder Dyches this morning to obtain what information was found in our prospective SCMC member files. Listen in to see how it went and what new information we gained! Lesley asks specifically about what recourse members have who are abused by the very local ecclesiastical leaders that Church HQ refers us back to when we raise concern. Don’t miss Part 2 where we discuss this call and all the new information and its significance later today.
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Radio Free Mormon Obtains Info on the SCMC
- MHHEp57: 3 Mormons: Why We Haven’t Resigned
- What is the Strengthening Church Members Committee?
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Crystal Legionnaires made waves one year ago when she stood and shouted “Stop Protecting Sexual Predators” in the Conference Center during a live session of conference. This year, she carefully chose a new demonstration to promote a message of importance for the quality of life of all LGBTQ individuals who are harmed by the policies and doctrine enforced by LDS Leadership. She shares with us the thought and planning before the day, the response during the walk, and what she has heard in the aftermath. Crystal includes a tender story of a woman who stopped to help her feet during the walk. If you’d like to watch the video of Crystal’s chat, head to Mormon Happy Hour on Patreon!
Part 2 brings 3 guests all with extensive experience and expertise, all unique and fascinating, with Cannabis! First up, learn all the benefits it can bring to your mental health, backed by scientific research! Best of all, learn what it can do to conquer an upbringing in Mormon sex shaming and unlock mind-blowing orgasms! Who doesn’t want amazing sex? Next, listen as Chelsea tells us what she has learned through decades of use and from being closely engaged in a local grower of cannabis in WA State. And last of all, a special friend I’ll call Candy because of her skills making the KanniKandi in her very own kitchen! If you missed the videos of my exploration with cannabis, head over to Patreon to check those out!
Tarot reading and other mystical arts were largely discredited in my Mormon youth, often with allegations of utilizing Satanic powers. Join Sara Hanks herself as we explore her journey into the world of Tarot and the evolution of thought and belief between being an active Mormon and a Tarot card reader. We compare Mormon supernatural fortune telling, such as Patriarchal blessings and Priesthood blessings, and discuss just how mystical Mormonism really is. Bonus! Sara gives me, Colleen, my own reading! Check it out on Patreon/MormonHappyHour right now! If you want to learn more about Cultivating Spirituality Beyond Religion, check out the show notes for a course by the lovely Sara Hanks, registration ends April 28th! Don’t miss a chance to learn how to grow your spiritual garden!
Blaire Ostler took her traditional post outside the LDS Conference Center during their biannual General Conference, holding her sign inviting attendees to “Hug a Queer *Mormon) *this year she did modify it to say “Latter Day Saint.” Join her as she shares with us her passionate queer response to the recent monumental reversal of the 2015 LGBTQ Exclusion Policy of the LDS Church that labeled “same-sex” couples as apostates and exiled their children from membership in the church. Blaire speaks to bi-erasure, what real love of others looks and feels like, and what the response to her Hug Campaign has been. Her passion and her heart are a beautiful feeling to experience! As always, watch this interview instead of just listen by visiting Mormon Happy Hour on Patreon! Your Patreon support means everything to me! Thank you!!!
This week I have three Sunstone interviews for you! First, John Hamer and I discuss his involvement in the Community of Christ, which used to be the RLDS church. Next, David Dixon, who is a foundational member of the Phoenix area ExMormon groups, discusses his own physical and mental recovery from Mormonism, and Kent Belliston tells a few fascinating stories of his experience working in the Church Office Building in SLC in the 90s. I hope you love these stories as much as I did! Sunstone is so fun! I’d love to meet you at Sunstone this summer, July 30th to August 3rd. If you’ve never attended, it is a fabulous experience, often called MormonCon. All the scholars, names, and personalities you’ve heard of come to share their unique and amazing work and ideas. Hope I see you there! As always, head on over to Patreon/Mormon Happy Hour to watch the full-length videos of these interviews. 
Gina Colvin and I make a case for Secular Lent as she teaches me about her own Lent practices and what she has learned during her deep dives into what Lent is all about. We share our own thoughts on what spirituality means to us as we have left Orthodox Mormonism behind. Be inspired by Gina’s philosophical views of the Liturgical year, the meaning behind each season, and the beauty within the rituals and meditations. What does fasting mean? Why may it be important even after we have left religion behind? As always, please enjoy the full video of this conversation on Patreon, just search Mormon Happy Hour or follow the links in the show notes. Gina Colvin also invites you to join her on March 30th in SLC as she hosts “Farewell to God: A Lenten Retreat” something that sounds a lot like a KonMari to God! Details in the show notes.
Michael Smith shares 5 Tips for Transitioning Mormons, and they are…helpful? No, really, they are…and they are also snarky, hilarious, and full of latent Priesthood Authority! We explore topics such as self-care, relationships with believers, boundaries, and advice for moving forward. All advice comes with a side of light-mindedness and loud laughter. Please enjoy the full video of this conversation on Patreon, just search Mormon Happy Hour or follow the links on the website.
Are you new to the world of alcohol? Does it overwhelm you? Is there a bit of fear and anxiety? Or are you thrilled and want to know where to start? Join Chloe and I as we share with you our NOT expert first time drinking tips to keep you safe and make a plan for a good experience on your maiden voyage into the world of adult beverages! We share our drinking experiences along the way to keep you entertained and really help the tips we share come to life. As always, the full video of this interview is available on the Mormon Happy Hour Patreon Page for you to enjoy!