Ryan McKnight joins me to talk about one of his very favorite topics, LDS Church Finances, and the incredible documents leaked in the “Letter to the IRS Director” where a whistleblower alleges the LDS Church has hoarded over $100 BILLION in charitable donations from it’s members, aka tithing. Did you know the LDS church has been stockpiling $8 billion tithing funds annually in an account since ’97, now amassing a total of $124 BILLION and has allegedly only dispersed these funds twice? Why are they collecting this money? Why are they not transparent? How do YOU feel about the information that has been collected in this whistleblower leak?
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Washington Press: Mormon Church has Misled Members on $100 Billion Tax-Exempt Investment Fund, Whistleblower Alleges
- 7 Minute Video: Letter to an IRS Director
- 1 hr Video: Extended Video: Letter to an IRS Director
- PDF Document: Letter to an IRS Director
- Mormonleaks: $32 Billion Investments
- VENMO for Mormon Happy Hour one time donations
- Music by bensound.com and by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 - Transition pieces found here
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I had so many questions for Blaire Ostler, former CEO and current board member of the Mormon Transhumanist Association. What is it? What are its basic beliefs and tenets? Isn’t Transhumanism a mostly secular atheist movement? But, what if I don’t believe in Jesus or God, does that still jive with MTA? How does the MTA interact with the LDS Church? I began to explore what Transhumanism means to Blaire and what inspired her dive into MTA, and led her to become the CEO! Please enjoy this informative and fascinating discussion!
Recently, Mike Norton aka NewNameNoah presented an expansion of information that was previously presented regarding McKenna Denson when she came forward with allegations of rape at the hands of the Missionary Training Center president in the 80’s, Joseph Bishop. This further information, and the manner in which Norton presented it has erupted a firestorm of controversy in both the ExMormon and the Mormon communities as people grapple with feelings of betrayal, rage, anger, and disgust. Neither one of these players is getting a free pass. Lesley Butterfield, Bryce Blankenagel, and our fresh panelist Janelle Brinton and I all create a diverse panel with differing opinions on how to digest this controversy, whether rage or compassion is appropriate, and how this could have been handled differently. Don’t miss Part TWO of this discussion in Ep80, linked in the show notes. If you’d like to watch rather than listen, head on over to Patreon for the video of this panel, where it was early released!
Lesley Butterfield, Bryce Blankenagel and I create a very strong case for why we all should care about the Strengthening Church Members Committee and their top secret files obtained through secret spies and online moles. We learned quite a few things during our call to the SCMC office, call in Episode 73, and we bring in current events that make these discoveries even more significant. The recent Vice piece chronicling the sex abuse case in West Virginia and how they focus on the LDS Church “Helpline” becomes a vital tie in. And did you catch the Panel of Women at the Women’s Conference at BYU who told all the women in the church how to submit when Priesthood leaders are being dismissive? Yuck! It is aaaaaalll related! Be sure and listen to Episode 75 as well, as this is a 2 part discussion. The videos for these episodes are already on Patreon, where subscribers got a super early release!
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!!!
Michael Smith returns with his irreverent interruptions to discuss the recent LGBT Exclusion Policy Reversal that was announced. We also introduce a VERY important Instagram account that is raising awareness in an area Colleen passionately advocates to change, the BYU Honor Code office! And lastly, since it is the very weekend of LDS General Conference, please enjoy some hopeful conference rumors! Don’t miss the bonus content with Michael, which you get a teaser of in this episode! Head on over to Patreon to catch all the videos from this episode!
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.
This week, Sam Young returns to give us his inside reaction to the episode of This American Life: But That’s What Happened, that addressed the consequences in the lives of children after experiencing Worthiness Interviews conducted within the LDS Church. Sam shares the results from this and other actions that Protect LDS Children has taken and plans he has for the future to continue to spread awareness and Protect LDS Children.