Most influential resources in my faith transition
This is my list of the resources that have most heavily influenced my Mormon faith transition.
The Most Common Cognitive Bias | Veritasium
If you listen to any of these resources, listen to this one. It’s only five minutes long, it’s not specifically about religion, and what he demonstrates is widely applicable to all areas of life. I won’t spoil the surprise with an explanation if you haven’t seen it. Give it a watch!
Why “scout mindset” is crucial to good judgment | Julia Galef | TEDxPSU
The “scout mindset” has been the most foundational driver of my faith transition. Scout mindset is about seeking the truth even if it’s uncomfortable and inconvenient. It’s about being willing to admit you’re wrong as you look for a clearer picture of reality.
Street Epistemology and Mormonism with Anthony Magnabosco | Mormon Stories
This is a five-part Mormon Stories series featuring Anthony Magnabosco, practitioner of street epistemology. The goal of street epistemology is to have civil discussions with people about their reasons for believing things. The final episode of the series, Using Street Epistemology with Mormon Parents, is particularly insightful: Anthony does a role play where he discusses his non-belief with pretend Mormon parents played by John Dehlin and Carah Burrell.
Anthony also has videos of real street epistemology encounters with Mormon missionaries and a Mormon couple on his YouTube channel.
David Bokovoy – Bible Scholar, Former CES Employee | Mormon Stories
I first learned about David Bokovoy during my Hebrew Bible degree at BYU. He was still an active member at the time, and had written several books attempting to reconcile the documentary hypothesis with Mormon scripture.
Although I had read both of his books, I actually didn’t know he had left the church until after my faith crisis started in September 2021, and then I saw he had been interviewed on Mormon stories. Listening to his story was particularly validating for me because of his background in biblical studies.
How to build a transoceanic vessel | Mormon Expression
It took me some time to get comfortable listening to John Larsen talk about Mormonism as he’s a little more abrasive than the Mormon Stories hosts, but his reasoning and insights are unmatched.
In this episode of his podcast he examines the logical issues around the story of Nephi and family building a boat and sailing to the new world.
The God of the Lost Keys | Mormon Expression
Another doozy from John Larsen and friends. It’s not about keys as in priesthood keys, but lost car keys, and how God “performs miracles” to help us find them.
This episode opened my eyes to just how difficult it is to square the idea of a God who loves me personally and answers my prayers with a God who does the same for the other 8 billion people on the planet. Mormon theology makes a lot more sense when I view it through the lens of “my little family” and “my little community.” As soon as I consider the other 99.8% of the human race, things get a little more complicated.
Dan Vogel | Mormon Stories
Dan Vogel’s episodes were my first foray into Joseph Smith’s treasure digging. I was aware of the treasure digging for years, but I didn’t think it was relevant. I somehow convinced myself that it was a random detail in church history that Satan exploited to lead people away.
Well, I was wrong.
Knowing about Joseph’s treasure digging provides so much context into the magical worldview of the early church members. It sheds light on Joseph’s charisma, and serves as the most historically plausible foundation for the origin story of the Book of Mormon.
More recently I’ve listened to the LDS Discussions episode on Joseph’s treasure digging, which is also excellent.
Why Don’t Mormons Leave the Church? | Mormon Stories w/ John Larsen
This is my favorite Mormon Stories episode of all time. John Larsen discusses humans’ psychological response to disasters and how it applies to a faith crisis, whether you’re experiencing it or watching a loved one experience it.
If you listen to any of it, listen to John Larsen’s misty-eyed 5-minute monologue directed to ex-Mormons, where he implores them to show grace and patience to Mormons processing the disaster of a loved one leaving the church (01:19:30).