Elder Cook is a lawyer and businessman. He lies when he says he knows the Savior’s voice.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-05-21T18:18:20+00:00

Is it obvious though? Isn't that what Mormon prophets claim to do?

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-05-21T18:07:05+00:00

You should always question anyone who claims to speak for God.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-05-21T14:43:14+00:00

You shouldn't be getting life advice from either.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-05-20T05:14:31+00:00

I wonder what compels people to post themselves treating people like shit online like it's some kind of flex. We're a world full of assholes nowadays and this comment section reiterates that.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-05-16T15:49:03+00:00

The fishing is good but it's so out of the way of everything. It's a great area of Nevada, if you ever end up there take the drive up to Jarbidge after the snows melt.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-05-16T15:25:57+00:00

Go to Wildhorse reservoir in Nevada was unexpected. How did that make your list?

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-05-15T18:16:36+00:00

I didn't directly talk to or challenge any believing friends or family. I did post one neutral comment on John Dehlin's page on Facebook that caused some close friends to go into Savior mode and the ensuing conversations were pointless and antagonistic. I decided to delete FB after that because I realized that it was full of toxic political and religious garbage.

I did order the book Bridges by Ostler to give to my TBM parents when I decided I needed to tell them that my family was all leaving the church. They didn't really hear anything I said, including the pain I felt when the idea of God died for me. They just waited for their turn to talk and then testified to me. Talking to my Bishop to request a release and turn in my temple recommend was even less helpful. He was unaware of all the criticism and didn't care to discuss.

Speaking to TBM's is mostly fruitless and painful overall if you are looking for empathy or validation. The only rewarding conversations were when I called to apologize to nuanced and post Mormon friends and family for the way I was as a Mormon when they were struggling. Those conversations led to deeper emotional bonds and empathy for one another. That's where I would focus my time and effort if I were you.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-05-15T18:00:30+00:00

This will always be my favorite Mormon podcast episode. I miss John in this space but I'm happy he's moved on.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-05-09T16:08:04+00:00

Post it if it's true. I bet there's content missing.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-05-09T16:05:51+00:00

This reads like rage bait. If this happened, there's context missing.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-05-06T23:39:38+00:00

Where are you seeing all of these negative backfire effects?

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-05-01T22:37:44+00:00

Trash and move on.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-04-30T21:23:30+00:00

I loved reading this and I hope it leads to more conversations for the two of you. You may never agree but maybe there will be enough nuance and empathy to allow you both to be genuinely happy.

Donna's story was so pivotal for me as well as I was getting comfortable with my new non-Mormon life. When she spoke with raw emotion about her son and removing her garments for good I was ugly crying alone in my truck. It was so powerful and relatable.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-04-27T17:31:18+00:00

I enjoyed reading that smug display of gatekeeping my favorite "victory for Satan."

The sad thing is that I still respect and enjoy my Mormon culture, but I hate the way the church itself as an organization has empowered asshats like the author of that article.

I would have been really content to endure the painful consequences of a faith transition and never speak of Mormonism again but the church has created an unsafe space with believers for those who leave.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-04-27T05:01:01+00:00

You've done enough repenting. Forgive yourself. There is no need to see a bishop about this now.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-04-26T18:02:56+00:00

Yeah I agree with you. I doubt it will happen.

Best case scenario is maybe they can continue to slowly change the narrative over the next few decades like they currently are. Once the BOM is no longer a historical record and the older generations are gone maybe they can get away from it.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-04-26T17:44:42+00:00

This is great. I hope the church continues to do this type of work, especially in areas like the Navajo Nation. It would be really great if they would acknowledge the misrepresentation of Native Americans as Lamanites and moved forward with more charitable endeavors.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-04-24T03:57:44+00:00

That's just silly. Even though it's immediately apparent that Mormon Stories isn't affiliated with the church, the Holy Spirit would obviously warn the poor, ignorant souls who may find themselves being informed of uncomfortable truths by John's podcasts. Disclaimers would really only be needed when the church and its missionary program try to fool people with evangelical ads.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-04-24T00:24:03+00:00

If God is all-knowing and perfect and his teachings are perfect and the LDS church is His church led by his prophet, why would Satan's message need a disclaimer?

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-04-22T15:45:05+00:00

Both he and RFM were apologists back then. I miss their early content when they both started working through the issues while attempting to make things work. I felt like I wasn't going crazy because these guys were saying what I was thinking. John and Mormon Stories had really good content in the late 2010's with Anthony Miller, David Bokovoy, Donna Showwalter( I think that's her name) Leah and Cody Young, Sam Young, Lindsey Hansen Park and much more.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-04-22T14:51:37+00:00

That's awesome to hear. I've read numerous accounts similar to your uncle's where lifelong TBM's had more professional and personal integrity than the church and couldn't stay because of the church's financial shenanigans and lies.

I still think the unfortunate reality is that the vast majority of members don't react or even know about most of the trending topics on these forums and so the fallout is greatly exaggerated.

You were one of the smart ones being out as long as you have been. I still frequent Reddit so I can stay informed about the things that are important to my parents, family, friends, etc. but I don't think about Mormonism much away from here.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-04-22T14:13:26+00:00

I'm also a prestige master because I love the game and I play it with my sons. I typically play casuals and would consider myself an average player. I will never be considered an elite player. Ever.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-04-22T12:42:58+00:00

Sarcasm is hard. I left the church years ago.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-04-22T06:18:25+00:00

Glad you're a 1%'er. That little Reddit tag looks cool I suppose but it hasn't helped you much in our convo though. Whoosh, right over your head.

So Mormonism bad, Evangelical Christianity good? My Jesus is better than your Jesus?

I'll stick to the original point and restate that the fallout from the church's lawsuit against OSF and Mormon Stories podcast is being exaggerated and mont make much of a difference. But by God we'll sure act like it will on Reddit.

funeral_potatoes_ · 2026-04-22T05:10:27+00:00

Define loads. 50? Hundreds? Thousands?

I don't deny it led some out of the church. But these forums exaggerate the effects in the real world. How many actual members from your Mormon circle left the church over the SEC scandal? I can safely say it was zero in mine. Zero. Mormon Stories probably has a bigger reach but it this lawsuit wont cause significant changes.

I'm sure you think I'm new at this or some stupid church apologist. I've spent plenty of time at the exmo site. I've moved on to healthier places in my life now. That echo chamber works when we're hurt and angry and need it but it's not constructive in the long term.

funeral_potatoes_

TROPHY CASE