Is it possible to stay active in the LDS Church in 2021 after....
....learning all of the problematic history... ....becoming an ally for LGBTQ Mormons... ...becoming a feminist... ...becoming an "intellectual Mormon"... and after losing one's orthodox faith?
More importantly, why would anyone WANT to?
In Part 1 of my two-part interview with dear friend and faith transitions coach Jana Spangler, Jana tells us the story of her Mormon faith journey, which includes:
- Battling with perfectionism as an LDS teen and young adult.
- Feeling broken and inadequate as a single Mormon woman attending the University Utah, struggling to meet the church's standards of "worthiness."
- Being threatened with an LDS Disciplinary Council be a well-meaning Mormon bishop, and how that actually HELPED turn Jana's life around at the time.
- Finding and marrying Rob - who "checked all the Mormon boxes" at the time.
- Batting with infertility.
- Experiencing self-doubt and depression as a Mormon Mom.
- How Jana's passion for self-improvement and retreats/workshops led to a Mormon faith crisis.
- Jana's shifting views of Christ's atonement, which include absolute, unconditional love.
- Jana's courage to share her testimony struggles with her Holladay, Utah ward and stake.
- How untraditional Mormon podcast hosts, authors, and organizations (such as Bill Reel, Gina Colvin, Dan Wotherspoon, John Dehlin, Thomas Wirthlin McConkie, Sunstone, etc.), along with a supportive husband and understanding church leaders, helped Jana find a way to stay ACTIVE in the LDS Church.
- What factors led Jana to decide to stay active in the LDS Church...for now.
In Part 2, Jana provides a more detailed framework for how others can find a way to remain active in the LDS Church if they so desire, inspired by the works of Richard Rohr and James Fowler (among others).
