Siblings in Zion

Ex-Mormon siblings Brother Dan and Sister Lisa discuss Mormonism, LDS culture, religiosity, atheism, mortality, personal growth & the examined life.

The Common Mormon & The Good Death 04/21/2024

The Common Mormon & The Good Death Sister Lisa shares the story and meaning of her first tattoo, an update on her feelings around her grad school experience, and her thoughts on reading ‘The Testaments’ by Margaret Atwood. The siblings then discuss recent thoughts around death and the treatment of remains, and their potential preferences for their own bodies. — The Common Mormon: The Testaments: From Here to Eternity: Stiff: Six Feet Under: ‘Hell Together’: --- http://siblingsinzion.com http://facebook.com/siblingsinzion http://instagram.com/siblingsinzion http://twitter.com/siblingsinzion YouTube: https://bit.ly/sizyoutube Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/30925113

It's Feeling a Bit Culty 02/11/2024

It's Feeling a Bit Culty Sister Lisa shares her struggles and thoughts on her grad school experience as she prepares to be a therapist, and how her religious past informs her approach and understanding of the system. The siblings read some *fascinating* articles on tithing from the most recent issue of Liahona, and discuss how much they think about this whole Mormonism thing these days and how much they really need to talk about it going forward … --- http://siblingsinzion.com http://facebook.com/siblingsinzion http://instagram.com/siblingsinzion http://twitter.com/siblingsinzion YouTube: https://bit.ly/sizyoutube Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/29890678

Marriage Is for Losers | More Sh*t From BYU-I 12/23/2023

Marriage Is for Losers | More Sh*t From BYU-I Sister Lisa shares more eyebrow-raising notes from her BYU-Idaho classes. Dating, sexuality, gender and marriage roles, revelation, ’NCMO’, suppressing desire, boundaries, bogus statistics, terrible advice & more! — Christopher Columbus episode of Everywhere You Go is Bullsh*t: http://siblingsinzion.com http://facebook.com/siblingsinzion http://instagram.com/siblingsinzion http://twitter.com/siblingsinzion YouTube: https://bit.ly/sizyoutube Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/29208003

Sh*t My BYU Professor Said | Temple Marriage Prep 11/12/2023

Sh*t My BYU Professor Said | Temple Marriage Prep Sister Lisa shares highlights from her notes taken during several classes at BYU-Idaho, including some real whoppers from ‘Prep for Temple Marriage’ that drive Brother Dan to bewilderment and the both of them to giggles. --- The ExMo Candle Co. - --- http://siblingsinzion.com http://facebook.com/siblingsinzion http://instagram.com/siblingsinzion http://twitter.com/siblingsinzion YouTube: https://bit.ly/sizyoutube Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/28575958

Do You Want to Sing a Hymn? 07/29/2023

Do You Want to Sing a Hymn? Bonus material from our episode ‘Christian & Atheist Walk Into a Bar’ - Comparing Christian and Mormon hymns, the power of music and art in relation to faith in God, as well as a Christian perspective on Stoicism and the precariousness of interpreting the Bible. Bonus points to those who have seen SLC Punk! - https://youtu.be/6qr-wDh95TM /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/27601953

Christian & Atheist Walk Into a Bar 05/21/2023

Christian & Atheist Walk Into a Bar Dan and Lisa welcome Brother Bryan, a Christian who was previously involved with the Four Square church and now associates with the Church of the Nazarene. Bryan and Dan have had several fruitful discussions around Faith, Atheism, Christian denominations, biblical literalism, similarities and contrasts in their respective religious experiences, and have have found friendship and comradery in them. So, we gave him an open invite to have one of those discussions on the show. We also welcome our mutual friend Brother Armando, a former Christian who told his story on the previous episode ‘Confessions of a Former Shi**y Youth Pastor’. We appreciate Bryan’s willingness to express his faith, his vulnerability in sharing his personal experience, and his willingness to recognize the shortcomings in religious organizations and inappropriate applications of personal beliefs. We hope anyone who cares to comment on our discussion will show the same courtesy and respect we show each other. ‘Instead of coming from the gratitude and the place of - God loves me, and taking that love and sharing that with other people, they beat them over the head with a Bible and say - God hates you! It’s terrible irony. And that breaks my heart more than anything’ — YouTube: Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/26905899

King Follett Discourse (Abridged) 01/22/2023

King Follett Discourse (Abridged) For those who have already read or are quite familiar with the 'King Follett Discourse', this episode of our reading and commentary is abridged to contain less of the text read aloud. You can find the complete version previously published ... --- In this episode the siblings read and comment on 'The King Follett Discourse', its theological significance, and its influence on Mormonism. In April of 1844, Joseph Smith spoke to a crowd of many thousands (saints and detractors alike) and delivered what would be the most directly recorded public address of his life, and the last such address he would give before his death in June. The sermon is also one of the most consequential and controversial in regards to the unique doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as it contains the theology of man’s potential progression to Godhood, the origin of our Heavenly Father as a man and not an otherwise eternal entity, the council of Gods that planned this world and its salvation, the physical stature of those in the afterlife who died as children, and the eternal nature of matter and intelligence. However, despite its significance and pedigree of record, it has never been canonized by the church and it seems many members are unaware of the event or the origin of these themes … In this episode, we read the amalgamated text published by BYU Studies in its entirety and commentate throughout. The King Follett Sermon (BYU Studies) - LDS Church History Topics essay - 1960s pamphlet version - --- http://siblingsinzion.com http://facebook.com/siblingsinzion http://instagram.com/siblingsinzion http://twitter.com/siblingsinzion YouTube: https://bit.ly/sizyoutube Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/25689027

The King Follett Discourse (Reading & Commentary) 01/15/2023

The King Follett Discourse (Reading & Commentary) In this episode the siblings read and comment on 'The King Follett Discourse', its theological significance, and its influence on Mormonism. In April of 1844, Joseph Smith spoke to a crowd of many thousands (saints and detractors alike) and delivered what would be the most directly recorded public address of his life, and the last such address he would give before his death in June. The sermon is also one of the most consequential and controversial in regards to the unique doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as it contains the theology of man’s potential progression to Godhood, the origin of our Heavenly Father as a man and not an otherwise eternal entity, the council of Gods that planned this world and its salvation, the physical stature of those in the afterlife who died as children, and the eternal nature of matter and intelligence. However, despite its significance and pedigree of record, it has never been canonized by the church and it seems many members are unaware of the event or the origin of these themes … In this episode, we read the amalgamated text published by BYU Studies in its entirety and commentate throughout. For those who are already familiar with the sermon, or don’t have the patience to hear the entirety of a mid 19th century ‘prophet’ in fear of losing his power or his life (we can’t blame you), there will be an abridged version published as well. The King Follett Sermon (BYU Studies) - LDS Church History Topics essay - 1960s pamphlet version - --- http://siblingsinzion.com http://facebook.com/siblingsinzion http://instagram.com/siblingsinzion http://twitter.com/siblingsinzion YouTube: https://bit.ly/sizyoutube Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/25616124

What's Working for You? 09/25/2022

What's Working for You? The siblings return to kick off Season 5! No plan, just going for it. They talk about what is 'working for them', current events in Mormon world, 'Keep Sweet' and the FLDS, Book Reports!, how they've changed since starting this podcast, and how they will be approaching this season's content and schedule. --- AP article on abuse in the LDS church - LDS donation - Columbia MTC closing - The Hero with a Thousand Faces - No Man Knows My History - Rm Brown - Keep Sweet - Jon Heder on You Made it Weird! - Rina Sawayama: This Hell - Duncan Sheik: There's No Telling - Leave a review on Apple Podcasts - Subscribe to SIZ on YouTube - --- http://siblingsinzion.com http://facebook.com/siblingsinzion http://instagram.com/siblingsinzion http://twitter.com/siblingsinzion YouTube: https://bit.ly/sizyoutube Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/24461802

Mormonism to Mushrooms | A Conversion Story 06/19/2022

Mormonism to Mushrooms | A Conversion Story In this season’s finale, the siblings welcome special guest Brother Jordan to tell his story of converting to the LDS church at 18, going the Missionary Training Center *twice*, serving a mission in Buenos Aires where he was held at gunpoint multiple times and suffered from ‘Jeep Butt’, attended BYU for a year before finally deciding to stop playing the game, how he eventually befriended Brother Dan, and how they recently reconnected via the influence of ‘caps’! This episode is also available entirely on video on YouTube - Check it out and subscribe for more - * Seventh-day Adventist episode of Everywhere You Go is Bullsh*t - https://bit.ly/3yd4Z7W --- http://siblingsinzion.com http://facebook.com/siblingsinzion http://instagram.com/siblingsinzion http://twitter.com/siblingsinzion YouTube: https://bit.ly/sizyoutube Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/23450975

Mormon Mary Poppins & The Mission President 06/05/2022

Mormon Mary Poppins & The Mission President Sister Lisa concludes the journey of reading from her past as she shares exchanges between herself and the President of the Florida Jacksonville Mission, where she devoted 18 months to proselytize for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Stress, fear of failure, indoctrination, cognitive dissonance, rejection, judgement, repression, and 'love' ... Lisa also has Brother Dan read a ridiculous document entitled 'The Fellowship of the Unashamed'. This episode is also available entirely on video on YouTube - Check it out and subscribe for more - https://bit.ly/sizyoutube --- http://siblingsinzion.com http://facebook.com/siblingsinzion http://instagram.com/siblingsinzion http://twitter.com/siblingsinzion YouTube: https://bit.ly/sizyoutube Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/23322182

'Dying' in Florida | Mormon Missionary 05/22/2022

'Dying' in Florida | Mormon Missionary Sister Lisa concludes sharing excerpts from the many emails she sent to family and friends each 'Preparation Day' while she served a mission for the LDS church. Training other missionaries, feelings of inadequacy, ‘dying’ a missionary death, explaining the mormon slang term ‘trunky’, and convincing herself that it all was worth it … somehow … This episode is also available entirely on video on YouTube, complete with helpful (and funny) visual aids - Check it out and subscribe for more - https://bit.ly/sizyoutube --- http://siblingsinzion.com http://facebook.com/siblingsinzion http://instagram.com/siblingsinzion http://twitter.com/siblingsinzion YouTube: https://bit.ly/sizyoutube Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/23188361

Letters From a Young Companion | Mormon Missionary 05/08/2022

Letters From a Young Companion | Mormon Missionary Sister Lisa shares excerpts from the many emails she sent to family and friends each 'Preparation Day' while she served a mission for the LDS church. Stories of drunk men giving blessings, flat tires, slammed doors, cognitive dissonance, snake bites, and stalking the local Florida population. This episode is also available entirely on video on YouTube, complete with helpful (and funny) visual aids - Check it out and subscribe for more - https://bit.ly/sizyoutube --- http://siblingsinzion.com http://facebook.com/siblingsinzion http://instagram.com/siblingsinzion http://twitter.com/siblingsinzion YouTube: https://bit.ly/sizyoutube Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/23041679

Leave it in Dan! with Latter-Day Lesbian 04/24/2022

Leave it in Dan! with Latter-Day Lesbian In this bonus episode you will hear a special presentation of the Latter-Day Lesbian podcast on which Brother Dan was a guest! LDL is a podcast about an 'Ex-Mormon gay girl trying to figure out her life'. That girl is Shelly and her partner and co-host is Mary, a former evangelical christian. For more than three years Dan has been the audio producer for the show. In episode 108 (January 2021) he joined them to talk about how they ended up working together, his relationship with Mormonism past and present, navigating family relationships, and how he became known to their audience as 'Leave it in Dan'. LDL on Apple Podcasts: LDL on Spotify: --- http://siblingsinzion.com http://facebook.com/siblingsinzion http://instagram.com/siblingsinzion http://twitter.com/siblingsinzion YouTube: https://bit.ly/sizyoutube Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/22891697

Sister Missionary in Florida 04/10/2022

Sister Missionary in Florida We return to Sister Lisa's journals as she shares from her time serving a mission in Jacksonville, Florida for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many companions, many breakdowns, many prayers, many letters, many tears. Much indoctrination ... This episode is also available entirely on video on YouTube, complete with helpful (and funny) visual aids - Check it out and subscribe for more - https://bit.ly/sizyoutube --- http://siblingsinzion.com http://facebook.com/siblingsinzion http://instagram.com/siblingsinzion http://twitter.com/siblingsinzion YouTube: https://bit.ly/sizyoutube Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/22734701

We Are All Tomorrow's Food 03/27/2022

We Are All Tomorrow's Food In this episode, Brother Dan concludes in sharing his written ‘Shower Thoughts’ beyond Mormonism. This set of musings trend towards mortality, atheism, philosophy, religiosity, logical fallacies, nature, humanism, and the future. ‘Religion really is a further complication on top of something we don’t understand truly, but we as humans have a problem with that. We gotta explain it somehow. And for a lot of people the easiest answer is that there is a God who made me and that I am beholden to. How could you believe in a god that created all that is, love him, and hate ANYTHING he created?’ This episode is also available entirely on video on YouTube, complete with helpful (and funny) visual aids - Check it out and subscribe for more - --- http://siblingsinzion.com http://facebook.com/siblingsinzion http://instagram.com/siblingsinzion http://twitter.com/siblingsinzion YouTube: https://bit.ly/sizyoutube Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/22579562

This Is Not the Place 03/13/2022

This Is Not the Place In this episode, it is Brother Dan’s turn to share his own writings - ‘Shower Thoughts’ you might call them. This set of musings came while studying The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its history and doctrine, and contemplating its validity in the real world as well as its role in his life. ‘I want to study Joseph Smith because I want to know him, and understand how he got away with being ‘Joseph Smith, the prophet’. Because if I am ever around a Joe in my life, I want to know it before he knows me.’ This episode is also available entirely on video on YouTube, complete with helpful (and funny) visual aids - Check it out and subscribe for more - https://bit.ly/sizyoutube --- http://siblingsinzion.com http://facebook.com/siblingsinzion http://instagram.com/siblingsinzion http://twitter.com/siblingsinzion YouTube: https://bit.ly/sizyoutube Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/22418600

Mormon Missionary Training Center 02/27/2022

Mormon Missionary Training Center As we continue in Sister Lisa’s journals, we arrive at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah - where young men and women encounter a kind of ‘indoctrination bootcamp’ before heading out for 1.5-2 years to spread 'the gospel' 24/7. She shares her experience of acquiescing to the control over her life including her communications, reading materials, schedule, talking points, and especially her privacy. This episode is also available entirely on video on YouTube, complete with helpful (and funny) visual aids - Check it out and subscribe for more - https://bit.ly/sizyoutube --- http://siblingsinzion.com http://facebook.com/siblingsinzion http://instagram.com/siblingsinzion http://twitter.com/siblingsinzion YouTube: https://bit.ly/sizyoutube Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - http://umbrellamanband.com /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/22029974

The Walls of BYU | Mormon Indoctrination 02/13/2022

The Walls of BYU | Mormon Indoctrination Sister Lisa continues her journey through the many journals she kept during her young life as a Mormon. She recalls her time at BYU-Idaho, the insulation it encouraged, her decision to leave and serve a mission for the church, and her first experience with the LDS temple endowment. ‘They have you surrounded on all sides, so you might as well surrender.’ This episode is also entirely on video! It is available on YouTube, complete with helpful (and funny) visual aids - Check it out and subscribe for more : --- YouTube: Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/22018517

The Husband List | Mormon Indoctrination 01/30/2022

The Husband List | Mormon Indoctrination The first in a series of episodes in which Sister Lisa presents entries from the many journals she kept during her young life, essentially documenting her indoctrination in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Girl’s summer camp, Personal Progress, Seminary, Father’s blessings, and the intervention that convinced her to go to BYU Idaho instead of following her intuition. This episode is the first to be produced entirely on video! It is available on YouTube, complete with helpful (and funny) visual aids - Check it out and subscribe for more : --- YouTube: Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/21716765

Freaky Geeky Christmas 12/19/2021

Freaky Geeky Christmas Before the next season starts, the siblings present a bonus chat to get things rolling: What they’ve been reading, watching, thinking about … Talking their way through the cognitive reframing of Christmas traditions outside of religion, and a preview what’s ahead in Season 4! --- Alan Watts 'The Book' - https://bit.ly/3GOxQkn Freaks & Geeks - https://bit.ly/3GN5vLe Undeclared - https://bit.ly/3se0zLw Why We Sleep - https://bit.ly/32c04Gx /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/21515363

Now That's What I Call Scripture! 09/19/2021

Now That's What I Call Scripture! In this third season finale: the siblings use a random scripture generator to compare the text, tone, and perceived value of verses from the books of the Bible and the Mormon scriptures: The Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. Lisa also applies her Mormon missionary brain to provide the perception of the believer. They also share some verses of scripture from outside of Christianity, and philosophies they find valuable without religion entirely. They conclude with a preview of next season of the podcast, including Lisa’s old journals and path of indoctrination … Until we meet again! --- Random Scriptureverse - ‘Meditations’, Marcus Aurelius - The Bhagavad Gita - Buddhist Scriptures - --- YouTube: Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/20519393

Mormonism 101 | Part 2 - Blessed & Cursed 08/15/2021

Mormonism 101 | Part 2 - Blessed & Cursed The siblings conclude reading the Mormonism 101 article published by the LDS church which presents a series of ‘frequently asked questions’ and answers that leave a lot to be desired when it comes to honesty and candor. Topics covered include: garments, polygamy, race relations, the location of the garden of eden, baptism for the dead, missionaries, and the word of wisdom … --- Mormonism 101 Article - Gospel Topic Essays - The CES Letter - Brigham Young on Polygamy - Spencer W. Kimball on ‘white & delightsome’ - 1949 Statement - --- YouTube: Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - ©2021 Siblings in Zion /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/20144141

Mormonism 101 | Part 1 - Endurance & Exaltation 08/01/2021

Mormonism 101 | Part 1 - Endurance & Exaltation An FAQ article was published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints nearly a decade ago in an effort to help educate the news media and the curious public about their particular brand of Christianity. This recently became the source of some hubbub around the unique Mormon teaching that faithful members may become gods of their own planets, and the church’s apparent denial of it … kind of. They choose their words carefully. So, to be fair, the siblings start from the beginning of this article and read the questions as presented, the answers they chose to give, and discuss them and their accuracy from the Ex-Mormon perspective. --- Mormonism 101 article - ‘Becoming Like God’ - Improvement Era 1919 - --- YouTube: Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - ©2021 Siblings in Zion /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/19996787

Gods, Aliens & Ants 07/14/2021

Gods, Aliens & Ants After Armando’s interview (in the previous episode), Dan left the microphones on as they kept talking into the evening … The nature of God, the possibility of alien visitation, virtual reality and simulations, evolution, gullibility, purpose, what makes other lifeforms special to humans or Gods & more in this bonus episode. This conversation was brought to you by Tito’s™. --- YouTube: Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - ©2021 Siblings in Zion /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/19712591

A Former Sh*tty Youth Pastor 07/03/2021

A Former Sh*tty Youth Pastor The siblings invite Armando Santoyo to talk about being a former Pentecostal Christian and Youth Pastor, challenges it presented to his friendship with Dan, the blessings and hardships it brought to his life, and the way he lives now that he has moved on. /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/19625588

Iron in a Lot of Fires 06/20/2021

Iron in a Lot of Fires The siblings convene for a mid-season check-in and catch-up! They review the recent episode featuring their faithful Mormon sister and what they took away from it. Dan shares points of interest from his current reading of ‘American Crucifixion: The Murder of Joseph Smith’ and Lisa shares hers of ‘A Short History of Nearly Everything’ as well as the existential terror of ’The Handmaid’s Tale’. They also read and react to a recent 'faith-promoting' article from the LDS magazine Liahona titled ‘Staying Strong When Loved Ones Leave the Church’. Appropriate, right? You can read a long here: http://tiny.cc/sizliahona ‘Why would you want to follow something that isn’t honest, real, or true?’ - Steven Hassan --- YouTube: Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - ©2021 Siblings in Zion /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/19458071

The Good Sister 06/06/2021

The Good Sister For the first time, Dan & Lisa are joined by the other sibling of the family - Lacey! Lacey is still an active, believing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while Dan & Lisa are very much Ex-Mormons. They discuss their experiences growing up in the faith, how their relationships have changed and improved as they have evolved and become more honest with each other, how Lacey has felt about her siblings leaving the religion, and why she chooses to stay. They also discuss various topics of interest and controversy regarding the church - tithing, testimonies, temple work, death, the afterlife, Utah culture, sexual and religious taboos, church finances, family dynamics, being a single adult in a family oriented social structure, and more! --- 'We expect to see the day when we will not have to ask you for one dollar of donation for any purpose, except that which you volunteer to give of your own accord' - Joseph F. Smith - General Conference, April 1907 : YouTube: Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/19365977

Crossfire! Q & A 05/23/2021

Crossfire! Q & A In this special episode, the siblings ask each other a series of questions about their lives, their Mormon upbringing, and their self-reflection that they don't already know the answers to. From 'Who is your favorite comedian' to 'Have you ever contemplated suicide?' - there's introspection, revelation, and laughs! --- YouTube: Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/19144751

It Is What It Is ... 05/12/2021

It Is What It Is ... In this bonus episode - after the discussion of 'A New Earth' and its concepts Lisa has some questions about attention, perception, emotional responses, acceptance, and making 'right' choices. --- YouTube: Theme Music: 'The Falls' by Umbrellaman - /episode/index/show/siblingsinzion/id/19036925

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