Mormon Stories Podcast

In Part Two of our history of tithing, we examine how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has defined tithing over time –and whether the modern expectation to pay 10% of income actually matches the historical revelation given to Joseph Smith. 

The 1838 revelation on tithing instructed members to give a tenth of their “surplus” property and subsequently a tenth of their “interest” annually. But what did those words mean in the 19th century? Did “interest” mean all income, or did it refer to increase or profit after expenses were paid? 

We also examine the question of who gets to determine what constitutes “surplus” or “interest,” how tithing affects low-income members differently from wealthy members, and how the modern interpretation developed –particularly through the First Presidency’s 1970 letter and subsequent Church teachings.

From there, we explore the four specific purposes for which tithing was originally given, including building temples, laying the foundation of Zion, supporting the priesthood, and other charitable or religious purposes. We compare those purposes with how the Church uses tithing today and ask whether the original reasons for the law have actually been fulfilled. 

The discussion also looks at teachings from Brigham Young Junior, Lorenzo Snow, David A. Bendar, Russell M. Nelson, Elder Holland, Elder Packer, Elder Becerra, and others, including the increasingly strict expectation that members pay tithing even when doing so creates financial hardship or debt. 

This episodes asks a broader question about the relationship between scripture, revelation, historical context, and modern institutional policy: If the original revelation from the Lord says “surplus” and “interest,” when –and why –did that become a requirement to pay 10% of one’s entire income to the Church? 

LDS Discussions examines the historical and doctrinal claims of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints using primary sources, historical documents, and critical analysis.
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YouTube

At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.  

Our overall mission is to: 
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
⁠One-time or recurring donations⁠
⁠Patreon⁠
⁠Venmo ⁠
⁠PayPal ⁠

Our Platforms:
🌐⁠Mormon Stories Blog ⁠
🎙️⁠Patreon ⁠
✳️⁠Spotify⁠
🍎⁠Apple Podcasts⁠
🖼️⁠Instagram ⁠
📱⁠TikTok ⁠
🎮⁠Discord ⁠

Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Four THRIVE events are coming — Rexburg, San Antonio, Boise, and St. George — and John Dehlin wants to make sure you hear about them IN ADVANCE this time.THRIVE conferences are for former and transitioning members of high-demand religions. They're about community, healing, and growth after Mormonism — meeting people who get it, picking up tools for navigating a faith crisis, and realizing you are not alone and you are not crazy.REGISTER FOR ALL FOUR AT: https://thrivebeyondreligion.com---------------------------------------------------------------------THRIVE REXBURG — Sept. 18–19, 2026 — $19---------------------------------------------------------------------"Brewing a New Story"Friday, Sept. 18: meet and greetSaturday, Sept. 19: speakersOur FIRST-EVER THRIVE in Rexburg, Idaho.Speakers:• Britt Hartley (keynote) — No Nonsense Spirituality• Renae Peterson• Erika Nordfelt• Nan Osborne---------------------------------------------------------------------THRIVE SAN ANTONIO — Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 — $25---------------------------------------------------------------------
9:30 AM – 5:00 PMWheatly Heights Sports Complex, Event Hall200 Noblewood Dr, San Antonio, TX 78220Speakers:• Alyssa Grenfell• Nathan Hinckley — singer and former bishop• Megan Conner• Elbert Fish• Meggan Hayes — Generally Unquotable / Mormon News Network---------------------------------------------------------------------THRIVE BOISE — Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026 — $29, INCLUDES LUNCH---------------------------------------------------------------------10:00 AM – 5:00 PMGalaxy/Wahooz Fun Center400 W Overland Road, Boise, ID 83642Speakers:• Dr. John G. Turner (keynote) — Professor of Religious Studies and History at George Mason University; author of "Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet" and "Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet"; co-host of the Joseph Smith and Brigham Young podcast series with John Dehlin• Amy Faragher, LPC — clinical insights for navigating a faith crisis• Kolby Reddish — LDS Discussions• Andrew Propst — kidnapped while serving a mission in Russia; his story became the film "The Saratov Approach"---------------------------------------------------------------------THRIVE ST. GEORGE — March 5–7, 2027 — $45 for all three days---------------------------------------------------------------------"Think Freely. Thrive Fully."Friday, March 5: 6:00 PM – 9:30 PMSaturday, March 6: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PMSunday, March 7: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMDixie Convention Center1835 South Convention Center Drive, St. George, UT 84790Our biggest THRIVE yet. Speakers:• Michael Foley — "Your Momma's So Mormon She Won't Come To This Session: My Adventures In Trying To Make Utah Laugh"• Chris Bartlett — "Behind the Mask: An Actor Questions His Programming"• Sally Osborne & Lena Osborne — "When Everything Changes: Staying Connected Through Faith, Identity, and Family Transformation"• Kolby Reddish — "How to Understand Different Approaches to Faith"• Dr. Christine Marie — "Stop Judging. Start Helping"• Nomz Bistline — "Stop Judging. Start Helping"• Dr. John Lundwall — "Secret Works: Magic, Memory, and the Making of the Book of Mormon"• Dr. Julie de Azevedo — "What I Kept When I Left: A Life of Thoughtful Integration"Meet content creators, shop the tables, and connect with influencers, podcasters, and authors. Book through our preferred hotel partners for 20% off your stay.Event details: https://www.stgeorgethrive.org---------------------------------------------------------------------HOW TO REGISTER---------------------------------------------------------------------
All four events: https://thrivebeyondreligion.comTickets are priced only to cover the venue and food — usually $19 to $45.WANT TO ORGANIZE A THRIVE IN YOUR AREA?Email thrivebeyondreligion@gmail.com or mormonstories@gmail.com and we will help you put one together.

In Part Three of Mike and Michele’s story, the couple begins confronting serious concerns about Mormonism as their children struggle with missions, faith, and their place in the church. Mike becomes increasingly concerned about the challenges young Mormons are facing, and struggles to work with church leadership to keep them engaged in their faith.

As they discover that the church is not working for their family in the same way anymore, they begin stepping further outside the Mormon community. They explore other Christian traditions and begin to consume media not run by the LDS church, such as the LDS Discussions podcast.

Their journey raises difficult questions about authority, faith, family, and whether personal spiritual experiences can be trusted. They begin to question the difference between feeling “the Spirit” and experiencing awe or wonder simply as part of the human condition. In search of these answers, they find themselves searching for meaning outside of Mormonism.

Today, Mike and Michele are focused less on having all the answers and more on exploration, connection, and helping others navigate the questions that come with changing beliefs. We hope that their story can be helpful to your search for wonder, as well!

https://seekwonderway.substack.com
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Show Notes
YouTube

At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.  

Our overall mission is to: 
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
⁠One-time or recurring donations⁠
⁠Patreon⁠
⁠Venmo ⁠
⁠PayPal ⁠

Our Platforms:
🌐⁠Mormon Stories Blog ⁠
🎙️⁠Patreon ⁠
✳️⁠Spotify⁠
🍎⁠Apple Podcasts⁠
🖼️⁠Instagram ⁠
📱⁠TikTok ⁠
🎮⁠Discord ⁠

Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

We are back with Michele and Mike Seamons in part 2 of this interview with the “Idyllic” Mormon family.

In part 2, they detail how their picture of the Mormon dream can come with plenty of challenges. They build and lose businesses, move across the country multiple times, and repeatedly find themselves rebuilding their lives. Through it all, they respond by doubling down on their commitment to Mormonism and church service.

Mike eventually finds himself serving as a bishop, where the responsibilities of counseling members and conducting disciplinary councils begin to change how he sees church leadership. At the same time, Michele’s relationship with the church begins to shift as music and other Christian influences introduce her to a different way of thinking about God.

As their family and church lives continue to evolve, Mike and Michele begin confronting questions that will eventually force them to reconsider what faith looks like to them.

https://seekwonderway.substack.com
___________________

YouTube
Show Notes

At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.  

Our overall mission is to: 
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
⁠One-time or recurring donations⁠
⁠Patreon⁠
⁠Venmo ⁠
⁠PayPal ⁠

Our Platforms:
🌐⁠Mormon Stories Blog ⁠
🎙️⁠Patreon ⁠
✳️⁠Spotify⁠
🍎⁠Apple Podcasts⁠
🖼️⁠Instagram ⁠
📱⁠TikTok ⁠
🎮⁠Discord ⁠

Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Today we welcome Michele and Mike Seamons to the podcast. Michele and Mike are a married couple who were both raised in the LDS faith and experienced what they describe as an “idyllic” Mormon upbringing.

In Part 1, we begin with each of their backgrounds and what it was like to grow up in faithful LDS homes with supportive families, wards, and communities surrounding them. Michele was raised in Sandy, Utah, while Mike grew up outside of Los Angeles, California. We also discuss Michele’s mission experience and how the two eventually met at the MTC.

In Part 2, we pick up with Mike’s mission story before moving into their early marriage and family life, business pursuits, and increasing involvement in the church. Mike serves in youth leadership and eventually becomes a bishop, while Michele serves in various roles, including Young Women's president. Eventually, Michele becomes more interested in mainstream Christianity through music and podcasts, leading her to begin viewing her Mormon faith differently.

Then be sure to come back for Part 3, where we conclude their Mormon story and discuss where they stand with their faith today.

This is a three part episode. You can find all three parts on our channel.
___________________

YouTube

At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.  

Our overall mission is to: 
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
⁠One-time or recurring donations⁠
⁠Patreon⁠
⁠Venmo ⁠
⁠PayPal ⁠

Our Platforms:
🌐⁠Mormon Stories Blog ⁠
🎙️⁠Patreon ⁠
✳️⁠Spotify⁠
🍎⁠Apple Podcasts⁠
🖼️⁠Instagram ⁠
📱⁠TikTok ⁠
🎮⁠Discord ⁠

Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117