This podcast starts by saying they will use 100% credible sources and then they say the church will not fundamentally disagree with their facts. The show slowly devolves into this deceptive devilish snake like narrative where, spoiler alert, they outright claim that sacrament prayers, baptism, and sacred temple ordinances are folk magic, witch's incantations, "ouija board stuff..." I could go on but it would be a waste of my time. This show is NOT objective, it is NOT impartial. John claims over and over that he doesn't seek to drag members away from the church, rather he wants to give them the "privilege of informed consent." I see right through his lies. He is crafty like the devil and subtly will tear down the things you believe in. Listen with caution and be prayerful to discern between truth and error. If I could give 0 stars I would.

I’ve listened to most the episodes and they claim to be experts in the field and consult with experts but then they attack the weakest point of the argument and claim victory? It’s just messed up. AND to make it worse they cover it up as “INFORMED CONSENT”!? Please. Talk about mixing half truths with lies. Please yall, do your own research, don’t let these fools take anymore of your time.

The information presented is interesting, but what I enjoy the most is the respectful way it’s presented

As a never mo, I feel like I should get a PhD in Mormonism for making it through all the episodes. Incredible research by Mike coupled with the methodical and compassionate John Dehlin, this is a master class in revealing how cults and religions gain power and control over smart, capable well meaning people. This series and Scientology and the Aftermath should be required viewing for anyone in a high control religion.

I appreciate how respectful and comprehensive the material is. Thank you so much.

This is one of the best, most comprehensive series on the truth claims of the LDS church. Would highly recommend!

I do feel liberated!!! Thank you for finally making sense of all my confusion around church things

I am a huge fan of history, and they provide a lot of historical context for their discussions.

So far the show has been great when it comes to the history of the church. I am writing as a Christian. I do not believe in the book of Mormon or the idea that Joseph Smith was a prophet from God. I do find it ironic that these men speak on the Bible in a way that portrays that it is not factual. To consider DNA as a way to examine age is also a false portrayal of truth. You cannot look at DNA and say this example is 20,000 years old, but this example is 12,000 years old. These are still pre-suppositions to the idea that the dating factor is true. I wish that they would take out some of their presuppositions or rather examine themselves in an equal way. John said “this provided a problem to the orthodox view of the Bible”. Thats a bogus claim. Why cant the Bible provide a problem with the literal view that these specimens are 20,000 years old? It seems John has replaced Mormonism with “science” for his gullibility. Anyway, I do appreciate him and Mike providing these wonderful trues in the history of the church. I am trying not to bash, but I don't appreciate them trying to make Bible believers feel like suckers because they are suckers for “science falsely so called”. Science killed George Washington. If they would have just read “the life of the flesh is in the blood”, they may not have bled him out. Mike has a major issue relying on “scholars” that don’t even believe the Bible is God’s Word. You will find, anytime Mike mentions a passage that deals with a prophetic event that comes true, he jumps on the “scholarship” train. He doesn’t even mention scholars who are believers and take many of the Biblical passages literal. I thought I could get through this podcast for the history’s sake, but Mike is fallen for the trap of another garbage story that just simply replaces mormonism in his life.

They say from the start that they don’t use dubious sources, they don’t cherry pick and they include church verified sources as well as apologetic views. This is the kind of reputable podcast I’m obsessed with.

Thanks for compiling these episodes and teaching many of the untold and hidden facts of LDS history. This information could’ve saved me much guilt, sadness, and confusion in my younger years. Informed consent for the win!

Sorry, not liking these episodes with Gloria. Very hard to listen to. Would rather have Mike lead the discussions and Nemo and John comment. Series awesome but this JC Bennett portion not so good as explained. Falconboomer

Mike constructed these topics in such a great way that helps you understand the progression of how the church was created.

Mike does a trustworthy job of clarifying the problematic history presented in the CES letter. I read the CES letter with my wife and shattered my lifetime faith in the Mormon church overnight. This series helped me rebuild the pieces and fixed some of the problems with the CES letter while also providing a deep dive into primary sources and reliable, non-speculative data.

I wish I had learned all of these little details back at 6am as a teenager. Maybe it would have kept me awake. Thank you for allowing me to make an informed decision about my membership in the church. Some parts were so shocking it felt like a true crime episode. I don't think I could share these episodes to a believing member without it rocking their world. Once someone is ready to objectively question or has left, this podcast will help

I’ve been listening to these for the last year and a half since my deconstruction and I’m amazed at how well these are done. The analytical academic approach is refreshing as John, Mike and Nemo approach church history and current church practices/teachings without ad hominem and straw-men attacks - but simply give factual information as non-biased as possible. Keep it up guys - this work is incredibly meaningful and I can’t say thank you enough!

Every member of the church should listen to these episodes. Regardless of how one chooses to proceed in their faith, knowing the accurate history of the church and not remaining ignorant is important for numerous reasons.

It is great to really hear people who do their due diligence to bring to surface things the church really tries hard to burry. It is worth listening regardless of if you still believe or don’t.

Great research! Well thought out and presented. I like that Mike is not snarky or sarcastic; he just presents provable facts.

Unfortunately I started listening to this podcast before I realized it was full of manipulation & lies.

Mike sets the bar high with his incredible research and the way he thoroughly dives into every topic. He is extremely knowledgeable and doesn’t miss anything. I can’t even imagine how long it takes just prepping for one episode. One of the best podcasts on Mormonism!

What a breath of fresh air to have all these truth claims and historical tidbits broken down and documented in a way I can TRUST!!

I started looking into church history and truth claims, and I felt so overwhelmed with all the information. When I found this series on Mormon Stories I immediately connected with Mike. Mike breaks everything down to manageable topics and he connects it all as they move forward to other episodes. I love hearing John, Mike and their guests reacting to the evidence. It’s so validating! Learning the truth has been so empowering for me and it will be for you too!

Thank you so much for making this Mike!

I thought I knew about Mormonism but now I know I had barely scratched the surface! It’s a fascinating listen told in a clear and compassionate way. So glad I found this! Please keep educating us.

If you only ever listen to one thing about Mormonism, this should be it

Thank you Mike for all the hard work you put into bringing all this information together. Your TikTok’s we’re so helpful during my faith crisis. Mike, Nemo, and John do a great job presenting and discussing each of these important topics. Thanks guys!

As a person who was raised in Mormonism, with pioneer ancestors, a large believing family, held many church callings and paid tithing for decades, this podcast had brought to light all the questions I ever had about the foundation of my religion. It has shed light on all I ever wondered, all the doubts I had, things I felt strange about but couldn't put my finger on. This podcast is perfect. I wish people knew the fraud Joseph Smith committed.

This podcast series is wonderful. Lays out the facts and history simply and w/o a ton of emotion or inflammatory remarks. Church history is always tough, but this helps put it in a simple light that can help us easily decipher right from wrong and fact from fiction.

There are many things in this podcast that demonstrate honest, factual, and helpful fact checking to help believers verify the history of the Church of Jesus Christ. There is also grossly misleading, disgusting disrespect, and historically dismissive arrogance among the critics. This is a very partial, and picked apart “truth” of the wholistic view. Be leery of Dehlin, and his tag-team of handpicked critics. They attempt to persuade you with half facts, and a “non-biased” approach. Clearly biased. You will get what you’re looking for here. Do your homework, not just from these “insultists”.

I recently found this podcast and it’s helping me to understand the truth behind the deception lies I was taught. Help me make sense out of nonsensical stories I was taught as a child. Then talk to others as a missionary. This podcast is helping me reconcile the guilt I feel for having taught lies to others as a missionary. Now I know the truth. And I thought those lies, because I never knew the truth before, but now I know the truth, and I no longer have to leave by lies.

I’ve been curious about the faith that I was raised in but refused to accept it from sources who mocked or belittled the church, or the people who believe in it. When I found Mormon stories it was so refreshing to hear people talk about informed consent and just getting the information out as clearly and honestly as possible— and then letting people decide for themselves. Truly loved all of the podcast I’ve listen to are well done and sincere. Can’t recommend it enough.

This is a lot to digest but I appreciate the discussions and topics being discussed, so much of what I never learned as a convert to the church…

Thoughtful and beautifully presented, thank you!

I love how this podcast puts unbiased factual historic Mormon “puzzle pieces” into my hands and encourages me to put the puzzle together for myself. This gives me confidence and clarity rather than uncertainty and self doubt. Thank you Mike and John for caring enough to present it patiently and truthfully and in a kind clear light. ❤️

Mike does a brilliant job of analyzing Mormon truth claims in a thorough and fair way.