Join Gerardo and Hayley Rawle (from the Girl's Camp podcast) as they dive into the journey of sisters Lexi and Sydney, who both joined the Mormon church in their pre-teens in Ohio. Sydney, an LGBTQ+ ally, shares her mission experience in Bolivia and her challenges with dating in the Young Single Adult Ward. After questioning her faith during the pandemic, she found herself grappling with her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Meanwhile, Lexi discusses her mission in California, where she faced mental health struggles, including undiagnosed bipolar disorder and a companion with alarming ideations. Discover how a priesthood blessing empowered her to step away from the church. Don’t miss this insightful discussion on faith, identity, and personal growth!
Show Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/marriage/sisters-convert-then-leave/
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:05 Intentions for coming on Mormon Stories
00:05:12 The beginning of their Mormon story
00:10:55 Meeting with the missionaries
00:19:44 Growing up in the church
00:27:55 How did they identify with the doctrine
00:38:00 Sydney’s always had gay friends
00:44:33 Modesty standards in preparation for garments
00:49:44 She did not have shame when speaking to her bishop
00:51:34 Sydney serving a mission at age 19 in Bolivia
00:59:45 Was she shocked when she got to Bolivia?
01:08:25 Sydney going through the temple for the first time
01:09:40 She laughed with her mom in the ceremony
01:10:00 She didn’t understand what was happening
01:10:11 Being in the MTC
01:21:30 She got sick a lot on her mission
01:27:35 What was it like for Lexi when Sydney served her mission?
01:37:00 Coming home from her mission
01:41:23 Men being creepy towards her while she was living in Ohio
01:46:10 Lexi serving a mission
01:48:50 She was called to the California Redlands Mission
01:58:55 Struggling on her mission
02:04:45 Lexi coming home from her mission
02:09:00 Experiences at BYU-Idaho
02:13:10 Getting her nose pierced as a believing Mormon, she also got a tattoo
02:14:55 Sydney questioning the church
02:20:12 Sydney moving to Las Vegas
02:25:38 The musket fire talk by Holland
02:28:37 Life after Lexi’s mission
02:38:20 Finally telling each other where they studio in the church
02:39:27 Why were they NOT sharing their deconstruction journeys?
02:48:55 Lexi deconstructing the church
02:58:34 Closing remarks
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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.
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