1398: Contemplative Mormonism - Jana Spangler Pt. 1

Mormon Stories - LDS

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).