Jesus for Mormons

Nov 19 2024 23 ep. 39 mins 2
Jesus for Mormons Podcast artwork

Kai Van Leuven, a lifelong Mormon with deep family roots in the church, recounts his journey of faith crisis and departure. Triggered by troubling historical accounts and inconsistencies in church teachings, Kai’s confidence in Mormonism eroded, leading him to abruptly leave the church and request to be removed from all church roles and contact lists. Despite his pain and sense of betrayal, he now seeks to explore and share his path to faith and hope beyond Mormonism.

  Religion & Spirituality
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Jesus for Mormons #22: Are Mormon "Spiritual Experiences" Real?

Nov 19 2024 41 mins  
In this episode, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss Kai's spiritual experiences in the Mormon Church and how he now views them after leaving the faith. Kai shares two key moments: feeling divinely prompted to invest in a difficult property and to marry his wife at a young age. While he once saw these as divine interventions, he now questions if they were his own efforts. Di argue

Jesus for Mormons #21: What is Worship

Nov 12 2024 46 mins  
In this episode, Kai Van Leuven interviews Pastor David Diaz to discuss what worship is in the Christian church. David explains that worship is not just music but a lifestyle of honoring God through actions, generosity, and praise. He touches on tithing as a heart matter and highlights various forms of worship expression, like raising hands or waving flags. Ultimately, worship is a

Jesus for Mormons #20: Mormon Garments

Nov 05 2024 38 mins  
In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the significance of Mormon garments—sacred underwear worn by church members—covering recent changes like sleeveless styles and the belief in their protective symbolism. They also address the controversy surrounding Joseph Smith not wearing his garments at his death, which raises questions about their imp

Jesus for Mormons #19: Life in Crisis: Fight or Flight

Oct 29 2024 42 mins  
In this episode, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the "fight or flight" response, focusing on Kai's journey after leaving the Mormon Church. He reflects on his past as a fighter and his struggle with avoidance, highlighting his attempts to escape through travel and major life changes. The conversation emphasizes the importance of confronting challenges for healing, the clarity

Jesus for Mormons #18: Elevated Emotion vs. Holy Spirit

Oct 22 2024 54 mins  
In this episode, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss emotions and spirituality for those leaving Mormonism. They highlight the church's focus on feelings as truth and the risks of emotional manipulation. Using testimonies, including one from a young woman in a polygamist group, they advocate for balancing emotional awareness with critical thinking. They introduce "elevation emotio

Jesus for Mormons #17: You Have Mail

Oct 15 2024 42 mins  
In this episode of "Jesus for Mormons," hosts Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the relationship between faith and works, emphasizing that genuine faith in Jesus leads to good deeds. Kai reflects on his past in the Mormon Church, encouraged by a friend to view his experiences as valuable rather than wasted. He shares a boating mishap as a lesson in learning from mistakes and hig

Jesus for Mormons #16: Follow the Profit

Oct 01 2024 39 mins  
In this episode of "Jesus for Mormons," Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the financial structure of Mormon wards, estimating they generate around $600,000 in tithing annually with minimal expenses. Kai compares this to Circus Circus in Las Vegas, highlighting themes of financial accountability. They also emphasize the importance of transparency in church finances and community-

Jesus for Mormons #15: Mormon Assets

Sep 24 2024 44 mins  
In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss the Mormon Church’s significant financial assets, valued at $265 billion, and question whether the church is fulfilling its non-profit mission or simply accumulating wealth. They highlight declining membership and outdated traditions as signs of disconnect and draw parallels to the "Parable of the Talents,

Jesus for Mormons #14: Why I Hated Brandon

Sep 17 2024 37 mins  
In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss Kai's initial hostility towards Brandon, Di's husband and a pastor, due to his past bias against religious leaders from outside his former Mormon faith. Despite his skepticism, Kai was taken aback by Brandon's genuine and down-to-earth approach, which contrasted with his preconceived notions. This encounter

Jesus for Mormons #13: Secret Lives of Mormon Wives - Mormons Gone Wild - Sex in Mormon Church

Sep 11 2024 56 mins  
In this episode of Jesus for Mormons, Kai Van Leuven and Pastor Di discuss how detailed confessions in the Mormon Church can cause unnecessary shame and guilt. They contrast this with the simple, direct forgiveness from Jesus. They argue that these practices can lead to guilt and psychological harm, making forgiveness seem conditional. They also address the harm from strict teachin