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{{short description|American historian}} |
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{{Infobox person |
{{Infobox person |
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| name = John P. Dehlin |
| name = John P. Dehlin |
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| image = JohnDehlin.jpg |
| image = JohnDehlin.jpg |
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| caption = |
| caption = Dehlin speaking in 2007 |
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| birth_name = John Parkinson Dehlin |
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| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1969}}<ref>{{cite web |author=(19 years ago) |url=http://voters.findthedata.com/l/78808477/John-Parkinson-Dehlin |title=John Parkinson Dehlin | Utah Voter |publisher=Voters.findthedata.com |date= |accessdate=April 18, 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|8|20}} |
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| birth_place = [[Boise, Idaho]], U.S. |
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| alma_mater = [[Brigham Young University]] (BS)<br />[[Utah State University]] (MS, PhD)<ref name="johndehlin.com">{{cite web|url=http://johndehlin.com/privatepractice/ |title=Private Practice – John Dehlin, Ph.D |publisher=Johndehlin.com |date= 2015-07-24|accessdate=April 18, 2016}}</ref> |
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| alma_mater = [[Brigham Young University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[Utah State University]] ([[Master of Science|MS]], [[PhD]]) |
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| occupation = [[Podcaster]] and [[Pundit]]<br />[[Faith crisis]] [[Coaching|coach]]<br /> |
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| spouse = Margi Weber Dehlin<ref name=Tedxusu/> |
| spouse = Margi Weber Dehlin<ref name=Tedxusu/> |
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| children = |
| children = |
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'''John Parkinson Dehlin'''<ref>{{cite web|author={{ authors[i].name }} |url=https://www.scribd.com/user/298878004/John-Parkinson-Dehlin |title=John Parkinson Dehlin (john1parkinson1dehli) 2 uploads |publisher=Scribd |date=September 28, 2015 | |
'''John Parkinson Dehlin'''<ref>{{cite web|author={{ authors[i].name }} |url=https://www.scribd.com/user/298878004/John-Parkinson-Dehlin |title=John Parkinson Dehlin (john1parkinson1dehli) 2 uploads |publisher=Scribd |date=September 28, 2015 |access-date=April 18, 2016}}</ref> ({{IPAc-en|d|ə|'|l|ɪ|n}}; born August 20, 1969) is an American [[podcast]] host. He holds a PhD in psychology. Dehlin founded the ''[[Mormon Stories Podcast]]'', as well as several other podcasts, [[blog]]s, and websites.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mormonstories.org |title=Mormon Stories Podcast |publisher=openstoriesfoundation.org |access-date=August 30, 2014}}</ref> He was an influential early participant in the "[[Mormon blogosphere]]," and blogs at [[Patheos.com]]. He advocates for [[LGBT rights in the United States|LGBT rights]] and other views outside mainstream religious culture.<ref name="johndehlin.com">{{cite web|url=http://johndehlin.com/privatepractice/ |title=Private Practice – John Dehlin, Ph.D |publisher=Johndehlin.com |date= 2015-07-24|access-date=April 18, 2016}}</ref><ref name=Tedxusu>{{citation |contribution-url= http://www.ted.com/tedx/events/9015 |contribution= TEDxUSU: Survive |place= [[Utah State University]] |url= http://www.ted.com/tedx/events |title= TEDx Events |publisher= [[TED.com]] |date= November 5, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Post by Joanna Brooks |url=http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/joannabrooks/4859/landmark_survey_of_lgbtq_mormons_launched_/ |title=Landmark Survey of LGBTQ Mormons Launched |publisher=Religion Dispatches |date=July 13, 2011 |access-date=November 21, 2013}}</ref> In January 2015, Dehlin was [[Excommunication#The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|excommunicated]] from [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.hjnews.com/allaccess/dehlin-upset-over-church-handling-of-excommunication-appeal/article_8fbf45da-5106-5a18-bf02-c02eebf70cbf.html|title=Dehlin upset over church handling of excommunication appeal|first=Kevin|last=Opsahl | work=The Herald Journal| date=September 26, 2016| access-date=April 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>[[Peggy Fletcher Stack]], [https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=2163720&itype=CMSID "Mormon critic John Dehlin is excommunicated"], ''[[Salt Lake Tribune]]'', March 12, 2015.</ref> |
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== |
==Early life and education== |
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Born in [[Boise, Idaho]] and raised in [[Katy, Texas]],<ref name=MMprofile>{{cite web|author=Dehlin, John|title=Author Profile: John Dehlin|work=Mormon Matters|url=http://mormonmatters.org/author/admin/| |
Born in [[Boise, Idaho]], and raised in [[Katy, Texas]],<ref name=MMprofile>{{cite web|author=Dehlin, John|title=Author Profile: John Dehlin|work=Mormon Matters|url=http://mormonmatters.org/author/admin/|access-date=July 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828230534/http://mormonmatters.org/author/admin/|archive-date=August 28, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> he attended [[Brigham Young University]] (BYU) in [[Provo, Utah]]. He graduated [[summa cum laude]] with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in [[political science]] in 1993.<ref name=OCWCprofile>{{cite web|title=User Profile: John Dehlin |publisher=OpenCourseWare Consortium |url=http://ohana.mit.edu/ocwc/display/~jdehlin |access-date=July 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908043216/http://ohana.mit.edu/ocwc/display/~jdehlin |archive-date=September 8, 2008 }}</ref> In 2007, Dehlin also completed a [[Master of Science]] degree in [[Instructional Technology]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Dehlin, John|date=December 16, 2007|title=I did it|url=http://mormonstories.org/?p=376|access-date=July 21, 2008|work=Mormon Stories}}</ref> In 2015, he received his doctorate in clinical and counseling psychology from [[Utah State University]].<ref name="USU University Libraries">{{Cite thesis|last1=Dehlin|first1=John|date=May 2015|title=Sexual Orientation Change Efforts, Identity Conflict, and Psychosocial Health Amongst Same-Sex Attracted Mormons |url=http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/4251/|type=PhD dissertation |publisher=Utah State University |doi=10.26076/629f-6783 |access-date=August 22, 2015}}</ref> |
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== Career == |
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⚫ | After graduation, Dehlin worked for five years in software and as a consultant for [[Bain & Company]], [[Arthur Andersen]], [[Citicorp]], Heidrick & Struggles, and the |
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=== Early career === |
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⚫ | In 2004, Dehlin moved to [[Logan, Utah]], to begin work under [[David A. Wiley]] at [[Utah State University]] (USU) on [[OpenCourseWare]]-related projects.<ref name=OCWCpost>{{cite web|author=Dehlin, John|title=Meet and Greet|date=March 15, 2007|work=OpenCourseWare Consortium Forum|publisher=OpenCourseWare Consortium|url=http://www.ocwconsortium.org/ocwcforum/viewtopic.php?t=6&sid=a9d7085c396ee8d6167b01af7ae91ebf| |
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⚫ | After graduation, Dehlin worked for five years in software and as a consultant for [[Bain & Company]], [[Arthur Andersen]], [[Citicorp]], Heidrick & Struggles, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He then worked at [[Microsoft]] for seven years in programs for [[Software developer|developers]], [[marketing]], speech technologies, and [[Tech demo|product demos]].<ref name=OCWCprofile/> |
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⚫ | In 2004, Dehlin moved to [[Logan, Utah]], to begin work under [[David A. Wiley]] at [[Utah State University]] (USU) on [[OpenCourseWare]]-related projects.<ref name=OCWCpost>{{cite web|author=Dehlin, John|title=Meet and Greet|date=March 15, 2007|work=OpenCourseWare Consortium Forum|publisher=OpenCourseWare Consortium|url=http://www.ocwconsortium.org/ocwcforum/viewtopic.php?t=6&sid=a9d7085c396ee8d6167b01af7ae91ebf|access-date=July 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604003628/http://www.ocwconsortium.org/ocwcforum/viewtopic.php?t=6|archive-date=June 4, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Dehlin would serve two years as USU's OpenCourseWare Consortium Coordinator and Director of Outreach for the Center for Open and Sustainable Learning, promoting OpenCourseWare to other universities,<ref name=OCWCprofile/> and a few years as director of the OpenCourseWare Consortium for the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] (MIT). In January 2007, MIT hired Dehlin as the Director of the OpenCourseWare Consortium.<ref name=OCWCpost/> |
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==New media== |
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===Sunstone=== |
===Sunstone=== |
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During Dehlin's early career |
During Dehlin's early career, he developed [[massive open online course]]s (MOOCs) and branched into Latter-day Saint-themed [[new media]]. Dehlin approached the [[Sunstone Education Foundation]] and presented to its board of directors the importance of participating in developing internet communities through blogging and podcasting in order to address the then-limited internet presence for constructive intellectual sources. The Board accepted his offer to initiate these programs<ref name=MStar>{{cite web|author=Goble, Clark|title=M* Interviews… John Dehlin|work=The Millennial Star|date=September 26, 2005|url=http://www.millennialstar.org/2005/09/26/m-interviews-john-dehlin/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716070956/http://www.millennialstar.org/2005/09/26/m-interviews-john-dehlin/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 16, 2011|access-date=July 21, 2008}}</ref> and, in September 2005, Dehlin joined the board of directors and began a Sunstone podcast as well as ''SunstoneBlog''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Wotherspoon, Dan |title=Bloggin and Podcasting Sunstone Style! |date=September 15, 2005 |work=SunstoneBlog |publisher=Sunstone Education Foundation |url=http://sunstoneblog.com/2005/09/15/blogging-and-podcasting-sunstone-style/ |access-date=July 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905111435/http://sunstoneblog.com/2005/09/15/blogging-and-podcasting-sunstone-style/ |archive-date=September 5, 2008 }}</ref> In July 2007, he also became executive director of the Sunstone Education Foundation, in which he was to focus on strategic initiatives to strengthen Sunstone's position as an open forum for issues within the Latter-day Saint community.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sunstone foundation hires executive director|date=July 28, 2007|work=[[Deseret News]]|url=http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695195330,00.html|access-date=July 21, 2008}}</ref> In that role, he increased organizational focus on its longstanding motto, "faith seeking understanding," and worked to attract new and younger membership.<ref>{{cite news|author=Moore, Carrie A.|title=New direction for Sunstone?|work=[[Deseret Morning News]]|date=August 7, 2007|location=Salt Lake City|url=http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695198451,00.html?pg=1|access-date=July 21, 2008}}</ref> Dehlin resigned from Sunstone in January 2008.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dehlin, John|title=<comment>|work=The New Mormon History|publisher=Latter-day Commentary|date=June 8, 2008|url=http://latterdaycommentary.blogspot.com/2008/05/new-mormon-history-grant-palmer.html#c474708688441700241|access-date=July 21, 2008|archive-date=July 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708050015/http://latterdaycommentary.blogspot.com/2008/05/new-mormon-history-grant-palmer.html#c474708688441700241|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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=== ''Mormon Stories'' === |
=== ''Mormon Stories'' === |
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{{main|Mormon Stories Podcast}} |
{{main|Mormon Stories Podcast}} |
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In September 2005, after experiencing doubts in his faith and subsequently finding reasons to remain a member of the |
In September 2005, after experiencing doubts in his faith and subsequently finding reasons to remain a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, Dehlin created the ''Mormon Stories'' podcast as an open discussion of Latter-day Saint issues, intending to give listeners reasons to remain in the church.<ref name=MS1>{{cite web|author=Dehlin, John|title=Mormon Stories Podcast # 001: Bad Baptisms? My Mission Experience in Guatemala|work=Mormon Stories|date=September 4, 2005|url=http://mormonstories.org/?p=4|access-date=July 21, 2008}}</ref> Through interviews, ''Mormon Stories'' focused on varying religious experiences and perspectives. <!--To date, listenership at times exceeds 25,000 downloads per episode.--> ''Mormon Stories'' has been featured in many venues, including being broadcast on [[KVNU]] in [[Logan, Utah]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Grover, Tom|title=John Dehlin, Mormon Stories featured in today's Herald Journal|date=January 3, 2008|publisher=KVNU’s For The People|url=http://kvnuforthepeople.com/?p=1258|access-date=July 21, 2008|archive-date=October 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021185532/http://kvnuforthepeople.com/?p=1258|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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Intermittently conflicted about continuing ''Mormon Stories'', Dehlin stopped and restarted the project a few times.<ref name=WhatIsWas>{{cite web | title=What is/was Mormon Stories? | work=Mormon Stories Podcast | date=April 14, 2009 |url=http:// |
Intermittently conflicted about continuing ''Mormon Stories'', Dehlin stopped and restarted the project a few times.<ref name=WhatIsWas>{{cite web | title=What is/was Mormon Stories? | work=Mormon Stories Podcast | date=April 14, 2009 |url=http://mormonstories.org/?p=478}} {{dead link|date=July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Some Bonus Material, and a Break | date=December 25, 2007 | work=Mormon Stories | url=http://mormonstories.org/?p=383 | access-date=January 28, 2010}}</ref> In January 2010 Dehlin resumed the blog and podcast, focusing on faith crises and mental illness. The podcast has featured many notable guests,<ref>{{cite web | title=Mormon Stories 2010 — A New Direction | work=Mormon Stories Podcast | date=January 15, 2010 | url=http://mormonstories.org/?p=716 | access-date=January 28, 2010}}</ref> beginning with interviews of [[Joanna Brooks]] and [[John C. Hamer]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Mormon Stories # 112 & 113: Joanna Brooks Parts 1 and 2 | work=Mormon Stories Podcast | date=January 20, 2010 | url=http://mormonstories.org/?p=738 | access-date=January 28, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Mormon Stories # 116: John Hamer Pt. 1 — The LDS Succession Crisis of 1844 and the Beginnings of the RLDS Church | work=Mormon Stories Podcast | date=January 24, 2010 | url=http://mormonstories.org/?p=792 | access-date=January 28, 2010}}</ref> Two other regular hosts joined Dehlin in conducting interviews for the podcast: Dan Wotherspoon, former editor of ''[[Sunstone (magazine)|Sunstone]]'' magazine; and Natasha Helfer Parker, a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist. |
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=== Open Stories Foundation === |
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Dehlin has been criticized for the lack of financial transparency and oversight in his [[nonprofit]] [[umbrella organization]], Open Stories Foundation.<ref>{{cite web | title=Improprieties by John Dehlin and the Open Stories Foundation: An Open Letter to Current Donors | work=Medium, Markus Smith | date=November 12, 2019 | url=https://medium.com/@markussmith927/improprieties-by-john-dehlin-and-the-open-stories-foundation-an-open-letter-to-current-donors-c55e7159a823 | access-date=March 29, 2024}}</ref> In 2022, [[The Salt Lake Tribune]] reported several former employees of Open Stories Foundation filed a complaint with the [[IRS]] alleging Dehlin and the foundation "'curated' its board membership to boost his compensation and blur lines between donations and personal expenses amid what they assert was lax supervision."<ref>{{cite web | title='Mormon Stories' podcaster John Dehlin makes $236K a year from his nonprofit. Is that too much? | date=February 22, 2022 | work=The Salt Lake Tribune | url=https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2022/02/27/mormon-stories-podcaster/ | access-date=March 29, 2024}}</ref> According to nonprofit tax reports, Dehlin's personal annual compensation grew by more than 700% between 2010 and 2019.<ref>{{cite web | title=Open Stories Foundation Inc. IRS Tax Form 990 | url=https://www.openstoriesfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/OSF-12-31-19-Form-990-Public-Disclosure-Copy.pdf | access-date=March 29, 2024}}</ref> His annual compensation of $236,021 in 2019 represented 60% of Open Stories Foundation's total earnings from podcast revenues and donors. James Patterson, a former associate producer for Dehlin, wrote in his [[whistleblower]] complaint to the IRS, that "Dehlin sees Open Stories Foundation as his and his alone, with an independent board of directors merely a roadblock to him achieving his personal financial goals."<ref>{{cite web | title='Mormon Stories' podcaster John Dehlin makes $236K a year from his nonprofit. Is that too much? | date=February 22, 2022 | work=The Salt Lake Tribune | url=https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2022/02/27/mormon-stories-podcaster/ | access-date=March 29, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Patterson, James | title=Questions about the Open Stories Foundation | date=May 23, 2017 | work=Rational Faiths | url=https://rationalfaiths.com/open-stories-foundation-true-non-profit/ | access-date=March 29, 2024}}</ref> |
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=== Other blogs === |
=== Other blogs === |
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⚫ | In June 2007, Dehlin started ''Mormon Matters'' as a blog and weekly podcast.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://mormonmatters.org/mormon-matters-undergoing-re-design/ | title=About|Mormon Matters | access-date=May 22, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608115748/http://mormonmatters.org/mormon-matters-undergoing-re-design/ | archive-date=June 8, 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The format was a discussion panel on events, culture, politics and spirituality within The Church. Panelists were to represent different sides of each issue, although the show later struggled to retain faithful Latter-day Saint panelists.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dehlin, John|title=Desperately Seeking Conservative LDS Panelist(s)|work=Mormon Matters blog|date=July 14, 2007|url=http://mormonmatters.org/2007/07/14/desperately-seeking-lds-conservative-panelists/|access-date=July 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828221809/http://mormonmatters.org/2007/07/14/desperately-seeking-lds-conservative-panelists/|archive-date=August 28, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> In early 2008, Dehlin converted ''Mormon Matters'' into a group blog and lessened emphasis on new podcast episodes.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dehlin, John|title=Looking to turn Mormon Matters into a Group Blog|work=Mormon Matters blog|date=January 9, 2008|url=http://mormonmatters.org/2008/01/09/looking-to-turn-mormon-matters-into-a-group-blog/|access-date=July 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726231246/http://mormonmatters.org/2008/01/09/looking-to-turn-mormon-matters-into-a-group-blog/|archive-date=July 26, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Dehlin resumed the ''Mormon Matters'' podcast on March 5, 2011, with Dan Wotherspoon as the host and [[Joanna Brooks]] as a frequent co-host. |
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⚫ | Dehlin is also the co-founder of the pro-LGBT "Mormons for Marriage" website.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.mormonsformarriage.com | title=Mormons for Marriage}}</ref> He co-founded [[Stay LDS]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.staylds.com |title=Stay LDS / Mormon | New Ways to Stay Connected |publisher=Staylds.com |access-date=July 22, 2013}}</ref> a community that was dedicated to helping "unorthodox Mormons" stay in the Church.<ref>{{cite news | author=Dobner, Jennifer | title=Mormons in crisis find online refuge | work=[[The Salt Lake Tribune]] | date=July 20, 2009 | url=http://www.sltrib.com/faith/ci_12871883 | access-date=January 28, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604200157/http://www.sltrib.com/faith/ci_12871883 | archive-date=June 4, 2011 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref> |
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⚫ | In June 2007, Dehlin started ''Mormon Matters'' as a blog and weekly podcast.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://mormonmatters.org/mormon-matters-undergoing-re-design/ | title=About|Mormon Matters | |
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⚫ | Dehlin is also the co-founder of the pro-LGBT |
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Dehlin briefly blogged at a non-partisan religion website [[Patheos.com]] in a current-issues/events dialogue format with [[Mormon studies]] scholar [[Patrick Q. Mason]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.sltrib.com/home/4373196-155/lds-scholar-ex-mormon-team-up-on|title=LDS scholar, ex-Mormon team up on new blog to debate key topics facing the faith|first=Peggy Fletcher Stack The Salt Lake|last=Tribune}}</ref> |
Dehlin briefly blogged at a non-partisan religion website [[Patheos.com]] in a current-issues/events dialogue format with [[Mormon studies]] scholar [[Patrick Q. Mason]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.sltrib.com/home/4373196-155/lds-scholar-ex-mormon-team-up-on|title=LDS scholar, ex-Mormon team up on new blog to debate key topics facing the faith|first=Peggy Fletcher Stack The Salt Lake|last=Tribune}}</ref> |
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==Membership in the Church== |
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==LDS Church membership== |
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From 1988 to 1990, Dehlin served as |
From 1988 to 1990, Dehlin served as a [[Missionary (LDS Church)| missionary]] in [[Guatemala]]. According to Dehlin, his [[Mission (LDS Church)|mission]] began baptizing up to 700 converts per month using practices he believed to be deceptive. After reporting this to his mission president, Dehlin was transferred to an area that stoked his allergies, and he was subsequently sent home. He chose to resume mission service, and was reassigned to finish his two-year missionary term in the U.S. in [[Tempe, Arizona]]. Dehlin remained an active member of the Church for the next 20 years.<ref name=MS1/> |
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In the Spring of 2011, Dehlin stated he had become inactive in the |
In the Spring of 2011, Dehlin stated he had become inactive in the Church (i.e., not attending weekly services), citing an inability to believe some of the church's claims.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forum.newordermormon.org/viewtopic.php?t=20463 |title=New Order Mormon • View topic - Conversation on FB with a friend, because oh John Dehlin |publisher=Forum.newordermormon.org |access-date=July 22, 2013 |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021185534/http://forum.newordermormon.org/viewtopic.php?t=20463 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.postmormon.org/exp_e/index.php/discussions/viewthread/28352/ |title=Support for People as they Leave or Consider Leaving the Mormon or LDS Church | The Community Forum | Yes, John Dehlin has left the Church |publisher=PostMormon.org |access-date=July 22, 2013}}</ref> |
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Prior to 2014, Dehlin had faced church disciplinary hearings without any resulting disciplinary action.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|last1=Walch|first1=Tad|title=Mormon critic John Dehlin says he'll face church disciplinary council|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865619676/Mormon-critic-John-Dehlin-says-hell-face-church-disciplinary-council.html?pg=all| |
In 2014, Dehlin was investigated by his local church leaders regarding his online activity, culminating in a request by Dehlin for greater privacy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mormonstories.org/did-you-ask-to-be-excommunicated/ |title=Did you ask to be excommunicated? |publisher=Mormon Stories |date= 2014-06-27|access-date=April 18, 2016}}</ref> Prior to 2014, Dehlin had faced church disciplinary hearings without any resulting disciplinary action.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|last1=Walch|first1=Tad|title=Mormon critic John Dehlin says he'll face church disciplinary council|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865619676/Mormon-critic-John-Dehlin-says-hell-face-church-disciplinary-council.html?pg=all|access-date=May 28, 2015|newspaper=Deseret News|date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> In January 2015, Dehlin's [[stake president]] initiated another disciplinary council,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Goodstein|first1=Laurie|title=John Dehlin, Mormon Critic, Facing Excommunication|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/us/john-dehlin-mormon-critic-facing-excommunication.html|access-date=January 15, 2015|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=January 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.sltrib.com/home/2089207-155/disciplinary-council-delayed-for-mormon-stories|newspaper = Salt Lake Tribune|title = Disciplinary council delayed for 'Mormon Stories' podcaster John Dehlin|first = Kristen|last = Moulton|date = January 22, 2015}}</ref> which determined Dehlin's online activity constituted [[apostasy]]. He was excommunicated for "conduct contrary to the laws and order of the church."<ref name="auto"/><ref name = walch>{{cite web|url = http://www.ksl.com/?sid=33422568&nid=148&title=john-dehlin-excommunicated-from-lds-church|publisher = KSL|title = John Dehlin excommunicated from LDS Church|first = Tad |last = Walch|date =February 10, 2015}}</ref> Dehlin appealed to the [[First Presidency (LDS Church)|First Presidency]] on March 10, 2015, stating his actions had not met the church's definition of apostasy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sltrib.com/home/2275172-155/mormon-critic-john-dehlin-appeals-lds| newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune|title=Mormon critic John Dehlin appeals LDS excommunication| first = Peggy|last=Fletcher Stack|date = March 10, 2015|author-link=Peggy Fletcher Stack}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.religionnews.com/2015/03/11/mormon-critic-john-dehlin-appeals-lds-excommunication/ |title=Mormon critic John Dehlin appeals LDS excommunication | Religion News Service |publisher=Religionnews.com |date=March 11, 2015 |access-date=April 18, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.newsweek.com/mormon-church-jesus-christ-latter-day-saints-james-hamula-648468 | title=Will we ever know why the Mormons booted out a top official for the first time in decades?| website=[[Newsweek]]| date=2017-08-09}}</ref> In July and August 2015, the First Presidency notified Dehlin via his stake president of the denial of his appeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.hjnews.com/allaccess/dehlin-upset-over-church-handling-of-excommunication-appeal/article_8fbf45da-5106-5a18-bf02-c02eebf70cbf.html|title=Dehlin upset over church handling of excommunication appeal|first=Kevin Opsahl staff|last=writer}}</ref> |
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Dehlin still considers himself LDS.<ref>[[Peggy Fletcher Stack]], [https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=2163720&itype=CMSID "Mormon critic John Dehlin is excommunicated"], ''[[Salt Lake Tribune]]'', March 12, 2015.</ref> |
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* [[Jeremy Runnells]] |
* [[Jeremy Runnells]] |
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* [[Kate Kelly (feminist)|Kate Kelly]] |
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== References == |
== References == |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140715092531/http://mormonmatters.org/2009/08/20/5-questions-after-5-years-%E2%80%93-from-a-longtime-%E2%80%98nacle-wannabe/ "5 Questions After 5 Years – From A Longtime 'Nacle Wannabe,"] by John Dehlin |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140715092531/http://mormonmatters.org/2009/08/20/5-questions-after-5-years-%E2%80%93-from-a-longtime-%E2%80%98nacle-wannabe/ "5 Questions After 5 Years – From A Longtime 'Nacle Wannabe,"] by John Dehlin |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100119005050/http://ldspsychology.com/ Ldspsychology.com], one of Dehlin's blogs, started in 2009 |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100119005050/http://ldspsychology.com/ Ldspsychology.com], one of Dehlin's blogs, started in 2009 |
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*{{Cite journal|title = The Odd Couple: Story and Community: John Dehlin's Mormon Stories project has a contradiction at its center. Whether it's a fatal error or a brilliant accident is yet to be seen|first = Rosalynde|last = Welch|date = June 28, 2012|publisher = [[Patheos]]|url = http://www.patheos.com/Mormon/Odd-Couple-Rosalynde-Welch-06-29-2012.html}} |
*{{Cite journal|title = The Odd Couple: Story and Community: John Dehlin's Mormon Stories project has a contradiction at its center. Whether it's a fatal error or a brilliant accident is yet to be seen|first = Rosalynde|last = Welch|date = June 28, 2012|publisher = [[Patheos]]|url = http://www.patheos.com/Mormon/Odd-Couple-Rosalynde-Welch-06-29-2012.html|access-date = July 2, 2012|archive-date = October 21, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131021185532/http://www.patheos.com/Mormon/Odd-Couple-Rosalynde-Welch-06-29-2012.html|url-status = dead}} |
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* {{cite web|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MxCXjfAunk |title=The Ally Within|publisher=[[TEDx]] |type = video of address|date= November 5, 2013}} |
* {{cite web|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MxCXjfAunk |title=The Ally Within|publisher=[[TEDx]] |type = video of address|date= November 5, 2013}} |
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* {{cite news|url = http://www.sltrib.com/home/2085731-155/trib-talk-john-dehlin-on-mormon|title = John Dehlin on 'Mormon Stories,' apostasy|type = interview video|author = |
* {{cite news|url = http://www.sltrib.com/home/2085731-155/trib-talk-john-dehlin-on-mormon|title = John Dehlin on 'Mormon Stories,' apostasy|type = interview video|author = Jennifer Napier-Pearce|author-link = Jennifer Napier-Pearce|newspaper = [[Salt Lake Tribune]]|date = January 22, 2015}} |
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* {{cite web|url = http://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/3/e/8/3e89a0e4190d5d6d/MormonTransitions-001-JohnDehlinUVUKeynote.mp3?c_id=9970211&expiration=1448041239&hwt=9867a9cc3b04e62eb602aa316cea34c8 |
* {{cite web|url = http://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/3/e/8/3e89a0e4190d5d6d/MormonTransitions-001-JohnDehlinUVUKeynote.mp3?c_id=9970211&expiration=1448041239&hwt=9867a9cc3b04e62eb602aa316cea34c8|title = An Evening with John Dehlin: "What I've Learned from 15-plus Years of Mormon Transitioning"|type = speech audio|author = Utah Valley Post-Mormons|publisher = hwcdn.libsyn.com|date = August 18, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} |
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;WorldCat |
;WorldCat |
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* {{worldcat id|id=lccn-no2007-140179}} |
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Revision as of 17:13, 2 April 2024
John P. Dehlin | |
---|---|
![]() Dehlin speaking in 2007 | |
Born | John Parkinson Dehlin August 20, 1969 Boise, Idaho, U.S. |
Alma mater | Brigham Young University (BA) Utah State University (MS, PhD) |
Occupation(s) | Podcaster and Pundit Faith crisis coach |
Spouse | Margi Weber Dehlin[1] |
Website | http://johndehlin.com/ |
John Parkinson Dehlin[2] (/dəˈlɪn/; born August 20, 1969) is an American podcast host. He holds a PhD in psychology. Dehlin founded the Mormon Stories Podcast, as well as several other podcasts, blogs, and websites.[3] He was an influential early participant in the "Mormon blogosphere," and blogs at Patheos.com. He advocates for LGBT rights and other views outside mainstream religious culture.[4][1][5] In January 2015, Dehlin was excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[6][7]
Early life and education
Born in Boise, Idaho, and raised in Katy, Texas,[8] he attended Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah. He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1993.[9] In 2007, Dehlin also completed a Master of Science degree in Instructional Technology.[10] In 2015, he received his doctorate in clinical and counseling psychology from Utah State University.[11]
Career
Early career
After graduation, Dehlin worked for five years in software and as a consultant for Bain & Company, Arthur Andersen, Citicorp, Heidrick & Struggles, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He then worked at Microsoft for seven years in programs for developers, marketing, speech technologies, and product demos.[9]
In 2004, Dehlin moved to Logan, Utah, to begin work under David A. Wiley at Utah State University (USU) on OpenCourseWare-related projects.[12] Dehlin would serve two years as USU's OpenCourseWare Consortium Coordinator and Director of Outreach for the Center for Open and Sustainable Learning, promoting OpenCourseWare to other universities,[9] and a few years as director of the OpenCourseWare Consortium for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In January 2007, MIT hired Dehlin as the Director of the OpenCourseWare Consortium.[12]
Sunstone
During Dehlin's early career, he developed massive open online courses (MOOCs) and branched into Latter-day Saint-themed new media. Dehlin approached the Sunstone Education Foundation and presented to its board of directors the importance of participating in developing internet communities through blogging and podcasting in order to address the then-limited internet presence for constructive intellectual sources. The Board accepted his offer to initiate these programs[13] and, in September 2005, Dehlin joined the board of directors and began a Sunstone podcast as well as SunstoneBlog.[14] In July 2007, he also became executive director of the Sunstone Education Foundation, in which he was to focus on strategic initiatives to strengthen Sunstone's position as an open forum for issues within the Latter-day Saint community.[15] In that role, he increased organizational focus on its longstanding motto, "faith seeking understanding," and worked to attract new and younger membership.[16] Dehlin resigned from Sunstone in January 2008.[17]
Mormon Stories
In September 2005, after experiencing doubts in his faith and subsequently finding reasons to remain a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, Dehlin created the Mormon Stories podcast as an open discussion of Latter-day Saint issues, intending to give listeners reasons to remain in the church.[18] Through interviews, Mormon Stories focused on varying religious experiences and perspectives. Mormon Stories has been featured in many venues, including being broadcast on KVNU in Logan, Utah.[19]
Intermittently conflicted about continuing Mormon Stories, Dehlin stopped and restarted the project a few times.[20][21] In January 2010 Dehlin resumed the blog and podcast, focusing on faith crises and mental illness. The podcast has featured many notable guests,[22] beginning with interviews of Joanna Brooks and John C. Hamer.[23][24] Two other regular hosts joined Dehlin in conducting interviews for the podcast: Dan Wotherspoon, former editor of Sunstone magazine; and Natasha Helfer Parker, a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist.
Open Stories Foundation
Dehlin has been criticized for the lack of financial transparency and oversight in his nonprofit umbrella organization, Open Stories Foundation.[25] In 2022, The Salt Lake Tribune reported several former employees of Open Stories Foundation filed a complaint with the IRS alleging Dehlin and the foundation "'curated' its board membership to boost his compensation and blur lines between donations and personal expenses amid what they assert was lax supervision."[26] According to nonprofit tax reports, Dehlin's personal annual compensation grew by more than 700% between 2010 and 2019.[27] His annual compensation of $236,021 in 2019 represented 60% of Open Stories Foundation's total earnings from podcast revenues and donors. James Patterson, a former associate producer for Dehlin, wrote in his whistleblower complaint to the IRS, that "Dehlin sees Open Stories Foundation as his and his alone, with an independent board of directors merely a roadblock to him achieving his personal financial goals."[28][29]
Other blogs
In June 2007, Dehlin started Mormon Matters as a blog and weekly podcast.[30] The format was a discussion panel on events, culture, politics and spirituality within The Church. Panelists were to represent different sides of each issue, although the show later struggled to retain faithful Latter-day Saint panelists.[31] In early 2008, Dehlin converted Mormon Matters into a group blog and lessened emphasis on new podcast episodes.[32] Dehlin resumed the Mormon Matters podcast on March 5, 2011, with Dan Wotherspoon as the host and Joanna Brooks as a frequent co-host.
Dehlin is also the co-founder of the pro-LGBT "Mormons for Marriage" website.[33] He co-founded Stay LDS,[34] a community that was dedicated to helping "unorthodox Mormons" stay in the Church.[35]
Dehlin briefly blogged at a non-partisan religion website Patheos.com in a current-issues/events dialogue format with Mormon studies scholar Patrick Q. Mason.[36]
Membership in the Church
From 1988 to 1990, Dehlin served as a missionary in Guatemala. According to Dehlin, his mission began baptizing up to 700 converts per month using practices he believed to be deceptive. After reporting this to his mission president, Dehlin was transferred to an area that stoked his allergies, and he was subsequently sent home. He chose to resume mission service, and was reassigned to finish his two-year missionary term in the U.S. in Tempe, Arizona. Dehlin remained an active member of the Church for the next 20 years.[18]
In the Spring of 2011, Dehlin stated he had become inactive in the Church (i.e., not attending weekly services), citing an inability to believe some of the church's claims.[37][38]
In 2014, Dehlin was investigated by his local church leaders regarding his online activity, culminating in a request by Dehlin for greater privacy.[39] Prior to 2014, Dehlin had faced church disciplinary hearings without any resulting disciplinary action.[40] In January 2015, Dehlin's stake president initiated another disciplinary council,[41][42] which determined Dehlin's online activity constituted apostasy. He was excommunicated for "conduct contrary to the laws and order of the church."[36][43] Dehlin appealed to the First Presidency on March 10, 2015, stating his actions had not met the church's definition of apostasy.[44][45][46] In July and August 2015, the First Presidency notified Dehlin via his stake president of the denial of his appeal.[47]
See also
References
- ^ a b "TEDxUSU: Survive", TEDx Events, Utah State University: TED.com, November 5, 2013
- ^ {{ authors[i].name }} (September 28, 2015). "John Parkinson Dehlin (john1parkinson1dehli) 2 uploads". Scribd. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ "Mormon Stories Podcast". openstoriesfoundation.org. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
- ^ "Private Practice – John Dehlin, Ph.D". Johndehlin.com. July 24, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ Post by Joanna Brooks (July 13, 2011). "Landmark Survey of LGBTQ Mormons Launched". Religion Dispatches. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
- ^ Opsahl, Kevin (September 26, 2016). "Dehlin upset over church handling of excommunication appeal". The Herald Journal. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ Peggy Fletcher Stack, "Mormon critic John Dehlin is excommunicated", Salt Lake Tribune, March 12, 2015.
- ^ Dehlin, John. "Author Profile: John Dehlin". Mormon Matters. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
- ^ a b c "User Profile: John Dehlin". OpenCourseWare Consortium. Archived from the original on September 8, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
- ^ Dehlin, John (December 16, 2007). "I did it". Mormon Stories. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
- ^ Dehlin, John (May 2015). Sexual Orientation Change Efforts, Identity Conflict, and Psychosocial Health Amongst Same-Sex Attracted Mormons (PhD dissertation). Utah State University. doi:10.26076/629f-6783. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
- ^ a b Dehlin, John (March 15, 2007). "Meet and Greet". OpenCourseWare Consortium Forum. OpenCourseWare Consortium. Archived from the original on June 4, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
- ^ Goble, Clark (September 26, 2005). "M* Interviews… John Dehlin". The Millennial Star. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
- ^ Wotherspoon, Dan (September 15, 2005). "Bloggin and Podcasting Sunstone Style!". SunstoneBlog. Sunstone Education Foundation. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
- ^ "Sunstone foundation hires executive director". Deseret News. July 28, 2007. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
- ^ Moore, Carrie A. (August 7, 2007). "New direction for Sunstone?". Deseret Morning News. Salt Lake City. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
- ^ Dehlin, John (June 8, 2008). "<comment>". The New Mormon History. Latter-day Commentary. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
- ^ a b Dehlin, John (September 4, 2005). "Mormon Stories Podcast # 001: Bad Baptisms? My Mission Experience in Guatemala". Mormon Stories. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
- ^ Grover, Tom (January 3, 2008). "John Dehlin, Mormon Stories featured in today's Herald Journal". KVNU’s For The People. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
- ^ "What is/was Mormon Stories?". Mormon Stories Podcast. April 14, 2009. [dead link]
- ^ "Some Bonus Material, and a Break". Mormon Stories. December 25, 2007. Retrieved January 28, 2010.
- ^ "Mormon Stories 2010 — A New Direction". Mormon Stories Podcast. January 15, 2010. Retrieved January 28, 2010.
- ^ "Mormon Stories # 112 & 113: Joanna Brooks Parts 1 and 2". Mormon Stories Podcast. January 20, 2010. Retrieved January 28, 2010.
- ^ "Mormon Stories # 116: John Hamer Pt. 1 — The LDS Succession Crisis of 1844 and the Beginnings of the RLDS Church". Mormon Stories Podcast. January 24, 2010. Retrieved January 28, 2010.
- ^ "Improprieties by John Dehlin and the Open Stories Foundation: An Open Letter to Current Donors". Medium, Markus Smith. November 12, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ "'Mormon Stories' podcaster John Dehlin makes $236K a year from his nonprofit. Is that too much?". The Salt Lake Tribune. February 22, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ "Open Stories Foundation Inc. IRS Tax Form 990" (PDF). Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ "'Mormon Stories' podcaster John Dehlin makes $236K a year from his nonprofit. Is that too much?". The Salt Lake Tribune. February 22, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ Patterson, James (May 23, 2017). "Questions about the Open Stories Foundation". Rational Faiths. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ "About|Mormon Matters". Archived from the original on June 8, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
- ^ Dehlin, John (July 14, 2007). "Desperately Seeking Conservative LDS Panelist(s)". Mormon Matters blog. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
- ^ Dehlin, John (January 9, 2008). "Looking to turn Mormon Matters into a Group Blog". Mormon Matters blog. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
- ^ "Mormons for Marriage".
- ^ "Stay LDS / Mormon | New Ways to Stay Connected". Staylds.com. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- ^ Dobner, Jennifer (July 20, 2009). "Mormons in crisis find online refuge". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2010.
- ^ a b Tribune, Peggy Fletcher Stack The Salt Lake. "LDS scholar, ex-Mormon team up on new blog to debate key topics facing the faith".
- ^ "New Order Mormon • View topic - Conversation on FB with a friend, because oh John Dehlin". Forum.newordermormon.org. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- ^ "Support for People as they Leave or Consider Leaving the Mormon or LDS Church | The Community Forum | Yes, John Dehlin has left the Church". PostMormon.org. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- ^ "Did you ask to be excommunicated?". Mormon Stories. June 27, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ Walch, Tad (January 15, 2015). "Mormon critic John Dehlin says he'll face church disciplinary council". Deseret News. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
- ^ Goodstein, Laurie (January 15, 2015). "John Dehlin, Mormon Critic, Facing Excommunication". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
- ^ Moulton, Kristen (January 22, 2015). "Disciplinary council delayed for 'Mormon Stories' podcaster John Dehlin". Salt Lake Tribune.
- ^ Walch, Tad (February 10, 2015). "John Dehlin excommunicated from LDS Church". KSL.
- ^ Fletcher Stack, Peggy (March 10, 2015). "Mormon critic John Dehlin appeals LDS excommunication". Salt Lake Tribune.
- ^ "Mormon critic John Dehlin appeals LDS excommunication | Religion News Service". Religionnews.com. March 11, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ "Will we ever know why the Mormons booted out a top official for the first time in decades?". Newsweek. August 9, 2017.
- ^ writer, Kevin Opsahl staff. "Dehlin upset over church handling of excommunication appeal".
External links
- Official site
- Mormon Stories, Dehlin's most well-known blog and podcast
- Dehlin's list of episodes for Mormon Stories, Sunstone, and Mormon Matters
- "5 Questions After 5 Years – From A Longtime 'Nacle Wannabe," by John Dehlin
- Ldspsychology.com, one of Dehlin's blogs, started in 2009
- Welch, Rosalynde (June 28, 2012). "The Odd Couple: Story and Community: John Dehlin's Mormon Stories project has a contradiction at its center. Whether it's a fatal error or a brilliant accident is yet to be seen". Patheos. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help)
- Multi-media
- "The Ally Within" (video of address). TEDx. November 5, 2013.
- Jennifer Napier-Pearce (January 22, 2015). "John Dehlin on 'Mormon Stories,' apostasy". Salt Lake Tribune (interview video).
- Utah Valley Post-Mormons (August 18, 2015). "An Evening with John Dehlin: "What I've Learned from 15-plus Years of Mormon Transitioning"" (speech audio). hwcdn.libsyn.com.[permanent dead link]
- WorldCat