Latter Day Struggles

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Series Title: Religion IS Political [Part IV of VII]
In this episode Val & Nathan continue to build a case that it is impossible for religious systems to be "neutral" on political issues. They explore how society evolves as religions & political systems engage in the dance of shaping and being shaped by one another and how in every era brave individuals lead out in inviting social change & can come from either spiritual realm as both politics & religions confront how to dignify human life.  
They also talk about how some churches lead the charge of social justice (confronting longstanding dominator hierarchies) and some churches are society's great "feet draggers" (defending dominator hierarchies). Why the feet-dragging?  And why do the "feet draggers" often finally begrudgingly jump on the enlightenment train?  
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Series Setup
01:44 Legitimacy vs Transformation Religions
05:43 Silence and Power Structures
09:42 Why Churches Cannot Condemn
11:37 Article of Faith 12 Obedience
13:54 Moral Consequences and Neutrality
18:38 Religion and Politics Interwoven
19:55 Civilizational Development Framework
22:50 Center of Gravity in Mormonism
24:13 Leading Edge Reformers
25:54 Civil Rights Awakening
27:52 Laws Versus Hearts
30:17 Legitimacy Church Trap
31:19 Pressure Forces Change
37:06 BYU And Wyoming Seven
39:27 Social Capital And Attrition
42:47 Patriarchy Next Frontier
44:17 God Beyond Hierarchy
47:18 Why Churches Catch Up
48:03 Spiraling Toward Transformation
49:00 Next Episode Preview
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Series Title: Religion IS Political [Part III of VII]
In this episode Val & Nathan go more "macro" and explain how churches (just like human beings and human civilizations) go through stages of development and that a church will choose its stances of "significant moral consequence"  accordingly.  In short, if a church is focused on earlier stage legitimacy--its all about preserving its favorite form(s) of dominator hierarchy.   If the church has matured into a focus on personal transformation--it moves towards a stance of dismantling dominator hierarchies.  And it is in moments of social unrest that one can see more clearly where a church is developmentally.  
Listen in and keep in mind--both type of church are necessary and serve a role in the development of the human race.  As these topics are explored, it is fundamental to the growth of our culture at large to recognize that later stages of development (in the human being and in the church) are built on earlier stages of development.  So lean into this, even if it's uncomfortable! 
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Series Setup
00:46 Recap Political Neutrality
02:35 Statement Versus Practice
06:42 Why the Silence Now
08:51 Faith Leaders Speaking Up
14:20 Solidarity Over Self Preservation
20:32 Legitimacy Seeking Religion
27:59 Transformation Seeking Religion
31:18 Jesus Versus Christian Nationalism
32:43 Personal Stakes and Closing
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Series Title: Religion IS Political [Part II of VII]
In this episode Val & Nathan walk through the last several decades and map issues of high and low LDS political involvement, offering a template for what the church feels is significant enough to merit their active public statements, financial resources, active instruction to LDS membership regarding the vote.   What the church deems "of significant moral consequence" (per their official statement of neutrality) and what is deemed not morally significant enough to comment on in times of social unrest makes for very interesting conversation.  Join Val & Nathan as they unpack this highly relevant topic in an effort to make sense of this phenomenon, which they realize is anything but neutral.  
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Series Setup
00:19 Recap Political Neutrality
02:42 Follow the Leader Tension
03:45 LA Churches Speak Out
05:26 Stated vs Observed Neutrality
06:31 High Engagement Moral Issues
11:40 Low Engagement Justice Issues
16:29 Matthew 25 Reality Check
19:47 2026 Silence and Current Events
23:16 Doctrine and Covenants 98
26:48 Silence as Endorsement
29:13 Next Episode Preview and Wrap
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In this Bonus Episode, Val answers some piling up questions about the power of healing that uniquely happens in the Latter Day Struggles Fundamentals of LDS Faith Crisis Healing Groups that hundreds of you have experienced in the past 3+ years.  
A few of the questions that she answers:  
**What is the difference between your Faith Crisis Healing groups and your new Live Fellowship Group? 
**How are they different than other platforms where people meet and talk? 
**How are these groups different than other platforms where people meet and talk?
**Are both-gendered groups effective? 
**Should I do a faith crisis healing group instead of therapy? 
I am_____________ (fully active, all of the way out, etc., etc.,) Am I Good fit? 
Interested in grabbing the very last seat of the ONLY 2026 group of this kind?  Click below to enroll!   
**If watching this in the future, check out https://valeriehamaker.com/support-groups/ and see what is available.  If no groups are registering, contact [email protected] and get added to a wait list!  
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Q&A Setup
01:45 Why Only One Group
02:48 Live Event Announcement
05:48 Book and 2026 Plans
07:25 Live Fellowship Explained
12:52 Who Joins the Groups
15:58 What Has Changed
21:45 Platform Difference and Curriculum
25:16 Why Mixed Gender Groups
29:54 Groups Versus Therapy
31:59 Am I a Good Fit
35:15 Closing and Next Steps
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Support the show
Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES
Friday Episodes Annual Access $89
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Series Title: Religion IS Political [Part I of VII]
Anyone else noticing religious leaders from some faith traditions throughout the world speaking out against more and more egregious forms of US government-imposed violence, force, exploitation of power, and unaccountability at levels unfathomable until only recently? And other churches, LDS included choose silence and stand by a formal stance of neutrality at this moment.   
This series might be one of the more important and relevant of this podcast as Val & Nathan take you step by step towards their conclusion that religion and spirituality is and always will be political and politics is an expression of one's level of spirituality.  Join them each week for this six-part series hopefully giving you words to make sense of your discomfort over silence in the face of harm and injustice.   
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Series Intro
00:42 Why Church Silence Matters
03:32 Six Episode Roadmap
05:02 Personal Take on Neutrality
07:02 Prop 8 and Moral Exceptions
09:08 Isolationism and Autonomy
13:34 Reading the Official Statement
20:51 Initial Reactions and Agreement
23:33 Conscience vs Real Practice
27:44 Mitt Romney as Case Study
30:42 Obedience and Hierarchy Thread
35:12 Immigration Example and Wrap Up
39:21 Closing and Next Episode Tease
Support the show
Support the show
Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES
Friday Episodes Annual Access $89
Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10
Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups
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