In this episode, Ben and Justine share their powerful and emotional journeys through Mormonism, immigration, family trauma, and healing. They discuss Ben's family's escape from political turmoil, their struggles with loss, and the lure of the Mormon doctrine of eternal families.

Ben faces racial and cultural challenges within the Church, battles self-worth issues, and grapples with the harm purity culture and missionary service caused.

Justine recounts her own upbringing in a strict Mormon household, the pressure of modesty culture, and the way Mormon ideals shaped her relationships and sense of self.

Together, they reflect on how they met, the impact of internalized racism, and their path toward authenticity, healing, and love — even as they confront the pain Mormonism left behind.

This is part 1 of a very special two-part Mormon Stories interview.

00:00:00 Introduction

00:06:34 Ben’s parents experience multiple infant loss/miscarriage

00:28:15 Reconnecting with the Church in Canada

00:39:00 “I left my home, my pride, mi familia.”

00:58:30 How Mormonism helps & harms at the same time

01:10:15 Justine’s Mormon childhood, youngest of 7, father a convert

01:22:11 Chosen generation trope affects relationships w/friends & family

01:38:10 Effects of purity culture

01:47:49 Justine repents for first boyfriend, first kiss at University

02:09:27 Ben & Justine become friends

02:17:13 Going on a mission causes more strife with Ben’s parents

02:38:20 Ben ignores intuition to tell gay convert not to join, ending in tragedy

02:55:45 Justine feels pressure to focus on numbers instead of people on her mission

03:20:07 How Justine & Ben start dating

03:24:15 Book of Mormon racism

03:26:30 Ben’s anguish over harm to himself & his relationship with his parents

Show Notes

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