Join us now on Mormon Stories Podcast as we interview Leah and Cody Young about their recent excommunication.

The backstory: A year and a half ago Leah and Cody began learning about the problems with the LDS church’s truth claims. This launched them and their family into a faith crises, leaving them without support or community. They attempted to obtain support from their Mormon bishop and stake president, but neither were able to help them.

A few months later, Cody and Leah started a Facebook support group for questioning and post-Mormons in the Columbus, Ohio area. Within a short amount of time their bishop and then stake president called them in and delivered them an ultimatum: disband the Facebook support group, or face excommunication. Leah and Cody did not feel that they could ethically do this. Both meetings with their stake president were recorded.

Later in this process Leah and Cody decided to tell their story on Mormon Stories Podcast, along with their brilliant 15 year old daughter Brinley. A few weeks ago Cody and Leah received a letter informing them of a disciplinary council. Cody and Leah attended their disciplinary council on Sunday April 14th. In this interview we will discuss:

– The events that led up to the disciplinary council.

– The audio recording of the disciplinary council.

– Their reactions to the disciplinary council. Typed versions of Leah, Brinley, and Cody’s testimony before the council may be found here: Leah’s testimony

Brinley’s testimony

Cody’s testimony ____________________________________________________ The below song was written for the Young Family by John and Rabbiah Oreilly from Australia. They connected with Cody and Leah after feeling deeply touched by their first interview and have kept in touch since. When the Young’s were excommunicated, John was astounded by the irony that they were primarily disciplined for creating a space to comfort others. He says “I was amazed by Brinley’s brave testimony as a witness and hearing Cody and Leah to pour their hearts out to the men in that room. It felt as though they were not listening with their hearts but instead following strict instructions. This is our tribute to a family we have come to love.”

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Part 1 – Leah and Cody describe the events leading up to their disciplinary council:



Part 2 – Leah and Cody meet with their Stake President to express frustration over a lack of resources for questioning Mormons:



Part 3 – Leah and Cody are told by their Stake President to cease providing an online support group for questioning Mormons:



Part 4 – A recording of the disciplinary council convened on April 14, 2019:



Part 5 – Leah and Cody describe their feelings after learning they have been excommunicated for running an online support group for questioning Mormons, and for speaking openly about their doubts:



Part 1

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Part 2

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Part 3

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Part 4

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Part 5

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