Lindsay and Todd McCormick, a couple from Knoxville, Tennessee, share their powerful and emotional journey navigating faith, doubt, and community pressure within the LDS Church. From their musical Mormon upbringing and successful business ventures to being threatened twice with excommunication, this interview dives deep into the cost of questioning and choosing authenticity over conformity. They open up about their faith crisis, the controversial City Creek Mall, navigating parenthood in the church, and ultimately, their heartbreaking experience with betrayal from close friends and leaders. Through all of it, their love for each other and desire for truth remained steadfast. Topics include: -Faith deconstruction and polygamy -Church discipline and double standards -Excommunication threats and “apostasy” -Cultural expectations, identity, and healing -Choosing honesty over fear in Mormonism -Watch their raw and courageous story unfold. Contact Information: Lindsay on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lindsay.h.mccormick Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsayjane07 Todd on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/todd.mccormick Todd on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/toddaoskinao Photobarn: http://www.photobarn.com Lindsay's Photo Business: http://www.lindsayjane.com Show Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/threatened-with-excommunication-twice-2/ Timecodes: 00:00:56 Introductions 00:03:14 Lindsay’s Mormon story 00:10:23 Gender expectations growing up 00:14:48 Lindsay started a photography business 00:17:15 Todd’s Mormon story 00:21:40 They met on her birthday and married in the Nauvoo Temple 00:24:06 When did their faith journey begin and their doubts? 00:25:47 How did the threats for excommunication start? 00:35:11 Todd didn’t feel inspired, he felt stagnant 00:36:30 They started their Photo Barn business and became successful overnight 00:41:55 Story of them in the temple and Lindsay thinking critically 00:43:33 Story of them in Sunday School and the prophets not leading them astray 00:50:21 The next catalyst happened on a ward temple trip 00:55:00 They chose to start over in all of their beliefs, taking subjects one by one, etc. 01:10:04 They realized the Doctrine and Covenants was a mess 01:16:22 The Word of Wisdom is confusing 01:29:20 They gave talks in Sacrament Meeting and were corrected publicly 01:31:08 “There is a case being built against the McCormicks” 01:33:55 Facing excommunication or baptizing their eight year old 01:37:13 Not being authentic can really hurt your physical and mental health 01:57:36 It’s a testament to how much they love the church that they attended for years 02:01:08 The person in the bishopric that worked for them that they let go 02:07:45 They got a message that the Stake President wanted to meet with them 02:12:05 They presented seven letters in a folder, less letters than before 02:17:58 Her friend repeated that Lindsay joked about wine 02:21:09 What happens when you get excommunicated 02:32:30 One critical part of the story - telling the leaders that they needed a warning 02:38:32 They were shocked when they found out that they were NOT getting excommunicated 02:41:49 How has the membership played out after this moment? 02:49:18 Nathan apologized for how he treated her when she left the church 02:59:14 I didn’t leave the church AT you, it’s just our path ___________________ At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology 2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis 3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions 🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today One-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories Paypal: https://paypal.me/mormonstories Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6OgmoqJbOVRq-Lv1P7SzA/join Our Platforms: 🌐Mormon Stories Blog: https://www.mormonstories.org/episodes 🎙️Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories ✳️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1 🍎Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772 🖼️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormstories 📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast 🎮Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF Contact us: 📧 MormonStories@gmail.com 📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117