Liz Lambson is a Korean/African American artist, musician, and writer, and - along with her spouse Sam - is a parent to five boys residing in Salt Lake City. Liz performs as a string bassist with the Ballet West Orchestra as well as the children’s singer-songwriter Lizzy Luna, the creator of the music-and-movement program Yoga Storytime & Songs. Liz performed for and toured with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for several years. She released her first album of original children’s yoga music, Reach to the Sky, in 2018. Her writing has been featured in publications including the New Era and the New York Times. As an active member of Utah’s arts and culture community, Liz formerly served as the Executive Director of the Utah Black History Museum. Her artwork is featured on Salt Lake City’s Black Lives Matter mural at City Hall. Liz is also an aspiring film actress. In her spare time she enjoys needlework, gardening, road trips, and Scrabble. We begin Liz’s story with her family and childhood as a biracial Korean/African American struggling to assimilate into white culture. Her mother converted to Christianity and became a religious fanatic, leading to her eventual abandonment of her husband & children. Liz is introduced to Mormonism shortly after and finds Joseph Smith’s early religious confusion relatable. With continued exposure to LDS peers, including a boy who particularly holds her interest, Liz gains a testimony of the Book of Mormon and falls in love with Mormon culture. Liz also shares her struggles with academic, artistic and spiritual perfectionism in high school. We learn ways Liz gives up pieces of herself as she tries harder to assimilate into Mormon culture and eventually makes the decision to attend BYU. Liz's Instagram: @lizzylambson Liz's Music & Social Media: https://linktr.ee/lizlambson “Never Too Soon” Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/19Det7TOwDUbhMX8TsKAWT?si=qO5IjEF_RAOKVgjV6GKv7g&context=spotify%3Aartist%3A3EPdWx3kXnBkp6ryf80HBf Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/never-too-soon/1665363749?i=1665363750 YouTube: https://music.apple.com/us/album/never-too-soon/1665363749?i=1665363750 Amazon Music: https://amz.run/6N6t Chapters 00:00:00 Beginning 00:06:00 Family background 00:16:00 Assimilating into white culture & mother’s Korean Evangelical conversion 00:33:00 Family culture & mom’s burgeoning religious fanaticism 00:41:00 Mother abandons the family 00:54:20 Introduction to Mormonism 01:05:00 Mormon crush & gaining a testimony 01:18:00 Father’s objections to her increasing participation in Mormonism. 01:27:00 Mormonism meets Liz’s needs: rebellion, “new moms,” feeling wanted. 01:39:00 Academic and music perfectionism/accomplishments. 01:41:00 Additional identity confusion at church & Mormon guilt 02:02:00 Racism in the Book of Mormon, never being able to be white 2:15:00 Graduation, Singles Wards, & BYU 2:28:00 Premiering “Never Too Soon” Episode Show Notes https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/liz-lambson-musician-artist/ Liz Lambson Playlist | Mormon Stories https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxq5opj6GqOBOplM6QmB4msmLM16plagF ABOUT US: Mormon Stories Podcast is the longest-running and most successful podcast in Mormonism - hosted by Dr. John Dehlin. 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. We also occasionally interview 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, and 3) Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions. Mormon Stories Podcast is a product of the Open Stories Foundation - a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to supporting Mormons in religious transition. 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 Amazon Smile: Be sure to select “Mormon Stories” website: https://smile.amazon.com app: https://amz.run/5r2M 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 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 #MormonStories #LizLambson #LizzyLuna