*Content Warning: Disordered Eating, Drug Addiction National Eating Disorder Helpline: 1-800-931-2237 Website: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline @KelseyEdwards has a unique upbringing as a child actor who was homeschooled by her Mormon parents. Driven by a desire to do what’s right and excel, Kelsey develops a perfectionism that goes beyond religious adherence into body image and leads to disordered eating. Kelsey is able to recover with help from her parents, only to be thrown into another family crisis as her father succumbs to an opiate addiction after chronic back pain and leaves both the Church and the family. As many children do, Kelsey feels she shares blame for the destruction of her family and re-commits to the LDS religion for strength and comfort. When her family moves to Provo, Utah, Mormon purity culture has costs for Kelsey’s self-esteem and body image as she continues pursuing her passion for theater and music in high school and at BYU. Kelsey’s first doubts come as she serves a mission in Birmingham, Alabama and grapples with the spirituality and fulfillment members of other faiths feel. Kelsey realizes belief in “eternal families” is far from unique to Mormonism, but what is unique about the Mormon version is the dark element that it’s predicated on a God deliberately separating families. Part 2 - When the “Perfect” Mormon leaves the Church: https://youtu.be/n2Lj94QBYSc Social Media: New Song: Life in a Box: https://open.spotify.com/album/1zDLJKEXqBgEkrbt2REsBM Insta: www.instagram.com/kelseymarieedwards TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kelseymarieedwards YouTube.com/@kelseyedwards Squad Goals: Courses.kelseyedwards.co (For teen girls about making/keeping good friends) Time Codes: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:06:15 Early years 00:13:45 Becoming child actors as Mormons 00:34:15 How Mormonism influenced family 00:37:00 Mormon perfectionism leads to eating disorder 00:53:00 When eating disorder clashes with career 01:02:00 Addiction & faith crisis causes father to leave church and family with just a note. 01:16:00 Growing together as a family after dad left 01:27:00 Social life during teen years, purity culture 01:32:00 Mormon family life w/out “Priesthood” & how Church helped out 01:45:30 Moving to Provo, UT & Mormon/Utah County Performance culture 01:54:00 Deciding to go to BYU 01:57:00 Mission to Birmingham, Alabama 02:08:00 Navigating racism & Mormon teachings 02:13:15 Doubts develop on the mission 02:27:00 Coming home depressed. Told to get married by 21, babies by 22 02:29:00 Trying to get married at BYU. Couldn’t find “the one” Show Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/mormon-family-fell-apart-kelsey-edwards Kelsey Edwards Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxq5opj6GqODiBnVhLtU1oVP4l2yKMg4T 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 #kelseyedwards #mormon