Today we welcome Michele and Mike Seamons to the podcast. Michele and Mike are a married couple who were both raised in the LDS faith and experienced what they describe as an “idyllic” Mormon upbringing. In Part 1, we begin with each of their backgrounds and what it was like to grow up in faithful LDS homes with supportive families, wards, and communities surrounding them. Michele was raised in Sandy, Utah, while Mike grew up outside of Los Angeles, California. We also discuss Michele’s mission experience and how the two eventually met at the MTC. In Part 2, we pick up with Mike’s mission story before moving into their early marriage and family life, business pursuits, and increasing involvement in the church. Mike serves in youth leadership and eventually becomes a bishop, while Michele serves in various roles, including Young Women's president. Eventually, Michele becomes more interested in mainstream Christianity through music and podcasts, leading her to begin viewing her Mormon faith differently. Then be sure to come back for Part 3, where we conclude their Mormon story and discuss where they stand with their faith today. https://seekwonderway.substack.com This is a three part episode. You can find all three parts on our channel. Part 1: https://youtu.be/eM6gTSZ73nQ Part 2: https://youtu.be/xIteF8O1Clo Part 3: https://youtu.be/HKC_QF1Kmo4 Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: https://www.mormonstories.org/the-idyllic-mormon-upbringing/ Timecodes: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:04:00 - Michele’s story begins 00:08:47 - Sealed to her brother 00:12:28 - Father’s accident 00:19:08 - Interests in High School 00:25:34 - Her testimony 00:28:57 - Parents secretly separated 00:41:47 - Critical inner voice 00:44:45 - BYU Hawaii 00:48:59 - Mission call 00:56:04 - Met Mike at the MTC 01:07:40 - Mike’s story begins 01:14:33 - Backpacking experience at 12 years old 01:21:27 - Patriarchal blessing 01:27:39 - Near-death car crash 01:35:59 - Stake dances 01:41:52 - Validation from church 01:49:37 - Chastity struggles 01:57:40 - Conclusion for part 1 ================ 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