Bishop Earl's Journey and Insights

Introduction to Bishop Earl

History

• Tell us about your upbringing, mission, marriage, and activity in the LDS church.
• Now, try and go back in your mind and explain some of the seeds that may have been planted in your heart that were slowly germinating before you ever really saw the light?
• And then tell us about the moment that you were like, “Ut oh – something’s not right in Denmark.”
• And so, “Karla with a K.” What happened there?
• And the family?
• Friends?
• Ward members?

Meeting at Burger King

So you’ve come out and we have met and we sit down in a Burger King near your home. Let’s talk about that.

• The Seventeen minutes.
• The Ex Mormon Files launch.
• Ex Mormon files – how many now?
• How do people watch?
• What has been impressed upon you over the course of all the years of interviews?
• Is there a common thread you have found in all who have left Mormonism for the Lord?
• Have you had any personal aha-moments in your interviews where you have really grown?
• How do people contact you so they too, can be interviewed?

Present Day Experiences

You have traveled about and visited a number of churches, spoken, etc. What have you seen and observed through the eyes of being a former Mormon? You and Karla also hang sometimes with groups that are geared toward reaching the LDS – is there a general consensus among such toward the faith? Do people see it crumbling? In your estimation, today, after all you have seen and heard over the past ____ years, what liberties – even if you disagree with them – would you give the active LDS relative to doctrine and practice – and what are the absolute non-negotiables?

• What advice do you have for the following people-types:
  • Present-day active LDS
  • Those who are on their way out
  • Those who have left for atheism
  • Those who are sticking their toes in modern Evangelicalism

Final Thoughts

You and I have discussed the variables that are out there in the Christian faith. Some believe these are NOT variables at all, while others like me see almost everything as open. You’ve mentioned how you explain to people that you are “still learning.” How is that received? Anything you would like to say in conclusion, my brother?