About this episode
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 Lindsay on Instagram Todd on Facebook Todd on Instagram Photobarn Lindsay's Photo Business 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 ___________________ YouTube Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: YouTube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Social Media: Insta: @mormstories TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117