In this episode of Mormon Stories, Erika Nordfelt shares her powerful journey from a devout Mormon upbringing to finding healing and self-discovery. Erika recounts her experiences growing up in a close-knit Mormon family, navigating high school in Colorado, and attending BYU-Idaho, where she faced struggles with religious expectations and marital dynamics shaped by the Church. She candidly discusses topics like sexual shame, pornography in marriage, and the role of Twelve-Step programs, highlighting the challenges of reconciling faith, identity, and personal growth. Erika opens up about her turning points, leaving the Church with her husband, and her work as a therapist, witnessing firsthand the impact of shame within Mormon culture. Show Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/therapist-combats-mormon-sexual-shame/ 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:18 Erika’s intention for coming onto Mormon Stories and sharing her story 00:06:12 Erika’s upbringing and her parents 00:14:32 The best of Mormonism is being raised outside of Utah or Idaho, Mormonism should be the salt not the whole meal 00:16:30 High School years and feeling undesirable in the dating aspect 00:23:18 Her relationship with her body in dance and modesty 00:35:00 Sexual neglect in her upbringing and in the Mormon church 00:37:26 Attending BYU-Idaho - She did not serve a mission because she met her husband 00:49:20 Her awareness to physical touch and how she was raised 00:54:20 How the Mormon church shaped their marital relationship as far as gender roles, etc. 01:06:07 Learning that her husband struggled with masturbation and porn and how she handled it 01:20:00 She felt so much despair when her husband confessed to viewing pornography 01:29:23 The Twelve Step Program and what part it played in her marriage 01:39:20 How long did she go to these Twelve Step meetings and was it working? 01:46:10 Moving to Rexburg and getting new jobs on campus 01:56:00 Seeing clients for the first time at the BYU-Idaho Counseling Center 02:03:55 She had a front row seat to Mormon suffering while working as a counselor 02:14:35 Checking in with their marriage during this time in their life 02:26:55 The beginning of the end lasted for five years, holes being poked in the Gospel 02:33:10 She began exploring troublesome church topics from a safe place in the church 02:43:40 Has leaving the church affected her therapy practice at all? 02:50:40 A better way to approach porn and masturbation 03:19:13 Erika Nordfelt wrote a book called “Don’t Walk Alone” ___________________ 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