Content Warning: Mention of sexual acts Join us for a very special episode & guest, Daniel Spencer (@DanBanBam on Social Media) to share his heartwarming story with us. From growing up as a closeted gay Mormon teenager in a country where being gay isn't just illegal, but dangerous, to his mission experiences and discovering his talent not just for comedy but for starting important conversations at BYU and beyond! Daniel Spencer (DanBanBam) TikTok: @danbanbam https://www.tiktok.com/@danbanbam Dry Bar Special: Accents Make You Hotter. Daniel Spencer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3O2otsNFwI Insta: @danbanbam https://www.instagram.com/danbanbam Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:08:00 Beginning of Daniel’s Mormon story (his parents) Racism in Zimbabwe etc 00:19:00 Daniel’s childhood as a Mormon 00:40:00 Dan describes teens, sex education & expectations, and sexual experiences 01:00:00 Dan begins to gain a testimony as he starts working with local missionaries 01:09:00 Dan starts becoming popular in high school, starts drinking 01:12:00 Dan chooses to attend BYU over NYU. 01:13:00 The minimum age drops for missionaries, Dan prepares to serve having continued to lie about his previous sexual experience 01:20:00 Dan describes his first time going through the Temple 01:34:00 Dan’s repentance process during his mission 01:50:00 Leadership decides not to send Dan home early 02:00:00 The first items on Dan’s “shelf,” from medicinal weed, Ordain Women, racism, and the Gospel Topics Essays. Episode Show Notes: https://mormonstories.org/podcast/mormon-in-zimbabwe-daniel-spencer _________________________ 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&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 #MormonStories #Mormon #lds