Today we are rebroadcasting an older, classic, episode of Mormon Stories from 2012! In this episode we interview John and Brooke McLay. John served for 14 years as an employee of the LDS Church Education System (CES). In this capacity he served as: a seminary teacher and principal, an institute teacher and director, a BYU Education Week speaker and an EFY Director. John also served as a member of a stake high council, and was serving in a bishopric during the months leading up to his decision to leave the LDS Church. John and Brooke resigned their membership of the LDS Church in August of 2011.  This is their story. Join us in the next episode where we re-interview Brooke Lark! Timecodes: 00:00:00 Introduction of this 2012 episode 00:03:35 Start of the rebroadcast 00:07:30 The beginning of Brooke’s Mormon Story 00:15:25 What type of man did she want to marry? 00:17:35 John’s Mormon story 00:24:40 The processes of becoming a CES teacher 00:31:00 Parts of the screening for CES teachers 00:43:40 Not having a temple recommend meant termination 00:45:34 Details of what it’s like to be a seminary teacher 00:54:20 What were his responsibilities as a CES employee? 00:56:40 He was called to be involved in EFY 01:17:23 Why would anyone in CES ever leave the church? 01:21:05 John learning more about polygamy 01:29:55 What was the reason you left the church? 01:36:06 He felt betrayed by the very people he had trusted the most 01:47:43 Brooke’s side of the story 01:57:05 This made their marriage harder 02:08:00 They were trapped in a pattern of sameness 02:16:30 The journey from losing faith to resigning their membership 02:27:40 Processing if the Church is NOT true 02:54:00 What has happened because he resigned from CES 03:02:20 Being told by his father to keep his poison away from his other children 03:38:40 Teachings that CES teaches that are damaging 03:54:00 What rules/culture would they change -shaming students, modesty, etc. 04:16:04 Beliefs behind the scenes that he would NOT share with the students 04:29:20 Could the church make these curriculum changes and still do well? 04:37:40 What is the difference between them and the other CES teachers? 04:39:40 What they would say to people struggling? ___________________ 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