Why I Resigned as a Mormon Bishop - Nick and Amanda Jones | Ep. 1861

A few weeks ago, Mormon Bishop Nick Jones (Mississippi) took the LDS church by storm by resigning his position as bishop from the pulpit (with the video being subsequently shared on TikTok and YouTube).


Chapters:
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:35 Intentions for coming on Mormon Stories
00:03:50 Resigning from the pulpit
00:08:09 Amanda’s intentions
00:11:44 Nick’s Mormon story
00:15:35 Shoutout to his kids
00:17:43 Nick was abuse in the church
00:23:00 He experienced suicidality after the abuse
00:24:40 The abuse happened when he was nine years old
00:29:25 He served his mission in Jackson, Mississippi
00:32:19 Amanda’s Mormon story
00:36:28 Amanda’s repentance process
00:43:50 What training do bishops receive?
00:48:22 Mission rules regarding girls/dating/etc
00:50:54 News of parents divorce on his mission/ Meeting Amanda
00:54:30 He kissed her as a missionary, he told her he would come back and marry her
00:59:30 They got married in the Salt Lake Temple
01:01:42 They got pregnant six months later, still-birth
01:09:45 He felt relief when he was called as a bishop
01:13:03 Going through the temple
01:14:35 What the temple took from her wedding day
01:16:25 Marriage and family life
01:19:00 How Mormonism makes it hard to be the best you can be
01:24:03 Being a stay-at-home mom for Amanda
01:29:50 The power dynamics in their marriage
01:32:40 They were married 17 years when he was called as a bishop
01:40:20 Responsibilities as a Mormon bishop: funds, welfare, common judge
01:43:45 Conducting Temple recommend interviews as a bishop
01:46:37 Tithing declaration
01:52:19 Five bishops and two Stake Presidents have reached out to him
01:53:00 What he loved about being the bishop
01:55:28 Story of young woman who broken the law of Chastity
01:58:32 The question of porn and masturbation isn’t among the questions “law of chastity”
02:06:20 He loved the Youth as a bishop
02:11:55 He draws the line with pedophilia, “the church should not even be touching that”
02:12:15 Example of someone in the Stake Presidency molesting children
02:16:08 Story of a member in his ward and being told to “stand down”
02:23:20 Polygamy was his biggest problem
02:26:44 The first vision broke his shelf
02:32:21 The leadership KNOW but they let members believe anyway
02:34:55 What non-belief does to your mental health
02:38:40 Amanda’s perspective of Nick serving as a bishop
02:49:10 What led him out of the church
02:59:30 Stepping down and coming onto Mormon Stories
03:10:40 How his ward reacted to him stepping down
03:16:10 What did he hope the response was from his ward?
03:24:10 Hopes for the future
03:29:45 Closing remarks


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[NewportSolar]

This should be required for ALL Mormons to watch. The WHOLE thing.

[daniellima]

I yelled in my car when he said he called the cops on the child sex abuser . That’s awesome !

[jacquianderson]

A never Mormon here. I grew up with a best friend who was. These stories, even to me are so impactful and confirming as to what I have always seen and thought about organized religion. It's about power, control, money. You do not need a church to be spiritual, and/or believe, etc. As a non believer mom and wife with a transgender daughter - I love you and accept you for who you are.

[amanda_weber]

Margi is such a great cohost. She is so thoughtful and asks great questions.

[erindurrant]

The most important thing I have heard in years: “There’s power in us. Period. They are trying to take it from you and tell you that they gave it to you.” Wow. Thank you for sharing. Beautiful wisdom.

[inaweofu]

Nick, I am a 54yr convert to the Church of LDS but I am starting to have serious doubts about it all. I can tell you that you have my sincere admiration and your story has been a strong incentive for me to walk away from it all. I have for quite a long time now had doubts about the way the Church is being run. The truth of the matter is that you are still a Christian and so am I,
we have to learn what is the correct way to relate to our God. He is true and Jesus is his anointed one so hold your head up high, you have an admirer here.

Go with God, sincerely yours G.

[radicalkelly]

This is one of the most important things I've witnessed in my 64 years. Wow. Thank you. Plus, I had a personal connection with the man in this story who took his own life. This guy is telling the truth.

[SC-iebm]

I was born in the church, baptized at 8, seminary graduate, RM & married in temple. Left the church 43 years ago. Still deconstructing. Nick’s story helped me. MSP helps me. Thanks to you all.

[cathytaylor]

My second comment.
I am an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and have listened to your story and want to let you know that in my opinion you are a very honorable man and very brave and honest. Thank you for sharing your story. You’re ward members will miss such a man as you.

[Blondelin]

Nick, when you said Korea, I wondered if we lived in the same area. I was about your age. My family was in Korea between ‘85-‘90. Then you mentioned your abuser’s name and my jaw dropped. I clasped my hand over my mouth. We were in the same branch together. Thank you for sharing your Mormon story and having the courage to follow your moral compass here. Best wishes to your family moving forward with your newly found freedoms. Sounds like you have already experienced more genuine connections and love with the world and the people in it. ❤️

[JBJones]

It is so rare for even exmormon men to admit that big callings feel special and that it made them feel good and important. It’s the unspoken thing you don’t hear said out loud a lot.

[venapaiva]

Beloved Nick and Amanda, I am an 80 year old woman born and raised in the church, attended BYU and married a non married man who the church brought in from another country. After three children and in wanting them to learn about God, I only fell onto their other side. I won’t go into details, but when the church dropped me from a Mormon in good standing to one who was a lost soul I lived what I called two years of a dark night of the soul.
After that time I know I was free to live my life as a free soul. You will realize the path you took is the beginning of freedom and finally happiness. Keep moving forward…find your joy and stand tall and walk proud. Much love being sent your way.

[tendymoyomazuru]

Random African lady obsessed with mormon stories! My husband thinks I'm crazy.

[youmightberightorwrong]

What beautiful hearts of honesty and integrity these two have. Everyone in their ward who is judging them should be ashamed of themselves.

[karenmiller]

I am in my 70's and we left the church officially 9 yrs ago. I gain so much when I take the time to listen to these stories. Luckily, for us our 7 children (born 1976-1984) also left at the same time so we had support but it is a difficult and rewarding even this late in life. Thank you for your bravery and honesty it is uplifting. Our son in law was a bishop in Memphis when he resigned, I understand your pain. We paid tithes when we couldn't afford shoes our kids needed, and I am angry that it took us so long to see the truth but we are now thriving

[bobbithomas]

I remember the first day I went to work that I wasn’t wearing my garments, I thought for sure I would get in a wreck and my business would fail now because I wasn’t wearing my white Ninja suit underneath my clothes. I ended up not getting in a wreck and dying on the road and to this day it was by far my highest sales day. It’s been 4 years now I’m still trying to deconstruct the belief system I was brought up in. The hard part is I love the people and friends and it’s tough when they still try and tell me not to give up on God. Newsflash! Just because I’m not active in the church nor go to a church does it mean I gave up on God! I’m closer now to God now than I ever felt going to church. I think living your truth and seeing the church through the outside of it opens your eyes to how crazy it all is. I relate to Nick and Amanda on how your heart aches but you’re free finally.

[michaelgiles]

Great discussion. My wife and I along with 4 of our 5 children left parted ways with the LDS church a little over one year ago. Our love for others has increased in ways I never knew was possible. We love life and we now love others the way Christ taught. Thank you all for your bravery. Our prayers are with you.

[banderson]

I lost my job many years back, and I had a temple recommend. I went in for my bishop's interview a few weeks later and he asked me if I've been paying my tithing. I said, "No, paying my bills and feeding my family was my first priority right now". He did NOT like that answer and immediately asked for my recommend. That was the moment I knew it was membership dues, not a place of god. No loss, the temple was creepy AF. I feel "the spirit" in nature more.

[mooreorless]

I’m on the replay crew, but this guy has all my respect. He IS a good man - in every sense of the word. He and his wife are lovely people. May God bless you.

[marlingronquillo]

The best thing about the podcast is YOUR WIFE AS A COHOST, very respectful, knowledgeable, very calm, emphatic. ❤❤❤❤❤❤