Threatened with Excommunication TWICE in Tennessee - Todd and Lindsay McCormick | Ep. 2027
Jun 02 2025
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 FacebookLindsay on InstagramTodd on FacebookTodd on InstagramPhotobarnLindsay's Photo Business00:00:56 Introductions00:03:14 Lindsay’s Mormon story00:10:23 Gender expectations growing up00:14:48 Lindsay started a photography business00:17:15 Todd’s Mormon story00:21:40 They met on her birthday and married in the Nauvoo Temple00:24:06 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 stagnant00:36:30 They started their Photo Barn business and became successful overnight00:41:55 Story of them in the temple and Lindsay thinking critically00:43:33 Story of them in Sunday School and the prophets not leading them astray00:50:21 The next catalyst happened on a ward temple trip00:55:00 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 mess01:16:22 The Word of Wisdom is confusing01:29:20 They gave talks in Sacrament Meeting and were corrected publicly01:31:08 “There is a case being built against the McCormicks”01:33:55 Facing excommunication or baptizing their eight year old01:37:13 Not being authentic can really hurt your physical and mental health01:57:36 It’s a testament to how much they love the church that they attended for years02:01:08 The person in the bishopric that worked for them that they let go02:07:45 They got a message that the Stake President wanted to meet with them02:12:05 They presented seven letters in a folder, less letters than before02:17:58 Her friend repeated that Lindsay joked about wine02:21:09 What happens when you get excommunicated 02:32:30 One critical part of the story - telling the leaders that they needed a warning02:38:32 They were shocked when they found out that they were NOT getting excommunicated02:41:49 How has the membership played out after this moment? 02:49:18 Nathan apologized for how he treated her when she left the church02:59:14 I didn’t leave the church AT you, it’s just our path___________________YouTubeMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsSocial Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the DiscordContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
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