Hi, everyone. This is John Delin. For those who don't know me, I'm currently serving as

the Executive Director of Mormon Stories Podcast and of the Open Stories Foundation.

And the reason why I've created this presentation today is to speak to you briefly about two

things. I wanted to talk to you about what Mormon Stories and the Open Stories Foundation

are all about. First, just to clear up any misunderstandings and I'll let you guys know

what we're trying to do. And secondly, I wanted to let you know what is needed to keep Mormon

Stories alive in its current format. We clearly are at a crossroads where our future is somewhat

in doubt in terms of what we're going to be able to do going forward. And so we just want to take

this time to explain everything to you and give you a chance to support us if it's something you

feel so inclined to do. I also want to let you know that this presentation is both an audio

format and an video format. And so if you want to access the visuals for this presentation,

which I think will help you better understand what we're trying to do, please check out youtube.com

slash Mormon Stories for the video or you can check us out at MormonStories.org.

Now, I've actually divided this presentation up into two parts. There's a short version and a full

version. The short version is literally going to be just a few minutes but I hope you'll stick around

for the full version both are contained within this presentation. So let's start with the short

version. We wanted to make it clear first and foremost that we in Mormon Stories and The Open

Stories Foundation believe that there is an amazing amount of good within the LDS Church

and within Mormonism. And we start from a place of love and appreciation for both Mormons and

for all things Mormon, including Mormonism. We really feel it's important to state that up front.

But secondly, we wanted to also note the fact that as Elder Marlon Jensen said in 2011,

quote, maybe since Kirkland we've never had a period of all-call it apostasy like we're having now

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