We were ‘serving our own people’ — Popular podcasters explain why they left an LDS Church they love
We were ‘serving our own people’ — Popular podcasters explain why they left an LDS Church they love
“Mental health professionals are not bishops” — Valerie and Nathan Hamaker of “Latter Day Struggles” say leaders failed to understand their role in helping members who struggle.
(Valerie Hamaker via Religion News Service) Nathan and Valerie Hamaker, co-hosts of the popular “Latter Day Struggles” podcast, have resigned their membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
| April 28, 2025, 5:00 a.m.
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Valerie and Nathan Hamaker wanted to help fellow members grappling with their faith and their place in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
So Valerie, a mental health counselor in Kansas City, Missouri, and Nathan launched a podcast, called “Latter Day Struggles,” to address some of their issues and find peace.
Their show drew wide appeal and came to the attention of their local Latter-day Saint leaders. After numerous conversations, they say, those lay leaders summoned the couple to a disciplinary council. Expecting to be formally tossed out of the faith, the Hamakers instead chose to resign their membership.
Since news of their resignation became public, the Hamakers have heard from thousands of friends and supporters.
Here are lightly edited excerpts from The Salt Lake Tribune’s “Mormon Land” podcast in which the couple share their experience, their interactions in their congregation, their views of church discipline, their decision to leave, their efforts to help fellow Latter-day Saints, and whether they would consider rejoining the fold when their local leadership changes.
