In this raw and emotional deep-dive, Laurel shares her powerful story of growing up in an extremely orthodox Mormon household as the youngest of eight children. From uncovering her Danish-Mormon ancestry to dealing with abuse, purity culture, and her father’s secret polygamist “revelation” that led to his excommunication, Laurel reflects on how early trauma, sexual repression, and church doctrine shaped her identity.
She opens up about her mission to Poland, her battle with anxiety, shame, and identity within the church, and how the toxic dynamics of Mormon Young Single Adult (YSA) culture pushed her to the edge. Ultimately, Laurel’s journey of deconstruction—triggered by political events, therapy, and research into church history—leads her to reclaim her sexuality, leave the church, and finally begin to heal.
Topics include: abuse, purity culture, sexual trauma, polygamy, depression, and suicidal ideation. Viewer discretion advised.