1825: Visions of Glory, Thom Harrison, and Mormon Neo-Fundamentalism

Has this podcast ever talked about hypnogogic hallucinations? For those that may not be familiar with them, basically, they are fairly common hallucinations that only happen when a person is falling asleep but hasn’t fallen asleep yet. These are NOT associated with disorders the way other hallucinations are, but they are nevertheless hallucinations. Examples include thinking you hear the doorbell ring, hearing your child say mom/dad, seeing someone next to your bed, seeing shapes, feeling someone sit next to you, etc. I have had quite a few myself and if I didn’t know what they were, I can see how I would easily think there were spirits, ghosts, etc. around me. I think people need to know about these because they probably account for a fair amount of “otherworldly” experiences. Obviously not everything mentioned in this episode can be attributed to hypnogogic hallucinations, but it’s an interesting point to consider. Personally, anytime I’m listening to a vision-type story that someone starts with “I was going to bed and hadn’t fallen asleep yet…” I mentally assume they’re going to tell me about a hypnogogic hallucination.

As I listen I continue to be amazed that anyone could fall for it, just as I am amazed at how much personal power members give over to the direction of Mormon doctrine and Mormon leaders. I am saddened at the same time as my parents gave their lives to this system. They remained children unable to parent the “too many children” they obediently produced.

Is there a transcript? I just can’t listen to that voice, when I know how it’s used when he’s not performing.

Within any large group of people, you’ll find the gullible, those claiming to be leaders and people willing to follow. Others that are sensible and not part of the drama and that do not place other humans on pedestals. others needing to be important and given some extra power. there are as well good leaders that empower people to be strong and that are not self serving and that warn against relying on others that would deceive while warning additionally against prideful behavior . others wrapped up in the mystery and spirituality seeking to be Chosen, where they are only great in their own minds, a the few that follow them. Broad paint brushes cross many lines.

The book is a Joke. But so am I. I bought the darn thing, This book is all about see how much money you can make from the rubes.

The picture of the eternal core group, I’m blown away because the one just above the author, Alema Harrington, came every week and spoke to us when I was in Inpatient treatment for depression and addiction!

I have appreciated much of your content. However, claiming that Thom Harrison is responsible for the lunatics that have emerged in our society is completely ignorant and reckless. This episode feels more like a Clickbait type induced theory rather than common sense. This episode proves why Thom Harrison went by the pseudonym Spencer…. to minimize the witchhunt that you’re perpetuating. It seems like you’re going to any length to make the church look bad to justify your exit from it. I also have left the church, so this is not coming from a person that is actively defending it. But I think your approach is making you lose credibility.