May 31, 2012

30: Jean Bodie & the Temple Petition

On her journey back home to Canada, Jean Bodie visits with Amy to share her exit story which includes her conversion to Mormonism as a young mother, the aftermath of a terrible accident just hours into her mission with her husband, and her ground breaking efforts to work with the Church on their 1 year temple marriage waiting period for couples who marry civilly first.

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By Heather C. Podcast 23 Comments

http://www.facebook.com/natalee.tincher Natalee Tincher

Jean, thank you for sharing your story. Seven months or so ago, when I started my journey, your “I am exmormon” video was the first that I watched. I felt an immediated kinship with you that was fortified when watching the exmormon conference. You infatically said “yes I’m offended,”. Those words gave me permission to be shocked and offended by what I was learning about the church and its history. A church I’d loved so much had intentionally perpetrated a deep betrayal and boy was I mad. The organization is treated as though sacrosanct in all aspects and to challenge or question, in itself, is akin to apostasy. Therefore, I asked the questions internally and turned to reading, Internet and podcasts to search out the truth. It has been a devastating ride to current. However, I’m starting to reconcile and continue the journey that happens after one realizes the church is not what it claims. My husband is a kind and loving TBM but I can tell this is taking a toll on him. Jean, I don’t know how you’ve done it, maintained your marriage beyond leaving the church. You attribute much to your husband but you must have done something right as well. I find myself in the same situation so I want to know what you did to support your marriage in the process?

Jean Bodie

I think it is different with everyone Natalee. Jim is patient; way more patient than I am. I think I made a lot of mistakes, but they haven’t backfired on me yet. I was so very devastated to discover the history of the church and some of the harmful things they still do today; the mind control of children, temple wedding exclusions, the hateful rhetoric towards gays, feminists, apostates and intellectuals – I just kept sharing those things with him. Some men would have walked away but he didn’t and he understands why those things are offensive to us. Some men cannot be ‘led’ by their wives because they have been taught all their lives that they ‘preside’ in the home.

He was there beside me during the interview and afterwards Amy asked him, “What do you think of us Jim?” He said, “I love you all.”

http://www.facebook.com/people/Megan-von-Ackermann/100000167835734 Megan von Ackermann

Jean I love that story about Jim at this interview! And I love that he was right there with you. Do you think he’d be willing to do an interview of his own? I was so struck with his patience, his love and his openness and I would love to hear more from his point of view.

Jean Bodie

Megan, Amy invited Jim to be a part of my interview and he declined. That was actually a good thing because he wouldn’t have got a word in edgewise. Amy tried to add the occasional question and even succeeded once or twice. I think it would be good for people to hear how a believer puts up with someone like me, but I don’t think it would be much different from my own summary – he is just a good man, patient and kind. I love him so much and he is lucky to have me – lol.

http://www.richardharris.no Richard of Norway

Awesome interview. I<3Jean.

Jean Bodie

Awww! Richard, where do the Mormons marry in Norway? You don’t have a temple do you?

http://www.richardharris.no Richard of Norway

We travel 8 hours (or more, depending on where in the country we live) to Stockholm, or to Denmark if we’d rather marry in a new but much smaller temple.

Jean Bodie

Do members have to be married civilly first according to the law in Norway? How much time does the church allow you to get to the temple for the sealing?

http://www.richardharris.no Richard of Norway

Most members do not marry civilly first. I do not know how long after a civil marriage one must wait but imagine it would be the same rule as in Utah: 1 year. My wife and I married in Sweden (Stockholm temple), and Norway recognizes it as a valid marriage certificate.

JT

Thank you Jean (and Amy). That was such an uplifting and affirming interview for me.

And so many points of correspondence – starting from our simple “it makes more sense” impression that moved us away from “apostate” Anglicanism (Episcopalianism) … and that taking place in (New)England … to a depressing (thankfully not p-poking) “Special Interest” dance … to believing spouses who accept our “giving away” (I say “taking leave of”) faith … to Church resignations within weeks of each others’ … to a persistent interest in Mormon history … and to the heartache and disgust over a “policy” that will have me to sitting on the curb outside the Washington DC temple in two weeks.

And to that last point let me add my deep appreciation, admiration and thanks for your work on that petition. Maybe it will have its effect before my youngest daughter’s wedding – though I can hope (and dare only hope) for a better way for that problem to resolve itself.

Best wishes on your trip home to Canada. Drive safely!!!

JT

P.S. Otterson will soon be getting a letter.

Jean Bodie

JT I wish the Church would change its policy in time for you to be included in your daughter’s wedding; this heart breaking policy is ridiculous in the extreme. Even IF it was claimed to be doctrinal I would say that a God would never sanction breaking a parent’s heart this way. (Or any other loved one). If this is supposed to make forever families it is an insane way to go about it.

When you speak of things after ‘points of correspondence do you mean that we have very similar circumstances? Me in England, you in New England etc. I wasn’t sure.
All the best to you my friend – we were home safely before the podcast was aired.

JT

Jean,

Yes, that is what I meant by correspondences.

Thanks again and best wishes,

JT

Tyson Jacobsen

A wonderfully erudite woman with a clarity of mind rarely heard and experienced. My hat is off to Jean’s bold integrity. May his noodly appendages guide her safely through reason filled paths.
Lindsay P

Jean, I am so touched by your love, your inclusiveness, your story and your work. Thank you for being you and for all you do
CanuckAussie

This was a wonderful podcast Jean. What impressed me most of all is how you described Jim’s gentleness and acceptance. It has inspired me to strive to be that kind of person in my new relationship.
Amber Price

Jean, I am glad to call you and Jim my friends. I’m so glad to have gotten to meet you guys this summer while you were traveling. :)

This petition is so important. I hope the church sees the bridge building that it can do.

Jean Bodie

Likewise Amber – we’ll meet again.
The petition may be a catalyst for people thinking more deeply about this policy. I’m sure that some people really think that they are breaking one of God’s commandments if they choose to marry civilly. God DID give an actual commandment to “Honor thy father and thy mother.”

Somehow, leaving out the very people who raised you and took care of all your needs throughout your life, doesn’t feel like keeping that commandment. Would a person rather obey “God’s” commandment or a “Church” policy? I guess many would choose the latter and then wonder why people don’t consider Mormons to be Christians. I know that Mormons are Christians in that they believe IN Jesus, but do they believe what HE says or what the CHURCH says?
IF they believe the words of Jesus/God, then they must obey the commandment to honor their parents. IF they believe the words of CHURCH LEADERS then they need to listen more closely – it is a POLICY. Would the leaders require the members to break one of the 10 commandments? It is unthinkable – when you think about it;-)

iamse7en

What years were you in Cape Town? Who was the mission Prez at the time? Clearly, it was before when I was there, but I’m curious. I served there from 03-05.
My first area was PE… Was Jim BP of Kwa Nobuhle?

iamse7en

I just saw on your “good works in a post-mormon world” video that you served from April 2002 – Sept. 2003. I got to PE in early August of 2003, so we were in South Africa at the same time… I really can’t remember if we crossed paths (that first month was a blur), but “The Bodies” do sound familiar. What a small world.
Do you keep in touch with anyone from the mission? Pres Marriott?

Jean Bodie

There is a long story attached to that question about Pres. Marriott and no we do not stay in touch. I did see the former pres. after we returned home and kind of made my peace with how poorly he treated us/me. We also went to a missionary reunion with some other missionaries that we were fond of; one of whom has since sadly passed away at a very young age.
I am still in touch with a few former missionaries. I loved Kwa-Nobuhle and the members there; such awesome people. Very fond memories of many things but mostly people.
Tell me who you are please. You can pm me on FB if you are on there.

Jean Bodie

Yes he was. We didn’t leave KN until near the end of September 2003. We must have met there, if you were there, were you?

Ryan Love

Very touching story Jean. Thank you for this.
http://profiles.google.com/ozpoof Oz Poof

Thanks for your story Jean.

I tried to get my mum to listen to the podcast but she wouldn’t. She mistrusts everything I give her related to the church. You’d think that would give her a clue as to the true nature of the so-called church. If their beliefs can’t stand the light of historical fact, and the Holy Ghost confirms to them that the lies are truth, they are willingly ignorant and sadly often lost to a life of drudgery and service as a duty rather than a pleasure.

Maybe one day she will open her hard heart.

30: Jean Bodie & the Temple Petition

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