There has been a lot of conversation about the lawsuit filed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints against Mormon Stories Podcast and the Open Stories Foundation, and the more I sit with it, the more I realize this isn’t about one issue. It’s the combination of several things that, together, feel inconsistent.

Before getting into that, I want to be clear about where I sit. I’m not a close friend of John Dehlin, but I do know him, and he knows me. We exist in the same general ex-Mormon space, and I’ve been involved in Thrive events run through Open Stories Foundation. I’m not removed from it, but I’m also not personally invested in the outcome of the lawsuit. I think that context matters.

The first issue for me is timing. Mormon Stories began in 2005, and for nearly twenty years there was no legal action over the name, branding, or even the use of conference imagery. That’s a long time for something to exist if confusion is truly the concern. So when action is taken now, it’s hard not to ask why. I understand the Church can legally act, but the delay makes it feel selective.

The confusion argument is also difficult to reconcile. As a believing member, I knew what Mormon Stories was and avoided it, not because I thought it was official, but because I knew it wasn’t. Later, when I chose to listen, I did so fully aware it was independent. At no point did I think it represented the Church. That doesn’t mean confusion is impossible, but it does make the claim feel disconnected from how many people actually experience it.

That leads into the disclaimer issue. The Church’s newsroom statement suggests that John refused to include one, yet there are clear disclaimers on both the website and social media stating that Mormon Stories is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Church. That language is direct and easy to understand. So the issue doesn’t appear to be the absence of a disclaimer, but whether it meets a preferred standard. That’s a very different claim than what was communicated publicly, and it matters.

The broader shift around the word “Mormon” adds another layer. In 2018, under Russell M. Nelson, the Church moved strongly away from the term, even calling its use a “victory for Satan.” That shift led to major changes, including renaming the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Given that, it creates tension to now see the term being actively protected in legal contexts after being discouraged internally, especially when the Church itself used it so heavily for decades.

I also find myself asking why this use is being targeted when the word “Mormon” appears in many other public contexts without similar action. I understand there are legal distinctions, particularly when something operates in the same subject space, but from the outside it still raises reasonable questions about consistency.

This also doesn’t exist in a vacuum. John Dehlin was excommunicated in 2015, years after Mormon Stories was established. When that history is considered alongside the current lawsuit, it becomes difficult to separate the legal argument from the broader context, even if the case itself is framed around trademarks.

At its core, Mormon Stories is not a doctrinal platform claiming authority or representing official teachings. It’s a space where people share their experiences, both believing and non-believing. That distinction matters.

I understand the right of an organization to protect its name and branding, but I keep coming back to a deeper question of alignment. Is this really the best use of resources? Is this approach consistent with the values the Church teaches?

Because at some point, this isn’t just about legal rights. It’s about priorities.

This kind of litigation is not small. It takes time, attention, and significant financial resources to pursue. And while I understand the argument that protecting a name is part of stewardship, I also think it’s fair to ask what that stewardship is ultimately meant to serve.

For many members, tithing is deeply sacred. It’s given with the belief that it is going toward something meaningful—helping the poor, supporting those in need, building up people and communities in tangible ways. That’s what most Christians would hope and assume when they give money to a church.

But the reality is more complicated.

The Church is not a small organization trying to make ends meet. It is widely understood to be a multi-billion dollar institution, with estimates often placing its total assets well into the hundreds of billions. And while I know there are many ways those funds are used, including humanitarian efforts, there is also a growing awareness among members and former members that a significant portion is directed toward investments, reserves, and institutional growth.

So when I see resources being used to pursue legal action like this, it raises a question that I can’t easily dismiss. Not whether it is legal, but whether it is aligned with what many members believe their contributions are meant to do.

On the other side of this, I also think it’s worth noting how Mormon Stories Podcast is approaching the financial aspect of this situation. There is a public page set up at mormonstories.org/legal for those who choose to support the legal effort. John has stated that any funds raised will be used specifically for legal expenses, that he will be transparent about how those funds are used, and that any excess will be returned. Regardless of where someone stands on the issue, that level of stated transparency is part of the conversation as well.

I’m not suggesting the Church shouldn’t protect itself or that there is a simple answer here. But I do think it’s reasonable to wrestle with the contrast between what is taught—care for the poor, lift those in need, serve others—and where resources sometimes appear to be directed.

For me, that tension is hard to ignore.

Where I land is not in certainty, but in tension. I can see the legal argument, but I also see the inconsistencies. And in the end, what stays with me isn’t the lawsuit itself, but what it represents.