25: Mike LeCheminant - Gnostic Branches of Mormonism, Leaving the Mormonism as an Apologist

This conversation discusses Mike's time at FAIR as an apologist, and then his faith crisis and departure from Mormonism, as well as his own personal spiritual journey. Mike's interest lies in researching other branches of Mormonism, including fundamentalist groups, and Gnostic groups.

We discuss John W Bryant, who left Mormonism after converting, serving a mission. He then joined the Apostolic United Brethren, but parted ways with them after receiving visions of church leaders, from which he reports to have received the Second Anointing. His group later transformed into a more liberal, feminist group, and started a commune in Nevada. He then reported being ordained in a sexual ordinance by the wife of one of the Three Nephites to the higher light of Christ. Now, they've evolved to a more mythologically minded blend of Eastern spirituality, including yoga, meditation, and artistic creativity during their services.

We also discuss Archie Wood, who started the True Gnostic Church and wrote extensive scripture, including conceptualizing God as mankind's evolution into the future, who has returned back to communicate with us. Archie subsequently left his church, though there is an effort to preserve his works.

Finally, we discuss the Knights of the Crystal Blade, a cult formed by John Coltharp, one of the missionaries Gabe knew on his mission.

Links:

Mike's Presentation on Gnostic Mormonism

Here for the esoteric origins of Mormonism? Check out

Episode 2 or read it in on the Substack for the integrative narrative of Mormon origins:

Here for the science and spirituality? Check out:

Interview with Donald Hoffman

Interview with Bernardo Kastrup

Discussion with Bernardo Kastrup on Entropy

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Rebranding

06:43 Mike LeCheminant's Background

10:02 FAIR and Apologetics

13:42 Joseph Smith as a Fallen Prophet

18:04 Spirituality After Mormonism

20:53 Redefining God

25:21 Deconstruction and Myth

36:54 Mike's Exploration of other Churches

39:39 Psychedelics in Religion

44:54 John W Bryant and the Gnostic Temple of the Pearl

49:22 Channeling, Automatic Writing, and Scripture

56:38 Gnosticism

01:16:05 Mormonism's Individuation Process

01:22:16 The Motivations of Prophets

01:31:46 Knights of the Crystal Blade

01:39:43 Archie Wood and the True Gnostic Church

01:53:09 Leaving the Apologetic Community