A Brazilian Mormon Story: Marcelo and Sandra Ribeiro | Ep. 1942

In this episode Marcelo and Sandra share their remarkable journey as members of the Mormon church from Brazil. Raised Catholic, they embraced Mormonism in their late teens and early twenties. Marcelo served a mission, and after their marriage, he took on significant church roles including bishop and stake president by his early thirties. Their story takes a challenging turn when Marcelo was diagnosed with cancer while attending BYU. Among other things, his fight with cancer led him to start questioning church doctrines. He sought answers from his bishop, stake president, and even CES leaders. He even faced potential excommunication for starting a YouTube channel to help others in his same situation. Tune in to hear their inspiring and emotional Mormon story!

For Marcelo and Sandra's YouTube channel:    / mormonismosemcensura  

To email Marcelo and Sandra: [email protected]

For their Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/EHGv...

Show Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/brazili...

00:00:00 Intro
00:00:30 They host a podcast called “Uncensored Mormonism”
00:01:45 Intentions for coming on Mormon Stories
00:05:10 Marcelo was raised in a non-practicing Catholic family
00:12:00 The very first time he saw a missionary was on a bus
00:16:50 What was his baptism like?
00:27:35 Sandra grew up Catholic, born in Varjota
00:35:30 What made her interested in the Mormon church?
00:45:20 Marcelo’s church mission
00:51:55 Were they taught about the priesthood and temple ban for black people?
00:55:10 The church does not provide its members with informed consent
00:58:30 His mission hurt his family relationships
01:11:23 She was called into a worthiness interview
01:17:50 Going to the temple for the first time
01:27:05 He served as a bishop in Brazil
01:30:15 He was called as a Stake President at age 32
01:38:40 What was it like coming to BYU after Brazil?
01:49:20 When did their faith start unraveling?
01:57:20 The first time he had a real encounter with racism
02:01:10 No one should be baptized into the church without being taught these things
02:06:20 Marcelo went with Sandra to talk to the bishop
02:14:30 He reached out to a CES leader and asked for answers
02:25:45 Asking his questions to the Stake President
02:39:00 The story of Marcelo being brought in to be excommunicated
02:52:20 How does he balance his love for the church and the betrayal?
03:07:15 What is the active membership in Brazil?
03:12:20 Are they happy now?
03:20:00 What is life like now since leaving the church?

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At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.

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1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
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3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

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