John Dehlin, a clinical psychologist who characterizes himself as a "unorthodox, unorthoprax Mormon" and who has challenged LDS attempts to reform LGBTs' sexuality and gender orientation within the church will soon be excommunicated. This follows on the excommunication of
Kate Kelly who was an activist for female ordination.
The founder of a Mormon podcast with tens of thousands of followers expects to be excommunicated Sunday in a case that has stirred debate about the line between church doctrine and individual dissent.
If he is removed from the membership rolls after a disciplinary hearing, John Dehlin will become the second prominent progressive drummed out of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in nine months.
Mormon officials won't comment, saying it's a private matter between Dehlin and the president of his stake, or church district, in Logan, Utah.
But Dehlin, a fifth-generation LDS member, said he was told he's in trouble for support of same-sex marriage and women's ordination, criticism of the church on his "Mormon Stories" podcast, and doubt about key tenets of the religion.
"They want to silence me and 'Mormon Stories' and hope maybe I'll quit or people will stop listening to me," the father of four said.
At the hearing, he will have a chance to present his case and witnesses, but only if he signs a contract agreeing not to record the proceedings. Either way, he believes the outcome has already been decided.
"I feel like the process is a kangaroo court," Dehlin said.