28 Apr 2025 06:00
A Canadian Mormon Story - Ben and Justine Jalaff Pt. 1 | Ep. 2014
In this episode, Ben and Justine share their powerful and emotional journeys through Mormonism, immigration, family trauma, and healing. They discuss Ben's family's escape from political turmoil, their struggles with loss, and the lure of the Mormon doctrine of eternal families.
Ben faces racial and cultural challenges within the Church, battles self-worth issues, and grapples with the harm purity culture and missionary service caused.
Justine recounts her own upbringing in a strict Mormon household, the pressure of modesty culture, and the way Mormon ideals shaped her relationships and sense of self.
Together, they reflect on how they met, the impact of internalized racism, and their path toward authenticity, healing, and love — even as they confront the pain Mormonism left behind.
This is part 1 of a very special two-part Mormon Stories interview.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:06:34 Ben’s parents experience multiple infant loss/miscarriage
00:28:15 Reconnecting with the Church in Canada
00:39:00 “I left my home, my pride, mi familia.”
00:58:30 How Mormonism helps & harms at the same time
01:10:15 Justine’s Mormon childhood, youngest of 7, father a convert
01:22:11 Chosen generation trope affects relationships w/friends & family
01:38:10 Effects of purity culture
01:47:49 Justine repents for first boyfriend, first kiss at University
02:09:27 Ben & Justine become friends
02:17:13 Going on a mission causes more strife with Ben’s parents
02:38:20 Ben ignores intuition to tell gay convert not to join, ending in tragedy
02:55:45 Justine feels pressure to focus on numbers instead of people on her mission
03:20:07 How Justine & Ben start dating
03:24:15 Book of Mormon racism
03:26:30 Ben’s anguish over harm to himself & his relationship with his parents
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