In this episode, LDF host Dan Wotherspoon chats with William Evans, whose spiritual path is unusual for a Latter-day Saint but one that has led him to an expansive vision of life in general along with greater peace than he has ever had.
Born and raised as a grandson of LDS apostle, Richard L. Evans, who is perhaps best known for his multi-decade tenure writing and voicing “Music and the Spoken Word” during the long-running Sunday morning show featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. William was a faithful, very involved Latter-day Saint, serving a mission to Germany, earning a bachelor’s degree at BYU, which was followed by both a master’s degree and doctorate from Creighton University. During these years, he remained faithful but haunted by the LDS Church’s shift from a visionary, expansive one to today’s version that eschews both things.
Drawn to quiet reflection (but a failure at “meditation”--can some of you relate?) and also suffering from insomnia, he eventually discovered floatation therapy (a form of sensory deprivation), and then for the past five years has also been undertaking psilocybin (“magic mushroom”) journeys as a spiritual practice (and overseen by trained and loving facilitators) that have led to deep inner healing that has helped him move past much of his inner turmoil related to his upbringing and membership in a church that fails to deliver what he has long craved. These therapies, along with additional reflective tools he has honed for his own needs (and discussed in the conversation) have allowed his deep, beautiful, expansive, loving soul to come alive. You will enjoy meeting him in this episode!
Note: William is also a regular attendee of Latter-day Lunches, our weekly virtual group who gathers through Zoom on Mondays from noon to 1:30 pm Mountain).
