The downfall of Tim Ballard and Operation Underground railroad 

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As a member of the Church it’s really frustrating witnessing people who are rightfully critical of Tim Ballard be labeled as “pro p3dophilia”. People are allowed to be critical of the Church and its members without huge accusations like this being perpetuated. It’s a very sneaky way of shutting down necessary dialogue. I sincerely hope that we members can look past some of our own biases in the future to actually participate in meaningful dialogue.

It's so wild to me that my uncle is a McConkie. Every once in a while they talk about the difficulties of being a trans exmormon McConkie. The familial pressure is insane. That being said, I'm so proud of them 💛

I believe there’s a TON of sunk cost going on here. No one likes being wrong, and some people handle it way better than others. These people do not. The cognitive dissonance this is creating is super uncomfortable for them, imo that’s why they’re lashing out so bad. People are really really upset. Like, calm tf down already. Be happy you learned this, then maybe learn more about how to recognize frauds & grifters so you won’t find yourself in the same place sometime in the future.

My mother-in-law told me many years ago, in a small town in Idaho, a girl told her bishop her father sexually abused her. The bishop told to forget it and go home because her “father is a good man. “ I couldn’t believe it.

Sam's ability to eyeroll to Pluto is 1) absolutely amazing and peak sarcasm but also 2) I'm autistic and come to videos for learning and escape and the clarity is really comforting and I just wanted to mention it.. thank you

The fact that Mitt Romney seems reasonable compared to these folks is deeply concerning 😂💀

The absolute irony of a Hobby Lobby ad interrupting this video. I know that's off topic, but fuckin fuck that gave me whiplash.

As a gentle correction: the statement from the church came in the form of a response to a request for comment from Vice. It wasn't a press release. I know it might not seem like a huge thing, but it's actually very important, and explains why the church has not said anything in its newsroom. They only post press releases there, which this was not. It was a response to a request for comment. 🙂 Love y'all's work! ❤️

I subconsciously knew there was something up with this guy from the get go. I didn’t necessarily think it was sexual misconduct, but I learned at a young age in general never to trust people with large bravado and need for attention. There were men like that in the church when I was growing up, they all head high positions in the church, and subsequently they all fell from grace due to some type of controversy, whether fraud, lies but most commonly infidelity.

The Davis County Attorney stated that the OUR NDAs do not cover/prohibit speaking truthfully to actual law enforcement, so if anyone else has inside info about OUR they shouldn't be afraid to do expose it

My daughter-in- law leant me Ballard book. She was very concerned and was donating money. When I read it, I had a suspicion feeling about him. I guess my intuition was right.

That phrase "mas fresca" just makes me sick. Fresca means fresh. They are literally asking for fresher girls.

Love how Tanner has entered his early 90’s vanilla ice, fashion era. 🤗 Amazing to see you guys find your authentic selves since the earliest videos of you guys in the cookie cutter mormon style. Sending good vibes.

You two always break stuff down in such an intelligent and thoughtful way. You are both such an inspiration to me. Thank you. "A good person isn't a person who never does anything wrong, it's someone who does something wrong and learns and grows from it." I needed to hear this sooo hard, thank you Tanner.

My sister in law was raised in the Mormon church. She was repeatedly r@ped by members of the church, on several occasions. They are still running the church. My poor sis in law, is in psychiatric help. LET US TALK ABOUT THAT. 🤔💯

The question I wonder about David McConkie is why was he released after 5 years of a 10 year calling. Did the church know in 2021 he was abusing underage people or was there another reason he left early?

In several interviews, Tim Ballard claimed that when he approached his wife about quitting his job and starting OUR she said, "I won't let you jeopardize my salvation by not doing this!" Can someone please explain to me (like I'm five) how Katherine Ballard's 'salvation' would have been jeopardized had her husband not quit his job to live his action-hero fantasy dreams?

I was on vacation with my in laws who are Mormon and one of the evenings I was wearing tank top and loose shorts cause I was getting ready for bed and that is what I was going to sleep in and got scolded by my mother in law that my husband’s at the time 15 and 17 year old brothers would be tempted. It’s made me feel so gross and ashamed. >.

Predators will always find the easiest place to hide and find their prey.

Thank you for discussing such difficult topics with delicacy and rational points. I really appreciate the way you guys approach these subjects

This is sickening to think they did this all in the name of protecting kids.

"Utah Grifter Industrial Complex" 👏

Had the opportunity to interact with Ballard a few years ago (2020) over the whole Wayfair thing. I was critical of him, and immediately flooded by his supporters calling me a child abuser in very, let's just say uncharitable ways. He was also just about the most dishonest, and arrogant man I've ever met. Completely incapable of engaging without trying to refer to his self proclaimed heroics like they are some kind of shield. This is about the only time I will ever root for the church because I think they are the only entity that can actually prevent Ballard from becoming a senator in Utah. As dangerous and harmful as they are, Ballard with power would be even more dangerous and harmful.

The problem is men in power. It seems obvious to me now.Funny thing is that the church says men are called to be leaders, but whenever men are in positions of leadership we find most of them become abusers. Whenever there is a more diverse group in power, we find less corruption. I think everyone who finds themselves in power or suddenly having a lot of money, should go through training to understand what is gping to happen in their brains, and this training should be different for men and women.

The news is absolutely horrible and I feel terrible for the people affected by the actions of this weirdo. But watching his downfall and seeing conspiracy theory right wingers freak out is satisfying.

Tims a grifter with hero complex. He takes away from those authorities trying to actually help kids. Shame on him. People fell for his grifting

I hope you guys got to see the Cringy painting of Tim center with Abe Lincoln and Harriet Tubman looking on in awe at the hero Tim Ballard saving a woman from Trafficking. So gross.

It's going to be interesting if there's a maga wing of exmormonism. I never really imagined that. I just wonder how they'll fit into exmormonism which is very liberal from my experience with local exmormon groups. Do we create space for them or are they just going to be full-time qanon?

I heard about all this from Cults to Consciousness and could not wait for you guys to post a video about it after your last videos about him. This did not disappoint!

The whole situation is, in every way, the embodiment of "the call is coming form inside the house". I'm shocked...but also not, at how quickly this thing has devolved. And he would've gotten away with it, too (on some level), if it hadn't been for that ego trip of a "film".

Sorry, I just have to comment that Tanner's little "May I have some?" was ADORABLE!!!

Just curious, what is something that you all do to regulate yourselves after discussing an upsetting topic like this? I have found gardening to be a good outlet where I can just zen out a bit and it puts me in a better headspace.

I’ve just gotta day it; I can’t hold it in any longer… i LOVE Sam’s consistent willingness to stand up and walk away from the camera while it is rolling. Idk what it is about it but it feels so refreshing like shes not a “performer.” I just don’t know a single other youtuber who does this and I think it’s neat

The people at Vice said that they asked for a statement and the church responded. The church didn't approach them.

Listening to you guys has done a lot towards helping me see the nuance in situations and people, thank u ❤

A few weeks ago I was watching an interview on Chris Williamson's Modern Wisdom podcast with a man saying he was approached by the Underground Railroad to play a wealthy paedophile to help child victims. I couldn't get through more than 20 minutes of the interview, as the guy was so cringeworthy, I felt dirty just listening to him. I am not American so that bravado immediately puts me off. But there was something more I just couldn't put my finger on. Wanting to learn more about that organisation and the movie (that id heard a little bit about), I searched on youtube and found your brilliant 2 part video. Through your video I read about the real child advocates, so thank you. Then today as I was watching watching this video and you were reading the Vice article, i was thinking OMG was this that cringeworthy guy that I couldn't stand listening to? So I went back to Modern Wisdom, and yep it was Paul Hutchison!

Oh boy, popcorn time!

I need you to know that the Hallow Prayer App ad played before this video lol

I love that you two also listen to you're wrong about!

Maybe Tim had his "calling and election made sure" through the second annointing by M R Ballard and he therefore couldn't be disciplined by his local leaders?! Just saying... Tim would think he could get away with anything while "saving the children"

Good update. Ik you don’t love doing videos on this, but I’m certainly glad you have, and would love to continue hearing updates from your perspectives going forward, if/when more events transpire and surface. Also glad you did a video on the Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrant situation, will be heading over there next 😉💙

I mean this in the best way possible: this video feels like when I get stoned with my friend and he is explaining this fucked up adventure

do they even know if the traffickers are actually, traffickers? people do sex work sometimes. not because they were tricked or trapped but because its a job. This sounds like a handler with how he says not to touch them til they pay etc. there is a difference between that and a trafficker. There is. Does OUR know that?

When I was 15 or 16, my stake youth conference invited Ballard to give us a several-hours long presentation about OUR and his career (essentially a very early teaser trailer for his personal propaganda film). My shelf broke with the church about a year later, and at the time I didn’t connect the experience much with my faith crisis, but looking back on the whole experience now I think it was actually major for me. A few reasons why: He emphasized a /lot/ the prevalence of trafficking of minors in developing countries, which struck me then and now as racist and non-nuanced. He used so. many. images. of trafficking victims in his presentation. It was completely inappropriate, and deeply uncomfortable, made more so by the fact that in many of the photos the victims were in clear distress. Again, this was a presentation to a room of 14-18 year olds. He was somehow anti-American government and pro-American government at the same time. He left HS because he felt “too restricted” but revered America for being “a safe-haven of the church” (that’s an actual quote I have written down, not sure if it’s verbatim). Also in my notes “I feel like there’s nothing I can do to help this situation, I feel horrible”. Now I know that that feeling of overwhelming fear was intentionally provoked to legitimize OUR’s inane and illegal tactics-and to a group of TEENAGERS! And that he likely victimized many of the people he claimed to save, the majority of whom would have been around the ages of our youth conference group, I’m disgusted that he was even allowed to speak to us. Before anyone asks, no, I don’t know who invited him. I vaguely remember there being some HS connection in our stake who invited him (as in, they had worked together as colleges), but I also seem to remember that he had been from our area? (North Texas) Maybe he just did this presentation all over the country? I haven’t a clue, but whoever’s fucking cockamamie idea it was to have him speak to a whole bunch of youth, I hope you’re having trouble sleeping. PS, Sam and Tanner, love you both and your content, you’re wonderful and I always appreciate your perspectives 🩵

No tank tops at my house or anything else like it because I had to be responsible for not being a temptation for evil thoughts for my dad and 3 brothers -- yeah purity culture sucks

A playlist of your videos about this subject would be great!

I am excited for another video! I hope Sam had a nice visit with family!

I LOVED sound of freedom, I read the Lincoln hypothesis when it came out as a teen and to me, Tim Ballard was a hero, even after leaving the church I thought - this man is one of those Mormons who is transcending the organization he is a part of, I can view him as a hero despite his membership in the church. It took A LOT, nuancehoes videos and posts were PAINFUL to read and it felt like losing my faith all over again. It’s hard to hear things that so starkly contrast what you believe to be true, but it’s so important to do. Coming out of Mormonism made me feel immune to propaganda/indoctrination, and the truth is, none of us are, and sometimes thinking you’re “hyper aware” or a “critical thinker” makes it even more difficult to see when you believe things that are deeply untrue.

Listening to this while I walk to Sprouts. I appreciate you timing your videos exactly to my walk time. Thank you for your evidence based discussion!

It’s got to be harrowing to deep dive into these topics on a regular basis and then on top of that having to deal with some of the comments you get. Such important work though. You deserve a million followers

Sam's passion and compassion really rings on this topic. This is a difficult subject so I'm really appreciative for both your voices and views.

Boyscout cover ups were just horrible

I totally agree with you about the cause of sexual acting out. I wrote this poem about it. I was raised in fundamentalist Baptist religion. Shame Religion has shamed us for using our senses. “Pleasure’s a sin” that has Hell consequences. This has caused disconnection of body from soul. Created taboos that we cannot control Created this polarized world torn in two The good and accepted and the hated taboo. From overweight people to hypocrite priest Denial and the shame for our pleasure increased Secret compulsions unconsciously stored That make us act out what we say we abhor. We’ve all become addicts fueled by our shame With religion made scapegoats created to blame These “Demons” that taunt us to do these bad things Like we are just puppets tied to their strings. But if we all deal with our feelings denied Shout out our anger and let tears be cried Go through the grief process till there’s no shame Pay back our debts without demons to blame No longer will shame and taboo have control Because now our body is guided by soul!

The situation is so warped and disturbing. Here is someone who appears to be using the label as a fighter of child sex abuse (sex trafficking, sex assault, child prostitution, or whatever) as a way to gain favor with people for money and status. All while he is (allegedly) a sex abuser... and is lashing out at those who point out his (alleged) blatant wrongs. Those of us who were sexually abused as children likely are all viewing this as some sort of surreal craziness that reaches a new level of disgusting. I'm not sure if I view child sexual abuse as "almost as bad as murder." Maybe it's worse. It is psychologically maiming, killing something within that is a base of being human. Leaving someone sexually crippled with ugly feelings that can be triggered in surprising, random, quick, and troubling ways. Being a person who experienced child sexual abuse greatly increases the risks of the person becoming and addict, or otherwise leading a troubled life, and perhaps one that ends early through OD or suicide. I've lost friends to those situations. It seems that Tim Ballard has to be a certain level of psychologically devious (damaged?) to (allegedly) use being a fake hero to the sexually abused as a self-promotion tool. I wonder what his childhood was like, and what was done to him. Or what he has done to others. I would not be surprised if there was child abuse in his history. Otherwise, why the focus? (Especially if he grew up in a church rich with cases of child sexual abuse among the members.) It all seems more sad and tragic than it does anything else. I wouldn't be surprised if one or more of his children change their last name so they won't carry such a stain on their life created by their father's monster behavior.

I have been praying that these idiots get caught. Best news I have heard in Five years. Literally

How did the video or commentary come out about the guys with the grabbing of the young girl?

I hope you two are getting your Doctorates in any type of theological philosophy, or run for office, or start a non profit counseling group. You are both 🔥!

I was eager to hear your take on this whole mess, and you definitely didn't disappoint! Thanks. ❤️

Thank you for creating such awesome content! You guys seriously rock.

You guys are so awesome! I am so glad that I found your channel. Love, peace, and empathy. 🧡

Another great video. Thanks! Proud Patron here :-)

I'm on the church's side on this. Mostly because Q'Anon is way worse than the church. And Ballard is a Q'Anoner just like many of the members of the church are.

We enjoyed your perspectives, missed the videos! Stephanie! STEPHANIE! Also there was something we had talked about commenting specifically but too high can't remember. Hope you're both doing well!

a pioneer trek train wreck lol😂

OMG I absolutely love Tanner’s look! I am in love with it! Hell yes!

Thanks for sharing this. It is important information.

I think excommunication is called “membership removal” now to make it sound less offensive.

He's a weird fantasist, amongst other things.

this is the 1st video I can understand what the big deal is with tim ballard. thank you for explaining clearly.

Thank you for speaking about this. It is important to speak about. I hope that you don't get any hate comments. Love you guys 🤗

Pleas start leaving links to where you talk about. I can't find the SA website

You two are amazing!

You guys are on fire 🔥I'm sorry people shame you with their righteous ignorance (religious or not). I can't speak to being a trafficking victim, but as a csa victim I'm tired of people invoking our pain, in the name of fighting this stranger danger white van dream and hurting real children in the process.

thanks for videos

Let's not please forget the innocent animals along with the children Who constantly are abused and marginalized by society Sending you love and light ❤❤❤❤

love you guys!

Thanks! Please keep yelling in the wind. We need advocacy that fights against religious zealots.

I had no idea there were 400!! Damn. I just found out about the first 70😮.

It’s like Tim IS the church, Tim Ballard: the new faith crisis

"You're the People You're Trying to Bust.' Please put that on a coffee mug or something because that Really Nails it best. 100% Been trying to say that since Q happened.

Hmm man of principles...I suppose everything is relative but I can't forget the roofrack incident.

Lol is this the new salesmader letter ?

What a 💩 storm. marcus

Tanner! Not only do you have an awesome name (my 18 year old is Tanner also), you're hair! I love it!

Funny with Florida. Last time I checked didn't LDS own tons of Florida?

Got my popcorn

Every word.

Poor little Timmy

Saying that while having girls tell middle-aged men if they are sexually in a room alone...? adults for goodness sake are telling men their business instead of just telling god. Its different if you steal from someone and they go to your church leaders to help resolve but when it has nothing to d o with others per say .Like some go to the bishop and about watching R movies like even shindlers list..Historic stuff

Nice hair Tanner

I take 1 day off of TikTok. Wow

How about quantos anos?

My dad (who is Christian) wanted to watch The Sound of Freedom then I showed him how Tim had himself painted in art that portrayed him like an idol (or Jesus). He never watched it in theaters but we watched it for free, because it’s honestly an okay movie. I just don’t like the disgusting glorification.

Maybe he’s undercover agent

Y’all are awesome. Anyone calling you a pedo is clearly brainwashed or just plain stupid and nasty.

I'd like to come out and personally condemned the Mormon Church for not doing enough to protect children from trafficking.

This goes on in all religions churches hollywood etc. Just follow and obey Jesus Christ and his teachings . Period

Assange, Tate, Brand and now Ballard? What do they all have in common? Think, people, think.

The “boob grabbing thing” is very common in the sex trade industry to prove one isn’t a cop. It’s still super creepy, especially given the situation & the way they were talking about it. Although sadly I’m not all that surprised.