The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is fighting to prevent the dismissal of a federal lawsuit targeting the "Mormon Stories" podcast, arguing that the use of specific branding and imagery creates confusion about official affiliation. In a court filing released Thursday, August 20, 2026, the Church maintained that its legal action is not an attempt to silence criticism but rather to protect trademarked and copyrighted design elements.
Church Position on Free Speech
The lawsuit, originally filed in April, names podcast host John Dehlin and the Open Stories Foundation as defendants. The Church alleges that the podcast's use of specific imagery, style, colors, and typography constitutes trademark and copyright infringement. According to the Church's position, these elements collectively mislead the public into believing the podcast is connected to or endorsed by the organization.
During a brief court appearance on Thursday, August 20, 2026, Church spokesperson Doug Anderson addressed the ongoing litigation. Anderson stated that the Church has always acknowledged Dehlin's First Amendment right to criticize the organization. He emphasized that the case is not intended to prevent individuals from using the word "Mormon," but rather to address the use of Church-protected names, images, and design elements that create confusion regarding content affiliation.
Legal Arguments Against Dismissal
In the legal filing, the Church explicitly addressed the distinction between protected speech and trademark protection. The filing noted that while the First Amendment protects the defendants' speech, it does not grant a license to appropriate the Church's specific marks and images. The Church's legal argument maintains that the podcast host is free to use the word "Mormon" in connection with his program, provided it does not infringe upon protected intellectual property.
By releasing the opening paragraph of the filing on Thursday, the Church stated its intent was to ensure the public understands the specific facts and the organization's legal position. The Church's stance is that the legal action does not target the actual content of the defendants' speech, but focuses on the visual and brand identity used to present that speech.
History of the Dispute
The legal dispute follows a period of attempted resolution between the parties. According to reporting by KUTV, the Church had previously contacted the Open Stories Foundation in November 2025 regarding the podcast's branding. Following those communications, the parties participated in mediation before the Church eventually moved forward with the formal lawsuit in April.
In response to the Church's recent filing, John Dehlin stated that the legal team for the podcast is currently "digesting" the response provided by the Church. The defendants had previously filed a motion seeking to have the case dismissed, a motion which the Church is now actively opposing.
Ongoing Legal Conflict
The litigation remains ongoing in federal court. The central conflict rests on the boundary between the First Amendment rights of creators and the intellectual property rights of the Church to protect its distinctive visual identity and branding from unauthorized use in a manner that implies official sponsorship.
