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Lori Daybell and 'Doomsday' Beliefs

Illustration of night sky with blood moon with silhouettes of people.
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When the Moon Turns to Blood

The trial of Lori Vallow Daybell is underway in Idaho and it is bringing attention to her “doomsday” religious beliefs.  This week we are revisiting our conversation with the author Leah Sottile, who wrote about Daybell in her book: “When the Moon Turns to Blood”.

In late 2019, a boy and a girl went missing in southeastern Idaho. The police investigation centered on the children’s mother, Lori Vallow, and her husband, Chad Daybell. It was a bizarre case piled with bodies. But to the journalist Leah Sottile, it was more than just a true-crime story. Vallow and Daybell were both devout members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And while Sotille was interested in the story of the murders they’ve been accused of, the case was also a chance to dig into some fringe beliefs in Mormon culture. As she writes, their story seemed to be an “allegory for the rest of the world, for everything happening right now in this country,” a time which can feel like the sky is falling. 

GUEST:

  • Leah Sotille is a freelance journalist. Her book, “When the Moon Turns to Blood: Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell, and a Story of Murder, Wild Faith, and End Times” is available at Amazon | Bookshop and your local book seller. 

Airdate: Friday, Sept 16, 2022 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.  Rebroadcast:  Friday, April 28, 2023 at 12 p.m. and Saturday, April 29, at 11 a.m.

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