Mormon Stories #1116: Liz Layton - Former Utah Jazz Dancer, Coping with Suicide Pt. 1

Can the Spotlight of Professional Dance Shade Personal Struggles?

Mormon Stories Podcast episode #1116 shines a light on the life of Liz Layton, a former Utah Jazz dancer now grappling with the complex aftermath of suicide within her family. In a compelling interview by John Dolan, Layton breaks down the multifaceted relationship between her faith, personal identity, and the overwhelming pressures that culminate in tragedy. Her story, like many others, asks us to reevaluate the assumptions we make about success, happiness, and spiritual steadfastness.

Suicide is a difficult topic, particularly within the confines of a faith that emphasizes eternal families and personal righteousness. Liz Layton opens up about these intersections, describing her journey through grief following the untimely death of her sister. Her narrative digs deeper into the question: Why do tragedies strike those who seem to be living "righteous" lives? Through her experience, Layton confronts how these painful realities collided with her preconceived notions of faith and family.

Navigating Life in the Public Eye

As a former Utah Jazz dancer, Liz Layton was accustomed to performing under intense scrutiny. Dance was not just a passion for Layton; it was a conduit for identity. Raised in a blended family, her upbringing was steeped in intention and communal faith, a characteristic shared by many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Layton's narrative offers a unique lens to examine how those in spiritual and public communities navigate the expectations placed upon them.

Her decision to attend Brigham Young University (BYU), a prominent institution in the LDS community, underscores the intertwined nature of faith and identity. However, it was at BYU where she began questioning the very beliefs that once grounded her. These existential questions were amplified by her sister Lisa's death, an event that catalyzed a deeper introspection into the "whys" of predetermined paths seemingly promising happiness and fulfillment.