MormonismLive! – Mormonism Live!: Recent Episodes

Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon

with Radio Free Mormon and Bill Reel

What if one of the most important events in early Mormon history never actually accomplished what it set out to do? In 1834, Joseph Smith organized nearly 200 armed men and led them almost 900 miles across the American frontier with one stated objective: redeem Zion and restore the Saints to their lands in Jackson County, Missouri. They marched. They trained. They carried muskets and swords. They expected confrontation. But they never fought a battle. Instead, they encountered political resistance, internal dissent, a violent storm many viewed as miraculous, a devastating cholera outbreak that claimed fifteen lives, and a revelation that abruptly ended the expedition. So what happened? More importantly… how did what appeared to be a failed mission become one of the greatest success stories in Mormon history? In this episode of Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon take a deep dive into the complete story of Zion’s Camp—from the revelations that launched it to the theological reinterpretation that followed its collapse.

Along the way we examine:
• The promise to redeem Zion in D&C 103
• Why hundreds of Saints believed they were going to reclaim Jackson County
• Joseph Smith as “Commander in Chief of the Armies of Israel”
• Governor Daniel Dunklin and the political realities of Missouri
• The famous Fishing River storm—miracle or coincidence?
• The deadly cholera outbreak that followed D&C 105
• Why the mission was suddenly called off
• The psychological and theological shift from “the prophecy failed” to “the people weren’t ready”
• How Zion’s Camp became the proving ground for the future Twelve Apostles and Seventy

This episode also explores a broader question that reaches far beyond Mormonism: How do religious movements reinterpret unmet expectations while preserving confidence in prophetic leadership? Whether you’re a believing Latter-day Saint, a former member, a student of history, or simply interested in the psychology of belief, Zion’s Camp offers one of the most fascinating case studies in early American religious history.

Primary sources used include: Joseph Smith Papers Project Doctrine & Covenants 101, 103, and 105 John Whitmer’s History John Corrill’s A Brief History of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints Contemporary journals, letters, meeting minutes, and financial records from 1833–1835

Mormonism #LDSHistory #JosephSmith #ZionsCamp #MormonismLive #ChurchHistory #ReligiousHistory #FaithCrisis #MormonStudies #DoctrineAndCovenants #ExMormon #Religion

What did the Nauvoo Temple endowment look like in its earliest form? In this episode of Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon examine one of the earliest published firsthand accounts of the Nauvoo Temple ceremony: Catherine Lewis’s 1848 narrative. Written only a few years after the events it describes, Lewis’s account provides a remarkable window into the temple rituals, secrecy, and theological ideas circulating during the Nauvoo period.

Together we’ll explore:
The earliest known form of the Mormon endowment Washing and anointing ordinances
New names, signs, tokens, and the veil
The Garden of Eden drama and progression through the kingdoms
How Lewis connects temple secrecy with plural marriage
Heber C. Kimball’s role in her narrative
The Law of Adoption and priesthood authority
Early teachings surrounding Native Americans and “white and delightsome”
How Lewis’s account compares with William Clayton, the Nauvoo Expositor, John C. Bennett, Martha Brotherton, and other contemporary sources

We’ll also examine Catherine Lewis herself—what we know, what we don’t know, and how historians evaluate the credibility of an early eyewitness whose account repeatedly intersects with other Nauvoo-era evidence. Whether you’re interested in Mormon history, the development of temple worship, or the origins of plural marriage, this episode takes a careful, source-based approach to one of the most significant primary documents from the Nauvoo period.

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Looking for one-on-one support as you navigate a faith transition, religious trauma, or life after a high-demand religion? Bill Reel’s trauma-informed coaching: https://www.awakenandthrive.coach

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MormonismLive #MormonHistory #JosephSmith #NauvooTemple #TempleEndowment #PluralMarriage #Polygamy #HeberCKimball #WilliamClayton #RadioFreeMormon #BillReel #LDSHistory #ChurchHistory #MormonDiscussion #FaithTransition

RFM and Bill Reel are joined by a special panel of Black Mormons and ex-Mormons in this important episode. What is it like experiencing Mormonism through the lens of race? Especially when that race paints you as a second class citizen? Are discriminatory practices and beliefs about Black people a thing of the past in Mormonism, or is there still more work to do? Join us as we listen and learn from our esteemed team of panelists!

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We have shown in a prior podcast that the Book of Mormon answers all the important religious disputes of Joseph Smith’s day. In this episode we demonstrate that the Book of Mormon uses the language and expressions of other early 19th Century authors to do so! Using only publications from prior to 1830! The results are in! Whether you look at the Book of Mormon from the 20,000 foot level at the contemporary religious issues it solves, or whether you look at the Book of Mormon from the microscopic level at the words and phrases it uses, all evidence indicates it to be a product of Joseph Smith’s time and place:
Early 19th Century America!

Tools used for tonight’s show
https://books.google.com/advanced_book_search
https://books.google.com/ngrams/

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For decades, the historical consensus has been that Joseph Smith introduced and practiced plural marriage in Nauvoo. But a small group of researchers has argued for a very different conclusion: that Joseph Smith was not the founder of Mormon polygamy and that the historical evidence has been misunderstood. In this episode of Mormonism Live, we sit down with researcher Jeremy Hoop to explore that perspective in depth. Jeremy has spent years examining William Clayton’s journals, the Nauvoo land deeds, the Augusta Cobb letters, the British Mission, and many other historical sources. He explains why he believes the standard narrative deserves to be reconsidered and walks us through the evidence that has led him to his conclusions. Whether you agree with Jeremy or not, this conversation is an opportunity to hear one of the leading voices of the Joseph Smith “non-polygamist” position explain his research in his own words.

Our goal is to better understand the arguments, the historical documents, and the reasoning behind this alternative interpretation of early Mormon history. As always, we invite you to examine the evidence, think critically, and reach your own conclusions.

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Tonight on Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon take a deep dive into one of the most talked-about Mormon history stories in recent memory: the recent leaking of the William Clayton journals. For years, the full Clayton journals have been a source of speculation, controversy, and anticipation. William Clayton was not a peripheral observer. He was in the inner circle of Joseph Smith’s Nauvoo world, served as Joseph’s clerk, recorded the revelation that became Doctrine and Covenants 132, and left behind some of the most important firsthand records tied to plural marriage, temple theology, and the secret inner workings of early Mormonism. Now that these journals have surfaced, new claims are being made—especially by Jeremy Hoop—that the journals do not support the traditional historical case for Joseph Smith’s polygamy. Is that true? Did the leaked journals undercut the standard narrative? Or do they, when read carefully and in context, actually reinforce what historians have been saying for decades?

In this episode, we walk through the controversy from the beginning:
How Jeremy Hoop got access to the journals
What exactly was leaked and what still remains unpublished
Whether the journals really contain “nothing” that supports Joseph Smith’s polygamy
The entries that matter most and what they appear to show
What else we found in the journals beyond polygamy, including material that sheds light on Nauvoo power structures, private teachings, and the inner world of Joseph Smith’s closest associates

We’ll separate rumor from evidence, examine the strongest entries for ourselves, and ask the bigger question: if the William Clayton journals are as important as many have believed, what do they actually reveal once you stop letting other people tell you what’s in them?

If you care about Joseph Smith, polygamy, Mormon truth claims, historical transparency, and how narratives are built and defended inside Mormonism, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

ACEESS THE CLAYTON JOURNALS
https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/CLAYTON-1.pdf
https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/CLAYTON-2.pdf
https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/CLAYTON-3.pdf

Please consider donating to support our work – https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live

Also if anyone needs extra support as they work through their faith deconstruction, Bill Reel is a certified Somatic Informed Trauma Coach and you can look into his work at https://awakenandthrive.org/

MormonismLive #JosephSmith #WilliamClayton #LDSHistory #MormonHistory #Mormonism #Polygamy #DoctrineAndCovenants132 #JeremyHoop #MormonDiscussion

Does the Book of Mormon fit better in the ancient world or in early nineteenth century America when it was created? Defenders of the book point to a handful of twisted and strained comparisons to the ancient world to make their case. Bill and RFM, on the other hand, demonstrate conclusively that the Book of Mormon is a much better fit for the early nineteenth century in which it was produced. Indeed, no book is more obviously a product of its times than the Book of Mormon. And that time was the first part of the nineteenth century in the newly established United States of America.

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Of anyone needs support dealing with spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at https://awakenandthrive.org/

What if the most revealing thing about Mormon apologetics isn’t the evidence being presented… but the behavioral patterns behind the arguments? Tonight on Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon sit down with Dawn McCarty who works in Forensic Criminology behavioral analysis. Can forensic criminology profile Mormon apologetics? Drawing from several of her recent forensic intelligence briefs, Dawn examines Mormon apologetics, institutional responses to criticism, and high-demand religious systems through the lens of behavioral analysis, threat assessment, cognitive containment, and coercive influence. Together we discuss: • How criminologists identify behavioral patterns in institutions • Narrative patching, semantic inversion, and epistemological fog • The psychology behind apologetic argumentation • Jacob Hansen’s conversations with Alex O’Connor and Bill Reel • The LDS Church’s lawsuit against Mormon Stories and John Dehlin • How institutions maintain authority during periods of public scrutiny • Whether these frameworks can be applied fairly to critics as well as believers Most importantly, we’ll ask whether apologetics can be analyzed the same way investigators analyze other systems that seek to preserve power, shape narratives, and influence behavior. Whether you agree with Dawn’s conclusions or not, this conversation offers a unique perspective that moves beyond history and theology and into the psychology of belief, persuasion, and institutional survival. Join us live and bring your questions.

THE REPORTS
https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/EVIDENTIARY-FORENSIC-INTELLIGENCE-BRIEF_-LDS-CHURCH-SUES-MORMON-STORIES--JOHN-DEHLIN.pdf https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/EXECUTIVE-FORENSIC-INTELLIGENCE-BRIEF-for-JACOB-HANSEN-A-Mormon-Explains-Mormonism-with-Alex-OConnor.pdf https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/EXECUTIVE-FORENSIC-INTELLIGENCE-BRIEF-for-JACOB-HANSEN-Honest-Conversations-About-Faith-with-Jacob-Hansen-Bill-Reel.pdf https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/INTELLIGENCE-BRIEF-Forensic-Autopsy-of-Apologetic-Evasion-and-Systemic-Predatory-Enabling-Author_-Dawn-McCarty-Criminologist-Date_-April-27-2026.pdf

Tonight’s Presentation – https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Forensic-Criminology.pdf

MormonismLive #MormonApologetics #MormonStories #JohnDehlin #JacobHansen #LDSChurch #Mormonism #ReligiousStudies #ForensicAnalysis #CultDynamics #FaithCrisis #MormonDiscussion #RadioFreeMormon

The Mormon Church keeps telling us it is growing. And not only is it growing, they say it is growing faster than it has ever grown in history! And yet faithful Mormon researcher Jeff Strong says the LDS Church has lost 40 % of its active membership in the last twenty-five years. How will the Church react now that its generation-long deception is being revealed? And what will the Mormon influences do who have repeated and championed the lies told them by the Church they seek to defend? Time will tell. In the meanwhile, Bill and RFM are going to take a victory lap on this issue, because they have been calling out the Church on this deception for as long as they have been podcasting. Finally RFM and Bill Reel are vindicated!!!

Quinton Cook & Marin Hospital – https://wasmormon.org/quentin-l-cooks-privatization-of-marin-hospital/

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Tonight on Mormonism Live we tackle one of the most controversial and uncomfortable documents in LDS history: Joseph Smith’s 1832 First Vision account. Not the polished 1838 version members know from the Pearl of Great Price. Not the story that has been repeated in manuals and General Conference over a hundred years. We’re going back to Joseph’s own handwritten account—the one hidden away in a vault, physically cut from his letterbook with a penknife, and unavailable to the public for over a century.

We examine the major differences that made this account so troubling. In 1832 Joseph says he was in his 16th year rather than 14. He says he sought forgiveness of sins instead of asking which church was true. He already believed all denominations had apostatized, while the later account says “it had never entered into my heart” that they were all wrong. And perhaps most significant of all, the 1832 account centers on one divine being—Jesus Christ—with no mention of God the Father appearing. Then we follow the strange trail surrounding the account itself.

Who removed the pages? Why were they cut out? Why was Levi Edgar Young told not to copy or discuss what he called a “strange account”? Why was it stored in a private vault? And why do the Church’s explanations seem to require increasingly complex assumptions to reconcile what appears, on the surface, to be a very different story?

We’ll examine the historical evidence, the apologetic arguments, Joseph Fielding Smith’s role, and ask a simple question: Which explanation requires the fewest assumptions and best fits the evidence? Was this merely another version of the same event? Or did the earliest First Vision account create discomfort because it told a substantially different story?

Join Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon as we take a deep dive into one of Mormonism’s most fascinating historical problems.

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If anyone needs support dealing with spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at https://awakenandthrive.org/

MormonismLive #JosephSmith #FirstVision #LDSHistory #MormonHistory #Mormonism #ExMormon #1832FirstVision #RadioFreeMormon #billreel

RESOURCES:
https://archive.org/details/creationofbookof0000pete/page/n13/mode/2up http://www.mormonthink.com/files/eight-contemporary-accounts-1st-vision-improvement-era-1974.pdf
https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/answers/Joseph_F._Smith%27s_Attempt_at_Suppressing_the_1832_Account_of_Joseph_Smith%27s_First_Vision
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/first-vision-accounts-faq/04-was-the-1832-account?lang=eng https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V47N02_210.pdf https://www.dialoguejournal.com/articles/the-significance-of-joseph-smiths https://youtu.be/D6Deoh20oAk https://youtu.be/jSlaOwcuwqg
https://youtu.be/Dw-22jafYUc
https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V01N03_31s.pdf
https://exploringmormonism.com/our-own-peek-into-the-first-presidency-vault/

Bill Reel and RFM are joined this week by Meggan Hayes, host of the “Generally Unquotable” podcast, which features a news report on things Mormon every weekday morning! How does Meggan do it? Where does she get her stories? What are the biggest stories she has covered? These are just some of the things we’ll be finding out in this fascinating episode of Mormonism Live!

Tonight on Mormonism Live, we explore one of the most uncomfortable and fascinating questions in early Mormon history: Was Moroni originally understood through the same treasure-digging framework Joseph Smith had already been practicing for years? Long before the Book of Mormon was published, Joseph Smith and those around him were involved in treasure seeking using seer stones, ritual practices, magic circles, guardian spirits, and buried treasures hidden in hills. In the earliest recollections of Moroni and the gold plates, the similarities become difficult to ignore. In this episode we examine: Moroni as a possible “treasure guardian” Joseph Smith’s use of the rock in the hat before the Book of Mormon Guardian spirit folklore in early America Magic circles, rituals, and treasure enchantments Animal sacrifice allegations in treasure digging “Slippery treasure” stories and buried ancient records How apologetics attempt to separate treasure digging from Mormon origins Why the historical continuity matters The deeper one goes into the earliest sources, the less the story initially resembles polished religion and the more it resembles the folk magic treasure-seeking culture of early 1800s America. We follow the historical record wherever it leads.

RESOURCES FOR TONIGHT EPISODE:
https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Morni-Treasure-Guardian.pdf

Donate to Mormonism Live: https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live

Get Bill Reel’s book “A Logical Deconstruction of Mormonism”: https://www.amazon.com/Logical-Deconstruction-Mormonism-One-Book/dp/B0GQQ4CJ2S

If anyone needs support dealing with spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at https://awakenandthrive.org/

MormonismLive #JosephSmith #MormonHistory #BookOfMormon #TreasureDigging #Moroni #LDS #ExMormon #Mormonism #SeerStone

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What if the harm didn’t start with a crisis… but with what you were taught as a child? In this episode of Mormonism Live, we sit down with researcher and clinician Samuel Clemens, PhD, LCSW, to unpack his groundbreaking study on religious trauma among former Latter-day Saints—particularly those who identify as sexual minorities. This isn’t a conversation about people being “offended” or simply losing belief. It’s about something deeper. Clemens’ research reveals that for many, the damage isn’t tied to a single moment—but to years of subtle conditioning. Messages about worthiness, identity, obedience, and belonging begin early… and often shape how individuals see themselves long before they have the language to understand who they are.

We explore:
How religious trauma develops over time—not in one event, but through repetition
Why identity and morality being fused together creates lasting psychological conflict
The “double bind” many experience: be authentic and risk losing everything, or conform and lose yourself
The central role of family, belonging, and conditional acceptance
Why leaving can feel both freeing and devastating at the same time
This is an honest, nuanced conversation about the real human impact of high-demand religious systems—and what healing can actually look like on the other side.

If you’ve ever wrestled with these questions, or you’re trying to understand someone who has, this episode offers insight that’s hard to ignore.

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If you or someone you know is navigating religious or spiritual trauma, support and coaching resources are available at: https://awakenandthrive.org/

MormonismLive #ReligiousTrauma #FaithTransition #ExMormon #MentalHealth #lds

To reach Sam – sclemens161@gmail.com

Who won the debate? Bill Reel or Robert Gurr? Bill Reel and RFM dissect Bill’s recent debate about Mormonism with Robert Gurr. This one is going to be a lot of fun! Don’t miss it!

Tonight, one of the darkest chapters in Mormon history—the Mountain Meadows Massacre. This isn’t a surface-level retelling. We walk through what led up to it, how it unfolded, and what happened afterward… and we let the historical record speak for itself. We examine the environment in southern Utah at the time—heightened fear, isolation, and rhetoric that blurred the line between obedience to leaders and loyalty to God. We talk about the Baker–Fancher wagon train, why they were targeted, and how a situation that could have ended peacefully turned into something far worse. We break down the massacre itself—how the militia gained the trust of the emigrants, what happened when they were escorted out under a white flag, and how the attack was carried out. We also cover what followed: the children who were spared and placed into Mormon homes, the removal and redistribution of property, and the long effort to control the narrative. We dig into the aftermath—the oath-like silence described by participants, the blaming of Native Americans, and the later statements by leaders that don’t quite line up with what we now know. We’ll also talk about the monument, its destruction, and the unsettling details surrounding that. This episode isn’t about sensationalism. It’s about understanding how something like this happens—inside a system that believes it is acting under divine authority.

In this episode:
The climate in Utah leading up to 1857
Brigham Young’s rhetoric and its impact
The Baker–Fancher party and why they were targeted
How the massacre unfolded
The fate of the child survivors
The cover-up and shifting of blame
The role of John D. Lee and others
The long road to accountability

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Need help navigating religious deconstruction? If you’re working through spiritual trauma or faith transition, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at: https://awakenandthrive.org/

Join the conversation What stood out to you most about this story? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

Mormons have turned to the Bible to prove their beliefs are true ever since the inception of the LDS Church. But are the Mormons getting the Bible right? World renowned Bible expert and prolific author Bart Ehrman joins us to get down to the bottom of the issue, and to help us answer the question, “Does the Bible prove Mormonism is true?”

Join Bill Reel and RFM as we cue up the most scintillating and awe-inspiring moments from the April 2026 General Conference! You are sure to have a good time!

In this episode of Mormonism Live, we walk through the full evolution of the Word of Wisdom—from its origin in 1833 to how it functions today as a requirement for temple worthiness. We start in Kirtland, where the School of the Prophets was filled with tobacco smoke, chewing, and spitting—and where Emma Smith’s frustration becomes part of the story behind the revelation. From there, we zoom out and examine the broader 19th-century health movements already shaping ideas about diet, stimulants, and self-control. Figures like Sylvester Graham and the growing temperance movement weren’t fringe—they were mainstream. And their fingerprints are all over the Word of Wisdom. We then track how the revelation was originally given “not by commandment,” how early leaders—including Joseph Smith and Wilford Woodruff—continued to drink alcohol, and how enforcement slowly tightened over time. What began as counsel eventually became a defining boundary marker of Mormon worthiness.

Along the way, we tackle the contradictions and gray areas:
Why coffee and tea are prohibited while caffeine is not
How “mild drinks of barley” disappeared from the conversation
The shifting stance on medical marijuana
Cultural gray zones like kava
And how modern application often depends more on tradition than a consistent principle

By the end, the question isn’t just what the Word of Wisdom says—but how it became what it is today.

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Get Bill Reel’s book “The Logical Deconstruction of Mormonism”: https://www.amazon.com/Logical-Deconstruction-Mormonism-One-Book/dp/B0GQQ4CJ2S

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A confrontation of historic proportions happened forty-five years ago; a confrontation between an LDS apostle and a BYU professor; between Elder Bruce R. McConkie and Professor Eugene England. The subject was the nature of God. But the ramifications were more far-reaching than that. Join Bill Reel and RFM as they dig deep into this controversy and explore what it meant then, and the fallout it still has today!

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If you need support navigating faith transitions or spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at: https://awakenandthrive.org/

In this episode of Mormonism Live, we sit down with Ember, a Native American and former Latter-day Saint, to explore a side of Mormonism that often goes overlooked – the lived experience of Native Americans inside the Church. For many Indigenous members, Mormon doctrine didn’t just offer a spiritual framework. It reshaped identity, ancestry, and self-worth. Teachings about “Lamanites,” skin color, righteousness, and divine lineage weren’t abstract ideas—they were personal, and often deeply painful. We talk through: What it means to be labeled a “Lamanite” in a modern world with DNA evidence The psychological weight of doctrines tied to skin color and worthiness The legacy of programs like the Indian Student Placement Program Cultural loss, identity fragmentation, and the pressure to assimilate How Church narratives intersect with broader colonial and Christian history The experience of being the “token Native” in LDS spaces The tension between Indigenous spirituality and Mormon theology The long road of deconstruction, healing, and reclaiming identity This isn’t just a conversation about history—it’s about how belief systems shape identity, and what it takes to rebuild when that foundation cracks. Whether you’re familiar with these issues or hearing them for the first time, this episode invites a deeper look at the intersection of faith, culture, and personal truth.

Join the conversation live or catch the replay
Like, Subscribe, and Share to help broaden the discussion
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Sam Young is the legend who did amazing things almost a decade ago to protect children in the Mormon Church. Of course, the Mormon Church didn’t appreciate Sam’s efforts to protect the children, so they excommunicated him. This is Sam’s story! And for the first time, Sam will speak publicly about what happened during his excommunication proceeding! This is a show you won’t want to miss!

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If anyone needs support dealing with spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at: https://awakenandthrive.org/

Why Do People Leave the LDS Church? In this episode of Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon examine a topic that has been discussed inside Mormonism for nearly two centuries: why do people leave the Church? From early sermons by Brigham Young to modern General Conference addresses, Latter-day Saint leaders have offered explanations for why members lose their faith. These explanations often frame departure as the result of deception, pride, sin, offense, or the influence of Satan. Tonight we take a careful look at those teachings. We explore what Church leaders have said historically, how those ideas continue to appear in modern instruction, and how these narratives shape the way believers understand those who leave. We’ll also look at the human side of the conversation: how these labels affect real people, real families, and the possibility of honest dialogue between those who stay and those who step away. This episode is not about attacking belief. It’s about understanding the stories we tell about each other — and asking whether those stories leave room for compassion, curiosity, and honest conversation.

RESOURCES:
https://faenrandir.github.io/a_careful_examination/how-those-who-leave-are-viewed/
Glen Pace memo – https://www.scribd.com/document/105967728/Memo-Bishop-Glenn-L-Pace-to-LDS-Church-Members-Committee-Ritualistic-Child-Abuse-7-19-90

If you enjoy Mormonism Live and want to support the show, please consider donating: https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live

If anyone needs support dealing with spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at: https://awakenandthrive.org/

Tonight on Mormonism Live, we tackle one of the most persistent and uncomfortable questions in modern Mormon scholarship: What does DNA actually say about the Book of Mormon? Our guest is Dr. Thomas W. Murphy, anthropologist, award-winning scholar, and author of Unsettling Scripture: Iroquois and the Book of Mormon. Dr. Murphy’s latest presentation, “DNerAsure: Unsettling Science & Scripture” DNerAsure – Unsettling Science, challenges both apologetic narratives and oversimplified dismissals of the DNA debate.

What We Discuss
The acknowledged lack of Middle Eastern DNA in ancient and modern Indigenous American populations
Why the science is not “settled” in the way many assume
The apologetic argument that Book of Mormon DNA may have “disappeared” over time
Why autosomal DNA makes total genetic erasure extraordinarily implausible
The limited geography model and why it does not solve the DNA problem The ethics of Indigenous DNA collection — including BYU’s controversial accumulation of Indigenous genetic samples
The concept of a “Galileo Event” and whether Mormonism is approaching one How racialized readings of scripture intersect with real Indigenous identities

In this episode, we step into one of the most provocative and uncomfortable chapters ever written about Joseph Smith — “The Don Juan of Nauvoo,” from Dr. W. Wyl’s 1886 exposé. These are not modern critics looking backward with hindsight. These are men and women living in Utah in the late 1800s — people who lived through Nauvoo, who knew Joseph personally, who saw the culture firsthand, and who were willing to share their memories of Joseph’s behavior with women. Their recollections paint a portrait very different from the sanitized image often presented today. We will read their words directly. Their observations. Their accusations. Their recollections of Joseph’s charisma, his influence, and his interactions with women in Nauvoo. This episode isn’t about speculation. It’s about historical memory — and how Joseph Smith’s contemporaries understood him.

You’ll hear:

How Joseph was perceived by those who lived in Nauvoo
The reputation he carried among insiders
What Utah Saints privately said decades later
Why these accounts were preserved and published
And how charisma, authority, and attraction intersected in Nauvoo

Whether you see Joseph Smith as prophet, fraud, or something in between, these firsthand recollections provide a window into how he was experienced by those who lived in his shadow.

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If you need support navigating a faith transition or spiritual trauma, coaching and support groups are available at: https://awakenandthrive.org/

Was Joseph Smith’s relationship with Fanny Alger an early plural marriage, a sexless sealing, or a scandalous sexual affair?

Long before Nauvoo polygamy, secret sealings, or theological justifications, there was Fanny Alger; a teenage girl living in Joseph and Emma Smith’s home in Kirtland, Ohio.

When the relationship was discovered, it triggered scandal, apostasy, and one of the earliest crises in Mormon leadership.

In this episode, we start by taking a look into the life of Fanny Alger sharing details of her life that are little known even to those familiar with Mormon history. We then examine every major historical source connected to the Fanny Alger story including letters, later reminiscences, church disciplinary records. Then onto the Apologetics and what they are trying to resolve. And lastly we share something that hasn’t been used by either side in this discussion and this you won’t want to miss.

We ask the uncomfortable questions:
• Why did Oliver Cowdery call the incident a “dirty, nasty, filthy scrape”?
• Why did church leaders discipline Cowdery for accusing Joseph of adultery — without denying the accusation itself?
• Why does Fanny Alger quietly disappear from official church records for decades?
• And do apologetic claims that “we can’t know what happened” actually hold up?

We also follow Fanny’s life after Mormonism; her marriage, property ownership, and long, stable adulthood and ask what her silence might tell us about power, authority, and who controls the narrative. This is not folklore. This is not anti-Mormon spin. This is history read carefully.

RESOURCES:
https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Fanny-Alger-Episode-Sources-1.pdf

Did Joseph Smith’s understanding of God come through divine revelation — or did it evolve alongside his education? In this episode of Mormonism Live, we examine one of the most important and least discussed developments in early Mormon history: the dramatic shift in Joseph Smith’s theology of the Godhead. Using early Mormon scriptures, historical documents, and Joseph’s own study journals, we walk through how the earliest teachings portrayed God as a single divine being, closely resembling early Christian modalism. We then trace a clear timeline showing how those teachings changed over time — especially following Joseph Smith’s intensive study of Hebrew in Kirtland, Ohio. As Joseph learned Hebrew grammar, biblical structure, and concepts such as Elohim as a plural noun, Mormon theology began to change with it. The singular God of the Book of Mormon and Book of Moses gradually gave way to a plurality of Gods, divine councils, embodied deities, and ultimately the revolutionary teachings found in the King Follett Discourse.
This episode explores:

Why early Book of Mormon passages describe Jesus as both Father and Son
How later scripture reverses earlier creation accounts
The connection between Hebrew study and the emergence of the “Council of the Gods”
Why Joseph’s First Vision accounts evolve alongside his theology
And what this means for claims of unchanging revelation and restored truth Rather than attacking belief, this conversation asks a deeper question: If revelation reveals eternal truth, why does the nature of God change so dramatically over time?

Whether you are believing, doubting, or long past Mormonism, this episode offers a thoughtful, historically grounded look at how doctrine develops — and why that development still matters today.

The LDS Church teaches that its top leaders are prophets, seers, and revelators; men who speak for God and whose guidance deserves trust, obedience, and moral authority. When serious problems arise in Church history, doctrine, or policy, the most common explanation offered is simple: prophets are fallible. But does that explanation actually resolve the issue? In this episode of Mormonism Live, we take a step back and examine what prophetic fallibility is being asked to accomplish, and whether it truly holds up under scrutiny.

We walk through multiple categories where prophetic authority is expected to function reliably and where the Church and its apologists claim fallibility resolves the concerns, including:

Foundational integrity
Doctrinal and theological accuracy
Moral judgment
Prophetic discernment
Revelation in real time
Ethical leadership
Institutional accountability
Pastoral care and protection of the vulnerable

Using clear historical examples including Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, modern prophets, and recent institutional decisions, we show how the same explanation is repeatedly used to absorb contradiction, reverse teachings, and excuse harm. Along the way, we ask the question that often goes unspoken: If prophets can confidently teach error, attribute it to God, and only later have it reclassified as opinion or mistake… how is anyone supposed to know when God is actually speaking? Fallibility may explain why mistakes happen — but it does not explain how members are meant to trust leaders in real time. Rather than attacking belief, this episode carefully examines whether the prophetic model itself functions as advertised — and what it means when authority becomes clear only in hindsight. This is not about expecting perfection. It’s about whether divine authority can be trusted to guide human lives safely, honestly, and consistently.

Mormonism Live is honored to host the 2025 Brodie Awards, an annual event dedicated to recognizing excellence, courage, insight, and impact in the world of Mormon-related scholarship, commentary, media, and creative work. Named after historian Fawn M. Brodie, the Brodie Awards exist to spotlight voices—both established and emerging—who meaningfully contribute to public understanding of Mormonism. These awards are about acknowledging thoughtful analysis, original research, compelling storytelling, and principled engagement with a complex tradition. The 2025 Brodie Awards Ceremony will feature the 2025 award categories and nominees, an announcement of the 2025 winner in each category, and shining a light on the impact of the winner’s work. Our goal is simple: to elevate quality creators around the topic of Mormonism and raise awareness of creators who are contributing something genuinely valuable to the broader discussion around Mormonism. For those interested in the history of these awards please check out the Sunstone presentation about history of the Brodie Awards found here: https://mainstreetplaza.com/2024/08/08/post-mormon-media-past-present-and-future/ The Brodie Awards were founded and are operated by Main Street Plaza, A Community for Anyone Interested in Mormonism. This year’s ceremony Hosted by Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon on Mormonism Live!

Links to all Brodie Awards Nominations https://mainstreetplaza.com/2025/12/03/collecting-nominations-for-the-2025-brodie-awards/

We dig into one of the lesser-known but deeply revealing historical sources from early Mormonism: the Fayette Lapham interview with Joseph Smith Sr. Lapham’s account places Joseph Smith’s father in conversation about the earliest days of the movement — before the Church had polished narratives, before later offices were cleanly defined, and before memory had decades to smooth out the rough edges. What emerges is a version of early Mormon leadership that feels far less settled and far more experimental than most members were ever taught. One claim in particular raises eyebrows: the suggestion that Joseph Smith may have identified or spoken of twelve apostles years before the traditionally accepted 1835 calling. Was this an early attempt at organization? A loose use of terminology? Or a later memory shaped by what the Church eventually became? We walk carefully through the evidence, the problems, and the implications — without overstating the case and without pretending the question isn’t uncomfortable. As always, we separate what the sources actually say from what later narratives need them to say. We look at how early language was used, how memory works, and why moments like this matter when trying to understand how Mormonism developed in real time rather than in hindsight. If you care about early Mormon history, shifting priesthood structures, and how institutional stories get built — sometimes retroactively — this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

RESOURCES:
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/license-for-john-whitmer-9-june-1830/1
https://archive.org/details/volume-1_202010/page/456/mode/2up
https://books.google.com/books/download/The_Historical_Magazine_and_Notes_and_Qu.pdf?id=x7MTAAAAYAAJ&output=pdf

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Time to Vote for X-MoOTY and the Brodie Awards 2025!! https://mainstreetplaza.com/2026/01/01/time-to-vote-for-x-mooty-and-the-brodie-awards-2025/

Join us on New Year’s Eve for a special episode of Mormonism Live. We’ll look back at the biggest Mormon news stories of the year from The Mormon Newscast and reveal the Top 5 stories you voted for. We’ll also dig into a few late-breaking developments, including the passing of Elder Holland.

Support The Mormon Newscast:
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Join us this Christmas Eve for the Third Annual Radio Free Mormon Christmas Eve Party. RFM will be joined by over Mormon influencers from the Mormon and post-Mormon space, and maybe even a few surprises! Get stocked up on eggnog and gingerbread cookies! Stay up with RFM and watch the stars come out! This is going to be a blast!

Thomas murphy
https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/V58N04_2.pdf
https://uofupress.com/books/unsettling-scripture/

David Whitmer is one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, but his life after Mormonism raises some of the most challenging questions anyone serious about truth claims has to wrestle with. He broke with Joseph Smith. He rejected Brigham Young. He condemned polygamy, secret combinations, and priesthood hierarchy. And yet, for nearly sixty years, he never denied seeing the angel or the plates. In this episode of Mormonism Live, we take a careful, historically grounded look at David Whitmer’s life and testimony. We explore what he actually claimed to see, how he described the experience, why he believed the church went off course, and why skeptics and believers alike kept coming to him for answers. We examine the moments that test his credibility, the consistency of his witness, and the uncomfortable tension between affirming the Book of Mormon while rejecting the institution built around it. If you’ve ever wondered how to weigh the testimony of a witness who walked away from the church but never walked away from the plates, this episode is for you.

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Tonight on Mormonism Live we celebrate the 5th anniversary of Mormonism Live. 5 years of in depth dives into Mormon History. 5 Years of examining the theology of the LDS Church, 5 years of current events. All on a weekly live show designed to entertain you! It’s our 5th Anniversary special, and we’re turning the show over to you. Call in and tell us your favorite episodes, your favorite RFM breakdowns, your favorite Bill Reel rants, the moments that shocked you, cracked you up, or helped you see Mormonism in a whole new way. Whether you’ve been with us since Episode 1 or joined somewhere in the chaos, this community has carried the show for five years and tonight we’re celebrating every wild, weird, hilarious, and meaningful moment we’ve created together. Come hang out, share your story, and help us look back on the episodes that shaped the conversation.

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Let’s make this anniversary one to remember.

Oliver Cowdery was more than Joseph Smith’s scribe. Oliver was a co-founder of the Mormon movement, a visionary of sacred experiences with Heavenly Messengers, and one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon’s golden plates as well as an angel. But what happens when that witness walks away? In this episode of Mormonism Live, we dive deep into Cowdery’s life, exploring his pivotal role in early Church history, his fiery fallout with Joseph, and the twists and turns of his life outside Mormonism and in the end, back in. Did he ever truly deny his testimony? Are there holes in his credibility? And what does his journey say about the reliability of the Book of Mormon’s origin story? Join us as we trace the complex, fascinating arc of a man who saw angels, practiced law, stood in courtrooms—and maybe stood on the edge of belief itself.

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In this follow-up to “To Catch a Thief,” Radio Free Mormon and Bill Reel return with a deeper, wider investigation into the claims and credibility of Ward Radio’s Jonah Barnes. Last time, we showed clear evidence that Barnes lifted Eldon Watson’s Adam-God research and passed it off as his own. This time, we broaden the lens. RFM and Bill walk through a lineup of respected scholars and historians whose work directly contradicts Barnes’s narratives, exposing just how far he’s been stretching, bending, or outright stealing ideas to prop up his platform. When someone pretends to be a scholar but builds influence on borrowed work, eventually the bill comes due. But the story doesn’t stop at plagiarism. In this episode, we document an additional example of theft that goes well beyond plagiarism. This episode lays out the receipts. Clear. Detailed. Irrefutable. If you care about integrity in Mormon scholarship, or you’ve just been waiting for the sequel, this is the deep dive you’ve been asking for.

RESOURCES:
https://mrm.org/jonah-barnes
https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/e6a939a0-3402-4771-814d-4eaf2547e613/0/0?lang=eng

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In this episode, we break down the story of a Latter-day Saint Bishop who when he was currently serving when he officially stepped away from the Mormon Church. We’ll walk through what led to his decision, what he saw behind the curtain as a leader, and how the gap between the Church’s public messaging and its private reality became impossible for him to ignore. This isn’t just another faith transition story. It’s a rare account from someone who lived the system, moved up in the ward hierarchy, enforced the rules, and finally couldn’t keep pretending the narrative matched the facts. We’ll also talk about the fallout: how his ward reacted, how local leaders tried to handle the situation, and what this kind of departure says about the broader institutional cracks appearing inside modern Mormonism. It’s raw, honest, and a window into the experiences that thousands in leadership quietly wrestle with.

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Mormonism Live’s Bill Reel & RFM dive deep into a recent claim by Ward Radio that the so-called “Adam God Doctrine” never existed. They sift through the documentary history, the original speeches, journal entries, and the commentary of leading Mormon scholars to see if the claim holds up. Did the doctrine ever exist? Was it a misunderstanding, a misrepresentation, or a developed belief held by some early leaders? We’ll explore all that—and what it means for a faith’s history where its apologists do everything they can to get away from the problems and contradictions of Mormonism

Thank you for your support
If you’d like to support the show and our mission, please consider donating here: https://mormonismlive.org/Donate-To-Mormonism-Live/

Ward Radio’s Original Commentary – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9RU7MAXVfc

Dialogue article Footnote 76 (claim Adam God was taught in the SLC temple too and not just Saint George) – https://www.dialoguejournal.com/articles/the-adam-god-doctrine/

This week on Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon sit down with researcher Kolby Reddish for a fascinating deep dive into the Dead Sea Scrolls and what they reveal about the Book of Mormon’s ancient claims. Kolby walks us through the history of the Scrolls, what they actually contain, and how they’ve transformed modern biblical scholarship. Then the conversation turns to the big question: If these are the most important ancient Hebrew and Aramaic writings ever discovered, certainly they mean something about the history, language, theology, and narrative patterns found in the Book of Mormon? Don’t miss this one—it’s history, scholarship, and critical thinking at their best. Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light on truth and leads with transparency.

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Everyone knows Martin Harris as one of the Three Witnesses. But few know how strange, conflicted, and revealing his story really is. Was he a man of unwavering faith in the Truth… or a man chasing every new revelation that came along? In this episode of Mormonism Live, we dig into the real Martin Harris; the devout farmer who financed the Book of Mormon, saw angels (and maybe more), then spent decades bouncing between movements, prophets, and visions. From his 1838 claim that he only saw the plates “in vision or imagination,” to his deep belief in the Shaker “Sacred Roll and Book,” to his eventual return to Utah under Brigham Young’s wing.

Every major twist in Harris’s life points to one central question:

Can we trust Martin Harris as a reliable witness for the Restoration? Whether you’re a believer who reveres his testimony or a skeptic who doubts every word, you’ll walk away seeing Harris, and the early Church, in a far more complicated light than ever before.

If the episode helps, support Mormonism Live so we can keep doing rigorous, source-driven work: Donate: https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live

If anyone needs support dealing with spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at https://awakenandthrive.org

Resources:
https://www.dialoguejournal.com/articles/martin-harris-the-kirtland-years-1831-1870
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letterbook-2/69?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://fullerconsideration.com/images/Tiffany’s%20Monthly%20-%20Mormonism%20No.%202%20-%20Martin%20Harris.pdf
https://bhroberts.org/records/nvGFqb-0LWaIn/burnetts_letter_claims_witnesses_confessed_to_not_seeing_the_plates
https://www.dialoguejournal.com/articles/martin-harris-mormonisms-early-convert/

Lee Krahenbuhl returns to Mormonism Live for a fascinating deep dive into some of the strangest and most unusual aspects of Mormon history. Discover the surprising connections between Brigham Young, matchmaking traditions, spirit messages from Joseph Smith, and the most famous magician of the 19th century.

What hidden stories link Mormon leaders, spiritualism, and 19th-century magic?

How do these strange connections reshape our understanding of LDS history? Don’t miss this eye-opening episode as we uncover the bizarre, the mysterious, and the downright magical side of Mormonism’s past.

Support Mormonism Live here: https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live

RESOURCES:
https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/dacd8009-cabe-438d-bd55-2319992d5ea2/0/0

Tonight on Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon sit down with writer and blogger Sarah Steed, whose essays contain sharp insight, poetic honesty, and unflinching critique of LDS culture. Sarah’s work dives deep into the unspoken layers of Mormon life—gender, perfectionism, obedience, and the lingering ghosts of patriarchy that shape the spiritual experience of both men and women. She explores how theology becomes culture, how “sisterhood” can sometimes turn into surveillance, and how the Restoration’s original mysticism was slowly domesticated into corporate religion. This is not your typical discussion on faith. Expect intelligent dialogue, uncomfortable questions, and honest reflections about what it means to be whole in a system that prizes obedience over authenticity.

Topics Include:

LDS theology and the loss of mysticism
The hidden cost of perfection culture
How patriarchy recruits both men and women
Rethinking “eternal marriage” and divine feminine power
What a more authentic, spiritually alive Mormonism might look like

RESOURCES:

https://substack.com/@thesarahsteed
https://thesarahsteed.substack.com/p/why-women-would-rather-be-alone
https://thesarahsteed.substack.com/p/for-all-eternity
https://thesarahsteed.substack.com/p/the-ghost-of-polygamys-past-f02
https://thesarahsteed.substack.com/p/the-trouble-with-being-perfect
https://thesarahsteed.substack.com/p/forever-isnt-a-plan-temple-ready
https://thesarahsteed.substack.com/p/the-sunday-smile
https://substack.com/home/post/p-172891704

Join the live chat and be part of the conversation as we unpack the cultural, psychological, and spiritual realities behind modern Mormonism.

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In this special episode, we take a in-depth look at the life and ministry of Elder Dallin H. Oaks, who stands next in line to become President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Few leaders have been as controversial —from his time as President of BYU to decades in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. We’ll explore the major moments that have shaped his spiritual approach to the gospel and to others: the legal mind that helped define Church policy, the Speaker who spoke boldly on Church theology, and the Latter-day Saint disciple who has guided the Church in shaping its modern approach. This episode offers a sincere examination of the experiences, decisions, and teachings that have defined Elder Oaks’s journey of as a Latter -day Saint Leader

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Mormonism Live uncovers the explosive history of the Reed Smoot Hearings (1904–1907)—a time when Mormon leaders, including President Joseph F. Smith, were forced to testify under oath before the United States Senate. What happens when prophets, seers, and revelators can no longer hide behind the pulpit and instead must answer blunt questions from skeptical senators under oath and penalty of perjury?

We’ll walk you through:
Why the hearings began and why the nation was riveted.
Joseph F. Smith’s shocking admissions about polygamy, revelation, and his business empire.
The contradictions between what Church leaders told the U.S. Senate versus what they taught faithful members in Utah.
Scandals, evasions, and the unforgettable moment when the Prophet declared: “I have never pretended to… have received revelations.”
The cultural and political fallout that permanently changed Mormonism and shaped its path toward assimilation in American society.

This is Mormon history like you’ve never seen it: senators grilling prophets, prophets evading and confessing, and the whole nation watching.

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Join the conversation in the comments below!
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What happens when a Mormon Apostle gets asked troublesome questions about Mormonism? In this episode of Mormonism Live, RFM and Bill Reel sit down with someone who had questions —hard questions — for the LDS Apostle about Mormonism. As the conversation unfolds, we witness a fascinating dynamic: a man taking a closer look at belief, truth claims, and the stories the Church tells its members. It’s a rare opportunity to see what happens when one presses for clarity—and Elder Renlund finds himself on the receiving end of uncomfortable but essential inquiries. Don’t miss this unique episode that blends sharp humor, keen insight, and the kind of candid exploration you’ve come to expect from Mormonism Live. EDIT NOTE During post-production, several brief portions of the conversation were removed at the request of our guest. We made every effort to preserve the flow while respecting those edits. As a result, a few transitions may feel slightly abrupt, but the overall discussion remains intact and hopefully easy to follow.

Tune in live, join the chat, and be part of the conversation.
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What do Mormon temples and Masonic lodges really have in common? In this episode of Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon dig deep into the original words of LDS leaders, historians, and first-hand witnesses to uncover the startling overlap between Freemasonry and the Mormon temple endowment. From Joseph Smith and Heber C. Kimball to Brigham Young and beyond, the record is clear: Church authorities openly admitted the connection—sometimes calling Masonry “apostate priesthood” or even “corrupted endowments.” We’ll walk you through the actual quotes, the historical documents, and the missing context you won’t hear in Sunday School. Did Joseph Smith borrow, adapt, or restore ancient rituals? Why did so many early Saints see Masonry as a stepping stone to the temple? And what does it mean for the truth claims of Mormonism today? Whether you’re a believing Latter-day Saint curious about your faith’s origins, or a post-Mormon looking for validation that the pieces don’t quite fit, this episode has the receipts.
Join the conversation LIVE and bring your questions.

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Bibliography For Episode https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Masonry-Mormonism-Bibliography.pdf

Join Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon on Mormonism Live as we dig into the long and turbulent history of Joseph Smith’s run-ins with the law. From treasure digging charges in New York, to assault accusations in Ohio, to treason indictments in Missouri and Illinois, Joseph Smith’s life was marked by constant legal battles that shaped both his reputation and the future of Mormonism.

We’ll trace the key moments where courts, judges, and mobs intersected with the Mormon prophet, exploring how his actions, claims, and conflicts repeatedly brought him face-to-face with American justice—and ultimately led him to Carthage Jail. Expect courtroom drama, fascinating documents, and a closer look at the myth versus the historical reality.

Don’t miss this deep dive into The Legal Battles of Mormonism’s Joseph Smith — streaming live Wednesday at 6pm Mountain Time!

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Tonight on Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon take on the brand-new video series “An Inconvenient Faith” — a polished production where scholars, researchers, and familiar voices inside and outside the LDS Church confront the most problematic issues in Mormonism. We’ll break down the claims, highlight what the so-called “Experts” gets right (and where it pulls punches), and talk openly about why the Church’s truth claims simply don’t hold up under scrutiny. Whether you’re curious, questioning, or already on the other side, this conversation promises to go deeper than the deflection of problems that many in the series preferred.

Check out the Inconvenient Faith channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@InconvenientFaith/videos

Don’t miss it — live chat, commentary, and the kind of analysis you won’t find in Sunday School.

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Tonight on Mormonism Live, RFM and Bill Reel are joined by special guest John Dehlin of Mormon Stories to reflect on five decades of Sunstone—the symposium that has been at the heart of Mormon thought, scholarship, and counter-narratives for half a century. From its beginnings in the 1970s to its role today as a gathering place for both believers and post-believers, Sunstone has been a hub for open dialogue, difficult questions, and groundbreaking conversations. Together, we’ll explore its history, controversies, influence, and where it may be headed in the next fifty years. Join us live and add your voice in the chat as we dive into this landmark moment in Mormonism’s intellectual and cultural journey. To come into the studio during the call in section please click – https://streamyard.com/knqex46wg5 Live Tonight, 6 PM Mountain Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss it!

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Tonight on Mormonism Live LAUREN COMES INTO THE PODCAST 1/2 HOUR IN * We’re joined by investigative journalist and podcaster Lauren Matthias about a half hour into the show, creator and host of the acclaimed Hidden True Crime podcast. Lauren has built a reputation for deep, thoughtful reporting on some of the most compelling and disturbing criminal cases in recent years, including the Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell saga. In this episode, we’ll explore Lauren’s journey into true crime reporting, the behind-the-scenes realities of covering high-profile cases, and what her investigations have revealed about human behavior, justice, and the communities where these stories unfold. Expect a fascinating, candid conversation that blends Mormonism Live’s trademark critical lens with Lauren’s insider knowledge of criminal cases that have captivated—and shocked—the nation.

Derek Cordon Homicide
Part 1 – https://youtube.com/live/VAWlqV0nNwA
Part 2 – https://youtube.com/live/KuUMuM5aEIk
Part 3 – https://youtube.com/live/uf70jQ3UeSA
Part 4 – https://youtu.be/SbCw0Cd17t0

Tonight on Mormonism Live, we take a scalpel to Mormonism’s Founder Joseph Smith as He takes one to a Book of Abraham character What happens when a god loses his snout which Has Joseph Smith losing face—and why does it feel so… Mormon? In this off-the-rails episode, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon dive deep into the bizarre, symbolic, and surgical mutilation of Anubis, the Egyptian god of the dead, and uncover what this act might represent within Mormonism’s tangled relationship with Egyptian & The Book of Abraham We take a deep look at the potential effort of Mormon Founder Joseph Smith to muzzle the truth and cover his tracks. The snout is gone. The truth is not. Tune in.

How Did Joseph Smith Convince So Many? Exploring Hypnosis, Visions, and the Birth of a Movement

How did Joseph Smith inspire thousands to not only believe in his prophetic gifts but also claim their own divine visions and supernatural encounters? Could hypnosis or altered states of consciousness explain part of the story? Tonight, we explore the controversial theory that Joseph Smith may have used hypnotic influence to spark spiritual experiences—and how that shaped early Mormonism. Don’t miss this mind-bending episode!

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Join Us In Person – August 2nd, 2025 RFM & Bill are gathering in person for a powerful, community-building event in Salt Lake City! Grab your spot before tickets run out: Register Here – https://donorbox.org/events/780890/steps/choose_tickets

Join Us For A Live Show – August 4th, 2025 RFM, Bill, & Rebecca are gathering in person for a Live Showing of the Mormon Newscast in Salt Lake City! Grab your spot before tickets run out: https://donorbox.org/events/784033

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What happens when faith becomes a franchise? In this gripping episode of Mormonism LIVE, we sit down with award-winning filmmaker Nathan Apffel and Chris Ayoub to discuss his upcoming documentary “The Religion Business”—a hard-hitting exposé exploring the multi-billion dollar intersection of belief, power, and profit. From televangelists to temples, we’ll pull back the curtain on how modern religious empires are built, marketed, and monetized. Nathan and Chris shares behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the film, jaw-dropping moments from his interviews, and the uncomfortable truths he’s uncovered about how organized religion can exploit spiritual hunger for institutional gain. Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this conversation will challenge you to consider where devotion ends and the business begins.

PREMIER 1 – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-religion-business-salt-lake-premiere-1-tickets-1497737024759?msockid=1f8172e49f156a17358a64eb9e876b0e
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TheReligionBusiness #NathanApffel #MormonismLIVE #FaithCrisis #ReligiousProfitMachine #ExMormon #Documentary #ChurchMoney

What If the Prophet You Trust Showed Signs You’d Warn Your Children About? We often teach our children how to recognize red flags—signs that someone might not have good intentions. But what happens when those same behaviors show up in the life of someone we revere as a prophet? In this eye-opening episode, we explore… Read More »Predatory Techniques of Mormonism’s Prophet Joseph Smith

Lila Tueller, Daughter of LDS General Authority, Shares Untold Stories of Pain and Faith in “Shattered Trust” What happens when loyalty to the Church comes at the expense of the individual? Lila Tueller, daughter of well-known LDS General Authority Hartman Rector, Jr., has spent a lifetime inside the heart of Mormonism. In her powerful new… Read More »Mormon Spiritual Abuse

Who really was Joseph Smith? When one peels back the layers of legend and legacy to explore the life of Mormonism’s controversial founder, a far more complex and human figure emerges—part visionary, part rebel, and entirely unlike the sanitized version told in Sunday School. From buried golden plates and seer stones to secret plural marriages… Read More »Joseph Smith: The Man Behind Mormonism

Of all the misleading tactics used by Latter-day Saint apologists, this one might just take the crown. It’s sneaky, it’s calculated—and even after being called out repeatedly, they still keep doing it. Why? Because when it comes to defending Mormonism and the LDS Church, it seems the ends justify any means. But not this time.… Read More »The Sneakiest Mormon Apologetic Of Them All

In this episode of Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon dive headfirst into the Church’s newest official Gospel Topics entry on the Book of Abraham, dissecting its language, implications, and apologetic framing. With surgical precision (and just a bit of satire), they explore how the Church attempts to repackage decades of controversy surrounding… Read More »Book of Abraham Apologetics [Mormonism Live 238]

Discovered by accident in a desert cave, the Dead Sea Scrolls have become one of the most significant archaeological finds of the last century. But what do they actually say—and why do they matter? In this episode, we explore the strange, surprising, and deeply revealing world of the scrolls: hidden prophecies, rival messiahs, priesthood power… Read More »Mormonism & the Dead Sea Scrolls [Mormonism Live 237]

🚨 EXPOSED: LDS Church & Tax Filing Fraud? 🚨In this special edition of Mormonism Live, we uncover stunning new evidence that suggests the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may have violated U.S. tax laws—intentionally. From questionable filings to shell entities and hidden assets, this episode lays out what we’ve found, why it matters,… Read More »LDS Church In Trouble With IRS?[Mormonism Live 236]

Is the Book of Abraham based on papyrus we no longer have? In this episode, we explore the Missing Scroll Theory—the idea that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Abraham from a long roll of papyrus that has since been lost or destroyed. We’ll examine the historical records, including firsthand accounts from early Saints like… Read More »The Book of Abraham’s Missing Scroll Theory [Mormonism Live 235]

[Mormonism Live 234] In this episode of Mormonism Live, Radio Free Mormon (Bill is on vacation) dives headfirst into the growing tension between scientific discovery and Mormon doctrine. When it comes to mormonism in the modern world, science keeps raising its hand with uncomfortable questions. The LDS Church, meanwhile, continues to insist it has the… Read More »Science vs. Mormonism [Mormonism Live 234]

What happens when a celebrated war hero, beloved by both Congress and the LDS Church, turns out to be living a lie? In this episode of Mormonism Live, we investigate the incredible true story of Douglas Stringfellow — a Utah congressman, decorated veteran, and rising star in postwar America… until it all came crashing down.… Read More »Mormon War Hero Who Lied: The Douglas Stringfellow Scandal [Mormonism Live 233]

In this eye-opening episode of Mormonism Live, hosts Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon are joined by author and theologian Charley Harrell to explore his powerful Dialogue Journal article, “John Taylor on the ‘Dark Ages’.” Together, they take a deep dive into how third LDS Church President John Taylor challenged the traditional narrative of the… Read More »John Taylor and the Truth About the Dark Ages: Rethinking the Great Apostasy [Mormonism Live 232]

This episode of Mormonism Live, we dive into a forgotten battlefield of Utah history — the Black Hawk War — a brutal and devastating conflict between Mormon settlers and Native American tribes that has been largely buried under pioneer myths and whitewashed storytelling. Far from a few isolated raids, the Black Hawk War (1865–1872) was… Read More »Utah’s Bloodiest Secret: Mormonism and the Black Hawk War [Mormonism Live 230]

A fake email account bearing Bill Reel’s name was used to manipulate and deceive—an incident that has raised serious questions about digital ethics, privacy violations, and personal targeting within the post-Mormon space. In this episode, we break down what happened, how the deception unfolded, and why the details point in a very specific direction. From… Read More »Digital Deception: Unmasking The Fake Bill Reel Account [Mormonism Live 229]

When Joseph Smith died in 1844, the Restoration shattered like a glass dropped from heaven. What followed was a century-spanning explosion of rival prophets, breakaway churches, polygamist kingdoms, angelic messages, and more than one self-crowned king. In this episode of Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon take you on a deep dive into… Read More »Prophets, Polygamists & Pretenders: Inside Mormonism’s Schisms and Sects [Mormonism Live 228]

[Mormonism Live: 227] Welcome to the alternate reality where Joseph Smith never practiced polygamy, the angels with swords were just metaphors, and dozens of wives—including teenagers and already-married women—somehow just… didn’t exist. In this week’s episode of Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon are joined by Mormonism Historian Dan Vogel as they dive… Read More »The Wacky World of Polygamy Deniers

🔍 Mormonism & The Charles Anthon Affair The Strange Meeting That Shaped a Scripture In this episode, we unravel one of the most curious and consequential moments in early Mormon history: the mysterious encounter between Martin Harris and Professor Charles Anthon. Was it a miraculous fulfillment of prophecy… or a carefully staged attempt to lend… Read More »Mormonism & The Charles Anthon Affair

[Mormonism Live 225] What if one of the most foundational parts of the Book of Mormon wasn’t ancient at all—but lifted from a 19th-century Methodist Bible commentary? In this episode, Mormonism Live dives into what may be the most significant academic finding in Mormon studies in decades: compelling evidence that Joseph Smith used Adam Clarke’s… Read More »Cracking The Code: Tracing Book of Mormon Origins

What happens when your faith tells you that your identity is a flaw to be corrected? In this episode, we sit down with Sam Nieves, a conversion therapy survivor, board member of the Conversion Therapy Survivor Network, and a clinically trained therapist with a background in Cognitive Psychology. Sam takes us deep into his lived… Read More »Inside the Closet: How Mormon Conversion Therapy Tried to ‘Fix’ Me

How do U.S. churches take advantage of tax exemptions, and should this be allowed? These and other issues are investigated by filmmaker Nathan Apffel in his upcoming documentary series, “The Religion Business.” And why does Nathan consider the LDS Church to be “the most terrifying” of them all? Join us and find out! [Mormonism Live… Read More »The Religion Business

[Mormonism Live 222] 💰 Faith, Finances, and Fraud? Buckle up, because this episode dives into one of the wildest financial moments in Mormon history! (And that’s saying a lot) What happens when a prophet ventures into banking? In the 1830s, Joseph Smith and other early Mormon leaders launched the Kirtland Safety Society, a financial institution… Read More »Joseph Smith’s Bank of Faith: The Rise and Fall of Mormonism’s Kirtland Safety Society

INSIDE THE LDS CHURCH: CONFIDENTIAL RECORDS & THE SCMC EXPOSED! 🚨 In this bombshell episode, a former Mormon Church employee who worked with confidential records and the Strengthening Church Members Committee (SCMC) comes forward to expose the behind-the-scenes machinations of the LDS Church. From secret surveillance of members to how the Church tracks and manages… Read More »Latter-day Saint Insider Exposes Secret Surveillance!

[Mormonism Live 220] Bill Reel and RFM sit down with LDS Author Carrie Sweet to discuss her new book “Goodbye Magic Undies” and the journey that brought her to writing it. Book on Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Magic-Undies-High-Control-Relationships/dp/B0DV7GPKH3/ref=sr_1_1 Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light on truth… Read More »“Goodbye Magic Undies” with Carrie Sweet

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[Mormonism Live 219] Join RFM and Bill Reel in this riff-filled episode of Mormonism Live as they dive into the world of Ward Radio’s recent rhetoric, with special guest “Cultch” from The Cultural Hall Podcast tagging along for the ride. Channeling the playful yet biting tone of Mystery Science Theater 3000, the trio sets up… Read More »Mormon Hate Watch Theatre

[Mormonism Live 218] Is the Latter-day Saint community a safe community? We take a look at that very question and investigate what it would mean and what would it look like if the LDS Church took seriously the Safeguarding of the Latter-day Saints. What can Mormonism learn from accepted Safeguarding practices and what is one… Read More »Safeguarding the Saints from The LDS Church

Captain Moroni is one of the most inspiring figures in the Book of Mormon, a true champion of liberty and righteousness. But did you know his story might share surprising parallels with George Washington and the Revolutionary War? In this episode, we explore how Captain Moroni’s unwavering faith, his rallying cry of the Title of… Read More »Captain Moroni: The Nephite George Washington [Mormonism Live 216]

The deeper you dive into the Book of Mormon, the more you find. RFM and Bill Reel are joined by Ganesh Cherian to take a deep dive in the Book of Mormon. But beware as these waters are infested with creatures that take big bites out of Book of Mormon historicity. Help support Bill Reel… Read More »Dive Deep Into The Book of Mormon [Mormonism Live 214]

Want to know how Joseph Smith created the Book of Mormon? Well in this episode of Mormonism Live we take at face value what Terryl Givens, one of the LDS Church’s most renowned apologists, says about that very thing. Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a… Read More »How Joseph Smith Created Mormonism [Mormonism Live 213]

What were the top LDS and Mormon Stories of 2024? Bill Reel and RFM run us through the year and help you to remember what made the headlines from within the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and from Mormonism generally. Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content… Read More »The Top Mormon Stories of 2024 [Mormonism Live 212]

Join us this Christmas Eve for the Second Annual Radio Free Mormon Christmas Eve Party. RFM and Bill Reel will be joined by over TWENTY celebrities from the Mormon and post-Mormon space, and maybe even a few surprises! Get stocked up on eggnog and gingerbread cookies! Stay up with RFM and watch the stars come… Read More »The Radio Free Mormon Christmas Eve Party [RFM and Mormonism Live XMas Special 2024]

Join us as we welcome scholar Brent Metcalfe for the 30th anniversary of his excommunication from the Mormon Church. We cover not only his excommunication but also his famous discovery of the “Mosiah First Priority” in the Book of Mormon translation. Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that… Read More »Mormon Scholar Excommunication Celebration [Mormonism Live 210]

Was the LDS Church an ally of Adolph Hitler and the Nazis? There has been much said on both sides. So tonight on Mormonism Live we take a look and try to separate what is fact from fiction!!! Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light… Read More »Did the LDS Church Support the Nazis? [Mormonism Live 209]

This episode of Mormonism Live has Bill Reel and RFM diving deep into a recent interview between the “Keystone” Podcast & LDS Historian Ben Spackman. And you won’t believe what he has to say about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Prophets, Seers, and Revelators who stand at its helm. Help… Read More »Faithful Historian Murders Mormonism [Mormonism Live 208]

In this weeks episode we discuss How apologists discern between Evidence and Coincidence! Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light on truth and leads with transparency. 🤝 DONATE VIA DONORBOX! https://mormonismlive.org/Donate-To-Mormonism-Live/ Join our Mailing List – subscribepage.io/MormonDiscussion 🎧https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-discussions-podcasts-full-lineup/id562296100 🎧https://open.spotify.com/show/0lEZJF0ZH6ccoteUP9Z4Fu 📱 Instagram: /https://www.instagram.com/mormondiscussion/ 😂 TikTok: @mormondiscussion… Read More »Mormon Apologetics: Against All Odds [Mormonism Live 207]

Gee whiz, folks! Grab your favorite milkshake and settle in as we take a trip down memory lane in this wholesome episode of Mormonism Live! Just like a scene out of Leave it to Beaver, Bill Reel and RFM team up with their ol’ pal Paul Toscano to chat about something that’s got everyone at… Read More »How Did Mormons Make Jesus Our Elder Brother? [Mormonism Live 206]

In this episode of Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and RFM delve into one of Mormonism’s most fascinating—and controversial—teachings: the idea that faithful Latter-day Saints will receive their own planets to rule, create, and populate in the afterlife. From Brigham Young to contemporary apostles, LDS leaders have long hinted at or outright taught this idea as… Read More »Getting Your Own Planet In Mormonism [Mormonism Live 205]

Mormonism Live’s 2024 Halloween Special, gives you the fan and follower of Mormonism Live, an opportunity to call in and share with us your favorite Halloween stories. Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light on truth and leads with transparency. 🤝 DONATE VIA DONORBOX! https://mormonismlive.org/Donate-To-Mormonism-Live/… Read More »2024 Halloween Special [Mormonism Live 204]

On this week’s episode RFM and Bill Reel take a look at the life & Teachings of Elder Dallin H. Oaks, current member of the First Presidency and help the audience make sense of a life of deception. Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light… Read More »The Elder Oaks Deception [Mormonism Live: 203]

Tonight we welcome a special guest onto the show who goes by the name of Kishkumen. He is a classics professor at a major university in the United States. Kishkumen will share with us his experiences and insights into Mormonism from the perspective of a classics professor, and I expect we will all learn a… Read More »Mormonism and the Academy [Mormonism Live 202]

This week’s episode of Mormonism Live is your chance to share your LDS General Conference Reactions! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just held its General Conference and with all that happened, here is your chance to react. The phone lines will be open and it’s your chance to share what was good,… Read More »Your General Conference Reactions! [Mormonism Live 201]

In this special milestone episode, Radio Free Mormon & Bill Reel celebrate 200 episodes of Mormonism Live with a lighthearted and hilarious look at some of ridiculousness of Mormonism. From strange doctrines and quirky teachings to the cringiest folklore and outrageous church practices, no stone is left unturned as we explore the humorous side of… Read More »Laughing At the Ridiculousness of Mormonism [Mormonism Live 200]

In this episode of Mormonism Live, Bill Reel is joined by Rebecca Bibliotheca (as we give RFM a night off) and we dive deep into the historical record surrounding LDS leaders’ teachings that a woman’s primary role is to be a stay-at-home mom. They explore how these teachings, often laced with shame, guilt, and warnings of spiritual and temporal consequences for those who deviated, shaped the lives of countless women within the Church. With the LDS Church appearing to soften its stance on this issue in recent years, Bill and Rebecca question whether the Church should be held accountable for the harm caused by these past teachings. They also examine the tension between the Church’s claims of divine inspiration and its frequent revision of doctrines, inviting listeners to consider the implications of such changes on the Church’s credibility.

Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light on truth and leads with transparency.

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British YouTuber Nemo the Mormon is now facing excommunication. Is this the result of years of challenging the Church, or was it triggered by his recent support for the residents of Fairview, Texas, in their fight against the LDS Church’s push for an excessively tall temple spire? Join RFM and Bill Reel as we sit down with Nemo to explore why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has called him to a disciplinary council.

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This week on Mormonism Live we take a look at the recent interview between Mormon Stories’ John Dehlin and Jackson and Hayden Paul from the Stick of Joseph YouTube channel. We explore their responses to a critical examination of Mormonism.

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Welcome to this special episode of Mormonism Live, where hosts Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon are joined by the renowned therapist, author, and social worker, Julie de Azevedo Hanks. Known for her candid discussions on mental health, relationships, and navigating faith transitions, Julie brings her unique perspective to the complexities of living within Mormon culture. In this episode, we dive deep into the intersection of faith and psychology, explore the challenges of maintaining authenticity in a religious community, and discuss the importance of mental health awareness in the LDS Church. Whether you’re on your own faith journey or interested in the evolving dynamics of Mormonism, this conversation promises to be enlightening and thought-provoking. Don’t miss it! Julie de Azevedo Hanks is an award-winning singer and songwriter, licensed therapist, author, speaker, and consultant. She also blogs on women’s emotional health, self-care, and relationships and contributes regularly to social media, radio, and other media. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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In this week’s episode of Mormonism Live, we delve into the controversial and shocking allegations surrounding sex abuse within the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team, focusing on the involvement of Peter Vidmar, a devout Mormon, and former Olympic Gold Medalist. Vidmar, who has been twice inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame, once for his individual achievements and once as part of a team, also served as the Chairman of the U.S. Gymnastics Board of Directors during a turbulent time for the sport. Our special guest, Dr. Randall Bell joins us to share his unique insights into this scandal. Dr. Bell, known for his work in disaster recovery and trauma, will explore the complex intersections of Vidmar’s faith as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his role in the gymnastics community, and the broader implications of the abuse scandal on the sport. Together, we will uncover the layers of this disturbing story, examining how power, religion, and institutional failures contributed to one of the darkest chapters in Olympic history. Don’t miss this eye-opening episode as we seek to understand the lasting impact on the victims, the sport, and the LDS community.

Randall Bell’s notable cases include: Nicole Brown Simpson’s Los Angeles condominium, the mansion where 39 Heaven’s Gate members died of suicide, the JonBenét Ramsey house in Colorado, the World Trade Center site, and properties damaged in the Rodney King riots and by Hurricane Katrina.

Randall Bell Wiki page – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randall_Bell

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From its inception, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has claimed to have prophets. But when those prophets have predicted the future, the results have been mixed, to say the least. The prophecies that did not come to pass are not talked about by the LDS Church. But we will talk about them tonight at Mormonism Live. Featuring Master Peace as our special guest.

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Professor John Lundwall shares his personal story on how it was he came to leave Mormonism. Latter-day Saints and Mormons of all kinds won’t want to miss this story. Disclaimer: The content of this video contains discussions about child molestation and child abuse. These are sensitive and potentially triggering topics. Viewer discretion is advised. This video is not intended for children or those who may find the content distressing.

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In this episode we explore what we know about each of the Seer Stones that Joseph Smith used or had in his possession. We also explore other known seer stones within Mormonism. And as usual we have a few surprises and a likely bombshell in regards to the history that almost none of you knew!

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Join hosts Radio Free Mormon and Bill Reel on this captivating episode of “Mormonism Live,” where the tantalizing title “Dating Fanny Alger” sets the stage for an exploration of one of the most controversial relationships in Mormon history. This week, our esteemed guests Don Bradley, Cheryl Bruno, and Chris Smith delve into the detailed research aimed at determining the precise calendar date of Joseph Smith’s relationship with Fanny Alger. While the title might initially evoke the image of a romantic outing between Joseph Smith and Fanny Alger, our discussion promises much more than a playful tease. We dive deep into historical records, piecing together evidence to shed light on the timeline of their relationship. Our experts will guide us through the complexities of early Mormon history, revealing the broader implications and the controversy that has surrounded this period for over a century. From examining contemporary accounts to analyzing historical documents, this episode promises to be an enlightening journey into the past. Tune in to “Dating Fanny Alger” on “Mormonism Live” – where we uncover the truth behind the title and explore the intricate details of one of Mormonism’s most intriguing stories.

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We sit down with Jon Streeter to revisit his “Race Apology” in 2018. The apology had the appearance of being officially from the Church even though it wasn’t and Streeter took a lot of criticism for the fake apology. Now 6 years later Streeter sits down to explain his thoughts both then and now and to discuss various aspects of the project and its aftermath

Streeter’s Fake Apology – https://thoughtsonthingsandstuff.com/the-pasquinade-apology-on-mormon-racism/

Video of AI (not real) President Nelson giving Streeter’s “Fake Apology” – https://youtu.be/TtImO6fLFKE

Streeter’s Apology for the fake Apology – https://thoughtsonthingsandstuff.com/the-pasquinade-apology-on-mormon-racism/

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Kolby Reddish joins RFM and Bill Reel to take a deeper look at the Flawed Epistemology and the problem of inconsistent “revelation” by examining the flawed thinking of Jacob Hansen Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light on truth and leads with transparency.

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This is Part 2 of our dive into Episode 5 of A Marvelous Work, investigating the claims of “Book of Mormon Central” around the witnesses of the Book of Mormon. Told through the commentary of Radio Free Mormon, Bill Reel, and guest host Dan Vogel, we use our spiritual eyes to examine the facts of the claims!

Book of Mormon Central part 5 of A Marvelous Work – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcOk5aodNJs

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We dive into Episode 5 of A Marvelous Work, investigating the claims of “Book of Mormon Central” around the witnesses of the Book of Mormon. Told through the commentary of Radio Free Mormon, Bill Reel, and guest host Dan Vogel this one is bound to better than a vision performed via Second Sight.

Book of Mormon Central part 5 of A Marvelous Work – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcOk5aodNJs

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LDS Apologist John Clark has spent considerable time on Book of Mormon Anachronisms both showing the number of them in the past that existed and then suggesting that many over time have been reconciled and pointed to such as evidence that the Book of Mormon is in fact historical. But what do we find when Radio Free Mormon and Bill Reel and guest host Rebecca Bibliotheca take a deeper look at Book of Mormon Anachronisms.

Chapters
3:00 Hill Cumorah a “Clean Hill”
11:00 BOM Claims Video
16:00 1842 Claims
23:50 “Bat Creek” Stone
31:15 Why use the 1842 claims?
42:00 Status of BOM Claims in 2005
59:00 Two Rivers 1:05:00 Swords
1:13:30 Human Sacrifice
1:12:45 Wild Beasts
1:19:00 Status of BOM Claims in 2023
1:26:50 The dumb ass
1:48:00 Bonus: The Smithsonian Letter
1:58:00 Reverse Anachronisms

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Today we take a fun trip into a cool connection to Mormonism. The 1823 Detroit Manuscript and its connection to the Anthon Transcript.

RESOURCES:
http://www.mormonthink.com/backup/detroitmanuscriptstudy.pdf
https://solomonspalding.com/SRP/saga/saga02b.htm
http://sidneyrigdon.com/dbroadhu/MI/miscmich.htm#030723
https://beggarsbread.org/2013/03/17/why-was-the-book-of-mormon-written-in-ancient-irish/

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In this week’s episode we take a look at the methodology of Mormon Apologists focusing on Ward Radio and Jacob Hanson. All sides claim the other is deceiving and misleading. But one side is adding context and clarity while the other enjoys their audience working with a limited understanding.

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This week we sit down with Shawn McCraney who once was a Mormon himself and after leaving has for decades been a vocal critic of Mormonism and the LDS Church. We take a look at Shawn’s life journey and his recent acknowledgement of coming full circle.

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Chapters

00:00 Welcome

10:00 Clip

19:15 Is he Universalist?

27:00 Why not trust others’ stories?

35:00 Metaphysical experience

42:00 Post-millenialism

46:00 Scriptural evidence for Jesus returning before 70AD?

47:00 The “bride” of Jesus a bunch of Jews

52:00 The “beast” isn’t Nero?

54:00 “This Generation”

55:15 So what about today then?

01:02:00 Faith & works(love?)

01:03:45 The alternative to offer the fans.

01:07:25 In/errant Bible?

01:10:45 Ralph Waldo Emerson

01:18:00 Never-denominational

01:20:00 Caller: Kolby

01:23:00 How is your epistemology more than “I just know”

01:26:25 Bill leaving made him better

01:30:45 Caller: Ted

01:40:00 Caller: Jared

Get set for EXPLOSIVE News on Mormonism Live as our dynamic duo RFM and Bill Reel are back in action, ready to unravel the jaw-dropping saga surrounding the Mormon Church and its investment arm Ensign Peak. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints faces NEW allegations around the LDS Church’s stock portfolio. With cloak-and-dagger tactics, hidden shell companies, and whispers of Villainous rule-breaking, this podcast promises a wild ride through the intersection of Prophets & Profits. Don’t miss a moment of the pulse-pounding excitement in “LDS Church’s Stock Portfolio Under Scrutiny,” exclusively on “Mormonism Live”!

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The LDS Church and Mormon Apologists have a common tactic where by they take a problem the critic points out, and they alter the Church’s position so as to make the faithful position indiscernible From a Fraud. And tonight on Mormonism Live, we are going to lay out approximately 20 examples of instances where this very act occurred and once you see it, you will never see The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the same again.
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Scott Christopher and Book of Mormon Central are up to bad apologetics once again misrepresenting to the audience proposed evidences of the Book of Mormon. They return to Chiasmus for the second time and speak at length about stylometry proposing those as evidences for the Book of Mormon. But what happens when these evidences are examined and explored more objectively? We are about to find out!!!

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This week we sit down with Lars Nielsen and take a look at his new theory on Book of Mormon Origins

How The Book of Mormon Came to Pass: The Second Greatest Show on Earth – https://www.amazon.com/How-Book-Mormon-Came-Pass-ebook/dp/B0CZSZ1HJ3

https://www.howthebookofmormoncametopass.com

None

On this week’s episode we take a look at the historical stories that point to sexual impropriety of Joseph Smith and several other early key leaders in the faith that aren’t traditionally talked about. Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Martin Harris all come up in the episode and Bill & RFM weigh in on the merit of these rumors.

Chapters
04:00 Josiah Stowell’s Daughters
07:15 Eliza Winters
13:30 Nancy Mirinda Johnson (Hyde)
23:45 Miss Hill
30:25 Fanny Alger
38:55 Martin Harris & Mrs. Haggard
45:15 Augusta Adams Cobb
___________________
Welcome to “Mormonism Live,” the ultimate talk show that delves into the messiness of Mormon history and theology while also tackling current events with a live call-in section at the end of every episode. Hosted by two trusted voices in the Mormon community, Radio Free Mormon (RFM) and Bill Reel, this podcast has been taking on the tough issues and exploring the nuances of the LDS faith for years.
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Mormon Discussion Inc is a 501(c)(3) and is in the arena of journalistic work and is part of a free press. Any of the awesome content or the solid opinions expressed, implied or included in Mormon Discussion Inc’s podcast lineup and production are solely those of Mormon Discussion Inc. and/or its program hosts and not those of Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Over the last few weeks a discovery has been making waves in the Mormon World. Gold plates bound by rings with ancient Israelite writing on them. Sound familiar? And YouTube Channels like Ward Radio, David Alexander, and The Stick of Joseph have touted these as evidence for the Book of Mormon. But as soon as they started making noise you begin to hear whispers of “fake”. Tonight we look at the plates, their provenance, and what they mean for Mormonism and its Gold Plates story. John Lundwall and Rebecca Bibliotecha join us and we even get the thoughts of Dan McClellan as we sort out not only what to believe and what to doubt but rather even if these are real, what do they mean or maybe more importantly what they absolutely don’t convey.
00:00 Intro – the Saudi Plates
06:45 Mormon podcast response
20:30 Dan McClellan’s biggest takeaway
33:00 Sermons of the day
41:50 Other gold/metal plates
1:05:25 Scripture Central clip
1:08:05 Even if it’s fake, it’s proof!

RESOURCES:
Original Video – https://youtu.be/DlzwDcsWw04?si=7deZOu4wcpQMpy2g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEz123f3qiY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrg_Nwwr0_g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNtku12aryM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8Mri2mBMj4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdHcfug0UMI
https://www.youtube.com/live/SNkcagCv2ys?si=ugUC0Zerb7GKdbOs
https://youtu.be/h7TKU0jz3bI?si=bwXuL-EPcpfuxfbK

Recently Mormonism Live has examined the proposed evidences of the Book of Mormon presented by Book of Mormon Central in their series “A Marvelous Work: How Great the Evidence”. One facet of that has been to tackle their use of Jewish Rabbi Joe Charnes. Rabbi Joe was kind enough to reach out to us and ask to have a chance to correct some misconceptions both about how we addressed his segment as well as how he was utilized on Book of Mormon Central’s Video and joins us to correct the record and to speak to his view of the historicity of the Book of Mormon.

On this week’s program we take a look at the Faith matters Podcast with Aaron Miller where they answer the 100 Billion Dollar Question. But do their answers hold up? We sit down with Spencer Anderson to get his perspective on whether these Financial Apologetics hold water or if Miller is just blowing smoke.

RESOURCES:
https://faithmatters.org/the-100-billion-question-a-conversation-with-aaron-miller/

Recent LDS Convert David Alexander has been making waves sharing his conversion and testimony everywhere. David claims to have been an Evangelical Pastor and having spent 47 years in Evangelical Christianity before being converted to Mormonism only a few months ago. But what happens when Bill Reel and RFM go digging into David’s background? Where did David spend those 47 years? What was he doing during that time? And who is David Derush… This ain’t your standard gathering the 12 Tribes in Israel lesson in Sunday School… But something has been gathered and you won’t want to miss out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_iX_JCTzSw&t=326s&pp=ygUJMTIgdHJpYmVz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU4RnpABLaA&pp=ygUJMTIgdHJpYmVz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj9Nj8KbcdI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_iX_JCTzSw&t=100s
https://culteducation.com/group/1198-twelve-tribes-messianic-communities/20686-children-and-the-cult-.html
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-valley-center-twelve-tribes-christian-community-2009oct04-story.html
https://www.thepathoftruth.com/falsehood-exposed/twelve-tribes/index.htm
https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2005/nov/03/twelve-tribes-community-vista/
https://twelvetribes.org/publications#
https://twelvetribes.org/publication/why-she-didnt-fly-jesus-movement-70s-part-1
https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/itac_why_she_didnt_fly_part2-1.pdf

In this episode of “Mormonism Live,” hosts Radio Free Mormon and Bill Reel dissect the claims made in the YouTube video titled “Hebrew Evidence for The Book of Mormon | A Marvelous Work | Episode 2” by Scott Christopher and “Book of Mormon Central.” The original video purports to uncover Hebrew evidences for the Book of Mormon, presenting them as compelling proof of its divine origin.

Chapters:
04:00 Rabbi Joe Charnes’
take on Jacob 5
19:30 Don Perry – Hebraisms
52:30 Olive Horticulture
1:25:00 Moroni’s Promise
1:39:00 Callers

Welcome to “Mormonism Live,” the ultimate talk show that delves into the messiness of Mormon history and theology while also tackling current events with a live call-in section at the end of every episode. Hosted by two trusted voices in the Mormon community, Radio Free Mormon (RFM) and Bill Reel, this podcast has been taking on the tough issues and exploring the nuances of the LDS faith for years.

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MormonismLive #MormonDiscussions #RadioFreeMormonMormon Discussion Inc is a 501(c)(3) and is in the arena of journalistic work and is part of a free press. Any of the awesome content or the solid opinions expressed, implied or included in Mormon Discussion Inc’s podcast lineup and production are solely those of Mormon Discussion Inc. and/or its program hosts and not those of Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

https://archive.org/details/latewarbetweenun00inhunt/page/n5/mode/2up?q=%22came+to+pass%22

https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=41&q=rabbi+joe+charnes&cvid=9f4ad3d573c643cd8f7961019d10d43f&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBggBEEUYOzIGCAAQRRg5MgYIARBFGDsyBggCEEUYOzIGCAMQABhAMgYIBBAuGEAyBggFEC4YQDIGCAYQLhhAMgYIBxAAGEAyBggIEEUYPNIBCDM4NDNqMGoxqAIAsAIA&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=NMTS

https://www.2think.org/hundredsheep/bom/zenos.shtml

Jacob 5: Why vineyards and olives?

In the “Rigdon-Spalding Theory: Final Analysis,” Bill Reel and RFM delve into the conclusive examination of the theory, welcoming historians and experts Dan Vogel and Bryce Blankenagel. Together, they provide valuable insights, critique, and a comprehensive perspective on the historical aspects surrounding the Rigdon-Spalding theory. The episode serves as a culmination of their exploration, offering a nuanced and expert-driven assessment of the theory and its implications on the founding of Mormonism.

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How The Mormon Church Protects Child Abusers [Mormonism Live 169] Join RFM and Bill Reel on this compelling episode of Mormonism LIVE as they delve into a critical and sensitive topic – “How The Mormon Church Protects Child Abusers.” Our special guest, non-Mormon lawyer Tim Kosnoff, shares his firsthand experiences dealing with Kirton & McConkie and other legal representation of the LDS Church, shedding light on their practices that may seem counterintuitive when it comes to protecting victims.

In this episode: Tim Kosnoff’s Eye-Opening Insights: Tim, a seasoned lawyer, provides a unique perspective on the actions of Kirton & McConkie, revealing instances where their decisions seem to prioritize protecting the Church and abusers over the well-being of victims.

Unpacking Legal Strategies: Dive deep into the legal intricacies as Tim breaks down specific cases and instances where the actions of Kirton & McConkie may raise eyebrows, suggesting a pattern of behavior that goes against the interests of survivors.

Protecting the Institution or the Victims? Explore the dissonance between the purported goal of protecting victims and the observed practices that might be shielding abusers. Tim shares anecdotes and experiences that paint a vivid picture of the challenges survivors face within the Mormon Church’s legal framework.

Our Guest – Tim Kosnoff: Tim Kosnoff co-represents 17,000 clients in the Boy Scouts of America Chapter 11 bankruptcy. He has practiced law for forty years as a prosecutor, defense attorney and as a lawyer representing victims of child sexual abuse. He has extensive experience handling complex civil child sexual abuse litigation throughout the United States and Canada. He has handled thousands of complex child sexual abuse cases against religious and secular organizations including the Boy Scouts of America, the Mormon Church, the Catholic Church and a wide spectrum of other organizations. Tim has recovered more than $500 million dollars in settlements and jury verdicts.

Join the Conversation: We encourage respectful and thoughtful discussions in the live chat as we navigate this complex and crucial topic. Share your thoughts, questions, and perspectives, and let’s engage in a meaningful conversation about accountability, justice, and the role of institutions in protecting vulnerable individuals.

Disclaimer: This episode aims to foster awareness and open dialogue on a serious subject. Viewer discretion is advised as we discuss sensitive content related to child abuse within the context of the Mormon Church.

Important Links:
https://mormonismlive.org/
https://abusedinscouting.com/
https://kosnoff.com/about-us/

Join us for a thought-provoking and informative episode that seeks to shine a light on the complexities surrounding child abuse within the Mormon Church. Let’s stand together in advocating for justice and compassion for survivors.

MormonismLIVE #ChildAbuseAwareness #TimKosnoff #KirtonMcConkie #SurvivorSupport

LDS Abuser’s Family Speaks Out! In this bombshell interview on “Mormonism Live,” the family of Shawn Cory Gooden, an LDS (Mormon) bishop charged with child abuse, shares their side of the story. This exclusive conversation will test the claims made by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) regarding Stake President Rhett Hintze’s involvement. The ordeal began with the arrest of Bishop Shawn Cory Gooden, who is facing charges related to child abuse. The legal proceedings shed light on the actions of Stake President Rhett Hintze, and his alleged failure to report the abuse, as charged by Pennsylvania State Police The LDS Church responded to the charges against Stake President Hintze, calling them “misguided,” according to the Deseret News’ coverage. The controversial case has garnered attention and raised questions about the Church’s handling of allegations of child abuse within its ranks. As the Pennsylvania Harrisburg Stake grapples with the shocking revelations, the interview on “Mormonism Live” offers a platform for the Gooden family to present their perspective on the events, providing a counter-narrative to the statements made by the LDS Church. Listeners can expect an in-depth exploration of the intricate details surrounding the case, shedding light on the complexities of the situation and the family’s journey through this challenging time.

We review the recent Jubilee video discussion that had Mormons and Ex-Mormons sitting down to discuss differences. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Run1f29po8g&t Thanks so much for watching! Please like, subscribe, and leave a comment! Visit our Channel to find everything Mormonism! https://www.youtube.com/c/MormonDiscussionsInc or @MormonDiscussion Our mission at Mormon Discussion is to be a beacon of support for those who are questioning the truth claims or renegotiating their relationship with faith. Our podcasts like “Mormonism Live,” “Radio Free Mormon,” and “Mormon Discussion” offer a safe space for Discovery and healing. But we need your help. Your donations power our work – expanding outreach, improving content, and creating new initiatives. Visit https://donorbox.org/umbrella-entity or https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/please-consider-donating-today/ and make a difference today. Your support empowers us to empower others. We are a 501C3 Non-Profit and your donation is tax deductable inside the United States https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/please-consider-donating-today/ Thank you for being part of the change. Together, we’re making a real impact.

In Examining the Rigdon Spalding theory, hosts Bill Reel and RFM embark on a journey beyond the familiar narrative of golden plates and angels. Delving into the Rigdon Spalding theory, they navigate the murky waters of historical documents and eyewitness accounts to present a compelling case for its consideration. By carefully laying out the best… Read More »Examining The Rigdon – Spalding Theory Part 2 [Mormonism LIVE 166]

Examining The Rigdon – Spalding Theory [Mormonism LIVE: 165] In “Examining The Rigdon Spalding Theory,” hosts Bill Reel and RFM embark on a journey beyond the familiar narrative of golden plates and angels. Delving into the Rigdon Spalding theory, they navigate the murky waters of historical documents and eyewitness accounts to present a compelling case… Read More »Examining The Rigdon – Spalding Theory Part 1 | Mormonism LIVE 165

Do We discover compelling evidence for the Book of Mormon? In this week’s “Mormonism Live,” hosts Radio Free Mormon and Bill Reel, with guest John Lundwall, critically analyze the YouTube video “A Marvelous Work – The Greatness of the Evidence” by Scott Christopher and “Book of Mormon Central.” Claiming compelling evidence for the Book of… Read More »“A Marvelous Work And A Blunder” [Mormonism Live: 164]

In this episode of “Think Celestial – Celestial Marriage Before 1890” we embark on a journey through the annals of Mormon history to unravel the definition of Celestial Marriage as well as “The New and Everlasting Covenant” before the pivotal year of 1890 when Wilford Woodruff issued the Manifesto marking the beginning steps of ending… Read More »Think Celestial – Celestial Marriage in Mormonism Before 1890

Join us for a special episode of “Mormonism LIVE” titled “Temple Madness,” where we’re turning the spotlight on the lighter side of LDS temple experiences. In this unique and entertaining episode, we invite callers from the Mormon community to share their funniest, craziest, wackiest, and most bizarre temple stories that have occurred in the Church… Read More »Temple Madness: Mormonism Live: 162

Growing Up Black In Mormonism [Mormonism Live: 161] Join hosts RFM and Bill Reel in this insightful episode of “Mormonism LIVE” as they engage in a candid conversation with Summur Rayn, a remarkable African American woman sharing her unique perspective on growing up in the Mormon community. We also get to her a bit about… Read More »Growing Up Black In Mormonism [Mormonism Live: 161]

What might we find if we search the historical record about what LDS Prophets have taught around abuse. What have they said about Rape, or Child Abuse, or Sexual Assault? What would be taught by those who held the prophetic mantle? And What about in the present. The LDS Church says it takes abuse seriously… Read More »Mormon Abuse – Past Teachings & Present Problems | Mormonism Live 160

Mormonism Live Presents: A Radio Free Mormon Christmas Eve Special Hello, This is Radio Free Mormon (RFM). Bill, Maven and I are doing a special live show on Christmas Eve starting at 6:00 pm MT and running for about an hour. Thank you and a very happy holiday season to you and yours! 🎅

🎙️ Join us for Holiday Investigation into Jesus’ Birthday on Mormonism Live. We will delve into the intriguing topic of Jesus Christ’s alleged birthday on April 6th, 1 AD. In this episode, we tackle the longstanding belief within the LDS community that Jesus was born on this specific date, exploring the history, the leaders who… Read More »April 6th – Mormon Jesus’ Birthday | Mormonism Live 159

Mormonism LIVE ! 3rd Anniversary Special 🎉 Join us for a special celebration as Mormonism Live marks its triumphant 3rd Anniversary! 🎊 Over the past three years, we’ve delved deep into the world of Mormonism, exploring its history, beliefs, and culture with thought-provoking discussions. In this milestone episode, we take a nostalgic journey through the… Read More »Mormonism LIVE ! 3rd Anniversary Special [ML: 158]

Join Bill Reel & RFM (Radio Free Mormon) for an engaging episode of “Mormonism LIVE,” featuring a special interview with the well-known Mormon figure, Paul Toscano. In this thought-provoking conversation, Paul will offer unique insights into his personal journey within the Mormon faith, touching upon his involvement in the infamous “September 6” event—a pivotal moment… Read More »Paul Toscano – Could Mormonism Still Be True? [Mormonism LIVE: 156]

🎙️ Welcome To The Mormon Apocalypse as we join hosts RFM and Bill Reel on a riveting episode of “Mormonism Live” as they unravel the captivating phenomenon of “The Mormon Apocalypse.” In this thought-provoking discussion, our hosts dive into the core of why there’s a surge in Mormons pondering and speculating on the apocalyptic end… Read More »Welcome To The Mormon Apocalypse [Mormonism LIVE: 155]

In this episode of Mormonism LIVE titled “Voice From The Dust: The Life of Moroni,” we embark on a captivating journey through the life of Moroni, the last surviving Nephite and guardian of the sacred golden plates. Join us as we delve into Moroni’s early years, exploring his upbringing in a time of great turmoil… Read More »The Life of Moroni: A Voice From The Dust [Mormonism LIVE: 154]

Welcome to Mormonism LIVE! In this installment, hosts RFM and Bill Reel delve into the intricacies of the excommunication of a couple who were previous guests on the show. (Ep. 145Shunning by decree https://youtube.com/live/HmUTeRWuLtA) Join us as we examine the details surrounding their church discipline and the broader implications for those involved. In “Excommunicated In… Read More »Excommunicated In Absentia: Mormonism LIVE: 153

Join us for a special episode of “Mormonism LIVE,” where hosts Bill Reel & RFM (Radio Free Mormon) sit down with Kody Brown, one of the central figures from the popular TV show “Sister Wives.” In this exclusive interview, we delve deep into the world of polygamy, exploring both the personal and cultural aspects of… Read More »Sister Wives’ Kody Brown [Exclusive Interview] ML: 152

Get ready for a spine-tingling Halloween special as “Mormonism LIVE” takes a chilling detour into the world of the paranormal. In this special episode, hosts Radio Free Mormon and Bill Reel play on the motif of the legendary “Coast to Coast AM” radio show, inviting you to share your most hair-raising ghost stories and inexplicable… Read More »Coast to Coast With Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon: Mormonism LIVE: 151

This week’s episode “Mormonism’s Holy Matrimony” takes listeners on a journey through the hidden annals of Mormon history, exploring the controversial teachings of early LDS leaders that suggest Jesus Christ was married and what we know about Christ’s descendants. Delving deep into historical documents Bill Reel and RFM unravel the layers of visibility and acknowledgement… Read More »Mormonism’s Holy Matrimony: ML: 150

In this episode of “Mormonism Live” hosted by RFM and Bill Reel, we delve deeper into the intricate web of connections between former Operation Underground Railroad president Tim Ballard and LDS Apostle Elder M. Russell Ballard. We uncover the morally ambiguous terrain that surrounds these two figures. As the fallout from the allegations against Tim… Read More »The Ballards Breaking Bad: ML: 149

In ‘Decoding General Conference’, we delve deep into the recent October 2023 LDS General Conference. Join us as we uncover the subtle nuances, hidden messages, and underlying themes of the most newsworthy talks. Explore the intersection of faith, fear, and leadership methods, and gain fresh perspectives on the tactics and evolving doctrines. It’s a journey… Read More »Decoding General Conference: Mormonism Live: 148

Mormon Church Seeks To Silence Whistleblower?: ML: 146 Mormonism Live has been watching from afar this story with 8 passengers and Jodi Hildebrandt and has for tonight’s episode zoomed in real close to look at a particular facet connection to the story to once again shine a light on the deep unhealthiness that permeates LDS… Read More »Mormons Gone Wild: ML: 147

Mormonism Live has been watching from afar this story with 8 passengers and Jodi Hildebrandt and has for tonight’s episode zoomed in real close to look at a particular facet connection to the story to once again shine a light on the deep unhealthiness that permeates LDS Leadership and once again show that loyalty and… Read More »Mormon Church Seeks To Silence Whistleblower?: ML: 146

One LDS couple shares their experience about how the LDS Church tries to prevent members from sharing uncomfortable truths with each other. Chapters5:00 Guest introduction15:00 The video that started it all24:00 Voting opposed 44:00 Fast & Testimony Meeting50:00 Canceling church58:00 Chatbot and circular reasoning59:30 Aftermath of the testimony meeting1:02:30 The nightmare1:05:00 Email from the Bishop1:15:15… Read More »Shunning By Decree: Mormonism LIVE: 145

Embark with “Mormonism Live” on a thought-provoking journey with its hosts Bill Reel and RFM in their podcast, “Is Mormonism True Or Is It A Fraud?” as they investigate the LDS Church Truth claims, how those claims run into a wall of contradictions, and how the LDS Church simply moved the goalposts so as to make Mormonism indiscernible from a fraud. This podcast sheds light on the problematic issues that have cast shadows of doubt upon the LDS faithful as Bill Reel and RFM take you on a captivating exploration of the Church’s ever-evolving framing of these issues. Discover how, when faced with the doubts and faith crises of LDS believers, the Church and its apologists have skillfully retreated on each issue, artfully crafting new narratives that blur the line between truth and potential fraud. The podcast unravels Joseph Smith and the Mormon Church’s truth claims, examining the complex history that surrounds the foundational beliefs of the LDS faith. In “Is Mormonism True Or Is It A Fraud?” you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the delicate balance between faith and skepticism within the LDS community. Join us as we navigate the intricate landscape of Mormonism, questioning the past while seeking to uncover the truth in the present.

RESOURCES:

Mormon quotes about Adam God theory (mormonthink.com)

Dr. John Lundwall explains how the Book of Mormon not only contains anachronisms, but is actually an anachronism itself. Chapters 08:00 John’s intro 10:10 Orality & Literacy 11:12 Entire presentation summarized in one slide 23:00 Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man 24:00 The Medium is the message 27:15 Printing Press as Medium 32:00 Oral and Literate Mediums 41:20 Oral Imprinting Press 52:30 Secondary Orality 57:15 Metal Plates: History or Ritual? 58:00 Literate thinking 1:00:00 Mythologizing History 1:04:30 Evolution of Religion 1:07:00 Evolution of the Word 1:20:00 Joseph Smith Assumes History is Literate 1:31:30 Nephite & Lamanite Civilizations are Fully Literate

Welcome to “Mormonism Live,” the ultimate talk show that delves into the messiness of Mormon history and theology while also tackling current events with a live call-in section at the end of every episode. Hosted by two trusted voices in the Mormon community, Radio Free Mormon (RFM) and Bill Reel, this podcast has been taking on the tough issues and exploring the nuances of the LDS faith for years.

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MormonismLive #MormonDiscussions #RadioFreeMormonMormon Discussion Inc is a 501(c)(3) and is in the arena of journalistic work and is part of a free press. Any of the awesome content or the solid opinions expressed, implied or included in Mormon Discussion Inc’s podcast lineup and production are solely those of Mormon Discussion Inc. and/or its program hosts and not those of Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In this episode, we delve deep into the controversial history of the LDS (Latter-day Saints) Church’s priesthood ban, shedding light on the untold truths and deceptions that shaped this discriminatory practice. From its mysterious origins to its lasting impact, we uncover a story that challenges the foundation of faith and reveals the complex interplay of… Read More »Prophetic Racism – From Doctrine to Disavowed Theories | Mormonism Live 142

Dismantling Brian Hales’ Book of Mormon Defense: ML: 141 In this episode, hosts RFM and Bill Reel team up with LDS scholar Dan Vogel to critically examine the arguments put forth by LDS apologist Brian Hales in defense of the Book of Mormon’s authenticity. They discuss Hales’ reasons and defenses of why the BOM can’t… Read More »Dismantling Brian Hales’ Book of Mormon Defense: Mormonism LIVE: 141

Brian Hales & The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Book Review: ML: 140 We lost Dan due to storms affecting his internet connection, so join us next week for part 2! In this week’s episode, Mormon apologist Brian Hales enters the scene to deliver a 2-star review of “Charisma under Pressure,” the groundbreaking book… Read More »Brian Hales & The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Book Review Pt 1: ML: 140

Step off the beaten path of Mormon history and venture into the realm of relics & artifacts that shed light on lesser-known aspects of the Mormon faith. Delve into the enigmatic history of handkerchiefs, coffin canes, along with other obscure artifacts that whisper compelling tales from the annals of Mormon History. Chapters: 13:00 Zelph Arrowhead24:00ish… Read More »Obscure Mormon Artifacts: Mormonism Live: 139

RFM and Bill Reel are joined by Spencer who shares the latest from the Widows Mite Report (https://widowsmitereport.wordpress.com/) and share their latest reveal calling into question the perception that the Deseret Mutual Benefit Administration (DMBA) was at the same time Ensign Peak was being investigated, allegedly doing the same funny business as Ensign Peak was… Read More »Mormon Corporate Corruption: Mormonism LIVE: 138

Join us on a captivating episode as we explore the multifaceted life of Samuel Brannan, a charismatic leader who played a pivotal role in both in Mormonism and the California Gold Rush. We trace Brannan’s journey from his membership in Mormonism, to his leading a group of Mormon pioneers on the perilous voyage of the… Read More »Mormon to Millionaire: Sam Brannan & the Brooklyn: Mormonism LIVE: 137

In this episode of Mormonism LIVE we delve into the original research of this little known episode in Church history involving the Theatre, Temple Endowments, and a Ouija board Message leading to baptisms. RESOURCES:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ARFAX-zs-C36Wgs3GYcCO8kPpis1MnWA/viewhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1ucVVdrjBDAJwiIns-po2_EXM7d9u_R01/view?pli=1 Welcome to “Mormonism Live,” the ultimate talk show that delves into the messiness of Mormon history and theology while also tackling… Read More »Ouija Board Baptisms: Mormonism LIVE!: 136

Join us as we explore the intriguing viewpoints of Professor Thomas Wayment and podcaster Rick Bennett, who present perspectives that deviate from past LDS theology regarding the King James Bible (KJV) and the Joseph Smith Translation (JST). We analyze their claims, examining the ways in which their perspectives challenge traditional understandings of these revered texts… Read More »KJV & JST – The Devaluing of Mormon Scripture and Translation: ML: 135

Mormon Polygamy Nightmare: Mormonism Live: 134 Nightmares are scary and some nightmares are real. In this gripping episode of Mormonism LIVE, we delve into the extraordinary journey of a woman who lived within a Mormon polygamous relationship. Through an intimate and eye-opening interview, she shares her harrowing experiences, the challenges she faced, and the inspiring… Read More »Mormon Polygamy Nightmare: ML: 134

The Mormonism Live crew takes a much needed break for June 21st being joined by upcoming “Mormon” comedian Ben Brown known as “The Fresh King Benjamin”. Ben’s humor deeply connects to his own journey in and deconstruction of fundamentalist Mormonism and the episode is sure to be an enjoyable entertaining evening. Ben’s Stand Up: https://youtu.be/XBx5g6FOEaM… Read More »Mormonism Live: 133: The Fresh King Benjamin ( @thefreshkingbenjamin )

Dan Vogel sits down with RFM & Bill not only to talk about his new book “Charisma under Pressure: Joseph Smith, American Prophet, 1831–1839” but to also flesh out some of the incredible ideas in his recent YouTube video “Joseph Smith, the Necromancer”. RESOURCES: Twilit Grotto — Esoteric Archives – esotericarchives.com/ Old Bountiful Museum –… Read More »Mormon Magic Parchments: Mormonism LIVE: 132

There is a raging debate within Mormon circles where those folks who are determined to maintain belief in the Prophet Joseph Smith but who abhor polygamy and the Church as ran by Brigham Young and after have found ways to dismiss the standard evidence that Mormonism’s founder was a polygamist. They interpret the evidence as… Read More »The Evidence that Joseph Smith was a Polygamist: ML: 131

A former seminary teacher got the opportunity to present lots of his questions to the Church Historian recently. Wait till you hear what happened!

RESOURCES:

Transcript – http://radiofreemormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ELDER-BALLARD-BLOWS-UP-THE-CHURCH-TRANSCRIPT.pdf
Episode – https://radiofreemormon.org/2017/11/radio-free-mormon-021-elder-ballard-blows-church/

https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/prophets-and-fallibility/
https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/the-mormon-truth-crisis/
https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/the-mormon-paradox/

In this video we delve into the history behind how the LDS Church came to have its name and how its official name has changed from its inception to today. And along the way we learn about the use and meaning of the word Mormon as well as how the Church went from “Latter Day Saints” to Latter-day Saints” and you won’t believe how much went into a hyphen and a lower case letter d.

RESOURCES:

https://archive.org/details/EveningAndMorningStar18321834/page/n161/mode/2up – 1834 change to Church of the Latter Day Saints

https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-chapters/volume-2-chapter-5/ – History of The Church noting the 1834 Name change

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/115?lang=eng

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1990/04/thus-shall-my-church-be-called?lang=eng

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/10/the-correct-name-of-the-church?lang=eng

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1990/10/mormon-should-mean-more-good?lang=eng

https://archive.org/details/TimesAndSeasonsVol4/page/n307/mode/2up

https://www.mormondialogue.org/topic/43668-new-evidence-that-church-was-organized-at-fayette/

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/sample-of-pure-language-between-circa-4-and-circa-20-march-1832/1

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/book-of-commandments-1833/14

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revelation-march-1829-dc-5/1#source-note

This past week 60 Minutes the CBS TV Journalism Show covered the event of the Church having its finances exposed by whistleblower David Nielson. We take a look at what was said…. and what wasn’t in this weeks episode of Mormonism LIVE! “David Nielsen is a former investment manager for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who became a whistleblower regarding the church’s finances and tax-exempt status. Nielsen accused the church of hoarding billions of dollars it has not paid taxes on and asked the IRS to strip the church of its tax-exempt status. Nielsen argued that the church owes billions in taxes, and he wants a cut of that as part of a reward offered by the IRS for reporting tax-related offenses.”

RESOURCES:
(2038) Mormon whistleblower: Church’s investment firm masquerades as charity | 60 Minutes – YouTube
60 Minutes – Bishop defends the Church’s investment fund | Facebook (60 Minutes Overtime)
The Perpetual Education Fund (churchofjesuschrist.org)
The Perpetual Education Fund (churchofjesuschrist.org) (Gordon Hinckley’s talk)
Structure of the Corporation of The President / Bishopric (Actual LDS “Church”) | Exploring Mormonism (LDS HOLDINGS)
A look at the LDS Church’s legal legacy as a corporation (The Merging of the two corporations)
https://widowsmitereport.wordpress.com/60minutes/

The story of Joseph Smith and Henry Caswall (Caswell) and the Greek Psalter incident is a historical event that took place in 1842 in Nauvoo Ill.. During his visit to Nauvoo, Illinois, where the Mormon Church was headquartered at the time, Caswall met with Joseph Smith. Caswall showed The Prophet a ancient document which Caswall knew to be a “Greek Psalter” or book of Psalms in the Greek language. Caswall claimed that Smith insisted the Psalter was actually a Dictionary for Egyptian Hieroglyphics book was a translation of an ancient record that he had received through divine revelation. Caswall declared that it was nothing more than an ancient Greek Psalter.

As RFM and Bill dig into this story they discover that that Mormonism fares worse than we first thought and the problems reach as high as Jacob’s Ladder.

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RESOURCES:
http://www.olivercowdery.com/smithhome/1840s/1842Cas1.htm
http://www.mormonthink.com/greekweb.htm
http://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v4n23.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greek_Psalter_Incident
https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/BOMP/id/3750
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq/vol35/iss4/8/
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3085&context=byusq https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/answers/Question:_Did_Joseph_Smith_misidentify_a_Greek_%22psalter%22_as_a_containing_%22reformed_Egyptian%22_hieroglyphics%3F
https://lifeafterministry.com/2014/03/the-greek-psalter-incident/
https://lifeafter.org/greek-psalter-incident/
https://rsc.byu.edu/approaching-antiquity-joseph-smith-ancient-world/joseph-smiths-awareness-greek-latin https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/answers/Criticism_of_Mormonism/Websites/MormonThink/The_Greek_Psalter_Incident
http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/dbroadhu/il/sign1843.htm#1118
https://web.archive.org/web/20130701182744/
http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/display/pdf.php?table=review&id=513
http://www.truthandgrace.com/The_city_of_the_Mormons.pdf
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/fragment-of-book-of-breathing-for-horos-a-between-238-and-circa-153-bc/1
https://archive.org/details/cityofmormonsort01casw/page/20/mode/2up
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/fragment-of-book-of-the-dead-for-nefer-ir-nebu-circa-300-100-bc/1
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/fragment-of-book-of-breathing-for-horos-a-between-238-and-circa-153-bc/1
https://www.agefotostock.com/age/en/details-photo/the-weighing-of-souls-chapter-125-of-the-book-of-the-dead-detail-of-the-papyrus-of-tasnakht-egyptian-civilisation-late-period/DAE-11127820

RFM and Bill sit down with Jim Bennett to discuss his recent appearances on “Midnight Mormons” and take a look at all the rhetoric around violence in Mormonism including the musket talk by Elder Holland but with an updated and focused discussion around whether such a talk is fueling the very violent threats and rhetoric that critics of Holland’s talk have suggested could be the outgrowth of the “Musket” talk and the lack of the LDS Church in official channels condemning such rhetoric.

RESOURCES:

207: Nephi’s Faith Transition – Mormon Discussions Podcasts – Full Lineup (mormondiscussionpodcast.org)
Radio Free Mormon: 18: Make Way For Dodos – Radio Free Mormon
The Trial of Jim Bennett! – YouTube
The Trial of Jim Bennett! – YouTube
The Trial of Jim Bennett! – YouTube
The Trial of Jim Bennett! – YouTube
The Trial of Guatemax! – YouTube
Radio Free Mormon VS Midnight Mormons – The Debate – YouTube
The Trial of Guatemax! – YouTube
The Trial of Guatemax! – YouTube
The Trial of Guatemax! – YouTube

When the Phrase “Ongoing Restoration” showed up around 2020 Critics paused as this seemed to be the Church saying something different as if the Church now wanted the restoration to be much earlier in its stage of development than had been intimated in the past. So Bill & RFM take long look over Mormonism’s history to see what has been said and what it might mean.

RESOURCES:

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2021/01/26/mormon-land-how-lds/
https://youtu.be/v43WkDalVAs?t=114
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/latter-day-saint-prophet-wife-apostle-share-insights-global-ministry?lang=eng#churchofjesuschrist
https://youtu.be/n49OhL-NbVY?t=15
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2020/04/the-ongoing-restoration?lang=eng
https://youtu.be/MvVtCKHarI0?t=62
https://youtu.be/AN6e4IQBLWs?t=798
https://youtu.be/AN6e4IQBLWs?t=896
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7NHQ8v-bmY&t=429s
https://youtu.be/I7NHQ8v-bmY?t=537
https://youtu.be/jdUeOY-hA1c?t=388
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2006/10/the-gathering-of-scattered-israel?lang=eng
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2005/11/truth-restored?lang=eng
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/SUNDAY-INTERVIEW-Musings-of-the-Main-Mormon-2846138.php
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-ldzfaB33n8oXeI00ttom_i6WUTGeFPD?usp=share_linkhttps://speeches.byu.edu/talks/gary-e-stevenson/the-ongoing-restoration/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKH4vU1EiB4

"Ongoing restoration" is an invented concept that only appeared starting in 2019
by u/Norenzayan in exmormon

The Restored Church or the “Restoring” Church?

In this week’s edition, RFM and Bill sit down with Dan McClellan, former scripture translation supervisor for the LDS Church.

Dan received his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in ancient Near Eastern studies, where he focused on Biblical Hebrew and minored in Classical Greek. He completed a master of studies in Jewish studies at the University of Oxford in July of 2010 and a master of arts in biblical studies at Trinity Western University just outside of Vancouver, BC. His areas of specialization are Second Temple Judaism, early Israelite religion, and textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible.

RESOURCES:

https://rsc.byu.edu/author/mcclellan-daniel-o

https://www.tiktok.com/@maklelan?lang=endanielomcclellan.com/

https://hcommons.org/members/maklelan/

https://rsc.byu.edu/vol-20-no-2-2019/far-it-translated-correctly-bible-translation-church

Years ago Jonathan Streeter wrote a blog post titled “Fix your faith crisis with this one weird trick!” that was deeply influential on Bill. So tonight we bring Streeter into the studio to discuss Wood Tools vs Steel Tools and tom recognize when wood tools are being used.

RESOURCES:

Fix your faith crisis with this one weird trick!

276: Fix your faith crisis with this one weird trick! – WOOD vs STEEL Tools

https://thoughtsonthingsandstuff.com/

This General Conference had lots of interesting twists and turns that have now had time to ruminate in the minds of RFM and Bill Reel. And this weeks episode involves a dive into the Mormon phenomena known as the April 2023 General Conference of the LDS Church.

RESOURCES OF TALKS DISCUSSED:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYdM8WyYM – Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWYXk_7uLbU – Elder Vern R. Stanfill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0jTa8FG7A8 – Elder Allen D. Haynie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9freQw16qY – Elder Carl B. Cook
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLplozLahP4 – Elder Gerrit W. Gong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQwObipvTJc – Elder D. Todd Christofferson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSmP5tnSevI – Elder Neil L. Andersen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQghSMOOYz4 – President Russell M. Nelson

Joseph Smith’s First Vision ushered in the restoration of the Gospel. It had Heavenly Father and His Son coming through the Heavens to visit the young boy in the spring of 1820. This vision leads to the founding of Mormonism. But what is not as well known is that in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s, everyone and their brother was having visions and many of them appear to be very similar to Joseph Smith’s. So in this week’s episode Bill and RFM do a comparative analysis on those other Visions to see what can be gleaned and its no small thing what they find.

RESOURCES:
https://web.archive.org/web/20180710083455/https://thoughtsonthingsandstuff.com/theophany-mine/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burned-over_district
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Great_Awakening https://archive.org/details/lifecon00smit/page/n13/mode/2up
http://www.mormonstudiespodcast.org/joseph-smith-elias-smith-and-wilford-poulson/
https://archive.org/details/TheReligiousExperienceOfNorrisStearns
http://www.utlm.org/onlinebooks/changech6.htm
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/elders-journal-july-1838/16
https://www.watchman.org/articles/mormonism/piecing-together-the-first-vision/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Vision
https://rsc.byu.edu/exploring-first-vision/significance-joseph-smiths-first-vision-mormon-thought
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/site/accounts-of-the-first-vision
https://mit.irr.org/joseph-smiths-changing-first-vision-accounts
https://www.mormonstories.org/truth-claims/joseph-smith/first-vision/
https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-prognostication-of-asa-wild/
http://boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/SChamberlain.html
https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-visionary-world-of-joseph-smith/
http://www.mormonhandbook.com/home/first-vision-plagiarized.html
https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn83032054/1831-02-01/ed-1/seq-5/
https://archive.org/details/SketchOfExperiencesOfSolomonChamberlin/mode/2up?view=theater&q=apo
http://boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/SChamberlain.html
https://hdl.huntington.org/digital/collection/p16003coll15/id/40132
https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/first-vision/
https://youtu.be/WB3iwEX8WhY?t=1306
https://rsc.byu.edu/exploring-first-vision/earliest-documented-accounts-joseph-smiths-first-vision
https://collections.library.yale.edu/catalog/2041501

Tonight RFM and Bill take a look at how both Top Church Leadership and local leaders extend pressure for dissenting voices to be silent. The episode will include individual stories along with the general instruction by top leaders to diminish dissenting voices and at times to altogether silence them.

RESOURCES:

Oaks “Its Wrong to Criticize Leaders” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxyiHLg59ks

Oaks “Questions Are Honored, Opposition is Not” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPeIgjZ0EQg&t=746s

Ballard – “Women don’t talk too much” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlQ4h6tGbnE

Bruce R McConkie – Echo what I Say or be Silent – https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/mcconkie-to-eugene-england/

Many are going through great lengths to justify the massive hoards of wealth the Church has accumulated on the backs of its believers, even going as far as to use scripture. But do these scriptures REALLY justify the accumulation of wealth as the Church and its members would have you believe?

In this week’s episode we discuss the recent news of the Temple Changes and just how far the original Endowment has been altered. And the Second half of the show will involve the recent legal settlement with the LDS Church and it’s Ensign Peak Advisors and culminating with RFM’s lightbulb moment sensing that the Landscape of Mormonism has changed and his novel idea around such.

Temple Changes Resources:

https://religionnews.com/2023/02/10/more-jesus-less-touching-14-changes-to-the-mormon-temple-endowment-ceremony/

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2023/02/09/lds-temple-ceremonies-change/

Revised LDS Temple Endowment Ceremony Now Includes More Pictures of Jesus

SEC Alleged Fraud RESOURCES:

SEC Report – https://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/2023/34-96951.pdf

SEC Press statement – https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2023-35

https://bycommonconsent.com/2023/02/21/the-church-the-investment-advisor-and-the-sec/

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2021/09/27/heres-deeper-look-how-lds/

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2021/09/27/heres-deeper-look-how-lds/

On June 27th 1844, Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, was martyred at Carthage Jail by a mob. Or at least that is how the generally accepted story goes. In the last 8 months, Justin Griffin (Director & Producer) and Steve Sorensen (Film Maker), have shared their research that maybe things are not what we have been told. They present their experts, their research, and their conclusions that it was in fact John Taylor and Willard Richards that in fact murdered their own prophet in cold blood. RFM and Bill take a look at their research and the testimony of their experts to see what can be seen with a critical eye. Is this research true? Was Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith killed by their friends?

RESOURCES:

whokilledjosephsmith.com

https://www.youtube.com/@jgriffWKJS

https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3961&context=byusq

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/john-tayl

On this week’s episode we sit down with Brent Bokovoy, Writer and Director of the upcoming film “Ronald’s Little Factory”, and we discuss all the twists and turns in Mormon Cinema including your favorites, along with movies you have likely forgotten, as well as one’s you never heard of. We finish out the episode discussing the upcoming film “Ronald’s Little Factory”. Boyd K Packer would have been proud!

RESOURCES:Ronald’s Little Factory Trailer 1 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcsMBJ6kk6w
Ronald’s Little Factory – The Why behind the Film – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhFnlp9qjc4

EARLY MORMON CINEMA
A Mormon Maid
A Victim Of The Mormons
Brigham Young
LDS PRODUCED CINEMA
Johny Lingo
The Pump
Legacy
The Testaments
MODERN MORMON CINEMA
Virginia
God’s Army
Brigham City
States of Grace
The Singles Ward
The RM
Baptists At The Barbecue
Sons Of Provo
The Home Teachers
Mobsters And Mormons
The Book of Mormon Movie
The Other Side of Heaven
The Best Two Years
Saints And Soldiers
Once I Was A Beehive
POST MORMON CINEMA
Plan 10 From Outer Space
Orgazmo
South Park Episode
The Book Of Mormon Musical
Latter Days
Trapped By The Mormons
Big Love
Angels In America
September Dawn
The Book Of Zombie
Electrick Children
The Falls
Missionary
Room 104
SHORT FILMS
Bad Mormons
Killer Missionaries
The Touch Of The Master’s Hand
DOCUMENTARIES
8 The Mormon Proposition
Believer
Tabloid
RECENT
Murder Among The Mormons
Keep Sweet And Obey
Under The Banner Of Heaven
Sins of Our Mother
Mormon No More
Abducted In Plain Sight
* A Friend of the Family

RFM and Bill review the recent set of Documents and other items sent by Florida Law Enforcement in RFM as part of a Freedom of Information Request.

**TRIGGER WARNING****This episode will contain details of an alleged Homicide of a child. Please skip this episode if needed and please keep kids away from this episode.

NEW DOCUMENTS
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4 Minute Video Re-enactment by Hana w/ Law Enforcement- https://media.blubrry.com/mormondiscussions/ins.blubrry.com/mormondiscussions/Cordon_Interrogation.mp4

The Salt Lake Tribune recently published a book review on the book “Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints” published by the Maxwell Institute. Both the book and the Tribune article make note that what Latter-day Saints believed about early Christianity and the Great Apostasy may not only “overly simplistic, if not (a) completely false narrative”. But where did Latter-day Saints get these beliefs? How did Mormonism define the Great Apostasy? And more importantly if we redefine the very reasons for what a Restoration is and why it was needed, might we be undercutting the restoration itself?

Maxwell Institute Book available –Ancient Christians Available Now – Neal A. Maxwell Institute (byu.edu)

1832 First Vision Account contradicting SLTRIB Claim that B. H. Roberts was the first promoted the apostasy narrative – History, circa Summer 1832, Page 1 (josephsmithpapers.org)

1838 First Vision account also contains significant apostasy narrative piecesHistory, circa June 1839–circa 1841 [Draft 2], Page 3 (josephsmithpapers.org)

The Great Apostasy by: James Talmage published 1909 by the Deseret News – Which lays out in significant ways “The Great Apostasy” – The great apostasy : considered in the light of scriptural and secular history : Talmage, James Edward, 1862-1933 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

The Church url for their pamphlet on the Great Apostasy – The Great Apostasy (churchofjesuschrist.org)

While The Church is reducing the Great Apostasy to only Priesthood and Keys – They clearly have attached Doctrine, Church organization and Offices, consistency of Saving Rituals as well as imposing that Christ set up an actual Church as key components of “The Great Apostasy” – Talks where some of those concepts are spoken Example 1Example 2Example 3

The Church teaches that part of the Great Apostasy is that rather than leading via revelation that the early Christian Church instead traqnsitioned over to “Long Conferences” and “Erudite Councils” “depending upon their own brilliant minds” (See Manual Image Below) – and yet Elder Eyring admits that such is the very way this Church is led – Henry B. Eyring: “Forget Harvard and Stanford. We’re in another kind of thing here.” – YouTube

LDS Church Shifting to More Pageantry and Colorful Presentation to satisfy everyone (which in their manual they claim is a sign of the Great Apostasy) Example 1Example 2Example 3

The Modern Church creating a narrative of an ongoing restoration and that such has only begun to obfuscate that they are moving and shifting in every way they had previously labeled in the early Church as signs of Apostasy (Please note how is one to discern that all shifts and changes ithin the modern Church are “Auhtorized” and all shifts and changes in the Ancient Church are “Unauthorized”

1.) Distorting the and changing the Church organization and offices (Modern Church has changed the calling of Seventies, disbanded the General Patriarch, and created and then laterdisbanded the High Priests Group

2.) Silence between the Heavens and the Earth

3.) Vast numbers who had professed membership and many who had been officers in the ministry deserted the church; while a few were stimulated to greater zeal under the scourge of persecution.

4.) Internal dissension, schism and disruption, whereby an absolute apostasy of the Church from the way and word of God was brought about”

5.) The corrupting (Changing) of the simple doctrines of the gospel of Christ by admixture with so-called philosophic systems. (Corrupting is subjective)

6.) Unauthorized (Subjective) additions to the prescribed rites and rituals of the church and the introduction of vital alterations in essential ordinances.

7.) Unauthorized (Subjective) changes in church organization and government

8.) “If the savior had come back to earth at the beginning of the fifth century A.D., i doubt whether he would have recognized the Christian church as the one that claimed descent from that which he had established, so far had it gone astray.” VERSUS ” If Joseph Smith came back to earth today, i doubt whether he would have recognized the LDS Church as the one that claimed descent from that which he had established, so far had it gone astray.”

9.) The power of godliness was no longer present in the Christian church. (Is that power recognizable within the LDS Church ?)

10.) The laws were changed (Notice all the laws that have changed in the LDS Church EXAMPLES: The doing away of “Free Agency” and D&C say a Disciplinary Court requires 12 high priests but the Modern Church says not necessary)

11.) The ordinances were changed (Notice the changes to the Endowment)

12.) The everlasting covenant was broken that the lord Jesus Christ gave to his people in those days. (Notice what happened to the New and Everlasting Covenant within Mormonism AKA Polygamy)

13.) The superimposing of a man-made structure upon and over the divine program.

14.) Many men with no pretense nor claim to revelation, speaking without divine authority or revelation, depending only upon their own brilliant minds, but representing as they claim the congregations of the Christians.

15.) In long conference and erudite councils, sought the creation process to make a God which all could accept.

16.) The brilliant minds with their philosophies, knowing much about the Christian traditions and the pagan philosophies, would combine all elements to please everybody.

17.) They replaced the simple ways and program of the Christ with spectacular rituals, colorful display, impressive pageantry, and limitless pomposity, and called it Christianity.

18.) They had replaced the glorious, divine plan of exaltation of Christ with an elaborate, colorful, man-made system. they seemed to have little idea of totally dethroning the Christ, nor terminating the life of God, as in our own day, but they put together an incomprehensible God idea”

It also should be noted that the LDS Church imposes that Christ organized his Church, and set forth the offices of the Church and that whenever the Gospel has been on the Earth it has been taught and administered by the Church. Also note that even believing Faithful Scholars within the Church indicate that Jesus and his disciples remained Jews within the Jewish faith and synagogue.

Recently Bill did a solo episode away from Mormonism LIVE walking members into the historical analysis of the initial Doctrine of tithing as 10% of one’s Surplus or Interest to help believers sense they had an option backed by historical documentation that allowed them to save themselves Thousands of Dollars a year while remaining faithful. After that episode a listener sent Bill and RFM an image of a vintage Church Handbook of Instruction that got their wheels turning and this week’s episode seeks to to delve into a historical analysis of how Surplus or Interest became Gross. And YES, You will be disgusted.

Here is the pdf presentation of the outline – https://mormonismlive.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Tithing-Whats-In-A-Word.pdf

The Introduction of Tithing to the Saints and “What is in a word”
1. D&C 119 VS 1-4 (Given in 1838) – This law was imposed by God as a “Standing Law Forever” and came after the Law of Consecration had failed. Strange that Heavenly Father seems unable to see that this “Standing Law Forever” was about to be anything but consistent and eternal.
Tithing has always meant a tenth.
1. History of tithing in the world generally
2. But a tenth of what? is the crux
Verse 1 – Verily, thus saith the Lord, I require all their surplus property to be put into the hands
1. It seems the original commandment required ALL Surplus property be given to the Church upon entry into the faith.
Verse 4 – Intimates that once one has entered the faith giving all their surplus property, they there after “shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually”
INTEREST =
1. 3 “Regard to private profit”
2. 4 “Any surplus advantage”
3. What does Surplus mean =
4. “What is above and beyond after the necessities are taken care of”
5. “that which remains when use is satisfied”
What does all this mean
The law of tithing when taken on face value without any manipulation of the words seems to mean “When one enters the Church they are to hand over all Surplus property (any property above and beyond what is a necessity of life), and to then pay 1/10th of their “interest” or “surplus advantage” annually
It also says that this shall be a standing law forever hence meaning it is DOCTRINE and can’t be changed (Without additional revelation).
“Settled; established, either by law or by custom, etc.; continually existing; permanent; not temporary”
Since it is the Church who is about to muddy the waters the question is being begged if “Interest” means something other than how the word is literally why wasn’t God more clear?
Examples of how it was interpreted in early Church history
JST Genesis 14:39 vs the original verse Genesis 14:20 that Joseph seems to be modifying (between June 1830 and July 1833)
Original – “And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”
Joseph Smith’s Adaptation – “Wherefore, Abram paid unto him tithes of all that he had, of all the riches which he possessed, which God had given him more than that which he had need.”
Joseph seems to be modifying this narrative about Melchizedek so as to have it conform with D&C 119’s reasonable interpretation of tithing as 1/10 of surplus. What he adds should be assumed to be altering the meaning otherwise why adapt it at all.
Bishop Partridge “If a man is worth a $1000, the interest on that would be $60, and 1/10 of the interest will of course be $6.— thus you see the plan.” Bishop Edward Partridge letter to Newel K. Whitney, July 24, 1838
Bishop Partridge, the first Bishop in the Church is instructing Newel K Whitney (I believe the second bishop in the Church) on the definition of tithing and his responsibility to collect it
Bishop Partridge seems to be interpreting tithing literally based on the verse “shall pay one-tenth of all their interest (increase) annually” and is suggesting that one pay 10% of the interest earned on one’s net worth invested at 6%
Lastly Steven Harper seems to agree when he says “Bishop Partridge understood “one tenth of all their interest” annually to mean 10 percent of what Saints would earn in interest if they invested their net worth for a year”
Millennial Star 1847 (Orson Hyde Editor) – “The celestial law requires one-tenth part of all a man’s substance which he possesses at the time he comes into the church (See D&C 119:1), and one-tenth part of his annual increase ever after(See D&C 119:4). IF IT REQUIRES ALL MAN CAN EARN TO SUPPORT HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY, HE IS NOT TITHED AT ALL. The celestial law does not take the mother’s and children’s bread, neither ought else which they really need for their comfort. The poor that have not of this world’s good to spare, but serve and honor God according to the best of their abilities in every other way, shall have a celestial crown in the Eternal Kingdom of our Father.” – quotes comes post end of consecration and after law of tithing is revealed
This seems to deeply agree with the very interpretations we laid out by simply being reasonable with the definitions of words
a.) It seems to disagree with paying tithing before feeding your family
b.) It seems to disagree with paying tithing gets you out of poverty
c.) It seems to disagree with paying the tithing of the income you want to have
d.) It seems to disagree with Net Blessings or Gross Blessings
Lorenzo Snow 1899 in Saint George – (Church source )
““I pray that every man, woman, and child [who has means] shall pay one tenth of their income as tithing.”
1. When net or gross are used everyone has means with almost no exception.
2. Lorenzo Snow’s words mesh extremely well with that 1847 Millennial Star section.
3. Though we see for the First Time Income is substituted for Interest. This seems to be the place where later statements define interest as income. This is apparently the place where later leaders claim “interest” to understood as income.
4. The Modern Church while using the Income for Interest Substitution always withholds “Who has means” every time Snow is requoted in Church Materials, seemingly to deceive members from making a decision based on the full quote. (Ballard hiding Things Audio Bite). This is dishonest, gaslighting, manipulation, and once one grasps the pressure local leaders feel to impose 10% of gross it is also coercion. You can’t have one without the other. It’s where they get their “understanding”
The Doctrine of Tithing as it was interpreted by Various Church Handbooks of Instruction (And the Official Letter in 1970)
1913 Handbook

1923 handbook

1944 Handbook

1960 handbook

1963 handbook
THIS 1963 HANDBOOK IS WHEN TITHING IS EXPLICITLY DEFINED AS ON GROSS INCOME. ONLY TO BE TAKEN BACK OUT THE FOLLOWING HANDBOOK.

1968 handbook
a. Notice the apparent pushback or reconsideration and hence retreat away from being explicit about gross. This is a partial wondering about any legal liability due to their being explicit and contradicting past definitions

1970 First Presidency Letter

“We feel that every member of the Church should be ENTITLED TO MAKE HIS OWN DECISION as to what he thinks he owes the Lord, and to make payment accordingly.” – this is Bullshit.
THE 1899 CONFERENCE TALK BY SNOW SEEMS TO BE THE PLACE THEY PULL FROM TO REDEFINE INTEREST AS INCOME

1976 Handbook

Closeup

1983 Handbook

1989 Handbook

Conclusion
1. Knowing what these words mean, knowing how they were interpreted, knowing how they were implemented and carried out imposes that Church members grasp this all meant Interest literally. It meant surplus literally. It meant Increase literally….. And then suddenly somewhere, somehow all of these words are changed to mean “Income” out of thin air.
2. RFM–IT IS NOTEWORTHY THAT THE CHANGE FROM “INTEREST” TO “INCOME” WAS DONE BY LORENZO SNOW IN THE CONTEXT OF RAISING MORE MONEY TO GET THE CHURCH OUT OF DEBT. PERHAPS THIS WAS THE REASON FOR THE CHANGE; IN ORDER TO RAISE MORE MONEY.
3. And until an official voice (Church leader or LDS Newsroom) can explain to the Church membership where Surplus or interest earned became Gross or even Net “Income” every Church member should refuse to play by rules that have been made up in order to create the wealthy Church we have today. Why the bait and switch in meaning from Interest meaning surplus to Interest meaning Gross or Net Income?, why the bait and switch in word substitution and vocabulary going from the word Interest to the word income? Why the obfuscation of “Who Has Means”, and why not actually follow the very rule they pretend exists and allow “every member of the Church should be ENTITLED TO MAKE HIS OWN DECISION as to what he thinks he owes the Lord, and to make payment accordingly.”?
  We feel that every member of the Church should be ENTITLED TO MAKE HIS OWN DECISION as to what he thinks he owes the Lord, and to make payment accordingly.” – Again bullshit

RESOURCES:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/tithe

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/119?lang=eng

The running narrative within Mormonism is that Joseph Smith was an uneducated backwoods farm boy and that his lack of sophistication leaves the the Restoration as a miracle that no country bumpkin could have pulled off. But what happens when, with critical thinking skills, we take a look at the the Education he did have or had potential access to. Was Joseph Smith uneducated? Was he a middle school dropout as a surface level reading intimates? And what do we see when we look at the education of those around Joseph Smith and specifically within his family?

CORRECTIONS [ There were two errors in the video presentation for this episode. #1 Randall Bell conflated incorrectly that Joseph’s uncle*, *John Smith (July 16, 1781 – May 23, 1854) was same John Smith (December 21, 1752 – April 30, 1809) who played a prominent role in the early history of Dartmouth. #2 The letter put up on the screen of Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdrey, is in the handwriting of Frederick G Williams.]

RESOURCES:

Dartmouth Arminianism And Its Impact on Hyrum Smith And the Smith Family – https://faenrandir.github.io/a_careful_examination/documents/book_of_mormon/translation/Dartmouth-Arminianism-Behrens-2006-JWH.pdf

PDF Reassessing Joseph Smith Jr.’s Formal Education William Davis Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought (2016) 49 (4): 1–58. – https://scholarlypublishingcollective.org/uip/dial/article-pdf/49/4/1/1284352/dialjmormthou.49.4.0001.pdf

Randall Bell’s PDF Presentation – https://mormonismlive.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Randy-Bell-Dartmouth.pdf

Joseph Smith’s Pre-1830 Education – https://mormonr.org/qnas/MggWf/joseph_smiths_pre_1830_education

List of Books Joseph Smith owned – https://user.xmission.com/~research/about/books.htm

Treasures and a Trash Heap: An Early Reference to the Joseph Smith Family in Palmyra (Page 201 of the document) – https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1081&context=mormonhistory

William Davis wrote an article “reassessing Joseph Smith Jr’s Formal Education” and notes that when one tallies up all the evidence including the final term with Stowell’s son in Bainbridge such “increases the overall estimated time that Joseph spent in formal education to the equivalent of approximately seven full school years —a notable increase to that proposed in previous historical representations, and one that will require the careful evaluation of future historians”

reddit discussion around the Dartmouth Connection – https://www.reddit.com/r/mormonscholar/comments/92e2sl/similarities_between_dartmouth_professor_john/

Adam Clarke’s Book on Tobacco – https://archive.org/details/b30351108#:~:text=A%20dissertation%20on%20the%20use%20and%20abuse%20of,among%20religious%20people….%20by%20Clarke%2C%20Adam%2C%20approximately%201762-1832

History of Moor’s Indian Charity School – https://archives-manuscripts.dartmouth.edu/agents/corporate_entities/786

Bill & RFM take a look at the Life of Francis Gladden Bishop, another Latter-day Saint who claimed to be the rightful heir to Joseph Smith after the martyrdom as part of the Mormon Succession Crisis.

RESOURCES:
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/license-for-gladden-bishop-14-april-1840-extract/1

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/145852385/francis-gladden-bishop

https://atom3.lib.byu.edu/mormonbib/11107/.

https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/chd/individual/francis-gladden-bishop-1809

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladden_Bishop, https://wilfordwoodruffpapers.org/subjects/francis-gladden-bishop

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/bc-jsp/content/jsp/images/1168/1168_ms155_3_05_001_med.jpg

https://archive.org/details/addresstosonsdau01bish
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1838-1856-volume-c-1-2-november-1838-31-july-1842/215, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/bc-jsp/content/jsp/images/1168/1168_ms155_3_05_001_med.jpg

https://smile.amazon.com/Ensign-Shepherd-Remembrance-Classic-Reprint/dp/1333273819/ref=sr_1_1?crid=VOHXKME6OJK6&keywords=%22francis+gladden+bishop%22&qid=1672953250&sprefix=francis+gladden+bishop+%2Caps%2C128&sr=8-1

https://smile.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3AFrancis+Gladden+Bishop&s=relevancerank&text=Francis+Gladden+Bishop&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letter-from-francis-gladden-bishop-26-september-1843/1

https://mormonpolygamydocuments.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/JS0428.pdf

RFM and Bill take a deeper look at the “Book of Mormon” and compare what we know about it with what we know about other books to see if it is as un unique as believers claim it to be and we even get Mormon Scholar, Brian Hales opinion on the matter.

RESOURCES:
https://archive.org/details/sorrytaleastory01currgoog/page/78/mode/2up

https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1542&context=jbms#:~:text=Some%20critics%20of%20the%20Book,claimed%20communi%2D%20cations%20with%20spirits

https://www.urantia.org/urantia-book/read-urantia-book-online

https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V52N02_1.pdf

https://sunstone.org/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/050-16-26.pdf

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/A_Course_in_Miracles_Text.pdf

https://archaeology.co.uk/articles/features/glastonbury-abbey.htm

https://gospeltangents.com/2021/10/automatic-writing-bill-davis/ – This is the the source for the three minute clip with Brian Hales talking about automatic writing. This segment is from an interview by Rick Bennett on his video podcast “Gospel Tangents” on the episode titled “Automatic Writing/Bill Davis’s Visions of Seer Stone”

This past week on Mormonism LIVE we covered “Automatic Writing” in the episode, Mormonism LIVE: 108: Is The Book of Mormon Unique?

A Great Article to read that delves into this in regards to its connection to Mormonism is here – https://sunstone.org/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/050-16-26.pdf

Here are the connections between Smith’s “Translation” of the Book of Mormon and the data behind automatic writing.

1.) Some of the Authors within “Automatic Writing” seemed to have a serious lack of education

2.) Their writings contained details that indicated antiquity that the author couldn’t of known ( [O]ne time while he [Joseph] was translating he stopped suddenly, pale as a sheet, and said, ‘Emma, did Jerusalem have walls around it?’ When I answered ‘Yes,’ he replied ‘Oh! I was afraid I had been deceived.’ He had such limited knowledge of history at that time that he did not even know that Jerusalem was surrounded by walls.”)

3.) Able to discern things about the foreign lands and times that had a degree of accuracy to them.

4.) many “Automatic Writing” examples contained significantly less anachronisms than the book of Mormon

5.) “Automatic Writing” authors used a peep stone or crystal

6.) “Automatic Writing” authors moved away from a peep stone which they needed at first to being able to translate without one.

7.) Many of the significant “Automatic Writing” productions were Christian themed

8.) Some contained the voice of Christ

9.) Many were done by dictation

10.) At Least one stated its purpose was to answer three big questions “Where did we come from”, “Why are we here”, and “Where are we going”?

11.) Many of these productions were significantly longer than the “Book of Mormon”.

12.) many proposed to claim they were being given by voices of ancient people from antiquity

13.) several “Automatic Writing” authors were able to stop and take breaks and pick up exactly where they left off without being reminded where they were. ( According to Emma, when she and Joseph were interrupted during his translating, Joseph would later resume on the very sentence from which he had left off )

14.) numerous others found the “”Automatic Writing” to be believable

15.) numerous people found the “automatic writing” productions to be of a high quality of writing. For example Jane Eyre is believed to have been written this way.

16.) numerous others found some of the “”Automatic Writing” productions to be inspiring and worth basing one’s lived spirituality on.

17.) some of the “”Automatic Writing” productions were written to a world audience with revealed knowledge important to Salvation

18.) some of the “”Automatic Writing” productions seemed to pass the tests of appearing to be from antiquity and contained little to no contemporary material. (compare to the amount of 19th Century material in the Book of Mormon).

19.) much of the “Automatic Writing” productions claim to be channeling a divine source. (Gift and Power of God)

20.) Many “Automatic Writing” productions seemed to be beyond the competency of the person performing the “Automatic Writing”.

21.) some “Automatic Writing” productions were not only done by dictation but also had many words spelled out specifically

22.) many “Automatic Writing” productions contained really deep gems that were thought provoking. Poems, and passages that seem inspiring generally.

23.) reading “Automatic Writing” productions caused awe and wonder in their readers. (they essentially felt the spirit reading them)

24.) many “Automatic Writing” productions get a ton of things onto paper quickly such as 5000 words in a single evening ( Starting on April 7th, 1829, Joseph Smith began translating the Book of Mormon. He completed his translation on July 1st of that year—just 90 days! That makes for an average of about 8 pages per day. )

Hence Joseph Smith as an “Automatic Writer” makes incredible sense and has significant overlap and suggests that the Translation of the Book of Mormon is both NOT Unique, and NOT even that good compared to other examples of “Automatic Writing” such as these * The Sorry Tale – https://archive.org/details/sorrytaleastory01currgoog/page/n6/mode/2up

The Urantia Text – https://www.urantia.org/urantia-book/read-urantia-book-online
The Course in Miracles – https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/A_Course_in_Miracles_Text.pdf
Jane Eyre – https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1260/1260-h/1260-h.htm

Sheri Dew recently gave a Devotional Talk titled “Prophets Can See Around Corners” at BYU Hawaii on Nov 1st 2022. Bill and RFM take a deep look into this talk to see if what sort of apologetic tricks and absurd claims Sheri Dew makes this time around. Make some hot chocolate, grab a slice of fruitcake, and sit down by the fire, because Reel and RFM are going to fill your stockings with some Christmas Tidings and Apologetic Fallacies and Yuletide Cheer.

RESOURCES:

Sheri Dew’s Talk – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqFKbnzuF-M

Gordon B Hinkley’s 1998 Priesthood Talk – https://youtu.be/J2mcY_SkZSI

President Nelson Not Knowing about Covid Coming – https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/11nelson?lang=eng

President Nelson’s Stated Impetus vbehind the #HearHim – https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/the-story-behind-my-global-prayer-of-gratitude?lang=eng

This week we explore DezNat or a loosely connected group of folks who claim to be Deseret Nationals. We explore their violent rhetoric and their problematic ideology and we even have a former DezNat follower to help us add context to this story. #DezNat

RESOURCES:

Wiki DezNat – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DezNat

DezNat Twitter – https://twitter.com/DeseretNation

DezNat Exposed – https://exposedeznat.noblogs.org/

DezNat Exposed Twitter – https://twitter.com/exposedeznat

REFERENCES IN THE SHOW:

The Corbridge Manuever Part 1 – https://radiofreemormon.org/2019/03/radio-free-mormon-057-the-corbridge-manuever-part-1/

The Corbridge Manuever Part 2 – https://radiofreemormon.org/2019/03/radio-free-mormon-058-the-corbridge-manuever-part-2/

Wrong Roads – https://radiofreemormon.org/2017/05/extra-radio-free-mormon-wrong-roads/

Nancy Rigdon & The Happiness Letter – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJUtmzt3fJc

Since 1830 Mormonism has, as likely a part of it’s persecution complex, used violent rhetoric and has taught its members to use violent means. That rhetoric either leads to further violence or at least creates safer spaces for violence to occur. Today we look into Mormonism Past and Present to expose a history wide pattern… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 105: When Mormon Leaders Encourage Violence

What happens when a Member of the LDS Church stands opposed in a sustaining vote of Church leaders, follows the process the Church has laid out around “common consent”, and shows conclusively that current LDS Prophets, Seers, and Revelators have lied to the members. Well, you are about to find out, because Nemo does just… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 104: Captain Nemo VS The LDS Church

As a follow-up to episode 101 on the Third Convention, Thomas Murphy joins us to add clarity and context to all the ground we covered and to add details that make this story even more interesting. RESOURCES: The First Part – Video Version – https://youtu.be/Gmjk3Kht0S8 Slide Show used by Prof Murphy in this episode –… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 103: Thomas Murphy on the Third Convention

What is the greatest problem in the LDS Church? That question is at the heart of this week’s episode. Jim Bennett is our guest this week on Mormonism LIVE, as we explore this question and some of the territory surrounding it.

Apostasy is something the LDS Church show serious concern over. And why shouldn’t they knowing James Strang, Lorin C. Wooley, Denver Snuffer, Julie Rowe all have led Splinter Factions of one sort or another that have had influence over segments of Latter-day Saints. The idea that a few voices or even a single voice can… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 101: The Third Convention

To celebrate our 100th episode, we invite all of you to join us as we take a look back at the past 99 episodes and share which have been most meaningful and which are our favorites and we will be taking calls from you our listeners and letting you share with us which ones meant… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 100: 100th Episode Super Show

On this week’s episode we take a deeper look at the 1826 trial in Bainbridge, NY. We examine what led to the trial, what witnesses claimed, what we know about the trial proceedings, how Smith and Stowell got introduced to each other, and a few other interesting facts along the way that make this such… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 099: The 1826 Trial of Joseph Smith The Glass Looker

In this Episode Bill and RFM will go into a story few members know about in regards to the Prophet Joseph Smith and one of his young plural wives. It involves some re-gifting, a land deal, and Harsh Measures T-Shirt Contest Voting takes place here – https://forms.gle/MzBroWzRvk7EFEpQ9 A.) Lucien Woodworth born April 3rd 1799 becomes… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 098: Gold Gifts, Deeds, & Harsh Measures

A listener was able to have a candid chat with Elder Bednar recently and agreed to share with us how it went! This is part 2 of that conversation. Join us live!

RFM and Bill Reel will sit down with author Cheryl Bruno to discuss her book “Method Infinite: Freemasonry and the Mormon Restoration”. Synopsis of her book – “While no one thing can entirely explain the rise of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the historical influence of Freemasonry on this religious tradition cannot… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 096: Mormonism & Masonry

A listener was able to have a candid chat with Elder Bednar recently and agreed to share with us how it went! Join us live!

Dan Vogel joins RFM to discuss the Occult in the Life of Joseph Smith and his family.

In Mormon parlance, the Tar and Feathering of Joseph Smith is a faith promoting story about a mob of mean men punishing Joseph Smith for being a prophet. But it doesn’t take one long when their ears are to the ground in non-correlated circles to hear rumblings that the tar and feathering is connected to… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 093: The Tar and Feathering of Joseph Smith

RFM and Bill sit down with Movie Director Richard Dutcher to explore his career directing the movies God’s Army, Brigham City, & States of Grace. We take a look at these films through the perspective of Richard’s faith journey and take an evening to get to know the man who kicked of Mormon cinema. RESOURCES:… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 092: Mormon Movie Maker

Throughout multiple talks including one released just a few days ago, Sister Bonnie Cordon, Young Women general president, has spoke about the loss of her Grandson, Derek within Church approved channels. What she doesn’t say is that the death of this child is surrounded by horrific details that contradict witness statements that involve allegations of… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 091: Bonnie Cordon & The Breath of Life #HearHim

This week RFM and Bill sit down with the creator and musical artist known as Weird Alma. Weird Alma has brought us musical parodies such as Gaslighting, S.C.M.C., Tapirback Rider, You’re (Several Months Shy of) Fifteen, and many more. Weird Alma shows us firsthand that humor and music can play a role in our processing… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 090: Weird Alma Strikes Again

Mormonism LIVE: 089: Manipulation, Money, & Mormon Sex Abuse On this Episode Bill 7 RFM take a look at the recent Sex Abuse Scandal trying to explore the legal process and try to better understand the LDS Church’s perspective. We look at the Arizona Law, talk about the when , how, and why about the… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 089: Manipulation, Money, & Mormon Sex Abuse

A USAF sergeant explains how the strict demands of Mormonism broke him as a young man, making him feel completely alone and unaccepted by God, even causing eating disorders. After every solution the Church offered failed, he finally found healing through secular means.

Today we dive deep into the idea that Mormonism grooms compliance. We start by showing it is the baseline of our theology and belief system. We show how it is reinforced by our stories and songs, show all the pervasive ways it shows up in our faith system. And even how the Leaders impose such… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 087: Mormonism Grooms Compliance

Major News in Mormonism happened this week when a photograph surfaced alleging to be the Prophet Joseph Smith. So Bill and RFM dug into the story and followed the trail examining the Photographs, Portraits, Daguerreotypes, and other depictions both known to be Joseph for certain and also alleged to see if we could get to… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 086: Would the Real Joseph Smith Please Stand Up?

RFM and Bill sit down with Ronald Huggins, author of the new book “Lighthouse: Jerald and Sandra Tanner, Despised and Beloved Critics of Mormonism” & Sandra Tanner who is featured in the book to discuss some of the interesting stories that went into the published work. And towards the end of the show we discuss… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 085: Lighthouse – The Story of Tanners

When RFM and Bill Reel joined Mormonism, they heard rumors that Early LDS Leaders had taught that Mary was impregnated by Heavenly Father via a sexual act. But the Church and its apologists insisted that such idea was a misconstrued out of context assumption and with a sleight of hand the problem was gone…. Or… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 084: Did God Have Sex With Mary?

If one is finally at a place where they really want to understand both sides, really want to wrestle with their faith, what are the books that best introduce the believer to the complex history, the fallibility of prophets, and the trauma of Mormon influence? Bill and RFM seek to lay out a list of… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 083: The Best Books for Diving into the Messiness of Mormonism

We sit down with Former BYU Professor, and author of the book “This Is My Doctrine: The Development of Mormon Theology”, Charley Harrell to dive into several important assumptions Mormonism and its leaders and members impose in order to cleanly define doctrine. But do these really hold up? Can the word Doctrine as used within… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 082: Charley Harrell & Contemplating Mormon Doctrine

Aleesha Franklin, daughter of Ponzi-scheme magnate Gaylen Rust, returns to Mormonism LIVE to share her personal story of how a catastrophic failure of Priesthood Leadership, both local and general, led to her disaffection from the LDS Church

RFM and Bill take a look at Patriarchal Blessings looking at what these are and what they are not and even take a look at multiple Patriarchal Blessings from the same patriarchs attempting to untangle inspiration from the rote and mundane. OVERVIEW AND ELDRED G. SMITH Patriarchal Blessings are to declare lineage, and then to… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 080: The Patriarchal Blessing Connection

Bill & RFM take a look at Mormonism’s Holy Garments. We look at the history, doctrine, and disavowed theories and spiritual speculation around them. Are they a magical spiritual protection? Were they allowed to have their design changed? Must they be worn all day every day? What super secret sacred details will Bill and RFM… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 079: Mormonism’s History of The Holy Garments

RFM & Bill take a look at Affinity Fraud in Utah and that which seems to have a root in taking advantage of unhealthy boundaries of trust within Mormonism. Affinity Fraud is a type of investment fraud in which a con artist targets members of an identifiable group based on things such as race, age,… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 078: Mormon Affinity Fraud

Bill and RFM review a handful of clips from LDS Apologist, Jared Halverson. The discussion revolves around the games apologists play. These often include creating a framework and solutions to problems that to the believer seem tenable but when closely examined often hinge on fallacies or irrational thinking. The Apologist sees creating plausibility as a… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 077: Jared Halverson & The Games Apologists Play

Bill and RFM tell the story of the Kinderhook Plates episode in Mormon history in Mormonism Live fashion. From original Documents to Conspiracy Theories to a honest transparent conversation around the facts. We discuss the history, the tests done to attempt to discern their dating and method of inscription, the Church’s commentary around them, and… Read More »Mormonism Live: 075: Fugate’s Kinderhook Fugazi

RFM and Bill sit down with Sandra Tanner, a well known writer and researcher, on the critical side of Mormonism. We sit down with Sandra to discuss her impact within Mormonism and to touch on a few stories that viewers may find interesting.

In this week’s episode, Bill and RFM take a look at instances in Mormon History where LDS Leadership seem to be giving a stamp of approval to Leaders and Members to be dishonest, to lie, and to deceive. Once we understand the instruction and permissions given to be dishonest we can going forward see their… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 073: Lying For The Lord

We sit down with American anthropologist and Author, Thomas Murphy to discuss the Book of Mormon within the context of Native American History. We explore the legends and history of the indigenous people to see if there are connections there that help us examine the historicity of the Book of Mormon and the claims of… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 072: Neophytes & Lamanites In The Book of Mormon

Bill and RFM dive into the apocryphal book of Judith and point out the many similarities between that apocryphal story and the Book of Mormon’s story about Nephi and his encounter and eventual beheading of Laban. RESOURCES: debunking-cesletter.com/book-of-mormon-1/view-of-the-hebrews-joseph-smith-sr-dream/ http://jur.byu.edu/?p=21296 https://rsc.byu.edu/doctrine-covenants-revelations-context/joseph-smith-emanuel-swedenborg-section-76-importance-bible https://i.redd.it/uckai9n1qyn81.jpg https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-91-the-apocrypha?lang=eng https://www.ksl.com/article/11790001/joseph-smith-family-bible-goes-on-sale https://i.redd.it/71fpzs9h69x01.png http://wordtree.org/thelatewar/ https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/answers/Question:_Did_Joseph_Smith_create_the_story_of_Nephi_and_Laban_by_plagiarizing_concepts_and_phrases_from_the_story_of_Judith_and_Holofernes_in_the_Apocrypha%3F https://ebible.org/pdf/eng-kjv/eng-kjv_JDT.pdf https://ebible.org/pdf/eng-kjv/eng-kjv_JDT.pdf

RFM and Bill sit down once again with Dan Vogel and Brent Metcalfe to examine the problems with the Book of Abraham as a translation of an ancient document in a sacred text for Mormonism generally and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints specifically. Dan and Brent share their scholarship and help us… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 070: Critical Scholarship and Book of Abraham Historicity

Bill Reel and RFM will dive into Mormon Gaslighting. They will discuss the psychology of gaslighting, discuss its origin, and then delve into a handful of examples among the hundreds that could be explored and conclude discussing the harm that comes to the one being gaslit. RESOURCES: https://mormonismlive.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Gaslighting-Examples.pdf Movie Gaslight – https://youtu.be/UYmtzaHwCKo?t=828 Elder Ballard not… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 069: Gaslighting From Mormon Leadership

RFM and Bill Reel sit down with special guests to discuss what The LDS Church looks like in Africa and how its membership upon this continent is affected uniquely.

Bill and RFM sit down with Carah Burrell, co-host on the Mormon Stories podcast, and TikToker under name “nuancehoe”. In our conversation we delve into Prophets, Evolution, the argument against there being free will, and if time we hope to delve into dogma as debated by Sam Harris and Jordan Peterson Resources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u45SP7Xv_oU

RFM and Bill sit down with David Bokovoy and with a title like that, who knows where the conversation might go………… David Bokovoy holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East and an MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies both from Brandeis University. He received his BA from Brigham Young University,… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 066: David Bokovoy – Sex, Eden and The Family

What happens when rather than get in close to the sticky issues of Mormonism you step back? In fact step back so far as to see the 30,000 foot view and look at what Mormonism has standing in the way of its truth claims. And how such speaks to just how reasonable and rational it… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 065: Mormonism & The 30,000 Foot View

Mormonism LIVE: 064: The Role of Women In The Church RFM and Bill dive into the issue of Women in the Church and their role. What does the Church want women to think and believe and what does the system of Mormonism actually tell Women about their place within the Church? We have a guest… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 064: The Role of Women In The Church

The earliest account of the First Vision poses some conflict within Mormon Truth Claims about what Joseph Smith experienced and what was invented about the Founding event in Mormonism. If there is no First Vision, there is significant reason to believe the rest of Mormonism is on shaky ground. So how do apologists deal with… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 063: First Vision Apologetics

BYU has a history of manipulating & pressuring its educators into consistently stopping short of teaching modern best accepted ideas and research. While it claims to be a university that values education what it really does it limit the critical thinking skills and works to prevent its students from having access to the best information.… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 062: BYU’s Fight Against Modernity Past & Present

RFM and Bill Reel sit down with Dan Vogel and Brent Metcalfe on this week’s episode of Mormonism LIVE ! And you aren’t going to believe the stories these two have.

Tonight’s episode delves into the recent addition to Mormonism LIVE, Maven. Maven recently joined RFM and Bill Reel as the show manager. She does all the dirty work and increases the shows production value and from time to time she adds a powerful informed female voice to the show. Up until now she has remained… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 060: The Unmasking of Maven

RFM and Bill Reel sit down with Kelly Whited Jones and Jana Spangler to dive into the history and current standing of Women and the Equal Rights Amendment and specifically that history within Utah and the Mormon Church. Resources: utaheracoalition.org

Mormonism LIVE: 058: Mormon Apologist Skullduggery – The Mystery of the Second Watson Letter Playing off of last week’s “Two Hills Cumorah” episode we investigate the claim of a “2nd Watson letter”. What we find is not only more apologist obfuscations but perhaps one of the biggest underhanded maneuvers LDS apologists have ever pulled off.

RFM and Bill Reel tackle the two Hills Cumorah theory. The explain how Cumorah fits within our scriptures, show us how it was understood and taught all through early Church history and when in the modern times it changed and how that course adjustment has the Church approaching it today. To the believers who always… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 057: The Two Hills Cumorah Theory

RFM and Bill sit down with a former BYU Professor to discuss the experience of losing your faith while working for the Lord’s University. RESOURCES: https://www.louisakillian.com/ www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpUN29orJmM www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg36L1989Ss&t mylifebygogogoff.com/2020/08/how-a-new-instagram-page-is-exposing-apostate-byu-professors.html

Bill Reel and RFM take a look at the Historical Jesus and hit on the main points that Biblical criticism brings into focus and once they are done, your Christmases may never be the same. Jesus son of Mary – Illegitimate birth. Mark infers. The early church theologian Origen (d. 251 CE) has a polemical… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 055: Christmas & The Historical Jesus

RFM & Bill Reel explore Missions and how an LDS Mission can contain some strange experiences and difficulty. They accomplish this by sitting down with with someone who had just that sort of Mission.

Mormonism LIVE: 053: One Year Anniversary RFM and Bill Reel kick of the second year of Mormonism LIVE with a look back of the past 52 weeks since Mormonism Live’s inception. We look at the favorite episodes of both us and the viewers. We look back at any funny moments, and wonder where the next… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 053: One Year Anniversary

On November 12, 2021, Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ First Presidency addressed the community in a meeting. The meeting included Question and Answer on the University of Virginia Campus. In that Q&A Elder Oaks is asked about his treatment and his own development of views on… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 052: Elder Oaks’ Electroshock Hoax

Wednesday Nov. 24th, RFM and Bill sat down with Denver Snuffer and discuss his life and the happenings around the Christian fellowships of “the Remnants” movement. Denver Snuffer is an author of Restorationist devotional books, a lecturer, a speculative theologian, and a revelator to fellowships of the remnants movement, a spiritual movement in schism with… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 051: Denver Snuffer

Preparing on a short week with our focus on Thrive & the Midnight Mormon’s Debate with RFM has us selecting an interesting topic that is light and fun. So Wednesday November 17th RFM and Bill Reel dive into the old folklore surrounding Bigfoot being none other than Cain. The origination story, and how Prophets, Seer’s,… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 050: Bigfoot, Cain, & Prophetic Mormon Mythmaking

RFM and Bill Reel start with a conversation with a relatively recent legal action that completes the Apostolic Coup D’etat and does it with a coup de grâce. After which we discuss the upcoming trip to THRIVE this weekend and the debate on Saturday November 13th between RFM and Midnight Mormons RESOURCES: https://mormonismlive.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Amended-and-Restated-Articles-Filed-4-21-2020.pdf https://mormonismlive.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Amended-Articles-Filed-6-19-19.pdf https://mormonismlive.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Articles-of-Merger-Filed-11-18-2020.pdf… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 049: The Pre-Debate Tailgate Party

We sit down with author and Illustrator of the book “The Glass Looker”, Mark Elwood and discuss how he incorporated Joseph Smith’s Treasure Digging into a beautiful animated book. We discuss how he decided what to include and what impact he hopes this book has RESOURCES: How the Project Came Together – https://theglasslooker.com/behind-the-scenes/ Order the… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 048: Mark Elwood & The Glass Looker

Radio Free Mormon & Jonathan Streeter (Filling in for Bill Reel) deliver a special Halloween Episode fielding live phone calls where listeners can share their spooky tales.

WARNING: We will be dealing with the sensitive topic of Self Harm. If you have self harm ideation and are triggered by discussion around such, please skip this episode in lieu of another. In Tonight’s Episode Bill Reel and RFM will take a deep historical dive into the topic of Suicide within Mormon Theology and… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 046: Suicide Within Mormon History & Theology

Radio Free Mormon takes Bill Reel and the rest of us through Shakespeare’s Macbeth in order to connect some dot in Mormonism on two issues. The First is the Apologetic response that if the critic can’t explain how something is done then it must be a miracle and second how Church Leaders always seem ambiguous… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 045: Mormonism and Macbeth

Today we take a look at the Logical Fallacy of the Straw Man argument and juxtapose it against what it means to Steel Man someone. A Straw Man argument is when you misrepresent someone’s argument to make it easier to attack. We define a Straw Man argument, share an example, discuss how to incorporate good… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 044: Straw Man vs Steel Man: A Lesson In Rational Thinking

In tonight’s Episode RFM and Bill Reel discuss the Danites in Mormonism, Who they were and what their purpose was. Then They quickly shift to showing how that same modus operandi is at work today inside Modern Mormonism through the SCMC, and other people and processes that work to ensure that believing members are kept… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 043: Modern Day Mormon Danites

In 1886 LDS Prophet and Church President John Taylor documented a Revelation whereby Jesus Christ himself informed Taylor that Polygamy (The New and Everlasting Covenant) can and will NEVER be done away. Only to have the Church later disavow and distance themselves from Polygamy. On this Episode Bill Reel and RFM will help us understand… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 042: Revelation, Excommunications, Lies & Obfuscations: The 1886 John Taylor Divination

Mormonism LIVE!: 041: Solving the LDS Church Homosexuality Issue Elder Holland recently explained ““I and many of my Brethren have spent more time and shed more tears on this subject than we could ever adequately convey to you this morning, or any morning. We have spent hours discussing what the doctrine of the Church can… Read More »Mormonism LIVE!: 041: Solving the LDS Church Homosexuality Issue

Since its inception in 1830 LDS Leaders have been consistent at one thing. While lip service is given to being a Church that has Prophets, Seers, and Revelators who claim to speak for God and give direction from on high, these men seem to always be behind the times, stating outdated false misconceptions and teaching… Read More »Mormonism LIVE! 040: Symphony Of LGBT Mis-Direction & Mr. Holland Dopus

In Mormonism the very elite of membership including Stake Presidents, Mission Presidents, along with Seventies and the top 15 along with all their wives receive a secret ritual that confers to them that their “Calling and Election” has been made sure. What is this ritual? What do we know about it? How has the church… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 038: The Second Anointing

With so many people asking “Why Hasn’t RFM Been Excommunicated Yet?” We decided to go right to the horse’s mouth and ask a member of RFM’s Stake Presidency. That member of the Stake Presidency will be on with us LIVE to answer that very question and more.

Today Bill and RFM will look into events that the Church and/or its Leaders were involved in that seem to have the “Appearance of Evil”. From Elder Ballard’s time selling cars to buying Valley Music Hall to becoming an Apostle of the Lord, to what appeared to be a Hostile Takeover by Quentin Cook of… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 036: Hostile Takeovers, Bailouts, & Other Backroom Deals

In this week’s episode of Mormonism Live, we will investigate the integrity of the not only the President of the Church but also the integrity of the Quorum of the 12. Once one grasps the systemic issue within LDS Leadership, One’s trust in them becomes anything other guaranteed. RESOURCES: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2016-01-1000-worldwide-devotional-january-2016?lang=eng 45:35 – 46:38 Time Stamp… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 035: Will The Real Apostle Please Stand Up !

Today We explore a story President Nelson has told for years about a flight he was on in the 1970’s. He reports the plane’s engine exploding, the wing catching fire, a death spiral by the plane, the chaos aboard, and the plane’s landing in a farmer’s field. This story had many questioning the truthfulness of… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 033: President Nelson’s Flight of Death

We sit down with Lindsay Hansen Park, host of “The Year of Polygamy” podcast and discuss the most troubling aspects of Joseph Smith’s polygamy and LDS Polygamy at large. Lucy Walker, the Partridge Sisters, Fanny Alger, Helen Mar Kimball, and others. RESOURCES: https://www.yearofpolygamy.com/ https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/2017/12/premium-lucy-walker-spiritual-experiences/ https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/2019/08/mormon-discussion-342-nancy-rigdon-and-the-happiness-letter/ mormondiscussionpodcast.org/2020/08/gospel-topic-essays-011-plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo/ http://wivesofjosephsmith.org/2021-EmilyandElizaPartridge.htm Also don’t forget to support Sunstone by purchasing… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 032: Lindsay Hansen Park – Troubling Aspects of Joseph Smith’s Polygamy

Today we catch up on current events namely discussing the recent property purchases by the Church in Washington and Hawaii. We then discuss the recent language of judgement by famous LDS author and now General Authority (second counselor in the Young Men general presidency) Brad Wilcox about how those who leave can be seen to… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 031: Property Purchases & Changed Countenances

RFM and Bill will sit down with a listener from England who will share with us an exciting discovery he made regarding the Liahona in Book of Mormon. This is likely the first time this discovery will be shared publicly.

We sit down with Taylor Drake to talk about his new book, “Joseph in the Gap”, and how this book has led to a disciplinary council with his Stake President on June 30th. Book “Joseph in The Gap” – https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Gap-History-Explains-Mormonisms/dp/B08YQCQB87

Joseph in the Gap: The Hidden History That Explains Mormonism's Past, Present, and Future

Today we wit down with John Dehlin, host of Mormon Stories and Pioneer who blazed the trail into historical transparency regarding Mormon History and Social Dysfuntion using the internet as the vehicle. His podcast pioneered a new phase in Mormonism where Scholars talked openly and and the Church could be held accountable for its unhealthiness.

We sit down with author, Spencer Wright, to talk about Logical Fallacies. We will examine a few ways in which certain fallacies are used in Mormonism and help the viewer/listener grasp how irrational certain apologetic arguments are. How Mormon Apologists carefully move the person investigating truth claims and history to making room for anything that… Read More »Mormonism LIVE ! : 027: Spencer Wright – Apologetic Logical Fallacies

We sit down with Creative Content Producer Nemo and discuss his work at fact Checking the LDS Church.

Mormonism has placed each believer into having to choose which Prophets you believe and which Prophets you don’t. Choosing which Prophets are right about the views they hold claiming they got them from God and which prophets were simply wrong claiming something came from God when it must surely be their own false view since… Read More »Mormonism LIVE !: 025: The Adam God Deception

This week RFM and Bill Reel use the recent Salt Lake Trib article as a starting point to discuss why Heavenly mother is such a big deal. Or rather why so many are insisting we talk about her and why so many others demand we don’t.

Tonight Radio Free Mormon and Bill Reel take another look at the recent regional conference focusing on how Elder Holland and Bonnie Cordon handle questions from the Young adult members of the Church.

This Week RFM and Bill Reel takes a deeper look at the an old allegation that has been dragged out once again by critics against John Dehlin. And specifically the facts and documentation surrounding the case. And what do they find…… but that the claims the alleged victim seems to contain two major discrepancies. One… Read More »Mormonism LIVE!: 021: Sexual Allegation Against John Dehlin Goes Down In Flames

A lot happened this past Sunday in Mormonism. Natasha Helfer had a disciplinary court and later in the week was excommunicated. And Kwaku coming off of our interview attempted to drive people to video drudging up old allegations against John Dehlin but encasing it in a bait and switch put over on people as “My… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 020: Natasha Helfer’s Court of Love & Kwaku’s Bait And Switch

Live Show on Wednesdays 6:20 PM Mountain Time on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5n_8_6j00PSeju0hu2CFXQKwaku El in Studio for a Live Conversation about FAIR and Saints Unscripted Kwaku has graciously accepted our invitation to sit down on Mormonism LIVE ! with Radio Free Mormon and Bill Reel to discuss primarily his separating from Saints Unscripted and having projects he… Read More »Mormonism LIVE: 019: Kwaku El Live in Studio

Mormonism LIVE ! – April 2021 General Conference Edition RFM and Bill Reel will sit down and review some of big happenings and talks in April 2021 General Conference. And if absolutely zilch happens, then we will address the recent handbook changes and discuss what they say about where they came from and where the… Read More »Mormonism LIVE ! : 018: Lazy Learners & Shrinkage

As RFM prepared for last weeks episode on Miner’s Hill he came across some things in regards to Joseph Smith’s treasure Digging that you won’t want to miss. Mormonism LIVE ! Tonight has multiple bombshells with one of them being YUGE! Like blew my mind HUUUUGE. These are all things almost everyone doesn’t know with… Read More »Mormonism LIVE ! : 017: Mormon Minecraft

How prevalent was Joseph Smith’s treasure digging? Where all did Joseph Smith dig for treasures. What do we know about these treasure seeking sites? What do the historical sources tell us about these treasure digs? Black Sheep, Gold Furniture, Sacred scripture translated inside these man dug caves. RESOURCES: KC Kern & Greg Pavone Miner’s Hill… Read More »Mormonism LIVE !: 016: Peek Stones, Sheep’s Bones, and Gold Thrones all on Miner’s Hill

On tonight’s episode RFM and Bill Reel dive further into the Mark Hofmann story exposing Elder Oaks and at the time Elder Gordon B. Hinckley as potentially deceiving and lying about what transpired in their meeting with Hofmann and their efforts to obtain what they believed were authentic and also damaging documents to the Church’s… Read More »Mormonism LIVE !: 015: Tales of Hofmann

Using a recent video published by the LDS Church titled “How Can It Not Be True”, RFM and Bill Reel take this short 1 minute and 15 second video that attempts to impose faulty evidence and faulty reasoning as proving the Church is true and decimate it. When they are finished, answering the question How… Read More »Mormonism LIVE !: 014: How Can It Not Be True?

Using a recent article in the Church Magazine “Liahona” (Formerly the Ensign) published by the LDS Church, RFM and Bill Reel dissect whether the Church acts in good faith with how it imposes its narrative and who it blames when that narrative is pointed out as not accurate. When the Church is informed that it… Read More »Mormonism LIVE !: 013: What Bad Faith Looks Like

RFM and Bill Reel have a guest on today, Chris Bloxham, who gets us started by telling us a funny story from his mission. After that we give our callers a chance to share their funny mission stories, and finish off having RFM share a funny story from his mission. Please donate to Mormonism LIVE… Read More »MORMONISM LIVE !: 012: The Funniest Missionary Story

There are five rules to the game of Mormonism; all of them from the perspective of church leaders: Rule No. 1–We are going to hide stuff from you. Rule No. 2–We are going to try to keep you from finding the stuff we are hiding from you. Rule No. 3–We are going to lie about… Read More »MORMONISM LIVE !: 011: The Rules of the Game

In todays Episode Jonathan Streeter fills in for Bill Reel and takes RFM on a journey discussing the first miracle in Mormonism. They discuss the role that Demonic possessions and exorcisms play in religion generally and how such things have influenced Mormonism specifically Episode outline Cold Open – Anatomy of a Performance Exorcism Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnkLBZZuNmI… Read More »MORMONISM LIVE !: 010: Demonic Possession, Exorcism, and Mormonism

Moroni 7:27 asks Has the day of Miracles Ceased? The answer in the scriptures is nay. Yet What happens when we take a look at what LDS Leaders suggest as the miracles that are happening. We use two Sound clips at the backdrop of todays discussion. One is David Bednar’s recent BYU devotional where Elder… Read More »MORMONISM LIVE !: 009: Elder David Bednar & Wendy Nelson, Has The Day Of Miracles Ceased?

We once again develop this weeks episode around Director of the Church History Library, Keith Erekson. Except this time we address his expertise as a hoax expert. No Seriously, this guy is one of the worlds experts on discerning hoaxes. He has written articles, given presentations, and taught in academia about such helping people for… Read More »MORMONISM LIVE !: 008: Keith Erekson Hoax Expert

Tonight RFM and Bill Reel take a look at how Director of the Church History Library, Keith A. Erekson, frames apologetics, inoculation, and publicly frames the criticisms of the Church. What tone does he use? What approach does he take with the critic and their criticisms? What approach does he take with the issues? How… Read More »MORMONISM LIVE !: 007: Keith Erekson – Analysis of the Director of the Church History Library

RFM and Bill Reel take a look at the December 2020 Changes to the General Handbook of Instruction within the LDS Church. This Second part starts with a special Guest, Wendi Wilcock Jensen, as we dive into the handbook section on Energy Work. From there we discuss the changes involving Transgender people, Changes on the approach to… Read More »Mormonism LIVE !: 006: LDS Handbook Changes December 2020 Part 2

RFM and Bill Reel take a look at the December 2020 Changes to the General Handbook of Instruction within the LDS Church. There is a major bombshell in this episode dealing with the hierarchy of doctrine when comparing the handbook with the teachings of the living prophets and the holy scriptures. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/title-page?lang=eng

Mormon Apologists have forever pointed out that one criticism of Mormon Truth claims is Joseph Smith’s use of the female name Alma for a males name. After citing the criticism, Mormon Apologists immediately follow up with evidence of Alma’s use as a Male name in the ancient eastern world. But is this really an argument… Read More »Mormonism LIVE !: 004: The Rise And Fall of Alma as Apologetic

RFM and Bill Reel dive into the FairMormon “This Is The Show” video on the Book of Abraham. Stephen Smoot, Kwaku, the Powers that be at FairMormon, and so much more……….

The Inaugural Episode of Mormonism Live kicks off tackling FairMormon’s new video series name “This Is The Show” that is intended for a younger audience. Radio Free Mormon (RFM) and Bill Reel dive into whether they take on this project with honesty towards the material and compassion towards those who lose faith. Sadly on both… Read More »Mormonism Live!: 001: FairMormon & This Is The Show