Rameumptom Ruminations

In this episode of Rameumptom Ruminations , we explore doubt not as the enemy of faith, but as a sacred doorway to deeper, more honest spirituality. Drawing from literature, Movies, and lived experience, we examine how high-demand religions like Mormonism often idealize certainty, and how this can obscure the value of questions and struggle. Through the lens of epistemic humility and the metaphor...

In today’s episode, Scott explores how individuals can reclaim and redefine their sense of morality after stepping away from religious authority. He examines the shift from inherited values to consciously chosen ethics, drawing on philosophical thinkers to ground the idea of moral autonomy. Through personal reflection and discussion of life beyond institutional commandments, the episode enco...

In this episode of Rameumptom Ruminations , we explore the emotional complexity of hearing others express beliefs we once held, especially when used to explain away difficult aspects of LDS doctrine. Through the lens of Buddhist compassion and Stoic self-mastery, we reflect on how to approach these conversations with empathy rather than argument. By letting go of the need to change others and focu...

This episode delves into the emotional complexities of engaging with believing family and friends after leaving a shared faith. It highlights the pain of feeling unseen or invalidated when loved ones fail to recognize the emotional toll their beliefs can still exert. Through personal stories and reflections, the episode seeks to offer understanding and solidarity to those navigating these difficul...

Leaving a high-demand religion can be a painful and transformative experience, but how do we ensure we don’t repeat the same patterns of judgment and exclusion we once faced? In this episode, we explore the cycle of harm, the dangers of tribalism, and how we can engage critically without dehumanizing others. Drawing from philosophy, psychology, and personal reflection, we examine how anger can be...

A month ago, Marti from the Where Will You Go podcast interviewed Scott with a series of rapid-fire questions. Marti is an excellent podcast host and if any of the listeners to Rameumptom Ruminations are not already listening to her podcast, please give her your support. Please consider becoming a monthly recurring donor to the podcast. 

In today’s episode, Scott responds to a believing member of the church that commented on a few of the episodes over the summer months. Said commenter referred to the podcast as being antagonistic of the LDS church. Please consider becoming a monthly recurring donor to the podcast.

Today’s episode is a rebroadcast of an interview on the Mormonish Podcast with Rebecca and Landon from August of 2023. The wonderful team over there invited Scott onto their show to ask him some questions about Rameumptom Ruminations. Make sure to follow Mormonish wherever you’re streaming this episode.

After a month and a half break, Scott is back making content. This episode is a quick message let the listeners know that next week, episodes will resume production in full.

The LDS church encourages all members and potential converts to follow Moroni’s promise in Moroni 10:4–5. They are encouraged to read the Book of Mormon and then ask God if it is true. Missionaries then tell people that all the other truth claims within the church must also be true. In todays episode, Scott explains why this line of reasoning uses the hasty generalization fallacy to prove th...

What if the LDS church is true? The question posed last week received a larger number of comments than normal. This week, Scott will reply to a handful of them from a spectrum of agreement to disagreement and frustration. The topic will still center on Pascal’s wager and some responses to it. Is the cost of belief, according to pascals wager, negligible? Please consider becoming a monthly re...

What if the LDS church is true? This question is one that many of us that leave the church are faced with when we talk with loving family and friends. It is a variation on Pascal’s Wager. In this episode, we’ll discuss this question and Pascal’s wager to see what responses we as doubters or non-believers might say in response to it. Please consider becoming a monthly recurring do...

Two weeks ago when we discussed President Oaks May 2023 worldwide youth devotional, a few people commented on a remark Scott made while recording. A line in the devotional bothered Scott and he didn’t spend the time to go over why. In today’s episode, Scott goes back to that discussion and reads some of your comments. The quote in question comes from the talk Wholehearted by sister Mic...

Last week, the lovely ladies over at 21st Century Saints had a huge announcement. After a year-long effort encouraging the LDS church in the UK, big changes happened without the church excommunicating the activists. Today, Jane Christie joins the podcast to talk about their news, their podcast, and her lived experience as a nuanced believer in the LDS church. Please go follow 21st Century saints w...

On May 21st of 2023, President and Sister Oaks gave a worldwide devotional to the youth of the church. Much of what they said is not new to any longtime member of the church, but there were a few key moments worth commenting on. The title of this episode is inflammatory, but give the episode a listen and decide for yourself if I misunderstood what President Oaks said in his address. Please conside...

Brady Nordfelt joins the show again this week to continue their discussion about BYU-I admissions. Brady is a former BYU-I admissions office employee who brings a unique perspective to the discussion around Mormonism and LDS thought. In this episode, we dive deeper into his time working for the church and discuss some of his observations about the institution. The ideas expressed are from Brady&#8...

Former BYU-I admissions office employee Brady Nordfelt joins the podcast today to discuss his faith transition while working full-time for the church. Brady discusses some issues that led him to doubt and leave the church, as well as some of the projects that he led while working for the church. Please consider becoming a monthly recurring donor to the podcast.

The practice of tithing in the modern LDS church has led to the hoarding of billions of dollars. How was tithing practiced in the early church and does it resemble the modern teachings? Today, Scott covers a brief history of tithing practices within the LDS church. Please consider becoming a monthly recurring donor to the podcast by following this link. 

The LDS church often cites the old testament to back up its claims about the practice of tithing; Abraham paying tithes to Melchizedek, and the windows of heaven opening. How was tithing practiced in the ancient world, and does it resemble the modern tithe in Christian churches today? Please consider becoming a monthly recurring donor to the podcast.

Apparently, the subject of the SEC charges against the church is not quite put to rest. A believing commenter in the previous episode presented a great jumping-off point to state Scott’s objections to the behavior of the LDS church. Today, he reads one last comment and addresses the subject one last time as concisely as possible. Please consider becoming a monthly recurring donor to the podc...

In the last few episodes, Scott covered the SEC charges against the LDS church from a few different angles. Today, we’ll find out what the listeners have to say about shell companies and obfuscation. Please consider becoming a monthly recurring donor to the podcast.

What gives the scriptures moral authority? Every branch of Christianity uses its favorite translation of the Old and New Testaments, but they all come away from the text with different understandings of what is and is not a commandment. Biblical Scholar and former scripture translator for the LDS church, Dan McClellan joins the podcast today to discuss negotiating meaning in the text. Please consi...

What counsel do the leaders of the church give to Bishops in regard to the handling of the lord’s funds? Are they following their own counsel? Continuing the discussion from last week on the SEC charges against the LDS church, Scott tries to put into perspective the size of the number 1 billion. Last month February 2023, The Security and Exchange Commission filed charges against Ensign Peak...

Last month February 2023, The Security and Exchange Commission filed charges against Ensign Peak Advisors Inc. Ensign Peak is a non-profit operated by the LDS church. In today’s episode, Scott compares two times when a prophet has broken the law; Daniel and the Lion’s Den and the Modern Church. Please consider becoming a monthly recurring donor to the podcast.

Erika Nordfelt from Greenstone Counseling joins the Podcast again to continue our discussion surrounding shame and the LDS Church. Many of us that leave the LDS church have experienced shame or guilt associated with the religion. During Erika’s time working at the counseling department at BYU Idaho, she began the process of religious deconstruction because of the shame she witnessed associat...