Things I Wish I Could Say in Sunday School

Topics: 1) Zion; and 2) The Law In this week's episode, we delve into thought-provoking topics related to personal freedom, belonging, and the true essence of unity. As we explore Doctrine and Covenants sections 37 through 44, we reflect on the concept of Zion and the significance of building a community where individuals are valued for their unique identities rather than forced conformity. We dis...

Topics: 1) Missionary work; 2) People who leave. In this week's episode, the focus is on sharing candid thoughts about missionary work and the experience of people who leave the church. The lesson challenges traditional ideas and encourages open conversations about personal spirituality and faith. The discussion questions the approach of pushing spiritual beliefs onto others and critiques the "ora...

Topics: 1) Sacrament food and drink; 2) Hiram page’s revelation; 3) All things unto me are spiritual; and 4) The devil cannot tempt children. Welcome to another episode where we delve into sometimes unspoken ideas in Sunday School teachings. This week, we explore the concept of focusing on the spirit rather than the letter of the law, as demonstrated in the doctrine of sacrament food and drink. Th...

Topics: 1) Emma Hale Smith; and 2) Common consent. In this episode of "Things I Wish I Could Say in Sunday School," we delve into the complexities surrounding the life of Emma Hale Smith, the wife of Joseph Smith, and her tumultuous relationship with the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We explore her challenges, her defiance against polygamy, and her strained relations with Brig...

Topics: 1) The need for a church; 2) Women and priesthood; and 3) Obeying the prophet yields divine protection. In this episode, we dive into a refreshing perspective on common teachings, particularly challenging the notion of the necessity of organized religion. We question prevailing beliefs on why religious organizations, especially churches, are deemed essential and explore if they truly align...

Topics: 1) The worth of souls is great; and 2) Manipulating Martin Harris. In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the concept of the worth of souls as taught in Doctrine and Covenants sections 18. The discussion challenges societal conditioning that assigns unequal value to individuals based on wealth, race, gender, and other factors. By exploring these biases, we uncover the importance...

Topics: 1) The 116 lost pages; 2) Restoration of the priesthood; and 3) Witnesses of the Book of Mormon. In this episode of "Things I Wish I Could Say in Sunday School," we embark on a journey to explore some lesser-discussed aspects of the Latter-day Saint history. We dive into the intriguing story of the 116 Lost Pages, shedding light on the tensions and theories surrounding their disappearance....

Topics: 1) Translation of the Book of Mormon; 2) Martin Harris and Professor Charles Anthon; and 3) Oliver Cowdery’s translation attempt. Explore the lesser-known account of the Book of Mormon's translation process, uncovering how Joseph Smith used a seer stone rather than the traditional Urim and Thummim. This casts doubt on what many were taught and the Church's main narrative. Dive into the int...

Topics: 1) The term First Vision; 2) Four different versions; and 3) The narrative of Joseph Smith-History. This episode questions the use of the term "first vision" and explores the inconsistencies among four accounts provided by Joseph Smith. We discuss how the term "vision" signifies a superficial experience, possibly undermining the profound impact it's presumed to have. We also look into Jose...

Topics: 1) Restoration; 2) Only true and living church; and 3) Voice of my servants is the same. In this episode, we explore unconventional ideas about familiar religious teachings, focusing on the concept of restoration within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. By examining the original organization of the Christian church and comparing it with modern structures, the discussion chal...

Topics: 1) Moroni's promise; 2) Spiritual gifts. In this episode, we delve into Moroni Chapter 10, discussing concepts like Moroni's promise and spiritual gifts with a fresh perspective. This episode marks the conclusion of the Book of Mormon series, with reflections on finding truth beyond literal interpretations and understanding the subjective nature of spiritual experiences. We break down Moro...

Topics: 1) "By their works ..."; 2) Charity; and 3) Baptizing little children. The topics of discussion include the concepts of intent versus impact, redefining charity, and understanding the baptism of little children. We challenge the traditional binary view of good and evil actions, emphasizing the importance of the impact of our words and deeds over mere intent. We also explore the notion of c...

Topics: 1) The Book of Moroni is an addendum; and 2) Church meetings. This episode dives into the Book of Moroni, exploring its unique role as an addendum to the Book of Mormon. The conversation challenges conventional narratives by suggesting that Joseph Smith used the Book of Moroni to include crucial topics he couldn't easily fit elsewhere. Discussing ordinations, priesthood authority, and Moro...

Topics: 1) Faith and trials; 2) Weakness and strength; and 3) Hope. In this episode, we delve into topics that often remain unspoken in traditional Sunday school settings. Our focus is on faith, trials, weakness, strength, and hope as explored in Ether chapter 12. We kick off with an analysis of Ether 12:6, a scripture mastery verse, which states that faith is things hoped for and not seen—prompti...

Topics: 1) Morality in leaders; and 2) Secret combinations. In this episode, the focus is on discussing the impact of leaders' morality. The host shares his honest feelings about the moral implications of the elected leaders and encourages important discussions on personal and societal values. Furthermore, the topic of secret combinations is discussed, specifically highlighting issues within the C...

In this episode, we explore the theme of responsibility through the lens of Ether chapters 1-5 from the Book of Mormon. Delving into the story of Jared and his brother, we examine the dynamics of spiritual responsibility and the implications of delegating our own spiritual tasks to others. We begin by discussing the story of God confounding the language at the Tower of Babel, and how Jared relied...

Topics: 1) Imagining God; 2) Learning from others’ imperfection. In this episode, we delve into the themes of "Imagining God" and "Learning from others' imperfection." We explore the concept of imagining God, acknowledging that our perceptions are shaped by personal experiences and cultural contexts. This discussion encourages open-mindedness and curiosity about differing views of God, helping us...

Topics: 1) How involved is God in people's lives? 2) Prosper in the land. In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the complexities of divine involvement in our lives, inspired by the lessons from Mormon chapters 1-6. The discussion centers on the controversial idea of God controlling events, such as punishing or blessing groups collectively, and how this narrative aligns with individual e...

Topics: 1) The name of the church; 2) What do ye desire? We explore the significance of the church's name, tracing its historical evolution and examining whether it truly matters to God or Christ. Through a candid analysis, we consider the branding and identity implications of the name changes within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, especially under different leaderships. Additiona...

Topics: 1) The House of Israel; and 2) Tithing.   In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into topics that often go unspoken in Sunday school discussions: the House of Israel and tithing. The episode challenges traditional views, questioning the notion of a 'chosen people' and the implications of such doctrines on modern faith and inclusivity. We examine the idea of special privileges for cert...

Topic: Pondering. In this episode, we delve into the concept of pondering. We explore why Christ urged people to ponder His words and how this practice can lead to deeper understanding and meaningful discussions. The episode examines the transformative power of pondering, emphasizing its role in helping us wrestle with ideas, expand our perspectives, and construct personal narratives. By questioni...

Topic: The higher law. We delve into Christ's teachings, emphasizing the importance of evolving our behavior and intentions. Christ calls us to not only act righteously but to genuinely care for and love others. This episode challenges the traditional messages often heard in church, advocating for spiritual growth that transcends mere obedience to rules. We discuss the necessity of love as the gui...

Topic: Forgiveness from God. The manual emphasizes that Jesus Christ is eager to forgive, but I question the idea that God or Christ need to forgive us. This leads us to explore our relationship with God, the nature of sin, and the true essence of forgiveness. Contrary to common beliefs, forgiveness is more about the victim letting go and moving forward, rather than a divine memory wipe or erasure...

Topics: 1) Being prepared is freeing; and 2) Division within the church. We explore the story of Lachoneus and the Gadianton robbers, drawing parallels to modern events and emphasizing the freedom that comes from being prepared both physically and mentally. The episode also addresses the growing divisions within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, discussing issues such as wealth disp...

Topic: Prophets. Welcome to "Things I Wish I Could Say in Sunday School," where we explore thoughts and ideas that deviate from the usual faith-promoting narratives. This week, we discuss the story of Samuel the Lamanite and its implications on the perception of prophets within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We examine the contrast between Samuel's outsider status and the church'...