Mormon Discussion Archives - Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup

Today we sit down with Tony Ortega, a journalist who has covered Scientology for over 20 years.  We talk about the mechanisms of Scientology and contrast and compare them with some of the mechanisms Mormonism.   We cover topics like how both religions handle dissenters, what gives the members certainty with their respective religion, interviews to establish loyalty, Sea Org vs Missionary Program,...

This is an audio recording of a Fireside held in Southern Utah on January 13 2018 on Joseph Smith’s polygamy.  We share the accounts of the plural wives of the Prophet Joseph Smith in their very words.  Going through multiple accounts one begins to see a pattern appear.  Religious pressure, rhetoric to each women that gives the impression they are the first being approached to “start t...

People are constantly trying to figure out how they can be in Mormonism while trying to reconcile where they stand versus where the Institution stands.  In spite of the fact that the Church has always struggled to define itself, it’s history, it’s theology, and even the Word of God when it isn’t; we still seem to try to mesh our lives with the standards and interpretations it has...

PT 2 Bill Reel  is widely known within the Mormon podcast world as a fellow traveler on the road many of us have found ourselves on—often quite reluctantly. At one time, we have thrived within Mormonism. It contributes greatly to our identity, and provides our primary social group. It helps shape our thinking and character in ways we don’t often reflect upon. We have everything figured out. Our re...

PT 1 Bill Reel  is widely known within the Mormon podcast world as a fellow traveler on the road many of us have found ourselves on—often quite reluctantly. At one time, we have thrived within Mormonism. It contributes greatly to our identity, and provides our primary social group. It helps shape our thinking and character in ways we don’t often reflect upon. We have everything figured out. Our re...

Today we tell the story of Lucy Walker, plural wife of the prophet Joseph Smith.  We tell her story and then spend time exploring who has spiritual experiences, whether they can be trusted specifically when one us under stress, pressure, and sleep deprivation.  Then we explore the spiritual experiences of those of other faiths and in the end speak to a theological conundrum regardless of which way...

This is a audio recording of Bill Reel’s presentation and Q&A to a Post Mormon group in Southern Utah on December 10th 2017.  It includes me spending approximately 35 minutes telling my story, how I have reconciled the messiness, and why development is so important to the human experience.  Then the last hour and ten minutes I try my best to be vulnerable to the questions, concerns, and...

Today’s Episode is split into three segments.  In segment #1 Bill Reel addresses guilt and shame and shares an experience from his personal life.  In segment #2 Bill makes a plea on behalf the Mormon Discussion team in order to keep this work going.  And Bill concludes by addressing the criticism that he no longer leads with faith Liturgists Podcast on Shame  Brene Brown on Vulnerability Bre...

A good friend of mine.  Smart, informed, wise, and just so happens to be a woman.  She makes this connection in the scriptures.  She sees how the women of the New Testament are operating differently from the men in regards to how they treat the mortal body of Jesus.  What is the degree of care and concern they have for the Savior, How do the disciples react to such interaction, and most importantl...

Today I sit with my friend Chris Bloxham and using the recent Elder Holland retraction as a springboard to discuss just how much of Mormonism’s faith promoting narrative is untrue and deeply built on myth and fable. We tackle stories like the Brigham Young transfiguration, Lorenzo Snow seeing Jesus in the Temple, Seagulls and Crickets, the Sweetwater crossing, elevators in the Salt Lake Temple, Mo...

Mormon Discussion Halloween Edition.  Today we sit down with Zach Derr and discuss ghost and spirit stories within Mormonism.  We talk about how some of these are explainable but that others seem to be beyond explanation.  We talk of myth and our need to give explanations for things we otherwise can’t explain.  We talk about how the information age has in only a few decades made us much less...

The Family: A Proclamation To The World – How was it created?  Why was it created?  What is the timeline for its creation?  Today in a special joint episode Radio Free Mormon and Bill Reel from Mormon Discussion tackle these questions and more.  Want to know the backdrop and context of the creation of the LDS Proclamation on the family?  Well here it is and we hope you enjoy!!!!! RESOURCES:...

Today we take the phrase “The Lord will not permit the prophet to lead the Church astray” and dissect it.  What do orthodox members believe that means?  What does history tell us?  What have leaders said?  And in the end Can we have confidence and trust in the answers we get from Prophets, from our own revelation, and lastly… how can we have any confidence in what we perceive is...

Elder Oaks gave a talk this past week that raises for me several questions. Here are the things he seemed to have said and my questions that follow. Remember it is Elder Oaks himself who stated that “Questions are honored” and so I hope you will do just that by taking them seriously. Also, Elder Ballard said gone are the days when we bear testimony or say don’t worry about it as...

Orthodox members of the Church constantly point at progressive Mormons as falling off the path, as inappropriately raising a critical voice, as having done something contrary to the path Jesus had set.  Today we revisit the life of Jesus.  We examine his interaction with his religious leaders.  We examine his behavior within his True and Living Church.  Today we ask ourselves how did Jesus live hi...

This is an audio recording of the presentation “Mormon Discussion Presents: A Dialogue on Gospel Topic Essays”.  This was held at the Home of Bill Reel, host of Mormon Discussion Podcast, in Southern Utah on September 16th.  Sound quality is slightly less than desirable but this went so well and the discussion may be extremely helpful to build bridges in mixed faith relationships.  We...

Today we discuss the Word of Wisdom or better yet section 89 of the D&C.  Today we talk about the history of the Word of Wisdom, what it means to be Revelation or better yet what it means to be Canon, better yet what it means to be binding on the people.  And if Binding on the saints then what room is there without a revelation, without additional Canon, and without a vote of common consent; t...

The episode starts with sharing upcoming events we are planning then dives into the episode “Rabbit Holes” Alice was encouraged into the rabbit hole but once she entered there was no turning back.  In Mormonism too there are rabbit holes and they too never end where we expected.  As we look at the question of “What in our narrative has to change?”, it may be easier to ask &...

Today we discuss at length the Temple Lot Case.  Why the RLDS (Community of Christ) and Hedrickite (Church of Christ) branches were bickering and fighting, why the LDS branch got involved, How the case got resolved, and most important what we learn about Mormonism from those who testified.  Fake Deeds, Cease and Desist Orders, Dodged Questions, and Carnal Intercourse all enter the conversation aro...

This audio program is hosted by Bill Reel, an active faithful Latter-day Saint who has himself gone through a difficult and painful faith transition and has remained active in the Church.  This program is for the loved ones of those struggling in hopes for understanding and a safe space to have conversations. You likely received this audio program from someone you love who is going through a hard...

Today we have a vulnerable discussion about Miracles vs Myths.  We tackle what is the reality in our present day with verifiable history vs the magical supernatural that God did when history wasn’t verifiable.  We talk about  what that means and where that takes us.  We end talking about deconstruction and taking control of what is left that has value to you and being comfortable discarding...

Today we read  an incredible blog post written by “ Thinker of Thoughts “. Faith crises are all the rage. Everybody’s talking about them. Okay, well not everybody. Mainly the people who have gone through them. Most other people are probably wishing that the people who keep bringing them up would just go away. They are like the Debbie Downer of religious circles, or your local family re...

Today we delve into the theological conundrum of Satan.  We show that it is LDS theology that Satan is the opposition in the Plan of Salvation.  That he could thwart the plan simply by ceasing his participation.  The Apologetic response would argue that Satan is so pride driven that he can’t help himself but to stay involved despite his actually helping fulfill God’s plan or Satan is u...

Today we hit on Boundaries.  Healthy boundaries and more specifically unhealthy boundaries.  We use the example of a Bishop’s interview with a youth.  We directly talk about the distorted boundaries in this interaction but we also speak about how distorted boundaries travel with us through life and set up a relaxed and blind trust in later situations when we should be on guard.  Does Mormoni...

Today We cover the general topic of ascertaining God’s will both from our perspective and all the way to the top of how leaders have done it.  We use the specific issue of theology surrounding valiancy in the Pre-mortal life to make the point.  The question is simply this.  If Church leaders have taught theology and even labeled some as doctrine believing that they had attained some deeper k...