Mormon Discussion Podcast

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...

Today The Walker Family join in a round-table discussion over LGBT issues and their personal journeys in this arena.   Today you get to take some time to “walk a mile in their shoes” and see how this incredible family dealt with growth, change, and understanding.  They are vulnerable.  They are honest.  And they lay their lives on the table for you and I to gain insight and perspective...

We reached out to the listeners a few months back and asked the listeners if they could ask me (Bill Reel) anything, what would it be.  This is part 2 of a series titled “Ask Me Anything”.  Chris Bloxham is the host today and I am the one fielding the questions.  Please check out part two which is also hosted by Chris as well as part three which will have a surprise guest host.  Also p...

We reached out to the listeners a few months back and asked the listeners if they could ask me (Bill Reel) anything, what would it be.  Today is part 1 of a series titled “Ask Me Anything”.  Chris Bloxham is the host today and I am the one fielding the questions.  Please check out part two which is also hosted by Chris as well as part three which will have a surprise guest host.  Also...

Today we tackle lesson 24 out of the current D&C and Church History manual.   We tackle how blatant and demonstrably inaccurate this lesson is.   We hit on a tribes need to diminish and marginalize those who distance themselves from the tribe.  The need to diminish the substance of their reasons whittling them down to petty and weak.   We also hit on the idea of blaming symptoms as if they are...

Gina Colvin, the host of “ A Thoughtful Faith ” podcast  and Bill Reel , host of “Mormon Discussion Podcast” get together for a chat about what it takes to still be engaged in the LDS Church when so many of their friends have left.   They discuss the development of their young testimonies but reflect on how difficult it has become in recent years to love the church with the...

Today Chris and Clay join me again for a round-table discussion about the eleven witnesses to the Book of Mormon.  We talk at length about our assumptions that the Three Witnesses has a spiritual event, that the Eight Witnesses had a physical event, whether their experience was consistent, and how the Institutional Church may have expressed certainty about the boundaries and constructs of their ex...

Today you get to meet the Walker’s.  A Family in the midst of their own faith journey willing to open up and share their experience.  Today is their first episode.  Today your offered an opportunity to “walk a mile in their shoes”.   They are vulnerable.  They are honest.  And they lay their lives on the table for you and I to gain insight and perspective not only into their fait...

****Episode Warning**** : This episode discusses in a raw way  the trauma and abuse in Mormonism.  For those who feel triggered by such a conversation please avoid or at least avoid listening to this alone.  This episode should be listened with others who honor and validate your faith journey.  People whom you can press pause and have healthy conversation around our communal trauma.  This episode...

Today we want to update the listeners on the direction of the podcast and Mormon Discussion as an umbrella for various programs. Today we hit in 15 minutes the highlighted changes and needs of the program going forward. Our shift to becoming an umbrella that hosts multiple podcast series. Our financial report for 2016 Our increased need for financial support to support our growth and outreach Our...

Today’s episode tackles the expanding space of Book of Mormon Historicity.  We share the words of Jared Hickman, Patrick Mason, Richard Bushman, Sam Brown, Grant Hardy, Elder Oaks, and Elder Holland.  We talk today about the space that is seemingly being created in this very moment.  Do we see how unique of a moment we are in.  The very scholars in the Church who are looked at by Church lead...

Recently we have released two published items.  One was an audio program titled “To Our Loved Ones, The struggle is Real” which audibly walks people into the issues so they can have compassion and empathy for those who struggling.   The second is a document titled “Mormon Primer” and it does the same thing.  It walks folks into the messiness of Mormonism hoping to create co...