Mormon Discussion Podcast

Today we sit down with Kathy Escobar author of Faith Shift .  We talk about the disassembling of faith and all the emotion that comes with it.  She asks about my story and we tie it to various chapters of the book.  I can’t say enough about this book and its contents.  It felt like a dear friend.  It offered me and can offer you a mentoring resource through your faith transition.   The...

On Sunday January 24th I will have given a sacrament talk on the subject of the atonement.  I have released an audio rehearsal of that talk the night before giving it.  This is tied and hence repeats much of what is said in the premium episode “Nephi’s Faith Transition” but also covers other ground.  I hope you enjoy and can feel my testimony of Christ come through!  May the Lord...

Today we sit down and discuss the word CHURCH.  How is it used in Christian scripture?  How is it used in Restoration scripture?  Is it possible we have misunderstood this word?  Today I make the argument that we have.  That this is one more point we may have overstated and overreached.  While we seem to shout from the rooftops a narrow view of Mormonism, I hope we each begin to grasp the expansiv...

As part of our Perspectives Series, we sat down with LDS author Nanacy Phippen Browne.  She makes her way through the gauntlet of what is a prophet, what does the “Church is True” mean as well as her thoughts on the Book of Mormon, Scripture in general, and her take on issues like the LGBT issue. The post 191: Perspectives: Nancy Phippen Browne appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bi...

Many see no hope.  Many feel we have theologically painted ourselves into a corner.  Many see no way to press on.  Today I show we are not that lost to the hope of redemption.  We are not beyond the reach of the reach of the Grace of God.  Today I show how it can still happen.  This episode explores the possible ways in which we can make room in our Doctrine and our Theology for LGBT individuals....

Today I sit down with Danny and Mara Kofoed.  We talk about how to find your inner peace.  We talk about their faith journeys and how life’s trials taught them important lessons on how to find peace amidst difficulties in life.  They hit on why we sometimes cause ourselves to suffer so needlessly and they hep us to understand how, if we desire, we can let go of much of that angst and begin t...

Following up on our ‘Perspectives’ Series, we sit down with Adam Miller.  Adam is the Author of “Rube Goldberg’s Machine”, “Letters to a Young Mormon”, and “Grace is not God’s Backup Plan”. Adam offers his thoughts and expresses his ruminations on Mormonism and how he makes some of the difficult issues work and the hard work that goes int...

596: Bill Reel Discusses His Falling out with FAIR and His Faithful Dissent with LDS Policy by John Dehlin  •  December 1, 2015 I n this episode former LDS Bishop Bill Reel returns to Mormon Stories to discuss his falling out with the LDS apologetic group FAIR (including his conflict with apologist Brian Hales), and his faithful dissent from the LDS Church over its recent policy regarding “Same-Ge...

Today Suzette Smith sits in as a Guest Host to discuss the book “Girls Who Choose God: Stories of Courageous Women in the Bible” and the recently released “Girls Who Choose God: Stories of Courageous Women in the Book of Mormon”.   The authors of the books, McArthur Krishna & Bethany Brady Spalding, explain their inspiration for the book,  their vision for the future of...

We have teamed up with with other prominent LDS Podcasts and Blogs to help feed the malnourished children in our Church.  Mormon Discussion is taking a step to help those who cannot help themselves. Today we sit down with Brian Dillman and Laurel Armstrong to discuss how you can help.  We have pledged to “Adopt a Stake” through the Liahona Children’s Foundation. Join with us! The website if you ar...

Today I sit down with the Salt Lake Tribunes’s funny man Robert Kirby.  We talk about his life, how he ended up at the Tribune, how he has handled his own faith transition, and lastly we discuss pancakes.   We hit on his humor as a tool and coping mechanism in his life and what his thoughts are on more serious issues. I hope you enjoy…. oh…. and yeah….. pass the syrup! http...

Today I talk briefly about how we press forward and more importantly I end with a challenge.  A challenge to truly strengthen the feeble knees and to lift the hands that hang down.     The post 183: A Testimony Challenge Amidst Testimony Challenges appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel .

In a new “Perspectives” series, Bill Reel from Mormon Discussion Podcast sits down with various LDS Authors and Scholars to ask them each the same questions of how they frame their belief in the gospel.  What does it mean that the Church is true, that the Book of Mormon is true, what is scripture, and what is the role of a prophet. Today we sit down with LDS scholar and author Richard...

Since FairMormon has deleted my interview and any evidence I have ever existed here is my story for you to enjoy.  Part Two The post 181: The Reel Story Pt. 2 appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel .

Since FairMormon has deleted my interview and any evidence I have ever existed here is my story for you to enjoy.  Part One The post 180: The Reel Story Pt. 1 appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel .

Today Chris Bloxham returns to talk to me and one of my listeners Clay as we take this policy change apart every step of the way.  This may be one of the best episodes yet on Mormon Discussion as we try to make sense of this public relations nightmare. This is part 2 of a 2 part series. In part 1 we discuss at length my increasing cynicism and frustration with the Church and then the Gut punch of...

Today Chris Bloxham sits down to discuss the emotional roller coaster ride that the last 7 days have been.  How leading with faith is getting near impossible and Cynicism abounds.  I don’t have all the answers today and and I no longer know where all this leads but I have always tried to be authentic and so welcome to my world.  This is part 1 of a 2 part series.  In Part 2 we invite a liste...

Our series of Reflections of Latter-Day Saints who are struggling at present with the Church.  We have started this series after the policy change affecting those in a Same Sex Marriage and their children.  Today is John English.  If you wish to have your voice heard in this series email me at  reelmormon@gmail.com or message me on facebook. The post 177: Reflections: John English appeared first o...

  Our first in a series of Reflections of Latter-Day Saints who are struggling at present with the Church.  We have started this series after the policy change affecting those in a Same Sex Marriage and their children.  Today is Tyler Daniel.  If you wish to have your voice heard email me at reelmormon@gmail.com or message me on facebook. The post 176: Reflections: Tyler Daniel appeared first...

Tonight I have released a short episode sharing my thoughts on the policy changes that occurred today which imposes a view of those in Same Sex Marriages absolutely as apostates and which withholds ordinances from children of same sex couples without the child doing anything wrong with their agency.   It is my Mormon right to raise a hand opposed and I do indeed dissent. The post 175: Same Sex Pol...

Today we sit down with 3 incredible Sisters in the Church.   Suzette Smith returns and she brings along Kristy Money  and Fara Sneddon with her.  We sit down and hash out the latest of the Gospel Topic Essays “ Joseph Smith’s Teachings about Priesthood, Temple, and Women ” We move through each section bringing in historical context and little known experiences within our history...

Today we sit down with LDS author Thomas Wirthlin McConkie.  We discuss at length his book “Navigating Mormon Faith Crisis”.  In his book he helps the reader see the Faith Development Map that allows for healthier smoorth transitions. We cover what a faith crisis feels like, how other react to it, and how we might might make it work in a softer healthier way. His webite is MormonStages...

How do you handle Missionary work now that you have reconstructed your faith?  Several listeners have asked me this and I finally sat down and discuss it here.  Do I still value Missionary work?  What will I teach and testify of and what do I avoid or rephrase when another member (including fulltime missionaries) speaks up? Today I share my thoughts on what I would and would not teach and why I st...

Today Chris Bloxham sits down with Bill Reel for a little turn of the tables.  Bill is asked directly What his Mormonism looks like after having reconstructed it.  Bill tackles the tough questions and holds nothing back.  You want to meet Mormonism’s Historical Reality face to face and make it work, here’s one framework with which to do it. The post 171: Special Episode – Bill Re...

Continuing our PERSPECTIVES series we sit down with former guest Brittney Hartley.  She has been one of the podcasts biggest supporters and has traveled the path of faith reconstruction.  She sits down with me and we chat about that transition and what that means for her beliefs today. If you live near the Boise Idaho area and want to be a part of the faith support group Brittney spoke about email...