Mormon Discussion Podcast

Today with sit down with LDS Meso-American Expert Daniel Johnson and talk about the setting of the Book of Mormon.  We talk about what evidence we find and what evidence is really not fair to ask for.  We talk about his trips to these ancient cities and what we find their to support our testimonies in the Book of Mormon.  We talk about metal plates, reformed Egyptian, and yes even horses. http://l...

Today we sit down with Craig Harline, author of “Way Below the Angels”.  Craig talks about his own missionary experience as well as the adjustment most missionaries make from the pristine and elevated expectations to the real life experience of disappointment and feelings of failure that come with the reality of most missions.  We discuss how he shifted those paradigms and how that has...

Today we sit down with Christian professor and Author Robert Keeley and speak at length about his perspective on James Fowler’s Stages of Faith.  Mr. Keeley is the author of the book “Helping our Children Grow In Faith”.  He has also written numerous articles including many on stages of faith.  We talk today about how to make this faith transition as smooth as possible. His Book...

Today we talk about the Flood.  Noah, the Ark, the animals, etc….  The trouble with this topic is that a Global Flood seems so unreasonable and full of problems and a local flood is full of deep glitches as well.  We attempt to talk about both sides, sift through the problems and contradictions and see if we can arrive at a solution of some sort….. Problems with a Global Flood in detai...

Today’s episode deals with Section 132 of the D&C.  We talk about the introduction of polygamy, the angel with the drawn sword, and Joseph’s adherence with the revelation.  While Critics accuse Joseph Smith of creating section 132 to fulfill his sexual needs and while apologists proclaim the revelation is from God and that criticism should cease, I argue there is indeed a third opt...

Today we sit down with Chris Reeve, a dear friend of mine, and we discuss Church Discipline.  We hit this topic from a historical perspective and build from there.  We speak about scriptural relevance for Church discipline, how while wanting a big tent, the tent must still exists.  We talk about Early Church leaders who went through Church discipline and then end speaking about today’s prese...

Today I sit down with Greg Kearney.  Greg is both a Mormon and a Mason and today we discuss the connection between the two in the LDS Endowment.  Many Latter-Day Saints are caught off guard when they  discover that the LDS Endowment is very interconnected with Masonry and its ritual.  Today we address this connection and other influences of Masonry on Mormonism. (Photo is of a 12th Century relief...

Today I share 8 of Derek Clegg’s songs with commentary.  If you wish to download his music for free check out here The post 138: Derek Clegg’s Music appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel .

Today we talk about rameumptom and how we use the pulpit in Church.  The Zoramites used the rameumptom as a place to stand and proclaim to God their gratitude for making them more favorable and as a soapbox for proclaiming one’s “rightness” and “Righteousness”.  We take a look as our culture in terms of talks and testimonies and see if there is anything we can learn f...

Today I sit down with Faith Development Author, Margaret Placentra Johnston.  We discuss here book, Faith Beyond Belief: Stories of Good People Who Left Their Church Behind .  Margaret hits on so many points of faith transition that will ring familiar to your journey.  Taking beliefs more allegorical, dealing with tension, Trusting your truth over the community, doubt vs certainity, and the why we...

Today I read Spencer Fluhman’s talk “Faith in the Past: Church History in an Information Age”  At the end I share a few thoughts about what the main takeaways were.     The post 135: Spencer Fluhman’s talk “Faith In The Past” appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel .

Today Jon Westover returns to the Podcast to have a discussion with me regarding Theories of Development.   We Discuss James Fowler’s Stages of Faith, William G. Perry’s Scheme of Cognitive and Ethical Development, and Jon Paulien’s Stages of Religious Faith.  We talk about the Dark Night of The Soul and how one can safely transition through one’s faith with more confidence...

Today I sit down with Brian Whitney, LDS Scholar.  Brian has worked with the Church History Department, has worked with Community of Christ on historical projects, and has his own project “Mormonism In Context” .   He truly is one of the up and coming young LDS scholars in Mormonism.  Brian talks about his website and how it can be a resource to help those in disillusion of Mormonism t...

Today we discuss Elder Ballard’s 2001 October Conference Talk “Doctrine of Inclusion” and we add to it with Elder Oak’s recent conference talk in October 2014, “Loving Others and Living with Differences”.   Using these talks we try to dispel some cultural things we do as Mormons that hurt others and marginalize unnecessarily.  Inclusion is a Doctrine!!! https://...

A short recap of the Vegas Trip.  So Awesome… To Clay & Heather and Chris & Dawn – Thank you so much.  You were so Gracious.  Tracey – I am so glad to have spoken to you and to get to know you. To all three families, you have such awesome kids.  To the 35ish who showed up Saturday evening…. God bless each of you and know you have a friend in me.  What fun.  I have n...

Today we sit down with LDS author and scholar Samuel M. Brown, author of “In Heaven As It Is On Earth” .  We talk about death in Joseph Smith’s culture, Alvin’s Death, Treasure Hunting and Sacrificial circles, and unique views of death that would be strange to us but the norm for Joseph’s culture. http://samuelbrown.net/ Find his book on amazon by clicking here http:/...

Today we talk about James Fowler’s Stages of Faith but we do so using two perspectives that have built on Fowler.  As a background for our episode we use the following articles http://www.faithformationlearningexchange.net http://www.thebattleofarmageddon.com/stages_of_faith.pdf With these as a backdrop we will discuss how hard the Dark Night of the Soul is but also show it is a call to God...

Today I sit down with Jeff Olsen, who share with us his Near Death Experience and how it has affected him and his faith.  We talk generally about NDE’s (Near Death Experiences) and what we are to make of them.  Are they real?  Is it the Brain firing synapses as one last ditch effort to save itself?  Or perhaps, is it possible, that they are indeed real?  Jeff and I make the case that there i...

How concerned should we be with Mormonism’s historical truth claims?  Are we missing the point entirely by debating historocity? Today Guest Host Jon Young talks with Adam Miller about his popular post “Letter to a CES Student”, a response to Jeremy Runnels’ “Letter to a CES Director.”  Unlike debunking efforts at FairMormon, Miller’s response is more phil...

Ryan Boothe joins us again today for another episode of “Stage 4 Mormons”.  Ryan has a unique knack for hitting subjects in a unique way that helps us gain insight into this Fowler’s Stage 4, that many of us find ourselves in.  My heart was pricked by some of what he says and I pray so will yours as we each adjust to better transition the Stage 4 in healthy and productive way!  T...

We hear the Leaders testify with certainty that they and the Church are led by Christ.  We have had some leaders approach language that implies they have seen Christ.  We also receive teachings that seem to offend, sadden, and even possibly harm us.  How are we to reconcile A Church led by Christ with teachings that marginalize and ostracize at times?  This episode deals with paradigms and framewo...

Today I sit down with Mark (Not his real name as it has been changed to protect his identity).  He is a young man who is getting ready to go on his mission shortly.  He also happens to be gay.  He tells his story.  When he knew, Coming out to Family, and how they have responded.  He talks of realizing there are paths available on both sides of the spectrum and yet he sees his journey as his and he...

Today Guest Host Jon Young sits down with Ty Mansfield and discusses Same Sex Attraction, how we as a Church culture handle LGBT issues, Ty’s personal journey and how he has persevered on his own spiritual journey.  Ty’s spiritual struggle and need to separate the gospel from culture in the church is a story all of us can relate to, regardless of our challenges. http://ldsliving.com/st...

Today we sit down with Mike B. who shares with us that he is both an atheist and a Believing Mormon.  How is that?  How can one both disbelieve God and testify of the restoration?  Today we find out.  You won’t want to miss this as Mike gives us a paradigm and framework that might work for many who have lost faith and can’t seem to find it.  He shows us how one’s personal disbeli...

Today I sit down with LDS Scholar Brian Hauglid as we talk at length about the Book of Abraham.  We speak at length about the historical issues with the the Book of Abraham and what we are to make of those complexities.  I hope you enjoy this conversation and that it is helpful in your effort to both understand deeper issues while leading with faith! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Abraham ht...