Mormon Discussion Podcast

Today we have a special episode featuring a new program “Stage 4 Mormons”  Ryan is our host.  He talks with us about that transitional and sometimes difficult period of shifting from simple thinking to a more nuanced and complex way of thinking.  Please send me feedback on this episode as we would enjoy hearing your thoughts.   Please feel free to comment to this post as well where Rya...

Jeff Lindsay lives in Shanghai but has roots in Utah and Wisconsin. His interests include China and Chinese (the language and the food), intellectual property, chemical engineering, magic (a hobby), reading, writing, travel, photography, and his LDS faith. Jeff Lindsay has been defending the Church on the Internet since 1994, when he launched his LDSFAQ website under JeffLindsay.com. He has also l...

I was asked in my stake to present my thoughts on what we can do to help both those with crippling doubts find faith and those without a crisis of faith to avoid them, and to also help leader, family, and friends be more supportive.  This episode is an out flow of that with the 15 points shared below in text form for you to use. 1) EVERY LEADER SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH NEW GOSPEL TOPICS ARTICLES AN...

This episode borrows heavily from Author – William G. Hartley who wrote the paper – “From Men To Boys: LDS Aaronic Priesthood Offices 1829 – 1996” and all credit should be given to him as his paper is quoted extensively. This paper was published in JOURNAL OF MORMON HISTORY VOLUME 22, No. 1 SPRING 1996 When you click the link above go to page 92 to start which is actu...

Today I sit down with Michael, a member of the Jedi Faith or Jediism.  We discuss his Faith’s history, Doctrine, and how it is often made light of but really a viable alternative to one who is disillusioned with other organized religion.  He talks about the force, the Jedi Code, and How their faith incorporates good in the world. http://www.templeofthejediorder.org/ http://en.wikipedia.org/w...

Today I take a look at a recent talk at BYU Idaho by Julie Willis.  The talk titled “Gaining Light through Questioning”    speaks of several concepts that we speak of often here on Mormon Discussion and which would benefit those struggling in a difficult faith transition.  So sit back as we dissect this talk and hit on its important points. BYU IDAHO Speech by Julie Willis on Video BYU...

Today we sit down with LDS scholar and author David Bokovoy.  David is the Author of “Authoring the Old Testament : Genesis – Deuteronomy”.   We break down what scripture is and isn’t, leveling false assumptions along the way.  We discuss how to handle paradigm shifts when new info makes previous paradigms untenable. We also address whether the Book of Mormon is in the same...

Today I talk about “The White Shirt Phenomena”.  This is a great issue to use as a backdrop for our as a culture creating rules, believing they really are rules, and in the end there being no rule that exists.  This applies to dozens of private interpretations we make within our culture and how we impose those on others to create hard and fast rules where none have been given. https://...

In this episode we tackle the tough issue of what is blind obedience and what is our responsibility in both adhereing to our perception of right and wrong and still sustaining the brethren in their callings a Prophets, Seers, and Revelators.  Are we indeed supposed to follow prophets even when they are wrong.  We hit this and more on today’s episode of the Mormon Discussion Podcast.  Please...

We sit down with LDS historian Mark Staker.   We talk at length about the Historical setting in Kirtland, Ohio where more documented revelations occurred in this dispensation then any other place.  We talk about the Kirtland Safety Society Bank, Elsa Johnson’s miraculous healing, the role of early LDS Bishops, the Law of Consecration, and Symonds Rider http://www.amazon.com/Hearken-Ye-People...

Today we talk about what power and Authority Women have in the Church.  We use Elder Oaks April 2014 talk as a guide to show that maybe things are not quite what we thought they were.  That Women have a much bigger piece of the Priesthood pie than we are used to saying.  I think this talk was much more meat filled and gracious than many at first thought took notice. https://www.lds.org/general-con...

Today I sit down with Prof. Charles Harrell, author of “This is My Doctrine”.  His book takes a historical look at the development of Mormon Doctrines within LDS theology.  His books helps us first learn and then cope with the complex ways in which LDS Theology and Doctrine developed.  We discuss how to define the word Doctrine, How to define scripture, how to deal with the inaccurate...

In our effort to discuss other faiths, we sit down today with Ricky a member of the raelism faith.  Rael (pictured above) is their leader and he was visited by being not from our world.  He claims they showed him how they created mankind, what is expected of humankind, and he also had dinner with Jesus and Joseph Smith on another planet.  While certainly different and even strange, much of what Ri...

Vickey is a songwriter/producer, vocalist, and professional speaker, who has spoken for more than two decades Church Education Systems, including BYU Education Week and Best of Especially for Youth.  She is a Billboard award winning songwriter, with hundreds of songs to her credit.  Her compositions include the theme songs for the Special Olympics program (state by state selection), the Make A Wis...

Jim McConkie sits down with us to share with us his reflections of being a McConkie, helping us understand his uncle Elder Bruce R. McConkie, and his recent book “Looking at the Doctrine and Covenants Again for the Very First Time”.  Jim’s gospel insights and his approach to tough issues will be a help to many that struggle.  This interview will be a blessing to many. http://www....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_D._Poll http://www.zionsbest.com/people.html Richard Douglas Poll (April 23, 1918 – April 27, 1994) was an American historian, academic, author and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). His liberal religiosity influenced his notable metaphor about “Iron Rod” vs. “Liahona” LDS Church members. Poll wrote o...

Today we sit down with LDS apologist Kevin Christensen. He is a Lifetime LDS member. Born and raised in Utah he served in the England-Leeds mission. His has made his living as a technical writer since 1984and resides Pittsburgh, PA. Kevin shares this information about his faith and those works of his and others that have deep apologetic value. “”””My testimony was cemented...

Today we sit down with Nancy Phippen Browne. She is the author of “Help Thou Mine Unbelief”, a book designed to be a life raft to those with doubts and who are struggling with faith. We talk about False assumptions, shifting paradigms, and what it means to be a “Doubting Thomas”. We also talk about how to make changes to get back on the right track and to begin to lead with...

Nick Galieti graciously steps in once again to guest host this episode of MormonDiscussion. He has put together a masterful gospel discussion on reflecting on our love for the Savior using Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk “Feed My Sheep” The complete talk can be found here http://laytreasuresinheaven.com/feed-my-sheep-elder-holland/ Nick Galieti Host/Producer – “The Go...

Using President Monson’s talk “An Attitude of Gratitude” as the Backdrop, I share some insight into my life.  The talk can be found at   https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/04/an-attitude-of-gratitude Attitude of Gratitude The post 081: Attitude of Gratitude appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel .

Section 20 verse 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants says ” The rise of the Church of Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly organized and established agreeable to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the...

  This episode is my trying to verbalize my views on SSA and homosexual behavior. The post 079: My current views on SSA and homosexuality appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel .

This episode explores why the Gospel and Church seem to guilt trip us at times.  Why do we always feel like we are falling short when in reality we are making progress and heading in the right direction. The post 077: Gospel Guilt Trip appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel .

Today I sit down with Matt Fradd – Catholic Apologist. Matt is a apologist and speaker with Catholic Answers, one of the largest lay-run apostolates of Catholic apologetics and evangelization in North America. We discuss with Matt similarities between LDS and catholic Apologetics, Pope Francis, Matt’s Conversion to Christ, and lastly we speak to differences between Catholic and LDS Doc...

This episode is personal. I had been wondering for some time if this story should be shared or not but felt their are principles in my experience that might help each of us better handle the conflict that comes between those whose faith is complex and nuanced and those whose faith is more simplified. Both sides think the other is off base and yet perhaps if we are humble there is something to be l...