Things I Wish I Could Say in Sunday School

Topics: 1) Isaiah authorship, 2) Comfort from religion; and 3) Comfort from God. I discuss the claim that the later chapters of Isaiah are literally Isaiah’s writings about the distant future, and contrast that with the scholarly consensus that chapters 40–55 and 56–66 were written by other authors during and after the Babylonian exile. I explain why this discrepancy raises questions about certain...

Topics: 1) A voice from the dust; and 2) Removed their heart far from me. This episode questions why the traditional LDS "voice out of the dust" interpretation conveniently leaves out the "familiar spirit" part of that verse. The host critiques the idea that the Restoration is the prophesied "marvelous work and wonder," points to church decline and institutional hypocrisy, contrasts church priorit...

Topics: 1) Isaiah and Joseph Smith; 2) Crimson; 3) Mountains; 4) Evil good; and 5) Ensign. This episode explores unconventional takes on Isaiah chapters 1–12 and how they intersect with Joseph Smith's narratives. The host questions whether Joseph Smith intentionally shaped his origin story to align with Isaiah's prophecies, critiques traditional temple and sin imagery, and examines modern applicat...

Topics: 1) Fools despise wisdom; 2) Trust in the Lord; 3) A soft answer; 4) Train up a child; and 5) A virtuous woman. This episode offers candid reflections on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. The host takes an honest, critical approach—questioning traditional readings, encouraging independent thought, and aiming to spark conversation with friends, family, or classes.

Topics: 1) The Lord is my shepherd; 2) David pleads for forgiveness; 3) Truth will spring out of the Earth; and 4) Children are an heritage. Today's discussion include a critique of the shepherd metaphor in Psalm 23, an analysis of David’s plea in Psalm 51 and its lack of empathy, a note on the bold interpretation of Psalm 85 a, and a critique of Psalm 127’s use in pro-natalist ‘quiverfull’ cultur...

Topics: 1) Job is an allegory; 2) Why bad things happen to good people; 3) Supportive friends; and 4) Job gets twice as blessed. This episode examines Job as an allegory, asks why bad things happen to good people, reflects on the role of supportive friends, and critiques the idea of post-suffering earthly rewards when Job is twice as blessed. The host questions traditional Church interpretations,...

Topics: 1) Fasting; 2) Men ruling their home; 3) Mordecai uses Esther; and 4) Esther’s bravery. It offers honest reflections on purposeful fasting, its spiritual power and safety concerns, and the historical return to Jerusalem and rebuilding efforts. The host critiques patriarchal expectations—using Queen Vashti and the decree that "every man should rule in his own house"—and argues for collabora...

Topics: 1) The scattering of Israel; 2) Josiah; and 3) Lessons from Micaiah.   The episode covers the scattering of the northern and southern kingdoms, critiques how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints frames the gathering of Israel, reconsiders King Josiah’s motives and legacy, and questions the lesson manual’s portrayal of the prophet Micaiah and the real costs of blunt integrity.

Topics: 1) The mantle of prophet; 2) Elisha’s miracles; 3) The bears; and 4) Naaman. We question the continuity narrative around prophetic “mantles,” argue that Elisha’s miracles mirror Elijah more than Christ, wrestle with the disturbing story of the bears, and draw leadership and expectation lessons from Naaman’s cure. Short and candid — a critical look at these scripture passages.

Topics: 1) Strong man fallacy; 2) Elijah and the widow of Zarepheth; 3) Priests of Baal; and 4) Jezebel. Today's lesson explores power, the spirit, cult dynamics, and misogynistic labels. Please enjoy and feel free to share with family and friends.

Topics: 1) David and Bathsheba; 2) What happens to David’s family; 3) Solomon’s wisdom; and 4) Solomon’s wives. Today we have a candid look at the end of David and the rise and fall of Solomon. We discuss David and Bathsheba and how to story often misrepresents the power dynamics between them; the fallout in David’s family; Solomon’s unimpressive wisdom; and the unfair blame that Solomon’s many wi...

Topics: 1) David and Goliath; 2) Jonathan; 3) Abigail; and 4) Michal. The host critiques David's emphasis on Goliath as an "uncircumcised Philistine," explores the deep bond between Jonathan and David, reads Abigail's actions as pragmatic survival rather than idealized virtue, and examines Michal's fractured marriage with David and his dismissive response. The episode invites thoughtful discussion...

Topics: 1) The beginning of kings; 2) "To obey is better than sacrifice;" and 3) "The Lord looketh on the heart." We’re heading into the saga of Saul and David. Samuel’s sons prove unfit, the people demand a king, and God grants their request though He feels rejected. Saul is chosen, wins early victories, but power goes to his head. He disobeys God in the campaign against the Amalekites, keeping s...

Topics: 1) Ruth and 2) Hannah and Eli. This is Things I Wish I Could Say in Sunday School. I share honest thoughts and ideas that differ from usual teachings, aiming to spark discussion with friends, family, or classes. Please enjoy. Lesson for June 1–7 covering Ruth and 1 Samuel 1–7: reflections on Ruth and Naomi’s story and the limits of blind loyalty, plus Hannah and Eli’s story emphasizing par...

Topics: 1) Deborah; 2) Gideon; and 3) Samson. This episode explores Judges with a candid, non-traditional take on Deborah, Gideon, and Samson. It questions traditional authority structures, highlights Deborah's leadership as both judge and prophetess, examines Gideon's refusal of kingship and its consequences, and reads Samson's story as a tragic escalation of violence and pressure rather than a s...

Topics: 1) Puzzle pieces; 2) Rahab and the fall of Jericho; and 3) Choose you this day. This episode examines the book of Joshua, focusing on a critique of the “puzzle piece” scripture analogy, Rahab and the fall of Jericho, and Joshua’s call to “choose you this day.” We reflect on Rahab’s dignity and lineage, question purity narratives, and urge listeners to choose consistent kindness over instit...

Topic: Moses working for a future he’ll never see. This episode reflects on Moses spending his life leading the Israelites toward a promised land he would never enter, and how that example inspires choosing a modest present to secure a freer future for our children. Sharing practical priorities—financial saving, health, relationships, and teaching resilience—and explains how those choices create l...

Topics: 1) Manna and Quail; 2) Moses was the most meek; 3) The Brazen serpent; and 4) Balaam.   Includes a personal, humorous story about manna, reflections on gratitude and leadership, and an invitation to spark honest discussions with friends and family.

Topics: 1) The Tabernacle; 2) Animal sacrifice; and 3) Leviticus. This episode focuses on the Tabernacle, animal sacrifice, and the laws in Leviticus. We question priestly barriers to God, the necessity of blood or other rituals for forgiveness from sin, and the origins of temple practices. With candid reflection, the episode critiques religious hypocrisy, highlights Leviticus' calls to care for t...

Topics: 1) Honor thy father and thy mother; and 2) Idol worship. This episode offers an honest, questioning look at the Ten Commandments — especially "honor thy father and thy mother" — and the Golden Calf and idol worship. We critique how the parent-honoring commandment can be harmful when parents are abusive or unworthy, and explore why people create idols, offering a sympathetic reading of the...

Topics: 1) Hard and soft hearts; 2) God's miracles; 3) Strict rules; and 4) Symbols. This is things I wish I could say in Sunday School. I share honest, critical reflections on Exodus 7–18 (lessons for April 6–19), exploring hard and soft hearts, supposed miracles, strict religious rules, and the power of symbols. I question literal readings of the plagues and the parting of the sea, examine how s...

Topic: How much does God control us and what happens to us? This episode explores the beginning of Moses' story (Exodus 1–6) and questions how much God controls our lives. We discuss the view that God may be powerful but not constantly intervening, arguing for human agency and thoughtful independence from institutional dependence. This episode challenges common interpretations that present believe...

Topics: 1) Joseph’s brothers betray him; 2) Potiphar’s wife; 3) The Lord was with him; and 4) Joseph reconciles with his family. We critique parental favoritism, toxic group dynamics, and prosperity gospel readings of the story. We highlight how abuse of power and victim consequences are too often overlooked, and emphasize that reconciliation is a personal choice that requires work and boundaries.

Topics: 1) Covenant marriage; 2) Dishonest leadership; and 3) Complicated family relationships. A candid episode covering Genesis 24–33 that questions how church lessons frame covenant marriage, calling out awkward examples like incestuous unions and subtle anti–race-mixing vibes, and noting a shift toward the term "covenant marriage." It examines dishonest leadership through Laban’s repeated betr...

Topics: 1) The Abrahamic Covenant;  2) Unfulfilled desires; and 3) Sacrificing Isaac. This episode offers a candid, critical reading of Genesis 12–23 and Abraham chapters 1–2, focusing on the Abrahamic covenant, Abraham and Sarah's struggle with infertility, and the near-sacrifice of Isaac. We challenge the covenant’s modern application and elitist implications, highlight the mistreatment of Hagar...