Mormon Discussion Podcast

Who really was Joseph Smith? When one peels back the layers of legend and legacy to explore the life of Mormonism’s controversial founder, a far more complex and human figure emerges—part visionary, part rebel, and entirely unlike the sanitized version told in Sunday School. From buried golden plates and seer stones to secret plural marriages and clashes with the law, this conversation reveals the man behind the movement. Was he a prophet inspired by God—or a charismatic charlatan driven by ambition? Whether you’re a faithful Latter-day Saint, a curious seeker, or someone wrestling with LDS beliefs, this episode offers a compelling, eye-opening look at the man who started it all—and it just might change the way you see Mormonism forever. Join Us In Person – August 2nd, 2025 RFM & Bill are gathering in person for a powerful, community-building event in Salt Lake City! Grab your spot before tickets run out: Register Here – https://donorbox.org/events/780890/steps/choose_tickets Join Us For A Live Show – August 4th, 2025 RFM,  Bill, & Rebecca are gathering in person for a Live Showing of the Mormon Newscast in Salt Lake City! Grab your spot before tickets run out: https://donorbox.org/events/784033 Sponsor a Scholarship Help someone attend who otherwise couldn’t. Donate to our scholarship fund and make our events accessible to all: donorbox.org/mormon-discussion-scholarships Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light on truth and leads with transparency.  DONATE VIA DONORBOX! https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Join our Mailing List – subscribepage.io/MormonDiscussion  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-discussions-podcasts-full-lineup/id562296100 https://open.spotify.com/show/0lEZJF0ZH6ccoteUP9Z4Fu Instagram: /https://www.instagram.com/mormondiscussion/ TikTok: @mormondiscussion https://www.tiktok.com/@mormondiscussion Mormon Discussion Merch store https://www.exmoshirts.com/collections/mormondiscussions Mormon Discussions Website – https://mormondiscussions.org/ Contact Bill Reel, RFM, and the Mormon Discussions Team: MormonDiscussionsPodcasts@gmail.com The post Joseph Smith: The Man Behind Mormonism appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Of all the misleading tactics used by Latter-day Saint apologists, this one might just take the crown. It’s sneaky, it’s calculated—and even after being called out repeatedly, they still keep doing it. Why? Because when it comes to defending Mormonism and the LDS Church, it seems the ends justify any means. But not this time. We’re calling it out publicly—and you need to see it for yourself. Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light on truth and leads with transparency. DONATE VIA DONORBOX! https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Join our Mailing List – subscribepage.io/MormonDiscussion https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-discussions-podcasts-full-lineup/id562296100 https://open.spotify.com/show/0lEZJF0ZH6ccoteUP9Z4Fu Instagram: /https://www.instagram.com/mormondiscussion/ TikTok: @mormondiscussion https://www.tiktok.com/@mormondiscussion Mormon Discussion Merch store https://www.exmoshirts.com/collections/mormondiscussions Mormon Discussions Website – https://mormondiscussions.org/ Contact Bill Reel, RFM, and the Mormon Discussions Team: MormonDiscussionsPodcasts@gmail.com The post The Sneakiest Mormon Apologetic Of Them All appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

In this episode of Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon dive headfirst into the Church’s newest official Gospel Topics entry on the Book of Abraham, dissecting its language, implications, and apologetic framing. With surgical precision (and just a bit of satire), they explore how the Church attempts to repackage decades of controversy surrounding Joseph Smith’s translation claims, the missing scroll theory, and the pivot to the “catalyst theory.” Listeners will be taken through the subtle rhetorical maneuvers in the essay—how it avoids hard declarations, redefines “translation,” and leans on ambiguity to keep belief afloat. The hosts also unpack the broader trend of shifting responsibility from prophetic certainty to scholarly speculation, while comparing this essay with past statements and apologetic strategies. This is not just a history lesson—it’s a real-time case study in institutional narrative management. For anyone who’s ever wondered how a modern-day church tries to make a 19th-century Egyptian fiasco feel “faith-promoting,” this episode is a must-listen. https://donorbox.org/events/784033 – The Mormon Newscast Live Studio Audience Monday August 4th 5:30pm to 10pm https://donorbox.org/events/780890 – Unfiltered: A Night with Radio Free Mormon & Bill Reel SALT LAKE CITY Saturday August 2nd Join Our Mailing List Stay in the loop with exclusive updates, new episodes, and behind-the-scenes insights. Join our mailing list today: https://subscribepage.io/MormonDiscussion Support the Cause If our work has helped you or someone you love, consider paying it forward. Your donation keeps our mission alive: donorbox.org/umbrella-entity Like & Subscribe on YouTube If you’re enjoying our content, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode: youtube.com/@MormonDiscussion The post Book of Abraham Apologetics [Mormonism Live 238] appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Discovered by accident in a desert cave, the Dead Sea Scrolls have become one of the most significant archaeological finds of the last century. But what do they actually say—and why do they matter? In this episode, we explore the strange, surprising, and deeply revealing world of the scrolls: hidden prophecies, rival messiahs, priesthood power struggles, sacred meals, and apocalyptic expectations. Whether you’re fascinated by ancient scripture, curious about early religious movements, or wondering how it all connects to Mormonism, this episode pulls back the curtain on one of history’s greatest textual mysteries. Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light on truth and leads with transparency.  DONATE VIA DONORBOX! https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Join our Mailing List – subscribepage.io/MormonDiscussion  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-discussions-podcasts-full-lineup/id562296100 https://open.spotify.com/show/0lEZJF0ZH6ccoteUP9Z4Fu Instagram: /https://www.instagram.com/mormondiscussion/ TikTok: @mormondiscussion https://www.tiktok.com/@mormondiscussion Mormon Discussion Merch store https://www.exmoshirts.com/collections/mormondiscussions Mormon Discussions Website – https://mormondiscussions.org/ Contact Bill Reel, RFM, and the Mormon Discussions Team: MormonDiscussionsPodcasts@gmail.com The post Mormonism & the Dead Sea Scrolls [Mormonism Live 237] appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

EXPOSED: LDS Church & Tax Filing Fraud? In this special edition of Mormonism Live, we uncover stunning new evidence that suggests the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may have violated U.S. tax laws—intentionally. From questionable filings to shell entities and hidden assets, this episode lays out what we’ve found, why it matters, and what legal consequences the Church could face if the IRS takes action. We follow the paper trail, examine public records, and reveal the patterns that point to a systemic problem far beyond “clerical error.” Is this financial mismanagement—or deliberate deception? How deep does it go? Who’s behind it? And what happens next? This could be the biggest legal scandal the modern Church has faced.Watch now before the spin begins. Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light on truth and leads with transparency.  DONATE VIA DONORBOX! https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Join our Mailing List – subscribepage.io/MormonDiscussion  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-discussions-podcasts-full-lineup/id562296100 https://open.spotify.com/show/0lEZJF0ZH6ccoteUP9Z4Fu Instagram: /https://www.instagram.com/mormondiscussion/ TikTok: @mormondiscussion https://www.tiktok.com/@mormondiscussion Mormon Discussion Merch store https://www.exmoshirts.com/collections/mormondiscussions Mormon Discussions Website – https://mormondiscussions.org/ Contact Bill Reel, RFM, and the Mormon Discussions Team: MormonDiscussionsPodcasts@gmail.com The post LDS Church In Trouble With IRS? [Mormonism Live 236] appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Is the Book of Abraham based on papyrus we no longer have? In this episode, we explore the Missing Scroll Theory—the idea that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Abraham from a long roll of papyrus that has since been lost or destroyed. We’ll examine the historical records, including firsthand accounts from early Saints like Lucy Mack Smith, who described a distinct long scroll separate from the surviving fragments. Apologists argue this missing roll may still vindicate Joseph’s translation. Critics say the theory is a modern invention meant to rescue a narrative that doesn’t fit the evidence. Join us as we unpack the assumptions, the math, and the motives behind the Missing Scroll Theory. Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light on truth and leads with transparency.  DONATE VIA DONORBOX! https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Join our Mailing List – subscribepage.io/MormonDiscussion  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-discussions-podcasts-full-lineup/id562296100 https://open.spotify.com/show/0lEZJF0ZH6ccoteUP9Z4Fu Instagram: /https://www.instagram.com/mormondiscussion/ TikTok: @mormondiscussion https://www.tiktok.com/@mormondiscussion Mormon Discussion Merch store https://www.exmoshirts.com/collections/mormondiscussions Mormon Discussions Website – https://mormondiscussions.org/ Contact Bill Reel, RFM, and the Mormon Discussions Team: MormonDiscussionsPodcasts@gmail.com The post The Book of Abraham’s Missing Scroll Theory [Mormonism Live 235] appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

[Mormonism Live 234] In this episode of Mormonism Live, Radio Free Mormon (Bill is on vacation) dives headfirst into the growing tension between scientific discovery and Mormon doctrine. When it comes to mormonism in the modern world, science keeps raising its hand with uncomfortable questions. The LDS Church, meanwhile, continues to insist it has the answers… or at least that it’s “not official doctrine” when the answers don’t hold up. Tune in as we put the truth claims of Mormonism under the microscope. Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light on truth and leads with transparency.  DONATE VIA DONORBOX! https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Join our Mailing List – subscribepage.io/MormonDiscussion    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-discussions-podcasts-full-lineup/id562296100 https://open.spotify.com/show/0lEZJF0ZH6ccoteUP9Z4Fu Instagram: /https://www.instagram.com/mormondiscussion/ TikTok: @mormondiscussion https://www.tiktok.com/@mormondiscussion Mormon Discussion Merch store https://www.exmoshirts.com/collections/mormondiscussions Mormon Discussions Website – https://mormondiscussions.org/   Contact Bill Reel, RFM, and the Mormon Discussions Team: MormonDiscussionsPodcasts@gmail.com The post Science vs. Mormonism [Mormonism Live 234] appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

What happens when a celebrated war hero, beloved by both Congress and the LDS Church, turns out to be living a lie? In this episode of Mormonism Live, we investigate the incredible true story of Douglas Stringfellow — a Utah congressman, decorated veteran, and rising star in postwar America… until it all came crashing down. Join us as we uncover a decades-old scandal that raises timeless questions about truth, trust, and the power of a really good story. You won’t believe how far this deception went — or who may have looked the other way. Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light on truth and leads with transparency. Please consider supporting our work! DONATE VIA DONORBOX! https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Join our Mailing List – subscribepage.io/MormonDiscussion https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-discussions-podcasts-full-lineup/id562296100 https://open.spotify.com/show/0lEZJF0ZH6ccoteUP9Z4Fu Instagram: /https://www.instagram.com/mormondiscussion/ TikTok: @mormondiscussion https://www.tiktok.com/@mormondiscussion Mormon Discussion Merch store https://www.exmoshirts.com/collections/mormondiscussions Mormon Discussions Website – https://mormondiscussions.org/ Contact Bill Reel, RFM, and the Mormon Discussions Team: MormonDiscussionsPodcasts@gmail.com The post Mormon War Hero Who Lied: The Douglas Stringfellow Scandal appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

In this eye-opening episode of Mormonism Live, hosts Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon are joined by author and theologian Charley Harrell to explore his powerful Dialogue Journal article, “John Taylor on the ‘Dark Ages’.” Together, they take a deep dive into how third LDS Church President John Taylor challenged the traditional narrative of the Great Apostasy—offering a radically different view of the Middle Ages, where spiritual gifts and divine revelation still thrived. Was there really a total apostasy after the death of Christ, or have we misunderstood what “spiritual darkness” means? Harrell examines Taylor’s 1873 discourse, revealing that the LDS prophet acknowledged divine influence and religious truth outside of Mormonism—even among Christian mystics and thinkers during the so-called “Dark Ages.” This conversation reframes the LDS Church’s apostasy narrative, opens the door to interfaith spirituality, and raises critical questions about revelation, church authority, and doctrinal evolution. Whether you’re a believing Latter-day Saint, a post-Mormon, or simply curious about Christian history and theology, this episode offers compelling insights that challenge conventional Mormon teachings. The post John Taylor and the Truth About the Dark Ages: Rethinking the Great Apostasy appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

What do you get when you mix Mormon folklore, an angelic visitation, and a supposed Nephite treasure buried in a Utah hillside? You get one of the strangest, most persistent sagas in LDS history: the story of John Hyrum Koyle and the Dream Mine. In this episode, we dig into the bizarre and fascinating tale of a humble Mormon bishop who claimed Angel Moroni showed him an ancient gold cache meant to rescue the Church in the last days. From visions and prophecies to excommunication and conspiracy, the Dream Mine became a battleground between grassroots revelation and institutional control—and it still has believers buying stock today. Join us as we explore the wild intersection of faith, finance, folklore, and failed prophecy. Whether you’re a questioning Mormon, a history nerd, or just here for the gold-digging angels, this is one you don’t want to miss. Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light on truth and leads with transparency.  DONATE VIA DONORBOX! https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Join our Mailing List – subscribepage.io/MormonDiscussion  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-discussions-podcasts-full-lineup/id562296100 https://open.spotify.com/show/0lEZJF0ZH6ccoteUP9Z4Fu Instagram: /https://www.instagram.com/mormondiscussion/ TikTok: @mormondiscussion https://www.tiktok.com/@mormondiscussion Mormon Discussion Merch store https://www.exmoshirts.com/collections/mormondiscussions Mormon Discussions Website – https://mormondiscussions.org/ Contact Bill Reel, RFM, and the Mormon Discussions Team: MormonDiscussionsPodcasts@gmail.com The post The Dream Mine Story: Mormonism’s Most Expensive Revelation [Mormonism Live 231] appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.