Mormon Discussion Podcast

In this follow-up to “To Catch a Thief,” Radio Free Mormon and Bill Reel return with a deeper, wider investigation into the claims and credibility of Ward Radio’s Jonah Barnes. Last time, we showed clear evidence that Barnes lifted Eldon Watson’s Adam-God research and passed it off as his own. This time, we broaden the lens. RFM and Bill walk through a lineup of respected scholars and historians whose work directly contradicts Barnes’s narratives, exposing just how far he’s been stretching, bending, or outright stealing ideas to prop up his platform. When someone pretends to be a scholar but builds influence on borrowed work, eventually the bill comes due. But the story doesn’t stop at plagiarism. In this episode, we document an additional example of theft that goes well beyond plagiarism. This episode lays out the receipts. Clear. Detailed. Irrefutable. If you care about integrity in Mormon scholarship, or you’ve just been waiting for the sequel, this is the deep dive you’ve been asking for. ESOURCES: https://mrm.org/jonah-barnes https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/e6a939a0-3402-4771-814d-4eaf2547e613/0/0?lang=eng CRUISE INFO: To Register For the Cruise – https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise Additional Info – https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ 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 Will A Man Rob Adam God? appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

In this episode, we break down the story of a Latter-day Saint Bishop who when he was currently serving when he officially stepped away from the Mormon Church. We’ll walk through what led to his decision, what he saw behind the curtain as a leader, and how the gap between the Church’s public messaging and its private reality became impossible for him to ignore. This isn’t just another faith transition story. It’s a rare account from someone who lived the system, moved up in the ward hierarchy, enforced the rules, and finally couldn’t keep pretending the narrative matched the facts. We’ll also talk about the fallout: how his ward reacted, how local leaders tried to handle the situation, and what this kind of departure says about the broader institutional cracks appearing inside modern Mormonism. It’s raw, honest, and a window into the experiences that thousands in leadership quietly wrestle with. Support Mormonism Live: https://mormonismlive.org/Donate-To-Mormonism-Live/ If anyone needs support dealing with spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at https://awakenandthrive.org/ To Join the Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise – https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ And for more info on the cruise – https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ The post Mormon Bishop Leaves LDS Church ! appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Mormonism Live’s Bill Reel & RFM dive deep into a recent claim by Ward Radio that the so-called “Adam God Doctrine” never existed. They sift through the documentary history, the original speeches, journal entries, and the commentary of leading Mormon scholars to see if the claim holds up. Did the doctrine ever exist? Was it a misunderstanding, a misrepresentation, or a developed belief held by some early leaders? We’ll explore all that—and what it means for a faith’s history where its apologists do everything they can to get away from the problems and contradictions of Mormonism Thank you for your support If you’d like to support the show and our mission, please consider donating here: https://mormonismlive.org/Donate-To-Mormonism-Live/ Ward Radio’s Original Commentary – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9RU7MAXVfc Dialogue article Footnote 76 (claim Adam God was taught in the SLC temple too and not just Saint George) – https://www.dialoguejournal.com/articles/the-adam-god-doctrine/ The post Mormonism’s Adam God Doctrine Never Existed ? appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

This week on Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon sit down with researcher Kolby Reddish for a fascinating deep dive into the Dead Sea Scrolls and what they reveal about the Book of Mormon’s ancient claims. Kolby walks us through the history of the Scrolls, what they actually contain, and how they’ve transformed modern biblical scholarship. Then the conversation turns to the big question: If these are the most important ancient Hebrew and Aramaic writings ever discovered, certainly they mean something about the history, language, theology, and narrative patterns found in the Book of Mormon? Don’t miss this one—it’s history, scholarship, and critical thinking at their best. 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 What Do The Dead Sea Scrolls Mean For The Book of Mormon? appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Everyone knows Martin Harris as one of the Three Witnesses. But few know how strange, conflicted, and revealing his story really is. Was he a man of unwavering faith in the Truth… or a man chasing every new revelation that came along? In this episode of Mormonism Live, we dig into the real Martin Harris; the devout farmer who financed the Book of Mormon, saw angels (and maybe more), then spent decades bouncing between movements, prophets, and visions. From his 1838 claim that he only saw the plates “in vision or imagination,” to his deep belief in the Shaker “Sacred Roll and Book,” to his eventual return to Utah under Brigham Young’s wing. Every major twist in Harris’s life points to one central question: Can we trust Martin Harris as a reliable witness for the Restoration? Whether you’re a believer who reveres his testimony or a skeptic who doubts every word, you’ll walk away seeing Harris, and the early Church, in a far more complicated light than ever before. If the episode helps, support Mormonism Live so we can keep doing rigorous, source-driven work: Donate: https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live If anyone needs support dealing with spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at https://awakenandthrive.org Resources: Martin Harris: The Kirtland Years, 1831-1870 https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letterbook-2/69?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://fullerconsideration.com/images/Tiffany’s%20Monthly%20-%20Mormonism%20No.%202%20-%20Martin%20Harris.pdf https://bhroberts.org/records/nvGFqb-0LWaIn/burnetts_letter_claims_witnesses_confessed_to_not_seeing_the_plates Martin Harris: Mormonism’s Early Convert The post Martin Harris: Book of Mormon Witness Credibility Examined appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Lee Krahenbuhl returns to Mormonism Live for a fascinating deep dive into some of the strangest and most unusual aspects of Mormon history. Discover the surprising connections between Brigham Young, matchmaking traditions, spirit messages from Joseph Smith, and the most famous magician of the 19th century. What hidden stories link Mormon leaders, spiritualism, and 19th-century magic? How do these strange connections reshape our understanding of LDS history? Don’t miss this eye-opening episode as we uncover the bizarre, the mysterious, and the downright magical side of Mormonism’s past. Support Mormonism Live here: https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live RESOURCES: https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/dacd8009-cabe-438d-bd55-2319992d5ea2/0/0 The post Brigham Young: Matchmaker to the Stars appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Tonight on Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon sit down with writer and blogger Sarah Steed, whose essays contain sharp insight, poetic honesty, and unflinching critique of LDS culture. Sarah’s work dives deep into the unspoken layers of Mormon life—gender, perfectionism, obedience, and the lingering ghosts of patriarchy that shape the spiritual experience of both men and women. She explores how theology becomes culture, how “sisterhood” can sometimes turn into surveillance, and how the Restoration’s original mysticism was slowly domesticated into corporate religion. This is not your typical discussion on faith. Expect intelligent dialogue, uncomfortable questions, and honest reflections about what it means to be whole in a system that prizes obedience over authenticity. Topics Include: • LDS theology and the loss of mysticism • The hidden cost of perfection culture • How patriarchy recruits both men and women • Rethinking “eternal marriage” and divine feminine power • What a more authentic, spiritually alive Mormonism might look like RESOURCES: * https://substack.com/@thesarahsteed * https://thesarahsteed.substack.com/p/why-women-would-rather-be-alone * https://thesarahsteed.substack.com/p/for-all-eternity * https://thesarahsteed.substack.com/p/the-ghost-of-polygamys-past-f02 * https://thesarahsteed.substack.com/p/the-trouble-with-being-perfect * https://thesarahsteed.substack.com/p/forever-isnt-a-plan-temple-ready * https://thesarahsteed.substack.com/p/the-sunday-smile * https://substack.com/home/post/p-172891704 Join the live chat and be part of the conversation as we unpack the cultural, psychological, and spiritual realities behind modern Mormonism. Support the show: https://donorbox.org/mormonismlive If anyone needs support dealing with spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at: https://awakenandthrive.org/ The post Sarah Steed: Unmasking Mormonism appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

In this special episode, we take a in-depth look at the life and ministry of Elder Dallin H. Oaks, who stands next in line to become President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Few leaders have been as controversial —from his time as President of BYU to decades in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. We’ll explore the major moments that have shaped his spiritual approach to the gospel and to others: the legal mind that helped define Church policy, the Speaker who spoke boldly on Church theology, and the Latter-day Saint disciple who has guided the Church in shaping its modern approach. This episode offers a sincere examination of the experiences, decisions, and teachings that have defined Elder Oaks’s journey of as a Latter -day Saint Leader Donate & Stay Connected Support Mormonism Live and the work we do by donating here: https://donorbox.org/mormonismlive Stay informed with our latest episodes and updates by signing up for our newsletter: Join our Mailing List – https://subscribepage.io/MormonDiscussion If anyone needs support dealing with spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at https://awakenandthrive.org/ The post The Preparatory Path of LDS Prophet Dallin H. Oaks appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Mormonism Live uncovers the explosive history of the Reed Smoot Hearings (1904–1907)—a time when Mormon leaders, including President Joseph F. Smith, were forced to testify under oath before the United States Senate. What happens when prophets, seers, and revelators can no longer hide behind the pulpit and instead must answer blunt questions from skeptical senators under oath and penalty of perjury? We’ll walk you through: Why the hearings began and why the nation was riveted. Joseph F. Smith’s shocking admissions about polygamy, revelation, and his business empire. The contradictions between what Church leaders told the U.S. Senate versus what they taught faithful members in Utah. Scandals, evasions, and the unforgettable moment when the Prophet declared: “I have never pretended to… have received revelations.” The cultural and political fallout that permanently changed Mormonism and shaped its path toward assimilation in American society. This is Mormon history like you’ve never seen it: senators grilling prophets, prophets evading and confessing, and the whole nation watching. Subscribe for more hard-hitting episodes exposing Mormon history and leadership contradictions. Like this video and share it with others digging into the truth. Join the conversation in the comments below! Support the Show Donate to keep this work going: https://mormonismlive.org/Donate-To-Mormonism-Live/ Struggling with spiritual trauma or looking to reconnect with your authentic self?Awaken & Thrive Coaching provides 1-on-1 coaching and support groups designed to help you regulate your nervous system, process religious or relational wounds, and move forward with clarity and strength. Learn more or sign up here: AwakenAndThrive.org  The post The Reed Smoot Hearings: When Mormon Prophets Tell The Truth appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

What happens when a Mormon Apostle gets asked troublesome questions about Mormonism? In this episode of Mormonism Live, RFM and Bill Reel sit down with someone who had questions —hard questions — for the LDS Apostle about Mormonism. As the conversation unfolds, we witness a fascinating dynamic: a man taking a closer look at belief, truth claims, and the stories the Church tells its members. It’s a rare opportunity to see what happens when one presses for clarity—and Elder Renlund finds himself on the receiving end of uncomfortable but essential inquiries. Don’t miss this unique episode that blends sharp humor, keen insight, and the kind of candid exploration you’ve come to expect from Mormonism Live. ***EDIT NOTE*** During post-production, several brief portions of the conversation were removed at the request of our guest. We made every effort to preserve the flow while respecting those edits. As a result, a few transitions may feel slightly abrupt, but the overall discussion remains intact and hopefully easy to follow. Tune in live, join the chat, and be part of the conversation. Support the show and keep Mormonism Live going: https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live The post Personal Letter To Elder Renlund appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.