Mormon Discussion Podcast

Last night the Church of Jesus Christ held a 40th anniversary of its doctrinal and policy change to allow those of African Descent to receive Priesthood and Saving ordinances in the Temple.  As we all know the Church has been hush hush forever about this change and it context in our past.  And then in 2013 when the Race and Priesthood Essay came out For the first time the Church felt comfortable speaking out and disavowing the theories behind those restrictions.  But what was left ambiguous was the Ban itself.  It seemed the Church preferred to allow people to make up their own minds.  For those who needed the ban to be from God, they could read that into it.  For those who needed the ban to be a Racist man made thing, they could have their cake and eat it too.  Until that was last night…. When Elder Oaks said the following “As part of my prayerful study, I learned that in general, the Lord rarely gives reasons for the Commandments and directions he gives to his servants” – Elder Oaks June 1st 2018 Hereby rendering ineffective the ambiguity of the Essay.  Elder Oaks has taught us on several occasions to “Be One” and this celebration was no different.   And yet if to “Be One” means I have to allow this unhealthy institution to shield itself from accountability and allow it to portray God as a racist SOB who he himself on his throne reached out to his servants and implemented the Priesthood and Temple ban without allowing any safe space left to believe that this Church’s leaders simply screwed up and have less of a direct connection than they want others to believe…. No thanks. And PS You didn’t cry. The post Mormon Discussion: 304: Be One And Be Racist With Us And Our Racist God…. No Thank You appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today On Mormon Discussion, Bill Reel dives into the idea once you grasp how fallible modern Church leaders are, taking the next step to grasp at just how fallible ancient servants of God were.  Once one wrestles with that the discussion turns to how much trust one should place in God’s servants who are in a lower developmental stage and whose fruits are involve as much error as inspiration. The post 303: Conscience over Outer Authorities appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Mormonism in the past week has learned that inspite of how much members say what they think the Church expects them to say, that members are deep down struggling much more deeply with the issues within its faith.   Today on Mormon Discussion we talk about the recent Race Apology both the satire apology created by Jonathon Streeter as well as the non-existent apology and missed opportunity by the LDS Church itself.  We talk about how people crave and need belonging and also authenticity but how in the first half of life, the belonging trumps the authenticity and compels us to say what the systems and institutions we belong to expect us to say.  And in doing so our authenticity takes a back seat.  This shows its face when people believed the Church had changed its message and what follows is a change in the rhetoric around that change only to have been based on a false belief that the Church had actually shifted.  We see through these recent events that the members of the Church deep down are clamoring for a shift and deeply need the healing around issues that could only have been expressed by those members believing the Church had opened up a space for them to speak out and speak up.  We end by showing that this is one more evidence that this institution has shown that every single time it can choose between helping people heal and doing the right thing versus protecting its authority and narrative, that Mormonism will do the latter every single time.  And along the way I express my own sorrow for my blind spots in this experience. The post Mormon Discussion: 302: Racism, Parodies, and Botched Opportunities appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today guest host Brittney Hartley sits down with Bill Reel from Mormon Discussions Podcasts and discusses his current relationship with Mormonism.  In this 2 hour interview Bill tackles what got him to this place as they discuss many of the important moments along this journey.  They tackle where he is at currently including where his wife and kids are with the Church.  He finishes by speaking to what lays ahead for the podcast.  If you have grown to appreciate Bill Reel and his voice in this space, your going to love this chance to see deeply inside his heart and mind.  We hope you enjoy this episode!!! The post 301: Bill Reel discusses the twists and turns of his Faith Journey appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today On Mormon Discussion, We discuss Seers.  What is a Seer within the Old Testament.  How does the Book of Mormon frame such a word.  What is Jesus as heard through the D&C stating?  How about Moroni as a spiritual post-mortal being?  How does the modern Church today define a Seer?  And lastly is the statement that “President Monson is a Seer” different from “we sustain President Monson as a seer”? The post Mormon Discussion: 300: SEERS appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Haley Wilson Lemmon sits down with us today to discuss the Joseph Smith translation of the Bible.   Haley worked with BYU Professor Thomas A Wayment in looking into what possible sources Joseph Smith used in his Bible translation.  The major discovery here was that Joseph Smith “direct borrowed” or plagiarized heavily from Adam Clarke’s Commentary in order to carry out his Bible translation.  There is a multiple of tangents we take this conversation –  What led to this research? – How pervasive this plagiarism was. – Was there any pushback from BYU or the Church leadership? – Was there any pressure to edit certain ideas out? – Joseph use of other sources in his work such as Buck’s Dictionary – How this demonstrates once again how problematic the Church’s narrative is – The imposed need to redefine what it meant for Joseph to translate – How understanding Joseph Smith on this issue sheds light on his other “translations”. – How this either speaks to Joseph Smith being a genius or it imposes that Joseph had other sources by his side in his translation work and what that means for other works including the book of abraham but namely the book of Mormon – Does the Book of Mormon utilize Clarke’s Commentary? – What can we infer about Sidney Rigdon’s involvement – How her and Wayments write-up is in their mind the most faithful way to interpret the data. – The difficult position the Church is in with its narrative falling apart – How BYU censured her regarding her blog about her faith crisis – Where Haley is at today in her faith journey Resources: BYU’s Synopsis of Lemmon’s and Wayment’s Research Adam Clarke’s Commentary   The post 299: Haley Lemmon – The Joseph Smith Translation – Revelation or Plagiarism appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

This Episode is Audio from outside the Mormon Discussion Podcasts.  This is a sermon from another faith on “Stages of Faith”. We revisit a series where we have taken audio where those of other faiths work to explain and teach the stages of faith.  Today is the Rock Creek Here is a sermon given in their Church on the Stages of Faith The post PREMIUM: Stages of Faith: Rock Creek appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

The Church has claimed to be the “Gold Standard” on handling of Sexual Abuse.  They have also said that “No religious organization has done more” than they have to prevent and respond to abuse.  The Church has also stated that “While clergy-abuse cases continue to grab headlines, the Church has had almost no child abuse problems with its clergy.”  Yet we know from data points like this list of known abuse cases within the LDS Church along with the following cases Recent Joseph Layton Bishop abuse scandal Lawsuit involving alleged cover up by LDS Church of abuse Utah Bishop convicted of sexual abuse Stories From over 500 victims List of several cases with links Groups says there is a cultural problem with Mormonism’s mechanisms So a Church member might ask what are the unhealthy mechanisms within our faith?  Here is a list to get that conversation going – Unhealthy views of normal sexual developments as sin – A lack of accountability to current sex abuse standards – One on One interviews and the unhealthy boundaries and unsafe space that creates – Deeply inadequate training – An unhealthy framing of worthiness – While there is a hotline for leaders to call there is no mechanism for members to call on their own. -no openness to hear or implement the constructive criticism of outside voices who are informed and enducated on sexual abuse to point out needed policy and procedural changes. A More comprehensive list is as follows: Prevention efforts Home/Church *Church dissuades members from discussing sensitive matters * Resources given not available for member download / dated / not best practice * No Background checks required for adults working with youth or leaders * No training required for youth workers or leaders * No reporting mechanism on training or non ecclesiastical complaint resolution * New two deep leadership “Should” not must for working with youth, *Bishop still exempted from no one-on- one *No guide for safe scouting for older boys or girls. * Overnight policy still not consistent with BSA * Policies are not public * No member or youth training on abuse / consent part of the curriculum Regarding the change to allow an second adult to attend an interview “if the person being interviewed desires” *Inadequate change as it is left up to the person being interviewed to ask for a second adult to be in the room. *Still allows one-on- one interviews *Doesn’t protect the bishop *Sexual explicit questions still allowed no guidance on content of questioning. *”Leaders to void all circumstances that could be misunderstood” Unclear use of language – Church must be example of ability to talk about abuse and sex with adults *Sexual shaming worthiness questions still allowed – Reporting Abuse “When abuse occurs, the first and immediate responsibility of church leaders is to help those who have been abused and to protect vulnerable persons from future abuse” * Bishops not qualified to help abuse victims or protect vulnerable * Reporting is required by church has poor track record * No training in mandated reporting * + Members should never be encouraged to remain in a home or situation that is abusive or unsafe GOOD MESSAGE *Call to hotline immediately is new directive but may still protect Church liability *Referral to mental health is good but resources need to be maintained of qualified therapists and resources given *NDS’s or Non-Disclosure Agreements keep membership/society from generally knowing the breadth and scope of abuse in the Church *Leaders unqualified to “help abuser repent or cease abuse — Should always be referring to professionals * Resources listed are only available to church leaders not members or public * Policies are not open to public If the Church wants to be seen as being serious about abuse, its prevention, and the support of victims it will need to lay its authority hold over members on the altar and take seriously the conclusion that it is not only inadequate on such an issue but that outside voices have valid criticisms of current policies and procedures as well as suggestions for a healthier paradigm. Resources for further learning about this issue and how we can be better: Protect LDS Children and Concerns about Child Interviews in LDS Church (See http://protectldschildren.org/ ) -Recommendations for parents/members to protect their children by advocating with bishops / Stake Presents (See https://invisiblescubit.wordpress.com/2018/02/04/great-suggestions-to-protect-our-children/ ) – Response to “How Mormons (the Church) Approaches Abuse” (Mormon Newsroom resource) I give 16 recommendations to improve the LDS Church’s child protection policies and practices Church Resource: (See https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/how-mormons-approach-abuse ) Tim’s response: (See http://www.patheos.com/blogs/mormontherapist/2018/02/church-approaches-abuse-professionals-response.html ) – Preventing and Responding to Abuse (Church resource issued 3/26/2018 discussed in this podcast) https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/multimedia/file/Preventing-and-Responding-to-Abuse-attachment-final.pdf – Mormon Mental Health Podcast discussion of “Preventing and Responding to Abuse” Church Resource point by point discussion by two clinicians of the document (Natasha Helfer Parker and Timothy Birt) http://www.mormonmentalhealth.org/133-response-to-the-churchs-updated-guidelines-in-preventing-and-responding-to-abuse/ – Dialogue Article on Abuse: Day, Terence L. “Bones Heal Faster: Spousal Abuse in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” Dialogue. 46:01 https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V46N01_328b.pdf – Investigating A Claim of Child Abuse at Church – An Inside Perspective http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org/2016/02/investigating-a-claim-of-child-abuse-at-church-an-inside-perspective/ – Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE) https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/acestudy/index.html https://www.samhsa.gov/capt/practicing-effective-prevention/prevention-behavioral-health/adverse-childhood-experiences https://acestoohigh.com/got-your-ace-score/ https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=adverse+childhood+experiences&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiz6ZbKro_aAhVL4YMKHZksDuAQgQMINDAA – Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy https://tfcbt.org/ https://tfcbt2.musc.edu/ – Children’s Advocacy Centers http://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/ – Recommendations for Church Child Protection policies from other Churches: Community of Christ http://www.cofchrist.org/child-protection-training United Methodist Church (Safe Sanctuaries) https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/safe-sanctuaries-general-guidelines-starter-documents Episcopal Church https://www.cpg.org/linkservid/3F743B4C-06F1-5DFF-86FFB64C8B79DE07/showMeta/0/?label=Model%20Policies%3A%20Preventing%20Children%20and%20Youth%20from%20Abuse Presbyterian Church http://www.fpcgreensboro.org/child-and-youth-protection-policy United Church of Christ http://www.ucc.org/ministers_safe Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake https://www.dioslc.org/offices/office-of-safe-environment/documents-safe-environment/safe-environment-program-manual – Phone links: Trevor project LGBT support / suicide: 866-488- 7386 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-656- 4673 National Children’s Alliance (CAC INFO): 202.548.0090 LDS HOTLINE: 800-453- 3860 ext. 2-1911 LDS GENERAL COUNSEL: 800-453- 3860 ext. 2-6301 – Tim Birt’s Info: – (See https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/counseling-and-therapy-services-auburn-al/210682 ) – (See http://www.mormonmentalhealthassoc.org/mmha-clinical-providers The post 298: Tim Birt – Mormonism’s Negligence on Sex Abuse appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today I want to talk about Wisdom.  Wisdom seems to come from exposing ourselves in a vulnerable way to others especially those who are diverse and unique from us.  It is when we look for truth outside of our bubbles that we begin to open ourselves up to real wisdom.  That when we live in small groups or live isolated lives that we are defensive of differences rather than looking for truth.  We talk today about how much wisdom there is in Mormonism and if there is little where else do we look for it. Bill Reel’s Suggestions of Wise Audio Episodes https://robbell.podbean.com/e/episode-86-richard-rohr-and-the-alternative-orthodoxy/  – Rob Bell and Richard Rohr Together https://onbeing.org/programs/david-hartman-hope-in-a-hopeless-god/ – Krista Tippet interview Rabbi David Hartman (click unedited) https://onbeing.org/programs/martin-sheen-spirituality-of-imagination/  –  Krista Tippett interview Martin Sheen (click unedited) http://www.radiolab.org/story/91569-memory-and-forgetting/  –  Radio Lab Episode on Memory https://www.outsideonline.com/2162176/everest-effect – A historical example used to show the nuance of the value of life http://revisionisthistory.com/episodes/09-generous-orthodoxy – One is never to old to change https://youarenotsosmart.com/2011/06/10/the-backfire-effect/ – How our brain deals with contradictory evidence   The post 297: Wisdom Through Exposure appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

With the recent MormonLeaks audio regarding MTC president self admitting he sexual abused others, it became necessary to speak out about sex abuse and the unhealthiness here inside the Church.  I start by telling some stories from my growing up and tie into how good Mormonism was for 17 year old me.  I then explain how slowly over time I came to barely hanging on in hopes the Church would choose to be good.  We then take a long look at this recent leak and the understanding that comes out from it and finish sharing why this and other events have helped our family make peace with the sabbatical we have taken from Church activity. Resources: Audio and Transcript from Mormon Leaks (I recommend the Audio) Church Official Response Church’s Former Official Response to Sex Abuse Generally Church Updated Version of their Official Response to Sex Abuse Generally   The post Special Episode: 296: Sex Abuse, Victim Shaming, and Sabbaticals appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.