Mormon Discussion Podcast

Are Modern Prophets the same as Ancient Prophets and Ancient Apostles?  Today we dissect three audio quotes of Elder Oaks where he seems to acknowledge and validate that they are not.  That while Ancient Apostles and prophets were witnesses of a manifestation of some sort in regards to their witness of Christ while Modern Prophets have essentially zero direct contact with the Savior.  Are Modern leaders just like Moses, Noah, and Abraham?  Apparently not.  What are we to make of this?  And what does it mean to you for them to be special witnesses of Christ? The post 295: Revelation and The Role of Prophets & Apostles, Modern and Ancient appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Elder Oaks is on record testifying that we not not accept the teachings and statements of a given leader.  These quotes show up at other times as well from other leaders.  Strangely it is Elder Oaks who seems most accustomed to stating things which no other leader cares to tackle and certainly not all 15 of them.  On today’s episode we tackle the peculiar teachings of Elder Oaks and the very room he gives for members to disavow his own peculiar teachings.  We also talk about the bigotry contained in some of his teachings as well as those that seem incompatible with Christ’s own example. The post Mormon Discussion: 333: The Bigotry and Questionable Doctrine of Elder Oaks and the Room He Leaves to Disavow Himself appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we sit down with Sam Young and discuss his effort to protect Latter-day Saint children.  Sam shares the why of his involvement in this issue, what he is doing to accomplish this, what would need to change, and how the Church is reacting.  We talk about transparency, forthrightness, and the shielding of this institution from vulnerability by its leaders.  Sam Young is courageous and is standing on the high ground defending LDS Children from distorted boundaries and deep unhealthiness.  Support Sam by visiting protectldschildren.org Sam also offers this suggestion as a possible format for sharing with LDS leaders that you are establishing a healthier boundary for your children and their relationship with local leaders. Dear Bishop, Our family has decided to set the following boundaries with regards to our children. Our children are not to participate in any one-on-one interviews with anyone in the stake, including the bishop. We are to be notified in advance of any interviews with our children. One of us must to be present in all interviews with our children. No sexual matters are to be discussed during any meetings involving our children. These limits have been discussed with our kids.  We and they fully expect that these boundaries will be respected. Please let us know if you have any questions. This decision does not diminish our esteem for you as our bishop.  We appreciate and thank you for your dedicated service. Sincerely, The post 295: Sam Young – Protect The Children appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we hang out with Loni Lamm and discuss her faith journey and the journey of her family.  She has an interesting story to tell.  Some of her story including her time as an up and coming singer and her diverse experience in place like California will take on new ground.  But more importantly the majority of her story is our story.  She puts into words a telling of a faith journey that is your faith journey and mine.  So many part of this interview were interesting to me and felt like things I constantly have on my mind being told in a new refreshing way.  Join us today on Mormon Discussion as we continue with Part 2 of our interview with Loni Lamm Part 2 tackles her husband’s faith journey, the trauma of a faith shift, an awareness of the changing dynamics of in-group/out-group dynamics and a growing development with herself, her husband and their marriage. Loni Lamm music album The post 294: Loni Lamm – A Spiritual Awakening- Part 2 appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we hang out with Loni Lamm and discuss her faith journey and the journey of her family.  She has an interesting story to tell.  Some of her story including her time as an up and coming singer and her diverse experience in place like California will take on new ground.  But more importantly the majority of her story is our story.  She puts into words a telling of a faith journey that is your faith journey and mine.  So many part of this interview were interesting to me and felt like things I constantly have on my mind being told in a new refreshing way.  Join us today on Mormon Discussion as we share part 1 of our interview with Loni Lamm Part 1 tackles her childhood, her parents relationship with the gospel, her time as a musical performer, her schooling, and meeting her future husband.  The episode ends with an awareness that something has shifted and that more shifting must occur. Loni Lamm music album The post 293: Loni Lamm – A Spiritual Awakening- Part 1 appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today I sit down with Jaxon Washburn.  Who is Jaxon?  Only one of the stronger voices coming out of younger generation of Mormons.  We tackle the idea of Prophets, Scripture, the LGBT issue and others in an effort to see how the younger generation is beginning to re-frame Mormonism.  What does the future look like?  If we base that ideal off voices like Jaxon, it is certainly kinder, more empathetic, more inclusive, and more desirous of a healthier faith. The post 292: Jaxon Washburn – Paradigm of a Rising Generation appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today on Mormon Discussion, Bill Reel ties together several facets playing out in his own life and in his Church regarding the LGBT Issue.  How it is playing out in his wrestle with Mormonism, How it is playing out in his family & Friendships, How the Church is slowly coming around, How some leaders are giving a double message privately and publicly and the harm that it does, How the Church generally is giving these kids hope with its words only to provide more pain and harm with their actions, and How each of us need to stand up and speak up.  This is a monumental episode you won’t want to miss!!!!! The post 291: Stand Up Speak Up!!! appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we sit down with Tony Ortega, a journalist who has covered Scientology for over 20 years.  We talk about the mechanisms of Scientology and contrast and compare them with some of the mechanisms Mormonism.   We cover topics like how both religions handle dissenters, what gives the members certainty with their respective religion, interviews to establish loyalty, Sea Org vs Missionary Program, unique vocabulary, discouragement of looking into critical information, time commitment, financial commitment, and many more. Resources: https://tonyortega.org/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._Ron_Hubbard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Miscavige http://www.scientology.org/ http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/22/us/believer-what-is-scientology/index.html The post 290: Tony Ortega & The Church of Scientology & Scientologists appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

This is an audio recording of a Fireside held in Southern Utah on January 13 2018 on Joseph Smith’s polygamy.  We share the accounts of the plural wives of the Prophet Joseph Smith in their very words.  Going through multiple accounts one begins to see a pattern appear.  Religious pressure, rhetoric to each women that gives the impression they are the first being approached to “start the principle”, young girls working or living in the Smith home encouraged to become plural wives, and imposed deadlines for these women to make a decision.  Once one works through all the data, it seems impossible to avoid the uncomfortable realization that there is a deep unhealthiness in Joseph implementation of polygamy and we get to the heart of the matter. Resources: http://www.wivesofjosephsmith.org/ http://josephsmithspolygamy.org https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Joseph_Smith%27s_wives lds.org/topics/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=eng The post Joseph Smith’s Polygamy Fireside 1.13.2018 appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

People are constantly trying to figure out how they can be in Mormonism while trying to reconcile where they stand versus where the Institution stands.  In spite of the fact that the Church has always struggled to define itself, it’s history, it’s theology, and even the Word of God when it isn’t; we still seem to try to mesh our lives with the standards and interpretations it has declared.  This seems like a fruitless endeavor.  If the Church can not define itself or God’s doctrine and theology correctly then it is a moving target that we are trying to mesh our lives with.  There is a better framework.  This requires us to begin deciphering what is actually the Word of God and more importantly what parts of the Word of God is binding on us by the rules God has set within the Church.  Once we realize the very small box of things that God seems to have stated directly and that GOd and the Church have imposed on us as binding and that we have accepted by common consent as binding we realize just how much in the Church isn’t binding.  Once we do that the Tent of Mormonism gets really big and makes way more room for diversity and almost entirely squashes most of the things we believe imposes conformity and causes us moral tension…… most things. The post 289: Institutional Overreaching – A Better Framework appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.