Mormon Discussion Podcast

With The Church releasing photos of the Seer Stone it seems to beg the question what really is at the root of our discomfort with this narrative.  For me the answer is obvious….. Treasure Digging and Folk Magic and the depth of the details of how all the characters involved are just that……. involved. We… Read More »168: Seer Stones, Folk Magic, and Alvin’s Hand The post 168: Seer Stones, Folk Magic, and Alvin’s Hand appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Can skeptics debunk faith healing and priesthood blessings as mere placebo effect?  What can people from strong faith and cultural backgrounds learn about their healing practices from scientific and secular sources? In this episode, guest host Jon Young discusses social and faithful healing practices, modern medicine, and how they relate to the placebo effect with cultural anthropologist and… Read More »167: Chelsea Sheilds: Faith Healing, Medicine, and the Placebo Effect in Mormonism The post 167: Chelsea Sheilds: Faith Healing, Medicine, and the Placebo Effect in Mormonism appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we revisit our episode from a short time ago, “Handshakes and Drawn Swords”.  We talk about the discussion that has ensued and rebuttals apologists have made that has come about because of it.  While apologists argue this perspective is absurd, I argue that it still has a seat at the table. The post 166: Handshakes and Drawn Swords II appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today Ryan Boothe sits down with me and we rehash the “Our Bad Days” episode to delve deeper into some of the emotion that was being shared.  Ryan is asking the questions today and he leads the conversation like a master interviewer.  We discuss my frustration and why I in part blame the church.  We… Read More »165: Revisiting Our Bad Days The post 165: Revisiting Our Bad Days appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we sit down with LDS philosopher Blake Ostler.  His is the author of many books including his newest “Fire On The Horizon” Blake Ostler has published widely on Mormon philosophy in professional academic philosophy journals such as Religious Studies (Oxford, England), International Journal for the Philosophy of Religion (Netherlands), and Element: The Journal of… Read More »164: Blake Ostler: Wise Pearls The post 164: Blake Ostler: Wise Pearls appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we sit down with Randal Wright and discuss his book “The Book Of Mormon Miracle: 25 Reasons to Believe”.  We talk about the miracle that is the Book of Mormon.  Bro. Wright gives plenty of reason to have faith and hold faithful ground. Randal A. Wright obtained a PhD in Family Studies from Brigham… Read More »163: Randal Wright: The Book of Mormon Miracle The post 163: Randal Wright: The Book of Mormon Miracle appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today Jon Young sits down with LDS politician A.J. Balukoff.  A.J. Balukoff was a Democratic candidate for Governor of Idaho in the 2014 elections.  In today’s episode Jon navigates between the world of LDS faith and politics. He hits on the following about being a Mormon Democrat – Abortion law and social solutions – Gay marriage… Read More »162: AJ Balukoff: Mormon Democrat The post 162: AJ Balukoff: Mormon Democrat appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today I sit down with Mormon Historian, D. Michael Quinn.  We talk about his excommunication, his still powerful belief in the Mormonism and the Restoration.  He explains his literal belief in Gold Plates, an angel Moroni, and in Joseph Smith as a actual prophet.  We also hit on Revelatory Walking Sticks, Magic in the Mormon World,… Read More »161: D Michael Quinn: Special Witness The post 161: D Michael Quinn: Special Witness appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today I sit down with two great friends of mine: Suzette Smith and Chris Bloxham. We talk about the possibility of female ordination. What would it look like? Why is ordination important to some sisters in the Church? Would female ordination be the same as male ordination – or something different? We take a look… Read More »160: Female Ordination? The post 160: Female Ordination? appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we sit down with Steven Garff, a listener to the podcast, and discuss why people leave the Church.  We examine the age old reasons and dismiss them one by one as unsatisfactory as a overarching explanation.  We then delve into a theory that does explain the whole and how it impacts the question of why… Read More »159: Steven Garff: Gottman’s Ratio The post 159: Steven Garff: Gottman’s Ratio appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.