Mormon Discussion Podcast

Today we sit down with Community of Christ Assistant Pastor Seth Bryant.  We talk about the common faith tradition, the shift from the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to the Community of Christ (CoC).  We hit on the Priesthood, Women’s ordination, LGBT inclusiveness, their view of scripture, Mormon myths of the CoC, and talk about the flexibility that is found today in the CoC’s teachings and Theology. http://www.cofchrist.org/staff/506033/Bryant-Seth http://www.cofchrist.org/ Scripture in Community of Christ Church History Principles Faithful Disagreement document “Latter-day Seekers,” a website designed to explain Community of Christ to members of the LDS Church Our two most recent sections in the Doctrine and Covenants section-163 section-164 Comments on the calling of “pastor” as being in the early Restoration, from Seth Bryant: “Have you ever gone back to find an exact phrase in a nineteenth-century text, and completely failed? I haven’t been unable to find the exact reference to being ordained to the office of pastor. Even if my memory is serving me correctly and I found the reference, it must be said that terms like “ordain” and “office” did not have the same or fixed meanings that they have in the LDS Church today. BUT, there is ample evidence that nineteenth-century Mormons used the term “pastor” to refer to a congregational leader, as well as a mission leader. I have four references below.” Pastor as leader of the Philadelphia Branch (Congregation) The Gospel Reflector 1:1 (1 Jan 1841) The Times and Seasons reports this: “We have received twelve numbers of the Gospel Reflector, published in Philadelphia, be Elder B. Winchester, pastor of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in that city.–They contain many excellent articles in reference to the faith and doctrines of said church […] we recommend them to all those who are enquiring after the truth as it is in Jesus, and who wish to become acquainted with the gospel” (Times and Seasons 2 [1 July 1841], page 463). http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/NCMP1820-1846/id/8958 The post 157: Seth Bryant: Community of Christ appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today I want to talk about why I take the stance I do on the LGBT issue.  Why do I insist on a “Leading With Faith” effort to dissent with Church stances and cultural values?  Why can’t I just let this issue go and move on?  Today I explain and as often is the case personal experience is just the eye opener we all need at times.  God bless and Warm Shoulders!!! Article on Homeless Gay LDS youth Article on Gay homelessness and suicide Recent LDS video on Suicide Suicide Prevention Website     The post 156: Why the pain must stop appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today I sit down with Michael Reed, author of “Banishing the Cross: The Emergence of  a Mormon Taboo”.  We talk about How the cross was portrayed early in Church History, Why it becomes a problem, and Where are we at today.  We also hint at where we might be going. This issue is a microcosm of false assumptions and getting off track at large. I apologize for the sound quality (clicking noises and high and low in sound) Click the link above for his book!!! The post 155: Michael Reed and The Symbol of the Cross appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Why do I believe you ask? What keeps me in when I am aware of so many issues? Well besides my deep faith in the Savior and deep love and testimony of his gospel, I also have many other items in my bucket of faith. Today We talk about one of those. Today we talk about the Nag Hammadi texts and specifically the “Apocalypse of Adam” We discuss the abundance of parallels and coincidences and why I am compelled by them to view them as evidence in my faith bucket. Nag Hammadi Library “Apocalypse of Adam” The post 154: Apocalypse Of Adam appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

        This is a direct link from LeadingLDS.com .  A friend of mine, Kurt Francom runs this enlightening podcast that strives to give resources to LDS leaders including the tools and insight they need to be better at their callings.  Please visit Kurt’s podcast and consider making this a regular part of your listening! This is linked directly from his site and all credit goes to Kurt for this episode. Bill Reel from Mormon Discussion Podcast joins me again for chapter 2 in our discussion about the leader’s role in assisted Church members that experience a faith crisis. In this interview we discuss the framework of the Fowler 6 Stages of Faith. Understanding these concepts will help LDS leaders gain a deeper perspective of the stages people experience when facing serious doubts of faith. Bill spends some time explaining what each faith stage represents and then why stages 3 and 4 are the most important stages for a Church leader to understand. We also discuss how leaders can create room for these individuals in their ward or quorums. For better understanding on this topic, check out our first interview about helping other through a faith crisis. Links & Resources: Critical Journey Book Adam Miller Website Stages of Faith (a deeper explanation) Faith Development & Faith Formation: More Than Just Ages and Stages An article from an LDS leader addressing how to make more room for Stage 4 Mormons Excerpts from Elder Marlin K. Jensen’s discussion at Utah State University CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO The post 153: My Interviews on Faith Stages appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we sit with LDS author Neylan McBaine.  We talk about her book “Women at Church”.  We talk about How the Church handled Women’s roles early in the Church’s onset.  We talk about why she wrote the book, some of the variation that has come into our culture and policies, and the impact of those changes.  We finish talking about what things we could easily change without changing the Doctrine and how this would help sister in the Church today her book “Women At Church” Neylan’s Website  Wikpedia page on Neylan The post 152: Neyan McBaine: Women at Church appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

            Today is a short episode (12 minutes to be exact), but has some important information. 1.) We are starting a “Lead with Faith” support group in Southern Utah. We already have some interest expressed and I am very excited to get this off the ground and be a part of this in my new home area (I now live in Southern Utah if you have’t heard).  EMAIL me if you live near by and are interested. – We also discuss that other mentors and support groups may be near your home and you can check here—> https://mormondiscussions.org/mdpodcast/leading-with-faith-guides-support-groups/  2.) I speak briefly of my new career with Family Pawn and my hope that some of you will stop in and say hi.  call ahead as we have 4 stores but usually I am at our Sunset Blvd in St George  location or our store in Hurricane on the main street going through. 3.) Shared that on future episodes we will be discussing some of the LDS historical artifacts that we have at Family Pawn.  Honestly it really is a mini museum at our Hurricane location. 4.) Notifying you that I will be a Moderator for two panel discussions at Sunstone this year. Join us for the 2015 SLC Sunstone Symposium! July 29- August 1, 2015 University of Utah Olpin Student Union Building THEME: The Mormon Mind Ideas, Ideology, Intelligence, Psychology, Belief, and the Brain More Details Coming Soon! Registration will open May 15th. 5.) And lasty, we are in deep need of donations or new subscribers.  Please consider donating today.  It means the world to me. Thank you   The post 151: Come Join Our St George Support Group appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today I sit down with Annie Hall.  She discusses her husband’s pornography addiction and their journey to recovery.  We talk about the pain, the frustration and the hurt.  We speak at length about what her assumptions were and how Priesthood leaders are unequipped in some ways to handle such issues but the cultural idea that Bishops can solve any problem as the mouthpiece of God in a Ward can slow down and even hurt the process of recovery.  Annie tells a story that is a piece of all us as we examine our lives. The post 150: Annie Hall: Pornography Addiction appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we talk about when we get it wrong!  Can we speak out when we get it wrong or is criticism of any kind uncalled for.   What if what a leader says does unreconcilable, irrevocable, unrepairable damage?  What if young people are living alone in tents in the winter and some who becoming so depressed and seeing no hope because of what others do, say, and behave towards them; they eventually take their lives?  Can we speak out?  Can we say that teaching is wrong?  Can we criticize that teaching? Marion G Romney’s talk on Better to come home in a casket Elder Oaks Talk on Criticism Elder Benson’s 14 Fundamentals  The post 149: When We Get It Wrong appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we sit down with Movie Director T.C. Christensen and talk about his newest production, “The Cokeville Miracle”.  We talk about the movie, the research that went into it, his thoughts on the event and proposed miracles, and how movies have affected his life.  The movie releases June 5th to selected theaters and should be a inspiring movie to see! T.C. Christensen’s cinema work The Miracle of Cokeville The post 148: T.C.Christensen: Cokeville Miracle appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.