Podcast
Mormon Discussion Archives - Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel
Hosted by Bill Reel · EN
An Honest Search For Truth
16episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Hill Cumorah: Why did the LDS Church & its apologists relocate it?
Apr 1000:12:26Tap to summarizeFor most of Mormon history, Latter-day Saints believed the Hill Cumorah in Palmyra, New York was the very place where the final battles of the Book of Mormon took place and where Moroni buried the gold plates that Joseph Smith would later retrieve. But in recent decades, a growing number of LDS scholars and apologists have proposed something very different. Because no archaeological evidence exists in New York for the massive civilizations and battles described in the Book of Mormon, many now argue that the real Cumorah must have been somewhere in Mesoamerica. Under this model, the hill in New York is no longer the battle site at all. Instead, Moroni supposedly carried the plates thousands of miles north before burying them in Palmyra. In this episode we examine: • Why early LDS leaders consistently taught that Cumorah was in New York • Why modern apologetics often moves the battle to Mesoamerica • The archaeological claims used to justify this shift • Why similarities like pyramids, cities, and warfare are not actual evidence for Book of Mormon peoples • What evidence would need to exist if the Book of Mormon civilizations were historical • The logistical and historical problems created by the “two Cumorahs” theory Is relocating Cumorah a legitimate scholarly development… or simply another attempt to make the evidence fit the claim? Join us as we take a closer look. Book: A Logical Deconstruction of Mormonism In this book, Bill Reel walks step-by-step through the major truth claims of Mormonism and examines whether they hold up under scrutiny. Using logic, history, and evidence, the book explores the foundations of LDS belief and invites readers to consider the most reasonable conclusions. Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Logical-Deconstruction-Mormonism-Bill-Reel-ebook/dp/B0GQN4178G If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about Mormon history, doctrine, and evidence, make sure to subscribe to Mormon Discussion and join the discussion in the comments. #Mormonism #BookOfMormon #Cumorah #LDSHistory #MormonDiscussion The post The Hill Cumorah: Why did the LDS Church & its apologists relocate it? appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.
Transcribe →Book of Mormon Translation
Mar 2600:09:25Tap to summarizeIn this episode we examine one of the most foundational claims in Mormonism: the translation of the Book of Mormon. Most Latter-day Saints grew up hearing a very specific story. Joseph Smith sat at a table, the gold plates were present, and he translated the ancient record through divine power. But when we turn to the actual historical eyewitness accounts, a more complicated picture appears. Multiple witnesses—including Martin Harris, Emma Smith, and David Whitmer—described a translation process where Joseph placed a seer stone into a hat, buried his face in the hat to block out light, and dictated the text while the plates were often covered, in another room, or not present at all. If the translation did not require Joseph to read the plates… why were the plates necessary? In this episode we slow the story down and look carefully at the historical sources. We examine the original accounts, the apologetic explanations offered to reconcile them, and the logical implications of those explanations. This is not about attacking belief. It is about asking a simple question: What explanation best fits the evidence? Book: A Logical Deconstruction of Mormonism Available at Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Logical-Deconstruction-Mormonism-Bill-Reel-ebook/dp/B0GQN4178G Thanks so much for watching! Please like, subscribe, and leave a comment! Visit our Channel to find everything Mormonism! https://www.youtube.com/c/MormonDiscussionsInc or @MormonDiscussion The post Book of Mormon Translation appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.
Transcribe →The Kinderhook Plates: A Joseph Smith Translation?
Mar 1900:14:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we examine one of the lesser-known but revealing moments in Mormon history: the Kinderhook Plates. In 1843, a set of small brass plates covered with strange engravings were discovered in Kinderhook, Illinois and brought to Joseph Smith. Contemporary accounts record that Joseph examined the plates and began offering an interpretation of the characters, identifying them as an ancient record connected to a descendant of Ham. But decades later, the truth emerged. The Kinderhook Plates were a 19th-century hoax, created by local men to test whether Joseph Smith could truly translate ancient records. Modern metallurgical testing confirmed what the creators later admitted: the plates were manufactured in the 1800s. So what does this episode show? If Joseph had the divine ability to translate ancient languages by revelation, a modern forgery should have been immediately exposed. Instead, Joseph appeared to treat the plates as authentic and even began interpreting them. In this episode we walk carefully through: The discovery of the Kinderhook Plates What Joseph Smith reportedly said about them The later confession of the men who created them And what this incident tells us about Joseph’s claimed translation abilities This is part of a larger series examining the core claims of Mormonism one issue at a time. If you appreciate this kind of careful, logical examination, my book A Logical Deconstruction of Mormonism expands this approach across thirty major issues—looking at the original claim, the evidence, the apologetic explanations, and the logical implications. Thanks for listening. And as always, keep thinking clearly. Book: A Logical Deconstruction of Mormonism Available at Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Logical-Deconstruction-Mormonism-Bill-Reel-ebook/dp/B0GQN4178G The post The Kinderhook Plates: A Joseph Smith Translation? appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.
Transcribe →The Book of Abraham: Can Joseph Translate Egyptian?
Mar 1200:11:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we examine one of the clearest translation claims in Mormon history: the Book of Abraham. Joseph Smith said he translated ancient writings of Abraham from Egyptian papyri. Those papyri were displayed, studied, and described as the source of the text. Today, we still have fragments of those papyri. And Egyptologists can read them. They do not say what Joseph said they say. So what happened? We carefully walk through the original claim, what the surviving papyri actually contain (including the Breathing Permit of Hôr), and the major apologetic responses: the Missing Scroll theory, the Catalyst theory, and other reinterpretations. Then we ask the logical question: do these explanations preserve the original claim — or redefine it? This isn’t about mockery. It’s about clarity. If Joseph could translate Egyptian by divine power, this episode matters. And if he could not, that matters even more. If you appreciate this structured, respectful approach to examining Mormon truth claims, my book A Logical Deconstruction of Mormonism expands this method across thirty core issues — one claim at a time. Thanks for listening. And as always, keep thinking clearly. Book: A Logical Deconstruction of Mormonism Available at Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Logical-Deconstruction-Mormonism-Bill-Reel-ebook/dp/B0GQN4178G Visit our Channel to find everything Mormonism! https://www.youtube.com/c/MormonDiscussionsInc or @MormonDiscussion Our mission at Mormon Discussion is to be a beacon of support for those who are questioning the truth claims or renegotiating their relationship with faith. Our podcasts like “Mormonism Live,” “Radio Free Mormon,” and “Mormon Discussion” offer a safe space for Discovery and healing. But we need your help. Your donations power our work – expanding outreach, improving content, and creating new initiatives. Visit https://donorbox.org/umbrella-entity or https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/please-consider-donating-today/ and make a difference today. Your support empowers us to empower others. We are a 501C3 Non-Profit and your donation is tax deductible inside the United States https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/please-consider-donating-today/ Thank you for being part of the change. Together, we’re making a real impact. The post The Book of Abraham: Can Joseph Translate Egyptian? appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.
Transcribe →The Lost 116 Pages from the Book of Lehi: A Logical Deconstruction
Mar 1200:16:46Tap to summarizeThe Lost 116 Pages — What Really Happened? In this episode, we take a careful look at one of the earliest and most important moments in the coming forth of the Book of Mormon: the loss of the 116 manuscript pages. Believers have long heard the story. Martin Harris takes the manuscript. It disappears. Joseph is devastated. A revelation explains why the pages cannot be retranslated. But when we slow down and examine the logic of the situation, deeper questions begin to emerge. If Joseph had the plates… If he could translate by the gift and power of God… If the original manuscript still existed somewhere unaltered… Why couldn’t the text simply be reproduced? In this episode, we walk through the historical claim, the explanation given in Doctrine & Covenants 10, and the logical implications of that explanation. No mockery. No caricatures. Just the claim, the evidence, and the reasoning. If you are a believer who values truth, integrity, and consistency, this conversation is not an attack. It is an invitation to think carefully about one of the foundational events in early Church history. And if you appreciate this structured, respectful approach to examining Mormon truth claims, my book “A Logical Deconstruction of Mormonism” delves into this issue as well as many others and can be found on Amazon by visiting https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GQN4178G Thanks for listening — and as always, keep thinking clearly. The post The Lost 116 Pages from the Book of Lehi: A Logical Deconstruction appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.
Transcribe →Why & When Fanny Alger Entered the Prophet Joseph Smith’s Home
Feb 1101:04:28Tap to summarizeWhen did Fanny Alger actually come to live in the Prophet Joseph Smith’s home and why? This episode takes a careful, historically grounded look at one of the most misunderstood turning points in early Mormon history. Rather than starting with scandal or theology, we begin with something far more mundane and far more revealing: household labor, family obligation, and timing. By reconstructing the sequence surrounding Levi Hancock’s marriage to Clarissa Reed, the sudden death of Mary Beal Johnson, The Mosiah Hancock account, and Emma Smith’s precarious condition, we examine the most plausible reasons Fanny Alger was brought into the Smith home in the first place. From there, we explore how later memories, compressed timelines, and evolving theology reshaped those early events into something very different from how they likely began. This episode does not assume intent where the evidence doesn’t require it—but it also does not look away from where the evidence eventually leads. We examine competing interpretations, the role of Levi Hancock, the question of a later “sealing,” and why the scandal likely emerges years after Fanny first enters the home. If you’ve ever been told this story started with polygamy, secrecy, or divine command, this conversation invites you to slow down and ask a more basic—and more important—question: What problem was being solved when Fanny Alger first arrived? Support Mormonism Discussion https://mdpodcast.org/donate-to-mdpodcast/ Spiritual trauma support If anyone needs support dealing with spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at https://awakenandthrive.org/ The post Why & When Fanny Alger Entered the Prophet Joseph Smith’s Home appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.
Transcribe →Denying Joseph Smith’s Polygamy Part 2 [Mormon Discussion 393]
May 13, 202402:57:42Tap to summarizeIn Part 2 of “Denying Joseph Smith’s Polygamy,” we continue on a compelling journey through conflicting narratives surrounding the origins of polygamy in Mormonism. Through the Research of Clark Aboud and the Historian’s lens of renowned Mormon Scholar Dan Vogel, we confront the contentious question: Did Joseph Smith truly introduce polygamy, or was Brigham Young the mastermind behind its inception? Delve into the evidence and engage in the debate as we present the historical documentation and the perspective of both sides. Part 2 of 3 Thanks so much for watching! Please like, subscribe, and leave a comment! 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/umbrella-entity 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 Visit our Channel to find everything Mormonism! https://www.youtube.com/c/MormonDiscussionsInc or @MormonDiscussion Our mission at Mormon Discussion is to be a beacon of support for those who are questioning the truth claims or renegotiating their relationship with faith. Our podcasts like “Mormonism Live,” “Radio Free Mormon,” and “Mormon Discussion” offer a safe space for Discovery and healing. But we need your help. Your donations power our work – expanding outreach, improving content, and creating new initiatives. Visit https://donorbox.org/umbrella-entity or https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/please-consider-donating-today/ and make a difference today. Your support empowers us to empower others. We are a 501C3 Non-Profit and your donation is tax deductible inside the United States https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/please-consider-donating-today/ Thank you for being part of the change. Together, we’re making a real impact. The post Denying Joseph Smith’s Polygamy Part 2 [Mormon Discussion 393] appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.
Transcribe →Denying Joseph Smith’s Polygamy: Historical Analysis of the Evidence Part 1 [Mormon Discussion 392]
May 6, 202404:56:20Tap to summarizeIn “Denying Joseph Smith’s Polygamy,” we embark on a compelling journey through conflicting narratives surrounding the origins of polygamy in Mormonism. Through the Research of Clark Aboud and the Historian’s lens of renowned Mormon Scholar Dan Vogel, we confront the contentious question: Did Joseph Smith truly introduce polygamy, or was Brigham Young the mastermind behind its inception? Delve into the evidence and engage in the debate as we present the historical documentation and the perspective of both sides. Thanks so much for watching! Please like, subscribe, and leave a comment! 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/umbrella-entity 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 Denying Joseph Smith’s Polygamy: Historical Analysis of the Evidence Part 1 [Mormon Discussion 392] appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.
Transcribe →The Shocking Truth about Mandatory Reporting [Mormon Discussion: 390]
Dec 8, 202300:22:29Tap to summarizeIn this eye-opening episode of the Mormon Discussion podcast, host Bill Reel takes a brave and unexpected stance on a topic that has long been considered a cornerstone in the fight against abuse. In “The Shocking Truth about Mandatory Reporting,” Bill discloses a profound shift in his perspective after delving into extensive research on the subject. CONTENT WARNING: This episode may be difficult to hear for those who have been abused or help prevent and heal from abuse, as Bill grapples with a challenging realization. Before diving into the intricacies of his changed viewpoint, Bill wants to make it abundantly clear that he remains passionately committed to the cause of eradicating abuse in both the “Mormon” and “post-Mormon” communities. Join Bill Reel as he fearlessly explores the complexities surrounding mandatory reporting, challenging conventional wisdom and engaging listeners in a thought-provoking dialogue that aims to foster a safer and more informed community. Buckle up for an episode that confronts uncomfortable truths, encourages open conversation, and ultimately seeks to contribute to the ongoing efforts to create a safer environment for all. RESOURCES: https://publicsquaremag.org/politics-law/legal/a-misguided-crusade-how-mandatory-reporting-fails-our-children/ https://publicsquaremag.org/sexuality-family/sexual-abuse/latter-day-saint-abuse-myths/ https://search.brave.com/search?q=what+research+studies+say+about+mandatory+reporting&source=web https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK195993/ https://scholars.unh.edu/honors/15/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5652515/ https://www.umass.edu/research/guidance/mandatory-reporting https://aifs.gov.au/resources/resource-sheets/mandatory-reporting-child-abuse-and-neglect https://ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/research-updates/preventing-child-abuse-is-more-reporting-better/ https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/11/7/273 https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubpdfs/manda.pdf Thanks so much for watching! Please like, subscribe, and leave a comment! Visit our Channel to find everything Mormonism! https://www.youtube.com/c/MormonDiscussionsInc or @MormonDiscussion Our mission at Mormon Discussion is to be a beacon of support for those who are questioning the truth claims or renegotiating their relationship with faith. Our podcasts like “Mormonism Live,” “Radio Free Mormon,” and “Mormon Discussion” offer a safe space for Discovery and healing. But we need your help. Your donations power our work – expanding outreach, improving content, and creating new initiatives. Visit https://donorbox.org/umbrella-entity or https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/please-consider-donating-today/ and make a difference today. Your support empowers us to empower others. We are a 501C3 Non-Profit and your donation is tax deductable inside the United States https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/please-consider-donating-today/ Thank you for being part of the change. Together, we’re making a real impact. The post The Shocking Truth about Mandatory Reporting [Mormon Discussion: 390] appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.
Transcribe →Navigating A Troubling Religion: MD: 389
Oct 31, 202301:05:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Mormon Discussion Podcast, Bill Reel sits down with author John Moroni Hanson to delve into his memoir, “Navigating On Black Ice: My Mormon Life.” Book Synopsis: “An exploration of how an intelligent man found himself entangled in a troubling religion, ‘Navigating on Black Ice’ is an enlightening journey of coming to understand what you want. Author John Moroni Hanson unravels the threads of influence such as birth order, family, and identity, shedding light on the complex web that keeps people associated with the Mormon Church. From his process of breaking free to the painful journey of self-discovery, Hanson’s story is a testament to the power of healing, self-acceptance, and liberation from destructive emotions. This must-read memoir challenges beliefs and inspires personal growth with courage and compassion.” Join us as Bill and John offer those with doubts and anguish a new path that seeks to priortize the the one over the system, offering insights that resonate with people from various denominations, students of religion and psychology, and those seeking to understand when the church asks too much. Connect with John Moroni Hanson: https://www.facebook.com/john.hanson.9849 https://www.amazon.com/Navigating-Black-Ice-Mormon-Life-ebook/dp/B0CKY7ZL26?ref_=ast_author_mpb https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144219504 The post Navigating A Troubling Religion: MD: 389 appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.
Transcribe →