Mormon Discussion Podcast

Mormon Discussion Inc

An Honest Search For Truth

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Mormonism’s Mountain Meadows Massacre

    Tonight, one of the darkest chapters in Mormon history—the Mountain Meadows Massacre. This isn’t a surface-level retelling. We walk through what led up to it, how it unfolded, and what happened afterward… and we let the historical record speak for itself. We examine the environment in southern Utah at the time—heightened fear, isolation, and rhetoric that blurred the line between obedience to leaders and loyalty to God. We talk about the Baker–Fancher wagon train, why they were targeted, and how a situation that could have ended peacefully turned into something far worse. We break down the massacre itself—how the militia gained the trust of the emigrants, what happened when they were escorted out under a white flag, and how the attack was carried out. We also cover what followed: the children who were spared and placed into Mormon homes, the removal and redistribution of property, and the long effort to control the narrative. We dig into the aftermath—the oath-like silence described by participants, the blaming of Native Americans, and the later statements by leaders that don’t quite line up with what we now know. We’ll also talk about the monument, its destruction, and the unsettling details surrounding that. This episode isn’t about sensationalism. It’s about understanding how something like this happens—inside a system that believes it is acting under divine authority. In this episode: * The climate in Utah leading up to 1857 * Brigham Young’s rhetoric and its impact * The Baker–Fancher party and why they were targeted * How the massacre unfolded * The fate of the child survivors * The cover-up and shifting of blame * The role of John D. Lee and others * The long road to accountability Support Mormonism Live https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Need help navigating religious deconstruction? If you’re working through spiritual trauma or faith transition, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at: https://awakenandthrive.org/ Join the conversation What stood out to you most about this story? Drop your thoughts in the comments. The post Mormonism’s Mountain Meadows Massacre appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

    3h 5m

  2. 16 APR

    World Renowned Bible Expert Weighs In!

    Mormons have turned to the Bible to prove their beliefs are true ever since the inception of the LDS Church. But are the Mormons getting the Bible right? World renowned Bible expert and prolific author Bart Ehrman joins us to get down to the bottom of the issue, and to help us answer the question, “Does the Bible prove Mormonism is true?” The post World Renowned Bible Expert Weighs In! appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

    2h 14m

  3. 10 APR

    The Hill Cumorah: Why did the LDS Church & its apologists relocate it?

    For 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.

    12 min

  4. 9 APR

    Apostles Say The Darndest Things!

    Join Bill Reel and RFM as we cue up the most scintillating and awe-inspiring moments from the April 2026 General Conference! You are sure to have a good time! The post Apostles Say The Darndest Things! appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

    1hr 52min

  5. 2 APR

    History of Mormonism’s “Word of Wisdom” Health Code

    In this episode of Mormonism Live, we walk through the full evolution of the Word of Wisdom—from its origin in 1833 to how it functions today as a requirement for temple worthiness. We start in Kirtland, where the School of the Prophets was filled with tobacco smoke, chewing, and spitting—and where Emma Smith’s frustration becomes part of the story behind the revelation. From there, we zoom out and examine the broader 19th-century health movements already shaping ideas about diet, stimulants, and self-control. Figures like Sylvester Graham and the growing temperance movement weren’t fringe—they were mainstream. And their fingerprints are all over the Word of Wisdom. We then track how the revelation was originally given “not by commandment,” how early leaders—including Joseph Smith and Wilford Woodruff—continued to drink alcohol, and how enforcement slowly tightened over time. What began as counsel eventually became a defining boundary marker of Mormon worthiness. Along the way, we tackle the contradictions and gray areas: Why coffee and tea are prohibited while caffeine is not How “mild drinks of barley” disappeared from the conversation The shifting stance on medical marijuana Cultural gray zones like kava And how modern application often depends more on tradition than a consistent principle By the end, the question isn’t just what the Word of Wisdom says—but how it became what it is today. Donate to Mormonism Live: https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Get Bill Reel’s book “The Logical Deconstruction of Mormonism”: https://www.amazon.com/Logical-Deconstruction-Mormonism-One-Book/dp/B0GQQ4CJ2S The post History of Mormonism’s “Word of Wisdom” Health Code appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

    2h 42m

  6. 26 MAR

    Book of Mormon Translation

    In 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.

    9 min

  7. 26 MAR

    Bruce R. McConkie Lays Down The Law

    A confrontation of historic proportions happened forty-five years ago; a confrontation between an LDS apostle and a BYU professor; between Elder Bruce R. McConkie and Professor Eugene England. The subject was the nature of God. But the ramifications were more far-reaching than that. Join Bill Reel and RFM as they dig deep into this controversy and explore what it meant then, and the fallout it still has today! Join the conversation live or catch the replay Like, Subscribe, and Share to help broaden the discussion Support Mormonism Live https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live If you need support navigating faith transitions or spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at: https://awakenandthrive.org/ The post Bruce R. McConkie Lays Down The Law appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

    2h 31m

  8. 20 MAR

    Lamanite to Self: A Native Reckoning with Mormonism

    In this episode of Mormonism Live, we sit down with Ember, a Native American and former Latter-day Saint, to explore a side of Mormonism that often goes overlooked – the lived experience of Native Americans inside the Church. For many Indigenous members, Mormon doctrine didn’t just offer a spiritual framework. It reshaped identity, ancestry, and self-worth. Teachings about “Lamanites,” skin color, righteousness, and divine lineage weren’t abstract ideas—they were personal, and often deeply painful. We talk through: What it means to be labeled a “Lamanite” in a modern world with DNA evidence The psychological weight of doctrines tied to skin color and worthiness The legacy of programs like the Indian Student Placement Program Cultural loss, identity fragmentation, and the pressure to assimilate How Church narratives intersect with broader colonial and Christian history The experience of being the “token Native” in LDS spaces The tension between Indigenous spirituality and Mormon theology The long road of deconstruction, healing, and reclaiming identity This isn’t just a conversation about history—it’s about how belief systems shape identity, and what it takes to rebuild when that foundation cracks. Whether you’re familiar with these issues or hearing them for the first time, this episode invites a deeper look at the intersection of faith, culture, and personal truth. Join the conversation live or catch the replay Like, Subscribe, and Share to help broaden the discussion Support Mormonism Live https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live The post Lamanite to Self: A Native Reckoning with Mormonism appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

    2h 19m
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