Mormon Discussion Podcast

Mormon Discussion Inc

4.3 (278)
Religion & Spirituality
Updated Daily

An Honest Search For Truth

10h ago

Jodi Hildebrandt Wasn’t an Anomaly: The Danger of Mormon Therapists

Jodi Hildebrandt is not just the story of one deeply harmful therapist. She is a warning sign about what can happen when mental health care stops being guided by professional ethics, evidence-based treatment, and client well-being—and instead becomes filtered through rigid Mormon beliefs about sin, obedience, sexuality, shame, and worthiness. In this episode, Bill Reel examines the broader problem of Mormon health professionals who practice through a religious lens rather than a clinical one. The issue is not that a therapist happens to be Mormon. The issue is when Mormon ideology overrides sound therapeutic care—when a counselor’s loyalty to Church culture, moral judgment, patriarchy, sexual repression, or “saving the family” becomes more important than the emotional safety and autonomy of the client sitting in front of them. Using Jodi Hildebrandt as a case study, this episode explores how spiritual abuse can be repackaged as therapy, how vulnerable clients can be manipulated under the language of healing, and why Mormon-informed therapy can sometimes function less like treatment and more like ecclesiastical control with a license on the wall. This episode also includes two interviews: one with a former client of Jodi Hildebrandt, and another involving a different therapist whose Mormon worldview appears to have caused serious harm in a very different way. If you’ve ever wondered where the line is between faith-informed counseling and outright therapeutic abuse, this conversation is for you. If anyone needs extra support as they work through their faith deconstruction, Bill Reel is a certified Somatic Informed Trauma Coach and you can look into his work at https://awakenandthrive.org/ #MormonDiscussion #JodiHildebrandt #LDS #ExMormon #Therapy #MentalHealth #ReligiousTrauma #SpiritualAbuse #Mormonism The post Jodi Hildebrandt Wasn’t an Anomaly: The Danger of Mormon Therapists appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.
11h ago

Mormon Endowment’s Earliest Historical Form !

What did the Nauvoo Temple endowment look like in its earliest form? In this episode of Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon examine one of the earliest published firsthand accounts of the Nauvoo Temple ceremony: Catherine Lewis’s 1848 narrative. Written only a few years after the events it describes, Lewis’s account provides a remarkable window into the temple rituals, secrecy, and theological ideas circulating during the Nauvoo period. Together we’ll explore: The earliest known form of the Mormon endowment Washing and anointing ordinances New names, signs, tokens, and the veil The Garden of Eden drama and progression through the kingdoms How Lewis connects temple secrecy with plural marriage Heber C. Kimball’s role in her narrative The Law of Adoption and priesthood authority Early teachings surrounding Native Americans and “white and delightsome” How Lewis’s account compares with William Clayton, the Nauvoo Expositor, John C. Bennett, Martha Brotherton, and other contemporary sources We’ll also examine Catherine Lewis herself—what we know, what we don’t know, and how historians evaluate the credibility of an early eyewitness whose account repeatedly intersects with other Nauvoo-era evidence. Whether you’re interested in Mormon history, the development of temple worship, or the origins of plural marriage, this episode takes a careful, source-based approach to one of the most significant primary documents from the Nauvoo period. If you enjoy this work and would like to support Mormonism Live and the work of Mormon Discussion Inc., please consider making a tax-deductible donation: https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Looking for one-on-one support as you navigate a faith transition, religious trauma, or life after a high-demand religion? Bill Reel’s trauma-informed coaching: https://www.awakenandthrive.coach If this episode was valuable, please: Subscribe to the channel Like the video Leave a comment with your thoughts Share it with someone interested in Mormon history #MormonismLive #MormonHistory #JosephSmith #NauvooTemple #TempleEndowment #PluralMarriage #Polygamy #HeberCKimball #WilliamClayton #RadioFreeMormon #BillReel #LDSHistory #ChurchHistory #MormonDiscussion #FaithTransition The post Mormon Endowment’s Earliest Historical Form ! appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.
3d ago

Black Mormons Speak Out!

RFM and Bill Reel are joined by a special panel of Black Mormons and ex-Mormons in this important episode. What is it like experiencing Mormonism through the lens of race? Especially when that race paints you as a second class citizen? Are discriminatory practices and beliefs about Black people a thing of the past in Mormonism, or is there still more work to do? Join us as we listen and learn from our esteemed team of panelists! If this episode was valuable, please: Subscribe to the channel Like the video Leave a comment with your thoughts Share it with someone interested in Mormon history Support Mormonism Live: https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live The post Black Mormons Speak Out! appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.
Jul 9

Obviously a 19th Century Production!

We have shown in a prior podcast that the Book of Mormon answers all the important religious disputes of Joseph Smith’s day. In this episode we demonstrate that the Book of Mormon uses the language and expressions of other early 19th Century authors to do so! Using only publications from prior to 1830! The results are in! Whether you look at the Book of Mormon from the 20,000 foot level at the contemporary religious issues it solves, or whether you look at the Book of Mormon from the microscopic level at the words and phrases it uses, all evidence indicates it to be a product of Joseph Smith’s time and place: Early 19th Century America! Tools used for tonight’s show https://books.google.com/advanced_book_search https://books.google.com/ngrams/ Support Mormonism Live: https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Visit Mormon Discussions: https://mormondiscussions.org If you enjoy thoughtful conversations on Mormon history, doctrine, and culture, please like, subscribe, and share the episode. The post Obviously a 19th Century Production! appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.
Jul 3

Joseph Smith’s Polygamy with Jeremy Hoop

For decades, the historical consensus has been that Joseph Smith introduced and practiced plural marriage in Nauvoo. But a small group of researchers has argued for a very different conclusion: that Joseph Smith was not the founder of Mormon polygamy and that the historical evidence has been misunderstood. In this episode of Mormonism Live, we sit down with researcher Jeremy Hoop to explore that perspective in depth. Jeremy has spent years examining William Clayton’s journals, the Nauvoo land deeds, the Augusta Cobb letters, the British Mission, and many other historical sources. He explains why he believes the standard narrative deserves to be reconsidered and walks us through the evidence that has led him to his conclusions. Whether you agree with Jeremy or not, this conversation is an opportunity to hear one of the leading voices of the Joseph Smith “non-polygamist” position explain his research in his own words. Our goal is to better understand the arguments, the historical documents, and the reasoning behind this alternative interpretation of early Mormon history. As always, we invite you to examine the evidence, think critically, and reach your own conclusions. Support Mormonism Live: https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Visit Mormon Discussions: https://mormondiscussions.org If you enjoy thoughtful conversations on Mormon history, doctrine, and culture, please like, subscribe, and share the episode. The post Joseph Smith’s Polygamy with Jeremy Hoop appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.
Jun 25

The William Clayton Journals – What’s In Them?

Tonight on Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon take a deep dive into one of the most talked-about Mormon history stories in recent memory: the recent leaking of the William Clayton journals. For years, the full Clayton journals have been a source of speculation, controversy, and anticipation. William Clayton was not a peripheral observer. He was in the inner circle of Joseph Smith’s Nauvoo world, served as Joseph’s clerk, recorded the revelation that became Doctrine and Covenants 132, and left behind some of the most important firsthand records tied to plural marriage, temple theology, and the secret inner workings of early Mormonism. Now that these journals have surfaced, new claims are being made—especially by Jeremy Hoop—that the journals do not support the traditional historical case for Joseph Smith’s polygamy. Is that true? Did the leaked journals undercut the standard narrative? Or do they, when read carefully and in context, actually reinforce what historians have been saying for decades? In this episode, we walk through the controversy from the beginning: How Jeremy Hoop got access to the journals What exactly was leaked and what still remains unpublished Whether the journals really contain “nothing” that supports Joseph Smith’s polygamy The entries that matter most and what they appear to show What else we found in the journals beyond polygamy, including material that sheds light on Nauvoo power structures, private teachings, and the inner world of Joseph Smith’s closest associates We’ll separate rumor from evidence, examine the strongest entries for ourselves, and ask the bigger question: if the William Clayton journals are as important as many have believed, what do they actually reveal once you stop letting other people tell you what’s in them? If you care about Joseph Smith, polygamy, Mormon truth claims, historical transparency, and how narratives are built and defended inside Mormonism, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. ACEESS THE CLAYTON JOURNALS https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/CLAYTON-1.pdf https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/CLAYTON-2.pdf https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/CLAYTON-3.pdf Please consider donating to support our work – https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Also if anyone needs extra support as they work through their faith deconstruction, Bill Reel is a certified Somatic Informed Trauma Coach and you can look into his work at https://awakenandthrive.org/ #MormonismLive #JosephSmith #WilliamClayton #LDSHistory #MormonHistory #Mormonism #Polygamy #DoctrineAndCovenants132 #JeremyHoop #MormonDiscussion The post The William Clayton Journals – What’s In Them? appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.
Jun 18

When Was the Book of Mormon Created?

Does the Book of Mormon fit better in the ancient world or in early nineteenth century America when it was created? Defenders of the book point to a handful of twisted and strained comparisons to the ancient world to make their case. Bill and RFM, on the other hand, demonstrate conclusively that the Book of Mormon is a much better fit for the early nineteenth century in which it was produced. Indeed, no book is more obviously a product of its times than the Book of Mormon. And that time was the first part of the nineteenth century in the newly established United States of America. Please consider supporting our work by Donating Today ! – https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Of anyone needs support dealing with spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at https://awakenandthrive.org/ The post When Was the Book of Mormon Created? appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.
Jun 11

The Forensic Autopsy of Mormon Apologetics

What if the most revealing thing about Mormon apologetics isn’t the evidence being presented… but the behavioral patterns behind the arguments? Tonight on Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon sit down with Dawn McCarty who works in Forensic Criminology behavioral analysis. Can forensic criminology profile Mormon apologetics? Drawing from several of her recent forensic intelligence briefs, Dawn examines Mormon apologetics, institutional responses to criticism, and high-demand religious systems through the lens of behavioral analysis, threat assessment, cognitive containment, and coercive influence. Together we discuss: • How criminologists identify behavioral patterns in institutions • Narrative patching, semantic inversion, and epistemological fog • The psychology behind apologetic argumentation • Jacob Hansen’s conversations with Alex O’Connor and Bill Reel • The LDS Church’s lawsuit against Mormon Stories and John Dehlin • How institutions maintain authority during periods of public scrutiny • Whether these frameworks can be applied fairly to critics as well as believers Most importantly, we’ll ask whether apologetics can be analyzed the same way investigators analyze other systems that seek to preserve power, shape narratives, and influence behavior. Whether you agree with Dawn’s conclusions or not, this conversation offers a unique perspective that moves beyond history and theology and into the psychology of belief, persuasion, and institutional survival. Join us live and bring your questions. THE REPORTS https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/EVIDENTIARY-FORENSIC-INTELLIGENCE-BRIEF_-LDS-CHURCH-SUES-MORMON-STORIES-_-JOHN-DEHLIN.pdf https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/EXECUTIVE-FORENSIC-INTELLIGENCE-BRIEF-for-JACOB-HANSEN-A-Mormon-Explains-Mormonism-with-Alex-OConnor.pdf https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/EXECUTIVE-FORENSIC-INTELLIGENCE-BRIEF-for-JACOB-HANSEN-Honest-Conversations-About-Faith-with-Jacob-Hansen-Bill-Reel.pdf https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/INTELLIGENCE-BRIEF_-Forensic-Autopsy-of-Apologetic-Evasion-and-Systemic-Predatory-Enabling-Author_-Dawn-McCarty-Criminologist-Date_-April-27-2026.pdf Tonight’s Presentation – https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Forensic-Criminology.pdf #MormonismLive #MormonApologetics #MormonStories #JohnDehlin #JacobHansen #LDSChurch #Mormonism #ReligiousStudies #ForensicAnalysis #CultDynamics #FaithCrisis #MormonDiscussion #RadioFreeMormon The post The Forensic Autopsy of Mormon Apologetics appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

See All (724)

4.3

out of 5

278 Ratings

LD$ Inc gets Exposed

03/20/2025

Pickleball guru

Good stuff Bill ‼️
Objective and honest

05/16/2024

Shelter Steve

Keep up the great work! Been listening for years and Bill’s approach is to evaluate the evidence and come to the most plausible conclusion.
Honest Search for Truth

12/08/2023

RD8

Bill has done an amazing job of bringing truth, honesty, humility and great research to the table with his podcast. I’ve listened to every single episode and learn from each one. He also has a vision (that’s come to fruition) to include/sponsor many other podcasters in the post-Mormon space, which is both admirable and helpful. Thank you Bill for all of your hard work. I highly recommend this podcast.
So relatable

11/30/2022

waldo79

Bill Reel has to be one of the most relatable people on the planet. He is extremely intelligent, but never the least bit arrogant. He can build a connection with his audience like no other!