Mormon Discussion By Bill Reel

My shelf crashed around the age of 32.  I was serving as a Bishop well late into my second year of that calling.  No one knew…. not my Stake President, not my counselors, not even my wife.  I had many a sleepless nights and tried every solution I could to find the kind of peace […] The post 235: What My Faith Journey Taught Me appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we dissect a talk given at BYU on July 12th 2016 by Michael Goodman.  He talks about the proper way to seek truth.  There is much in this talk to be praised and I think Brother Goodman moves the ball in a positive direction.  That said I also think there are several flawed ideas […] The post 234: Truthseeker appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we tell a true story about a fascinating Chicken named Mike.  There are several points to such a tale.  False Assumptions, doubting that things are possible, perspective on Shiz from the Book of Mormon, and lastly the idea that too many of us Mormons turn our brains off when we go to Church.  Today […] The post 233: Miracle Mike appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today I sit down with Jon Ogden, author of “When Mormons Doubt: A Way To Save Relationships And Seek A Quality Life”.  We talk about his own journey as well as the book.  We discuss his premise that Truth and Beauty are different and that truth is often confused for beauty and that each has […] The post 232: Jon Ogden – When Mormons Doubt appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we sit down with Corbin Volluz and discuss the nuts and bolts of the Adam/God Doctrine.  We talk about what Brigham taught, How widely it was taught and implemented, How Leaders and apologists have attempted to explain it, and How leaders have attempted to make it disappear.  Once you understand this issue in full… Read More »231: The Adam God Historical Subterfuge The post 231: The Adam God Historical Subterfuge appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

When we think of issues that are barriers to faith, we often think of issues such as Joseph Smith’s Treasure Digging, the Book of Abraham, Stones & Hats, and Prophetic Errors…. yet for me the two biggest are a Global/Local Flood and the Tower of Babel.  We talked about the flood in episode #142 and today […] The post 230: Tower Of Babel appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today We discuss the Anti-Christ Korihor in Alma Ch. 30.  We talk about half truth that he teaches, Korihor’s illegal arrest, the value of some of what he said, and what differentiated his doubt and behavior and sign seeking from that of Thomas in the New Testament.    Thanks for listening!!!! Become a Premium Subscriber: […] The post 229: Team Korihor appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

To the Orthodox Believer who thinks that outside Joseph Smith’s leg surgery that we know very little.  This gets more complex than that.  We actually know a lot more about Joseph’s youth and some of his experiences.  We hope you enjoy this chance to better understand the early life of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Most […] The post 228: A Nuanced View to Joseph Smith’s Youth appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

This one was painful to do.  Yet if we are ever going to become Zion we need to be able to honestly look at ourselves in the mirror.  Do we have the traits of an unsafe group?  Do we have a safe space for folks to develop faith within?  Today I tackle what general warning […] The post 227: Warning Signs of an Unsafe Group appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

To the Orthodox Believer who still holds belief that Doctrine in our faith equals Truth.  Or the idea that when the prophet speaks or when all 15 top leaders are unified that we have certainty that God has spoken.   It may not be that simple.  Lets explore. I validate that Doctrine in the Church as a […] The post 226: Nuanced Approach to Doctrine appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

For the Orthodox Believer who holds that everyone needs to join Mormonism in order to be be exalted by God, It is not that simple.  Let’s explore. We often refer to our Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as “The Only True and Living Church with Which the Lord is Well Pleased” We […] The post 225: A Nuanced View of The Church and God’s Plan appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today I talk a little about Eastern Philosophy and discussion of the Eastern Principle of “The Way”.  We Americanize Jesus and we Mormonize Jesus but we fail to Easternize him and understand him in the context of his culture.  When we do this we better understand what he is asking of us and why a […] The post 224: Stepping off the Narrow Way appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Included here is the PDF Transcript of my July 2016 Sunstone Presentation: Handshakes and Drawn Swords.  The audio may be added at a future point.   PDF of the Presentation Become a Premium Subscriber: Monthy:  $3 Yearly:  $25  $50  $100  $250Support the podcast by purchasing from Amazon HERE. The post Sunstone Presentation July 2016: Handshakes & Drawn Swords appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today I sit down and explain why I maintain faith in Jesus Christ.  I share my grapple with the historical Jesus and why logically and spiritually I throw in with Jesus.  I hope this is helpful in your journey to lead with faith. youtube.com/watch?v=QeY8lndPsdE Become a Premium Subscriber: Monthy:  $3 Yearly:  $25  $50  $100  $250Support the podcast by purchasing from […] The post 223: Throwing In With Jesus appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today I sit down with Mormon Philosopher Adam Miller.  It’s his third time on the program and we talk about his newest book “Future Mormon”.  We talk about various aspects of the book which he wrote to his children and to future members of the Church.  What will the future of Mormonism look like?  Time […] The post 222: Adam Miller Future Mormon appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

  I sit down with Chris and Clay again and this time we are dissecting the First Vision and all that surrounds it.  We talk about the four First Hand accounts and their discrepancies as well as similarities.  We explore the historical context of each account, who the audience is, what factors into why Joseph perhaps […] The post 221: First Vision – The Founding Event Of The Restoration appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today I sit down with Patrick Mason, LDS scholar and author of the new book “Planted”.  We talk about doubt, the struggle that a faith transition is.  We talk about the messiness of issues and what is needed for us to better support our struggling brothers and sisters.  Patrick takes on all questions and pulls… Read More »220: Patrick Mason – Planted The post 220: Patrick Mason – Planted appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today I sit down with LDS Author Gerald Smith.  He has written the book “Schooling The Prophet”.   Often among scholars is the discussion of just how little Joseph uses The Book of Mormon in his sermons, his theology, and in the restoration movement generally.  Jerry helps us see that the Book of Mormon played […] The post 219: Jerry Smith – Schooling Joseph appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

This is the audio from a Gospel Essentials Class I taught on “Prophets”.  This lesson gives some insight into how to approach a nuanced lesson in a faithful way that also hits on the reality of the messiness of such topics. I hope you enjoy. It should be noted in my ward the Gospel Essentials […] The post 218: Nuanced Lesson on Prophets appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we begin a series that examines Stages of Faith from the perspective of other Religious denominations and their religious leaders.  I tried to find every audio discussion of “Faith Transitions” based in some way on a Fowler “Faith Stage Theory”.  Heads up some of these religious leaders are still biased and imposing their conclusion […] The post 217: Stages of Faith Series 4: Willow Creek appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.