Everyone knows Martin Harris as one of the Three Witnesses. But few know how strange, conflicted, and revealing his story really is. Was he a man of unwavering faith in the Truth… or a man chasing every new revelation that came along? In this episode of Mormonism Live, we dig into the real Martin Harris; the devout farmer who financed the Book of Mormon, saw angels (and maybe more), then spent decades bouncing between movements, prophets, and visions. From his 1838 claim that he only saw the plates “in vision or imagination,” to his deep belief in the Shaker “Sacred Roll and Book,” to his eventual return to Utah under Brigham Young’s wing.

Every major twist in Harris’s life points to one central question:

Can we trust Martin Harris as a reliable witness for the Restoration? Whether you’re a believer who reveres his testimony or a skeptic who doubts every word, you’ll walk away seeing Harris, and the early Church, in a far more complicated light than ever before.

If the episode helps, support Mormonism Live so we can keep doing rigorous, source-driven work: Donate: https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live

If anyone needs support dealing with spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at https://awakenandthrive.org

Resources:

Martin Harris: The Kirtland Years, 1831-1870

Martin Harris: Mormonism’s Early Convert

The post Martin Harris: Book of Mormon Witness Credibility Examined appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Lee Krahenbuhl returns to Mormonism Live for a fascinating deep dive into some of the strangest and most unusual aspects of Mormon history. Discover the surprising connections between Brigham Young, matchmaking traditions, spirit messages from Joseph Smith, and the most famous magician of the 19th century.

What hidden stories link Mormon leaders, spiritualism, and 19th-century magic?

How do these strange connections reshape our understanding of LDS history? Don’t miss this eye-opening episode as we uncover the bizarre, the mysterious, and the downright magical side of Mormonism’s past.

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RESOURCES:

The post Brigham Young: Matchmaker to the Stars appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Tonight on Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon sit down with writer and blogger Sarah Steed, whose essays contain sharp insight, poetic honesty, and unflinching critique of LDS culture. Sarah’s work dives deep into the unspoken layers of Mormon life—gender, perfectionism, obedience, and the lingering ghosts of patriarchy that shape the spiritual experience of both men and women. She explores how theology becomes culture, how “sisterhood” can sometimes turn into surveillance, and how the Restoration’s original mysticism was slowly domesticated into corporate religion. This is not your typical discussion on faith. Expect intelligent dialogue, uncomfortable questions, and honest reflections about what it means to be whole in a system that prizes obedience over authenticity.

Topics Include:

RESOURCES:

Join the live chat and be part of the conversation as we unpack the cultural, psychological, and spiritual realities behind modern Mormonism.

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The post Sarah Steed: Unmasking Mormonism appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

In this special episode, we take a in-depth look at the life and ministry of Elder Dallin H. Oaks, who stands next in line to become President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Few leaders have been as controversial —from his time as President of BYU to decades in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. We’ll explore the major moments that have shaped his spiritual approach to the gospel and to others: the legal mind that helped define Church policy, the Speaker who spoke boldly on Church theology, and the Latter-day Saint disciple who has guided the Church in shaping its modern approach. This episode offers a sincere examination of the experiences, decisions, and teachings that have defined Elder Oaks’s journey of as a Latter -day Saint Leader

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The post The Preparatory Path of LDS Prophet Dallin H. Oaks appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Mormonism Live uncovers the explosive history of the Reed Smoot Hearings (1904–1907)—a time when Mormon leaders, including President Joseph F. Smith, were forced to testify under oath before the United States Senate. What happens when prophets, seers, and revelators can no longer hide behind the pulpit and instead must answer blunt questions from skeptical senators under oath and penalty of perjury?

We’ll walk you through:

This is Mormon history like you’ve never seen it: senators grilling prophets, prophets evading and confessing, and the whole nation watching.

Subscribe for more hard-hitting episodes exposing Mormon history and leadership contradictions.

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The post The Reed Smoot Hearings: When Mormon Prophets Tell The Truth appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

What happens when a Mormon Apostle gets asked troublesome questions about Mormonism? In this episode of Mormonism Live, RFM and Bill Reel sit down with someone who had questions —hard questions — for the LDS Apostle about Mormonism. As the conversation unfolds, we witness a fascinating dynamic: a man taking a closer look at belief, truth claims, and the stories the Church tells its members. It’s a rare opportunity to see what happens when one presses for clarity—and Elder Renlund finds himself on the receiving end of uncomfortable but essential inquiries. Don’t miss this unique episode that blends sharp humor, keen insight, and the kind of candid exploration you’ve come to expect from Mormonism Live. ***EDIT NOTE*** During post-production, several brief portions of the conversation were removed at the request of our guest. We made every effort to preserve the flow while respecting those edits. As a result, a few transitions may feel slightly abrupt, but the overall discussion remains intact and hopefully easy to follow.

Tune in live, join the chat, and be part of the conversation.

The post Personal Letter To Elder Renlund appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

What do Mormon temples and Masonic lodges really have in common? In this episode of Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon dig deep into the original words of LDS leaders, historians, and first-hand witnesses to uncover the startling overlap between Freemasonry and the Mormon temple endowment. From Joseph Smith and Heber C. Kimball to Brigham Young and beyond, the record is clear: Church authorities openly admitted the connection—sometimes calling Masonry “apostate priesthood” or even “corrupted endowments.” We’ll walk you through the actual quotes, the historical documents, and the missing context you won’t hear in Sunday School. Did Joseph Smith borrow, adapt, or restore ancient rituals? Why did so many early Saints see Masonry as a stepping stone to the temple? And what does it mean for the truth claims of Mormonism today? Whether you’re a believing Latter-day Saint curious about your faith’s origins, or a post-Mormon looking for validation that the pieces don’t quite fit, this episode has the receipts.

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Bibliography For Episode https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Masonry-Mormonism-Bibliography.pdf

The post Sacred or Stolen? Mormon Temples and Masonry appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Join Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon on Mormonism Live as we dig into the long and turbulent history of Joseph Smith’s run-ins with the law. From treasure digging charges in New York, to assault accusations in Ohio, to treason indictments in Missouri and Illinois, Joseph Smith’s life was marked by constant legal battles that shaped both his reputation and the future of Mormonism.

We’ll trace the key moments where courts, judges, and mobs intersected with the Mormon prophet, exploring how his actions, claims, and conflicts repeatedly brought him face-to-face with American justice—and ultimately led him to Carthage Jail. Expect courtroom drama, fascinating documents, and a closer look at the myth versus the historical reality.

Don’t miss this deep dive into The Legal Battles of Mormonism’s Joseph Smith — streaming live Wednesday at 6pm Mountain Time!

Support the show: Donate to Mormonism Live https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live

The post The Legal Battles of Mormonism’s Joseph Smith appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Tonight on Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon take on the brand-new video series “An Inconvenient Faith” — a polished production where scholars, researchers, and familiar voices inside and outside the LDS Church confront the most problematic issues in Mormonism.  We’ll break down the claims, highlight what the so-called “Experts” gets right (and where it pulls punches), and talk openly about why the Church’s truth claims simply don’t hold up under scrutiny. Whether you’re curious, questioning, or already on the other side, this conversation promises to go deeper than the deflection of problems that many in the series preferred.

Check out the Inconvenient Faith channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@InconvenientFaith/videos

Don’t miss it — live chat, commentary, and the kind of analysis you won’t find in Sunday School.

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The post An Inconvenient Fraud appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Tonight on Mormonism Live, RFM and Bill Reel are joined by special guest John Dehlin of Mormon Stories to reflect on five decades of Sunstone—the symposium that has been at the heart of Mormon thought, scholarship, and counter-narratives for half a century. From its beginnings in the 1970s to its role today as a gathering place for both believers and post-believers, Sunstone has been a hub for open dialogue, difficult questions, and groundbreaking conversations. Together, we’ll explore its history, controversies, influence, and where it may be headed in the next fifty years. Join us live and add your voice in the chat as we dive into this landmark moment in Mormonism’s intellectual and cultural journey. To come into the studio during the call in section please click – https://streamyard.com/knqex46wg5 Live Tonight, 6 PM Mountain Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss it!

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The post 50 Years of Sunstone with Mormon Stories’ John Dehlin ! appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.