Tonight on Mormonism Live we celebrate the 5th anniversary of Mormonism Live. 5 years of in depth dives into Mormon History. 5 Years of examining the theology of the LDS Church, 5 years of current events. All on a weekly live show designed to entertain you! It’s our 5th Anniversary special, and we’re turning the show over to you. Call in and tell us your favorite episodes, your favorite RFM breakdowns, your favorite Bill Reel rants, the moments that shocked you, cracked you up, or helped you see Mormonism in a whole new way. Whether you’ve been with us since Episode 1 or joined somewhere in the chaos, this community has carried the show for five years and tonight we’re celebrating every wild, weird, hilarious, and meaningful moment we’ve created together. Come hang out, share your story, and help us look back on the episodes that shaped the conversation.

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Let’s make this anniversary one to remember.

The post Mormonism Live 5th Anniversary !!! appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Oliver Cowdery was more than Joseph Smith’s scribe. Oliver was a co-founder of the Mormon movement, a visionary of sacred experiences with Heavenly Messengers, and one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon’s golden plates as well as an angel. But what happens when that witness walks away? In this episode of Mormonism Live, we dive deep into Cowdery’s life, exploring his pivotal role in early Church history, his fiery fallout with Joseph, and the twists and turns of his life outside Mormonism and in the end, back in. Did he ever truly deny his testimony? Are there holes in his credibility? And what does his journey say about the reliability of the Book of Mormon’s origin story? Join us as we trace the complex, fascinating arc of a man who saw angels, practiced law, stood in courtrooms—and maybe stood on the edge of belief itself.

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The post Oliver Cowdery: Book of Mormon Witness appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

In this follow-up to “To Catch a Thief,” Radio Free Mormon and Bill Reel return with a deeper, wider investigation into the claims and credibility of Ward Radio’s Jonah Barnes. Last time, we showed clear evidence that Barnes lifted Eldon Watson’s Adam-God research and passed it off as his own. This time, we broaden the lens. RFM and Bill walk through a lineup of respected scholars and historians whose work directly contradicts Barnes’s narratives, exposing just how far he’s been stretching, bending, or outright stealing ideas to prop up his platform. When someone pretends to be a scholar but builds influence on borrowed work, eventually the bill comes due. But the story doesn’t stop at plagiarism. In this episode, we document an additional example of theft that goes well beyond plagiarism. This episode lays out the receipts. Clear. Detailed. Irrefutable. If you care about integrity in Mormon scholarship, or you’ve just been waiting for the sequel, this is the deep dive you’ve been asking for.

ESOURCES:

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The post Will A Man Rob Adam God? appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

In this episode, we break down the story of a Latter-day Saint Bishop who when he was currently serving when he officially stepped away from the Mormon Church. We’ll walk through what led to his decision, what he saw behind the curtain as a leader, and how the gap between the Church’s public messaging and its private reality became impossible for him to ignore. This isn’t just another faith transition story. It’s a rare account from someone who lived the system, moved up in the ward hierarchy, enforced the rules, and finally couldn’t keep pretending the narrative matched the facts. We’ll also talk about the fallout: how his ward reacted, how local leaders tried to handle the situation, and what this kind of departure says about the broader institutional cracks appearing inside modern Mormonism. It’s raw, honest, and a window into the experiences that thousands in leadership quietly wrestle with.

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The post Mormon Bishop Leaves LDS Church ! appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Mormonism Live’s Bill Reel & RFM dive deep into a recent claim by Ward Radio that the so-called “Adam God Doctrine” never existed. They sift through the documentary history, the original speeches, journal entries, and the commentary of leading Mormon scholars to see if the claim holds up. Did the doctrine ever exist? Was it a misunderstanding, a misrepresentation, or a developed belief held by some early leaders? We’ll explore all that—and what it means for a faith’s history where its apologists do everything they can to get away from the problems and contradictions of Mormonism

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Ward Radio’s Original Commentary – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9RU7MAXVfc

Dialogue article Footnote 76 (claim Adam God was taught in the SLC temple too and not just Saint George) – https://www.dialoguejournal.com/articles/the-adam-god-doctrine/

The post Mormonism’s Adam God Doctrine Never Existed ? appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

This week on Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon sit down with researcher Kolby Reddish for a fascinating deep dive into the Dead Sea Scrolls and what they reveal about the Book of Mormon’s ancient claims. Kolby walks us through the history of the Scrolls, what they actually contain, and how they’ve transformed modern biblical scholarship. Then the conversation turns to the big question: If these are the most important ancient Hebrew and Aramaic writings ever discovered, certainly they mean something about the history, language, theology, and narrative patterns found in the Book of Mormon? Don’t miss this one—it’s history, scholarship, and critical thinking at their best. Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light on truth and leads with transparency.

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The post What Do The Dead Sea Scrolls Mean For The Book of Mormon? appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

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.

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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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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:

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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.