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. 
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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 We’ll walk you through the actual quotes, the historical documents, and the missing context you won’t hear in Sunday School.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.
Join the conversation LIVE and bring your questions.

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

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!

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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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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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Tonight on Mormonism Live *** LAUREN COMES INTO THE PODCAST 1/2 HOUR IN **** We’re joined by investigative journalist and podcaster Lauren Matthias about a half hour into the show, creator and host of the acclaimed Hidden True Crime podcast. Lauren has built a reputation for deep, thoughtful reporting on some of the most compelling and disturbing criminal cases in recent years, including the Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell saga. In this episode, we’ll explore Lauren’s journey into true crime reporting, the behind-the-scenes realities of covering high-profile cases, and what her investigations have revealed about human behavior, justice, and the communities where these stories unfold. Expect a fascinating, candid conversation that blends Mormonism Live’s trademark critical lens with Lauren’s insider knowledge of criminal cases that have captivated—and shocked—the nation.

Derek Cordon Homicide
Part 1 – https://youtube.com/live/VAWlqV0nNwA
Part 2 – https://youtube.com/live/KuUMuM5aEIk
Part 3 – https://youtube.com/live/uf70jQ3UeSA
Part 4 – https://youtu.be/SbCw0Cd17t0

Tonight on Mormonism Live, we take a scalpel to Mormonism’s Founder Joseph Smith as He takes one to a Book of Abraham character What happens when a god loses his snout which Has Joseph Smith losing face—and why does it feel so… Mormon? In this off-the-rails episode, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon dive deep into the bizarre, symbolic, and surgical mutilation of Anubis, the Egyptian god of the dead, and uncover what this act might represent within Mormonism’s tangled relationship with Egyptian & The Book of Abraham We take a deep look at the potential effort of Mormon Founder Joseph Smith to muzzle the truth and cover his tracks. The snout is gone. The truth is not. Tune in.

How Did Joseph Smith Convince So Many? Exploring Hypnosis, Visions, and the Birth of a Movement

How did Joseph Smith inspire thousands to not only believe in his prophetic gifts but also claim their own divine visions and supernatural encounters? Could hypnosis or altered states of consciousness explain part of the story? Tonight, we explore the controversial theory that Joseph Smith may have used hypnotic influence to spark spiritual experiences—and how that shaped early Mormonism. Don’t miss this mind-bending episode!

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Join Us In Person – August 2nd, 2025 RFM & Bill are gathering in person for a powerful, community-building event in Salt Lake City! Grab your spot before tickets run out: Register Here – https://donorbox.org/events/780890/steps/choose_tickets

Join Us For A Live Show – August 4th, 2025 RFM, Bill, & Rebecca are gathering in person for a Live Showing of the Mormon Newscast in Salt Lake City! Grab your spot before tickets run out: https://donorbox.org/events/784033

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What happens when faith becomes a franchise? In this gripping episode of Mormonism LIVE, we sit down with award-winning filmmaker Nathan Apffel and Chris Ayoub to discuss his upcoming documentary “The Religion Business”—a hard-hitting exposé exploring the multi-billion dollar intersection of belief, power, and profit. From televangelists to temples, we’ll pull back the curtain on how modern religious empires are built, marketed, and monetized. Nathan and Chris shares behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the film, jaw-dropping moments from his interviews, and the uncomfortable truths he’s uncovered about how organized religion can exploit spiritual hunger for institutional gain. Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this conversation will challenge you to consider where devotion ends and the business begins.

PREMIER 1 – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-religion-business-salt-lake-premiere-1-tickets-1497737024759?msockid=1f8172e49f156a17358a64eb9e876b0e
PREMIER 2 – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-religion-business-salt-lake-premiere-2-tickets-1500878260279?msockid=1f8172e49f156a17358a64eb9e876b0e
Purchase the docuseries here – https://www.thereligionbusiness.com/docuseries

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TheReligionBusiness #NathanApffel #MormonismLIVE #FaithCrisis #ReligiousProfitMachine #ExMormon #Documentary #ChurchMoney

What If the Prophet You Trust Showed Signs You’d Warn Your Children About? We often teach our children how to recognize red flags—signs that someone might not have good intentions. But what happens when those same behaviors show up in the life of someone we revere as a prophet? In this eye-opening episode, we explore the established patterns and techniques used by predators—behaviors like isolating individuals, using spiritual authority, giving gifts, and creating undue emotional dependence. Then we take a close, respectful look at the life of Joseph Smith to see if these patterns emerge. This isn’t about attacking faith. It’s about asking hard, faithful questions in pursuit of truth—because if our beliefs are true, they can withstand scrutiny. And if they aren’t, shouldn’t we want to know? If you’ve ever felt something didn’t quite sit right with certain stories in Church history, you’re not alone. Let’s explore this with clarity, compassion, and a commitment to truth. #JosephSmith #MormonHistory #GroomingAwareness #LDSTruthSeekers #MormonFaithCrisis #LDS #latterdaysaints