In this episode, Radio Free Mormon welcomes Bill Reel into the studio for a deep-dive investigation into a troubling pattern coming out of the Ward Radio camp. RFM walks viewers through clear, point-by-point evidence that Ward Radio’s Jonah Barnes is presenting another scholar’s research as if it were his own. Bill acts as the jury weighing the evidence and speaks to why this matters for anyone trying to do responsible Mormon scholarship. And in the end you get a front row seat as RFM attempts to catch a thief. They also explore what happens to a community when influencers cut corners, how repeated plagiarism undermines trust, and why ethical standards in religious commentary are more than just academic nitpicking. With RFM’s legal mind and Bill’s grounded ethics teaming up, the two present a compelling case that pulls no punches while keeping the conversation accessible, sharp, and genuinely eye-opening.

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/

I have been putting off telling this story for all nine years I have been podcasting. Beyond that, I have never shared this story publicly, and privately only with a handful of close friends. This occurrence happened in 1979, when I was nineteen years old. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before or since. It stands as a singularity in my lifetime. This is the story of how I met Satan. And yes, I instantly regretted it. So turn out the lights, gather close to whatever device you’re watching this on, and listen to this absolutely true story, likely to send shivers down your spine.

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 question of whether Mormons should be called “Christian” is all the rage. But it was also a much-debated question back in the 1980s when RFM was at the height of his Mormon Apologetic career. Radio Free Mormon brings his years of experience and perspective to this question and gives the final and authoritative answer to whether Mormons are Christian. Case closed!

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:
https://www.dialoguejournal.com/articles/martin-harris-the-kirtland-years-1831-1870
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letterbook-2/69?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://fullerconsideration.com/images/Tiffany’s%20Monthly%20-%20Mormonism%20No.%202%20-%20Martin%20Harris.pdf
https://bhroberts.org/records/nvGFqb-0LWaIn/burnetts_letter_claims_witnesses_confessed_to_not_seeing_the_plates
https://www.dialoguejournal.com/articles/martin-harris-mormonisms-early-convert/

Is it really possible that the LDS Church is removing the racist passages from the Book of Mormon? Not from the English version, but instead from the versions prepared for distribution in developing nations such as in Africa? Join RFM as he reviews the evidence and make up your own mind!

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.

Support Mormonism Live here: https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live

RESOURCES:
https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/dacd8009-cabe-438d-bd55-2319992d5ea2/0/0

RFM is joined by Summur Rayn and Charles (aka “Black Priesthood”) to discuss important current issues facing Black Mormons throughout the world, including Africa. You won’t want to miss this thoughtful and penetrating conversation.

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.

Support the show: https://donorbox.org/mormonismlive

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