[Mormonism Live 225] What if one of the most foundational parts of the Book of Mormon wasn’t ancient at all—but lifted from a 19th-century Methodist Bible commentary? In this episode, Mormonism Live dives into what may be the most significant academic finding in Mormon studies in decades: compelling evidence that Joseph Smith used Adam Clarke’s biblical commentary—a massive, scholarly work from the early 1800s—as a source while “translating” Isaiah into the Book of Mormon. Based on Colby Townsend’s stunning new paper, we break down direct textual connections, show how Smith edited Isaiah using Clarke’s scholarly notes, and explore what this means for the Church’s truth claims, the notion of “translation,” and the very origin story of the Book of Mormon. This episode could change the conversation around Joseph Smith’s methods forever. Don’t miss this deep dive into what looks like the scholarly smoking gun behind one of Mormonism’s sacred texts.

RESOURCE:
Colby Townsend’s Paper – https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jbr-2024-0001/html
Interview with Haley Lemmon Wilson https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/2018/05/haley-lemmon-joseph-smith-translation-revelation-plagiarism

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What happens when your faith tells you that your identity is a flaw to be corrected? In this episode, we sit down with Sam Nieves, a conversion therapy survivor, board member of the Conversion Therapy Survivor Network, and a clinically trained therapist with a background in Cognitive Psychology. Sam takes us deep into his lived experience growing up in Mormonism, where his sexuality and even his skin color were framed through a toxic theology of righteousness. In a LDS/Mormon belief system where “becoming white and delightsome” was once literal doctrine, Sam learned early on to associate purity with whiteness—and straightness. That twisted framework blurred lines in deeply harmful ways, pushing him into the shadows of shame and eventually into conversion therapy. Sam will walk us through the devastating process—how it was initiated, including messaging from MTC leadership, and how it affected his psyche, his sense of self, and his path to healing. This episode doesn’t just expose what goes on behind the closed doors of so-called “conversion therapy”—it empowers vulnerable listeners to recognize red flags and find help. Sam shares insights from both his trauma and his training, offering critical resources and language for anyone caught in similar webs of psychological and spiritual manipulation. Warning: This conversation includes themes of trauma, homophobia, and racial messaging within religious contexts. But it also includes truth, clarity, and hope.
RESOURCES:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/ctsn-exmo-booth-for-utah-pride-2025 

When Jacob Hansen got called out for his sleight-of-hand tactics, he didn’t offer a defense—he offered a diagnosis: Kolby Reddish and RFM are “psychotic.”

But if anyone’s losing touch with reality, it might be the guy slicing and dicing evidence like a Benihana chef trying to make Book of Mormon logic sizzle.

In this episode, RFM and Kolby turn the tables on Jacob’s latest attempt to revise reality. Watch as the apologetic illusionist gets exposed for doing what he always does: cutting out inconvenient facts, spinning what’s left, and hoping nobody notices the smoke and mirrors. It’s sharp, it’s hilarious, and it’s a masterclass in how not to argue.

Tune in as RFM and Kolby Reddish dismantle the gaslighting—one manipulated “proof” at a time.

Have you ever heard of the Book of Mormon Challenge? It is a way Mormons have of trying to prove the Book of Mormon is true, by challenging a non-believer to write a comparable book in the same amount of time as Joseph Smith used on the Book of Mormon.

Well, it looks like RFM may have done that very thing. Can you imagine what will happen to the apologists if it turns out Radio Free Mormon is the one who beat the Book of Mormon challenge??? They’ll be like those Nazi guys at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark!

How do U.S. churches take advantage of tax exemptions, and should this be allowed? These and other issues are How do U.S. churches take advantage of tax exemptions, and should this be allowed? These and other issues are investigated by filmmaker Nathan Apffel in his upcoming documentary series, “The Religion Business.” And why does Nathan consider the LDS Church to be “the most terrifying” of them all? Join us and find out! [Mormonism Live 223]

RESOURCES:

Instagram: @religionbusiness

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/controversial-documentary-sheds-light-on-lack-of-accountability-within-religion-301955128.html

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21070076/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k

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Mormons are taught not to lie. And for the most part, they don’t. One of the only times Mormons will consistently lie to you is when talking about their religion.

Any time a Mormon has to lie (or stretch the truth) to make Mormonism look good, it is completely permissible. I know this may be hard to believe. But we have proof.

We take as an example a Mormon apologist named Jacob Hansen sitting down with non-Mormon Alex O’Connor to discuss Mormonism. We clock Jacob Hansen using deceptive techniques over twenty times with Alex O’Connor to try and make Mormonism look better than it is.

Don’t believe Mormons lie to you about their religion? Here’s the evidence that proves it!

[Mormonism Live 222] Faith, Finances, and Fraud? Buckle up, because this episode dives into one of the wildest financial moments in Mormon history! (And that’s saying a lot) What happens when a prophet ventures into banking? In the 1830s, Joseph Smith and other early Mormon leaders launched the Kirtland Safety Society, a financial institution built on faith, community trust, and a vision of economic independence. But within just a year, the bank collapsed, leaving behind lawsuits, financial ruin, and a crisis of leadership that sent shockwaves through the early Church. In this episode, we explore: Why Joseph Smith and his followers believed a church-backed bank was the key to building Zion The economic struggles and high-risk decisions that led to the bank’s rapid downfall The legal challenges and accusations of fraud that forced Joseph Smith to flee Kirtland How this financial collapse tested the faith of early believers and reshaped Mormon history Was the Kirtland Safety Society a bold but doomed experiment? A victim of economic turmoil? Or was something more questionable at play? Join us as we unpack the rise and fall of Mormonism’s most infamous financial venture and the lessons it still holds today. No matter where you stand, this is a story worth hearing.

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When a Mormon apologist accidentally broadcasts damning evidence against Joseph Smith, RFM just has to do a show about it! The story is made only the more remarkable when the apologist actually calls the evidence he presents against Joseph Smith “damning.” What apologist would do such a thing? None other than our good friend, Jacob Hansen. Join RFM and Kolby Reddish for an astonishing and hilarious episode!

One correction and one clarification: 1. Jacob’s re-uploaded video is back up now—We couldn’t see it when we recorded yesterday. We encourage people to go watch for themselves. As someone in the comments noted for us, Jacob’s original epilogue DID explain the error he had made regarding the handwriting. Because Jacob had taken his video down when we were recording, we just had access to the clips we played and memory. So our criticism that Jacob didn’t explain what the error was is incorrect–shout out to Bro. Bear in the comments for noting that. Apologies to Jacob for getting that part of our commentary wrong. Because this is a very small part of our commentary regarding transparency, we’ve decided to just note in the comments (with the shout out to Bro. Bear) this correction. Jacob’s epilogue still doesn’t credit who brought his original error to his attention. The larger issue about how very significant facts can change, and the apologists’ conclusion never does, still stands. 2. As Elder Igloo states in the comments, we called this document the Grammar and Alphabet of the Egyptian Language and should have simply called the specific one written by Joseph the “Egyptian Alphabet,” to be more precise.

INSIDE THE LDS CHURCH: CONFIDENTIAL RECORDS & THE SCMC EXPOSED! In this bombshell episode, a former Mormon Church employee who worked with confidential records and the Strengthening Church Members Committee (SCMC) comes forward to expose the behind-the-scenes machinations of the LDS Church. From secret surveillance of members to how the Church tracks and manages dissent, to how the Church handles those who ask their names to be removed, this insider reveals shocking details that the Church doesn’t want you to know.

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What really happens behind closed doors?

How does the LDS Church monitor and control members?

What’s in those confidential records?

Does the Strengthening Church Members Committee actually spy on people?

This is one Mormonism Live episode you cannot afford to miss. Share this video, spread the truth, and join us in the comments for a deep dive into the secrets of the LDS Church.

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[Mormonism Live 220] Bill Reel and RFM sit down with LDS Author Carrie Sweet to discuss her new book “Goodbye Magic Undies” and the journey that brought her to writing it. Book on Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Magic-Undies-High-Control-Relationships/dp/B0DV7GPKH3/ref=sr_1_1 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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Contact Bill Reel, RFM, and the Mormon Discussions Team: MormonDiscussionsPodcasts@gmail.com