How does the Book of Mormon address the problem of evil? In this episode, Scott covers a few passages in the Book of Mormon that explain why evil exists in the world. The Book of Mormon codifies into scripture some of the theodicies of the past, but also adds interesting developments to the conversation.  Larsen,… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 082: A Book of Mormon Theodicy

Why is there evil? Is deity compatible with the suffering that we observe in the world around us? In today’s episode, Scott introduces the listeners to the problem of evil. This episode is a brief primer on the subject to open the discussion on Mormon responses to the problem of evil in later episodes. Please… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 081: Why is there Evil?

Today’s episode is a rebroadcast of a recent Mormon Stories Podcast Episode featuring Scott as a guest host. In early December 2022, John invited Scott to Mormon Stories to discuss some recent episodes.  John and Scott discuss Brian Harris, a recent guest on Rameumptom Ruminations who was an employee at church headquarters in the correlation… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 080: Mormon Stories Episode 1702 Mormon Church Headquarters Insider Speaks Out

After guest hosting an episode with John Dehlin on Mormon Stories Podcast, many new listeners began working through Scott’s catalog of episodes. Today, Scott will respond directly to some of the comments he received on the Mormon Stories episode. Please consider becoming a monthly recurring donor to the podcast.

Many people stay engaged with the LDS church after deconstructing their faith, but that relationship looks different for everyone. In this episode, Scott brings on Patrick Mason to discuss nuanced membership within the LDS church. What does faithful dissent look like, or how can a member express their unorthodox position with their congregation? Patrick Mason… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 078: Nuance and Respectful Disagreement with Patrick Mason

After a short break, Scott returns to the podcast. Many people that leave the LDS faith are warned against leaving with threats of an unhappy life. “Your family will fall apart,” or “You’ll face incredible challenges in the workplace.” They uphold the idea that the problem of suffering only exists outside of the faith. In… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 077: A Break for My Mental Health

Is the Devil in the New Testament portrayed any differently than the Satan of the Old Testament? In this episode, Scott finishes a short series covering the Devil by focusing on the New Testament. Do not skip out on episodes 74 and 75. Those two establish key groundwork to understand this episode.  Sources Stokes, Ryan… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 076: The Devil of the New Testament

What is the origin of the word Satan? Do these earliest passages that use the term Satan match modern LDS beliefs about the devil? Sources Stokes, Ryan E. The Satan: How God’s Executioner Became the Enemy. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2019. Please consider becoming a monthly recurring donor to the podcast.

Lucifer in the LDS faith is vastly different from other interpretations of the character. How does this version differ from that found in the Bible, or in other literature? In today’s episode, Kajsa Berlin-Kaufusi joins Scott to compare different versions of the Son of the Morning. Kajsa is a former faculty member at BYU in… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 074: Speak of the Devil and He Shall Appear

Should an atheist post-Mormon engage with spirituality after deconstruction? What does mourning the loss of a loved one look like post-faith, or how can we make sense of suffering outside the constraints of religious ideology? In this episode, Brittney Hartley from the Almost Awakened Podcast comes onto the show to discuss her new course on… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 073: Spiritual Reconstruction with Brittney Hartley