I had a faith crisis in my mid-twenties. A big faith crisis. It involved a salamander and it involved a letter. It made me question everything I thought I knew about Joseph Smith, the book he produced, and the religion he founded. The LDS religion. MY religion! And in that time of despair, I clung to the most significant single evidence that the Book of Mormon is ancient, and therefore authentic, and therefore true. I clung to the presence of “chiasmus” in the Book of Mormon; that incredible ancient Hebrew literary form that shows up in such abundance in the Nephite record. But had I been told everything there was to tell about chiasmus? Or had information been withheld from me to make “chiasmus” look like a much more impressive evidence for the Book of Mormon? Was it a solid evidence, or was it fool’s gold? And if I had known it was fool’s gold in my twenties, would I have clung to it as such strong evidence for the Book of Mormon? And if I had not clung to “chiasmus,” as proof of the Restoration, might I have left the church in my mid-twenties and lived a very different life; a life lived on my own terms as opposed to the terms dictated to me by Mormonism? These are the thoughts that I try to work through in this podcast. I hope you will join me on this journey.

The post They Didn’t Tell Me This!!! RFM: 458 appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

Tonight on Mormonism Live, we explore one of the most uncomfortable and fascinating questions in early Mormon history: Was Moroni originally understood through the same treasure-digging framework Joseph Smith had already been practicing for years? Long before the Book of Mormon was published, Joseph Smith and those around him were involved in treasure seeking using seer stones, ritual practices, magic circles, guardian spirits, and buried treasures hidden in hills. In the earliest recollections of Moroni and the gold plates, the similarities become difficult to ignore. In this episode we examine: Moroni as a possible “treasure guardian” Joseph Smith’s use of the rock in the hat before the Book of Mormon Guardian spirit folklore in early America Magic circles, rituals, and treasure enchantments Animal sacrifice allegations in treasure digging “Slippery treasure” stories and buried ancient records How apologetics attempt to separate treasure digging from Mormon origins Why the historical continuity matters The deeper one goes into the earliest sources, the less the story initially resembles polished religion and the more it resembles the folk magic treasure-seeking culture of early 1800s America. We follow the historical record wherever it leads.

RESOURCES FOR TONIGHT EPISODE:
https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Morni-Treasure-Guardian.pdf

Donate to Mormonism Live: https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live

Get Bill Reel’s book “A Logical Deconstruction of Mormonism”: https://www.amazon.com/Logical-Deconstruction-Mormonism-One-Book/dp/B0GQQ4CJ2S

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

#MormonismLive #JosephSmith #MormonHistory #BookOfMormon #TreasureDigging #Moroni #LDS #ExMormon #Mormonism #SeerStone

The post Moroni As A Treasure Guardian appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

What if the harm didn’t start with a crisis… but with what you were taught as a child? In this episode of Mormonism Live, we sit down with researcher and clinician Samuel Clemens, PhD, LCSW, to unpack his groundbreaking study on religious trauma among former Latter-day Saints—particularly those who identify as sexual minorities. This isn’t a conversation about people being “offended” or simply losing belief. It’s about something deeper. Clemens’ research reveals that for many, the damage isn’t tied to a single moment—but to years of subtle conditioning. Messages about worthiness, identity, obedience, and belonging begin early… and often shape how individuals see themselves long before they have the language to understand who they are.

We explore:
How religious trauma develops over time—not in one event, but through repetition
Why identity and morality being fused together creates lasting psychological conflict
The “double bind” many experience: be authentic and risk losing everything, or conform and lose yourself
The central role of family, belonging, and conditional acceptance
Why leaving can feel both freeing and devastating at the same time
This is an honest, nuanced conversation about the real human impact of high-demand religious systems—and what healing can actually look like on the other side.

If you’ve ever wrestled with these questions, or you’re trying to understand someone who has, this episode offers insight that’s hard to ignore.

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

If you or someone you know is navigating religious or spiritual trauma, support and coaching resources are available at: https://awakenandthrive.org/

#MormonismLive #ReligiousTrauma #FaithTransition #ExMormon #MentalHealth #lds

To reach Sam – sclemens161@gmail.com

The post The Hidden Cost of Mormon Belief: Conditioned From Childhood appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

Tonight on The Mormon Newscast we dive into one of the most secretive and controversial topics in Mormonism: The Second Anointing. Recent photos posted by the LDS Church along with a TikTok video by Mormon apologist Jasmine Rappleye appears to openly discuss and display imagery associated with the Holy of Holies, raising fresh questions about whether the LDS Church is becoming less guarded about its highest temple rites. We discuss the video and what it says about Mormonism’s hidden inner ordinances becoming more public.

We also cover the disturbing case involving a Mormon couple accused of torturing and killing a child, whether faithful members truly understand how many people are quietly stepping away from the Church, Rebecca Bibliotheca’s hilarious Disney/Temple Square connection being confirmed, the Fairview mayor requesting a reduced temple steeple height as a gesture of goodwill, the Church dedicating 5th Sunday lessons to religious freedom, bishops continuing to write letters in support of CSA defendants, changing attitudes toward LDS women’s careers, Charlie Bird announcing plans to start a family, and an update on President Dallin H. Oaks recovering from hip replacement surgery.

To explore a deep dive into the 2nd Anointing watch Mormonism Live’s “Mormonism’s Second Anointing: Everything You Wanted To Know !!!” – https://youtube.com/live/A1FNi_eV_Go

If you enjoyed tonight’s episode and want to support Mormon Newscast, donations help us continue producing independent Mormon news and analysis:
https://donorbox.org/the-mormon-newscast
https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast

And if anyone needs support dealing with spiritual trauma, faith transition, or religious deconstruction, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at: https://awakenandthrive.org/

The post Is Mormonism’s 2nd Anointing No Longer Secret? appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

RFM is joined by Kolby Reddish to finish off our analysis of the historic trouncing Bill Reel recently gave to Mormon apologist Robert Gurr! This is one for the record books! My favorite part is Mr. Gurr’s argument for why it is horses went extinct in the Americas. Hint: It has nothing to do with the ice age, and everything to do with hungry Nephites! Hungry, Hungry Nephites!

The post Mormon Bring Knife To Gunfight! RFM: 457 appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

Who won the debate? Bill Reel or Robert Gurr? Bill Reel and RFM dissect Bill’s recent debate about Mormonism with Robert Gurr. This one is going to be a lot of fun! Don’t miss it!

The post Another Mormon Bites The Dust! appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

This week’s Mormon Newscast centers on what looks like a renewed willingness by Church leadership under Dallin H. Oaks to draw sharper lines and enforce them. Whether it’s the Church’s trademark lawsuit involving John Dehlin or the excommunication of Landon Brophy, such seems to signal a broader shift toward tightening control over both narrative and dissent a shift Elder Oaks requested not too long ago. From there, we hit a range of developing stories across the Mormon landscape. We’ve got an update on Wade Christofferson, a look at how political identity among Latter-day Saints is subtly shifting, and a discussion of the now-infamous “tooth” moment involving Tamara W. Runia.

We also break down a recent YA devotional message where Elder Stevenson and his wife, Leesa, have us going deeper and deeper into space. We also zoom out to look at bigger cultural and institutional trends: temples continuing to be announced and built even as overall growth shows signs of strain, a noticeable uptick in horror films using Mormon themes as storytelling fuel, and yes, Utah’s beloved “dirty soda” culture suddenly stepping onto the national stage. As always, we connect the dots, ask the hard questions, and try to make sense of what it all means for those still in, those on the edge, and those long gone.

If you want to support The Mormon Newscast, you can donate here: https://donorbox.org/the-mormon-newscast https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast

And if you’re navigating faith transition or spiritual trauma and need support, 1-on-1 coaching and group work is available at: https://awakenandthrive.org/

The post Elder Oaks and The LDS Punishment Initiative! appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

This week on The Mormon Newscast, we’re covering two major developing stories. First, more alleged victims have come forward in the Wade Christofferson CSA cases, adding new layers to an already disturbing situation. As details emerge, the scope and handling of the allegations are becoming harder to ignore. Second, we take a deeper look at the ongoing trademark dispute involving John Dehlin and the LDS Church. New information sheds light on what’s at stake, why it matters in the broader landscape of Mormon-related content and commentary.

Other stories we’re following:
The Church rolls out new names for Young Women’s age groups—a shift that may seem small on the surface, but raises questions about branding, identity, and messaging.
A BYU professor is at the center of a serious legal situation, prompting renewed scrutiny around institutional response and oversight at Brigham Young University.
Leaders in King County suggest they may not be required to report child sexual abuse in certain circumstances—an issue that cuts to the heart of moral responsibility vs. legal obligation.
In Seattle, five LDS meetinghouses have been sold even as a new temple is under construction—raising questions about growth, decline, and the Church’s shifting footprint.
And lastly Parker Kingston was back in court.

We break it all down, connect the dots, and give you the context you need to make sense of what’s happening.

If you value the work we’re doing and want to support the show, you can donate here:
https://donorbox.org/the-mormon-newscast
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The post Christofferson Abuse Allegations Grow While LDS Church Targets Mormon Stories appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.