Radio Free Mormon

RFM and Bill Reel sit down with special guests to discuss what The LDS Church looks like in Africa and how its membership upon this continent is affected uniquely.

I was recently asked to do an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Mormon Reddit.  Lots of great questions were asked and I did my best to answer in the limited amount of time I had! This episode is the audio version of the AMA, and includes some answers to questions that came in after the AMA was over!

TikToker under name “nuancehoe”. In our conversation we delve into Prophets, Evolution, the argument against there being free will, and if time we hope to delve into dogma as debated by Sam Harris and Jordan PetersonResources:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u45SP7Xv_oU

RFM and Bill sit down with David Bokovoy and with a title like that, who knows where the conversation might go………… David Bokovoy holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East and an MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies both from Brandeis University. He received his BA from Brigham Young University, majoring in History and minoring in Near Eastern Studies. In addition to his work in Mormon studies, David has published articles on the Hebrew Bible in a variety of academic venues including the Journal of Biblical Literature, Vetus Testamentum, Studies in the Bible and Antiquity, and theFARMS RFM and Bill sit down with David Bokovoy and with a title like that, who knows where the conversation might go………… David Bokovoy holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East and an MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies both from Brandeis University. He received his BA from Brigham Young University, majoring in History and minoring in Near Eastern Studies. In addition to his work in Mormon studies, David has published articles on the Hebrew Bible in a variety of academic venues including the Journal of Biblical Literature, Vetus Testamentum, Studies in the Bible and Antiquity, and theFARMS Review. He is the co-author of the book Testaments: Links Between the Book of Mormon and the Hebrew Bible.RESOURCES:https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26089486 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02955/full https://theconversation.com/homosexuality-may-have-evolved-for-social-not-sexual-reasons-128123 https://www.amazon.com/Mating-in-Captivity-Esther-Perel-audiobook/dp/B000IB0EYI/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37GYYI3COZDM6&keywords=mating+captivity&qid=1646880888&sprefix=mating+cap%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-1

This is an episode of Rameumptom Ruminations where Radio Free Mormon is interviewed. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has a track record of promoting lawyers among the ranks of the general authorities. In this very special episode, Scott brings in our resident ex-Mormon lawyer Radio Free Mormon into the Rameumptom Studio to chat about the overlap between his professional life and Mormonism.

RFM talks about his background in law from over thirty-years of practice, and applies those principles to the LDS Church. By the end, we start to get a good idea why it is the LDS Church seems to like to call lawyers to positions of leadership–especially over the Church Historian’s Office!

What happens when rather than get in close to the sticky issues of Mormonism you step back? In fact step back so far as to see the 30,000 foot view and look at what Mormonism has standing in the way of its truth claims. And how such speaks to just how reasonable and rational it is to release one’s belief in the faith and to step away having allowed oneself to be a rational logical critical thinking human being. What happens when rather than get in close to the sticky issues of Mormonism you step back? In fact step back so far as to see the 30,000 foot view and look at what Mormonism has standing in the way of its truth claims. And how such speaks to just how reasonable and rational it is to release one’s belief in the faith and to step away having allowed oneself to be a rational logical critical thinking human being. Scriptural IssuesBook of Mormon 19th Century MaterialBook of Mormon AnachronismsPlagiarism from New TestamentBook of Abraham issuesBible Translation plagiarized from Adam Clarke’s commentaryTheological changes in canon over time2nd and 3rd IsaiahSpiritual Manifestation IssueMoroni vs NephiFirst Vision DiscrepanciesSeeing the Cumorah Cave in Palmyra New York in spite of being a clean hillPeter James and John PH restoration added lateMoroni blessing MantiBrigham Young TransfigurationIssues with Joseph Smith’s CharacterLying about polygamy to Emma and othersManipulating Lucy Walker Pattern of approaching girls or young women in his home for intimate relationships (Lucy Walker, Fanny Alger, Partridge Sisters, Lawrence Sisters) Polyandry Nancy Rigdon & The Happiness Letter Underage girls (two 14 year olds, two 16 year olds, two 17 year olds) Treasure DiggingOther financial frauds: Kirtland anti-bank, land issues, bad loansScience and Critical ThinkingGreat Flood Tower of Babel Shiz rises after head cut off 2000 stripling warriors in a battle with a more experienced larger military force and not a single soul was lost not to the battle and not to infection afterwards inspite of many fainting from bloodloss Battles in the Millions around Cumorah and what it takes to have military engagement that large Moroni blessing Manti Trans Oceanic Voyage Lamanite DNA Age of the earth & EvolutionChurch AdministrationSecond Anointings 100’s of Billions of dollars saved in investments rather than solving world problems Nepotism Leaders are insulated and promote yes men Well paid Leaders SCMCPast Prophetic Deception Adam God Doctrine Racial Curse and Racial Valiancy Joseph Smith mock wedding with Partridge Sisters Treasure Digging Mountain Meadows (Brigham’s destruction of the marker and lying about it and blaming the Native Americans) 1890, 1904 Manifesto1933 lying about the 1886 John Taylor RevelationModern Prophetic DeceptionElder Holland (BBC Interview, Story about missionary meeting his brother, Double Digit Stake Creation every week of our lives) Paul Dunn President Nelson (Flight of Death, Zimbabwe, Lady in the hat)Bruce R McConkie lying about Brigham teaching Adam God Elder Oaks lying about Electroshock Therapy at BYU under his presidency Whitewashing and carefully worded denials of the Gospel Topic EssaysTom Monson JrQuinton Cook – HospitalGordon B Hinkley “I don’t know that we teach it. I don’t know that we emphasize it”Ronald Poelman and the re-do of his conference talkFalse or embellished Faith Promoting storiesSeagulls and Crickets Sweetwater Crossing Holland, Nelson yarn stretchers Brigham Young TransfigurationWhale of a taleWilfor Woodruff Founding FathersLorenzo Snow’s Jesus VisitationTrauma Placed On MembersTemple (Sexism, Objectifying Women, Penalties) One on One interviews with children and others by an untrained clergy “Worthiness” interviews Toxic Perfectionism Patriarchy Marginalizing womenMarginalization of people of colorDestruction of idiginous people’s identity  “Indian Placement Program” Diminishing those who lose faith with labels (chaff, lazy, sinful) Not having a single good story about those who leave Gaslighting people continuously regarding their history All the harm with polygamy Claiming Tithing will get you out of PovertySocial IssuesWomen have lesser place in mortality and in heaven Church still currently maintains that God actually sorted people via their skin color (Be One Celebration)Church imposes significant harm on LGBT members Civil Rights was Communism Not Proactive or reactive on Sexual Abuse People who stop believing are less than and believers should stay at distanceAlways 30-40 years late on almost every social issue in spite of being led by Prophets, Seers, and RevelatorsGlobal/government influences: Defeating ERA, Prop 8, LDS Senator votes for Iraqi War “where boots go, missionaries follow,” the two LDS men (one a Bishop) part of US Govt torture program, cultural appropriation/erasure among Native Americans, Polynesians etc, lobbying against church clergy being mandatory reporters, attempt to make Utah a two-party recording consent state, etc Stop here and discuss how every facet of Mormonism’s truth claims when dealt with logically are in favor of the critic.  That when understood collectively, the only fall back Mormonism has is Spiritual Testimony.   That in spite of all the issues, I still believe because I know by the Holy Ghost that it is true.  Except the Holy Ghost doesn’t get a free pass Ineffectiveness of the Holy Ghost as a tool to convey truthElevation Emotion Illusory Truth Effect Taking Seriously the Spiritual experiences of those outside your faith How completely wrong past leaders were in spite of their “Knowing” How wrong members have been at past times holding views with certainty when such views have been abandoned or disavowed Holy Ghost can be tested and it does no better than no Holy Ghost Leaders have been deceivedmembers have been deceived And as if that isn’t enough if you apply the same critical thinking to Jesus of Nazareth you end up having another pillar of challenges that hits at the truth of Mormonism (Though I admit also all of Christianity) Historical JesusDating of New Testament Authors Wrestling with New Testament gospel contradictions Understanding the prevalent views of Biblical CriticismHow myths are created (Sapiens) How stories easily get embellished (compare with Mormonism) How much easier in an age of unverifiable history When supernatural happens and when it doesn’t Issues with the nativity narrative BONUS ROUND (Not Covered In Episode) Immoral, harmful beliefs taught as moral and good.Problems with the concept of “fallen” man (unnecessary guilt and/or lack of personal accountability)Idolizing parricide as act of “love” and “loyalty” (God + Abraham) Justifying God’s abusive and narcissistic behaviors as “love”Forgiveness expected for misbehaving leaders “give Brother Joseph a break”Lack of empathy/blame for victimsTheological: the Flood, Hell for non-believers, misfortune as punishment (LGBTQ, apostates, etc)Local/current: blaming SA victims, clergy abuse victims, etcInternal morality given to God or those perceived to speak for himBiblical atrocities excused, even genocideGives space for modern atrocities to be committed/accepted (even victims sometimes)Early and modern polygamy/underage rape/traffickingModern spouse/child abuseMurder, theft, imprisonment of apostates/defectors/outsiders (Oliver Cowdery, Danites, Lori Vallow/Chad Daybell)Obligations to support systems that harm self/others (sexism, Prop 8, etc)Personal choices/freedoms overridden in favor of the group ideals

I was recently interviewed by the host of Priesthood Dispatches, a new podcast from one of my friends across the pond! I had a great time doing this interview and I hope you will enjoy listening to it!

Mormonism LIVE: 064: The Role of Women In The Church RFM and Bill dive into the issue of Women in the Church and their role. What does the Church want women to think and believe and what does the system of Mormonism actually tell Women about their place within the Church? We have a guest on Nicole, who along with Maven share their personal journey navigating the hurtful and unhealthy sexist messaging of the LDS Church.

RFM deconstructs the Brad Wilcox Fireside as no one else can! Strap on your seatbelts! It’s going to be a bumpy night!