Radio Free Mormon

Mormonism Live uncovers the explosive history of the Reed Smoot Hearings (1904–1907)—a time when Mormon leaders, including President Joseph F. Smith, were forced to testify under oath before the United States Senate. What happens when prophets, seers, and revelators can no longer hide behind the pulpit and instead must answer blunt questions from skeptical senators under oath and penalty of perjury?We’ll walk you through:Why the hearings began and why the nation was riveted.Joseph F. Smith’s shocking admissions about polygamy, revelation, and his business empire.The contradictions between what Church leaders told the U.S. Senate versus what they taught faithful members in Utah.Scandals, evasions, and the unforgettable moment when the Prophet declared: “I have never pretended to… have received revelations.”The cultural and political fallout that permanently changed Mormonism and shaped its path toward assimilation in American society.This is Mormon history like you’ve never seen it: senators grilling prophets, prophets evading and confessing, and the whole nation watching. Subscribe for more hard-hitting episodes exposing Mormon history and leadership contradictions. Like this video and share it with others digging into the truth. Join the conversation in the comments below!Support the Show Donate to keep this work going: https://mormonismlive.org/Donate-To-Mormonism-Live/ Struggling with spiritual trauma or looking to reconnect with your authentic self?Awaken & Thrive Coaching provides 1-on-1 coaching and support groups designed to help you regulate your nervous system, process religious or relational wounds, and move forward with clarity and strength. Learn more or sign up here: AwakenAndThrive.org 

What happens when a Mormon Apostle gets asked troublesome questions about Mormonism? In this episode of Mormonism Live, RFM and Bill Reel sit down with someone who had questions —hard questions — for the LDS Apostle about Mormonism. As the conversation unfolds, we witness a fascinating dynamic: a man taking a closer look at belief, truth claims, and the stories the Church tells its members. It’s a rare opportunity to see what happens when one presses for clarity—and Elder Renlund finds himself on the receiving end of uncomfortable but essential inquiries. Don’t miss this unique episode that blends sharp humor, keen insight, and the kind of candid exploration you’ve come to expect from Mormonism Live. EDIT NOTE During post-production, several brief portions of the conversation were removed at the request of our guest. We made every effort to preserve the flow while respecting those edits. As a result, a few transitions may feel slightly abrupt, but the overall discussion remains intact and hopefully easy to follow. Tune in live, join the chat, and be part of the conversation.  Support the show and keep Mormonism Live going: https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live

What do Mormon temples and Masonic lodges really have in common? In this episode of Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon dig deep into the original words of LDS leaders, historians, and first-hand witnesses to uncover the startling overlap between Freemasonry and the Mormon temple endowment. From Joseph Smith and Heber C. Kimball to Brigham Young and beyond, the record is clear: Church authorities openly admitted the connection—sometimes calling Masonry “apostate priesthood” or even “corrupted endowments.” We’ll walk you through the actual quotes, the historical documents, and the missing context you won’t hear in Sunday School. Did Joseph Smith borrow, adapt, or restore ancient rituals? Why did so many early Saints see Masonry as a stepping stone to the temple? And what does it mean for the truth claims of Mormonism today? Whether you’re a believing Latter-day Saint curious about your faith’s origins, or a post-Mormon looking for validation that the pieces don’t quite fit, this episode has the receipts. Join the conversation LIVE and bring your questions. Support Mormonism Live: Donate here: https://donorbox.org/mormonismlive Bibliography For Episode https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Masonry-Mormonism-Bibliography.pdf

The Book of Mormon makes it clear that the gifts of the Spirit are a sign of salvation. If a church has the gifts of the Spirit, it is a true church that leads to salvation. If a church does not have the gifts of the Spirit, it is a false church that leads to damnation. How does the modern LDS Church fare when this test from the Book of Mormon is applied to it? Not well, I’m afraid. Ultimately, the Book of Mormon has the unfortunate honor of destroying modern Mormonism. Tune in for the details!

Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt gave the keynote address at the recent FAIR apologetic conference. The theme was that we can still trust modern prophets in spite of how badly past prophets have goofed things up. RFM reviews this talk as a sort of open letter to Elder Corbitt, explaining in detail why none of the arguments in his talk are persuasive. If you want to see how Mormon leaders play word games, this show is for you!”

RFM is joined once again by his faithful lawyer sidekick Kolby Reddish as we review chapter 11 of the light on truth letter. In this episode, we show why it is that spiritual experiences are not a good way to arrive at truth, and they should probably not be used to ascertain whether any religion is correct, up to and including Mormonism. Join us on our testimony roundup, won’t you?

Join Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon on Mormonism Live as we dig into the long and turbulent history of Joseph Smith’s run-ins with the law. From treasure digging charges in New York, to assault accusations in Ohio, to treason indictments in Missouri and Illinois, Joseph Smith’s life was marked by constant legal battles that shaped both his reputation and the future of Mormonism. We’ll trace the key moments where courts, judges, and mobs intersected with the Mormon prophet, exploring how his actions, claims, and conflicts repeatedly brought him face-to-face with American justice—and ultimately led him to Carthage Jail. Expect courtroom drama, fascinating documents, and a closer look at the myth versus the historical reality. Don’t miss this deep dive into The Legal Battles of Mormonism’s Joseph Smith — streaming live Wednesday at 6pm Mountain Time! Support the show: Donate to Mormonism Live https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live

Tonight on Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon take on the brand-new video series “An Inconvenient Faith” — a polished production where scholars, researchers, and familiar voices inside and outside the LDS Church confront the most problematic issues in Mormonism.  We’ll break down the claims, highlight what the so-called “Experts” gets right (and where it pulls punches), and talk openly about why the Church’s truth claims simply don’t hold up under scrutiny. Whether you’re curious, questioning, or already on the other side, this conversation promises to go deeper than the deflection of problems that many in the series preferred. Check out the Inconvenient Faith channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@InconvenientFaith/videos Don’t miss it — live chat, commentary, and the kind of analysis you won’t find in Sunday School. Support Mormonism Live and keep these conversations going: https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live

RFM covered the excommunication of Brandeis Hebrew scholar David P. Wright a few weeks ago. Now we cover the paper written by David P. Wright that got him excommunicated! The paper shows how Joseph Smith used the Epistle to the Hebrews from the Bible in his creation of the Book of Mormon. Professor Wright’s paper is a tour-de-force, and the LDS Church once again shows its penchant for excommunicating the best and the brightest of its members.

Tonight on Mormonism Live, RFM and Bill Reel are joined by special guest John Dehlin of Mormon Stories to reflect on five decades of Sunstone—the symposium that has been at the heart of Mormon thought, scholarship, and counter-narratives for half a century. From its beginnings in the 1970s to its role today as a gathering place for both believers and post-believers, Sunstone has been a hub for open dialogue, difficult questions, and groundbreaking conversations. Together, we’ll explore its history, controversies, influence, and where it may be headed in the next fifty years. Join us live and add your voice in the chat as we dive into this landmark moment in Mormonism’s intellectual and cultural journey. To come into the studio during the call in section please click – https://streamyard.com/knqex46wg5 Live Tonight, 6 PM Mountain Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss it! Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light on truth and leads with transparency.  DONATE VIA DONORBOX! https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Join our Mailing List – subscribepage.io/MormonDiscussion  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-discussions-podcasts-full-lineup/id562296100 https://open.spotify.com/show/0lEZJF0ZH6ccoteUP9Z4Fu Instagram: /https://www.instagram.com/mormondiscussion/ TikTok: @mormondiscussion https://www.tiktok.com/@mormondiscussion Mormon Discussion Merch store https://www.exmoshirts.com/collections/mormondiscussionsMormon Discussions Website – https://mormondiscussions.org/ Contact Bill Reel, RFM, and the Mormon Discussions Team: MormonDiscussionsPodcasts@gmail.com