RFM blows up one of the most popular apologist theories for how the Book of Mormon can still be divinely inspired . . . even though it contains indisputable elements from Joseph Smith’s 19th Century environment. It’s called “The Expansion Theory.” It was created by Blake Ostler. And Mr. Ostler is not going to be happy about the thrashing RFM gives his theory. After this episode, the only thing that will be left of Ostler’s “Expansion Theory” is a mushroom-shaped cloud on the horizon. Don’t miss this one!

The post Nuking the Book of Mormon: RFM: 443 appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

What is it like to be a Mormon missionary in Japan? RFM reflects on different aspects of his mission through the use of some recently acquired letters he himself wrote while serving his mission almost half a century ago!

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Tonight on Mormonism Live, we tackle one of the most persistent and uncomfortable questions in modern Mormon scholarship: What does DNA actually say about the Book of Mormon? Our guest is Dr. Thomas W. Murphy, anthropologist, award-winning scholar, and author of Unsettling Scripture: Iroquois and the Book of Mormon. Dr. Murphy’s latest presentation, “DNerAsure: Unsettling Science & Scripture” DNerAsure – Unsettling Science, challenges both apologetic narratives and oversimplified dismissals of the DNA debate.

What We Discuss
The acknowledged lack of Middle Eastern DNA in ancient and modern Indigenous American populations
Why the science is not “settled” in the way many assume
The apologetic argument that Book of Mormon DNA may have “disappeared” over time
Why autosomal DNA makes total genetic erasure extraordinarily implausible
The limited geography model and why it does not solve the DNA problem The ethics of Indigenous DNA collection — including BYU’s controversial accumulation of Indigenous genetic samples
The concept of a “Galileo Event” and whether Mormonism is approaching one How racialized readings of scripture intersect with real Indigenous identities

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In this episode, we step into one of the most provocative and uncomfortable chapters ever written about Joseph Smith — “The Don Juan of Nauvoo,” from Dr. W. Wyl’s 1886 exposé. These are not modern critics looking backward with hindsight. These are men and women living in Utah in the late 1800s — people who lived through Nauvoo, who knew Joseph personally, who saw the culture firsthand, and who were willing to share their memories of Joseph’s behavior with women. Their recollections paint a portrait very different from the sanitized image often presented today. We will read their words directly. Their observations. Their accusations. Their recollections of Joseph’s charisma, his influence, and his interactions with women in Nauvoo. This episode isn’t about speculation. It’s about historical memory — and how Joseph Smith’s contemporaries understood him.

You’ll hear:
• How Joseph was perceived by those who lived in Nauvoo
• The reputation he carried among insiders
• What Utah Saints privately said decades later
• Why these accounts were preserved and published
• And how charisma, authority, and attraction intersected in Nauvoo

Whether you see Joseph Smith as prophet, fraud, or something in between, these firsthand recollections provide a window into how he was experienced by those who lived in his shadow.

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On this episode of The Mormon Newscast, we take a closer look at a growing debate inside Mormonism: Are Latter-day Saints actually leaving the Church—and if so, why? Apologists and researchers are pushing back against the idea of mass disaffiliation, pointing to data showing high activity rates among those who still identify as LDS. But does that data tell the full story? We break down the claims, the research, and what it may reveal about the Church’s future. We also cover major financial news as the LDS Church quietly dumps billions of dollars in stock holdings, raising new questions about its investment strategy and long-term financial positioning. Plus, we provide an update on the Temple Square renovation project and the ongoing conflict in Fairview, Texas, where residents continue to push back against the Church’s temple plans.

Other stories include growing concerns about missionary safety in Mexico, renewed debates over the Word of Wisdom and green tea, a cultural shift as more Latter-day Saints openly discuss sex and sexuality, and new historical insights into the evolution of temple garments and how their meaning and design have changed over time.

The Mormon Newscast brings you the most important stories shaping Mormonism today, with context, clarity, and analysis you won’t find anywhere else.

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If you’re navigating a faith transition or dealing with spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at: https://awakenandthrive.org/

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The LDS Church has called Clark G. Gilbert as its newest apostle, and the implications of this decision reach far beyond a single leadership change. At just 55 years old, Gilbert is now positioned to shape the Church for decades to come. Tonight, we break down who Clark Gilbert is, what he said about his unexpected calling, his background in Church education and media, and why this move appears to signal an intentional effort to stabilize and protect institutional orthodoxy at a time of growing internal and external pressure. We also examine Gilbert’s controversial past, including mass layoffs at the Deseret News, his role in shaping Church education, and why his leadership style suggests he may play a key role in defining the Church’s direction moving forward. This isn’t just about who was called. It’s about what this call reveals.
Also tonight:
• Morehouse College students push back after discovering Joseph Smith honored on their campus
• Developments in the BYU football player rape case
• New child sexual abuse charges filed in Arizona involving a Church member
• Colorado Springs City Council approves the LDS temple despite public opposition
• David Archuleta announces a new book and continues redefining his relationship with Mormonism
• The disturbing and controversial history behind “Mormon Waterboarding”

The Mormon Newscast continues to bring you the stories shaping Mormonism today, separating institutional narratives from documented reality.

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The post Clark Gilbert Called as New LDS Apostle & What It Means for the Mormon Church’s Future appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

This week, Radio Free Mormon gathers an all-star panel of Mormon influencers to respond to President Dallin H. Oaks’ recent devotional address delivered at Brigham Young University on Tuesday, February 10. Front and center is Oaks’ warning about “speculation and false information in podcasts and on social media” — and his counsel to avoid being persuaded by those voices. Instead, he urges members to seek out “faithful, well-informed friends,” renew covenants weekly, attend the temple regularly, and stay firmly on the covenant path. So what does it mean when Church leadership cautions members about podcasts… in a media landscape where podcasts are one of the primary spaces for discussion, nuance, and historical transparency? Is this about protecting faith? Controlling narrative? Reducing doubt? Or something more complicated? Our panel dives deep into the psychology behind information control, authority, and epistemic trust. Who gets to define “well-informed”? Why are certain conversations labeled speculation while others are framed as revelation? And what happens when members are told to avoid sources that challenge official claims? Expect thoughtful analysis, sharp humor, and candid reflection as we explore what this devotional signals about the Church’s current moment — and what it means for creators, critics, and everyday members trying to navigate faith in the digital age. If you care about truth, trust, and who controls the story, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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Tonight on The Mormon Newscast, we lead with a story that cuts straight to trust and credibility. Just a few years ago the LDS Church claimed it could not turn over abuse-help-line records because those records were routinely destroyed. Then, just last week, the Church publicly cited those same records to defend itself from over a decade ago. Both statements cannot be true. We walk through what was said, when it was said, and why this contradiction matters—especially when the subject is child abuse and institutional accountability. This isn’t a technical paperwork issue. It’s about honesty. When an institution asks for moral authority, legal deference, and public trust, its words matter. We break down how this reversal came to light, what the Church is now saying, and why critics argue this isn’t a misunderstanding but a clear case of misleading the public. Our other stories include looking into the latest Widow’s Mite Report, which raises fresh questions about Church finances. With hundreds of billions in reserves and massive investment growth, the report argues the Church is hoarding wealth at a pace that far outstrips its charitable spending. We discuss what the data shows, what defenders say in response, and why the question “What is all this money for?” keeps getting louder. We also provide an update on the Heber Valley Temple, where construction plans, timelines, and community impact continue to evolve. As temple announcements pile up across the globe, this local case highlights the growing tension between Church expansion and the communities expected to absorb it. Finally, we wrap with a few lighter but still telling stories: a Mormon Olympic hopeful making headlines, and the viral moment of someone literally being told to “fetch the Mormons.” Even the smaller stories, it turns out, say something about culture, image, and how the Church is seen in the wider world. As always, we connect the dots, cut through the spin, and let the facts speak for themselves.

Support The Mormon Newscast If you value independent reporting and thoughtful analysis, please consider donating:
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The post LDS Church Doesn’t Destroy Child Abuse Records Afterall !!! appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.