Alternative Mormon

We have made it 10 episodes! Thank you so much for all those who have stuck around so far. Just wanted to provide a quick update of where I've been the last month and a half and what the podcast will look like going forward. Feel free to email me at alternativemormonpodcast@gmail.com with any input or suggestions for content. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/support

Pastor and Experienced Map Maker/Historian John Hamer joined with me to share his faith transition story that eventually led him to the Community of Christ. We talk about how Community of Christ can be a good landing place for people currently struggling with their faith or who have transitioned away from the LDS church. We also discussed his views on literal interpretations of scripture and the historical Jesus. Thank you so much John for joining me! I am still feeling a little starstruck as I have been watching/listening to multiple lectures and podcasts that John has participated in over the past year during my faith transition journey. John is such a knowledgeable guy and, more importantly, just a genuinely good human. Resources discussed in this show: Beyond the Walls Online Ministry: https://www.communityofchrist.ca/btw.html Beyond the Walls - Continuing Revelation Service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FI_F4ZyUSc Mormon Stories: John Hamer on CoC as church home for transitioning Mormons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soOOgUE-bJI&t=3045s Mormon Stories: John Hamer's Story: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/john-hamer-on-leaving-mormonism-and-returning-through-the-community-of-christ/ Centre Place Lectures: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEnqfPnCRxLKqM_A7vmYc9xZ2xZcg-itw If this is your first time listening to Alternative Mormon, I recommend you go back to the first episode and at a minimum read the description. The first half of that episode also introduces my goals and purposes. Each episode will be named and numbered as follows: 1 - Alternative Thoughts 2 - Faith Transition Interviews 3 - The Issues 4 -  Everything from Amulek to Zeezrom The intro and outro music was provided by Dale Harris with his song "Speak to Me". Check out his rad tunes at jdharrismusic.com If you have questions or comments email me at alternativemormonpodcast@gmail.com If you like this podcast and would like to help support it, feel free to donate at https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/support or at paypal.me/alternativemormon Thank you for listening and for your support! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/support

Today's interview is with Stephen Murphy (AKA the Murph) from the YouTube Channel Mormonism with the Murph. We talk about his journey from active member to ex-Mormon and back to active member. He finishes off by sharing his thoughts on faith crises and how leaders can help these people. If this is your first time listening to Alternative Mormon, I recommend you go back to the first episode and at a minimum read the description. The first half of that episode also introduces my goals and purposes. Each episode will be named and numbered as follows: 1 - Alternative Thoughts 2 - Faith Transition Interviews 3 - The Issues 4 -  Everything from Amulek to Zeezrom The intro and outro music was provided by Dale Harris with his song "Speak to Me". Check out his rad tunes at jdharrismusic.com If you have questions or comments email me at alternativemormonpodcast@gmail.com If you like this podcast and would like to help support it, feel free to donate at https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/support or at paypal.me/alternativemormon Thank you for listening and for your support! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/support

Today I discuss the amazing and simple book "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. As I go through the book, I also share the question of why after my Mormon faith transition I am still a Christian. If this is your first time listening to Alternative Mormon, I recommend you go back to the first episode and at a minimum read the description. The first half of that episode also introduces my goals and purposes. Each episode will be named and numbered as follows: 1 - Alternative Thoughts 2 - Faith Transition Interviews 3 - The Issues 4 -  Everything from Amulek to Zeezrom If you like this podcast and would like to help support it, feel free to donate at https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/support or at paypal.me/alternativemormon Thank you for listening and for your support! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/support

Warning: Excessive Ramblings and Soapboxes Ahead In this episode I respond to some feedback I received from Mike (from the Amulek to Zeezrom Episodes) and share some of my other thoughts from this last week.   Thank you Mike for taking the time to push back on some of my claims! For those interested in reading his response, you can find it here: Mike's Response  If you haven't listened to my issues episode on the KJV influences in the Book of Mormon, that can be found here: Episode 3-01 Note: First version had some audio issues. I have since fixed it (hopefully) let me know if the soundbites are still overlapping --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/support

If you want to see the visuals that I used during the podcast they can be found here: https://youtu.be/Dd5QXcQwwtQ In this first episode of the issues segment, we will discuss the influence of the KJV Bible in the Book of Mormon text. The goal of the issues episodes is to create a compilation of the main problems I have with the dominant narrative of the church and what led me to have a faith transition. I will try to keep these episodes fair and objective but of course my personal bias will influence these to not be faith promoting.   If this is your first time listening to Alternative Mormon, I recommend you go back to the first episode (https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/3sGlLipdjwb) and at a minimum read the description. The first half of that episode also introduces my goals and purposes. Each episode will be named and numbered as follows:  1 - Alternative Thoughts  2 - Faith Transition Interviews  3 - The Issues  4 -  Everything from Amulek to Zeezrom  If you like this podcast and would like to help support it, feel free to donate at https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/support or at paypal.me/alternativemormon Thank you for listening and for your support!   Further Resources for Today's Show: Critical Sources:  Alexander Campbell’s Review of the Book of Mormon https://www.lds-mormon.com/campbell-shtml/  https://www.ldsdiscussions.com/kjv  https://mit.irr.org/use-of-kjv-new-testament-in-books-of-mormon-and-moroni  https://www.letterformywife.com/the-letter Chapter 15 Source Material   Neutral (Leaning Believing) Source:  Naturalistic Explanations of the Book of Mormon by Brian C. Hales https://archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/naturalistic-explanations-origin-book-mormon-longitudinal-study  Apologetic Sources:  LDS Gospel Topic Essays, Book of Mormon Translation https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/book-of-mormon-translation?lang=eng  https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/answers/Book_of_Mormon/Plagiarism_accusations/King_James_Bible https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/archive/publications/deutero-isaiah-in-the-book-of-mormon Saints Unscripted, “Why do Bible Passages Show  Up in the Book of Mormon? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppB8DUsCUyo --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/support

Introducing the Alternative Thoughts segment of episodes! For those interested, over the next couple of months we will be covering topics of Christianity. If you want to read along before the episodes we will be covering the books:  "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis (https://www.amazon.com/Mere-Christianity-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060652926/ref=sr_1_1crid=1WEG7A6X9O1LW&keywords=mere+christianity+cs+lewis&qid=1673585227&sprefix=mere+christianity%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-1)  "A History of the Bible: The Book & Its Faith" by John Barton (https://www.amazon.com/History-Bible-Book-Its-Faiths/dp/0143111205/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2390A7071ENI6&keywords=a+history+of+the+bible&qid=1673585274&sprefix=a+history+of+the+bibl%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-1) If this is your first time listening to Alternative Mormon, I recommend you go back to the first episode (https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/3sGlLipdjwb) and at a minimum read the description. The first half of that episode also introduces my goals and purposes. Each episode will be named and numbered as follows: 1 - Alternative Thoughts 2 - Faith Transition Interviews 3 - The Issues 4 -  Everything from Amulek to Zeezrom If you like this podcast and would like to help support it, feel free to donate at https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/support or at paypal.me/alternativemormon Thank you for listening and for your support! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/support

Today I interview one of my old high school friends, Quinn, on his life journey and how it relates to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Quinn talks about being born and baptized into the church at 8 years old and his transition away from the church early in life. He also discusses growing up in Utah outside of the church and shares his views on life. Thanks Quinn for letting me catch up with and interview you! If this is your first time listening to Alternative Mormon, I recommend you go back to the first episode (https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/3sGlLipdjwb) and at a minimum read the description. The first half of that episode also introduces my goals and purposes. Each episode will be named and numbered as follows: 1 - Alternative Thoughts 2 - Faith Transition Interviews 3 - The Issues 4 -  Everything from Amulek to Zeezrom If you like this podcast and would like to help support it, feel free to donate at https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/support or at paypal.me/alternativemormon Thank you for listening and for your support! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/support

In this first episode of "Everything from Amulek to Zeezrom" I introduce Mike who will be our regular guest host on this series and we go over questions we have prepared for each other regarding faith and doubt. In future episodes, we hope to answer questions from you, our listeners. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions you would like to hear from a believing or non-believing perspective or both. You can message me on Twitter or Reddit or email me at alternativemormonpodcast@gmail.com If this is your first time listening to Alternative Mormon, I recommend you go back to the first episode (https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/3sGlLipdjwb) and at a minimum read the description. The first half of that episode also introduces my goals and purposes. Each episode will be named and numbered as follows: 1 - Alternative Thoughts 2 - Faith Transition Interviews 3 - The Issues 4 -  Everything from Amulek to Zeezrom If you like this podcast and would like to help support it, feel free to donate at https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/support or at paypal.me/alternativemormon Thank you for listening and for your support! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/support

Welcome to the first ever episode of Alternative Mormon Podcast! Join me as I go over my personal story of my faith transition from a fully active believing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to something of a Christian Agnostic/Universalist. For future episodes, I will provide 1 of 4 descriptions in the episode title to let you know what kind of episode you will be listening to. They are as follows 1) "Alternative Thoughts" - In these episodes I will provide commentary on recent studies I have had. These topics will likely not be specific to Mormonism and will be about sources I have read or find interesting about religion or spirituality in general. These will either be solo shows or I may occasionally invite guests to the show to participate in my ramblings. 2) "Faith Transition Interview" - This first episode likely fits into this category. In the faith transition interviews, I will invite others who have experienced any sort of faith transition to tell their story. These may even be active members of the church. My theory it that everyone has a faith transition, or multiple faith transitions, at some point in their life. My goal with these episodes is to explore others perspectives of faith transitions in hopes to be a good resource to those in the midst of a faith crisis. 3) "The Issues" - In these episodes, I will not shy away from what I see as the issues of the predominant narrative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My goal will not be to argue, convince, or tear down those who do believe and hope to approach these issues as objectively as I can. However, I will also share why these issues made it difficult for me to be a believing member of the church. My main purpose for these types of episodes is to provide understanding between different types of Mormons. 4) "Everything from Amulek to Zeezrom" - In these episodes, I will invite on my good friend Mike who has willingly agreed to play the part of a believing member (Amulek) as I play the part of a more doubting or skeptical member (Zeezrom). We will ask each other questions each episode and answer any questions addressed to us on any topic in the broad history and doctrine of Mormonism. While this could possibly be seen as a sort of debate, the goal is not to argue or convince the other of our position. We both are able to have a certain level of nuance in our belief and unbelief. If you have any questions, topics you want to be discussed, or would like to share your faith transition story, please email me at alternativemormonpodcast@gmail.com. Thank you for listening and for your support!  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alternativemormon/support