Rameumptom Ruminations

07/17/2023

The LDS church encourages all members and potential converts to follow Moroni’s promise in Moroni 10:4–5. They are encouraged to read the Book of Mormon and then ask God if it is true. Missionaries then tell people that all the other truth claims within the church must also be true. In today's episode, Scott explains why this line of reasoning uses the hasty generalization fallacy to prove that the church is true.

The LDS church encourages all members and potential converts to follow Moroni's promise in Moroni 10:4–5. They are encouraged to read the Book of Mormon and then ask God if it is true. Missionaries

07/03/2023

What if the LDS church is true? This question is one that many of us that leave the church are faced with when we talk with loving family and friends. It is a variation on Pascal’s Wager. In this episode, we’ll discuss this question and Pascal’s wager to see what responses we as doubters or non-believers might say in response to it.

What if the LDS church is true? This question is one that many of us that leave the church are faced with when we talk with loving family and friends. It is a variation on Pascal's Wager. In this epi

06/19/2023

Two weeks ago when we discussed President Oaks May 2023 worldwide youth devotional, a few people commented on a remark Scott made while recording. A line in the devotional bothered Scott and he didn’t spend the time to go over why. In today’s episode, Scott goes back to that discussion and reads some of your comments. The quote in question comes from the talk Wholehearted by sister Michelle D. Craig, second counselor in the Young Women’s General Presidency.

Two weeks ago when we discussed President Oaks May 2023 worldwide youth devotional, a few people commented on a remark Scott made while recording. A line in the devotional bothered Scott and he didn'

06/12/2023

Last week, the lovely ladies over at 21st Century Saints had a huge announcement. After a year-long effort encouraging the LDS church in the UK, big changes happened without the church excommunicating the activists. Today, Jane Christie joins the podcast to talk about their news, their podcast, and her lived experience as a nuanced believer in the LDS church.

Last week, the lovely ladies over at 21st Century Saints had a huge announcement. After a year-long effort encouraging the LDS church in the UK, big changes happened without the church excommunicatin

05/22/2023

Former BYU-I admissions office employee Brady Nordfelt joins the podcast today to discuss his faith transition while working full-time for the church. Brady discusses some issues that led him to doubt and leave the church, as well as some of the projects that he led while working for the church.

Former BYU-I admissions office employee Brady Nordfelt joins the podcast today to discuss his faith transition while working full-time for the church. Brady discusses some issues that led him to doub

05/08/2023

The practice of tithing in the modern LDS church has led to the hoarding of billions of dollars. How was tithing practiced in the early church and does it resemble the modern teachings? Today, Scott covers a brief history of tithing practices within the LDS church.

The practice of tithing in the modern LDS church has led to the hoarding of billions of dollars. How was tithing practiced in the early church and does it resemble the modern teachings? Today, Scott

04/24/2023

Apparently, the subject of the SEC charges against the church is not quite put to rest. A believing commenter in the previous episode presented a great jumping-off point to state Scott’s objections to the behavior of the LDS church. Today, he reads one last comment and addresses the subject one last time as concisely as possible.

Apparently, the subject of the SEC charges against the church is not quite put to rest. A believing commenter in the previous episode presented a great jumping-off point to state Scott's objections t

04/17/2023

In the last few episodes, Scott covered the SEC charges against the LDS church from a few different angles. Today, we’ll find out what the listeners have to say about shell companies and obfuscation.

In the last few episodes, Scott covered the SEC charges against the LDS church from a few different angles. Today, we'll find out what the listeners have to say about shell companies and obfuscation.

04/03/2023

What gives the scriptures moral authority? Every branch of Christianity uses its favorite translation of the Old and New Testaments, but they all come away from the text with different understandings of what is and is not a commandment. Biblical Scholar and former scripture translator for the LDS church, Dan McClellan joins the podcast today to discuss negotiating meaning in the text.

What gives the scriptures moral authority? Every branch of Christianity uses its favorite translation of the Old and New Testaments, but they all come away from the text with different understandings

03/27/2023

What counsel do the leaders of the church give to Bishops in regard to the handling of the lord’s funds? Are they following their own counsel? Continuing the discussion from last week on the SEC charges against the LDS church, Scott tries to put into perspective the size of the number 1 billion. Last month February 2023, The Security and Exchange Commission filed charges against Ensign Peak Advisors Inc. Ensign Peak is a non-profit operated by the LDS church.

What counsel do the leaders of the church give to Bishops in regard to the handling of the lord's funds? Are they following their own counsel? Continuing the discussion from last week on the SEC char

03/20/2023

Last month February 2023, The Security and Exchange Commission filed charges against Ensign Peak Advisors Inc. Ensign Peak is a non-profit operated by the LDS church. In today’s episode, Scott compares two times when a prophet has broken the law; Daniel and the Lion’s Den and the Modern Church.

Last month February 2023, The Security and Exchange Commission filed charges against Ensign Peak Advisors Inc. Ensign Peak is a non-profit operated by the LDS church. In today's episode, Scott compar

02/27/2023

Many of us that leave the LDS church have experienced shame or guilt associated with the religion. Today, Erika Nordfelt, director and therapist at Greenstone Counseling, joins Scott on the podcast to talk about her time working at the BYUI counseling department and her religious deconstruction. Erika brings excellent insight to the discussion around shame and guilt as she observed it in the students at BYUI and in her career outside of the institution.

Many of us that leave the LDS church have experienced shame or guilt associated with the religion. Today, Erika Nordfelt, director and therapist at Greenstone Counseling, joins Scott on the podcast t

02/13/2023

Last week we discussed working at the MTC and experiencing a faith crisis with the wonderful Megan Spence. Megan worked as an instructor at the Missionary Training Center, during her time at BYU. While working for the church, she went through a faith crisis. Today we continue the conversation and dive deeper into some of Megan’s experiences while working for the church.

Last week we discussed working at the MTC and experiencing a faith crisis with the wonderful Megan Spence. Megan worked as an instructor at the Missionary Training Center, during her time at BYU. Whi

02/06/2023

Today, Megan Spence joins the podcast to share her story with the audience. Megan worked as an instructor at the Missionary Training Center during her time at BYU. While working for the church, she went through a faith crisis. In this episode, we discuss her time at the MTC and some of the details of her faith transition.

Today, Megan Spence joins the podcast to share her story with the audience. Megan worked as an instructor at the Missionary Training Center during her time at BYU. While working for the church, she w

01/23/2023

After three weeks of discussing the logical problem of Evil, this episode will cover a few listener comments on the subject. One commenter, as if through their own seer stone, knew where Scott would take this subject four weeks in advance. The Brothers Karamazov offers a fascinating conclusion to the discussion. This book by Fyodor Dostoevsky is often cited as a succinct explanation of the problem of evil, but Dostoevsky inserted into the book his response to the issue.

https://rameumptomruminations.org/2023/01/rameumptom-ruminations-084-is-god-worthy-of-my-worship/

01/16/2023

The LDS version of the premortal existence fundamentally changes how the LDS faith approaches the problem of evil. In traditional Christianity, evil is introduced into existence at the garden of Eden, but the LDS faith has a much different version of this concept. In this episode, Scott covers a few passages of the Doctrine and Covenants, as well as the King Follet Discourse to illustrate how the LDS theology grapples with the problem of evil.

The LDS version of the premortal existence fundamentally changes how the LDS faith approaches the problem of evil. In traditional Christianity, evil is introduced into existence at the garden of Eden

01/09/2023

How does the Book of Mormon address the problem of evil? In this episode, Scott covers a few passages in the Book of Mormon that explain why evil exists in the world. The Book of Mormon codifies into scripture some of the theodicies of the past, but also adds interesting developments to the conversation.

https://rameumptomruminations.org/2023/01/rameumptom-ruminations-082-a-book-of-mormon-theodicy/

I forgot to post last week's episode on Facebook so here is the description and link for that one as well.

Why is there evil? Is deity compatible with the suffering that we observe in the world around us? In today’s episode, Scott introduces the listeners to the problem of evil. This episode is a brief primer on the subject to open the discussion on Mormon responses to the problem of evil in later episodes.

https://rameumptomruminations.org/2023/01/rameumptom-ruminations-081-why-is-there-evil/

Why is there evil? Is deity compatible with the suffering that we observe in the world around us? In today's episode, Scott introduces the listeners to the problem of evil. This episode is a brief pr

12/19/2022

After guest hosting an episode with John Dehlin on Mormon Stories Podcast, many new listeners began working through Scott's catalog of episodes. Today, Scott will respond directly to some of the comments he received on the Mormon Stories episode.

After guest hosting an episode with John Dehlin on Mormon Stories Podcast, many new listeners began working through Scott's catalog of episodes. Today, Scott will respond directly to some of the comm

12/12/2022

Many people stay engaged with the LDS church after deconstructing their faith, but that relationship looks different for everyone. In this episode, Scott brings on Patrick Mason to discuss nuanced membership within the LDS church. What does faithful dissent look like, or how can a member express their unorthodox position with their congregation? Patrick Mason is the Leonard J. Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture.

Many people stay engaged with the LDS church after deconstructing their faith, but that relationship looks different for everyone. In this episode, Scott brings on Patrick Mason to discuss nuanced me

12/05/2022

After a short break, Scott returns to the podcast. Many people that leave the LDS faith are warned against leaving with threats of an unhappy life. “Your family will fall apart,” or “You’ll face incredible challenges in the workplace.” They uphold the idea that the problem of suffering only exists outside of the faith. In this episode, he discusses some of his mental health struggles.

After a short break, Scott returns to the podcast. Many people that leave the LDS faith are warned against leaving with threats of an unhappy life. "Your family will fall apart," or "You'll face incr

12/01/2022

Patrick Mason was gracious enough to give me some of his time for a chat about nuanced belief. I'll edit the episode and post it in the very near future.

11/14/2022

No new episode this week. It's the first week I've missed since December. I need to take a break for a week or two. I'll chat about it when my next episode goes live.

10/31/2022

What is the origin of the word Satan? Do these earliest passages that use the term Satan match modern LDS beliefs about the devil?

What is the origin of the word Satan? Do these earliest passages that use the term Satan match modern LDS beliefs about the devil?SourcesStokes, Ryan E. The Satan: How God's Executioner

10/25/2022

Lucifer in the LDS faith is vastly different from other interpretations of the character. How does this version differ from that found in the Bible, or in other literature? In today’s episode, Kajsa Berlin-Kaufusi joins Scott to compare different versions of the Son of the Morning. Kajsa is a former faculty member at BYU in the ancient scripture department.

Lucifer in the LDS faith is vastly different from other interpretations of the character. How does this version differ from that found in the Bible, or in other literature? In today's episode, Kajsa

10/10/2022

This episode continues the series by reviewing the book No Man Knows My History by Fawn Brodie. Julia from Analyzing Mormonism returns to the discussion with her eye for detail. This section covers chapters 22 through 27. In this last section, we cover the last years in Nauvoo, Joseph’s presidential campaign, and the events leading up to his death.

This episode continues the series by reviewing the book No Man Knows My History by Fawn Brodie. Julia from Analyzing Mormonism returns to the discussion with her eye for detail. This section covers c

10/05/2022

Can you spot the racism?

10/03/2022

Nolan returns to the podcast this week to continue the discussion on the Welfare and Self Reliance program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. If you missed last week’s discussion check out episode 70. In this episode, we pick up the discussion where we left off discussing the Perpetual Education Fund and we transition into a fascinating pilot program to help Missionaries transition back into normal life.

Nolan returns to the podcast this week to continue the discussion on the Welfare and Self Reliance program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. If you missed last week's discussion che

09/27/2022

Thanks to those that came out for drinks on Friday night last week. It was fun to get to know some of the listeners.

09/26/2022

In this very special episode, Scott interviews a former full-time employee of the church who worked for the church in the Welfare and Self Reliance department overseas in a developing country. Today’s episode is part one of a two-part interview series. Be sure to check back next week as they continue their discussion.

In this very special episode, Scott interviews a former full-time employee of the church who worked for the church in the Welfare and Self Reliance department overseas in a developing country. Today'