Leaving a high-demand religion can be a painful and transformative experience, but how do we ensure we don’t repeat the same patterns of judgment and exclusion we once faced? In this episode, we explore the cycle of harm, the dangers of tribalism, and how we can engage critically without dehumanizing others. Drawing from philosophy, psychology,… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: Episode 108: The Best Revenge

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. Please consider becoming a monthly… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 096: A Faith Crisis at BYU-I Admissions

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. Please consider becoming a monthly recurring donor to the… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 095: A Brief History of LDS Tithing

The LDS church often cites the old testament to back up its claims about the practice of tithing; Abraham paying tithes to Melchizedek, and the windows of heaven opening. How was tithing practiced in the ancient world, and does it resemble the modern tithe in Christian churches today? Please consider becoming a monthly recurring donor… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 094: What is Tithing?

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… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 093: A Concise Criticism

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. Please consider becoming a monthly recurring donor to the podcast.

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… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 091: Do the Scriptures Have Inherent Moral Authority? With Dan McClellan

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… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 090: Does Jesus Need $32,000,000,000?

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. Please consider becoming a monthly recurring… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 089: When the Prophet Breaks the Law

Erika Nordfelt from Greenstone Counseling joins the Podcast again to continue our discussion surrounding shame and the LDS Church. Many of us that leave the LDS church have experienced shame or guilt associated with the religion. During Erika’s time working at the counseling department at BYU Idaho, she began the process of religious deconstruction because… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 088: Navigating Shame with Erika Nordfelt part 2

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… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 087: Navigating Shame with Erika Nordfelt part 1

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… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 086: An MTC Instructor Goes Through a Faith Crisis Part 2

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… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 085: An MTC Instructor Goes Through a Faith Crisis Part 1

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… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 084: Is God Worthy of my Worship?

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… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 083: A Joseph Smith Theodicy

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.  Larsen,… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 082: A Book of Mormon Theodicy

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. Please… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 081: Why is there Evil?

Today’s episode is a rebroadcast of a recent Mormon Stories Podcast Episode featuring Scott as a guest host. In early December 2022, John invited Scott to Mormon Stories to discuss some recent episodes.  John and Scott discuss Brian Harris, a recent guest on Rameumptom Ruminations who was an employee at church headquarters in the correlation… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 080: Mormon Stories Episode 1702 Mormon Church Headquarters Insider Speaks Out

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. Please consider becoming a monthly recurring donor to the podcast.

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… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 078: Nuance and Respectful Disagreement with Patrick Mason