Things I Wish I Could Say in Sunday School
These are thoughts that go beyond what we normally discuss in Sunday School. We can be mature enough to tolerate discussing things more deeply and challenging our faith. I hope my thoughts can spark some introspection and help you grow and deepen your faith. Correlates with the Come Follow Me curriculum of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Episodes
Topics: 1) Joseph’s brothers betray him; 2) Potiphar’s wife; 3) The Lord was with him; and 4) Joseph reconciles with his family.
We critique parental favoritism, toxic group dynamics, and prosperity gospel readings of the story. We highlight how abuse of power and victim consequences are too often overlooked, and emphasize that reconciliation is a personal choice that requires work and boundaries.
Topics: 1) Covenant marriage; 2) Dishonest leadership; and 3) Complicated family relationships.
A candid episode covering Genesis 24–33 that questions how church lessons frame covenant marriage, calling out awkward examples like incestuous unions and subtle anti–race-mixing vibes, and noting a shift toward the term "covenant marriage."
It examines dishonest leadership through Laban’s repeated betrayals of Jacob, draws practical les...
Topics: 1) The Abrahamic Covenant; 2) Unfulfilled desires; and 3) Sacrificing Isaac.
This episode offers a candid, critical reading of Genesis 12–23 and Abraham chapters 1–2, focusing on the Abrahamic covenant, Abraham and Sarah's struggle with infertility, and the near-sacrifice of Isaac.
We challenge the covenant’s modern application and elitist implications, highlight the mistreatment of Hagar, and explore the pain of unfulfill...
Topics: 1) The flood as a baptism for the Earth; 2) The feasibility of the flood and the ark; 3) The flood was mercy?; and 4) Prophets then and now.
We discuss the idea of the flood as a baptism for the earth, practical doubts about the ark and a global flood, arguments that the flood was an act of mercy, and a critique of how ancient prophets compare to modern church leaders.
The goal is to encourage open, thoughtful conversation ...
Topics: 1) Enoch and the Gulf of Mexico; 2) What Joseph Smith might have been thinking; and 3) Zion.
A candid episode exploring Genesis 5 and Moses 6–7 with a fresh look at Enoch, the claim that Zion became the Gulf of Mexico, and how Joseph Smith may have drawn on utopian and transcendental ideas.
We reflect on what Zion means, contrasting conformity with expanding belonging, while considering wealth disparity and family dynamics....
Topics: 1) The Fall was a choice; 2) Adam presiding; 3) Nudity; and 4) Am I My Brother's Keeper?
Topics: 1) Unique Creation doctrine; 2) Male and female; and 3) Adam and Eve's marriage.
We discuss Brigham Young's Adam-God doctrine, how the church came to teach that Jesus was Jehovah, sexism in the creation story, and some alternative perspectives on marriage with Adam and Eve.
Topics: 1) The Books of Moses and Abraham; and 2) The preexistence.
This episode examines the Book of Moses and the Book of Abraham, how Joseph Smith produced these texts, and the historical questions around the so‑called translation of Egyptian papyri.
It also explores the doctrine of the pre‑existence, personal doubts about chosenness and favoring among spirit children, and a candid reflection on agency and random suffering in mo...
This episode introduces the Old Testament year with a candid, non‑promotional take on scripture and teaching. We look forward to learning from classic stories (David and Goliath, Noah, Ruth, Daniel) and approach learning from ancient texts rather than twisting the text to fit modern theology.
This episode of "Things I Wish I Could Say in Sunday School" gives a candid overview of difficult moments in LDS history: the 1978 revelation extending the priesthood to Black members, failure to share historical teachings about polygamy and race to new converts, and the 1995 Family Proclamation.
It calls for informed consent for converts, criticizes lingering racist ideas and weak institutional accountability, and challenges the F...
Topics: 1) Joseph Smith's presidential campaign; 2) Joseph Smith's death; and 3) The succession crisis of the church.
We discuss some lesser known aspects of LDS Church history including Joseph Smith's 1844 U.S. presidential campaign, the real circumstances surround his murder in June 1844, and the controversies involved in the leadership of his church after Joseph Smith's death.
Topics: 1) My understanding of polygamy when I was young; 2) Misconceptions about polygamy; 3) The story of polygamy the church tries to sell now; 4) The real story of Joseph Smith’s polygamy; 5) Polygamy after Joseph Smith's death; 6) The legacy of polygamy; and 7) My thoughts about Joseph Smith and polygamy.
Links:
Year of Polygamy podcast
https://www.yearofpolygamy.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/year-of-polygamy-podc...
Topics: 1) Angel handshakes; 2) Bodies of God and the Holy Ghost; 3) Intelligence in the afterlife; 4) Blessings are NOT predicated; and 5) Beliefs about government.
This episode examines Doctrine and Covenants sections 129–134. Topics include identifying angels, the nature of God and the Holy Ghost, eternal intelligence and growth, the claim that blessings are tied to obedience, and beliefs about government. We question traditiona...
Topics: 1) Nauvoo; 2) Patriarchal blessings; 3) Relief Society; 4) Baptisms for the dead; and 5) Joseph Smith and Masons.
We discuss the Nauvoo settlement, patriarchal blessings, the origins and role of the Relief Society, baptisms for the dead, and Joseph Smith's ties to Freemasonry, aiming for honest reflection.
Designed to spark conversation with friends, family, or classes, this episode blends personal experience, historical co...
Topics: 1) Joseph Smith's time in Liberty Jail; and 2) Thoughts on the Liberty Jail texts.
We discuss the harsh conditions of Liberty Jail and the legal situation Joseph Smith and others were facing. We look closely at sections 121-123 and see new ways to view the writings. We end by discussing the call to "cheerfully do all things that lie in our power."
Topics: 1) The name of the church; 2) Adam-ondi-Ahman; 3) Tithing; 4) Danites; and 5) The Missouri Mormon War of 1838.
We question institutional messaging about the church name, trace Joseph Smith’s evolving fundraising methods culminating in tithing, examine vigilante and militia actions by and against Mormons, and connect these events to escalating violence and tragic outcomes.
Short, candid, and discussion-sparking—meant to prov...
Topics: 1) Kirtland temple; 2) Priesthood keys; 3) Salem, MA; 4) Kirtland Safety Society; and 5) Thomas B. Marsh.
This episode takes a frank look at Doctrine and Covenants sections 109–114, covering the Kirtland Temple dedication and vision, the doctrine of priesthood keys, the failed Salem treasure venture, the collapse of the Kirtland Safety Society bank and its fallout, and Thomas B. Marsh.
Rather than a faith-promoting spin, t...
Topics: 1) Zion's camp; and 2) Church administration
This episode examines Zion's Camp and early church administration questioning the traditional narrative about Zion's Camp and its outcomes.
It also discusses the creation of the Quorum of the Twelve and Seventy, the church's evolving administrative changes, and personal observations about shrinking membership and its consequences.
Topics: 1) Chastening; 2) Being accepted of the Lord; and 3) The timing of section 97.
We critique common practices of chastening, argue for unconditional divine acceptance over performance-based love, question the heavy emphasis on sacrifice, and raise concerns about the factual timeline of revelations related to events in Missouri.
Topic: Decoding.
This episode shares candid reflections questioning the clarity and purpose of Joseph Smith's language about truth, knowledge, light, and intelligence.
We describe how Section 93 felt cryptic and repetitive, and draw an analogy to online "decoders" and QAnon—arguing the text invites puzzling rather than practical spiritual growth.
The episode emphasizes honest, critical thinking over mystification and aims to spark ...
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