Defending The Faith: Joseph Smith's Polygamy with Underage Females (Children)
** Welcome to a New Era of Mormon Dialogue **
We are launching a groundbreaking podcast series designed to foster meaningful, respectful, and engaging conversations about the truth claims of the LDS Church and Mormonism as a whole. Each episode provides an open forum for apologists, scholars, and anyone willing to defend Mormonism to present their arguments, engage in critical examination, and test the strength of their positions.
This is not just a podcast—it’s a platform for thoughtful, in-depth discourse.
The Format
Each episode is a long-form conversation focused on a single criticism or issue related to Mormonism’s truth claims with an open invitation for any apologist to enter the studio to converse with Bill about the issue at hand. The topic is announced ahead of time to allow apologists to come fully prepared. This week’s Topic is: Joseph Smith's Polygamy with Underage Females (Children)
The discussion begins with Bill attempting to steelman the critic’s perspective at which point the time will be turned over to the apologist to offer a rational reconciliatory response and then Bill will be given sufficient opportunity to test the integrity of that response.
Bill Reel, the host, will engage the apologist in an open-ended, exploratory conversation designed to clarify their positions, criticisms, and defenses and for Bill to challenge apologetic views with thoughtful, follow-up questions.
There is no strict time limit per response, allowing for nuanced discussions and a deeper exploration of the issue, and will only end when the critical side of the issue has been exhausted or the apologetic side is closed off to the questions and dialogue or has answered all Bill’s questions and the issue is satisfied.
Rules for Engagement
No Ad Hominem Attacks: Personal criticisms or insults are strictly prohibited. This series is about the issues, not the individuals. Bill Reel is determined to act in good faith and to explore the reconciliatory answers of Apologists
Stay on Topic: Each episode is dedicated to addressing a specific issue. The discussion must remain focused and relevant.
Theme Consistency: The overarching theme is whether Mormonism’s truth claims hold up under scrutiny. Discussions about atheism, broader religious beliefs, or unrelated matters are off-limits.
Both sides make room both for the questions that test the integrity of the apologetic argument as well as the reconciliations that attempt to offer a reasonable and rational solution to the criticisms.
Participation Guidelines
Open Invitation: Any and all apologists are welcome to join, from independent defenders of the faith to representatives of FairLDS, the Mormon Interpreter, and well-known scholars like Brian Hales, Patrick Mason, Richard Bushman, or Blake Ostler. And Amateur defenders of the faith like Jonah Barnes, Austin Fife, or Dan Hardey
Audience Interaction: Live viewers can participate by sharing questions, insights, or counterpoints in the chat. Bill and the apologist may choose to incorporate these contributions into the conversation.
Conclusion:
Survey Feedback: Towards the end of each episode, a link to a survey will be provided, asking, “Did the apologist resolve the concern on this issue?” Audience responses will help gauge the effectiveness of the defense presented.
Survey if you want to watch the show and respond - https://streamyard.com/n63sr2fek2
