In this episode of Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon dive headfirst into the Church’s newest official Gospel Topics entry on the Book of Abraham, dissecting its language, implications, and apologetic framing. With surgical precision (and just a bit of satire), they explore how the Church attempts to repackage decades of controversy surrounding Joseph Smith’s translation claims, the missing scroll theory, and the pivot to the “catalyst theory.” Listeners will be taken through the subtle rhetorical maneuvers in the essay—how it avoids hard declarations, redefines “translation,” and leans on ambiguity to keep belief afloat. The hosts also unpack the broader trend of shifting responsibility from prophetic certainty to scholarly speculation, while comparing this essay with past statements and apologetic strategies. This is not just a history lesson—it’s a real-time case study in institutional narrative management. For anyone who’s ever wondered how a modern-day church tries to make a 19th-century Egyptian fiasco feel “faith-promoting,” this episode is a must-listen.

https://donorbox.org/events/784033 – The Mormon Newscast Live Studio Audience Monday August 4th 5:30pm to 10pm
https://donorbox.org/events/780890 – Unfiltered: A Night with Radio Free Mormon & Bill Reel SALT LAKE CITY Saturday August 2nd