Explore every episode of the podcast Rameumptom Ruminations

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

A month ago, Marti from the Where Will You Go podcast interviewed Scott with a series of rapid-fire questions. Marti is an excellent podcast host and if any of the listeners to Rameumptom Ruminations are not already listening to her podcast, please give her your support. Please consider becoming a monthly recurring donor to the… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 107: A Where Will You Go Interview

On May 21st of 2023, President and Sister Oaks gave a worldwide devotional to the youth of the church. Much of what they said is not new to any longtime member of the church, but there were a few key moments worth commenting on. The title of this episode is inflammatory, but give the episode… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 098: President Oaks Struggles to Love His Neighbor

Do we perceive the world around us objectively? How would we know? Why can’t our believing friends and family see the truth when we point it out to them through credible sources? As nuanced and post Mormons, we have all been on both sides of the problem of ignoring facts and cherry-picking information. In this… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 008: Mormon Tinted Glasses

As we deconstruct religion, many of us are faced with the task of rationalizing spiritual experiences and understanding them in a new light. What if the spiritual experiences we had, regardless of their source, did not mean what we interpreted from them? What logical fallacies do we make when we have spiritual experiences, and what… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 007: Spiritual Fallacies

Four people stand before God to be judged, each from a different time, with a unique list of commandments for them to follow to enter heaven. This is a thought experiment of Scott’s making called The Shifting Commandments Dilemma. If we believe in God what are we to understand about his code of Morals based… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 005: The Source of Morality

Bill Reel, Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc, sits down with Scott Dyer, host of the new Rameumptom Ruminations podcast to discuss the unveiling of Rameumptom Ruminations. Three episodes are already posted on the site. Scott is well-read and articulate and such comes through his voice as he seeks to build bridges helping the thoughtful… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 004: A Thoughtful Deconstruction of Mormonism

After posting a few of his Ruminations, Scott got a little pushback from believing members of the church in the Tiktok community. A few different members of the church recommended that he study Article of Faith 9. The articles of faith are claims of belief. In this episode, Scott addresses Article of Faith 9 as… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 003: Harmonizing the Prophets

In this episode, Scott examines the Russian Nobleman thought experiment and what implications this concept has on the impermanence of a person’s ideals. Is a person still themselves if they think differently as an adult than they did as a child? Your answer to this question has significant implications on the covenants we make at… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 002: On Covenants and the Impermanence of Things

The Good Ship Zion is a term used in the Mormon church to refer to itself. In the first episode of Rameumptom Ruminations, Scott discusses the Ship of Theseus thought experiment. It is an age-old philosophical concept of the nature of things. Give this new podcast a listen as we explore the implications this thought… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 001: The Good Ship Zion

Brady Nordfelt joins the show again this week to continue their discussion about BYU-I admissions. Brady is a former BYU-I admissions office employee who brings a unique perspective to the discussion around Mormonism and LDS thought. In this episode, we dive deeper into his time working for the church and discuss some of his observations… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 097: Behind the Scenes at BYU-I Admissions

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

In today’s episode, Scott responds to a believing member of the church that commented on a few of the episodes over the summer months. Said commenter referred to the podcast as being antagonistic of the LDS church. Please consider becoming a monthly recurring donor to the podcast.

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.

Today’s episode is a rebroadcast of an interview on the Mormonish Podcast with Rebecca and Landon from August of 2023. The wonderful team over there invited Scott onto their show to ask him some questions about Rameumptom Ruminations. Make sure to follow Mormonish wherever you’re streaming this episode.

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

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… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 077: A Break for My Mental Health

Is the Devil in the New Testament portrayed any differently than the Satan of the Old Testament? In this episode, Scott finishes a short series covering the Devil by focusing on the New Testament. Do not skip out on episodes 74 and 75. Those two establish key groundwork to understand this episode.  Sources Stokes, Ryan… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 076: The Devil of the New Testament

What is the origin of the word Satan? Do these earliest passages that use the term Satan match modern LDS beliefs about the devil? Sources Stokes, Ryan E. The Satan: How God’s Executioner Became the Enemy. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2019. Please consider becoming a monthly recurring donor to the podcast.

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… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 074: Speak of the Devil and He Shall Appear

Should an atheist post-Mormon engage with spirituality after deconstruction? What does mourning the loss of a loved one look like post-faith, or how can we make sense of suffering outside the constraints of religious ideology? In this episode, Brittney Hartley from the Almost Awakened Podcast comes onto the show to discuss her new course on… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 073: Spiritual Reconstruction with Brittney Hartley

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… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 072: No Man Knows My History Review Part 4 with Julia from Analyzing Mormonism

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 it out here. In this episode, we pick up the discussion where we left off discussing the Perpetual Education Fund and… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 071: Welfare and Self Reliance Abroad Part 2

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. Nolan, the… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 070: Welfare and Self Reliance Abroad

This episode is in response to a few comments on the previous discussions about morality. One commenter offered an excellent criticism of the way Scott presented the concepts around the dichotomy of good and evil or right and wrong. The other discussed how their TBM family would have responded to Divine Command Theory. Please consider… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 069: Blind Obedience

After a month and a half break, Scott is back making content. This episode is a quick message let the listeners know that next week, episodes will resume production in full.

On the heels of exploring bad reasoning for uncomfortable commandments, Scott dives into the infamous statement made by Elder Oaks regarding apologies. Do we take the statement out of context? Yes, but reading it in context does not make it better. Sources: Salt Lake Tribune YouTube Please consider becoming a monthly recurring donor to the… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 068: We Do Not Seek Apologies

The infamous Happiness Letter offers a glimpse into the morality used to justify the practice of Polygamy. In the letter, Joseph Smith uses an argument that will sound very familiar to the listeners of the previous episode. What implications does Joseph Smith’s logic have on right and wrong? Please Consider becoming a monthly recurring donor… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 067: The Happiness Letter

How can you be a moral person without God? Friends and Family pose this question to those of us that deconstruct religion and leave it behind. They cannot comprehend a code of morals that does not involve Deity. In this episode, Scott covers some problems with Divine Command Theory and where the theology of Mormonism… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 066: Divine Command Theory

Can the Church be changed into something I can see myself proudly a part of again, or is it too far gone to save? A listener messaged Rameumptom Ruminations with direct questions about what to do after a religious deconstruction. In this episode, Scott discusses the dichotomy of control as it relates to podcasting about… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 065: Be the Change You Want to See

In this episode, Scott joins the podcast Hie to Kolob and Beyond for a discussion on the prisoner’s dilemma. The tragedy of Antigone has interesting parallels to the story of King Noah and current events in the Modern Church. Please Consider becoming a monthly recurring donor to the podcast.

My last episode garnered excellent comments from listeners and warranted an episode dedicated to what you have to say. In this episode, we’ll hear how both believing and non-believing listeners responded to the relationship between revelation and surveys. Scott will be in Utah in late September. If you’re interested in getting together for dinner or… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 063: The Revelatory Power of Surveys

Is there still room for revelation within the LDS church? We learned last month from Brian Harris that the church uses surveys extensively in the decision-making process around its programs. What implications does this have on revelation within the church? In this episode, Scott discusses the idea of revelation and its space within LDS theology.… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 062: Revelation through Surveys

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 15 through 21. We’ll cover a variety of subjects including liberty jail, and the influence of Masonry on the temple, and… Read More »Rameumptom Ruminations: 061: No Man Knows My History Review Part 3 with Julia from Analyzing Mormonism