Outer Brightness: From Mormon to Jesus

The Apostles’ Creed (Things LDS Hate Series: Creeds)

Do Latter-day Saints hate the creeds of historic Christianity? Do they have their own creed? What about the Apostles’ Creed, which historian Philip Schaff has called the “creed of creeds”? Justin S. Holcomb in his book Know the Creeds and Councils has written, “Perhaps more than any other profession of faith, the Apostles’ Creed has expressed the essentials of Christianity in a way that Christians of all stripes can rally around.” Could Mormons agree with each article of that creed without hesitation? We discuss these things and more in this episode.

Midnight Mormons vs. RFM (Debate Commentary)

In this episode, Matthew the Nuclear Calvinist and the Apostate Paul comment on a debate (?) held on November 13, 2021 between the three amigos of the YouTube channel, Midnight Mormons, and Radio Free Mormon. The video has been posted to the Heart of the Matter, the Midnight Mormons, and the Mormon Discussion, Inc. podcast channels and, to date, has racked up 43K views. The pre-debate drama was amped up, perhaps purposefully to draw an audience, and the fireworks continued during the debate. It was not a formal debate, and the participants went off-format for much of the evening, leaving Matthew and I asking whether this was in fact a debate. We comment on that and several of the points made by each side.

Link to the debate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU0LSzicsT4

Is There a Mother in Heaven?, Pt. 2 (LDS Gospel Topics Essay Series)

This episode we finish our discussion of the LDS Gospel Topics Essay, "Mother in Heaven." Matthew the Nuclear Calvinist kicks off the episode with a question about why the doctrine of a Mother in Heaven is considered authoritative doctrine when the direct support for it amounts to hearsay that Joseph Smith taught it along with the fact that it made it into an LDS Hymn. He notes that the doctrine that Adam was God has been declared to be heresy by subsequent LDS leaders even though Brigham Young taught it and claimed that Joseph Smith taught it. We hope that the rest of this conversation is helpful.

Is There a Mother in Heaven?, Pt. 1 (LDS Gospel Topics Essay Series)

This is our 100th episode, and we have a special treat for you fireflies! Michael dropped by Outer Brightness to discuss the LDS Gospel Topics Essay on the LDS doctrine of a Mother in Heaven. In this first part of the conversation, they discuss how they viewed thsi doctrine when they were LDS and whether or not they felt an affinity for the doctrine. Finally, they discuss each of the passages from LDS canon that are cited in the essay as supportive of the doctrine.

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Pt. 2 (Things LDS Hate Series: Hell)

This episode, we kicked off our “Things Mormons Hate” series, in which Matthew the Nuclear Calvinist and the Apostate Paul discuss Jonathan Edwards’ important sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” There are two parts to our discussion. In this second part, we discuss our thoughts about Edwards’ sermon and include a reading of the sermon. We hope you enjoy this conversation and presentation of “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” If you are outside of Christ, flee to the mountain!

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Pt. 1 (Things LDS Hate Series: Hell)

This episode, we kick off our short, “Things Mormons Hate” series. Matthew the Nuclear Calvinist and the Apostate Paul discuss Jonathan Edwards’ important sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” There are two parts to our discussion. In this first part, we talk about our understanding of God’s wrath when we were LDS, passages in LDS canon that reference the wrath of God, how we understand the wrath of God juxtaposed with the love of God, the danger of a theology that focuses solely on the love of God, people in church history who have attempted to create theologies that separate the love of God from the justice of God, and whether or not there are people today who seek to do the same. We hope you enjoy this conversation.

Proof Texting the LDS Testimony (The Testimonium, Pt. 1)

In this episode, Matthew the Nuclear Calvinist and the Apostate Paul discuss the proof texts that are used within Latter-day Saint teachings regarding the LDS testimony. They ask questions of the texts, such as:

• Are they being used in context?
• What might they mean if they mean something different than how they are used in LDS teachings?

Come along with us for the ride.

Understanding the Mormon Journey: Do Theology Interview, Pt. 2

Matthew the Nuclear Calvinist and the Apostate Paul were invited by our friend Jeremy Howard to go on the Do Theology Podcast to answer some blunt questions. This is the second part of that interview.

Understanding the Mormon Journey: Do Theology Interview, Pt. 1

Matthew the Nuclear Calvinist and the Apostate Paul were invited by our friend Jeremy Howard to go on the Do Theology Podcast to answer some blunt questions. This is the first part of that interview. In this installment, Jeremy asks us to revisit our transitions out of the LDS Church, and then asks us if we really experienced a burning in the bosom in our efforts to gain a testimony of the LDS Church and the Book of Mormon. 

More Mormon Exaltation Dilemmas, Pt. 3 (w/ Aaron Shafovaloff)

In this episode, Matthew the Nuclear Calvinist and the Apostate Paul wrap up their conversation with Aaron Shafovaloff. Here they discuss a number of dilemmas that Aaron has documented but not yet written into article form. Our goal here is to think through LDS theology, taking it out to its logical conclusions. We hope you enjoy this episode.