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Alyssa Grenfell has become one of the most recognizable voices in the ex-Mormon community, reaching millions of viewers with her thoughtful, personal, and often eye-opening content.In this video, we're counting down Alyssa Grenfell's **10 most viral moments of all time**. These clips have collectively earned millions of views as she discusses leaving the LDS Church, her experiences with temple practices, questions about the Word of Wisdom, and the journey that led her to become a full-time content creator.Whether you're an active member, former member, or simply curious about Mormonism, these highlights showcase some of the conversations that have...

Liberty Troll is a First Amendment auditor who puts constitutional rights to the test by recording in public spaces and seeing how people respond.In this highlight video, Liberty Troll visits a Mormon church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) in Florida and encounters a wide range of reactions. Some Latter-day Saints ignore him, while others engage in surprisingly respectful conversations about faith, freedom, and constitutional rights.Things get especially interesting when church members explain why they believe in the truthfulness of Joseph Smith’s restored gospel — including conversations about the history of polygamy.And then the big...

If you’ve spent any time on LDS Instagram, chances are you’ve come across **Mikey and the Mrs.** — and if you haven’t, you’re in for a treat.Mikey is a Southern Utah radio host, stand-up comedian, and one of the funniest Mormon creators online. His style of clean, relatable humor is packed with clever observations, family jokes, and the kind of dad humor that never gets old.In this video, I’m sharing **10 of my favorite Mikey & the Mrs. reels** that consistently make me laugh. Whether you’re Mormon, ex-Mormon, or just someone who appreciates good comedy, there’...

If you’ve been on Ex-Mormon TikTok for a while, chances are you’ve heard of **Mindy Temple**. She was one of the early creators who helped bring faith deconstruction conversations into the mainstream online. While she doesn’t post as frequently today, her original content remains available — and if you haven’t already, be sure to check out her channel, support her work, and follow her journey.In today’s episode, we’re highlighting Mindy’s iconic **16-part series about her firsthand experiences inside the Mormon temple**.Mindy shares her personal perspective on growing up in **The Church of Jesus Christ...

David Bednar is one of the most recognizable apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and unlike many senior Church leaders, he has participated in numerous extended question-and-answer sessions with local congregations.These stake conference, regional conference, and devotional Q&As are largely unscripted, giving members the opportunity to ask questions directly. Over the years, many of these meetings have been recorded and quietly shared online, creating a fascinating record of Elder Bednar's spontaneous teaching style.In this video, I've gathered every public Bednar Q&A recording I could find into one compilation. Whether you're an...

Taylor Frankie Paul became an internet sensation after helping launch the viral MomTok movement and later starring in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. She was also reportedly attached to a new Bachelorette-related project, but after video connected to her child abuse arrest became public, the project was ultimately shelved.Although Taylor has said she no longer identifies with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, her name continues to surface whenever Mormon culture and social media collide.In this throwback episode, I revisit one of my earlier commentaries on Taylor Frankie Paul. I share my candid opinions...

For generations, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been taught that prophets and apostles are God’s chosen representatives — that they will not lead the church astray and that they speak with a unified, divine voice.But what happens when you compare the statements of LDS leaders across different generations?In this video, we examine a collection of clips highlighting contradictions between past and present church leaders on topics including salvation, grace, church policies, and controversial aspects of church history.Are these examples of changing revelation, evolving understanding, or something else entirely? You decide.Orig...

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Did this Mormon Apostle fail to love God — or is there more to the story?In this episode, we revisit highlights from an interview by Lance Earl of Ask Your Bishop, where he examines the words and actions of a prominent Mormon leader and asks a difficult question: What does it really mean to love God?Rather than simply criticizing Mormonism, Lance compares LDS teachings with biblical principles and invites viewers to consider whether church leaders are truly reflecting the teachings of Jesus.Watch the discussion, examine the claims, and decide for yourself.💬 What do you think? Does this criti...

In this episode of Mormon News Roundup, I take a step away from the usual discussions about LDS history and apologetics to examine one of the most polarizing figures in modern American politics: Donald Trump.For decades, Latter-day Saints have generally leaned Republican. Yet Donald Trump has always occupied a unique place within Mormon culture. Why did so many faithful members feel conflicted about supporting him? Why was he such an outlier compared to previous Republican nominees like John McCain or Mitt Romney?In this video I discuss:• Why Donald Trump has historically struggled to win overwhelming support among La...

When I was growing up as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was taught that LDS leaders spoke the absolute truth.Members are taught that prophets and apostles are special witnesses of Jesus Christ, that they receive divine guidance, and that their teachings represent heavenly truths.But what happens when we compare their statements over time?In this video, we examine a compilation of clips highlighting moments where senior LDS leaders appear to contradict previous statements, provide misleading information, or make claims that raise serious questions about transparency and accountability.Are these examples...

Mitz Nelson’s journey out of Mormonism and into born-again Christianity is a powerful story of faith, questioning, and personal transformation.For years, Mitz was a faithful member of **The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints**, sincerely believing in its teachings and dedicating herself to the faith she had known. But as she began studying more about Mormon history, doctrine, and difficult questions surrounding the Church’s past, she found herself confronting information that challenged her understanding of what she had always believed.In this highlight video, Mitz shares her experience of moving from a committed Latter-day Saint, thro...

Why do so many former Latter-day Saints continue talking about Mormonism after they've left?One of the most common criticisms directed at this channel is the familiar phrase: **"You can leave the Church, but you can't leave it alone."** In this video, I explain why I believe that criticism misses the point entirely.We begin by looking at the earliest origins of Mormonism—not with the familiar Sacred Grove story, but with Joseph Smith's involvement in treasure-seeking and the use of seer stones. From there, I examine how the Church's central promises have evolved and why I see important pa...

There are some people in the ex-Mormon community who leave the Church… and there are others who help open the door for everyone who comes after them.**Sir David the Bard was one of those people.**David passed away on **August 10, 2026**, leaving behind a remarkable legacy as one of the early ex-Mormon voices willing to publicly discuss subjects that were once considered strictly off-limits—including LDS temple rituals and experiences from inside the temple.Long before ex-Mormon YouTube became what it is today, David was openly talking about his experiences and challenging the secrecy surrounding Mormon temple practices. As a fo...

In late 2014, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints quietly published the Gospel Topics Essays—official essays that acknowledged some of the most controversial aspects of the Church's history, including Joseph Smith's plural marriages, the Book of Abraham, race and the priesthood, First Vision accounts, and more.For many lifelong members, the essays confirmed information they had previously been taught was anti-Mormon propaganda. For others, they represented an important step toward greater historical transparency.Only months later, PBS's *Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly* aired a fascinating report exploring why increasing numbers of Latter-day Saints were leaving the Church. What makes th...

For nearly four decades, Russell M. Nelson sat near the top of the LDS Church hierarchy. As apostle, senior leader, and eventually church president, he oversaw some of the most consequential—and controversial—developments in modern Mormon history.In this episode, we examine Nelson's rise to power, his long-running campaign against the term "Mormon," the 2015 exclusion policy affecting children of gay parents, the SEC investment scandal, the church's relationship with race and LGBTQ issues, and his unprecedented temple-building campaign.Supporters view Nelson as a visionary prophet who modernized the church and expanded its global reach. Critics see a leader obse...

Michael Ballam is an acclaimed American opera singer, educator, and performer, celebrated for his powerful bass-baritone voice and distinguished career on the opera stage. While many know him for his musical achievements, Latter-day Saints know him for something entirely different.For years, Ballam portrayed **Lucifer** in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' filmed temple endowment presentation. His unforgettable performance became familiar to countless temple attendees before the Church retired the live-action films and replaced them with a newer presentation format.This video is a **supercut of every scene featuring Michael Ballam as Lucifer** from that now-retired temple...

In today’s video, we’re taking a look at a fascinating series highlighting some of the most unbelievable General Conference controversies of all time.These moments come from General Conferences of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have sparked intense discussion among current members, former members, and critics of the Church.The clips featured in this video come from BJ’s channel:https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP9rA7gFM9Ptu-7eZKf/This supercut covers a variety of controversial moments, including statements about race and past teachings delivered from the pulpit, the Church’s connection to the M...

Many current and former members of **The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints** have described feeling weighed down by a culture of perfectionism. They speak of constant pressure to do more, be more, and never feeling "good enough."In this video, I step back from the debate and let the historical record speak for itself.Rather than relying on secondhand summaries or isolated quotations, you'll hear directly from senior LDS leaders—primarily through General Conference messages—as they discuss perfection, worthiness, obedience, and becoming like Christ. These are the talks many people point to when discussing what has been...

It's Throwback Thursday, and we're revisiting Episode 110 of the show featuring the one and only Ryan Josiah.Known by many as "The Mormon Jesus," Ryan has built a massive following through his sharp humor, quick wit, and thoughtful commentary on Mormonism and faith. In this episode, Ryan joined me for a conversation that was informative, entertaining, and full of memorable moments.The full episode runs over 90 minutes, but today I've pulled together the very best highlights so you can enjoy the funniest, most insightful, and most interesting clips without committing to the entire show.If you enjoy these highlights...

For nearly **24 years**, I worked for **Brigham Young University** and, by extension, **The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints**.Most of that time was spent at **BYU Independent Study**, one of the largest accredited distance-learning programs in the United States. Looking back, I witnessed both dedicated employees doing their best and institutional problems that should have been addressed years earlier.In this episode, I share my personal experiences working inside BYU, including:* Why most Independent Study instructors were never background checked for decades* How widespread student identity verification problems fueled cheating* Why accreditation concerns eventually forced major changes...

Leaving a high-demand religion is rarely easy. For many former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the journey out involves questioning deeply held beliefs, rebuilding identity, and navigating the challenges of starting over.In this video, you'll hear highlights from former Mormons as they reflect on their lives inside the LDS Church, what led them to question their faith, and what ultimately inspired them to leave. These personal stories explore doubt, discovery, loss, healing, and the search for authenticity.Whether you're currently questioning Mormonism, have already left, or simply want to better understand the experiences...

For several years, one small website published leaked LDS Church documents that changed conversations across the Mormon world.MormonLeaks began in 2016 with a simple mission: provide a secure way for whistleblowers to anonymously submit authentic internal documents from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What followed was one of the most remarkable transparency projects in modern Mormon history.In this documentary, we explore:• How Ryan McKnight and Ethan Gregory Dodge founded MormonLeaks• The leaked Apostle M. Russell Ballard mission president training video• The publication of General Authority living allowance documents• Internal presentations, financial records, administrative manuals, and policy d...

For more than a decade, senior leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have rarely taken unscripted questions from journalists in public. Most media appearances are carefully managed, making these four events remarkable exceptions.In this episode, we revisit the only four major occasions over the past 15 years when top Mormon leaders answered questions without prepared remarks:• Jeffrey R. Holland's BBC interview in London (2012)• Dallin H. Oaks' University of Virginia Q&A (2016)• Russell M. Nelson's First Presidency press conference (2018)• David A. Bednar's National Press Club appearance in Washington, D.C. (2022)Rather than offering extensive commentary, this video pr...

Amy Logan has been one of the most thoughtful voices in the ex-Mormon community, helping thousands of people navigate faith transitions, religious trauma, and life after Mormonism. In this highlight from her final *Exmormonology / Soul Searching Girl* episode, Amy reflects on her own deconstruction, explains why she's stepping away from the ex-Mormon identity, and shares what she's learned about finding joy, purpose, and peace beyond a high-demand religion.Leaving Mormonism is often only the beginning of a much larger journey. Amy discusses how healing continues long after a faith crisis and why she believes reclaiming your authentic self is...

Patti is one of my favorite voices in the ex-Mormon community, and in this highlight video, she shares the experiences that led her to leave The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From her time in the temple to the questions that ultimately changed her perspective, Patti offers a thoughtful and personal look at her journey.If you enjoy what you hear, please support Patti by subscribing to her YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@PattiQ/videosBe sure to like this video, subscribe to Mormon News Roundup, and let me know your thoughts in the comments. Have you...

Throwback Thursday brings us one of the most fascinating conversations we've ever had.Dr. Randy Bell is a sociologist, economist, author, and internationally recognized disaster recovery expert known as the "Master of Disaster." For decades, he has consulted on hundreds of major disasters and high-profile events around the world, studying how individuals and communities recover from trauma and adversity.In this episode, Randy shares how his experience studying trauma, resilience, and recovery applies directly to faith transitions, religious deconstruction, and life after Mormonism. Drawing from years of working with victims of tragedy and disaster, he explains the trauma cycle...

The testimonies of the Three Witnesses and the Eight Witnesses are some of the most frequently cited pieces of evidence for the Book of Mormon. For believing Latter-day Saints, they provide powerful support for Joseph Smith's claims. For critics, they raise important historical questions that deserve careful examination.Over the years, I've created a number of short videos exploring what these witnesses actually said, how their accounts changed over time, and whether their testimonies withstand historical scrutiny. This video brings all of those reels together into one convenient supercut.Topics include:• The Three Witnesses• The Eight Witnesses• Spiritual vs. physic...

Brigham Young University is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I earned two degrees from BYU and spent nearly 24 years working for the Church, so my perspective comes from firsthand experience.Over the years, I've developed a number of critiques of BYU, including what I believe have been its racist, sexist, and homophobic policies at various points in its history. At the same time, I've invested considerable time in understanding the university firsthand. I've taken the official campus tour, interviewed the university president, spoken with numerous faculty members, and sat down with both...

Why do people stay in high-demand religions like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Is it really all about Jesus... or are there a few other "perks" involved?This comedy parody takes a lighthearted look at some of the complicated—and sometimes hilarious—reasons people remain in Mormonism, even as membership growth slows and more people question organized religion. Whether you're an ex-Mormon, a current member, an ex-Christian, or simply interested in religion and culture, this sketch explores the social, cultural, and theological incentives that can make leaving harder than it seems.It's satire, but like all good...

Who are the most influential voices in the ex-Mormon community?In this episode of Mormon News Roundup, I reveal my personal Top 10 favorite ex-Mormons—the creators, historians, activists, whistleblowers, and commentators whose work has informed, inspired, and challenged me over the years.This isn't a list of the biggest channels or the most famous names. It's a ranking based on the people I personally follow, respect, and believe have made a meaningful contribution to conversations surrounding Mormonism.Featured in this countdown:• Ryan Josiah• Julia (Analyzing Mormonism)• James Huntsman• Aron Ra• Lucifer's Lantern (Tongue In Cheek)• Sophronia• Sam Young• Makenzie Vance• Dan Vogel•...

Welcome back to Throwback Thursday.Today we’re revisiting Episode 73 with Maven — a conversation that’s equal parts calm, reflective, and unexpectedly emotional.We originally filmed this out on the water, surrounded by open sky, gentle waves, and the kind of quiet that makes people talk a little more honestly than they planned to. In this highlight cut, we’ve pulled together the most memorable moments from that day — including Maven’s story, the atmosphere on the boat, and the turning point that made this episode stand out.🎣 “Never heard of her?”That line alone sets the tone for what follows.This i...

I finally sat down face-to-face with Ward Radio host Cardon Ellis to see if we could finally bury the hatchet. After months of beefing online, things got intense in the studio. We didn't hold back on the topics that divided us, and how we actually view each other's platforms. Did we finally settle our differences, or did we just draw the battle lines deeper? Watch until the very end to find out.Let me know in the comments: Do you think we actually made peace? 👇 SUBSCRIBE for more raw, unfiltered interviews:#CardonEllis #WardRadio #Interview #Podcast #BuryTheHatchetPlease consider making a don...

For several years, I performed as a member of the Orchestra at Temple Square, accompanying what was then known as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on *Music and the Spoken Word*.From long Sunday mornings and rehearsals in the Tabernacle to touring, auditions, and eventually leaving the orchestra, this is my honest story of what it was really like behind the scenes.This isn't an exposé. It's a personal memoir about music, faith, and one of the most memorable chapters of my life.Along the way, I discuss:* What rehearsals were really like* The musicians behind the performances* Touring with t...

One of the most controversial teachings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the idea that paying tithing can determine your worthiness—and even your eligibility for temple ordinances and the highest degree of heaven.Over the years on Mormon News Roundup, I've called out this "pay-to-play" system again and again. In this compilation, I've gathered some of my strongest anti-tithing rants into one episode.From temple recommend interviews to the pressure placed on struggling families, this video examines why many former members see mandatory tithing as one of the most harmful aspects of Mormonism.If yo...

Welcome back to Mormon News Roundup!Over the past few years, I've created hundreds of TikToks, YouTube Shorts, and Reels covering Mormon news, LDS history, apologetics, church leadership, current events, and some of the funniest moments from the channel.In today's episode, we're counting down my Top 10 most viral TikToks of all time, featuring the videos that reached hundreds of thousands of viewers and generated some of the biggest conversations in our community. From hilarious satire to breaking Mormon news, to deep dives into controversial topics, these are the clips that resonated the most.We'll finish with my #1 most-watched...

Throwback Thursday to Episode 32 — one of the early, defining moments of the channel.This was the first time Radio Free Mormon joined the podcast, back when the show was still audio-only and just starting to find its voice. In this episode, we covered a wide range of topics that sparked a lot of discussion and reflection later on.We talked about David Archuleta stepping back from the Church, a LDS meetinghouse being repurposed into a food bank, and broader questions about church growth in Canada based on census data.This video pulls together the key moments from that episode so...

For years, I've shared stories from my time as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some of these memories are funny. Some are awkward. Some were faith-promoting experiences that I understood very differently at the time. Others have taken on entirely new meaning as I've reflected on them years later.Those two years shaped my life in countless ways. Even though my beliefs have changed, the experiences, the people I met, and the lessons I learned remain an important part of my story.Over time, these missionary stories became scattered across dozens of different...

After interacting with thousands of Latter-day Saints on X (formerly Twitter) since launching this channel in 2022, I've noticed some remarkably consistent patterns.In this video I discuss:* Why relatively few major Mormon critics actively engage on X* How faithful Latter-day Saints rapidly amplify each other's accounts* The role X Premium plays in expanding Mormon voices online* Why evidence so often gets replaced with personal attacks* The recurring accusations critics receive from believers* Why feelings and testimony aren't reliable methods for determining truth* The difference between utility and truth* Why I continue engaging directly in comment sections* The challenges of...

Throwback Thursday to Episode 105 featuring journalist Jana Riess, one of the most respected reporters covering The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.In this episode, we revisit some of the most significant and challenging reporting connected to her work—ranging from tr*nsgender baptism policy discussions, leadership accountability around abuse reporting, and legal disputes tied to tithing and financial transparency.This is a curated highlight cut of a nearly 90-minute conversation, pulling together the most important moments so you can quickly catch up on the key topics and discussions.If you follow Mormonism, church policy debates, or religious jo...