Former LDS Bishop Bill Reel Faces Church Disciplinary Council in Washington City, Utah

Bill Reel, a Washington City man who hosts the “Mormon Discussions” podcast about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, faces a pending church disciplinary council. Reel, a father of four who previously served as a church bishop, was served with the notice on a Thursday. According to the notice, he has been reported to have “participated in conduct unbecoming a member of the Church.” It also states that he has “repeatedly acted in clear, open, and deliberate public opposition to the Church and its leaders.”

The podcast features interviews with authors, scholars and historians of Mormonism, along with monologues on contentious church topics. Some of its episodes have carried provocative titles, including “Elder Oaks puts the Con in General Conference” and “The Joseph Smith Translation – Revelation or Plagiarism.”

Reel believes that an October podcast episode, titled “Elde…”, prompted the action against him. The source reports his belief but does not confirm the link.

The disciplinary council is scheduled for Nov. 27 at a church meeting house in Washington City.

On November 16, 2018, Patheos published a post by podcaster Natasha Helfer, a friend and fellow podcaster of Reel. Helfer wrote that Reel would more than likely be excommunicated, and she said the discipline was for talking openly and honestly about issues within the church. She described excommunication as an outdated, abusive and socially ostracizing practice. Helfer also said that several known sexual assault predators she is aware of have not been disciplined by the church, a claim the source presents as her own and does not independently verify. She stressed the need to protect those who are harmed, a concern that echoes the call to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8-9).

Helfer further wrote that the church’s letters invite members to leave the fold if they want to avoid discipline.