About This Video
In Matthew 7, Jesus warns about false prophets who disguise themselves as innocent but are driven by greed and power, emphasizing that their true character is revealed through their actions or 'fruits'. Shawn McCraney teaches that it is essential to evaluate these individuals through the lens of their outcomes, comparing them to the standards of biblical teachings rather than relying on their outward appearances.
Shawn critiques the LDS Church's City Creek Center as indicative of the church's materialistic and worldly values, contrasting it with scriptural principles that discourage indulgence in the lust of the flesh and pride of life. He argues that their leadership's publicly deceptive methods hide true practices, attacking critics personally to distract from inconsistencies, as illustrated by his own experience with LDS callers who questioned his integrity instead of addressing presented facts.
Shawn critiques the LDS Church's use of secular reasoning and partial truths in their media portrayals, highlighting how their "Mormonism 101" infographic presents a misleading, propagandistic view of Mormon identity as excessively Christ-centered while lacking proper citation of its claims. Emphasizing the discrepancy between LDS presentations and biblical Christianity, he invites Christians nationwide to support their ministry's efforts in educating churches about the differences between Mormonism and Christian beliefs.
Shawn emphasizes the importance of personal exploration and seeking truth spiritually, encouraging individuals to pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer and scripture while acknowledging that human leaders, including prophets, can make mistakes. He suggests that understanding and peace can be found by focusing on faith in Christ and aligning one's beliefs with his teachings, rather than relying solely on organized religious structures or intermediaries.
Shawn's teaching focuses on expressing personal beliefs and questioning institutional practices, particularly concerning the Mormon Church, while emphasizing faith beyond works as central to Christianity. The discussion includes perspectives on the legitimacy and representation of religious institutions, highlighting diverse experiences within and outside the Mormon faith.
The discussion surrounding Mitt Romney's Mormonism highlights the tension between political discourse and religious beliefs, with critics like former Mormons citing practices such as "shunning," while Mormon Church officials, like Elder Jeffrey Holland, refute such allegations and emphasize the church's charitable contributions and growth. This ongoing debate also includes differing perspectives on whether the church could be classified as a cult, with ex-Mormons like Park Romney asserting such claims, whereas church leaders staunchly deny them, pointing to their faith and expanding membership.
Live from the Mecca of Mormonism
- SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH –
This is Heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology., where Mormonism Meets Biblical Christianity, face to face.
Show 13: A History of Deception Part II
March 27th, 2012
And I’m Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion., your host. We praise the True and Living God for allowing us to participate in this ministry. May He be with you (and us) tonight. With that, let’s have a word of prayer.
PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER
Last week we chose to step aside from our exhaustive analysis of the BOM to present what I thought would be a two part series on Methods of LDS Deception. It is radical how the Lord works because this past week I have had so many intersecting pieces of information come to me that we have gone from this being a two part series to it being a three. Things began opening up as I prepared for our verse by verseTGNN’s Bible teaching series—book-by-book, through the lens of fulfillment and spiritual liberty. study of Matthew for the MILK Gathering we have at the U of U every Sunday. As I studied the text, and then read things you all have sent to me from the news, the interconnectivity of it could not be ignored. So next week we’ll apply the LDS Methods of Deception to their present public statements on Mormon racism. But allow me to insert a different part two of this series with the information and insights I had come to me this week.
Beware of False Prophets
In Matthew chapter 7, Jesus said at verse 15:
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
False prophets – “pseudo prophetase” in the Greek. Now we first notice how Jesus describes these pseudo -prophetace. He said:
“They come (to us) in sheep’s clothing.” Biblically, sheep are emblematic of innocence, sincerity, and harmlessness. To come in “sheep's clothing” is to assume the appearance of harmlessness and innocence while the intents of the heart are actually intent on evil. Or, as Jesus put it, they are inwardly “ravening wolves.” Which in the Greek means they are “greedy for power, financial gain, and the self” with the determination of a wolf.
Recognizing Them by Their Fruits
In Matthew 23:25 Jesus says that such are full of “extortion and excess.” In other words, while feigning and appearing humble and harmless these false prophets are out for money, property, riches . . . and the power that comes with them. Turning on the television these days we can see them ooze out of almost every religious affinity. Some teach people to “Name it and claim it,” that Gawd wants them to be wealthy. Others focus on “prosperity teachings:” “Give us a ten dollahs and GAWD will give you a thousand fold back!” Others promise healings – just touch the television and you will be healed or drink this potion and your cancer will go away. Pseudo – prophetizers are everywhere.
But here in Matthew Jesus tells us how to know them – how to see them for what they really are under that white wholly uniform. He says:
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Now remember, Jesus said they will come in the appearance of sheep – “sincere and innocent in their appearance.” But He says we can know them “by their fruits.” In other words, we cannot know their value by looking at them or trusting their appearance because they appear innocent and virtuous, as if sheep. So we have to examine the end-result of their existence, just like we would examine the end result of a fruit tree’s existence – “it’s fruit.” See, the value of a fruit tree is NOT in the beauty of its leaves, or the texture of its bark, or the size of its trunk, or the wood or shade it provides. We can’t look at the flower blossoms or its buds and say, “This is a good fruit tree.” The purpose (and value) of a fruit tree is in its end product – which is its fruit.
Examining the Fruits Against God's Word
So it is with false prophets (or teachers) of the Word of God. Forget how they sound, appear, smell, or the condition of their exteriors. Listen and look, taste the fruit they produce and then (AND THIS IS KEY) compare it to the STANDARD by which all Christian fruit is tested – the Word of God. All the pretensions of religion, and piety, and goodness mean nothing IF the fruit is false . . . compared to the Word of God.
Last week all over the news was the launching of the City Creek
The Glorious Facade: City Creek Center and Its Underlying Fruit
The concept of the City Creek Center was brought to life, realizing a long-standing vision of the late LDS prophet, Gordon B Hinckley. This five billion dollar project, rooted in Mormonism, stands as a breathtaking showcase of luxury, housing top-tier retail outlets, and exhibiting stunningly beautiful aesthetics.
Standing proudly at the opening ceremony, the first Presidency of the LDS Church, including Thomas Monson, Ering, and Uchdorf, was present to cut the ceremonial red ribbon. But this ostentatious display raises questions. To whom does the City Creek Center cater? Does it resonate with the Spirit of God, or does it appeal to human desires? Does this opulent development align with the essence of 1st John 2:16, which warns against the lust of the flesh and eyes and the pride of life, declaring these as worldly and not of the Father?
This center, much like everything the Mormon Institution stands for, signifies the tangible outcome of the faith. One can sense its allure to the fallible aspects of human nature. The roots of Mormonism can be traced back to ambitions of possessing earthly treasures, evolving into claims of divine revelations that justified the pursuit of land, wealth, and even people.
Mormon Ambitions: A Reflection of the Institution's Foundation
These underlying ambitions persisted through the leadership lineage, culminating in the elitist consumerism epitomized by the City Creek Center. This reflection provides insight into the fruit borne from the institution.
Deceptive Practices: Public Denial and Private Beliefs
Recently, we explored the deceptive tactics employed by LDS leadership, specifically in the context of plural marriage. The methods are clear: publicly denying history and doctrines while privately upholding them. When inconsistencies are pointed out, attempts to shift focus through personal attacks arise.
For instance, after presenting detailed documentation, the response from LDS members was not to refute facts. Instead, inquiries about my personal finances were made, hinting at motives to undermine support for our ministry. Furthermore, my personal choices and family engagements were targeted, diverting attention from the core issues at hand.
Mormonism and the Christian Debate
The attacker went so far as calling my daughters behavior “pornographic.”
(Beat)
While incendiary and salacious, see through this phase in their deception and ask yourselves:
“What does ANY of it have to do with the Mormon/Christian debate and the points brought up last week?”
(beat) Nothing.
LDS Deception Methods
So far we have established three rules regarding the LDS Methods of Deception. Let’s look at the fourth:
- The LDS appeal to secular reasoning and partial truths when presenting themselves, and their value as a church, in the media. A few weeks ago, as a means to combat the public perception many people have toward the institution of Mormonism, the LDS Church officially released one of the most contrived, manipulative pieces on the waiting world. They called it Mormonism 101. In the pulsing spirit having absolutely no idea of what it means to be a Christian, LDS faithful have proudly posted and passed this chart around on everything from the evening news to Disgrace book. Let’s take a look at it.
Who Are the Mormons?
GRAPHIC of No.s 1 and 2
GRAPHIC of No. 3
Shawn stands and reviews the PRINT-OUT of the chart. The first thing to notice, which is really no big deal, but the contents of the chart are not annotated. At the bottom of what the LDS Church is calling “an InfoGraphic” they list seven sources. But we have no idea who provided which claim. Of the seven sources, two are LDS. The first from Susan Easton Black and her book, Finding Christ in the Book of Mormon, published by Deseret Book in 1987. The second source is labeled “Internal Statistics of the LDS Church.” Of the remaining sources, each is from 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2006 respectively. In other words, they had to scour around to find studies to support this highly propagandized Infographic. But then we come to the claims themselves. As I said, they are both very misleading and at times comical in the picture they attempt to paint of Mormonism.
The graphic is titled: “Who Are the Mormons?” And below this title there are five sub category responses (or answers) to this question posed. The number one response (to the question: “Who are the Mormons?”) says they are:
- “A Christ-Centered Faith.”
And the remaining four say that the Mormons are:
“A Devout Faith”
“A Family Faith”
“A Giving Faith”
“A Global Faith”
So let’s look at each of these claims FROM the LDS Church and discuss them in the light of context, reality, and the support information for these claim reveals relative to Biblical Christianity.
Using an image of Jesus, it reads: “Percentage of Sacramental worship services that focus on Christ” and then is shows “100%” Our ability to do everything we do is directly related to you – your prayers, your sharing the program with others, and your financial support if you are in a position AND led of the Lord.
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Emails
WITH TWO MINUTES LEFT
Hey listen, whether you are watching here in Utah, or through streaming or on the archives, this Summer we are going to be all over the nation helping equip the (real) Saints with information on the Mormon/Christian issues at hand. Please . . . Call your Christian friends (out in different states) and have them go to the churches large and small where they live and introduce the ministry to churches who are unaware of us. Tell them how to reach us.
This is a total “David and Goliath” thing, my friends. Our little ministry is at war with a multi-billion dollar, multi-national religious conglomerate aimed at world domination. All we have is you. So if led, make some calls, send some emails, and help us launch a rock into the skull of this beast. It will mean the difference in many good people’s lives. We’ll see you next week here on Heart of the Matter.
GRAPHIC PHONE EMAIL ADDRESS of Alathea
EMAILS Shawn- I am a Mormon. I am writing this because of an empty feeling I have had, I don’t know if it is desperation, or guilt or what I am feeling. I’ve been watching your show and really questioning my religion for the past year. I’ve had this overwhelming feeling the past two days, this is just something I need to resolve.
I have two questions the first one is: I have felt the spirit as a Mormon in my more active days; I am still active and have a temple recommend. I want to know if I will feel that same spirit if I leave the Mormon Church. Will it be different or do I have to stay in the Mormon Church for that feeling.
The second
Seeking Forgiveness and Finding Christ
Question: How can I be forgiven and have Christ in my life? What do I do? I want him to be with me, I just don’t know what the process is.
I guess I have one more question: I have prayed. Can I know through prayer that the book of Mormon is not true?
-Floyd
On Thursday Night, March 22nd I received this email:
Sherrie's Dilemma
Dear Shawn, I am scared! When I saw all that you showed on Joseph Smith I had a broken heart. I have written you before and have been back and forth with the L.D.S. church. I have not felt peace in I cannot remember when. I study the bible and the book of Mormon. I plead to the father and my Savior Jesus Christ for the truth. I am always lead back to here. But what if it is a satin? I do not want to go to hell. I do not want my family to go there. My children have made some big mistakes. I myself have. I repent always. But I do not feel like I am accepted anymore by my church. Because I have questions. My husband and I were sealed in the Temple in 1983. After taking out my endowments I was shocked! I did not feel the spirit. Everyone in my family could not understand why I could not. For one it scared me to deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God.! I am still scared. I do not want to offend God. What if it is all true? you have brought up some very good points on Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. Which has made me question more. My husband is mad at me and will not listen to what you have to say. He said I am listening to man not God. So why at age 50.. am I now wondering about all of this? I believe in Jesus Christ. He is my savior. I love him. I would like to meet you. Sincerely and confused, Sherrie
I wrote Sherrie two words “CALL ME” and supplied her with my phone number.
Sherrie's Revelation
A little after midnight Sunday, I received this email in reply:
Dear Shawn, Wow have I been through the test of faith and truth! I wrote you a couple of days ago. I was a mess! But now I am free. The sweet spirit of the holy Ghost has shown me the truth and i will never sway from it again. Shawn the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day Saints is true! There are truths in all church's that believe in God and Jesus Christ. We have the fullness. I read through many scriptures and asked many questions and everything that you said bad about us or the prophet Joseph Smith were to say the least not the full truth. You see Shawn, a Prophet is a man. Not God, and Not Jesus. So they can make mistakes. In the Bible Jesus talks of us being Gods. I am sure you know where it is. In the old testament Prophets then had multiple wives. God did say he would allow it and that it would drive them mad! The church has been under attack from the beginning and it has continued to go forward. The Book of Mormon is a second testament of Christ. God has said by there fruits ye shall know my people. I feel all who believe in Christ and are seeking the truth and sharing Christ words are his people. But when we are talking down on people it is not Christ like and not what he would want. Do you feel that Christ is happy with what you say and do ? You once had a testimony. You served a mission, taught seminary, was in the Bishopric, the high counsel and I am sure other callings. You know we worship Jesus Christ. Today was testimony meeting. Every person that got up testified of Christ. When I partook of the sacrament my heart was filled with the Holy Ghost. The temple is sacred and I have a lot more to learn on it. This church is growing. We are not after world domination. We do want to share the truth of our Savior Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation. This church gives more hope than any church i have witnessed. You said that our Leaders were the only ones that could make statements regarding this church. Why then do you if that is the case??? I pray you find your
Views on Mormonism
Letters from Viewers
You are a good person. I feel there is a lot more to your story as to why you left than you are letting people know. God bless Shawn.
Sincerely, Sherrie
I have Recently watched a program on Youtube where you answer to specific questions from a viewer who tried to get at you talking about your source of income, clothing, etc. What caught my attention was that the watcher in the attempt to get himself justified by his own works when the Bible clearly says that this is not possible, that is why God sent his son to fulfill the law for our sake. In spite of the fact that I am not Christian, to me that is the basis of the Christian faith, believing that we can do nothing, and therefore be justified by the death of the testifier (Heb. 9:16-17). THIS IS FAITH. I particularly admire the LDS's members in Brazil, They are sincere in their ideals, in their faith, but I condemn the LDS institution, the way the try to maintain a false holiness repeating lies until they are accepted as truths. Congratulations for the program.
Tibério
A Learning Experience
Hi Shawn, I have had the opportunity to talk to a Mormon co-worker this week and I am learning a lot. It seems to me they are very clever on how they talk to you. This person asked questions about what I believe and then twisted my answers to try to make me think what he believed is true. Until I questioned him that is. Am I getting the wrong impression or is that how they operate? I guess I would call it sly as a fox. If I know how they operate then I can be better prepared for them. Have a blessed weekend (From several supporters: Andreas and Rich)
The Story of Park Romney
Park Romney: Why he turned against the Mormon church
By John Sweeney BBC News
Mitt Romney, the front runner in the race for the Republican Presidential nomination for the White House, is a devout Mormon, but his cousin, Park Romney, also in the past a committed member of the church, now denounces it as a cult. "I became convinced that it's a fraud," Park Romney told the BBC, explaining his reason for leaving the Mormon fold. The two visions of Mormonism the Romney cousins present could not be more starkly opposed. Park Romney, 56, is a former Mormon high priest, who turned against the church.
On the stump Mitt Romney, 65, has avoided mentioning Mormonism, instead talking generally about his faith, but he has been an active lifelong member of the church.
"If that is what they believe, it's probably a good thing they leave, because we're not a cult”
End Quote Jeffrey Holland Mormon Church Elder
He was a Mormon missionary to France in the 1960s, studied at the almost-exclusively Mormon Brigham Young university and rose to become first bishop, then "Stake President" (diocesan leader) in his home state of Massachusetts. He led Sunday services, ran Bible classes for children and looked after a 4,000-strong congregation in Boston for five years in the 1980s. Like all Mormons, he is expected to give 10% of his annual income – no-one knows how much he is worth, but it is estimated at anywhere from $150 million to $1 billion – to the Church and not drink tea, coffee, or alcohol. Committed Mormons wear special under-garments, and Romney is believed to follow this tenet of his faith too.
Criticisms and Controversies
Park Romney's criticisms of the church are fundamental. Along with other ex-Mormons, he questions founder Joseph Smith's prophecies – for example Smith's translation of an Egyptian scroll, part of the Mormon book of Abraham, which Egyptologists say is a fraud.
The Mormon faith
- Official name is Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
- Founded in the 1820s in New York State before moving to Utah in 1860
- Mormons believe their founder Joseph Smith found golden scripture plates buried by an angel
- The church is estimated to have 14 million followers and to be worth $30bn (£18.9bn)
- A recent poll said one in four Americans would be less likely to vote for a Mormon candidate
"There's compelling evidence that the Mormon Church leaders knowingly and willfully misrepresent the historical truth of their origins and of the Church for the purpose of deceiving their members into a state of mind that renders them exploitable," says Park. Such accusations are rarely heard in the US, a nation founded on the principle of freedom of religion. "It's not something you're supposed to talk about," says Park.
Analysis of Mormonism in Political and Social Contexts
Prof Robert Putnam of Harvard Kennedy School states, "Whenever the issue of Romney's Mormonism has come to the surface, there's been lots of condemnation across the political spectrum for raising the issue of his religion," and he adds, "I'm not saying it's not relevant, but it's not talked about in polite company." Mitt Romney's biographer, Scott Helman, concurs: "There are plenty of ways in which people try to cause alarm among some voters over it, but it's not something you're allowed to say explicitly," he says. "But a certain function of reminding voters who might have some predisposed notion about Mormonism that maybe it is strange, maybe it's weird."
Criticisms from Ex-Mormons
Ex-Mormons tend to be the church's most outspoken critics. One thing that particularly agitates them is "shunning"—allegations that former church members are denied access to family members who remain in the church. Park claims this has happened to him. "I am alienated from my family," he told the BBC. "Their doctrine, their protocol and their culture as enforced by bishops encourages the families to disassociate themselves from the apostate."
Mormon Church elder Jeffrey Holland denies shunning occurs. "We don't use that word and we don't know that practice. If I had a son or a daughter who left the Church or was alienated or had a problem, I can tell you I would not cut that child out of family life," he states.
The Church's Perspective
The Mormon Church maintains that it does a great deal of good. Its leaders say they have given more than $1bn in aid around the world since 1985. The allegation that the Church is a cult, made by Park Romney and other ex-Mormons, is denied by Elder Holland. "If that is what they believe, it's probably a good thing they leave, because we're not a cult. I have chosen this church because of the faith that I feel and the inspiration that comes, but if people want to call us a cult, you can call us a cult," Elder Holland says from behind his desk. "But we are 14 million and growing."
