An Advance or Another Obfuscation

Mormonism Meets Biblical Christianity

LIVE FROM THE MECCA OF MORMONISM”

• SALT LAKE CITY UTAH –

This is Heart of the Matter, where Mormonism Meets Biblical Christianity, face to face. Show 42 372 An Advance or Another Obfuscation? December 17th 2013

We praise the True and Living God for allowing us to participate in this ministry. May He be with you (and us) tonight. Take . . . a . . . look.

The Heart of the Matter Television Network – Giving God a Chance to Make Sense

Listen – the opportunity before us has soooo much potential and I am asking you all to break out and spread the news with everyone you know. We are throwing EVERYTHING we’ve got into making it work – we’ll even sell your children into slavery (if need be) And we will NOT be able to make it a success without your hands-on participation (as guided by God). Why? We are not making the Network’s focus about making a buck. We are going to make it about:

Good, original, entertaining and biblically sound programming About a new approach to Christian television. In our opinion it’s time for cheesy Christian television (and televangelism) to die. Gone are the days of glittery white suited men slapping foreheads, singing the praises of health and wealth, or begging for people to send in the “seed money.” Gone are the days of idiotic, non-contextual teachings of the Word of God.

A New Approach to Christian Television

We are starting small – a local station that reaches a quarter of a million people. But our goal is the cable, and then more and more market share throughout the US and the World. But we need your help to crush this beast. How? First, don’t think that others will do the work. We need YOU to tell EVERYONE in your social sphere (and through your social media outlets) about what we are doing – and send them to www.HOTM.tv where they can watch our 8 minute spot on the project. We need you to suggest (through email) programming (whether it be television or internet or ministerial) you think would be suitable. We need you to pray that God would bless our efforts. And if you are in the position and lead of the Lord to consider helping us meet the added expense this endeavor will cost the ministry.

We’re going to need about $75,000.00 to get the project off the ground right. That breaks down to about $22,000.00 to lease the station annually, and then another $36,000.00 to pay for a station tech manager and $18,000.00 to go toward internet advertising. That’s not a bad price for 8,700 “plus hours” of quality Christian programming. To reach an initial potential audience of over a quarter of a million people along the Wasatch Front and to set ourselves up to getting picked up by Cable.

Some quick clarifications- This is NOT a Shawn McCraney station. Alathea ministries weekly programming will represent (at the max) 10% of the available airtime (initially) and hopefully we’ll get that down to more like 5% once all the other programming is in place. Additionally, this station is just the first step in the processes of building a new, invigorating, Christian television broadcast network. CONSIDER IT. JOIN US. We might be small but we are relentless for Him and for transparent television communications in His name.

From the Word

At our CAMPUS gathering on Sunday morning (our MILK gathering) we were working through to the end of John chapter five. While I was preparing the teaching, I realized something important relative to the Mormon/Christian debate. This is the set up of the chapter. Jesus was by a pool that was thought to possess powers of healing when He spotted a man lame for thirty-eight years who could not get into the water to receive its apparent benefits. Long story short Jesus instructed that the man “take up his bed and walk” – which he did – miraculously. Because He told the guy to take up his bed He, from the Jewish leaders perspective, had encouraged the healed man to break the Law, which says no burden could be born on the Sabbath day. Later in the temple, the man points Jesus out to the Jewish leadership, and they, naturally, confronted our King. A lot goes on here – but in the end, Jesus really gives it the old college try to get these religionists to realize He is the promised Messiah, even the very Son of God. The reason I am bringing this up is to get you to notice WHAT Jesus

Evidence of Jesus' Messiahship

Himself uses to prove His true identity . . . or the truth. In John 5:32 He first says:

“There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.” Who was He speaking of? John the Baptist. Now, unlike the witnesses of Joseph’s golden plates, John the Baptist – though a relative of the Lord’s – did not know Him. He was called of God to come and bear witness of Him and to prepare the way for His arrival. In fact, one reason the Baptist was baptizing with water was to identify the Messiah (upon whom the Holy Spirit would fall). Additionally, John was a real person that was respected – and had earned the respect of the people – so his witness of Jesus was based in real things.

The next evidence Jesus appeals to prove the truth of His Messiahship were His miracles. In verse 36 He says: “But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.” I would strongly suggest that the reason Jesus did miracles was because it was prophesied that the Messiah would do them and by doing them he not only fulfilled prophesy but gave those who witnessed the actual miracles proof He was who He was. Again, these were tangible proofs based in real experiences that were done in the open for all to see.

Testimony of the Father

The next evidence Jesus offers is described in the very next verse where He says: John 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. How did the Father bear witness of the Son? I can think of a few ways. 1st, in the prophesies found in the Old Testament. 2nd, in the signs and wonders surrounding His birth, 3rd, through people testifying of Him like the woman in the temple who praised that she lived to see the day of the promised Messiah, 4th at His baptism, when the Holy Spirit fell like a dove and a voice was heard from on High saying, “this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” 5th in the miracles which Jesus had wrought up until that point in time. Notice all of these witnesses – all based in real experiences with real people in real places with real witnesses.

The Word of God

The next evidence Jesus tells these Jews to consider is the Word of God itself as He says: John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. Then He appeals to more specifically to Moses, and the things He wrote, saying: John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. As a means to get these men to know the truth, Jesus appealed to five witnesses. Notice that He never tells them to “Pray to the Father and to ask Him if Jesus is really the Messiah?” Notice He never asks them to “feel” that He is the promised one? He appeals to real men, real experiences, and real scripture written in real history – and does NOT ever use the LDS method of attempting to discern truth through praying about it and then relying on feelings. Some food for thought.

The Mormon Church's Stance on Racism

Westboro Baptist’s announced that they were going to stop picketing the funerals of slain police officers or saying that God hates fags we ought to consider this a step in the right direction, right? So in that light (and in that light alone) I can see that a progressive, official stance against racism by the Mormon church is a good thing. The trouble is, this announcement, like almost everything the institution does from the top, is only partly . . . true . . . which for me, does not make it true at all.

But before I get ahead of myself, let’s read what the announcement says, and respond to it line by line. It begins – “In theology and practice, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints embraces the universal human family. Latter-day Saint scripture and teachings affirm that God loves all of His children and makes salvation available to all. God created the many diverse races and ethnicities and esteems them all equally.

The Issue of Esteem

STOP! While the LDS might believe “God has created the many diverse races and ethnicities” they have never – from the top down – believed that “He esteems them all equally.” The word “esteem” among other things, means to not only respect AND admire, it also means to favor, prize and even treasure. This has NEVER been the case in Mormonism – and I am talking about from Joseph Smith until last week when this was posted. How can I say this? The Book of Mormon – which existed before Brigham Young or anyone else was EVER a Mormon plainly teaches that skin color is an indictor of an individual's stance and favor with God. Ironically, this article actually references the BOM text to support this claim, saying: As the Book of Mormon puts it, “all are alike unto God.” (right)

The article goes on: “The structure and organization of the Church encourage racial integration. Latter-day Saints attend Church services according to the geographical boundaries of their local ward, or congregation. By definition, this means that the racial, economic, and demographic composition of Mormon congregations generally mirrors that of the wider local community. The Church’s lay ministry also tends to facilitate integration: a black bishop may preside over a mostly white congregation; a Hispanic woman may be paired with an Asian woman to visit the homes of a racially diverse membership. Church members of different races and ethnicities regularly minister in one another’s homes and serve alongside one another as teachers, as youth leaders, and in myriad other assignments in their local congregations. Such practices make The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a thoroughly integrated faith.”

Historical Context and Modern Reality

Okay. Like all things LDS, the words sound true, really nice and beautiful, in fact, but the line: “Such practices make The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a thoroughly integrated faith,” is truly misleading. How could Mormonism be a “thoroughly integrated faith” if their main and most heralded book of Scripture still promotes the notion that worthiness is tied to skin tone? The article continues: Despite this modern reality, for much of its history—from the mid-1800s until 1978—the Church did not ordain men of black African descent to its priesthood or allow black men or women to participate in temple endowment or sealing ordinances. Thanks for admitting that obvious fact.

The Church was established in 1830, during an era of great racial division in the United States. At the time, many people of African descent lived in slavery, and racial distinctions and prejudice were not just common but customary among white Americans. Those realities, though unfamiliar and disturbing today, influenced all aspects of people’s lives, including their religion.

Okay, I gotta stop. I freaking HATE corporate rhetoric like this! What the hell do they mean when they actually write: “Those realities, though unfamiliar . . . today,” Racial distinctions and prejudice is unfamiliar today? My Lord, speak the truth. Prejudice is alive and well in the nation and to act like those higher-ups aren’t full of it is simple deception. Blacks are prejudice, whites are prejudice, and your Book of Mormon continues to be prejudice – so does you Pearl of Great price for that matter.

Comparisons with Other Churches

Then in the next paragraph the Mormon hierarch applies one of their favorite tricks – lumping Christian church practices into their own failures, saying “Many Christian churches of that era, for instance, were segregated along racial lines.” For starters, truth and Godly practices are NOT determine by the methods of individual Christian churches. Truth is determined by His Word. Period.

Historical Context of Racial Policies in Mormonism

For you to appeal to the idiocy of some supposed Christian pastors is unfair and is like trying to make two wrongs into a right. Secondly, how you can compare what Mormonism has done (which says it is God’s only true church on earth) to what some Christian churches have done (which you say are not His church) is the height of audacity. Expected, but still audacious.

Then the article repeats a line it loves to repeat, saying, "From the beginnings of the Church, people of every race and ethnicity could be baptized and received as members. Toward the end of his life, Church founder Joseph Smith openly opposed slavery. There has never been a Church-wide policy of segregated congregations. During the first two decades of the Church’s existence, a few black men were ordained to the priesthood. One of these men, Elijah Abel, also participated in temple ceremonies in Kirtland, Ohio, and was later baptized as proxy for deceased relatives in Nauvoo, Illinois. There is no evidence that any black men were denied the priesthood during Joseph Smith’s lifetime."

Interpreted? Joseph Smith – founder of Mormonism – was good and reliable. Because most of the doctrine of Mormonism relates back to him it seems the LDS church is taking the approach that Smith was truly inspired, but later men who were less inspired, messed things up.

Shifts in Church Leadership and Policy

Let’s read on: "In 1852, President Brigham Young publicly announced that men of black African descent could no longer be ordained to the priesthood, though thereafter blacks continued to join the Church through baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. Following the death of Brigham Young, subsequent Church presidents restricted blacks from receiving the temple endowment or being married in the temple."

Okay stop again. This is really important. Mormonism has ALWAYS claimed that it’s members could trust their prophets. That God would NEVER let them lead the people astray. Never. This has been the way they have maintained such ardent devotion of the members. But here, in what makes this article so bloody significant – I mean really, really important, is that modern LDS leaders are putting the blame of the LDS priesthood ban on . . . “President Brigham Young and subsequent Church presidents.”

Let me read what they said again: "In 1852, President Brigham Young publicly announced that men of black African descent could no longer be ordained to the priesthood, though thereafter blacks continued to join the Church through baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. Following the death of Brigham Young, subsequent Church presidents restricted blacks from receiving the temple endowment or being married in the temple."

Notice that they do not call Young (or the subsequent church presidents), “The Prophet Brigham Young, or say, “subsequent church Prophets – but they call them presidents. I suppose they are trying to get people to believe that as a church president they are capable of racial prejudice but never as prophets.

I suppose they are trying to get people to believe that as a church president they are capable of racial prejudice but never as prophets. Let me point out here that so far what we are really dealing with here is:

• A Church that claims to be God’s only true church on the face of the earth (because it has His priesthood).
• A church that claims it’s leaders can never lead people astray.
• A church whose prophet’s have perpetuated (for 128 years) the absolutely non-biblical, non-Christian act of racial discrimination against black people by keeping their priesthood from them, and finally,
• A church that now retroactively places the blame of their highest leaders saying the most ludicrous things about skin tone on “culture” – even though their prophets and apostles (who are supposed to have God’s ear) kept the ban alive while most other non-religious, thinking people turned from it decades before.

Reflections on Church Doctrine and Leadership

Then they include a paragraph that we can appreciate, applaud, and one that, all by itself, is honest. It says: "Over time, Church leaders and members advanced many theories to explain the priesthood and temple restrictions. None of these explanations is accepted today as the official doctrine of the Church."

For them to say, Church leaders and members advanced many theories to explain the priesthood and temple restrictions is good. They could have been a little more repentant by saying: "Over time, church prophets and apostles (like Mark E Peterson, Bruce McConkie, John Taylor, David O McKay, Joseph Fielding Smith, LeGrand Richards, N Eldon Tanner) have advanced ideas that have been taken as doctrine by our members. None of these is accepted today as official doctrine of the church."

What have these Prophets and Apost

Teachings on Race and the Priesthood in LDS Doctrine

“When all the other children of Adam have had the privilege of receiving the priesthood and of coming into the Kingdom of God and of being redeemed from the four quarters of the earth, and have received their resurrection from the dead, then it will be time enough to remove the curse from Cain and his posterity.” (LDS Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 2, pp. 142-143 “Cain slew his brother…. and the Lord put a mark upon him, which is the flat nose and black skin. “ (LDS Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 7, pp. 290-291)

Historical Context and Doctrinal Statements

“And after the flood we are told that the curse that had been pronounced upon Cain was continued through Ham’s wife, as he had married a wife of that seed. And why did it pass through the flood? Because it was necessary that the devil should have a representation upon the earth as well as God.” (LDS Prophet John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, v. 22, p. 304) “The Negro is an unfortunate man. He has been given a black skin. But that is as nothing compared with that greater handicap that he is not permitted to receive the Priesthood and the ordinances of the temple, necessary to prepare men and women to enter into and enjoy a fullness of glory in the celestial kingdom.” LDS Apostle George F. Richards, Conference Report, April 1939, p. 58 “Not only was Cain called to suffer, but because of his wickedness he became the father of an inferior race. A curse was placed upon him and that curse has been continued through his lineage and must do so while time endures…. they have been made to feel their inferiority and have been separated from the rest of mankind from the beginning.” (LDS Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, The Way to Perfection, p. 101, 1935)

Interpretations and Beliefs

“It is true that the negro race is barred from holding the Priesthood, and this has always been the case. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught this doctrine, and it was made known to him, although we know of no such statement in any revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants, Book of Mormon, or the Bible.” (LDS Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, The Improvement Era, v. 27, n. 6, p. 565) “There were no neutrals in the war in heaven. All took sides either with Christ or with Satan. Every man had his agency there, and men receive rewards here based upon their actions there, just as they will receive rewards hereafter for deeds done in the body. The Negro, evidently, is receiving the reward he merits.” (LDS Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, pp. 65-66) “There is a reason why one man is born black and with other disadvantages, while another is born white with great advantages. The reason is that we once had an estate before we come here, and were obedient, more or less, to the laws that were given us there. Those who were faithful in all things there received greater blessings here, and those who were not faithful received less.” (Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, p. 61)

“Negroes in this life are denied the priesthood; under no circumstances can they hold this delegation of authority from the Almighty. The gospel message of salvation is not carried affirmatively to them…. Negroes are not equal with other races where the receipt of certain spiritual blessings are concerned…” (LDS Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 477, 1958) “When he told Enoch not to preach the gospel to the descendants of Cain who were black, the Lord engaged in segregation.” (LDS Apostle Mark E. Peterson, “Race Problems – As They Effect the Church,” Address given at the Convention of Teachers of Religion on the College Level, delivered at BYU, August 27, 1954)

“Is there reason then why the type of birth we receive in this life is not a reflection of our worthiness or lack of it in the pre-existent life? … can we account in any other way for the birth of some of the children of God in darkest Africa, or in flood-ridden China, or among the starving hordes of India, while some of the rest of us are born here in the United States? We cannot escape the conclusion that because of performance in our pre-existence some of us are born as Chinese, some as Japanese, some as Latter-day Saints. There are rewards

The Doctrine on Priesthood and Race

and punishments, fully in harmony with His established policy in dealing with sinners and saints, rewarding all according to their deeds…. “The Church has no intention of changing its doctrine on the Negro. Throughout the history of the original Christian church, the Negro never held the priesthood. There’s really nothing we can do to change this. It’s a law of God.’”

Leadership Beliefs and Doctrines

You know what this is ALLLL about? A religion full of men in leadership who have believed they have had the right to step outside of what the Bible teaches and getting people to follow them. This practice started with Joseph Smith and continues on to this very day. The LDS church has NOT come clean, and to quote a friend, they can’t make up for years of doctrinal myths with a press release. Let’s open up the phones:

Feedback and Queries

JUSTIN SNYDER WRITES:

“Your ministry is false. When are you going to realize that?”

JONATHAN SAWYER WRITES:

“Come back to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is room for you at the table. The Lord has a mighty work for you within His Church.”

LUKE F WRITES:

Hey I'm a young, dumb, christian aspiring to be a strong defender of the faith. I "debate" Mormons regularly and currently through facebook and other means, to Mormon's in my life awhile ago… I was wondering what books/books of the Bible/Mormon literature, do you suggest I read to further my studies…. As well wheres a good place to go, when a Mormon tells me that I will know truth through good feelings… Is there an episode you can point to??

OWL WRITES

*Greetings Shawn, * *You should always refer back to Jeremiah chapter 10 before you slip back to the Christmas spirit and heathen destruction……