Heart of the Matter Update

Upcoming Event: Seventh Annual Burning Heart

“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. We did away with shout outs long ago but I have to say hello to River, a great kid with a great future!

Okay, listen up very closely, because we want this to be a great event for the State of Utah – for the Christians in the state of Utah – and hopefully this is you. For the past six years we have gathered in a local park in September as believers. Many of you have attended this “once a year event,” but this year we really want it to pack a spiritual punch. Obviously, we are not depending on the arm of the flesh to make it well attended, but we are making the event known in this last month.

On Saturday, September 1st at the Murray Park Amphitheater we will throw open the doors to our SEVENTH ANNUAL BURNING HEART Event. All the standard things will be there but much more. What am I talking about?

First, there will be food – Subway boxed lunches which are excellent – but you can bring your own too. There will be treat booths. There will be product booths, including a booth with:

• Sandra Tanner
• Doris Hansen
• Bishop Earl
• Lifeway Christian Bookstore

And many more – all are invited. We will have a dunk tank where you can throw projectiles in hopes of sinking your favorite pastor. Then, in a new direction, we are holding a battle for the Best Worship Band in Utah – which every entry presenting their best performance over a five minute period, a vote by a panel of qualified judges, and a prize which includes the bragging rights of being called, “The Best Worship Band in Utah for the year.”

Then we will hold an open, never-denominational communion service where we hope your pastors will show up to provide it to the audience. And after this and prayer, we will retire to either the river or a pool and do open water baptisms –and pastors are invited to do baptisms for people who have asked them. All of this . . . Saturday, September FIRST Murray Park Amphitheater from 3 to 9PM. Tell your pastor, tell your worship team, and bring a friend.

Weekly Gatherings

FOUR QUICK NOTES OF “IMPORTANTE INFORMACION:”

1. Every Sunday (Lord willing) we meet at the University of Utah – once at 10 am and once at 2:30PM. 10 am we call Milk and we’re going verse by verseTGNN’s Bible teaching series—book-by-book, through the lens of fulfillment and spiritual liberty. through Matthew . . . And 2:30 PM we call MEAT and are going verse by verse through Romans. All are welcome. Go to www.c-a-m-p-u-s.com for more information.

2. Also on Sundays, AM 820 replays Heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology. every Sunday from 1 to 2. AM 820 is a great radio station here in Utah.

3. Friday Nights at 8pm right here on TV20 tune in as Bishop Earl interviews people who were once LDS and are now born-again Christians. The name of the show? The Ex-Files. Want to be interviewed. Email Bishop Earl at www.exmormonfiles.tv

4. We are in the last month of our Summer Sales Spectacular. Five – that’s right five – Altahea Products for fifty percent off the normal retail price! (SHOW PRODUCTS) CD DVD Books. By ordering today you will also receive a BONUS product for any purchase large or small up – your very own lap-top sticker Joseph’s Myth. Come join the Summer Sales Spectacular and save by going to . . . www.hotm.tv

I’m sure some of you witnessed this segment of an interview with Barbara Walters interviewing an LDS leader, but you have to listen to this – it is truly insidious.

(RUN INTERVIEW)

Comments:

RUN BARBARA WALTER SEGMENT HERE PLEASE

The following is perhaps one of the most important insights I have ever had in

Understanding Christian Love

my Christian walk. I pray it help you in your walk and contentions for the faith.

1st Corinthians 13 defines real love as . . .

Longsuffering Kind doesn’t envy or vaunt itself is not puffed up, doesn’t behave badly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity (but in the truth) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, and never fails?

The Conundrum of Loving and Contending

Have you ever had people pull the “love card” on you, calling you unloving because you contend for the faith with them? Have you ever wondered how to understand this description with the fact that Jesus and John the Baptist, and Paul and Peter, referred to some people as “vipers, children of the Devil, liars and hypocrites?” How does a Christian “earnestly contend for the faith” when the Bible also says the fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, joy, etc?

In light of all the accusations I have received over the years of being unloving I have had a personal ongoing, arduous, ideological battle trying to understand this conundrum. Especially in my work against Mormonism. So let me present what I believe is a sound biblical understanding of one of the most abused four letter words in the English language – (beat) . . . LOVE.

Biblical Applications of Love

The first premise on Christian love is the absolute obligation for believers to love (as 1st Corinthians 13 describes) other believers. Remember, this chapter on love was written to believers – not to the world at large. So the mandate to love (applying all of Paul’s descriptions of agape loveSelfless love marked by patience, mercy, and humility—central to living in spiritual liberty.) is a “Christian duty” between brothers and sisters in the Lord. Listen, the only way that the demands of 1st Corinthians 13 can work is within the confined of those who too accept and understand them and are at least willing to recognize them as the rules of engagement for members of the body.

The second application is the command for Christians to love neighbor as self. And who is our neighbor? Anyone in need – as depicted in the Lord’s tale of the Good Samaritan. Here is where Christian love ought to extend out to the wanting and needy community – whether someone is a believer or not. But the 1st Corinthian description of love is not entirely applicable here. There are times, in working with the suffering world of unbelievers that the longsuffering described in 1st Corinthians 13 would be ineffective, and when “thinking no evil” would be irresponsible.

The third application of love is loving our enemies, as the Lord demands in Matthew 5:44:

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

Notice how the Lord describes the enemies. They are our personal enemies – people who attack and hate us personally. The command is to love them, to turn the other cheek, reward evil with good etc.

Contending with Enemies of Truth

But this leads up to the fourth Application of Love, which helps us understand the harshness of the Lord and others toward enemies of the cross and of truth. This fourth application is how believers extend love to a world antagonistic toward truth, to principalities of darkness, and those who seek to denounce Christ or to present a counterfeit gospel. We notice that Jesus extended love to those who were his, He loved and served neighbor, he loved His enemies, but when it came to enemies of the truth, he administered love through a method not included in 1st Corinthians 13!

Listen now – with these types the most loving thing we can do is to ‘earnestly contend for the faith.’ Not roll over. Not in the face of their lies to “bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, or endure all things,” as 1st Corinthians 13 points out. Those attributes are to exist between believers in the body of Christ, not with non-believers seeking to promote a false gospel!

The MOST loving thing believers can do in the face of false prophets or in the claims of another gospel is to say or do whatever is legally necessary to open these deceivers up to their strong delusions.

Only when we realize how real love is biblically applied are we able to understand chapters like 1st Corinthians 13 and the fact that Jesus called Pharisees and scribes, “vipers, hypocrites, children of the devil, and liars headed for hell.”

FIRST APPLICATION: “Believers must love other believers according to directives of 1st Corinthians

Christian Teachings on Love

Applications of Love

13!

SECOND APPLICATION
“Believers are to love their neighbor as themselves.”

THIRD APPLICATION
“Believers are to love their enemies”

FOURTH APPLICATION
Loving enemies of Truth

And with that, how about a Moment from the Word?

We left off last week in John 10 with a discussion about God (upper case G) and gods (lower case g). Tonight we arrive at chapter 11 and at a tremendous story of salvation. I would love to read the entire story – it bears repeating, but because of time will merely paraphrase.

The Story of Lazarus

Chapter 11 of John begins with:

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. The story goes on to say that Mary and Martha sent for Jesus with word of their brother’s sickness. But when the Lord heard of Lazarus’ plight, he waited two days before even starting back for Judea. Finally, while on the way back, Jesus informed His disciples that Lazarus was dead. By the time the Lord arrived Lazarus had laid in the tomb four days – proving he was totally dead according to Jewish law. At their arrival Martha came to Jesus and said, in effect, that “if the Lord gotten there earlier her brother would not have died.”

“Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

And, as most of you are aware, Jesus went to the tomb, told them to remove the stone and they balked at this, saying that by this time, “he stinketh.” He told them to do it anyway.

And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Now many people believe this is a story to show the power of Christ to raise the dead – that it is a picture of the resurrection. Maybe so. But I would suggest that this act also pointed at something else.

Like Lazarus, every human being is dead in sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. – living so long among the dead that we too, “stinketh.”

Reflections on Resurrection

Latter-day Saints believe that in order to be raised to new life, there are all sorts of things required – baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, paying tithes, obeying a phony Sabbath day, going to the temple to receive special rites, etc – but ask yourselves, what did Lazarus do to merit being raised stinking deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. to life?

Nothing. He just laid there. There was no repentance. There was no worthiness required. He was dead.

But Jesus came brought him forth to new life . . . by His very word.

This story may have been a picture of resurrection – but Lazarus would later die and only then would his resurrection come. No, I would strongly suggest that this was a picture of Jesus calling all men to new regenerated life in and through Him and His power – and by His works, not ours.

And with that, let’s have a Word of Prayer.

PRAYER

PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER

Every now and again people write and want to know my opinion of Joseph Smith’s motives? Was he demon possessed? Do you think he started out well meaning but then got caught up in power, women, and money?

I’m not certain anyone can really explain the motives of Joseph Smith’s heart but I would suggest the following:

First, he was brought up and taught biblical principles in a religiously charged environment.

Second, he believed from his grandfather and father that the true church needed to be restored to the earth.

Third, he was a con man from a very young age, largely because of his father’s influence, and so he had ambitions (and the keen ability) to trick and manipulate people (and situations) from a very young age.

I am of the opinion that prior to people trusting his every imagination, he created a book that was essentially Christian in its teachings and tenets (because this is what Joseph knew at the time AND because he borrowed generously from the text of the Bible).

As a result, there are only a handful of passages in the Book of Mormon

Mormonism and the Book of Mormon: Conflicting Doctrines

Few people realize that Joseph’s Book of Mormon actually opposes (and even contradicts) many LDS teachings and doctrines today. So tonight, we are going to go through the book and point out some of these things, namely:

• That, in terms of doctrine, the Book of Mormon was primarily a product that reflects 19th-century Christianity,
• That the Book of Mormon teaches doctrine that is counter to current LDS teachings today.

So let’s use passages from the Onion to prove these points true. Now, remember, Joseph created a book that would reflect 19th Century Christianity but it DOES NOT reflect Mormon doctrine today.

Concept of God

Mormonism today teaches that God was once a man. Mormon Founder Joseph Smith said: “We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see.” (Gospel Principles 1997, page 345-346) But the BOM teaches the Christian doctrine that:

“God knoweth all things, from everlasting to everlasting.” Moroni 7:22

“God is unchangeable from Eternity to Eternity.” Moroni 8:18

“God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in Him there is no variableness.” Mormon 9:9

“I am the Lord, I change not.” 3rd Nephi 24:6

Mormon leaders and manuals have taught directly and repeatedly that Jesus was not conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit but by the Father who is in a body of flesh and bones. LDS Apostle Bruce McConkie said: “Jesus was begotten by His Father as literally as he was conceived by his mother.” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary 1:144) But the Book of Mormon teaches the biblical position which says:

“Mary . . . shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost.” Alma 7:10

In one of Joseph Smith’s later “revelations,” he says in Doctrine and Covenants 130:3 that the idea of the father and son dwelling in a man’s heart is an “old sectarian notion.”

(But Alma 34:36 teaches) “The Lord hath said He dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth He dwell.” Alma 34:36

Doctrine of Plurality of Gods

Mormonism teaches there are many Gods with a capital G. LDS Apostle Boyd K. Packer said: “Anyone who believes and teaches of God the Father, and accepts the divinity of Christ and of the Holy Ghost, teaches a plurality of Gods.” (Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled, page 291) But in a BOM dialogue, the Christian doctrine completely refutes Packer, saying:

“Is there more than one God? And he answered, no.” Alma 11:28-29

“the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the father, and the Father in me.” 3rd Nephi 11:27,36

“the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God.” Mormon 7:7

“Christ the Son, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God.” Alma 11:44

Mormons today would never pray to Jesus. But listen to Joseph’s work of fiction aimed at becoming a new Christian Bible! “And behold, they began to pray; and they did pray unto Jesus, calling Him their Lord and their God.” 3rd Nephi 19:18

Mormon’s today often make fun of the Christian idea of worshipping and glorifying God forever; often causing them to sarcastically ask things like, “What do you Christians think we’re going to do after this life? Sit on clouds playing harps for an eternity?” But listen to the Christian-sounding idea Joseph put in his BOM:

“The self-same end hath He (God) created them (man) that they should glorify Him forever.”

Latter-day Saints and the Concept of Hell

Jacob 2:21

Latter-day Saints reject the idea of hell, even to the point of the moron on Barbara Walters telling the world that everyone is going to heaven. LDS 10th President Joseph Fielding Smith said: “We do not believe that hell is a place where the wicked are being burned forever.” (Answers to Gospel Questions 2:208) Apostle John A. Widstoe wrote: “In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, there is no hell.” (Joseph Smith, Seeker after Truth, page 178)

But the BOM clearly teaches the Christian doctrine of the place, saying: “If the church is built upon the works of men . . . they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return.” 3rd Nephi 27:11

Teachings from the Book of Mormon

In classic Christian speech, 2nd Nephi 33:6 says “Jesus, for He hath redeemed my soul from hell.” And 2nd Nephi 1:19 reads: “God . . . delivered His Saints from hell.” “to endless misery to inherit the kingdom of the devil . . .” Alma 41:4 “into hell that hath no end.” 1st Nephi 14:3 “O the greatness of the mercy of God, the Holy one of Israel! For He hath delivered his Saints from that awful monster the devil . . . and that lake of fire and brimstone and endless torment.” 2nd Nephi 9:19 “endless torment” Jacob 6:8-10

(This rhetoric is straight out of the Christian mouths of 19th century revivals! Listen to these passages from the BOM and tell me, do they sound like modern Mormonism or Christianity?)

“And now my belove brethren . . . can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts, setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world . . . these are they who shall be hewn down and cast into the fire!” Alma 5:53 & 56

“She stood upon her feet, and cried with a loud voice: O blessed Jesus, who has saved me from an awful hell! O blessed God, have mercy on this people!” Alma 19:29

Chance for Redemption After Life?

Mormonism today teaches a lie that people will have a chance to hear the Mormon Gospel after this life. In the 2004 manual of the Mormon church, page 52 it reads: “In the spirit world the gospel is preached to those who did not obey the gospel or have the opportunity to hear it while on earth.” But in the BOM, speaking of all who die, 2nd Nephi 9:16 says: “they who are righteous shall be righteous still, they who are filthy be filthy still.” 2nd Nephi 9:16 Alma 12:27 plainly states the biblical stance that there is a time . . . “appointed to men that they must die; and after death, must come judgment.” Alma 12:27

Depravity of Man

Alma 36:5 “Not of any worthiness of myself . . .” “If I had not been born of God I should not have known these things; but God has . . . made these things known unto me, not of any worthiness of myself.” Alma 36:5

Mormonism today teaches that Adam’s disobedience was a good thing, a must, a praiseworthy disobedience of God’s commandment. LDS President Joseph Fielding Smith as quoted in the LDS magazine the Ensign In 2006 said: “So don’t let us, brethren and sisters, complain about Adam and wish he hadn’t done something that he did. I want to thank him.” (Ensign 2006 page 53)

But the BOM teaches the biblical truth, making it clear that God does not give any commandments unless he wants them kept. “The Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which He commandeth them.” 1st Nephi 3:7

Exaltation of Man

Mormonism today, because of Joseph Smith’s later ideas, preaches the exaltation of man. LDS Prophet Lorenzo Snow said: “I cannot imagine anything that is so vastly important as to work for and obtain ones own individual exaltation and glory.” Conference Report April 6th 1898 page 12)

But when the BOM came out, it, like modern biblical Christianity, placed all the focus of glory on the Lord, saying things like: “the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” 2nd Nephi 12:11

Mormons teach that we are not to worship the Son. I vividly remember Apostle Bruce McConkie teaching from the pulpit at the Marriott Center on the campus of BYU: “We worship the Father and him only and no one else. We do not worship the Son and we do not worship the Holy Ghost.” But again, the Book of Mormon presents the Christian view,

Worship and Belief in Mormonism

“they did fall down at the feet of Jesus and worship Him.” 3rd Nephi 11:17

Speaking of Jesus, 2nd Nephi 25:29 says: “ . . . wherefore ye must bow down before Him and worship Him with your whole soul.”

And of course Mormonism justified polygamy here on earth to the point that Mormon Prophet Brigham Young said: “The ONLY men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy.” (JOD 11:269)

But the BOM renounces it, having the supposed Book of Mormon prophet Jacob saying: “Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable, saith the Lord.” (Jacob 2:24)

And yet, Mormonism today CONTINUES to justify the practice in heaven – even today . . .

Upcoming Topic on Soteriology

Next week we are going to show how the Book of Mormonion teaches biblical soteriology while Mormonism today teaches anything but.

Hey !!!!

Let’s open up the phone lines!

(801) 973-8820
(801) 973-TV20

Love LDS callers. First time callers. Callers who are in control of their faculties. While the operators are clearing your calls, let me take a minute and invite you to partners with us.

Support and Interaction

How? Pray for us. Share the program and ministry with others through all your favorite social media outlets, and if in a position AND led of the Lord, prayerfully consider to support the ministry financially. This does not include people on limited fixed incomes, widows, struggling families but those who are 1, in a position and, 2, are lead of the Lord.

Got a email that really made me laugh the other day. Came from Fred and said:

I can still see that you a chicken to answer the emails that I have sent you. Unless you are in front of the camera cutting down the LDS church with that big camera and that little stage crew and a few viewers what maybe 10-15 watching during the week that you will not say nothing. You feeling like a big man on that stage putting down people. I feel sorry your family. You are a real coward every week. You cannot find one kind thing to say about anyone in the church. All you do is put them down. Honestly how can you live with yourself. Jesus says to love and forgive everyone. All you can do is find fault with all. Do you treat family members like that? Do you live your life with friends and neighboors like that. Do you treat people you come in contact like that. Honestly is that how you treat people when you preach to them in church. I can not find anything that is good in you. Even though I have only watched a couple of shows for part time you seem so rude and mean that how honestly do you serve anyone near to you. Even your dress and look is gross. Every week you look sloppy. Some weeks you look like you came from HOBO city. Something that they found in the dumpster. You look like you are having a mid-life crisis and that you want to resort to your teen years of around 12-13. Why you don't take a bath or change your clothes or cut your hair. Can’t you decide if you’re a boy or gay. Are you a man or a girl in boy's clothes. Honestly if you are a preacher you should dress more like one. Be a little more predictable. Some weeks you make people barf. Why would other ministers from other churches want you to visit them on a road trip you are taking when you look the way you do. Think about it. Words and actions speak a lot for what people think of you.

In response to this (and many more attacks like it) let me say this:

Remember September 1st Murray Park Amphitheater, Burning Heart 2012 Featuring : Best Worship Band in Utah 2012 contest Lots of food, products for sale, dunk tanks, inflatables for kids AND . . . we’ll wrap things up with an . . .

Open Non-denominational state-wide communion followed by Open water Baptisms (while it’s still light)! Saturday, Sept 1st Murray Park Amphitheater 3-9 pm. Join us and bring a friend. FREE bumper sticker to the first 500 guests!

And we’ll see you next week, here, on Heart of the Matter.