Shawn McCraney critiques Mormonism's practice of elevating Joseph Smith above Christ, arguing that this contradicts Christian principles, exemplified by an observation at an LDS service where Smith's name was frequently mentioned while Christ's was not. He invites individuals seeking biblical understanding to join CAMPU*S meetings for comprehensive verse-by-verse scripture study while offering resources like UTLM.org for reliable information on Mormonism.
Shawn critiques Mormonism by emphasizing its divergence from traditional Christian teachings, particularly focusing on its roots in the teachings of Joseph Smith, which he argues fostered a culture of violence and exclusivity rather than embracing Christ’s message of forgiveness and peace. He suggests that leaders like Brigham Young perpetuated this divergence, maintaining the movement's emphasis on old testament retribution and the controversial concept of blood atonement, thereby cultivating a Mormon culture he deems antithetical to the teachings of Christianity.
The teaching by Shawn highlights that Brigham Young added an "Oath of Vengeance" to Joseph Smith's temple ceremony, urging adherents to pray for the avenging of prophets' blood on the nation and to pass this covenant through generations. This practice, coupled with Young's reinforcement of the blood atonement doctrine, encouraged members to carry out acts of violence under the guise of religious duty, significantly deviating from Christian teachings of forgiveness and placing spiritual power in the hands of men instead of relying on the redemptive blood of Jesus.
Shawn highlights the historical and ongoing influence of violent roots within Mormonism, contrasting it with the teachings of Jesus who never encouraged violence for atonement. He suggests that although such violent tendencies are currently dormant, they persist within the culture and could resurface if Mormonism gains enough societal control.
- Heart of the Matter: Where Mormonism Meets Christianity Face to Face
Heart of the Matter: Where Mormonism Meets Christianity Face to Face
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.. I’m Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion., your host. If you have family, friends, or enemies that should or would like to watch the show but don’t receive it, have them go to www.hotm.tv where they can watch “Heart” from anywhere in the world through streaming video!
Hey, Heart of the Matter can also be heard tonight – right now, in fact, on KUTR AM 820 – “The Truth.” This is a new AM radio station here in Utah and let me tell you, they deliver the goods: 50000 watts of transmission power, tremendous programming where you actually hear the Word! And now they air Heart of the Matter every Wednesday Night from 8 to 9 pm! KUTR AM 820 – The Truth.
Join us as we welcome fall into our lives by coming to Sugarhouse Park on Saturday, September 20th from 3-9 pm for BURNING HEART 08 “The Day of Decision.” It will be a time to eat popcorn, subway food, and snowcones at a deep discount. To listen to some awesome live music. To meet and greet with people from all over the state! To hear a brief message and to even be baptized in a heated pool to publicly display your faith in the Lord. Invite your neighbors and family members. Bring a blanket, your own food if you want, and a desire to hear truth.
Saturday, September 20th
Sugarhouse Park
From 3 to 9 pm
Burning Heart 08
“The Day of Decision”
Seeking Truth in the Word
Let me remind any and all of you that if you are searching for information and truth, go to UTLM.org. Now we often have people come and say that there are a lot of other websites that have detailed information on them regarding Mormonism. This is true. But UTLM.org has been around a long time. They are reliable. They are fair. And they use references from Mormonism itself.
If you are looking for a place to learn the Word verse by verseTGNN’s Bible teaching series—book-by-book, through the lens of fulfillment and spiritual liberty. from beginning to end, come join us every Sunday at the University of Utah. Directions are available at www.lordsword.org. We are no longer gathering at the theaters in downtown Salt Lake but have moved both meetings to the University of Utah. The first meeting is from 9:15 to 10:15 am, the second is from 7 to 8 pm.
Christian Assemblies Meeting to Understand Scripture
As a result of the move, and because of our focus on the Word, we are calling these meetings: Christian Assemblies Meeting (to) Prayerfully Understand Scripture – or CAMPU*S. Beginning September 21st – a Sunday – we will be holding CAMPUS services at Utah State, Weber State, and the University of Utah. All are welcome. If you have a church you attend, keep going, and use us as a resource. If you don’t have a church you attend, come use us as your church until you choose to move on. We are here to teach the Word of God – beginning to end – verse by verse – in order to equip people with knowledge of our Lord.
Last week, a great friend who came to know the Lord and came out of Mormonism attended an LDS service for the first time in years. She told me that her intention was to really listen to what was said and who was being talked about. It was a testimony meeting which took place on the east bench of Salt Lake City. She is a God-fearing Christian woman where speaking truth is very important. She told me that she was blown away at the number of times Joseph Smith’s name was used in the testimonies of others (nine, was her count) verse Jesus, Jesus Christ, Savior, etc) which was NONE with the exception of closing in His name. She walked out absolutely mortified.
Now I, personally, have no problem AT ALL with a church or group teaching whatever they want – but DON’T CALL YOURSELF Christian. If Mormonism willingly accepts praise and glory to be heaped upon a man, that is their right. God Himself hasn’t put a stop to it. But by golly don’t you dare try to include yourself in the Body of Christ, where men are nothing, and God is all.
1847, when John D Lee was in a highly favored position as a Latter-day Saint, he wrote in his journal that Brigham Young taught:
“Joseph (Smith) will stand at the head of this Church and will be their president, prophet, and GOD to the people of.
Examination of Mormon Teachings
This dispensation.”
Twenty-two years later, Wilford Woodruff, in 1869, wrote in his journal that Brigham Young said:
“Some have thought it strange what I have said concerning Adam. But the period will come when this people of (or if) faithful will be willing to adopt Joseph Smith as their Prophet, Seer, Revelatior, and GOD . . . but not the father of their spirits for that was Father Adam.”
From roots like this, from this early tree called Mormonism, it is no wonder that Mormonism continues to unabashedly, even blasphemously, praise His name, disseminate images of him throughout the world, tearfully sing hymns about his life, and speak more frequently and passionately about his person than the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Shame on every single one of you.
And with this, let’s have a prayer.
Historical Context
PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER
PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER
We have been speaking for the past number of weeks about some of the fruits of Mormonism. Where the Church today tends to ardently portray itself as a bastion of wholesome living and good ideals, I would suggest that Mormonism – even today – continues to bear fruit antithetical to God’s will and ways. All of it somehow is tied to the teachings of their founding prophet Joseph Smith.
Two weeks ago, we discussed the fruit of “deception” Joseph Smith brought to the lives of good people seeking to please God. Last week, we talked about the fruit of “revelation without scriptural substantiation” or how Joseph got people to relying on their untrustworthy feelings to know or discern truth. Tonight, we are going to get a little more hands on.
Old Testament Influence
If you study Mormonism long enough, you begin to see a very strong “Old Testament” feel to it. In Exodus 21:24, Moses recorded God as saying:
“Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
This was the law. Whether this is acted out in the LDS Church today or not, there remains – in the heart of most faithful believers as a result of doctrine – a semblance of this teaching. And sometime the semblance rises up from beneath the white shirts and knee-length dresses, and takes form.
Unlike the Gospel found in the New Testament, Joseph Smith taught that there are some sins that are “beyond the reach of the atoning blood of Christ.” And for these sins to even have a chance to be forgiven, the sinner would have to “have their own blood shed to atone.”
Cultural Implications
Aside from all sorts of theological implications, this single teaching became the seed for some unconscionable acts and attitudes within Mormonism past . . . and present. In 2001, Historian D. Michael Quinn labeled the collective result of this teaching which grew like a monster after the deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. of Joseph Smith, as a “culture of violence.” I would suggest the culture remains today. Where Joseph began as a teen who said he saw heavenly beings who delivered gold plates and such, he sort-of snowballed over time into somewhat of a power-hungry despot.
In 1845, after Joseph Smith’s death, LDS apostles issued a proclamation to “The rulers and People of All Nations.” Which said, in part, that . . .
“the kingdom of GodGod’s spiritual reign—fulfilled and present, not political or future. has come . . . even that kingdom which shall fill the whole earth and shall stand forever.”
This proclamation served as nothing less than a “warning to the world” that Mormonism was going to someday take control and the world had better join them. Apostle Parley P. Pratt invited all the world leaders to join them, and to “reduce all nations and creeds to one political and religious standard, and thus put an end to Babel forms and names, and to strife and war.” He added that if the leaders of the world did not “ . . .take a lively interest with the Saints of the Most High, and the covenant people of the Lord,” that they would become (the Latter-day Saints) most inveterate enemy.”
Statements like these, coupled with Joseph Smith’s teachings on blood atonement served as dry kindling for a people who understood “eye for a eye,” but never embraced, “turn the other cheek.”
Along comes Brigham Young – whom the LDS venerate as a prophet, seer, and revelator, whom they have named their University after. He takes the kindling, wraps it up, douses it with lamp oil, and stands at the LDS pulpit with teachings (and actions) that stand in DIRECT opposition to Jesus. Brigham would at ALL COSTS sought to build a modern theocracy, and used Joseph’s teachings on “blood atonement” (or what later became known as “holy
The Doctrine of Blood Atonement and the Oath of Vengeance
Murder to control, manipulate, and take the life of anyone who threatened his vision. Quinn wrote this great basin attitude “encouraged Mormon’s to consider it their religious right to kill antagonistic outsiders, common criminals, LDS apostates, and even faithful Mormons who committed sins worthy of death.” However, Young did not rely solely upon the doctrine of blood atonement to control the masses – he actually added a teaching of his own – and called it “The Oath of Vengeance.” After Joseph Smith was killed, Brigham Young added an oath to Joseph’s temple ceremony (which was supposed to have been given to him by God) on the first anniversary of Joseph’s death.
The Temple Ceremony and Its Implications
And what was this added covenant about? Temple attendees would swear to the following: “You and each of you do covenant and promise that you will pray, and never cease to pray Almighty God to avenge the blood of the prophets UPON THIS NATION, and that you will teach the same to your children, and your children’s children – unto the third and fourth generation.” Then everyone who went inside and heard this would swear to obey it. Sound like Jesus? Christianity? As a means to reinforce the severity of this oath, Brigham Young said: “There is not a man or woman, who violates the covenants made with their God, that will not be required to pay the debt. The blood of Christ will NEVER wipe that out, your own blood must atone for it.”
The LDS prophet said: “The blood of Christ will never wipe that out . . . ?” Sound Christian? Would Jesus ever say this? Can you see what such a teaching could do? It removes the only spot remover on earth (the blood of Jesus) and it places it squarely in the hands of men! As a matter of fact, Brigham so reinforced the doctrine of blood atonement, that he even put the onus for shedding the blood on others!
Historical Accounts and Controversies
In the Journal of Discourses vol. 4 pp 219-220, he said: “Will you love your brothers or sisters likewise, when they have committed a sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. that cannot be atoned for without the shedding of their blood? Will you LOVE that man or woman well enough to shed their blood?” Jesus said to turn the other cheek. Jesus said to forgive everyone. God said, “Vengeance is mine.” But Brigham said to living people who trusted their (ahem) prophet: “Will you LOVE that man or woman well enough to shed their blood!”
This was not some rhetorical device Young used to control the members or scare the enemies – it was a heart-felt practice carried out, and ever reenacted in temple rituals up until I stopped attending with my wife! Historian Wallace Stenger wrote that “to pretend there were no “holy murders” in Utah and along the trails to California, that there was no “saving of the souls of sinners by the shedding of their blood during the “blood atonement revival of 1856, that there were no mysterious disappearances of apostates and offensive Gentiles, is simply, “bad history.” Historian Juanita Brooks said that “Blood atonement was “a literal and terrible reality,” that “Brigham Young advocated and preached it without compromise.”
LDS apologist claim that while the teaching may have been there, the evidence of it ever occurring is absent. Not true. According to Church Historical Department journals two LDS women who had been messing around with soldiers at Camp Floyd were later found with “throats slit to decapitation” the improbable sign of an early intermountain west serial killer, or the carried-out result of a Mormon covenant breaker. Mountain Meadows, which we are going to cover in depth next year when we cover LDS history from the death of Joseph Smith to the present, is almost irrefutably tied by expert Will Bagley to the practice and promotion of Brigham Young’s blood atonement doctrine.
Modern-Day Consequences
Want more fruit from this poisonous tree? Look at the FLDS, who rightfully believe that in addition to the banning of polygamy and blacks receiving the priesthood that the practice of blood atonement is just another lost truth from which the present-day Church has apostatized. Read up on the history of the LeBaron family. Perhaps more frightening is the relatively present-day story of the Lafferty family. Dan and Ron were faithful LDS brothers who looked into Mormonism teachings and found the present-day church wanting. Dan influenced his brother Ron that they should get back to the true eternal teachings of Joseph Smith. Ron’s wife didn’t agree and she left him. Dan received a powerful “revelation” which of course was unsubstantiated by the Bible but certainly full of “feeling”) that another brother’s wife (Brenda) had instigated this rebellion and needed to have her “blood shed.”
The Incident of 1984
On good old Pioneer Day 1984, Ron and Dan forced their way into their brother's home in American Fork and slit the throats of Brenda his wife . . . and their little baby daughter. On August 17th, 1984, The Salt Lake Tribune reported that the “victims throats were slashed in what police said was a ritualistic killing.”
From the seed, springs a tree.
From the tree, springs the fruit.
From the fruit, springs a seed.
Theological Distinctions
LDS defenders will respond to this stuff by citing the murders of Christians over the ages. But the difference is Jesus NEVER, EVER advocated cutting throats or shedding the blood of people for atonement of their sins He couldn’t save – But Joseph and Brigham did! See the difference? Sound Christian? Now the LDS will call these things “aberrant” and atypical of Mormon people the world over. And while this may be true in this day and age, I would strongly suggest that the fruit, while somewhat dormant, continues to ripen.
Modern Reflections
Several months ago, we received a call from an LDS man who said his name was John from O'Fallon, Illinois. Frustrated by my responses to him, John ended the call by speaking his heart. He said: “You know Shawn, I wish the Danite’s were still around.” I asked him to explain to the audience what he meant, and he quietly said: “You know what I mean.” Fruit from the original seed. Sound Christian?
We receive emails and letters in the mail that are constantly expressing their desire to do “violent things to my person.” There are blogs and message boards that challenge my actual right to exist. But this fruit is not just manifested to antagonists. Go watch a “Church-sponsored” men’s sporting event – cultural hall basketball, softball – whatever.
Underlying Tensions
The spirit of Joseph and Brigham remains – alive and well, but I would suggest, in a somewhat dormant state – until . . . UNTIL Mormonism has reached the long-awaited place where they can actually impose its collective will on others. And then it will.
Let’s go to the phones:
(801) 973-TV20
(801) 973-8820
Emails
Conclusion
