Mormonism and Secular Community Challenges

Live from the Mecca of Mormonism (and the Factory here in Salt Lake City, Utah) this is Heart of the Matter, where . . . Mormonism meets Biblical Christianity Face to Face . . .

Show 20 Change of Ways July 16th 2013

And I’m your host, Shawn McCraney

We praise the True and Living God for allowing us to participate in this, His ministry. We pray His Spirit upon you – and us – tonight.

Navigating Utah's Predominantly LDS Culture

Since moving to Utah over a year ago Mary and I have experienced first hand the difficulty of being part of the local community but not being LDS. For a state with so much natural beauty and resources, the culture can be incredibly stifling. For some non-members in the state this is a non-event, and they are able to assimilate rather well without much frustration. I think most are probably non-believers. But having come from a non-LDS majority community, and having also once been LDS, I have learned first-hand how taxing living in this state can be when you exist outside the state religious majority.

Perhaps the greatest frustration I have experienced is due to the absolute disregard many Mormons have for non-members thoughts, private space, and individuation. Public places are inundated with LDS influence. Restaurants closed on Sundays, conversations about the church and ward invade the mind at every turn, and this general assumption that there is no life or existence outside of Mormonism is assumed by more than you might believe. It is almost like you live in Stepford.

One area where this is especially obvious is in and through most local media outlets. The Deseret News is horrific, and frankly, the Salt Lake Trib isn’t much better. But at least these rags try and keep the good old boy homespun ward news to a minimum – excepting the obits – which in and of themselves perfectly exhibit what I call LDS obliviousness. And the local television news? FAGETTABOUTIT! I really don’t know how you guys have lived with this stuff.

And I find life in Salt Lake frustrating. The fact of the matter is the further you get away from SLC the more oblivious the Mormon media tends to get. (example from paper given to me from dear friend Tammi) READ ARTICLES HERE

Challenges in Local Schools

Then there are the local schools – particularly at the high school level where, depending on the area there can be a complete disregard for the lives and feelings of those who are not LDS. On July 6th SLC Trib Columnist Paul Rolly reported on a story out of Bountiful, Utah, (a name taken straight out of the Book of Mormon, by the way). This is what Jolly wrote: “About 50 Bountiful High School graduates had the announcer at their commencement state the location of the LDS mission they had been assigned when their names were called to pick up diplomas. The incident, as chronicled by Tribune religion writer Peggy Fletcher Stack last month, is the latest in a long history of cluelessness displayed in Utah high schools. Mormon church leaders last year lowered the eligible age for male missionaries from 19 to 18, meaning many high school graduates this spring will go directly on missions before going to college or whatever other endeavors they choose. The young grads at Bountiful showed their excitement by writing down their full name to be announced, but substituting the site of their mission for their middle name, such as John "Russia" Doe or James "New York" Smith. After a while, the audience began to get it, and some were offended.”

END QUOTE

Now I get stuff like this will happen when teenagers are involved – in the world of the ten, everything it is focused on them. And Jolly admits that had the district administrators known about it they would have not allowed it to happen. I accept this too. What is not acceptable is the adult mindset reflected in the comments section of the article and blog – most coming from LDS parents oblivious to reality and finding “nothing wrong” with the situation. THIS is the frustrating part – adults so myopic, so limited in their world view – that they see nothing wrong with a public high school graduation being used to announce the LDS mission calls.

Graduation Announcements and LDS Influence

I mean what if other graduates had their future plans announced at the graduation too – like “Jimmy Brown plans to go to New York and do heroin for a couple of years” or “Lisa Jones is entering the porn industry in Los Angeles” or “little Shawnie McCraney is going to leave this state and

Frustrations and Ministry Challenges

Here lies the source of the greatest frustration I experience being a resident of Utah – caused either by what Jolly calls “a long history of cluelessness” and/or possibly by a long history of ruthless religious domination. This is also why I am so adamantly opposed to my sacred faith being associated with anything that has to do with government or politics or fighting world evil – it’s just not the call Christ gave to His followers – even though, in another example of utter cluelessness, most politically active, right-winged Christians disagree.

Financial Support and Outreach

We recently sent out a letter to anyone who has ever supported Alathea Ministries financially in the past and asked them if they would consider continuing. This is the first time we have ever done this in the course of our ministries. The reasons were:

• When we switched directions and got taken off local TV here in Utah people thought the ministry was over, and two
• As a direct result of this we lost 40% of the financial support we were getting at this time just last year – that’s a huge drop for any sized ministry, but especially for a small one like ours.

So we decided (through the mail) to contact all of our current supporters (and to thank them – and we DO thank you for all your support – prayer, financial, whatever) and in the same letter we let our former supporters know that we are still reaching out to the LDS around the world in many ways and requested they consider coming back to supporting our efforts. In these letters we included two alathea ministries return envelopes. From what I’ve heard some people have been openly critical of this action. I guess the included envelopes really ticked them off.

This piqued my curiosity, and caused me to wonder, “What they would do if they were in our position?” I mean, we are sitting on a giant archived library of videos that are being accessed daily from interested parties all over the world. We constantly and continually receive emails (we’re 960 plus behind) from people looking for advice, or help, or insights, we have a stockpile of viable books that make for excellent resources, we’ve started our own studio to bring you live programming, and we find ourselves unable to pay our bills . . . PRIMARILY . . because former supporters have not known what happened to us.

Addressing the Critics

So what would you do, ye critics? Understand, this letter was not a solicitation for the church we run each week – our church is self-sufficient as those who attend willingly give enough to meet our expenses. But the solicitation was for this television/media ministry which (believe it or not) costs money to keep alive. I would like to invite any and all of you online critics to call in tonight and express your insights on the air. You can talk to me directly (instead of through disgracebook).

Additionally, I’ve been told that in the face of last week's announcement, my repentance and turning back to a focus on Mormonism is seen by some as “selling out.” Their “astute insights” are suggesting that because times were getting tough and the money is drying up I “sold my soul” in an effort to try and salvage the ministry. (beat)

In some ways what they say is true. But not for the reasons they think. See, whether you believe this or not this is how it works when you are in Christian ministry. You step in a direction in faith. Rarely are we certain if our actions are God’s perfect will or not. Sometimes . . . we get inclinations, we have hopes, we might even believe what we are doing is right, but the overriding questions sort of remain –

Will God bless this?

At what point do we give things up?

Have we lost our way?

They are always there in almost everything you do (if you are a thinking person). In reaching out to Mormons back in 2004 we stepped into the dark. We wrote Born-again Mormon in faith and hope and published it with credit cards. Then we sat on it for several years. We built a website where only a few visited.

Reflections on Ministry Successes and Failures

But along the way “doors” kept opening that nudged us forward. Sometimes these doors were small, sometimes large, but we were always being reassured by God (through circumstances) that our walk was in the right direction and that He was paving the way ahead – in spite of me.

Last January, as I mentioned last week, I believed I was right in my assessments and how to proceed. Somewhat blinded by anger and frustration, I impetuously stepped out into the dark – again. But the difference between the results of when I went after Mormonism and when I went after American Evangelicalism was like night and day.

With our approach to Mormonism the fruit was abundant. So while the money was slow in coming the people came out to the truth in droves. And I was also at peace with myself as we worked. Not so with our focus on American evangelicalism.

Observations on Evangelicalism vs. Mormonism Focus

From the get go I experienced nagging doubts in my preparations – doubts, much to my shame, I turned a blind eye toward. And then while the financial support was not there at first with our focus on Mormonism it did steadily grow over time – steadily – the exact opposite was true of our focus on American Evangelicalism. We went in the reverse direction – something we have to look at. Finally, the fruit of people growing stronger in the Lord from our LDS focused programming was not present in the Evangelical push.

Combine all of this together and after seven months I had no problem cutting our losses and pulling the plug – initated by the timely advice of a friend. If you want to call this selling out, feel free. I call it Christian ministry.

But, this also must be said, God (because He seems to work this way) has used my failures to His good as we now have our own church location and studio which we never would have put in place without this departure. And we also have 19 or so shows addressing some of the more egregious behaviors people ought to be aware of in Christianity today. I am certain, by His omnipotent foreknowledge, God moved the ministry to a place we never would have gotten to had we remained on our previous course. It’s the beautiful thing about God . . . He can and will take our failures and turn them to successes . . . if we’ll let Him.

Refocusing on Ministry Goals

With that, let’s have a word of prayer.

PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER

PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER

Last week I changed my mind on the air. Repented as it were, of our former direction. This week we are returning to some positions I’ve let slide over the years. Let me explain.

Since we are embarking on another round of comparing Mormonism with biblical Christianity I suppose now is a better time than ever to sort of bring everything into the light that has slowly been pushed (over the years) into the shadows. If I am going to be able to effectively perform and survive with my health in tact, I have to be absolutely forth-right in where I stand on matters – no matter how difficult my positions may appear.

What I mean by this is way back in 1997, when I was born-again as a result of a road-side experience, my heart was fixed on one thing – how to bring this exciting reality of a direct saving relationship with God through Jesus to my LDS brothers and sisters. I had no inclination to try and do anything else. And I was truly driven by a love for LDS people – not anger, not hate, not vengeance – with the exception of some of these feelings for the top hierarchal deceivers.

When I wrote, “Born-Again Mormon,” the book was marginalized by the Christian community (especially believers involved in Christian apologetics and a few pastors in this state) due to the fact that in the first edition I stated that the mission of the book was :

ONE
To introduce Latter-Day Saints to the God-given gift of spiritual re-birth through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I maintain this objective today – let the LDS seekers of truth experience Jesus first-hand and let their religious affiliations get worked out by the King. The second stated missional objective was

To assist Born-Again Mormon’s who remain active in the Church with their sacred mission of bringing other Latter-Day Saints to the Lord.

Admittedly, this was a little polyannish on my part. But I hoped the work God was doing in the

Engaging with the LDS Community

hearts of some would flow over to hearts of others while they transitioned in out or around the LDS church.

I was ignorant of the strongholds LDS culture has on the hearts of many of its members and stupidly thought that maybe God would have some Born-Again Mormons remain in the church. He typically leads them out.

The third printed objective, which was a byproduct of the second, said:

To teach Born-Again Mormon’s how to appreciate and support the positive aspects of Church membership while simultaneously (but peacefully) rejecting any doctrine or practice contrary to biblical Truth.

Reflections on LDS Culture and Organization

My opinions of this objective have ebbed and flowed over the years – where sometimes I have not seen any positive aspect of Mormonism (all things considered) while at other times I have been able to see a number of things Christianity could really learn from the LDS. After twelve years of experiencing “Evangelical Christianity” first-hand and all the good and bad that comes with it, I have to admit that there is a lot we can learn from the LDS, especially in the area of organization and church governance.

Finally, our fourth missional objective read:

To patiently help initiate an integration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints into full fellowship with the existing body of Christ.

Many of you who are reading or hearing these four points today might find yourselves appalled and taken back. Some of you might understand.

Sharing Jesus with the LDS

But at the heart of it all was a heart-felt belief that the best way to reach the LDS was to introduce them to the King – and leave everything else in His hands to figure out. I mean, He did it with the World Wide Church of God, He could do it with Mormonism. And quite frankly, I think He is in His own way.

I was not then (nor am I now) suggesting that Christians give an inch on the core issues established by the Bible – not whatsoever – nor was I suggesting that the Body accept any doctrine or practice within Mormonism which is counter to biblical truth. I am not ecumenical nor a syncretist, as one internet bozo actually made videos in his yard to try and prove.

But I was merely suggesting that Christians consider using another approach to reaching the LDS – that is we share “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” and challenge them to take the Born-again challenge (which is a doctrine taught both in the LDS translation of the Bible and in their Book of Mormon). And again, I suggested that modern Christianity not worry about whether LDS people remain LDS (once they have been born-again) but to instead take that discussion right off the table and let God work out the personal logistics for each individual’s walk – knowing that He does and would.

The book and approach was controversial but it got me, in the end, an invitation to do my own television program here in Salt Lake City – which we accepted. And we started out on the air trying to implement the same approach taken in our book with our television viewers – to ask constantly of the LDS, “Have you been born-again?”

Looking back, several things evolved over the years of doing the weekly program all of which contributed to the show becoming what it was. First, while I anticipated some resistance from LDS callers, I wasn’t prepared for the depths some of them would plumb in an effort to try and perpetuate their religious fraud as “biblically sound,” “true,” and worst of all, “Christian.” Being a man of passion, I often responded with total disgust at their slippery efforts. This pleased many of you and offended a whole bunch as well.

Impact and Audience Resonance

We then discovered that by directly confronting issues head and with passion we were inadvertently representing tens of thousands of people here in Utah who too had lived or grown up around this pervasive and sometimes shallow religious influence. Suddenly, we became their voice. We said what they have always thought. We gave words to words they never could find. And these folks really appreciated someone calling these phonies out on their representations of God, Jesus, and the church they claimed to represent.

Third, we learned that many of those people were also hearing for the first time in their lives that there is a simple, direct, biblically supported approach to God that has little to do with organized religion. His name is Jesus. And so many people were able to see Him for

Struggles with Authenticity and Expectations

who He really is, and in His strength, were able to walk from the spiritual morgue called Mormonism.

When we gather up all these factors, add in a self-effacing approach and format, including a relatable, natural, low-brow format, we found a formula for doing live call-in television that sort of . . . worked.

At the same time, I had a personal life, a personal persona, a world view (honed by the Holy Spirit and exposure to the Word of God) that was NOT always in harmony with the television persona. This was a bigger problem for me than I imagined when doing the shows over the years.

Yes, I am passionate, and yes, I am argumentative by nature. These things served the television persona and show really well – for the most part. But those elements truly represent the worst parts of my person, not the best nor the ones I want to feed.

And yes the entertaining part of the schtick was me too. I am an entertainer by God’s design and it’s just that instead of analyzing and exposing political or corporate corruption my interests lie in exposing religious corruption . . . at times in an entertaining way. But here’s the key and the unfortunate paradox: Even though I am always trying to expose religious hypocrisy and promote spiritual authenticity, I was not personally willing to really let my heart of hearts speak.

The Cost of Inauthenticity

Some of me was there – the schtick was legit – but the best parts of me, the parts I know are in harmony with scriptural descriptions of a regenerated believer, frequently took a back seat. Some of you could read between the lines and hear what the whole gig we were doing was about but I also allowed a lot of other people to let me be who they wanted me to be – because that was what they seem to need at the time . . . and for this inauthenticity I paid a very high price in real anger, frustration, and in the end, burn-out.

Burning out under the hot lights of other people's expectations, doing what just sort of worked – instead of communicating what I know to be true (from my heart and soul) and more importantly from the Word of God.

Last week I repented of the direction I chose to take at the first of the year and we have returned to our examination of Mormonism. This week I am repenting for allowing what I know to be true to be pushed into the shadows as a means to please Man, and keep either you, or the churches around these parts, happy.

The Pursuit of Truth

From what I can tell many of you watch the shows because you want unadulterated truth. You want to know what the Bible says, and you want it straight. Expect more of this in the future especially as it relates to our reaching out to the LDS (and any other interested party) with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

You know what I have discovered firsthand having been an active Latter-day Saint for forty years and then an involved participant in Evangelical Christianity for thirteen? There are rare souls out there who are His, and the rest of the world are rats in process.

Those who are His might be Baptists, or Lutherans, or Catholics, or Latter-day Saints. They might attend a Jewish synagogue, a Muslim mosque, or adhere to faiths that otherwise contain non-Christian doctrines, but the individuals are His. I know this by their love. Their humility. By the patient, selfless, supportive, forgiving, agape love that exudes from their every word and act.

“Oh,” you might say, “they have to be Christian, attending a Christian church to be His Shawn.” Generally speaking I would agree. It is only by Jesus Christ anyone comes to God. There is no other way.

On the other hand, there are those who talk Jesus, preach Jesus, with them it's Jesus Jesus Jesus but in my opinion many of them don’t seem to be His at all. How can I say this? Their lack of love. Their self-absorbed attitudes, their love for the world, their treatment of others.

I have witnessed some of the most well-read, life-long, faithful churchgoing people do some of the most incredibly unloving things you can imagine. And I'm not talking about a moment in the flesh – I’m talking about the exceptions with them is kindness and consideration, not the rule.

And then we have to contrast this with some of…

The Mormon/Christian Debate

The most underrated, smelly stinking misfits out there living lives of extreme love . . . for God and man. Why is this? What is this about? Why do the tares seem to rule the day? I really don’t get it? But it is something we are going to be exploring relative to the Mormon/Christian debate.

Now let me wrap this little introductory diatribe up by trying to explain why Mormonism does so much to get in the way of their congregates experiencing spiritual rebirth. And well do this by doing a little imaginary experiment together, okay?

Let’s first take the very best Latter-day Saint on earth. One who, with complete authenticity lives their religion, and they do it out of pure faith. I’m not talking about those climbers down in the North Temple church headquarters, but just imagine some salt of the earth Latter-day Saint man or woman – married, with children, service oriented, active, garment wearing, temple attending, good living Mormon. Got it?

Comparing Devotion

Now let’s take the same level of devotion but assign it to a Bible-believing Christian. No, I’m not talking about any televangelist and you can probably exclude a lot of pastors or reverends, but I am talking about a salt of the earth, humble, loving, Bible reading Christian. Now, in my experience, we would outwardly have a hard time telling these two people apart. Both would probably be modestly dressed (both in the type, style and cost of their apparel) both would probably shun vice, both would be dedicated to family values. But here’s the deal – this is the real question:

Where is their spiritual allegiance placed and why (or what has motivated them) to pursue the life they have embraced? Now remember, we are not talking about the best Mormon or the best Christian outwardly, we are talking about the best from their heart. If we are honest, the best Christian on earth, if asked where their allegiance lies and what has motivated them to live like he or she does, and the very best Christian would say, from their heart, that their allegiance is to the Lord and they are motivated by their love for Jesus. However if we were to ask the very same questions of the truly BEST Latter-Day Saint on earth, their allegiance would be to the Church and their motive would be love for the church, the prophet, their family, etc.

Allegiance and Motivation

This is not a saving relationship in action, it’s religion. And this religion, when everything is all said and done, does more to lead people away from God than to bring people to Him. We will be exploring how it does this over the course of the rest of the year.

Let’s open up the phone lines: (801)

While the operators clear your calls, let’s take a minute and please consider the following massage.

We got a lot of response from our show last week where I repented (changed my mind) about the direction we have been taking since the first of the year. 96.45 % was positive and we are really grateful for your unconditional love and prayers.

Out of all the emails received this one was interesting:

Shawn, I want to commend you on your public repentance and decision to return to helping people out of Mormonism. In your show on July 9th, you also said that as you return to "Mormonism", you will continue to address some of the evangelical problems that are out there and I'm grateful for that too. I wrote you the following on 4/14/13.

Well, about a week before I was able to see your new "Evangelical" Christian show I began to realize that I am in a church that is doing some Word of Faith stuff like what you pointed out. I don't believe it! I just am recovering from Mormonism and now I have come to the realization that the Christian church where I was saved at is pretty deep into the Word Of Faith movement. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me! Why I couldn't embrace some of the things I was being taught but now I know that it was the Holy Spirit dealing with me and protecting me. I thank God!!

So now, I find myself feeling much as I did when I first realized that the Mormon church was false . . . I feel deceived, mistrusting, and angry at those in my congregation (the pastor and his wife really) that are blinded by this false doctrine! I do have something now though that I didn't have at that time and that is the Holy

Spirit and Faith

Spirit and hope! I know now in whose care I am and I will be patient as this mess is untangled and I know where to go. I now have the problem that I don't believe much of what I hear from say pastors or teachers, until I find out it is true for sure. I am afraid that I'm going to be in disbelief. Is this normal to go through all of this as a Christian? I mean, I see my husband and he just has faith and love and belief in what he's taught. He's not stressed out, he lifts up the Lord every chance he gets. And then there's me, I'm straining at gnats but I'm not swallowing camels! I get stressed out about being sure I believe the right thing, I don't want to be in unbelief!

Questions on Biblical Teachings

There are some things I'd like to know more about. I mean, I'm reading the bible and the Holy Spirit is helping me understand and gain insight to the Word, but I haven't read through it all yet and I have some pressing questions that I hope you can help me with.

1. In Bible study our pastor's wife taught us that we have the power to rebuke demons in Jesus' name. She taught us to anoint our homes with oil, especially over the windows and doors and to go throughout the house "praying out the demons". I participated in this but as I looked into if further, it seemed that we were participating in reverse witchcraft, like we were counteracting the devil using a type of Christian voodoo. Todd Friel says we shouldn't talk to the devil (as I was being taught) because even Michael the Archangel asked God to rebuke the devil and didn't do it in his own power (Jude 1:9). What insight do you have in this area?

2. Do we have the power that the apostles were given like some people think or was it only for the apostles?

3. In our Word Of Faith riddled church we are encouraged to get baptized in the Holy Spirit and that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is first manifested by the evidence of speaking in tongues. Is this true?

Misuse of Tongues

4. You've said in a couple of your shows that some of the problems with EVC today can be traced to the misuse of tongues. Can you please explain how that is?

5. Why did Ananais and Sepphira die when they didn't give the money from the land sale to the apostles. Was it because they had promised to give all of the money and then held back some? I feel like I'm missing something in the story. I don't believe in tithing anymore. We still pay tithing because I don't think my husband is ready for me to drop that bomb on him yet, he's still very trusting of our pastor. Our pastor definitely preaches the health/wealth doctrine that we will be cursed if we don't pay our tithes. He used the story of Ananais and Sepphira to show that to not pay tithing it would even shorten our lives or definitely bring us under a curse.

Your sister in the Lord, Bev

Shawn! I have seen all your shows many times. Thank you for planting seeds for so many. I grew up and I was a jack mormon. It was such an advantage to me for the lds to be untrue. Addicted to weed, alcohol, masterbation, sex. I wrote you before a couple years ago but never sent it. I wanted to be like so many viewers whose lives have been changed for good and it has. I struggle with my faith in Christ sometimes still but I have confessed Him many times in public. I, I, I ha ha. Went to school for jazz and lived the stereotypical musician lifestyle. Justified it in my mind with the fact that I was making real music, not like what is the majority today. Now I'm 35 and still running around. I want to thank you and EVERYONE who has been part of GOD's ministry. Without it my simple mind may never have put the pieces together. That is why we have pastors. You have been my pastor and many others. You are such a good pastor thank you for always following truth. I worked in many church bands in Phoenix, AZ for 15 years. Average 2

Faith and Conversations

Services per Sunday: Methodist, Catholic, Gospel, Baptist, Non-denominational. This kept me hearing the word. I met Bishop Earl and his wife for lunch over a year ago in PHX while he was visiting his son. I believe the Bible. Met Andy Poland in Mesa, AZ, and went to their gatherings a few times.

I want to encourage you to KEEP GOING. Your new show has new challenges and brings a whole new set of critics. As a musician, I know what it is like to have to switch gigs. So many things are unfair, and when you switch, you start BRAND NEW. No credit for the last 7 years to build off. Not like other corporate jobs where you get to keep your credentials. New.

My favorite pastors who help me understand are Myles Munroe, Paul Washer, Ravi Zacharias, and you. Just started listening to this one now: the power of vision! The Power of Vision – YouTube from Myles Munroe. The pastor in the Bahamas. I also love his service on the power of prayer: Earthly license for heavenly influence. Also, his talk on how to live in a colony. Like The Bahamas is a colony of Great Britain. Earth is a colony of heaven. As Americans, we don't think of this much. A colony is separate from the Kingdom but still obeys the Kingdom's culture. Like in The Bahamas, they wear suits in the sun and drive on the left side of the road (like England).

Personal Challenges

You gotta keep flying, Shawn. Like an Eagle. It will be hard because Eagles fly alone. Also: the PURPOSE OF PRAYER: Dr. Myles Munroe – YouTube DR MYLES MUNROE

I want to thank you so much. I have been writing you in my head for years. Thank you, Shawn.

I want to ask you for any advice in talking to my Mother. She took us to the LDS church growing up. My Dad went to church to keep Mom happy but wasn't a member. He left her when her youngest (me) graduated high school. Some background on my Mom: She is a devout, faithful, temple Mormon. Her grandfather Seth Larson was best childhood friends with Spencer Kimball in Thacher, AZ. So my grandmother was raised in a strict LDS home. She hated it and did not raise my Mom in that church. So my Mom joined the LDS church when she went to college. I suspect it was her way of rebelling! To join the Mormon church! She is such a good person like many LDS women. But I need your advice on what to do.

Issues in Communication

I have been trying to talk to her for 4-5 years about factual LDS publications. I can tell that even at the hint of a conversation in that direction gets her heart rate up, and the emotions start getting out of control. She has told me she is on 3 types of psychological medications that help her find balance. As you know, this is the common, yet hard way to live for many older LDS women. With the burden of works on their backs. She is alone without a husband as well, so she clings to that church and its culture. Running to a bishop with any problems.

I have messed up many times trying to talk with her about LDS publications in the last 4-5 years. I fear I am burdening her with the subject, and she knows that talking to me will mean she has to talk about Mormonism. So now she doesn't answer my calls half the time anymore. Of course, she is so busy in church callings, the temple, and taking care of her mother and her daughter (my sis). I know I need to just share Jesus like I have heard you counsel many people with before who are in this situation. We have come to a stalemate. She won't answer or acknowledge the facts of LDS publications plus I have made many mistakes in witnessing. She is tired of hearing about it and, of course, thinks I am just trying to hurt her church. We don't really argue but our talks get further and further apart, and now years later she doesn't even want to pick up the phone cause she knows I will quote a prophet or point out something wrong. I keep making mistakes when I witness. With all that said, what do you think I should try next?

I know you are a big fan of music like most everyone. Check out this tune by Raul Midon. A blind dude with amazing VISION! Raul Midon – YouTube

KEEP GOING WITH YOUR SHOW. DON'T STOP. YOU WILL HAVE TO STAND ALONE AT TIMES. YOU ARE

Starting Over with Greater Challenges

NOT NEW TO THIS. YOU JUST HAD TO START ALL OVER AGAIN. FROM SCRATCH. YOU THOUGHT LAST TIME WAS HARD THIS IS EVEN HARDER CAUSE NOW YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONLY 1 SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP TO "OFFEND".

Observations on Your Journey

I SEE A FEW DIFFERENCES THIS TIME FOR YOU IN MY LIMITED VIEW:

1. YOU WILL PRODUCE EVEN MORE FRUIT THAN LAST TIME

2. BUT THIS TIME YOU PERSONALLY WON'T GET TO WITNESS THE FRUIT AS MUCH. IT WILL HAPPEN WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE. IT WILL HAPPEN WITHOUT AS MANY LETTERS AND THANK YOU'S. YOU ARE REACHING THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN OFFENDED BY A SIMPLE CHRISTIAN SERVICE AND BASED THEIR OPINION OFF OF THAT. THEY WILL REALIZE THAT THEY NEED TO GET IN THE WORD AND NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT THE DUDE IN THEIR LOCAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH THINKS ABOUT THEM. YOU WILL HELP THEM NOT BE TURNED OFF TO GOD BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF A CHURCH SERVICE. THEY WILL WATCH YOU AND BE MOTIVATED TO PICK UP THEIR BIBLES AGAIN!

The Impact of Your Mission

DON'T STOP! I SPEAK FOR THE THOUSANDS AND MAYBE MILLIONS THAT GOD HAS HELPED THROUGH YOU. THE ONES THAT NEVER FIT THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF A CHURCH GATHERING.

YOU ARE OUR PASTOR SHAWN