Christian Love and Responsibility

Recorded in the Mecca of Mormonism
Salt Lake City, Utah
This is Heart of . . .
Where we are learning
And I’m your host

Word of PRAYER

Show 9L New Biblical Perspectives
Revelation No. 9
Taped November 29th 2020
Aired December 1st 2020
PRAYER

If you are watching this in five, ten or two hundred years from now, we are taping this program during a pandemic from a disease called Covid 19. And let me tell you, there are all sorts of ideas and opinions floating around out there in the world relative to this disease or flu (depending on who you talk to).

Examples of Selfless Love During the Pandemic

I don’t want to speak to whether the disease is what people say it is or not, I want to tell you two examples of Christian love that I have seen relative to the disease in this little place of ours. Last week I read about a man walking up to others in public and blowing into their faces. Most people around the world are wearing masks today as a means to prevent the transference of the disease to others but this man, I suppose, decided to show non-love to others by actually blowing his breath into their faces.

But I want to share two related stories opposite of this. And they happened right here in campus. The first is about my daughter Delaney. She just got out of a very liberal grad school experience in Michigan where she was deluged daily about the importance of social responsibility. To her, it is a responsible act to wear a mask. But perhaps more importantly, to her at least, is the health of her Dad (me). As I have some issues with bronchitis and am of the age that such a condition when met with Covid 19 can be deadly. So, when Delaney comes to CAMPUS she wears a mask. Without fail. Out of concern for others but especially out of concern for her Dad – since we live in the same place. That is the first story of agape loveSelfless love marked by patience, mercy, and humility—central to living in spiritual liberty. at play. It is selfless and considers others and not her own comforts.

The second story begins with a description of a CAMPUS regular who I call Daveed. Daveed is very well read and personally does not seem to believe the news or media’s reports about Covid 19. And he therefore does not wear a mask. He has that right and I sustain his right to choose what he wants to do. But the other day, when he wanted to speak with Delaney about something, he first disappeared. Where did Dave go? He went to his car and he got a mask, and he put it on and then approached Delaney to have the conversation. Dave could have approached her without a mask, as a means to show and prove his rights as an American citizen, but he instead illustrated his love as a Christian for others and acted in a way that would make her feel comfortable, again NOT because he agreed with her position, but out of Christian love.

Christian Conduct in Challenging Times

It is in cases like these that we see Christians living out their faith; in times when most people flex their rights to act as they want to act, both Dave and Delaney illustrated, at least to me, what it looks like to love as a Christian first in life – and it speaks volumes.

In the first verses of many of his epistles, Paul will often admit to being “an apostle by the will of God.” In 2nd Timothy the first verse reads:

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

IOW, “I am an apostle in accordance with the great promise of eternal life (given by God) that all may have eternal live through the Savior Jesus Christ.”

We sometime speak of Christ suffering for the sins of the whole world, and that as a result the world has been reconciled to God by and through the shed blood sacrifice of his Son. I maintain this to be true.

We sometimes talk about how the wrath of God was poured out on the Nation of Israel for rejecting His Son and that his wrath is no longer abiding on people since the sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. was paid for once and for all, again by his Son. Again, I maintain that this is true (while fully rejecting the teaching that God poured his wrath out on either His Son or that he continues to pour his wrath out on unbelievers).

Eternal Life and Its Promise

We have even talked about how that at deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. (in the age of fulfillment) all people go to a heavenly realm (as hell and Satan has been cast into the lake of Fire) with some people existing outside the walls of the New JerusalemThe spiritual reality of God's fulfilled presence with humanity—replacing Sheol after 70 A.D. (which is where the Lord God Almighty dwells) and some entering into that Kingdom only to abide in His presence forever more. I agree with these things too.

1

In the verse we just read Paul is speaking specifically (and only) of these latter people, these were “whom he was called to be an apostle” – they were those who received God’s promise of eternal life, which means those who received Christ by faith, which means those who became children of God, and then even more specifically, which speaks to those who became the Sons and Daughters of God. These, and only these, are they who have eternal life, which to me is the only life worth mentioning or talking about when push comes to shove. All the other factors mentioned a minute ago are, (in my estimation) ancillary details about God’s love for all. But the point and purpose and fulfillment of all that God has done and promised is founded in the biblical fact that those who receive Christ by faith are saved by God’s grace and become his family, even his daughters and His Sons in this life, and in the life to come.

Life in Christ

Scripture describes them as those who have “true life” in them; who will abide here (and there) in “genuine life and living.” And while I have a heart for the rest, and even enjoy them and their contributions to this world, and while I seek to reach any and all with the Good News, the fact of the matter is, without Christ, they are in fact dead, and no genuine authentic life dwells in them. These are biblical facts.

So, Paul was called to be “an apostle of life” to that world – to bring the good news of eternal life to all who would hear, believe and receive. Which was God’s promise to the world: “believe on my Son and you will have my promise of eternal life.” This is the focus of our ministry – to reiterate to all who are truly His, that you have real life, that you are in fact His, and that there is a distinctive place for you after this life which is wholly and substantially different than any other place in the universe. It is an eternal home with the Lord God Almighty.

The Uniqueness of Believers

Hand in hand with this call on your life which you have received, there is the fact that as a Son or Daughter you will live this life differently than others. Then all others. And one of the main differences in your life is you see and understand the living God (and His Son and His scripture) in ways that may not always be the most popular, historical or widely accepted. You will be unique with your unique mind, your unique heart and your unique perspectives. Truly you were uniquely and wonderfully made.

What makes you truly unique is that you are attuned to the Spirit in ways that others often do not understand – even other said believers. These distinguishing characteristics will always always always manifest themselves in an abundance of agape love for others, but it also might manifest itself in other ways – and one of those ways is in how scripture speaks to you. Have you ever read scripture and seen and understood the passages in a way that more traditional believers haven’t seen or acknowledged? And have you tested and ratified such a view through a study of the word and found it sustainable? At least “as” sustainable as what has been traditionally taught? That happens when people are His and are spirit filled and led. I want to give you a sample from this tonight.

So, how about another New Testament Perspective?

What I am going to do is daring because many people will shut themselves off the minute they hear the book of scripture that I am going to cite: The book of RevelationA symbolic prophecy fulfilled in 70 A.D.—not a prediction of future global events.. I seek to give you a glimpse – a really small glimpse – on how the book has been so abused and misused over the centuries and then to help you see that with some reasonable study by the Spirit, the book can really make some sense.

To make matters worse I am going to read from the dreaded, freakish,

Exploring Revelation Chapter 9

Nightmarish chapter known as Revelation number 9, (number 9, number 9, number 9.)

Remember the Beatles White Album? Revolution number 9 was an amalgam of voices, sounds, through John Lennon’s attempts at trying to present an audio version of what a Revolution actually sounded like. Good old Charlie Manson took that music and applied it to his unique interpretation of some of the Book of Revelation, including chapter 9 (after all, the use of 9 was repeated over and over again by the Beatles and this influenced Manson). I do not suggest Manson’s approach to the book as a reasonable means of interpretation.

The Vision of the Locusts

But I do want to read verses 7-10 of Revelation chapter 9 (without the input of Manson) and see if we can figure out what is being described (within reason). Ready?

7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. 8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. 9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. 10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.

Also, in Revelation 9:2-3 a locust army is released from the Abyss and in Revelation 9:11 the king of this locust army is identified as “the angel of the Abyss, whose name . . . Apollyon.”

So, let’s think about the “Locust” people. Growing up, I heard so many interpretations of these strange scary creatures which often came from otherwise reasonable people in everyday life. I mean they read these passages and interpreted them literally ignoring the fact that John admits in the first chapter of Revelation that he was going to use signs (symbols) and significations to describe what he saw.

Symbolism and Interpretation

So, let me read verse 3 of chapter 9

3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

Unlike Charles Manson, who from his own imagination believed that Locusts represented the Beatles, and unlike all the other depictions and descriptions of the locusts by futurist fanatics that have dominated the faith in the media for decades, locusts are an ancient Canaanite and Biblical metaphor for an invading foreign (and in this case) Gentile army. Looking to the Bible to help us with interpretation, it’s interesting that in Exodus locusts were used to break Pharaoh and the Egyptians and here at the end of the Bible (in Revelation) some of the very same images are being unleashed upon the very people God had freed?

Going back to Exodus 10 beginning at verse 4 we read God say to Pharaoh:

4 “Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast: 5 And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field: 6 And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh.

So, here we have a basic biblical parallel. Let’s take the next step and break the biblical idea of locusts down before we start assigning them names like John, Paul, George, and Ringo, or to man-locusts coming out of the earth in the future to sting us.

First, there is a similarity between the Hebrew word for “locust,” (hargol), and the Arabic word for “troops,” (hargal). The similarity between these two words in these neighboring languages implies a common origin to both words and that fact that locusts were likened to troops in ancient Middle Eastern cultures. We see this illustrated in the first and second chapters of Joel where the Babylonian army of the sixth century B.C. is portrayed as . . . “a swarm of locusts.”

Historical and Linguistic Context

Physiologically, the head of the locust…

The Symbolism of Locusts

The description of locusts is remarkably like that of the horse so much so that one ancient reference describes them as follows, "They have an oblong head, like to that of a horse, bending downward." Also interesting is that the Italians call locusts “cavaletta,” which means “cavalry,” (as in a cavalry of horse-riding men used in war). An Arabic writer named, Bochart, in 1692 says that “locusts resemble ten different kinds of animals:

1. The horse in its head.
2. The elephant in its eyes.
3. The bull in its neck.
4. The stag in its horns.
5. The lion in its breast.
6. The scorpion in its belly.
7. The eagle in its wings.
8. The camel in its thighs.
9. The ostrich in its feet.
   And 10. The serpent in its tail.
   (Vid. Hieroz., vol. ii., p. 475, edit. 1692.)

Biblical References to Locusts

But its most prominent resemblance is to the horse, which the prophet Joel mentions; and which the Arabic writer mentions first and therefore as being the chief. In the book of Judges we read:

Judges 6:3 And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them; 4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. 5 For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.

More references to locusts and armies are found in Judges 7:12; Jeremiah 51:14, 27; and Nahum 3:15. So now we have some secular understanding of locusts and some direct biblical understanding of how they were understood and used anciently – as representing warriors, especially invading armies and most specifically invading armies on horseback.

Locust Imagery in Historical Texts

The fact that foreign/Gentile armies are symbolized by locusts is not just found in the Bible, it is also implicit in the Talmud where it reads, “The destruction of Jerusalem [during Israel’s first century war with Rome] came through a Kamza [locust] and a Bar Kamza [son of a locust].” These citation are certainly not a reference to “super demons drawn up from the pits of the earth” but are a classic symbol for invading armies (who were, of course, dressed in the military helmets and armor of that day).

This is really important folks because right here in the Talmud, a book compiled around 500 AD, we are told that Jerusalem was destroyed by . . . locusts. And that this is mere imagery of Roman soldiers. Some are still looking for a fulfillment of this in the future and some of them are looking for a fulfillment of locust-type creatures that actually come up from the pit of hell.

These are non-contextual, non-historical, hysterical views of unreasonable minds that have not taken the time to really understand scripture from a reasonable, historical basis – but rather through unfounded religious zeal. But we don’t stop here. We move out and into even a fairly reputable modern Lexicon (Strong’s Concordance) and discover the following under term number 1471 for Gentile in the Hebrew:

Gentile
#1471 gowy go’-ee rarely (shortened) goy {go’-ee}; apparently from the same root as 1465 (in the sense of meaning); a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts”- Gentile, Heathen peoples.

Did you hear that? Directly from the Hebrew word for Gentile is the phrase, “flight of locusts.” Now we have some contextual, researched understanding of what is being described by John in Revelation number 9 (number 9, number 9)

And invasion of Gentiles. And more appropriately, an invasion of Gentiles on horseback who are warriors, with helmets, and shields and swords sticking out behind them.

Roman Soldiers.

The Aftermath of Invasions

We also know that when laying siege to a city, invading forces, much a like a swarm of locusts, would often leave the surrounding countryside stripped of food, timber and vegetation in order to feed the war effort. Additionally, these armies will also often set fire to anything their enemies might find useful in their wake. This is exactly what the Romans did when they burned many of the cities and rural areas of Palestine during the Jewish War.

Interestingly, locusts “were known to the people of Palestine as ‘burners of the land,’ a phrase derived from the literal…

Understanding Revelation and Current Spiritual Fulfillment

The meaning of the word ‘locust’ itself.

I could literally, in fact, I literally do, take every line and every description of these “locusts” and their sting, and their hair and their leader Apollyon, and the five months, and directly explain and tie it all to Roman armies invading Jerusalem in 70 AD. WITHOUT stretching, without making stuff up! And this can be done from the very first word of Revelation to the last. If this is possible, and correct, then that book has nothing to do with us in terms of reality in our future, and that means we are living in the age of fulfillment, as Christ has come and taken his bride, and what remains are those individuals who choose to walk and live according to the Spirit and the Kingdom that dwells within.

Comments from Last Week

Billy Davis • 5 hours ago Father YAHweh forgive us for " our" sins. REPLY0 replies

LDS Caller Wants To Know, What IF He accepts Jesus and Stays In The LDS Church

MrDropthecash • 10 hours ago Mormon's are con artists REPLY0 replies

LDS Caller Wants To Know, What IF He accepts Jesus and Stays In The LDS Church

Jeff McBrayer • 12 hours ago Take the red pill guys. Don't be a simp and don't apologize for being a man. Women can figure out their own issues by themselves. REPLY0 replies

Reflecting on Spiritual Identity

Godngunclinger • 13 hours ago so amazing and SO CORRECT! We are His co-laborers and Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1 : 6 REPLY0 replies

LDS Caller Wants To Know, What IF He accepts Jesus and Stays In The LDS Church

Billy Davis • 1 day ago May Father YAHweh bless your understanding. REPLY0 replies

Body Image [CAT 89]

Vanessa Braga • 1 day ago (edited) I have a lot to say about this…. I've heard you say that we need to love God, then others, then ourselves, in that order. Essentially die to ourself. I get what you mean but some might think their love doesn't reach that far, (we spend too much time in the word, or serving others and put ourself last, then hate how we look because we put no thought into caring for our body) but we should. We need to. We need to know that we are important and worth it. Self love is a tricky concept, because we don't want to become narcissistic, but self love goes a long way in living a fulfilled life.

Second, vanity is a sin. Those who are too beautiful face more temptation to be prideful and vain. They have more love and attention from people and don't necessarily seek love from God. Why would they, when they are living the "high life?" They can fall into temptation to party at a younger age, wear provocative clothing, have premarital sex, form meaningless, shallow, superficial relationships and when their looks fade they are broken and spend thousands of dollars trying to stay beautiful all the while hating themselves because of their sagging skin or stubborn fat. They are dying a slow painful death and trying to fight a losing battle that only brings them temporary happiness. They keep judging their bodies, comparing themselves to others, being envious and boastful, thinking that if they just had more procedures or lost more weight or had nicer clothes they would be happy. They never tapped into the vine or drank from living waters because they didn't have a need to. Perhaps at the later stage in life they will after riding the rollercoaster of vanity.

Which brings me to my third point. Those who are average or even ugly or misinformed in their appearance can learn early on the harsh reality that we need not focus on our appearance. They then are free to learn to develop other talents and give up the vanity and ways of the world. They learn to love themselves truly and form true identities. Yes they suffer, but through that suffering they grow into amazing people. Like those rockstars who are truly talented. Some of them are ugly as…..but they spent time on their talent and that makes them cool. Imagine if they spent all their time on their looks? What a waste! Lastly men and women are not wrong to judge a mate by their attractiveness as long as it is not attractiveness alone. A healthy body signals fertility, long life, good values and perhaps someone who can enjoy life's adventures with you, like hiking, boating, camping, etc.

Body Image and Self-Perception

Think Jesus although not attractive kept his body in good shape. He walked a lot, worked with his hands, fasted, ate good food, didn't get drunk. He took care of himself to some degree without being vain. I think we can find some middle ground, where we look and feel good, but not needing to show off.

Fsiesissi Toddpai • 1 day ago good

C Whitener • 1 day ago Abs are made in the kitchen. Yes they are You think so? This is true

Patrick Leyerle • 1 day ago Who cares what people think. I'm sexy with or without someone's opinion. Body shaming is bad in our culture and I hate it.

Santacruz Hippysurfer • 1 day ago Physical education ~ go to the gym, get a home gym ride a bike get a pull up bar strength flexibility cardio ~ just do it ~

Perspectives on Scripture and Tradition

Clarence Nelson • 1 day ago The NASB translates Matthew 18:18 thus, “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth SHALL HAVE BEEN BOUND IN HEAVEN; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

Joan Lantis • 1 day ago 59 yr old mormon. I was always taught as a young person that the Holy Ghost would gain his body before the second comingChrist’s return, fulfilled in 70 A.D., ending the old covenant—not the world.. Haven't heard that taught for a while though.

Joan Lantis • 1 day ago Before he was begotten He was The Word. Only "begotten" son. What should we make of this statement? God said He was the only begotten son not only son, right?

Panda Bear • 2 days ago I don’t think you know what autism is.

Renewing Understanding of Faith

Jon Golden • 2 days ago We need to stop doing these theme-based sermons. It’s okay if you understand the Bible well, but we are so guilty of taking scriptures out of context culturally, and in the text. We need to treat the Bible with the respect it deserves.

Richard Neumann • 2 days ago Thanks for your reply on my comment about Moses is the Devil on New Bible Perspective Part 1 [8L] My comment was on the – Seven table Scenes [8s] I am (know) expert at the Bible and never would wish to speak for God (NOT SAYING I AM CORRECT) but after leaving the LDS church and doing my own research. I think that the standard Christian formula of the Messiah is coming, Satan the Devil and Adam and Eve is where we came from is not completely clear for me now, this traditional belief is wrong in my opinion. Yeshua means to RESCUE in Hebrew. RESCUE from what, was there something wrong with the Old Testament why did Christ shed his blood. This I hope explains my thoughts The MORNING STAR. I find this interesting. Note: 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the (day star arise in your hearts:) 2 Peter 1 I will leave this with the Heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology.. I really enjoy your show and you have opened up my mind and heart to Yeshua of the Bible.

Robbie Carrier • 2 days ago Speaking of the JW comment. I would say to all denominations “try the spirits to see if they be of God” pretty simple

Lane Scott • 2 days ago Very interesting study!! Glad you think so! Very! It really is!

MyMagicman21 • 3 days ago I have a question Shawn my friend can you tell me what you think the OT God really is because the more I studied it appears he’s the devil in disguise so could you please check that out ty.

Sterling Stalker • 3 days ago Great soul-searching type of content. This forum shall be revelatory to some of CME-Christians (Xmas, MD, Easter). Calendrical piety is cushy for churchgoers and economical/efficient for churches as well. It serves the earthly regard of time management, so as the best interest of the institution (with its exclusive gospel interpretation and its specific house rules). These frameworks lull us into a delusion that they mean the completeness of how to practice faith. Instead they could…

Spiritual Reflections in Music

Stay off deeper personal relationship with God. As Keith Green sang: "I want more than Sunday and Wednesday nights/ Cause if you can't come to Me every day/ Then don't bother coming at all” – Beside the verses I highly recommend the prologue to the song as well: https://youtu.be/TzWyZxlwGKI I like when Ethan's convictions come to a halt. I guess he is at the doorstep of really constructive waverings and fruitful ponderings. Go for the inklings, foretastes and ponderings, brother! Sorry for fumbling English.

Perspectives on Church Doctrine

Christians who Don't Go to Church – vol 1 [CAT82]

Robbie Carrier
• 3 days ago
Adnon spot on!
REPLY0 replies

Demo-Crazy [7L]

K G
• 3 days ago
That’s not alma 5:10
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Episode 327: Book of Mormon Blunders

Comments on Authority and Scripture

Santacruz Hippysurfer
• 3 days ago
Freedom of speech ~ in the Mormon church ~ ?? ~ LOL~
REPLY0 replies

Totalitarian Church [6L]

Santacruz Hippysurfer
• 3 days ago
Shawn is wrong ~ life is a gateway drug ~ idiot and is that a white shirt with red polka-dot ~ lol ~ cali good weed ~?medical cannabis ~ and execedrin aspirin ` ~ and chocolate milk ~
REPLY0 replies1

New Bible Perspective Part 1 [8L]

Santacruz Hippysurfer
• 3 days ago (edited)
Aaron is wrong ~ lacking in object consistency ~ so ok , I know a man that acts justly and loves kindness and mercy and who walks humbly with his God ~ just do that ~ and call people out on there bullshit ~ just say no to cognitive dissonance ~ learn emotional literacy ~ and develop a fully formed frontal cortex ~ reference : micah 6:8 ` ~ talking to you Aaron~ "
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People of the Free Gift
• 4 days ago
The thing you are misunderstanding is that sola scriptura was in response to church tradition and the pope having the same level of authority as scripture. The Holy Spirit was always assumed to be an authority for the believer. In modern terms sola spiritus and sola scriptura must stand side by side. You said it yourself. If the Holy Spirit is telling me something, the word must be in agreement. The spirit and the word work together, not against each other.
REPLY0 replies

People of the Free Gift
• 4 days ago
Straw man – nobody takes the NT word for word exactly. All acknowledge differences in genre, times where instruction is given where culture is assumed, personal opinion of apostles, narratives where we must look for the principle, etc…
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Godngunclinger

• 4 days ago
LOL thanks!
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Is Switchfoot A Christian Band? Perfect Answer Given From Member!

Accountability and Salvation

Mossyman789 Moss

• 4 days ago
We all need to accountability
REPLY1 reply

New Bible Perspective Part 1 [8L]

Duane Dahl jr
• 4 days ago
Paul clearly stated in Romans 4,15 and 5,13, where there is no law, there is no imputed sin. What "law" are Christians under today that make them in need of accountability? Or salvation?
REPLY1

Sarah Leann Young

• 4 days ago
I'm not going to make any judgements about Aaron's level devoutness, but you are clearly a very devout Christian, brother. Only surpassed by your humility. Thank you for clearing up this Scripture. I look forward to the rest of this series.
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Duane Dahl jr
• 4 days ago
Yes, where is that Holy Spirit today???? It was only staying until the purchase possession was redeemed…AD70 was the date of expiration. Ephesians 1 13-14
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Hawk Davison
• 4 days ago (edited)
Loved you when both our hair had no white.. Wow, it's been almost 15 years.. I ain't much, but when we first spoke I was a Mormon, fresh out of jail, no hope… Now I own and farm 100 acres, awesome house. But best of all…… 4 awesome God given children. Do you remember me… I listed them years ago.. JADA 14, AARON 10, AVIVA 8 , JESSE 7…I LOVE YOU SIR… FOREVER + 1 DAY… YOU PRAYED FOR ME, WITH ME… IM UBER BLESSED.. I DESERVE NOTHING! LOVE YOU SEAN. BE HAPPY, BE BLESSED. ITS ALL. hawkdavison@gmail.com. Any time, Sir. Love ya!
Read more
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Challenges in Faith

Ace Trades
• 4 days ago (edited)
I feel bad for Shawn. He got half way out of a scam.
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I am Sorry – 54b

david janbaz
• 4 days ago
I just saw the video with Rob Bowman: glad to see you're humility and willingness for clarity! Sounds like you just needed to use better terminology: and not rejecting the trinity!
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I Got the Power [8s]

zen 101

• 4 days ago
Russell Nelson took a shot at being called "the Mormons" to over emphasize their long winded name. It's simple dog whistle psychology. Say

The Debate on Religious Indoctrination and Power Dynamics

It enough times and they convince themselves that by name they are The Church of Jesus Christ and a type of cognitive osmosis will confirm. Mormonism is not a religion based upon facts. It is based upon indoctrination.

I Got the Power [8s]

Kenia Mendes

• 4 days ago
Why do Mormons need Jesus? They created their own justification system.

I Got the Power [8s]

Perspectives from Within

John Humble
• 4 days ago
The opposite was my experience Shawn. Growing up in a small branch in Michigan. The LDS Church was a small group of very kind people. We had scouts and youth activities and mutual and super Saturday’s. I was the only LDS in my schools growing up. The priesthood never made me feel like I was better than anyone and they themselves were ordinary men always serving the community. The power you speak of had a different relationship where I grew up. Growing up in the priesthood taught me to be responsible, organize myself, and I learned the meaning of serving other people. If there was any arrogance. It seemed less than my baptist and catholic experience or uncle Ben’s bible study before school. I have met some arrogant men in the LDS church but a lot more outside the LDS church.

I have travelled all over Shawn and been LDS all my life (51 yrs). The authority and power you speak of seems to me to be everywhere as far as I can tell. The LDS is highly organized and family oriented. I was inactive in my twenties but still observed the church and it’s structure. I see more judgement outside the LDS church than I do in the inside. A man like Jeff Durbin? James White? I’ve met men like this my whole life outside the LDS church as they try to convince me I’m going to hell? I watch your show because you always say it’s the person not the group!!!! I’ve been judged more as an LDS than anything I’ve ever said to others. I can’t control what someone else believes!!!! I believe in Jesus Christ! The cross, the blood, through faith and love to him and my neighbor, I just happen to be a Mormon. But it’s funny this arrogance and power in my case always seems to be others trying to control my subjective experience as a truth seeker? Great show Shawn! Love you Brother!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Huff Humble – Salisbury Maryland

I Got the Power [8s]

Robbie Carrier
• 5 days ago (edited)
UPC (United Pentecostal Church) and other “oneness” Pentecostals is almost identical in this aspect to the Mormon Church. I deny the trinity, but the powers that be in the Pentecostal church see this as a special revelation and therefore think they have special authority. It blows my mind how much Mormonism and Pentecostalism are alike, not in doctrine but in spirit.

I Got the Power [8s]

blackblade789
• 4 days ago
Very true. Im glad Im not the only one that sees this. It is spooky almost. I think its the same demonic principalities that are proprietors of these two sister companies.

Duane Dahl jr
• 5 days ago
Let's face it, just who's names were on the gates of the "new temple"…..12 tribes of ISRAEL!….ARE the LDS or anyone living today in these tribes…nope!

I Got the Power [8s]

John Humble
• 4 days ago
Really? How do you know?

Jimmy Mendez

• 5 days ago
Yo Shawn what up bro

I Got the Power [8s]

Sarah Leann Young

• 5 days ago
LDS kids are definitely raised with a different mentality than Evangelical Christian kids. I'm actually not sure which is worse: teaching children they have power because of the authority they hold in their church, or telling children they have no power and the only person who has any is the pastor.

Views on Religious Authority

I Got the Power [8s]

david janbaz
• 5 days ago
If you're LDS then you're confused about Evangelicals!

Sarah Leann Young

• 5 days ago
@david janbaz I'm a Christian, not LDS. Was raised in the Christian church and in fact most of the churches I attended put an unbiblical amount of authority on the pastor and his leadership team's shoulders.

Rikx Smith
• 5 days ago
@Sarah Leann Young it’s the culture and tradition of the people which contradicts the word of God that’s why God say to test EVERYTHING even those preaching the word to you. Jesus said my people will perish because of lack of knowledge.

Sarah Leann Young

• 5 days ago
@Rikx Smith, totally agree.

John Humble
• 4 days ago
@david janbaz unless you’ve grown up in both churches

Exploring Beliefs and Authority in Religion

I was raised Mormon, Southern Baptist, Catholic, and a few others along the way.

Authority in Evangelical Churches

David Janbaz • 4 days ago @John Humble right, LDS don't know what Evangelicals teach, they think we are all Calvinists!

David Janbaz • 4 days ago @Sarah Leann Young You said Evangelical: there are many types of Evangelical churches. It's not always the case! Fundamentalist churches might be what you're thinking of.

Sarah Leann Young • 4 days ago @david janbaz No, I'm thinking of Evangelical churches. Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, Idaho, some Calvary Chapels in Idaho and Utah, and many others. There's an epidemic of pastors thinking they have authority in the evangelical churches in America, and we just let them as long as they're not crossing a certain line. They'll only get worse as time goes on. They're not the worst as far as authoritarianism in the Christian church goes, but I think they're starting to take advantage of their position.

John Humble • 39 minutes ago @david janbaz no they don’t lol Some do But that’s a broad brush.

Reflections on the Holy Spirit

Richard Anzlovar • 5 days ago What physically happened to the world when the Holy Spirit came down? Did everyone else feel something?

Joan Lantis • 5 days ago that is an excellent and interesting question. i hopw shawn or someone else with more knowledge than i answers it. that being said i have always thought that the spirit does now write Gods law on our hearts after Pentecost so i would say yes?

Robbie Carrier • 5 days ago Love it! Views mean nothing!

Christian Identity and the Curse of Cain

Freedom Patriot • 6 days ago The moon trilogy.

Jermar Williamson • 6 days ago CORRECTION >>>>>> it's scientifically proven that all so called races come from those born with e1b1a DNA was the very first human chromosome ever to be in existence. Genetic scientist call it the African geno which is a big lie because it traces back to the Middle East and not Africa. So called Arican Ameri… have this blood line trait that identifies them as not just the first but the first in the Middle East. While real Africans has e1b1b DNA which means that only Africans come from Ham not so called African Ameri… In fact the Y Chromosome (white people DNA) IS ONLY A MUTATED FORM OF THE E1B1A GENO, that means that white people had to have came from so called black people (So called African Ameri… the real Hebrews)… SHEM AND HAM WHERE BROTHERS… THERE'S NO WAY TO GET BLACK FROM WHITE BUT YOU CAN GET WHITE FROM BLACK. That's real science…. Dust doesn't even have olive skin tone.

LDS Believe The Curse Of Cain Was Black Skin! What Does The Bible Say?

Douglas Hagan • 6 days ago Once you are excommunicated from the Mormon church you cannot come back.

Sarah Leann Young I think those who spout sola scriptura are really for human authority because this is what usually happens: Person A says, "I think Christ wants me to love everyone, including homosexuals." Person B says, "but the Bible says it's a sin and that we need to separate ourselves from and rebuke sin." Person A then says, "I think you're twisting the true intention behind the Scriptures you're referencing." Whose opinion wins when Sola Scriptura is the standard? Whoever has more man-made authority in the church, whether they're right or not.