Heart of the Matter: Confrontation and Reflection

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., where Mormonism Meets Biblical Christianity, face to face. Show 30 Potpourri July 24th 2012

And I’m your host, Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion.. We praise the True and Living God for allowing us to participate in this ministry. May He be with you (and us) tonight.

Weekly Events

SUNDAYS – Two things:

• We hold church “deconstructed” every Sunday at 10am and 2:30pm. Go to www.c-a-m-p-u-s.com for more information.
• AM 820 replays Heart of the Matter every Sunday from 1 to 2. AM 820 is a great radio station here in Utah.

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

Summer Sales Spectacular

Five – that’s right five! Products for fifty percent off the normal retail price! (SHOW PRODUCTS) Plus a BONUS product for any purchase large or small – your very own laptop sticker Joseph’s Myth. As a warning do NOT put this on thy car. We have already received tickets for non-registration on a car that is totally registered here in the State! Anyway – come join the Summer Sales Spectacular by going to www.hotm.tv

Worship leader, recording artist, and American Idol Finalist Chris Sligh will be in concert on Friday, August 3, 7pm at Calvary Chapel Salt Lake. Tickets are $10 and available at The Chapel Store, Lifeway Christian Store & www.Tickets.com. Contact Calvary Chapel at 801-264-9999 or visit www.CalvarySLC.org for info.

Okay, another event: Saturday, September 1st Murray Park Amphitheater. The Seventh Annual Burning Heart from 3pm till dusk. Why? It’s fun. It’s a say goodbye to summer event. It is a place to gather with like-minded believers. There’s food. A dunk tank. Excellent products to purchase and this year… we are holding two unique events:

Key Activities

First, an open Battle for Best Worship Band in Utah contest! And second, our first communion service for all believers before concluding with our annual Open Water Baptisms. Want more information. Go to www.hotm.tv

This last week there was another horrible mass shooting of innocent people in a Colorado movie theater. From all accounts a lone gunman, with hair dyed as the Joker, entered into a movie theater armed to the hilt and with the premeditated intention to take life.

Naturally, the nation is aghast with the fact that some sixty unarmed, defenseless people – including women and children – were shot down – with twelve of them (thus far) dying. Over and over again I have heard the media (at large) calling this shooting the “worst mass shooting in American history.”

And while I do not want to take anything away from the sorrow and suffering the victims and their families must be experiencing because of the actions of this disguised madman, the Colorado event was FAR, FAR, FAR from being the worst mass shooting on American soil.

On September 6th of 1857, a group of active, faithful Mormon men, disguised as American Indians, ambushed a caravan of pioneers headed to California from Arkansas. For several days these Mormon pinned the Baker-Francher party down under constant gunfire. Apparently, these unsuspecting travelers were on the receiving end of rumors run amok – rumors which inflamed these LDS zealots into taking unjust and violent action against them.

Unable to end the siege, the Mormon attackers created another plan for victory and on September 11th (nine – eleven) several LDS leaders approached the pioneers under a banner of peacemaking. They entered the besieged camp of the Baker-Francher party and promised to lead these tired, thirsty, beaten people to safety from the “attacking Indians.”

Leaders of the Baker-Francher party believed the promises of the LDS men and convinced those in their group to put their trust their Mormon saviors. And 120 men, women, and children lined up single file and allowed themselves to be escorted out from the site of the attack to an open field by armed LDS men on horseback. Once in the open field, in Mountains Meadow, a Mormon leader called out to the escorts on horseback, and said: “Gentlemen, do your duty,” and they opened fire, killing all 120 unarmed and defenseless men, women, and children.

A cross monument was erected on the

Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath

Spot in the months to come. On it were inscribed the words:

“Vengeance is mine, thus saith the Lord, I shall repay.”

Wilford Woodruff, who would become President of the Mormon church, claimed that upon reading the inscription on the cross marker, Brigham Young, the current Mormon prophet and president replied, "Vengeance is mine and I have taken a little".

Mountain Meadows, the massacre of innocents by Mormon men, remains the single largest massacre by firearm in US history. It was carried out by the hands of faithful LDS men who appeared in disguise and lured people to their deaths. Several years ago, the Mormon Church in Salt Lake City, under the leadership of prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, erected a monument for the slain. But the Mormon Church has NEVER apologized for the actions of these members of their church or for Brigham Young’s comments about it. Go to www.utlm.org and read about it for yourself if you don’t believe me. Oh, hey, by the way, happy July 24th!

The Controversy of Boyd K. Packer's Residence

Last week I made a statement about the costly nature of one of the current LDS apostles' residences – Boyd K. Packer – Who, throughout his life has been employed by the Mormon church. I said that his home, which we might think would be humble, was palatial. An LDS man called in and challenged this saying that my information was incorrect, that Apostle Packer lived in what he described to be a small, fairly unassuming residence. He said my information, like most of the information we put out, was untrue.

So we did some research. Admittedly, my description of the home being “palatial” was an overstatement – from what we can tell. But palatial is a relative term and in light of Hi supposedly being an apostle of the Lord to me the term applied. Maybe to the caller, the Apostles house was indeed humble. But we did look into the value of the property. And I don’t know about you, but to work for the Mormon church all your life, collecting “the meager salary paid to most institute of religion teachers” like Packer was, it surprises me that the appraised value of his residence was one million three hundred thousand dollars. With the average home value in the United States being around $200,000.00, and Packer living in a home that costs more than six hundred percent more, I think that within the context of our conversation on Mormonism and money the point was proven more than true.

Interpretation of John 10

And with that, how about a moment from the Word? Last week we left off last week reading in John 10 where Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” And the Jews were going to stone Him for the claim. The saga over this statement of the Lord continues on in chapter ten. Now, of ALL the passages in the New Testament that LDS missionaries, apologists, and defenders of Mormonism employ, this one is perhaps most difficult to explain. And because it is not really simple to grasp – even for Christian Bible readers – the LDS pounce upon it and befuddle many unsuspecting people.

The LDS Belief in Becoming Gods

You see, the LDS believe, whether they make it clear or not in casual conversation, that they believe they will become Gods. Faithful Mormons believe that in addition to experiencing a marriage that is eternal and having their families right there with them forever, becoming a god is one of the rewards of being a dutiful Latter-day Saint. And as a means to prove that their belief is sanctioned by God, they use the following passages which come right after Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.”

You see, when Jesus said this, the Jews picked up stones to kill Him for blasphemy. In His defence, Jesus replied… in John 10:32:

“Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.”

SHAWN: (Now, as a means to respond to them and their justification for wanting to stone them, Jesus says):

34 “Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; say ye of me, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, “Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?”

Understanding the Use of "God" in Scripture

GRAPHIC of JOHN 10:34-35

Now, let’s look at this answer or response of Jesus to the Jews in two parts. The first part shows that they shouldn’t have objected to Him calling Himself God even if he were no more than a man. And He does this by quoting from Psalm 82 which reads:

Psalm 82:1 God (uppercase G) stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods (lower case g).
2 How long will you judge unjustly, And show partiality to the wicked? Selah
3 Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4 Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked.
5 They do not know, nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are unstable.
6 I said, "You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High.
7 But you shall die like men, And fall like one of the princes."

In verse one of Psalm 82, the Psalmist differentiates between “YHWY capital G God” and other gods with the lower case G by saying: “God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods.” Psalms 82 shows that the word translated "god" – eloh can be applied to man, though the use is rare in scripture and is almost always used as a GENERAL noun for God. Better put, it is the word “god” in the ordinary sense and is used to describe deference and honor given to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative applied to angels, great judges, and the mighty.

Examples of "God" in Scripture

For example, in Exodus 7:1 God says to Moses: "See, I have made you as god to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet.” There are MANY MANY MANY (lower case g God’s throughout the universe. Our sick modern vernacular even has people saying stupid things about celebrities like, “He’s a god.”

In Judges 10:13 God says: “Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more.” But the term is just about men of power or especial talent and has NOTHING to do with becoming upper-case G God’s – because there is only one and forever will only be one.

GRAPHIC

Jesus' Argument on Blasphemy

Then Jesus makes His second point saying, in other words, “If God himself called men who were servants and magistrates “gods” (lower case g) because they acted with dignity and honor toward the responsibilities entrusted to them – “and the scripture cannot be broken” – meaning the authority of the Scripture is final and cannot be set aside then “how can it be blasphemy to use this word toward someone far more exalted than mere magistrates?”

This was the point of His argumentation. Jesus was saying: "You charge me with blasphemy. The foundation of that charge is the use of the name God, or the Son of God, applied to myself; yet that same term is applied in the Scriptures to magistrates.” Now, it has been in my mind tempting to ask why Jesus would resort to word games with these Jews. But He really didn’t. He simply used their own law and scripture to show that at the least level of understanding, they could not condemn Him for blasphemy.

Note! Jesus did not deny that He meant to apply the term God (capital G) to himself. He did not deny that it was properly applied to Him either, and finally, neither did He deny that the term (in HIS case) perfectly implied that he was God. All His comments show that He was affirming that they were inconsistent in their thinking (and therefore were not authorized to bring a charge of blasphemy upon Him) for applying the name God to himself because the name had been used by God to describe men of earthly power.

But you know, in the end, if the LDS want to continue to teach that they are on the way to becoming God’s, let them, but don’t ever let them get away with pulling some verse out of biblical context to support their blasphemous teachings.

And with that, let’s have a word of prayer.

PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER

PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER

Alright, I need one more week to get back to the Book of Mormonion. I apologize, but we had a deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. in the family and have been pulled back and forth between California and home here in Utah. So tonight, before we go to the phones I am going to catch up on all kinds of questions, emails, insights.

Examination of Religious Claims

While reading Leviticus chapter 20 this morning this passage jumped out at me:

Leviticus 20:14 “And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.”

Recalling Todd Compton’s book on the wives of Joseph Smith (In Sacred Loneliness) I did a bit of quick research and was reminded of the FACT that on February 8th 1842 Joseph Smith secretly married a twenty-three year old woman named Sylvia Porter. Then one month later secretly married her mother, Patty Bartlett Sessions, 47 years old, on March 9th 1842. Do you trust what God actually said or what Joseph actually did?

Prominence in Latter-day Saints

Wally wrote: “Glen Beck said on his program today that Joseph Smith was being recruited by the President of the United States back in 1835 (or around that time for a cabinet position). Beck is weaving Mormonism into his TV show (GBTV) and his radio program.” And welcome to the Mormon Marketing machine. This is the problem with any Latter-day Saint being in any place of prominence – it gives CREDIBILITY to the religion.

It’s really interesting when we learn that someone of fame is a “Christian” because when that is said, people know what it means – they are a follower of Jesus Christ. Rarely do we also hear where they go to church – that is irrelevant. They might attend a little Baptist church in the country or a larger metropolitan church in the city. What we hear is they are Christian. But when the LDS promote themselves as being Mormon the Mormon CHURCH is gloried because their identity lies with the brick and mortar corporation while a Christian’s identity lies firmly (and only) with Christ.

Myth and Youth Influence in Mormonism

Had a number of you forward video clips shot in the predominately LDS city of Bountiful Utah. Here it shows young Mormon men – 2000 of them – dressed up in the make-believe garb of an army of make-believe characters found in Joseph Smith’s make believe Book of Mormon. They are known in the text of the BOM as the 2000 Stripling warriors. In the BOM, Helaman, a Prophet and warrior, oversaw 2000 young soldiers called the stripling warriors (or Sons of Helaman) who, though engaged in bloody warfare, were never harmed because of their righteousness.

We present the clip to illustrate several things endemic to Mormonism:

• The power of myth used to influence their youth.
• The LDS acceptance of warlike imagery to depict their faith.
• The mindless devotion fostered and nurtured in the young.

These elements are not unique to Mormonism but have been used and utilized by men, systems, and governments for thousands of years.

Got a new stalker online. Every now and again they pop up – defending Mormonism to the death! I mean, I could have a video of Joseph and Fanny Alger in the barn together with Emma outside weeping and they would say God’s ordained it. Anyway, the new stalker’s name is Jim. On Monday July 23 he wrote claiming that the faults of the Book of Mormon are no big deal because the book itself admits “that if there are faults they are the faults of men.” (that’s a line in the introduction of the Onion).

Jim adds: “Even the book admits (the presence of faults) so what’s the problem? What is this obsession with errors?”

Book of Mormon: Interpretation and Faults

Here’s the problem with the errors Jim. Now really try and listen closely, okay. The Book of Mormon text was provided by God, who – LISTEN – according to YOUR history provided what He wanted Joseph to record. Quickly, this is how your book was said to have been translated. Words would supposedly appear on a glowing scroll that would appear inside a hat into which Joseph would peer. Joseph would read the words out loud, Oliver Cowdery would record them on paper and then read them back outloud. IF Oliver got the words wrong the words on the scroll would not disappear and Oliver would have to make corrections.

Understanding the Process of Receiving Truth

Words recorded properly, which would be proven by his reading them correctly back to Joseph, the words would disappear and new ones would pop up for the process to continue. With this being the way the Book of Mormon text was produced, there is no room for grammatical, contextual, or literary errors – unless they were on God’s part. Do you get this?

But here is the main reason I mention this. When men and women want to believe something, all the explanations, proofs, facts, and indictments will do NOTHING – because they want to believe the lie. These types are NOT interested in truth. So even when we take the time to present the truth and facts to them, they will merely move on to another point. It is how they work. Don’t get trapped in their web. It wastes time. But move onto those who have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts that search for truth no matter what the cost.

A Testimony of Sincere Seeking

Before we open the phones, this brings me to a final email (and we thank you SOOO much for all your emails (we read them all and are still working on responding to them all).

This is from Randy. Unlike those who call and write and will not hear or see no matter what is presented to them, Randy’s email presents us with a living example of how God reaches into the hearts of men and women who really want to know Him.

Among other things Randy wrote: “Though I am not Mormon, I've learned more from your show and the Holy Spirit talking through you than I have from any other Christian show or pastor. (Praise God) I was born and raised Catholic and grew up proclaiming Jesus Christ as my lord and savior. But I never really knew what it meant. I left the Catholic church years ago. During my years as a Catholic, a non-Catholic, and a self-proclaiming Christian, I probably committed every sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. that the Constitutional law allows. About a year ago, I knew that if I didn't do something soon, I would die in my sins.

So I prayed to Jesus and asked him to come into my life and save me because I could not stop sinning on my own. It took a while, and one day I finally picked up the Bible (so VITAL to seeing and hearing truth, friends), and asked God to bless my mind and my thoughts and my heart…and I started reading. I didn't stop reading. Every day I read and tried to do what was written in the Gospels and the Epistles. At that time, I thought I was born again because I learned more about the Word than ever before. (Listen carefully, folks) But I was still sinning, lying to my wife, being lustful, judging others secretly, gossiping at work. I was arrogant.

Transformation Through Confession and Grace

One day while reading a certain book in the Epistles, the words brought a tremendous shame over me; it even frightened me. But I kept reading. The shame grew into a severe panic attack riddled with guilt and remorse because of the things that I've done; the things I was still doing. I kept reading. I finally broke. I lost all my strength and fell to the floor and confessed my sins to the Lord in a puddle of tears. Never in my life had I felt such terror and remorse that it sucked the life right out of me. I was truly in a broken state.

At that time, I didn't know that this was supposed to happen to me. I was so filled with fear and hopelessness that it eventually forced me to confess my sins openly. I confessed to my wife; I confessed to a pastor who helped me. That's when I was truly born again. The world suddenly had no meaning without Jesus. I wasn't just aware of one big sin in my past; I was aware of all my sins! I prayed to Jesus and Jesus alone when I knew I could not stop sinning, and he eventually led me to the truth. I made it to episode 13 when you preached the cross and hearing it brought me to my knees thanking God for dying for this wretched man…me. Shawn, I can see how confusing it is between works and grace. I can tell you that grace brought me to obedience. Jesus showed me what he showed me because he loves me. I would not have seen any of my sins without…

Paradoxical Faith

My friends, we follow a highly paradoxical faith. A faith not where the able and proud and accomplished figure Christ out but where the humble, sinful, and broken cry out to Him to be saved. Those who seek will find. Those who want to hear will. And those who don’t will remain blind and deaf and dumb – usually as a result of their own pride.

Let's open the phones

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

First time callers onleeee
LDS callers preferred.
Turn down your tv sets!

Hey, remember, we are offering what we believe is a win win win for all involved. Five . . . no SIX tremendous Alathea products with over a twenty five thousand doll hair value – here for the taking, for a mere 50 musty clams. Go to www.hotm.tv for information on how to participate in this Summer Sales Extravaganza!

Facing Criticism

Been a very tough week of criticism on yours truly. I am really rubbing a lot of people the wrong way.

In an email from a supporter, we read:

In an email from a Mormon we read:

“On your website on TV20 it says you love all Mormons. Truly after watching a portion of some your shows is that what you truly show and say in your heart. You are so full of crap it makes the whole thing stink. Like my Mom use to say. If it smells like (BLANK) it must be (BLANK). You have got to be the most lopsided human that I have seen in a long time. You say one thing and then your actions do another. Honestly how can you stay married and how can your kids stand you. Is this how you treat them?”

In a second email from a Christian:

“In last week’s show about "MONEY" you got angry and even hateful and you called a guy an "IDIOT" and you said that you "would not even get in a car with the guy ever"?????? He goes on . . . “I do not expect you or any one to be perfect but I have to say that this AGAIN broke my heart. I understand it is frustrating when someone calls you to the carpet yet all you know and all you learn and all you do becomes nothing WITH OUT LOVE. Possibly he was wrong or maybe he was accurate or the Bloomberg report may have been in accurate it really matters not. It is the tone of LOVE that counts in the end.”

These types of emails and criticisms of me have been a constant since 2006. What will it take to help people understand?

Discussions on Godhead

FROM FRED:

Now for you theory on the Godhead. And I do not put anyone down for their beliefs. My thoughts are you are a better person for believing that there is a God and going to church than not going at all. But since you are so quick to judge all the mormons. YOU ARE THE GREAT JUDGE FOR ALL OF MANKIND. YOU BELIEVE THAT God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost are one. Ok that is like an egg. So when Jesus came to this earth and was born. Who was in heaven taking care of the heaven's?

And at the time where was the Holy Spirit? How could the Holy Spirit dwell in each of us if it was with Jesus here on earth in a baby? How could Jesus control the heavens, send spirits to earth, be born and control those who died and decided where they go and all that goes on up above answered prayers and all that heavenly stuff if he was here as a baby?

Does not make any sense. Can't figure that out. Got an answer for me all wise and knowing person. Let me know what the answer is. Because I cannot figure that out.

Insights on Religious Practices

From our dear friends Laura and Jamie (who was once Catholic)

I caught your show late this week, yesterday on DVR. Regarding the guy who claimed the Catholics don't pray "to" Mary, you gave an excellent and logical response!! However, since Jamie fights the war on the Catholic front (huge, Polish, Catholic family, unsaved all), we are aware of and thought you might like to know the official doctrine on that subject, in case it comes up again.

The Catholics are involved in deception on this issue every bit as much as the LDS are on their issues, especially in the US with the state of anti-Catholic apologetics. In foreign countries, however, it is a very open practice with Marian statues, paintings, etc. being the object of worship. In fact, the

Catholic Catechism and Worship of Mary

The last pope (the Polish guy–can't recall his name) wore the name "MARY" inside his cloak and openly worshipped her. But that all might be just a matter of personal taste and not "official" at all, right?

Current Catechism Statements

The current Catholic Catechism, published April 1995 under the current pope's (Ratzinger) imprimatur, states the following in paragraph 2679, page 706:

"Mary is the perfect Orans (pray-er), a figure of the Church. WHEN WE PRAY TO HER, we are adhering with her to the plan of the Father, who sends his Son to save all men. Like the beloved disciple we welcome Jesus' mother into our homes, for she has become the mother of all the living. WE CAN PRAY WITH AND TO HER. The prayer of the Church is sustained by the prayer of Mary and united with it in hope [emphasis Laura's]."

Marian Cooperation with the Holy Spirit

On the next page under paragraph 2682:

"Bcause of Mary's singular cooperation with the action of the Holy Spirit, the Church loves to pray in communion with the VIrgin Mary, to magnify with her the great things the Lord has done for her, and to ENTRUST SUPPLICATIONS AND PRAISES TO HER [emphasis Laura's]."

I hope that helps. Give my love to Mary and the girls!