Heart of the Matter: Exploring Mormonism and Christianity

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 Christianity Face to Face!” Show 25 – The John 3:3 Seminar

And I’m Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion., your host.

Appreciation for Support

We would like to take a moment and thank each and every one of you for your support. Your emails, prayers, and other means of helping Alathea Ministries is greatly appreciated and for the most part goes unrecognized – here on earth, at least. We could not make the inroads we are making without you and we thank you so very much and thank God for your faith.

No matter what a person does in their life, there are always those times when you step back in your mind and ask, “Am I really doing what I am supposed to be doing?” Admittedly, I have had a few occasions to ask myself this very question relative to our ministry to the Mormons.

Last weekend was especially troubling because as I had this thought on my mind, I drove along Fourth South past the Gay Pride Festival in downtown Salt Lake City. As I made my way East on the street, I passed by two separate groups of men who thought it suitable and well within their rights of public expression to lift their shirts and rub their nipples seductively as I drove by. It was a bacchanalian festival of humanism, focused entirely on the worship of Man and the Self. I wasn’t sad and ashamed for these people. I wasn’t hateful toward them as individuals, but I detested what they were promoting and was overwhelmingly embarrassed for their humanity. And I wondered, again, if my efforts wouldn’t be better served focusing on societal elements like this rather than on a Church that represents families and clean living.

Later that evening when I spoke with Mary I was reminded why I do what I do. That morning she took our youngest daughter to the LDS church for a missionary farewell. In that meeting they sang the LDS “hymn” “Praise to the Man.” Our youngest asked her Mom what the song was about and when Mary explained to her that it was about Joseph Smith, she was unnerved. I recalled hearing the song sung in the Mission Training Center years ago. Tears flowed from the eyes of all present as one man operatically worshipped another. “Hail to the prophet! Ascend into heaven! Traitors and tyrants, Now fight him in vein. Mingling with God’s He can plan for his brethren DeathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. shall not concur the hero again.” Mingling with God’s? Mingling with God’s? Mingling with God’s? What the heck does this mean? Bad-mitten on Wednesday? Sunday brunch?

Last Sunday on the KBYU Channel they aired a tribute to Joseph Smith. The narrator actually said: “And God was Joseph Smith’s right hand man.” (beat) Man-worship is everywhere. And I am – once again – secure in the knowledge that my attentions are focused in the right direction.

The Upcoming Segment

This next segment is going to be presented without any commentary. You come to your own conclusions.

HISTORY OF CHENEY MEETING:

PRESIDENT BUSH’S VISIT A FEW WEEKS AGO:

(Run Cheney video)

(Show SL Trib photo)

And with this, let’s have a prayer.

Methodology for Reaching LDS

We’re going to interrupt our analysis of the “Seventeen Points of the True Church” in order to present our ministries method for reaching the LDS with the truth of Jesus Christ. Please take a moment and grab your Bibles as there are a few passages that you will want to mark if you are interested. It is our intention that people – churches, Christian Missionaries, etc. – will use this show to train their congregates on a method for sharing Jesus with the LDS. If you are LDS and are watching tonight, I would invite you to take our challenge on your own.

Our approach to reaching the LDS is somewhat unique. As a result, it has been misunderstood by many Christians and critics which utilize more traditional methods of helping LDS people have “eyes to see and ears to hear.” We believe that one of the most responsible and effective ways to share the biblical Jesus with searching Latter-day Saints is through a discussion on being born-again. But more on this in a moment.

Now, let me suggest a few “foregone conclusions” that should be understood for anyone yearning to share the Biblical gospel with Latter-day Saints.

Foregone Conclusions

“God does the converting”

Every fish is different

Audience: seekers vs. stalwarts

Personal Preparation: Born-again/prayer/faith/patience

“It is perhaps the best counterfeit on earth” – KTW!

Think it is us. Our methods. Our words. He is at the helm and reaches people INSPITE of our efforts.

Fishermen employ a number of different approaches and means depending on the fish they are seeking to

Methods for Reaching Latter-day Saints

Catch!

Lines Bait Lures Weights Casting Reeling techniques Landing techniques

No ONE sure method! God uses them all. We cast no criticism on anyone's approach, but believe there are some methods that are more effective than others ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.

Primary Audience

So who are you speaking to? We would suggest that there is wisdom in reaching the lost and searching Latter-day Saints over the “stalwarts” BUT BY ALL MEANS PLANT SEEDS wherever you are sowing!

CHURCH STATS Claim 13 million on record. Four to five million worthy recommend holders. Leaves a solid seven to eight million people who are either dangling, wandering, or not stalwart enough to tow the LDS line of bondage. This is a primary audience. They seek because they are “sinners” because they are empty inside, because they are over-burdened, because Mormonism has failed them. They also seek because they are intelligent, and can see the issues.

Good friend when asked what caused him to leave Mormonism Says, “I gotta library card!” The internet is forcing many LDS to see – for the first time ever – what their history has been and what they really teach and believe. It’s also a foregone conclusion that if you are going to share with a Latter-day Saint, some personal preparation is suggested.

Finally, the better you know the Word of God, the more adept you will be at answering and sharing Jesus. You don’t necessarily need to know Mormonism, but you really should know Christianity.

Methods Matter

Now methods matter. They mattered to Jesus. There are a variety of methods people use to reach out to the LDS. Some are more effective, and some are more damaging, than others. Let’s talk about the pros and cons of the seven most used methods people use to “reach” the LDS.

The John 3:3 Approach

METHODS MATTER – the pros and cons of sharing methods

1. The “It’s all good” method.
2. The “argumentation, intimidation, and/or ridicule” method.
3. The “Silent modeling” method
4. The “Shock and Awe” method
5. The “Information without condemnation” Method
6. The “Truth in love” / “Compassionate boldness” Method”
7. Finally, our method, which we have warmly called “The Mormon Road or John 3:3 Method.

THE JOHN 3:3 APPROACH: “Have you been born-again?”

The Lord’s Imperative (John 3:3)

Is Everything New? (2nd Corinthians 5:17)

Not a birthright (John 1:12-13)

Why does it happen? The result of experiencing God Isaiah 6:5 Daniel 10:10 and 15 Luke 5:8

How does it happen? Titus 3:3-8

CONCLUSION:

Let’s go to the phones. (801) 973-TV20 (801) 973-8820

Prefer 1st time callers love LDS callers please turn your televisions down

Emails while we wait

Hey, if you are in the greater Utah or Idaho area, we are having a Northern Utah river baptism and fellowship on Saturday July 12th.