The US Presidential Election

The Intersection of Faith and Leadership

“They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.”

• Hosea 8:4

LIVE FROM THE MECCA OF MORMONISM

• SALT LAKE CITY UTAH –

This is Heart of the Matter, where Mormonism Meets Biblical Christianity, face to face.

Show 45: The 2012 Presidential Election
November 6th, 2012

I’m Shawn McCraney, your host. We praise “the True and Living God” for allowing us to participate in this ministry. May He be with you (and us) tonight . . . (which to date may be one of the most significant nights in the history of Mormonism and American Christianity).

Our program tonight has been written in response or anticipation of two things: In response to the fact that our supposed Christian nation (who claims to know the true and living God) has attempted to elect an active Mormon for President and/or in the event that they have been successful in actually putting an active Mormon in office as Commander and Chief.

But first, some biz-naz.

Join us SUNDAYS at the University of Utah either at 10am or 2:30 as we go through the Word verse by verse. For more information go to www.c-a-m-p-u-s.com. Hey? Ever listen to AM 820 – the best Christian radio programming in Utah. On Sundays they replay “Heart of the Matter” from 1 to 2. Check AM 820 out – the Truth!

If you’ve watched the show for any length of time you know that we wholly support “Transitions” which is an extremely well developed tool Christian churches can use to train themselves on how to help LDS people “transition” out of Mormonism and into the Body of Christ. You can get all the information you want about Transition by going to www.mormontransitions.org. Also, I learned last week that they are replaying segments of Transitions right after Heart of the Matter so stay tuned to see what it’s all about.

Resources for Transition

Speaking of churches “great for transitioning Mormons”, there’s a church out in the Eagle Mountain/Saratoga Springs area you might want to check out with your family:

Faith Community Church
3535 Ranches Parkway Suite 5
Eagle Mountain
Sundays 10:30-12:15

Great heart for the Lord. Don’t be afraid, you folks who live out there, and check out Faith Community Church.

Some of you may have noticed that our websites have been back-logged a bit. The reason is we’ve lost our very capable and adept webmaster, Micah, and have since hired a new company out of Michigan to take his place. As a result there is a bit of a learning curve to get through. I want to publicly thank Micah for sharing his vast talents with Alathea Ministries over the years. Bear with us as we transition into this new IT relationship.

Understanding Eternal Life

How about a Moment from the Word?

Let’s open with John 17:3 where Jesus says plainly: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” What a verse. “And this is life eternal (what is life eternal? THIS IS) – “that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

Faithful viewer Michael M out in Pennsylvania (a FORMER full blown PAGAN who is now a full blown Christian) wrote in and asked a great question respecting the election of an LDS president. He asked: “When the Nation joins our new President on inauguration day and the prayer is offered, who is being prayed to? No longer will God be blessing America, but the Mormon Heavenly Father, who was once a man. I might as well just build my old altars up again for as much good as that will bring us.” He adds: “I wonder how many Christians are thinking about this when they pull that lever?”

Good question, Michael. What does Jesus mean here in John 17:3 anyway when He actually attached knowing the True and Living God and His Son with eternal life? The WORD for “know” in this passage is the Greek word “ginosko” and contextually it means to absolutely know . . . the TRUE and LIVING God. Not a pagan god made from Man’s imagination. Not a glorified man or a figure cut out of wood or stone. Not a multi-headed God

The True and Living God

Describing Him, 1st Chronicles 16:26 says: “For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.” Numbers 23:19 says it plainly: “God is not a man.” Jesus said in Matthew that the Father is not in “flesh and blood” and in John He says plainly that, “God is Spirit.” Hebrews calls the true and living God “invisible,” and throughout scripture He is called a “consuming fire.”

Isaiah 44:8 says, “Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.” Deuteronomy 4:35 says, "Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him." Isaiah 45:5-6 states, "I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else."

Those who “know Him” understand these things about Him. And when people really, truly know these things about the True and Living God, they would never embrace or support anyone who worships or follows after false, dead, imaginary gods . . . (beat) . . . would they? Would they? WOULD THEY? Did you? . . .

The Beliefs of Some Followers

Today . . . tonight . . . right now at this very moment in time people who claim to “KNOW the True and LIVING God and Jesus Christ who He has sent” have promoted and endorsed a man who ardently believes, seeks, and proselytizes to the world a god . . . . who was once a man.

“God was once a man.” (LDS Gospel Principles 1997 page 305) A god who is in a glorified body of flesh and bones – “The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as mans.” (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22) A god who had a Father – “Our Father in Heaven, according to the Prophet (Joseph Smith) had a father.” (Doctrines of Salvation 2:47)

A God who this man believes is of his same race – “God and man are of the same race, differing ONLY in their degrees of advancement.” (John A. Widstoe, Rational Theology, 1915, page 61) A God (with a capital G) who is just one of many acceptable God’s and a God whom he will be just like . . . if he lives up to the temple rites and rituals he’s embraced

“How many Gods there are, I do not know, but there was never a time where there were not Gods and worlds . . .” (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 7:333, October 8th 1859)

(beat)

Justifying the Actions

How have you who have gotten behind this man justified your actions? Really. How? . . . . especially knowing full well that to endorse him is certainly going to help promote the doctrines he believes . . . to innocent, unsuspecting people all over this world who have yet to meet “the true and living God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent?”

(RUN MALLORY’S MUSIC HERE) . . . (Then to Shawn)

GRAPHIC

GRAPHIC (In quotations, please)

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GRAPHIC “the true and living God is NOT flesh and blood,” He is “Spirit” He is “invisible” He is a “consuming fire.”

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And with this let’s have a word of Prayer.

PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER

PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER

Last week I announced that we were going to return to our examination of “the Book of Mormonion” tonight.

Sorry. Next week.

I want to open up the phone lines early so you guys can call and defend your selling out the True and Living God for your own benefits.

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

While the operators clear your calls, let me talk for a minute.

What I am about to reveal is not based on conjecture nor speculation. It’s not some weak A and E “what if” program – built on supposition, myth, and unseen documents. It is history.

And listen – philosopher George Santayana said it, “Those who do NOT remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

I can assure you that the history I am going to share with you tonight will be repeated (in some form or another) because Evangelical leaders in America today have not take the time to remember . . . where Mormonism came from.

In July of 1840, founder of Joseph Smith said: “Even this Nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to

Joseph Smith's Political Aspirations

"The ground and when the constitution is upon the brink of ruin this people will be the Staff up [on] which the Nation shall lean and they shall bear the constitution away from the very verge of destruction.”
(Source: The Words of Joseph Smith 416. Joseph Smith Collection, LDS Church Historical Department. Joseph Smith on July 19, 1840)

Apparently tired of being a prophet, seer, and revelator, or wanting to wrap political control into his list of accomplishments, Joseph Smith began to parlay a lifelong interest in politics into a greater focus on political insights in the late 1830s up until his death. By December of 1843, he found his loyalty to the Whig party vacillating between them and the Democrats when all of a sudden he parted ways with both.

In February of 1844, Joseph Smith announced his candidacy for President of the United States, with his doctrinal guru Sidney Rigdon serving as his vice-presidential running mate. Naturally having absolutely no division between church and state, Smith proceeded to send out his twelve apostles to advertise and campaign for him. One month later, in March of 1844 (and in preparation for assuming office), Smith secretly organized what he called “the Council of Fifty,” which was nothing more than a policy-making shadow-government working off some political principles Smith called "Theodemocracy." One of the Council's first acts was to ordain Smith as “King of the Kingdom of God.”

Campaigning for a Theocracy

I’m not making this up. And yet, while campaigning for President of this nation, I would be willing to bet that Presidential Candidate Romney sang the following words about Joseph Smith at least once while sitting in one of his many church functions:

“Hail to the prophet
Ascends into heaven
Traitors and tyrants
Now fight him in vain!
Mingling with Gods he now
Plans for his brethren
Death shall not conquer the
Hero again.”

And you voted for this guy.

Immediately after being ordained “King of the Kingdom of God,” and as if he had just organized an independent state, Smith and the Council of Fifty sent ambassadors to England, France, Russia, and the Republic of Texas on Smith’s behalf. In April, Smith predicted "the entire overthrow of this nation in a few years."

His running mate, Sidney Rigdon, said: “When God sets up a system of salvation, he sets up a system of government; when I speak of a government I mean what I say; I mean a government that shall rule over temporal and spiritual affairs.” (Apostle Sidney Rigdon, General Conference, April 5, 1844)

Smith's Theological Beliefs on Governance

In Smith’s mind, as it is in every man bent on theocracy, the theology takes precedence. This is what Smith himself said as recorded in the Times and Seasons: “A man is not an honorable man if he is not above all law, and above government…. The law of God is far more righteous than the laws of the land; the laws of God are far above the laws of the land. The Kingdom of God does not interfere with the laws of the land, but keeps itself by its own laws.” (Times and Seasons, v. 5, May 1, 1844, p. 524, also printed with punctuation changes in History of the Church, v. 5, p. 292)

In another statement, Smith said: “As the ‘world is governed too much,’ and there is not a nation or dynasty, now occupying the earth, which acknowledges Almighty God as their lawgiver, and as ‘crowns won by blood, by blood must be maintained,’ I go emphatically, virtuously, and humanely for a THEO-DEMOCRACY, where God and the people hold the power to conduct the affairs of men in righteousness, and where liberty, free trade, and sailor’s rights, and the protection of life and property shall be maintained inviolate for the benefit of ALL.” (Joseph Smith, Jr. Daily Globe, April 14, 1844, also see Millennial Star, v. 23, June 22, 1861, p. 391. Deleted from the History of the Church, v. 6, pp. 340-341).

And in yet another statement, Smith said: “I prophesy in the name of the Lord God of Israel, unless the United States redress the wrongs committed upon the Saints in the state of Missouri and punish the crimes committed by her officers that in a few years the government will be utterly overthrown and wasted, and there will not be so much as a potsherd left, for their wickedness in permitting the murder of men, women and children, and the wholesale plunder and extermination of thousands of her citizens to go unpunished, thereby perpetrating a foul and corroding blot upon the fair fame of this great republic.”

The Intersection of Mormonism and Politics

The very thought of which would have caused the high-minded and patriotic framers of the Constitution of the United States to hide their faces with shame.
(Source: Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith 302-03)

Since Smith, Mormonism, I would suggest has been involved in just as many political activities as it has been in the religious – because they are one in the same to the LDS.

In 1982, The LDS Church News stated:
“Most people in this nation do not understand the origin and destiny of the United States as the Latter-day Saints do… How wonderful it would be if all Americans viewed the marvelous country in which we live in the same light as the Latter-day Saints….
“The Lord created the United States for a specific purpose. He provided freedom of speech, press, assembly and worship….
“Here He had determined to restore the gospel. From here it would be taken abroad. From here, during the Millennium, Christ will govern the world.”
(“Preserving Our Loyalties,” Church News, November 6, 1982, p. 16)

Authority and Political Stance in Mormonism

In 1983, the Church News stated:
“No man holds divine authority equal to or above the president of the Church. In his position he is pre-eminent!
“Let us understand fully the clear identity of the president of the Church. He is the mouthpiece of God on earth for us today.”
(“The Certain Sounds,” Church News, October 9, 1983, p. 24)

And then, in a step to pull back and distance itself from direct participation in what we are witnessing on this very night in American History, LDS Prophet Gordon B Hinckley said to Larry King in Sept of 1988:
“The Church does not become involved in politics. We don’t favor any candidate. We don’t permit our buildings to be used for political purposes. We don’t favor any party.”
(Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, Larry King Live, television program, Sept 8. 1998)

Consistency of Core Mormon Doctrine

168 years ago, when Joseph Smith Junior, founder of Mormonism ran for President of this United States, I doubt there was a Bible reading Christian in the nation who would have cast a vote his way. Tonight is certainly a different story, though isn’t it?

Has the Bible changed? No, same book. Has Mormon doctrine changed? ONLY one – Brigham Young’s Adam God doctrine. But the rest of them? Not in the least. Oh, I know, I know, there have been a couple LDS “practices” that have changed. Blood atonement is for the most part gone. Polygamy as a “practice” is gone (unless you take into the account that it is still practiced spiritually – even by a couple of Mormonism’s living apostles.) And sure, black men can now hold the LDS priesthood. But the doctrine of murder being unforgivable remains, and polygamy being an eternal principle is still in place, and skin tone serving as a barometer for righteousness has not changed – still a teaching in their Book of Mormon.

So, in reality, since Joseph Smith, Mormonism, at its core, in the heart of its beliefs, remains the same. I mean, all of its NON-Biblical ideas about priesthood and God, and Jesus, and salvation… remain the same.

(beat)

But what HAS changed are the attitudes of supposed biblical Christians and their views of Mormonism and their teachings. So, so freaking pathetic. I mean, this past week Baptist pastor turned… “whatever”… Mike Huckabee strongly intimated that any Christian voting for anyone other than the current Mormon candidate would face eternal consequences – tying the phrase “firey trial” to his veiled threat.

I can’t help but wonder what stance Huckabee (and those Christian cowards of a similar ilk) would take if the race was between, say President Obama, Mitt Romney and a man like Franklin Graham?

(beat)

I think we know, don’t we? There would be an almost heavenly chorus of “vote Graham” because Romney would be labeled a cult member, a non-Christian tool for Mormonism, etc., etc. I mean, let’s take this hypothetical a step further – what attitude would Christians in America have toward Romney if, say President Obama, Romney, and Jesus Christ were all running for office?

I know, it sounds ludicrous, but ask yourselves, what would all these Baptist Pastors, and our Great American Evangelicals, and all these right wing conservatives be saying about Romney as a candidate if the Lord was running against him? I’ll tell you what they would say. They would say the same things they would say if Franklin Graham were running against him – that Romney can’t be trusted, that he is not a Christian, that Mormonism…

The Political Ambitions of Mormonism

Is a cult, and that the ONLY choice a Christian has tonight would be to cast their vote for . . . Jesus. Right? Like we pointed out last week, tonight every single voting Christian, whether they realize it or not, made a choice – to cast their vote for Jesus (by refusing these two candidates) or to sell Him and His truth out . . . to a “lesser evil.”

Four years eleven months ago, right here on this program, right about this time on a Tuesday night, I said the following: “America cannot elect a Mormon President. This cannot be forgotten.” Within ten years of establishing the LDS Church, the political ambitions of Mormonism began to surface. The Book of Mormon is riddled with political themes popular in the day of author Joseph Smith, and it didn’t take long for the Church itself to embrace political ambitions and militaristic themes within their ranks.

The Historical Context

In fact, in the last years of Joseph Smith’s life, he came to prefer the title of “General” to that of “prophet” or President of the Church. He oozed military prowess in his daily life, dressing in blue and gold braided uniforms, high military boots, and a chapeau topped with flowing ostrich feathers. One United States artillery officer witnessed a full-dress parade of the Mormon militia in 1844 (which was nearly 3000 strong) and wrote an article on June 17th 1842 in the New York Herald described them as “a fearful host, filled with religious enthusiasm, and led by ambitious and talented officers . . . the time will come when this gathering host of religious fanatics will make this country shake to its center. A western empire is certain.”

To be sure, Mormonism – almost from its beginning – has sought, fought, strived, and worked to become a world political power. Speaking of politics, founder Joseph Smith once said: “One man empowered by Jehovah has more influence with the children of men, than eight hundred million men led by the precepts of men.” The important thing to remember about this statement is Joseph – and Mormonism today – believe that THEY and THEY ALONE are empowered by Jehovah.

The Kingdom of God

Joseph Smith’s ultimate intentions were to establish what he called “The Kingdom of God” here on earth. To Mormons then, and Mormons today, the Kingdom of God is MORMONISM. It is not a mixture of believers. It is not a body of believers. It is not an interfaith or non-denominational approach. It is Mormonism. And it has been the intentions of Mormon leaders since 1840 for MORMONISM to take over the world.

On March 11th of 1844, Joseph began to organize what he hoped would eventually become a sovereign Mormon state – Missouri – and he secretly formed a council of fifty “princes” to become “the highest court on earth.” Mormon Bishop George Miller, member of the council of fifty, wrote that “the council of fifty would “at once dominate the United States.” One of the first actions of the council was to “ordain” Joseph Smith as “King of the Kingdom of God.”

Joseph Smith said of himself: “I calculate to be one of the instruments of setting up the kingdom of Daniel by the word of the Lord, and I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world.” “It will not be by the sword or gun that this kingdom will roll on,” he said, “the power of truth is such that all the nations will be under the NECESSITY of OBEYING the gospel.” The political ambitions and rhetoric of Mormonism’s founder go on and on, culminating in his running for president of the United States – just like Mitt is tonight.

Rest assured, Mormon leadership and the membership today will use every second of his reign to push their long-standing desire to rule the world . . . the Mormon way, which is in the end, the only way.

Modern Statements

Well, you may be saying to yourself, Joseph Smith was a long time ago, and Mormonism has moved well beyond the days of militias, political motives, and the goal of world domination. In his speech, Mitt Romney even said: “Let me assure you that no authorities of my church, or of any other church for that matter, will ever exert influence on presidential decisions.” Without questioning his integrity or intentions, we must take exception to such a statement. Mr. Romney also said – “If I am fortunate to become your president, I will serve no one religion, no one group, no one cause, and no one interest. A President must serve only the common cause of the people of

Political Influence and Religious Convictions

The United States.” Then in the next breath he conceded: “I believe in my Mormon faith and I endeavor to live by it. My faith is the faith of my fathers – I will be true to them and to my beliefs.” Though motivating and inspiring, these statements are in frank opposition to each other based on fact. And let me give you _________________ examples why.

First, Mormonism is a political machine. And it uses its power and influence to sway political decisions. In my home State of California several years ago, there was a proposition presented regarding a homosexuals right to marry. Within the LDS wards and stakes, Bishops and Stake Presidents called on stalwart members of the Church to not only put signs on their front lawns and campaign in opposition to the proposition, but to donate significant sums of money to the cause.

Influence in Utah

Here in the state of Utah, the Mormon church influences many of the decisions that serve to govern the state – including liquor laws and aspects of the media. Yet candidate Romney said in his speech: “No religion should dictate to the state nor should the state interfere with the free practice of religion.” Mormonism has worked very hard to establish itself in the acquisition of world languages, family records, the formation of an invasive missionary force, in real estate holdings, and in filling important positions in the CIA, the FBI, and other influential agencies and corporations. They are a multi-billion dollar tax-exempt mega-conglomeration that maintains a fervent and unwavering effort to see Joseph’s dream of world domination reach fruition.

How are they accomplishing this? How have they come so far so fast? A major contributor is their effective and persistent use of sacred temple rites. Now our ministry has been very careful to treat these secret rites and rituals with some respect as Latter-day Saints are forcefully taught to hold them extremely sacred. But I will tell you that every Mormon who enters an LDS temple is asked prior to being allowed inside if he or she “sustains the LDS prophet and apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators on earth.” Then once inside, each person enters into a number of public agreements (or covenants).

Candidate Romney is no exception. And in this sacred or secret temple, he covenanted or promised – with his right arm raised before “God, heavenly hosts, and the people around him,” that he would sacrifice all that he has, including his own safety and life, to sustain and defend the Kingdom of God! And what do Mormon’s believe the Kingdom of God is?

Concept of the Kingdom of God

Mormonism. It is the theocratic kingdom run and operated NOT by presidents of the United States, but by the prophet residing right here in Salt Lake City. Candidate Romney, an ardent faithful Latter-day Saint also promised in the temple of the Church he wholly supports to dedicate EVERYTHING – himself, his talents, his time, all the resources he has acquired and all the resources he might acquire in the future to . . . To what???? “to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for building the Kingdom of God on earth.” These are promises he has made to God offered by a religious system he embraces in a sacred place very few Mormons are in actuality allowed to go.

Finally, candidate Romney said – and I believe him when he says this: “I love the profound ceremony of the Catholic Mass, the approachability of God in the prayers of the Evangelicals, the tenderness of spirit among the Pentacostals, the confident independence of the Lutherans, the ancient traditions of the Jews, unchanged through the ages, and the commitment to frequent prayer of the Muslims.” Unfortunately, Mormonism historically – and even in the present day – does not support this personal, and possibly politically convenient perspective.

Since the very beginning of the LDS Church, missionaries have gone out into the world with a door to door message. The message includes a story about a fourteen year old boy who enters a grove of trees to pray and during this prayer he is met by God who tells him, when he asks what church to join, that he should join none of them – that they are all – ALL – the Lutherans, the Pentacostals, the Catholics – especially the Catholics and abomination and that their teachers are ALL corrupt. This message has not changed today. Sit down with any Mormon missionary in the world and ask them –

“Is Mormonism the only way acceptable to God” and they will tell you, “Yes, it is.” Ask them, “Will my faith

Mormonism and Political Influence

Why will they say this? Because it is the doctrine and the teachings of this faith. They may spin it a while, they may shuck and dance around the answers, but in the end, these are their ardent beliefs.

Now in conclusion, the MOST important question every American has to ask themselves is this:

Implications for Mormonism

What will it mean to MORMONISM if the most powerful man in the world – the president of the United States – is a Mormon?

It matters not what you think of candidate Romney. It does not matter that the other candidates are inferior to him or that our choices for president are limited.

Considerations for the Future

What matters is what you think about the facts of Mormonism. Because in the end, if Mitt Romney takes office, it is Mormonism that will win. They have waited for this day, and are prepared to take every advantage of it should it come. Please don’t let this happen.

I like Mitt Romney and I think he actually deserves the presidency. But Mormonism does not deserve the association in the least. And if it is granted, it will use it like they use everything else, to building up of their own special kingdom which you will either willingly serve, or will be forced to serve in the end.