What Exactly IS Christianity?

Live from the Mecca of Mormonism, Salt Lake City, Utah, this is Heart of the Matter, where Biblical Christianity meets American Evangelicalism Face to Face. And I’m your host, Shawn McCraney. We PRAISE the true and living God for allowing us to be a part of this ministry and pray He will be with you and me tonight.

Questions about the Program

A number of people have had some questions about the program and so let’s hit them all right off the bat. Are you going to be taking calls? Yes. As soon as we move into the HOTM Streaming Studios where we have a phone system in place we will take live calls. Expect that within the next two weeks.

“I Miss the Old Set!” So do we and again, we have a semblance of the “old set” created at the new HOTMStreaming Studios and once we move in we will be shooting from it. Are you still going to be talking about LDS things? Absolutely. The ministry was founded in our outreach to the LDS and we can never get completely away from it. In fact, 90% of our emails still relate to Mormonism. The only thing we are doing differently is we are placing an emphasis, our focus, if you will, on American Evangelicalism (as a whole) so as to warn and guide seeking souls about what to look for in a church and what to avoid.

How can we learn more about your ministry? There are several ways. First, check out our websites: www.bornagainmormon.com, www.hotm.tv, www.c-a-m-p-u-s.com. Then you can also go to YouTube, type in Shawn McCraney or Heart of the Matter or jackasses on fire (just kidding about that last one – I think) and there are thousands of clips available there too. If you live in Utah, you can tune in to AM 820 on Sunday afternoons at 1PM and hear replays of Heart of the Matter, and last but never least you can tune into the NRB Network every Friday nights on Direct TV and watch Heart of the Matter at 10 Mountain, 9 Pacific. Got all that? It’ll sink in over time.

The Role of the Bible in Christianity

Hey, over the years examining Mormonism we would take a small part of every program and teach from the Word. We figure we might as well do the same thing relative to American Evangelical Christianity this year. In so doing I am going to pull out a biblical premise that is clearly taught, explain it briefly, and then compare it to American Evangelicalism. Most of these presentations are going to begin with a question so here we go! Question number one –

If the Bible is the literal Word of God (as most Christians believe) . . . If it truly came from His mouth (so to speak) to the ear of inspired men who wrote it down and SINCE it has been passed down along to those who want to know Him, and seek Him, and want to comprehend Him and what is important to Him . . . WHY would any Christian pastor not use it in his sermons?

Think about it! Christians and Christianity have gone to a LOT of trouble proclaiming the Bible as God’s LITERAL Word – HIS LITERAL COMMUNICATION TO MAN! – and there are pastors who only refer to it, rephrase or retell what it says to their congregates (instead of actually reading it), or don’t do either – but instead simply tell anecdotal stories or illustrations on good living or positive mental attitudes.

Why on EARTH would ANY pastor ANYWHERE do these things when they have not only the opportunity but the responsibility to read and teach directly from it and directly about it? What is going to church about anyway if people flow in and flow out never opening their own Bibles, never reading the words of God with their own eyes, and never learn to understand what God is saying in a contextual way. And IF the BIBLE contains God’s real words, why would pastors and churches power-point a few specific passages up on a screen thereby removing the onus of their congregates having their own copies, held in their own hands, to read and notate them with their own minds? Since His words will last forever, shouldn’t churches and pastors treat them like they are the ONLY thing of real value we possess here?

The Enduring Word of God

Palms 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Isaiah 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Jesus said in Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Peter, one of the Lord’s Apostle’s wrote in 1st Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. I mean God Himself said that He esteems His Word even higher than His own name! Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. It is by the one two combination of the Holy Spirit and His Word by which we know all things!

Scripture's Role in Instruction

2nd Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2nd Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. This Word, not a pastor's intelligence or humor or insights, but His word “Furnishes Light” Jeremiah 23:29 says that the Word of God is a crushing hammer. Ephesians 6:17 says “the sword of the Spirit is the word of God” And Hebrews 4:12 says Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Purifying Power of the Word

Interestingly, the Bible says that the Word of God “purifies life” Psalm 199:9 John 15:3 John 17:17 With Ephesians 5:26 suggesting that it has “washing” capabilities on the soul. Even the Lord, when confronted and tempted by Satan said nothing but . . . IT IS WRITTEN. Relative to the Old Testament Romans 15:4 says: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” And relative to the New Testament, the Apostle John wrote in 1st John 5:13: “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” If these things have been written by men inspired by God we ought to READ what they wrote, and study what they said, to “show ourselves approved.” I mean listen to what Jesus said, folks: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63

And yet . . . and yet . . . church after church after mega freaking church, after hip-cool, rad church do EVERYTHING BUT lead their people into His Word. If yours is one of them, run . . . run to the arms of a pastor who cares enough about His flock that he does all he can to teach them God’s word week end . . . and week out.

Received this email (today) as a matter of fact from Steve H. It says:

Hey Shawn–

Just some thoughts–

“Anytime someone receives the backlash from the status quo like you got on 1/1/2013 they can know Satan doesn't want them poking around.” It’s funny, there are local pastors here in SLC that are openly telling others I am “of the Devil” because I am willing to examine the so-call church today. That is how bad it has gotten . . . that is how fearful these guys have become that their complacent, religious machine might get exposed.

The second thought Steve shares:

“Anytime we "institutionalize," we're prone to "fossilize." He says: “The Body of Christ is alive, growing, breathing and loving.” Amen. You know part of what I have always done (since I can remember) is to look at what is going on around me, what is being demanded and/or accepted as normative, and to ask not only, “Why do we do or accept this” but to also say to myself, “There MUST be other people out there who are baffled in this same way.”

That’s what happened when I was LDS. I used to sit there and wonder

The Challenge of Religious Conformity

what level of petting I’ve been involved with with girls” (and why does he always want the sordid details) and “Why are they always promoting the lives of these guys they call prophets and apostles but I hear so little about Jesus?” I came to realize that religion – whether it is Mormonism or a local Christian church that has long established an order in which they do things – DOES not want to be challenged. They want stasis. They want conformity and they do NOT want to be challenged. But like Steve writes here, true Christianity is “alive, growing, breathing, and loving.” Finally, he points out: that “the Scriptural" will always trump “the Traditional." Amen . . . or at least it should. Over the course of this year I promise you a no-holds barred look at the scriptural verses the traditional. At times it is going to get really uncomfortable. But I am convinced it will do more to help people coming out of Mormonism assimilate better into a real Christian church than to just replace one form of religious conformity with another.

Cultural Frameworks in Religion

Last week we talked about culture and how when it comes to organized religion it is often the result of laws and strictly held interpretations of what is acceptable and what is not. And while there are unique and varied cultural applications found in almost every walk of life, the fascinating thing about cultures is that the general framework behind each of them are rarely all-together unique. The counter-culture revolution of the 1960’s was at its core really no different than any other teenage rebellion – it was only manifested in a different way.

I remember when I was an active and participative Mormon I thought our specific culture was wholly unique to us. Much of this myopathy was the result of having insulated myself from other religious groups which allowed me to feed the fantasy that Mormonism was “really, really” different – especially from those “born-again Christians out there. Having never really thrived or engaged with many other religious types outside of Mormonism I was oblivious to the fact that most religious cultures – especially American Christian cultures – thrive and flourish off a very similar set of cultural frameworks.

Similarities Across Religious Cultures

Back in Huntington Beach where I grew up there was an apartment complex which was home to a large number of young married LDS occupants. It was proudly labeled and known among ourselves as Mormon Manor. When I became a Christian and was actively involved in Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa located no more than ten miles away I learned about another large complex of apartments full of young married Christians that they called, the “Gospel Gutch.” What was truly amazing to me was the fact that many of the young Christians I associated with thought themselves original in this humorous title. Mormons have what they call, Mormon Standard Time (a title referring to the fact that many members are late to their meetings). The Christians at Calvary Chapel had their own version known as “the Calvary Chapel clock.” Quite honestly, the more I engaged with Christians, from almost any denomination, the more I was able to recognize all sorts of cultural comparatives between all of them.

Universality of Religious Frameworks

Those who serve and volunteer and help people move or rake a yard are all cut from the same cloth – Christian or Mormon – it doesn’t matter. Those who give big financially in Mormonism pretty much live by the same principles as those who give big in Christianity. And there are always present in any religion who find themselves the “intellectuals, the holy, the down and out, the failures, the educated and the un – no matter what Jesus they serve, know and worship. Show me a pious attitude in a Mormon and I can introduce you to his or her twin in Christianity. Show me a legalistic or liberal Christian and I can provide mirror images from Mormonism. People are people. And religious people are all religious people. Those who use God’s name to get what they want are the same types whether they follow Joseph Smith or Chuck Smith or Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. And since people are people, the sway universal frameworks hold over them is typically quite similar when we look at how they all respond . . . depending on their particular make-up. I had trouble with these similarities when I first

Exploring Christianity and Culture

I came out of Mormonism and into what might be labeled American Evangelical Christianity. Stupidly, I assumed that the pastors would be pastors (like the Bible describes them) and Christians would be biblical Christians . . . What I discovered is there are religious people and there are those who really truly love the Lord Jesus Christ . . . AND others, in His name.

This is partly what prompted me to take the stance I did back when we established the ministry relative to the Latter-day Saints in that I said something to the effect that I don’t care what religion people choose to practice, I want to know if a person has been truly born of the Spirit. If they are I would leave it up to God within them to lead them to the church of their choice. And while this stance was certainly attached and maligned by my so-called Christian brothers and sisters out there, I have never recanted the position. I have always maintained, and will forever maintain, that there are LDS people who are in far better standing with God than I ever hope to be. But this fact is not a result of them being Mormon – I will forever maintain being LDS has only hurt them in their walk. But it is based on the fact that they know and love the Lord Jesus Christ. I also maintain that the churches titled Christian – Methodists, Nazarines, Presbyterians, Born-again non-denominationalists, Baptists, even Catholics are full of those who think they are Christian . . . who aren’t . . . at all.

Understanding True Christianity

So the question remains . . . what is Christianity? Last week I ardently argued that true Christianity stands far afield of culture – all cultures, but instead reaches in and applies itself to the established cultures of the world, not becoming those cultures but receiving them. Contrary to what many people will attempt to suggest, there is NO accepted Christian culture – though many, many men and women have worked really hard to establish one. And that is what I want to touch on tonight – the varied attempts men and women have made to establish a Christian culture through a plethora of various and errant means.

Why do this? One of the first things needed to get to the truth is to remove error, that’s why. To teach truth amidst error is one of the best ways to keep people from it all together. I mean, imagine that you belong to a church, a self-proclaimed Christian church, that taught Jesus is God, that He suffered for the sins of the world on the cross, that He died and resurrected, and that by believing on Him you could live with God after this life BUT . . . This same church ALSO held all night long “teaching,” and believed that children should be spanked in the church as part of public discipline, and that men needed to give their wives up to be the sexual partner of the lead pastor to prove their love for the church?

Would it be right to criticize this church and pastor and seek to expose and remove the error as a means to bring those trapped to the truth? Of course it would! And ONLY those afraid of being exposed would say otherwise.

Too extreme? Should churches be examined and called out if they endorse and support lesser religious crimes? What if they worship God and Mammon? Or if they burden their congregates with constant petitions for them to tithing as a minimum?

American Evangelical Christianity

I am going to speak in some broad general terms while being fully aware that there are exceptions to almost everything I will suggest. But generally speaking, let me describe general American Evangelical Christianity under one uniquely constructed umbrella. The top nylon part I am going to label Jesus (and all the varied interpretations of who people think the Bible says He is – handsome, white, perfect teeth, broken, dejected on the cross). Then the handle holding that broad nylon covering up I am going to label political conservatism. Right wingedness, if you will. Pro-guns, (paradoxically) pro-life, bleeding red, white and blue. Got that? Under this illustrative umbrella – composed of the American Jesus (the fabric roof) and American Political Conservatism (the posting holding it up) we find almost all of what I am calling American Evangelicalism. I don’t care if the people under the umbrella drive a Lexus and wear

American Evangelicalism

Seer-sucker suits or ride a bike and handle snakes at their Thursday night bayou Bible party, both types find comfort and protection in this specific umbrella. Got that? Now, as a means to get a little more specific, under this shared umbrella we find at least two large individuals . . . one I am going to label “Christian Fundamentalists,” and the other I am going to call “Christian Laodiceans.”

Christian Fundamentalists

Christian Fundamentalists have, in my opinion, embarrassed the living hell out of our sacred biblical faith through an assortment of religious antics labeled biblical. These “antics” include everything from enforcing (and rejecting all who do comply to their demands) appropriate Christian dress, demeanor, décor, music and lifestyle. They may be Sabbatarians, faith healers, tongue speakers (with or without interpreters), dancers and those slain in the Spirit, holy rollers, Word of Faith promoters (which includes health and wealth platforms, name it and claim it proponents, or blab it and grab it folks) as well as Dominion theologians, and a whole host of other things they adamantly do in JEEZUS name.

Typically, there is little wriggle room with true Christian Fundamentalists (those who really live it) when it comes to ideas or thoughts relative to creation, evolution, science, marriage, divorce, explanations of the flood, old earth and new earth, abortion, and they are often uber-literalists when it comes to anything and everything relative to biblical interpretation. We might be tempted to describe them as “dogmatic,” “zealous” and/or extremely opinionated on matters the Bible has not exhaustively covered. Sometimes, these folks act out of a true devotion for the Lord, even to the point of hating or even killing others in his name.

If we were going to pull from the plethora of characters presented to us by the media and use to depict the Fundamentalist mentality as a whole we might think of Dana Carvey’s Church Lady. As a means to lay a solid foundation of our examination of American Evangelicalism we are going to look at the Christian Fundamentalist’s first and (LISTEN) we’re going to use the actual Bible to determine if what they propose and do is of God . . . or from Man. “Isn’t that special?” I do not believe for a second that Carvey’s character was for an instant the product of Satan nor an attempt to undermine the goodness of Christ and His work. I personally see it as a humorous attempt to reveal how absolutely ludicrous many of the Christian Fundamentalists attitudes are to believers and non believers alike.

Christian Laodiceans

But standing abreast (can I say that?) but right next to our friend “Church Lady” we have the embodiment of the other side of American Evangelicalism – Christian Laodiceans. For those of you who are unaware, in the Book of Revelation Jesus describes seven churches, which in my opinion represent seven epochs of time relative to the conditions in the Christian church. The church at Laodicea mentioned in Scripture was located about 40 miles east of Ephesus (Re 3:14), on the banks of the Lycus river. It was named Laodicea after Laodice, the wife of Antiochus II., king of Syria, who rebuilt it. Early in Christian history is became one of the chief seats of Christianity.

Regarding it, and what I believe simultaneously describes the Christian church in our day, Jesus says: Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.

In His criticism of the church there, the Lord Himself describes them as neither hot nor cold but lukewarm in their works (of faith and love) and says He would rather have them hot for Him or cold for Him and his works, but their luke-warmedness is revolting to His being. See, cold refreshes, and hot sanitizes, but it is in the lukewarm – whether food or drink – that germs thrive and multiply. But the Bible is clear that a Christian’s “hotness” zealousness has to be toward the thing of Him, and not the fabrications of Man. Maybe we could say that Christ was telling the believers in Laodicea to be real Christians! Be willing to step into a coliseum full of hungry lions for your faith, be ready and willing to live like Christ in service and love, and turn from

The Lukewarm Stance of the Church at Laodicea

Your lukewarm stance between life eternal and this world! See the attitude of the Church at Laodicea was one of apathy created in an environment of wealth. The Lord says they are lukewarm for their ties to this world, and has them say: “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” And yet in spite of their material wealth listen to how the Lord sees them when He says: “and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” If we could liken the fundamentalist church to the Church Lady parody, we might liken the Christian Laodicean’s to Kim Kardashian.

World, wealth, glam, religion – spread 24,000 miles wide but only an eighth of an inch deep. It’s the show, the beat, the creator of modern worship, a twin sister to the rave. Gyrating toward experience, it is short on information but long on “being relevant, hip, transparent, real.” Coffee is at every turn, Not of this World stickers on every Les Paul guitar, and the money flows like a river between this Christian concert and that Christian event. One church I visited over Christmas literally had printed on its program something to the effect of: “We don’t care if you believe as long as you belong,” completely indifferent to the courageous stance every early Christian took in publicly believing first . . . then belonging . . . to the list of others who would be burned at the stake for their faith. See, these Laodiceans want entertainment. They want to be “engaged,” in relevant dialogue and purpose-driven activity. They want to be the spice of the earth not the salt, and serve as neon signs rather than light.

The Responsibility of Shepherds

How did they come to be? The blame, in the end, the cause, in the end, is because they have not been taught the Word in truth and love. But the blame lies with the Shepherds, who, seeking to feed themselves, have neglected to feed the flock. And now all the sheep desire is candy, in and out church visits, or a social Christian club that does everything except . . . learn and live His Word.

We are going to focus our attentions on these two aspects of American Evangelicalism over the next few months. It is my prayer that pastors who are failing to do so now will re-evaluate ALL of their programs, and appeals, and attentions to the things of this world and will introduce to their every service the reading of the Word of God. And if the pastors fail to take such action, that you, as parishioners or congregates, or members, will send them a message clear and sure by walking out of their Christian clubs and shows, and into a church that teaches the Bible, from the Bible, verse by verse, every single week without fail.

Conclusion

And remember, this program is dedicated to all of you out there who stand without fear in the service of the King. We’ll see you next week, here on HOTM.

The Complexity of Faith and Religion

My experience, a part of living a humble life is to aspire to be forgiving, be loving and kind, so I forgave them and turned the other cheek. At the time I thought it was just bad luck, I could not envision any person knowingly poisoning another for what they said. But upon reflection, I noticed that no one else in my party became sick, just me. The point of my story is that Mormons are not Christians. They worship a con-man, and aspire to cheat people. The Church allows them to be cruel and wanton, and will even allow physical harm to befall anyone who crosses them. They are more like organized crime than an organized religion. A pyramid scheme, where if you do everything right (defined by them) you get to go to heaven (instead of get rich). That's probably why the Mormons worked so well with the Mafia in Nevada. Please be aware and careful, my brother, protect yourself as best you can from harm – being Christian does not entail having to be stupid or self-destructive, and if a deal appears to be too good to be true, it probably is. Please forgive me for being so judgmental, authoritative and negative, I don't even know why I wrote what I did. I am only a man like you, a weak vessel, and I know no more than you, probably less, and certainly I would never imply that you are either stupid or self-destructive. May God bless and keep you and your family.

Personal Journeys of Faith

FROM DAVE –
Shawn, I recently came across you on YouTube when you interviewed Earl Erskine. In the last few days, I have watched your last 9; episodes 340-349 and the episodes 1-4. I have been in the LDS church from birth to 37 years old and inactive for about the last 2 years and still haven't been released from Sunday school secretary. I was honest at 14 years old with the Bish about playboys, copenhagen, dooblies and beer so I never moved past a suspended Teacher in the priesthood. I have been clean and sober for almost 2 1/2 years by the grace of Christ, my higher power, and being active in a God-centered 12 step program. After learning about early LDS leaders/prophets and then reading why people left the church on exmormon/postmormon sites I felt God tell me I had been deceived by the teachings of the Mormon church. I now have been able to be honest and come out of the closet as the Non-denominational Christian I have felt to be in my heart for 2 years, but kept pretending to still be a "one foot still in" Mormon. I talked to a guy on the chairlift a few months ago and after I explained my spirituality as my personal relationship with Christ, not wanting man to be in the middle, he asked me if I knew about Christianity.

Exploring New Beliefs

My first feeling was I am Christian because I'm a smorgasbord picker of Mormon doctrine, I believe parts I like then say WTF to all the rest. He told me the New Testament was about the Gospel of Christ and I responded that last year it was my goal to read it but had neglected that. I have been reading my bible frequently and have been born again of the spirit of the Living Christ. The 3rd step in AA is "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understand him." After so much prayer and tears in the last week to find the Truth and have comfort about if leaving the LDS church was God's will for me I am moving forward. You have encouraged me to follow the truth of the gospel and to turn my life over to Christ. I listen to Klove a lot in my truck and by reading the word I have been born again and have Christ in my heart always. Thank you for what you do! I look forward to coming to one of your Sunday services or shows in April. God bless you my Brother in Christ.

Hi Shawn, I am a member of a polygamy group based here in Utah. Although my husband and I are currently monogamous, we got married with the understanding that he would "take another wife" at some point.

Exploring Original Mormonism and Beliefs

This group is separate from the Mormon church, but as you know, polygamists believe and practice original Mormonism as taught by Joseph Smith. I have been confused for the last several years about who God is and what my relationship should be with him. I don't understand the teachings of my church because they don't seem to be in line with the scriptures. I've been searching for answers to my questions and stumbled upon your show. I appreciate the information you have presented, but I feel more confused and lost than ever. Mostly because I know that my "group" would have an answer to all of the problems you've brought up. For example, you've said that Joseph Smith stole the endowment ceremony from the free masons. Their answer would be that the free masons stole their ceremony from the original church and Joseph restored it.

I have only watched the shows that aired in 2006, so maybe you've covered this next question in later shows. My group's main reasoning behind the teaching that Jesus was married is the fact that he was called "Rabbi." Supposedly in Jewish culture, a man cannot be a Rabbi unless he is married. I haven't researched this, but that is what I've been taught my entire life. Is there any truth to that claim? I'm also wondering if the Joseph Smith translation of the bible actually changes the message of salvation by grace. I would really appreciate your insight on these things. Thank you for your show and for taking the time to help me.

A Mormon Perspective

Hello,

Let me first start off by saying I am a Mormon and I will ALWAYS be a Mormon. I am not writing you to attack you or convert you. I like hearing you question the church and I find joy in finding the answers to the question. I am a typical Mormon that believes in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mostly because the spirit has told me it is true. This feeling I cannot and WILL NOT deny. The feelings I have felt can only come from God. Feelings I feel during the birth of a child, special moments with my loved ones, and yes, moments in the temple are all the same. So I do not see how I can feel that way in all these moments but yet the times I feel in the temple can be untrue? I do know a lot about the church but it would seem that you know more than I do. You say you are an ex-Mormon. You say that you have been to the temple and that you hold the Priesthood. So you must have felt the same feelings I do? The feelings I feel in the temple or the feelings of giving a Priesthood blessing? So that being said, my first question is how do you compare the feeling you get now to the feelings you had then?

Questions About Religious Texts

The next topic I have is of course about the Bible. I know that you know as Mormons we believe that the bible is the word of God but some of it has been changed over the years. So how is it, that you can base you’re believes solely on a book that is not how it was originally written? Do you not believe that the bible was translated by uneducated monks over and over and that pieces might have been lost or changed?

The Book of Mormon

This brings me to my next topic… The Book of Mormon. Why is it that you have such faith in a book that was written thousands of years ago translated by uneducated monks over and over, but don't believe that there may be others written in the same manner. The idea of God showing people how to build a boat to sail to another land is ridiculous but that same God appearing as a burning bush is totally sane? The same thing with the idea that that same God and his Son appeared to a 14 year old boy to restore His Gospel that was removed from the earth. Some do not believe it was removed but something tells me that an era called "The Dark Ages" didn't have the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. This 14-year-old boy that we say was taught the one true Gospel, why did he not deny it? Why would he claim the truth of this book, even when faced with death? And why is it so far-fetched that Satan would want to destroy this book?

The Church's Claim of Eternal Family Unity

and this church, which clams to know the way to live with our Heavenly Father for all time and Eternity and clams to have the keys necessary to join families together for all time and eternity. Sounds like something Satan would and is trying to destroy.

Addressing Mistakes in Church History

Lastly, on your show you bring up the mistakes that have been made in the history of the church. Even though this church is the Lords church we are still mortal men and women trying to do their best not only in their lives, but also with doing the work of the Lord. Do they make mistakes? Yes, you know they do! Do they judge when they should not judge? Do they go right when they should have gone left? So why would that make this church untrue? By that logic that would make your church untrue. You make mistakes do you not? Are you the leader of your church? I feel that most if not all of your points made are based on the fact that Mormons are not perfect. I know as well as you that some act as if they are perfect, but they struggle with sins the same as all of us.

Handling Criticism and Misunderstandings

The ones that call into your show make us look very bad. They call in because they are upset and if they are not upset when they call in by the time you are done with them they are upset. So that's why you get the insults and name calling. Please don't hold it against them. They know not what they do.

Thanks for reading this and taking the time to respond. Maybe one day we can sit and have an intelligent debate and I hope we will both grow from this.

Jeremy