From the Mecca of Mormonism

Heart of the Matter

LIVE! From the Mecca of Mormonism It’s HEART OF THE MATTERTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology.! I’m Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion., your host. Welcome to the first show of 2007. Let’s begin with a prayer.

First, who the heck am I? What happened?

Born-again Mormon: Moving Toward Christian Authenticity. In 2004 started an internet site (5000 hits per month to over 10,000 per day – all without links!) In March of 2006, I hosted our first live show here in SLC. Broadcast to much of Utah and Boise Idaho. Recently picked up and airing through Faith TV in Florida.

Introducing Mormonism to the Biblical Jesus

People ask, "Well, why do you do this show?" "Why have you chosen to pick on Mormonism?" And "What do you hope to achieve?"

Very exciting year planned. For instance, next week we will have a guest legend on the show – Sandra Tanner from Utah Lighthouse Ministries – a pioneer in bringing all the unspoken facts about Mormonism to light. We hope you’ll join us with your questions.

Perhaps it would be best to start the year off with some explanations and clarifications to provide a place of reference for first-time viewers and callers. Was born in the covenant. Served Mission to Harrisburg PA. Married LA Temple. Father of three daughters. Active in LDS church up until 2001.

I always knew myself to be a sinner – if not with my hands, then in my head and heart. Could not find peace in an honest open relationship with God in spite of all my outward appearances and attempts at being holy and good and worthy. In 1997, came to know Jesus at the side of the road. Was unquestionably and miraculously born-again.

Besides being miraculous, I recognized something about the experience – it was not found or discussed in the LDS church! Given new life, new perspective, certain of my place with God, relationship with Him. Remained LDS for four more years. In 2001, asked to be excommunicated from Church.

Purpose of the Show

In 2002, wrote a book called Born-Again Mormon: Moving Toward Christian Authenticity. Wanted to help my family and my LDS brothers and sisters understand the difference between a relationship with Jesus and religion. Then in 2004, I entered the Calvary Chapel School of Ministry in Costa Mesa, CA, and graduated in Summer of 2006.

The primary purpose of the show is to introduce Latter-day Saints – and any other viewers – to the importance and miracle of spiritual rebirth. It is to introduce Mormonism to the Biblical Jesus. It is to compare and contrast Biblical Christianity with present-day Mormonism.

Few reasons: First, the Lord wants me to. He opened the door then put it on my heart. He prepared me, opened the way, and I just try and follow. As a man, I am nobody – a sinner and a failure – but God has permitted me to experience things in such a way that I am now prepared to speak the way He wants me to speak. And so I do.

Second, I have a heart for the LDS. I was LDS, my family is LDS, I know Mormonism. And knowing Mormonism, I know most of my brothers and sisters do not understand spiritual rebirth. And also know that in Mormonism there is no room for the fall outs of society, for the weak-willed, the different, the broken toys, the sinners. I think this is an appalling situation considering that the LDS church calls itself Christian. This is a show where Jesus is preached, not religion.

Third, I’ve come to know the Bible, and what it represents, is very different from what LDS doctrine claims the “gospel” to be. When Mormonism stops claiming to be “Christian,” I will cease to show them why they are not.

We have a constant motive, a persistent objective, and a long-term dream. The constant motive is to help bring as many people as will hear to the Lord via spiritual rebirth. The persistent objective is to strengthen the Body of Christ with a presentation of rational and realistic Christianity – first in Utah, then in the nation, and finally to the world. The long-term dream is to see Mormonism become accepted in the Body of Christ after it has abandoned everything that is NOT Biblically supported. All right?

Unheard Mormonism

We are going to spend all 52 weeks of 2007 in a study of the LDS history – what I call “unheard Mormonism.” Why? Why spend time regurgitating the unspoken past of Mormonism when it is behind us and much of it is no longer observed?

FACT #1
Knowing history leads to understanding present-day practices and doctrines.

FACT #2
Squarely facing the factual history of a matter is a sign of mature thinking – which leads to mature faith. Ignoring,

Importance of Facing Facts

Denying, or refusing to hear historical facts is immature and creates "bad faith."

In order to address a problem, we have to be willing to hear the facts of the problem first. Faith is not honored in a state of self-imposed ignorance. Faith is honored when God’s will is obeyed in light of the facts. But the facts must be known. And in order for them to be known, they must be heard!

History and Faith

Most organized religions have some pretty ugly skeletons in their closets. Catholicism is horrific. I’ve got a photograph at my house of William Taze Russell with a Christmas cone on his head at a Christmas party AFTER the JW’S stopped celebrating it. And Christian history stinks. It just reeks with human evil! But the biblical history of the Church gives hope and certainty that God is in charge of His Church. Just read Acts 2.

Finally, FACT #3: Knowing the history of something lends to greater allegiance, confidence, and trust in the thing that is known. Not knowing the history creates wonderment and suspicion, and it opens a believer up to being manipulated and/or hurt by others.

At this point, you would have a choice to make. You could not listen to the rumors and continue on as you have. After all, the building has stood firm all these years. You could listen to the rumors and start researching the building's history for yourself. You could move yourself and family out, or you could wait to verify all the information. The point is, knowing the history would have provided you with greater peace, assurance, and trust in the property in the first place… and NOT knowing the history has not only led to doubt, suspicions, and worry, but it could, possibly, even mean the difference between life and deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. for you, your family, and hundreds of others!

Examining Religious History

Well let’s take a minute this evening and discuss why examining the LDS past is an important activity for any Latter-day Saint seeking truth. I’d like to do this by presenting a series of facts for your consideration.

Respected scholars of almost any field are typically very well versed in the history of their specialty. The history of the steam engine may be of great benefit to understanding modern-day jet propulsion. The more a physician understands about the history of cancer treatments, the more she or he will understand modern treatments—if not the cures. Ignoring the history of any field, practice, or movement is an obvious handicap to the true understanding of it—especially in religion. To truly understand Islam and the Koran, it would be wise to get to know as much as we could about Mohammed and the history of his life. It is extremely important to therefore understand the motive behind any religion that warns you about researching and studying the genuine history of its past.

Facing facts is not difficult or painful. Facing facts about something we love or appreciate is what is hard. Very few people enjoy hearing negative truths about the people and things they love.

It must be heard. Do you know what one side of information is called? PROPAGANDA. Only when a person has heard all sides of a situation and then chooses are they truly choosing. Otherwise they are being conned, manipulated, and cheated from the truth of a matter. This is never, ever good or right.

Ignoring, spinning, and hiding LDS Church history is just in epic proportions. You know, it’s a “don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story,” kind of deal. Genuine seekers of truth must exhibit a relentless quest to know the truth at all costs and strive to resist the inertia and entropy of modern life—especially modern religious life. The real challenge for any seeker of truth is to investigate the things they both love and mistrust as objectively and thoroughly as possible.

Imagine, for a moment that you are interested in purchasing a high-rise apartment building in the middle of a large city. The building is 50 years old, and just wonderfully ornate. You ask for the ledgers and written history of the building. You request the blueprints. But the property management explains that all the blueprints and history of the building were destroyed in a fire. You are very disappointed and consider dropping the deal, but the management says “Why this building has stood for 50 years without a problem.” “Why this building is a landmark of class and taste.” “Why this building has provided years of shelter and protection to the best of families.” Everything appears top notch. And…

Mormonism and Historical Evaluation

So you pay top dollar for the building and love it so much that you even move into the top floor with your family. Now let’s suppose you begin to hear rumors about the property. Rumors that it was built on an Indian graveyard with a lousy foundation. Rumors that it was made with inferior steel girders.

When Mormonism says, “Joseph Smith restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth as the living prophet of the restoration,” a member of the Church has some decisions to make. They can say, “If the Church says He is a prophet then I don’t need any more evidence than that.” Or they could also say, “Okay. Let me read up on him and his history and see what it has to say about him?"

Evaluating Historical Sources

Now, if the second path is chosen – “to read up on Joseph Smith and his life” – then a new question arises – “What do I read?” The LDS Church says, “Don’t read anything contrary to what the Church teaches. It isn’t trustworthy. It comes from enemies and is full of lies.” And what does it recommend you to read? “Their histories!” Their single-sided, white-washed, partially presented points of propaganda!

How do we know this to be true? Read the Church manuals. Read their in-house presentations of truth. What do they present? Partial truths. Partial history. Partial information. To only read what the Church provided would be no different than trusting the property owners that the opinions that the building is safe. It would be, as the Amish say, like “buying a pig in a poke.” Or an unseen pig tied up in a gunny sack.

Understanding LDS Perspectives in 2007

We are going to spend 2007 studying the history and blueprints of the LDS Church. We know that in so doing, we are going to help LDS people understand many of the unheard facts about the religion they claim is true, mature in their faith, and learn that trust should only be in Jesus—and no one or nothing else.

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

COMMENTS

CONCLUSION