Apostasy

Shawn McCraney discusses the central LDS belief in a "Restoration" due to a purported total apostasy of the original Church established by Jesus Christ, a claim he refutes with biblical teachings that only partial apostasies occurred and could never overcome the true Church. He challenges the LDS assertion of the loss and necessary restoration of "priesthood authority," contrasting it with biblical scripture, particularly from the book of Hebrews, highlighting that the Church's victory against any apostasy was assured by Jesus.

Joseph Smith Jr.'s early teachings in Mormonism proclaimed that all existing Christian churches were erroneous and corrupt, leading him to declare the restoration of the true Church of Jesus Christ in 1830, influenced by his family's restorationist beliefs that predicted this restoration through the Smith lineage. This context fueled Smith's foundation of a new religion that emphasized angelic revelations, the Book of Mormon, and new doctrines, gaining traction among those disillusioned by traditional Christian churches and promoting Mormonism as the "restored Church" with a unique Christian purity.

Shawn critiques the LDS Church's interpretation of biblical texts, contending that they inaccurately represent scriptural passages to support the concept of a worldwide apostasy and the need for restoration by Joseph Smith. He emphasizes that verses often cited by the LDS in Acts, Galatians, and Thessalonians are taken out of context, suggesting instead that these passages address specific historical and situational events within the early Church communities, and not endorsing any notion of a universal apostasy.

Shawn's teaching emphasizes that while some will experience apostasy as mentioned in 1 Timothy 4:1-2, it does not imply a complete falling away of the entire church, as God has always maintained a faithful remnant who embodies spiritual maturity. The concept of God consistently preserving His church and the continual presence of true believers, despite various trials throughout history, refutes the idea of a worldwide apostasy as purported by certain interpretations, asserting instead that the church endures and grows across generations.

Shawn argues that the gospel introduced by Jesus Christ was never lost and did not require further additions or revelations from figures like Joseph Smith. He emphasizes that true and faithful believers have preserved the original teachings of Christianity, while denouncing the myths propagated by Smith as self-serving.