Divine Authority

Shawn McCraney invites individuals to explore Christian faith in a relaxed and non-restrictive environment through the Lord’sWord gatherings held every Sunday, encouraging former members of the LDS Church to officially withdraw their memberships as a stand against the church's doctrines. Despite facing a challenge to their 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, McCraney emphasizes the importance of proclaiming the truth and continuing the ministry with confidence in God's care and guidance.

Shawn refutes Mormon claims of priesthood authority, arguing that their system is based on a revision of Old Testament concepts, which Joseph Smith allegedly restored to assert religious authority. He highlights that organized religions, such as Mormonism, create systems like the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods, promoting them as necessary for acting in God's name, despite a lack of Biblical context supporting such restrictions on divine authority.

Shawn's teaching emphasizes that the concept of priesthoods like the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods in Latter-day Saint claims is contrary to New Testament teachings, highlighting Jesus as the sole High Priest who fulfilled all sacrificial roles, rendering any future lineal priesthood unnecessary. He argues that salvation is based on faith in Jesus Christ’s finished work, and not through adherence to a restored priestly hierarchy or religious genealogies, as all believers are part of the royal priesthood without lineage constraints.

Belief in Jesus is central to the idea of justification, where a person acknowledging their sin and seeking mercy, like the publican, is justified over another relying solely on their righteousness and good works. The teaching emphasizes that genuine faith and confession in Jesus, even at life's end, secures eternal life with God, contrasting with the inadequacy of good deeds alone.