Eight Witnesses

Heart of the Matter, hosted by Shawn McCraney, is a ministry that explores the intersection of Mormonism and Biblical Christianity, offering verse-by-verse teachings through the books of Matthew and Romans. The ministry's websites—bornagainmormon.com, HOTM.tv, C-A-M-P-U-S.com, and exmormonfiles.tv—provide extensive resources, including archives of programs, educational materials, and opportunities for community engagement, aimed at equipping believers with a deeper understanding of God's Word.

Shawn emphasizes the importance of relying on the Bible as the true Word of God, rather than the additional scriptures and teachings promoted by the Mormon Church, which he sees as misleading. He challenges Christians to stand for biblical truth and warns against the perceived inconsistencies and exclusivity within Mormonism, encouraging believers to resist aligning with it in any form.

Joseph Smith orchestrated an event in which eight witnesses, mostly from his family and the Whitmer family, claimed to have physically seen and handled the golden plates, asserting that the plates appeared to be made of gold and exhibited ancient craftsmanship. Although the testimony of these witnesses was formally documented and included in copies of the Book of Mormon, skepticism arises from the language used, Joseph's control over the narrative, and the potential for financial gain, leading some to question the authenticity of their claims.

Shawn discusses the credibility of the eight witnesses of the Book of Mormon's golden plates, suggesting three possibilities: they either lied, mistakenly believed in counterfeit plates, or genuinely saw ancient plates, which would validate the Book of Mormon. He emphasizes the subsequent fates of the witnesses, particularly focusing on the Whitmers' estrangement and excommunication due to disputes with Joseph Smith, and highlights Samuel Smith's initial prominence and potential succession in the church leadership, which was ultimately overshadowed by Brigham Young.

Samuel Smith, who opposed polygamy, gained support as a potential successor to Prophet Joseph Smith, but his sudden death in 1844 under suspicious circumstances led family members to suspect foul play orchestrated by Brigham Young and others to prevent Samuel's ascendancy. William Smith, along with other family members, believed Hosea Stout poisoned Samuel under Brigham Young's orders, as part of a broader effort to secure the leadership transition to Young, implicating Stout—a known enforcer within the church—in carrying out secretive and violent acts against perceived threats.

Shawn emphasizes the importance of open dialogue, prioritizing first-time callers and LDS members, through phone lines at (801) 973-8820 and (801) 973-TV20, inviting engagement and questions related to the teachings of Christianity. This approach encourages inclusive discussions and community participation in spiritual learning.