Inside the Temple, Part 6

Heart of the Matter, hosted by Shawn McCraney, is a ministry that dialogues between Mormonism and Biblical Christianity, and has expanded its outreach with volunteers aiding in technical work and translations into Spanish. Despite recent setbacks, such as discontinuation from AM 820 and TV20 due to Shawn's discussions on eternal punishment, Shawn remains committed to his biblical exegesis and advocating open theological examination, encouraging prayer for a broader acceptance of diverse Christian discussions.

Shawn critiques Christian dogma and myths, emphasizing that they detract from the cause of Christ by introducing unreliable and man-made premises into the faith, as seen in the example of the mistranslation of "Easter" in the King James Bible. He argues for a return to truth grounded in the word of God, as distorted traditions create doubts in what is genuinely good and reliable, urging believers to focus on biblical accuracy rather than convenient myths.

Shawn discusses the importance of not taking dogmatic positions on religious interpretations, emphasizing the necessity of reading the Bible closely and consulting original languages and commentaries to understand God's true Word rather than human ideas. In illustrating this point, Shawn refers to the story of Moses lifting the serpent in the wilderness from Numbers 21:4-9, highlighted by Jesus in John 3, to explain that belief and faith are prerequisites for spiritual salvation, as shown by the Israelites needing to believe in and look at the serpent to be healed.

Shawn's teaching highlights the biblical message that eternal life is granted to those who believe in Jesus Christ, as emphasized through the illustration of Moses lifting the brass serpent in the wilderness, contrasting this with practices in Mormonism that suggest righteousness is achieved through personal merit. He critiques the mindset of converts to Mormonism who may erroneously think righteousness is self-earned through temple rites and rituals, emphasizing instead that faith in Jesus' finished work, as articulated in John 3:16, should be the foundation of Christian belief and salvation.

Participation in the LDS temple system is heavily influenced by early indoctrination, a misleading interpretation of the Gospel, resulting in spiritual blindness, and a desire to conform to human expectations. This system is fortified by teaching children about temple rites from a young age, promoting the idea that temple practices are essential for familial and spiritual fulfillment, overshadowing the fundamental Christian belief in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

The teaching emphasizes that Latter-day Saints often feel trapped by pressures to conform and avoid questioning the practices and narratives within the Mormon temple, leading to a form of spiritual blindness. This internal and external pressure hinders open discussions about temple activities and silences doubts, fostering an environment resistant to critical thinking and open dialogue.

The purported miraculous intervention of seagulls saving Mormon crops from crickets in 1848 is suspected to be more myth than fact, as historical records from the time, including those of John Taylor and Parley P. Pratt, do not mention the event; this highlights how historical myths can evolve over time to reinforce group values and beliefs. Researchers like Richard D. Poll and John L. Sorenson underscore that this event and others like it may serve as symbolic narratives within Mormon culture rather than actual historical accounts, emphasizing the importance of critical examination of such stories in understanding their role in cultural identity.

The early Mormon settlers in Utah faced significant hardships, including devastating insect infestations, which were mythologized into sacred narratives, reinforcing their shared beliefs and cultural identity. The story of the seagulls saving crops is often compared alongside other significant Mormon tales like the Three Nephites, illustrating how such stories help communicate core values and provide answers to foundational spiritual questions.

Joseph Smith made several prophecies including the gathering of saints in Independence, Missouri for temple building, a promise that Zion would never fall, the redemption of Zion through an army, the involvement of England in the Civil War, the establishment of the United Order as everlasting, and the acquisition of riches from Salem to pay church debts; however, these prophecies either remain unfulfilled or were contradicted by historical events. These instances showcase discrepancies between Smith's predictions and the later development of events, casting doubt on the reliability of these teachings within the context of Mormon doctrine and history.

David W. Patten was advised to resolve his affairs and prepare for a mission, despite his passing in 1838, reflecting faith in spiritual preparations and divine timing. The teachings also include instructions for building a holy city and temple at Far West, organizing funds for the Nauvoo temple, and a reference to an unfulfilled prophecy about Christ's return in the 1890-1891 period, suggesting interpretation and fulfillment of spiritual directions.

To ensure the preservation of stock ownership for future generations, stock must be maintained within the designated house and not sold or conveyed away by the holder or their heirs. If stockholders like George Miller, Lyman Wight, John Snider, and Peter Haws misuse stock without consent or fail to repay it four-fold if used improperly, they will face consequences, and servant Joseph is limited in how much stock he can contribute for the building, ranging from fifty to fifteen thousand dollars.