No Jesus, Know Hell

Shawn McCraney discusses the religious influences on Joseph Smith Jr., suggesting that Smith's creation of non-biblical doctrines was a response to the fanatical and errant Christian teachings he encountered, particularly the belief that unbaptized individuals were condemned to hell. He further illustrates how these influences shaped Smith's religious perspective, and invites people from diverse backgrounds, including those of the LDS faith, to attend meetings where they can explore scripture in a welcoming environment.

Joseph Smith, motivated by compassion and love for his family, introduced the practice of vicarious baptism for the dead to provide comfort to those grieving the loss of loved ones who may not have been baptized, challenging rigid interpretations of Christian doctrine. Despite rejecting universalism and affirming belief in the literal existence of hell, Shawn criticizes the unbiblical idea that people who never heard of Jesus automatically go to hell, emphasizing God’s justice and mercy and the importance of individuals' response to the gospel they received.

God reveals Himself and His Law in seven distinct ways: through nature, our consciences, the written commandments on stone, the Bible, the incarnation of Jesus, the law written on our hearts, and the lives of believers, each method serving as a path for individuals to recognize and respond to His presence. Acceptance of these revelations leads to salvation, while rejection may result in hell, yet for those who haven't explicitly heard of Jesus but have responded to other revelations, there is an understanding aligned with God's mercy.

Shawn's teaching emphasizes that salvation and grace are accessible to individuals even if they have never explicitly heard or spoken the name of Jesus, focusing instead on their relationship with God through conscience and nature. He argues that God judges based on individual circumstances and understanding, highlighting the distinction between knowing Jesus as a mere historical figure and recognizing Him as God who is omnipresent and accessible to all, regardless of cultural or linguistic barriers.