The Role of Racism, Part 3

Shawn McCraney's teaching on "Heart of the Matter" critiques Mormonism's view of Jesus, contrasting it with biblical Christianity, which posits Jesus as co-equal with God the Father, God-incarnate, and the savior through His grace alone, while Mormonism depicts Jesus as a created being and spirit brother, saved by a mix of works and faith. Through his program and related resources, he encourages readers, especially from LDS backgrounds, to explore how lives can be transformed through a non-sectarian understanding of the Bible and Jesus Christ's true nature according to traditional Christian beliefs.

Shawn illustrates the dilution of Biblical Christianity when external beliefs like Mormonism are labeled as Christian, emphasizing how these deviations can weaken the original Christian teachings to the point where they no longer represent true Christianity. He critiques such mislabeling, asserting that associating non-biblical ideologies with Christianity undermines the essence of Christian doctrine, and highlights that this confusion is further compounded by accepting Mormon beliefs as Christian, illustrated by a personal account involving a financial planner deemed Christian on a popular site.

Shawn's teaching critically examines the historic racism in Mormonism, highlighting how church leaders and doctrine perpetuated racial discrimination by attributing it to God's will, contradicting the scripture of James 1:13 which states that God cannot be associated with evil. Despite leaders like Joseph Fielding Smith and John Stewart defending these beliefs, changes gradually emerged as less racist-minded leaders influenced the church, although the process and rhetoric remained flawed for a significant time.

Shawn emphasizes the universal accessibility of the Gospel, affirming that no individual, regardless of race, culture, or background, is excluded from receiving its fullness, contrary to the racist ideologies historically perpetuated by Mormon leadership. The teaching criticizes the historic indifference of the LDS church towards the Civil Rights movement and highlights the efforts of individuals like Steven Holbrook who resisted discriminatory doctrines and practices.

Shawn's teaching criticizes the Mormon Church's history of racial discrimination and challenges its members to confront and change lingering racist doctrines still present in the Book of Mormon and other texts. He highlights the 1978 revelation that allowed black men to receive the LDS priesthood as a reactive measure to external pressures, urging for a more proactive and Bible-trusting approach within Mormonism to prevent further racial injustices.