The US Presidential Election

Shawn McCraney discusses the significant implications of electing an active Mormon as President of the United States, questioning who is truly being honored in such religious contexts and highlighting John 17:3, where eternal life is defined by knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ. He emphasizes the importance of discerning the difference between the biblical concept of God and man-made interpretations or idols, urging viewers to understand the core tenet of Christianity in recognizing the true and living God.

Shawn's teaching emphasizes the exclusive nature of the true and living God, characterized as spirit, invisible, and without a physical form, contrasting false depictions like those suggested in LDS doctrine. He challenges followers of God to critically assess their support for beliefs or figures promoting ideas that contradict the foundational understanding of God's nature, warning against endorsing teachings that stray from scriptural truths.

Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, eventually turned his focus toward politics, culminating in his 1844 presidential candidacy while espousing a fusion of religious and governmental authority through a system he called "Theodemocracy." Smith's political activities included forming the Council of Fifty, a shadow government, on his path to enacting his vision of governance, which aimed to blend temporal and spiritual leadership and predicted the nation's downfall if it failed to redress the grievances suffered by his followers.

Mormonism has historically intertwined political involvement with its religious beliefs, as demonstrated by both Joseph Smith's presidential run and statements from LDS Church leaders emphasizing the United States' divine purpose and the role of the church president as God's representative on Earth. Despite this historical involvement, the LDS Church has officially declared neutrality in political matters, a stance reiterated by Gordon B. Hinckley, while Mormon doctrine has largely remained unchanged, except for certain practices like polygamy and the priesthood ban on black men, which have evolved over time.

Shawn's teaching emphasizes the inherent political motivations of Mormonism, highlighting its historical and ongoing ambitions to establish a dominant world order according to its beliefs, citing figures like Joseph Smith and events such as the formation of the council of fifty. Despite assurances from contemporary leaders like Mitt Romney about the church's lack of influence on political decisions, Shawn remains skeptical, underscoring the belief that Mormonism's ultimate goal is to establish its version of the "Kingdom of God" on earth.

Mormonism functions as a potent political entity, utilizing its resources and influence in areas such as family records, missionary work, and political maneuvers, with members like candidate Romney adhering to temple covenants that prioritize allegiance to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over other entities. Despite public professions of respect toward diverse faith traditions, the Mormon church historically promotes the exclusivity of its path to God, diverging from a broader ecumenical perspective.

Shawn emphasizes the potential implications of electing a Mormon president, highlighting concerns that Mormonism could leverage the presidency to gain influence and further its agenda. He urges caution, separating the personal qualities of candidate Mitt Romney from the broader religious implications of Mormonism's involvement in political power, suggesting that the faith might exploit such an opportunity to expand its influence over American society.