AI-generated summary
Central Claim: McCraney argues that Mormonism fundamentally diminishes Jesus' identity and undermines genuine worship. He contrasts the Mormon Jesus (a created spirit-brother who progressed by gaining a body) with the Biblical Jesus (the uncreated Creator worthy of absolute devotion).
Biblical Basis: McCraney cites Matthew 2:11, 14:33, and John 9:35-38, where Jesus accepts *proskuneo* (worship—literally, prostration like a dog before its master). He emphasizes that Biblical Christianity teaches Jesus as eternally uncreated, conceived via the Holy Spirit, and deserving of unreserved adoration.
Yeshuan Perspective: The episode reflects Yeshuan theology's emphasis on *subjective faith-response*: true salvation requires not intellectual assent but life-altering personal devotion to Jesus as Lord and King. McCraney critiques Mormonism's failure to lead members to this unbridled worship, claiming LDS expressions of "pondering the atonement" constitute mere intellectual appreciation, not transformative encounter with deity. Born-again faith demands complete, emotional, passionate allegiance—a present-tense relational reality rather than doctrinal correctness.
Open Transcript
Heart of the Matter
Welcome to Heart of the Matter! Shawn McCraney, your host. Live call-in show (number a bit later)
Shout out to . . .
The men and women in the Utah State prison and jail system. God bless you. Praying for you.
GAMA – Get a Mormon Answer
Last week's question: Does a person have to accept Mormonism in order to live with God after this life? Responses included the following:
This week's GAMA Question:
“If the Bible has not been translated correctly, how can you know which verses you can trust and which you can’t?” (REPEAT)
The Accusation Arena
New short segment of the show: “THE ACCUSATION ARENA.” Here I will quickly address the most common, oft repeated, accusations hurled my way from the viewing audience.
Okay, this week's accusations come from:
From Shauna, an email writer:
From our website Message Board, posted by a guy who goes by Taylor:
From a caller into last week's show, Diane in Sandy:
“It is inaccurate to use the term Mormon Theology (not appropriate as per Christians). Use the term Mormon Doctrine.” Let’s see . . . how can I say this Diane . . . “What?”
From another email, a writer told me to stop using the word Mormonism.
And the hottest accusations came from people all over the place relative to my interaction with a caller named Melissa on last week's show.
From the “too harsh” corner . . .
From the “way to go” corner . . .
My view is . . .
Differences in Beliefs About Jesus
Okay, let’s get to some needed prayer . . .
Four weeks ago, we started on a journey of looking at some important elements regarding the Jesus of Christianity and the Jesus of Mormonism. We learned that . . . The Jesus of Mormonism . . .
Was a created being out of pre-existing materials.
That He was a spirit brother to both Satan and each of us.
We also learned that in Mormonism Jesus was conceived naturally by a sexual union between God the Father and Mary, who was one of God’s wives.
Before we conclude our very short series about Jesus, I’d like to summarize the cumulative results these divergent beliefs in Mormonism produce in the lives of members.
First, Jesus goes from being the Uncreated Creator of all things to a created being – an “Elder brother” - who was put in charge of creating the world. Does this make you want to worship Him more or less?
Second, Jesus, in Mormon doctrine, had to come to the earth to gain a body. It was a must in order for Him to progress. Does this view create more or less appreciation for Him in your heart?
Finally, what is the end result, the end application, the end world-view of Jesus in the collective LDS heart and mind? Is He “the Savior” or is He “my savior.” Is He lifted higher or brought down a little lower in your esteem? Do you worship Him?
Worship of Jesus
Was Jesus, as God incarnate, ever worshipped when He was on earth? Did He allow people to worship Him? Shouldn’t only God be worshipped?
Matthew 2
Jesus is a young child, and the Wise Men finally find him at home with His mother.
Verse 11
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: They PROSKUNEO’d Him. Like dogs before their Master.
Matthew 14:33
The sea was rough. Peter ventured out in faith and walked upon it with the Lord. Then he began to sink. Jesus took Him up. And when they came into the boat the winds did immediately cease, and they that were in the ship came and proskuneo’s Him. They Worshipped Him. And He let them.
In John Chapter 9 a man that was born blind was healed by the Lord, and when he stood up for Jesus the elders kicked him out of the synagogue. Verses 35-38
35 Jesus heard that they had cast
Encounter with the Lord
He [the man] answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
What will you do when you come face to face with the Lord? Will you say, “I want to thank you, my Elder Brother, for your atoning sacrifice which made it possible for me to return to live with my Heavenly Father again,” or will you fall at his feet like a prostrate dog, and bath His feet with tears, and raise your hands in adoration, and praise Him. With everything else put aside – do you personally possess this unbridled and unlimited devotion and worship for Jesus? Not the savior, but your Lord, your king, your savior, your master?
If so, if there is no question, you have been born-again of God. But if you have to “work” on getting these responses to arrive, if you have an intellectual understanding of Jesus instead of a life-altering adoration of Him, if you think praising and fawning over Him is sick, you’ve missed the boat big time.
The Challenge of Devotion
One of the BIGGEST, if not THE BIGGEST failures of Mormonism is the overall lack of leading its general membership to fully realizing who Jesus is, and what He means to each one of them. If you fell into a dark and deep cavern full of snakes, and Hila monsters, and other horrible creatures, and laid there for three days with them crawling all over you, and then watched a person risk his life to repel down and hoist your out, you would fawn, and feign, and lick your rescuers hands like a dog.
There is no one on this earth past or present who has done anything remotely close to what Jesus has done for YOU. You and I own Him all of our praise, all of our devotions, all of our allegiances . . . which should never go to anyone else . . . ever.
Alright, let’s get to the phones.
(801) 973-TV20
973-8820
Understanding Worship
But in Biblical Christianity we learn Jesus has no beginning or end. But the Bible says he created ALL things. All means ALL. But the Bible tells us Jesus became incarnate by virtue of the Holy Ghost overshadowing Mary, a beautiful wholesome virgin.
After a show a number of weeks ago I had a young woman call and really let me have it. “We worship Jesus in every meeting we have!” she exclaimed. “Have you ever even been a member of the Church?” “You don’t worship him. You’re not supposed to worship Him.” “That is a lie!” she almost screamed.
“Let me read this to you. It’s from a speech given by Apostle Bruce R McConkie in ________________________________.
“Well I don’t care what was said back then, we worship Him now.”
“Okay. What does that mean to you when you say you worship Jesus” I asked.
“We ponder and appreciate the atonement.”
“What does that mean exactly?” I said.
“It means we take time every week to sing and contemplate His atoning sacrifice.”
I said, “Our family has two Labrador retrievers. They are very intuitive and obedient dogs who revere me as their master. When I walk outside they approach me with tremendous excitement and love, but also with humble submission. They bow themselves down, lower their eyes, lick my hands.
As a Latter-day Saint, do you worship Jesus like my dog worships me?”
“That is sick,” she said.
“Then you, my friend, do not understand what worship means.”
The True Meaning of Worship
The Greek word for worship is proskuneo (pros–koo–nea–oh). Kuohn is the Greek word for dog. Pros means to layout, to prostrate oneself in an attitude of reverence and homage. Proskuneo means to lick and fawn like a dog before an object of veneration.
CONCLUSION
Hey, check out the website at www.bornagainmormon.com