UPDATE July 2006:
February, in response to our concerns below, Shawn McCraney removed some of the problematic statements that were on his website that we had documented below. However, some of the statements still remain not only on his site, but also in his book, Born-Again Mormon. We are also concerned that he is still telling people who call in on his Salt Lake TV program, that they can be "Mormon" and "Christian" at the same time. His movement is causing confusion among new Christians who recently left Mormonism. Many are asking if their leaving the religion was the right thing to do since Shawn claims one can be a "Mormon" and "Christian" at the same time. For a review of some of the problems that remain on Shawn's Site and in his book, Click HERE

Shawn McCraney claims to be a “Mormon” and a “Born-Again” Christian at the same time. But, when one examines the doctrines of the Mormon Church, one finds that the LDS view of certain key doctrines on the nature of God, Jesus Christ and Salvation are contrary to the Biblical view. Thus, if Shawn is truly a Mormon, we ask how he can embrace Christian doctrines which counter Mormonism and at the same time claim to be Mormon. Either he believes Joseph Smith’s statement in Doctrine and Covenants that God “has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s....” (Section 130:22) or he believes the Biblical view that “God is a spirit” (John 4:24). Either he accepts the Mormon position that the Book of Mormon is “Scripture” on equal footing with the Bible, or he embraces the Christian viewpoint that the Book of Mormon is 19th century “fiction.” Either he believes that one must be “baptized” by someone holding proper “priesthood authority” to be saved, or he believes the Christian view that “baptism” is not essential for salvation. One cannot have it both ways. Either Shawn McCraney is a “Mormon” and as such, believes Mormon doctrine, or he is a “Christian” who embraces the doctrines of the Bible.

In a letter addressed to "Donna" on his website (see: http://www.bornagainmormon.com/pages/9/index.htm), Shawn discusses his current connection with the Latter-day Saints. He states:

"I asked to be excommunicated from the Church a few years ago. I had experienced spiritual rebirth while a member but not through anything associated with the Church. The bornagainmormon mission is to bring other members of the Church to Jesus. I'm convinced that part of this mission is for me to be rebaptized in the Church as a Christian and ONLY as a Christian. I've met with our kind Stake president many times regarding the subject. I've committed to be active, serve, keep the commandments, keep my mouth shut and even shut my website down (if commanded) but they will not let me re-join because I will not accept Joseph Smith nor will I acknowledge that the LDS Church is the ONLY true Church on the face of the earth. This whole concept is difficult for many Christian's to understand let alone Latter-day Saints. But bottom line, I am a doctrinal Christian through and through - who appreciates the earthly organization of the Church. God willing, this ministry will help other Latter-day Saints know the Lord in the same living way."

Is this what a true Christian is to do in order to bring others to Jesus? Be baptized and "active" and keep one's "mouth shut" in "appreciation" of an "earthly organization" that denies who the real Jesus is? Shawn notes that the reason his Stake president will not allow him to be re-baptized into the Mormon Church is due to the fact that he rejects Joseph Smith as a prophet and denies its claims to be "the ONLY true church on the face of the earth." When his own leaders are telling him he is not Mormon, how can he honestly continue to claim to be such?

Under the section "Why Born-Again MORMON?" Shawn explains what he means by the term, "Born-Again Mormon." He states: "Born-again Mormons use the term culturally, meaning we are first born-again by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and we have had, or currently have, an association with the Mormon Church." By comparing his "Born-again Mormon" term to that of a "Born-again Jew" or "Born-again Catholic," he then goes on to explain why he thinks he doesn't need to believe Mormon doctrines in order to be considered a "Mormon." But his reasoning on this is flawed as those who embrace Christianity while embracing their Jewish race or Catholic background are not required to relinquish fundamental doctrines of their religion in order to be "born-again." These religious associations do not have a flawed view on the nature of God, so an association with these groups as a true believer, does not require one to completely relinquish the core beliefs of his religious system in order to be a "born-again" believer. However, such is certainly not the case with Mormonism in which the foundational premise of the faith rests on a faulty view of God and the nature of humankind..

Furthermore, to claim to be a cultural "Mormon" simply on the basis of church attendance and participation in an LDS ward is faulty as well. For if we argue that Shawn is a "Mormon" due to his association with the LDS church, are we to argue that an “atheist” who attends a “Christian” church is a “Christian”—even though he doesn’t embrace “Christian” beliefs? Of course, not! Such reasoning leads to spiritual confusion and the blurring of lines of distinction between religious faith and ideas. For if a Mormon is no longer defined by his core Mormon beliefs, how are we to define the difference between a Christian or a Satanist? Thus, we conclude, it is nothing short of dishonestly to represent oneself as a "Mormon" while embracing beliefs contrary to the religion.

Below is a chart of some of the doctrines in Shawn McCraney’s "Statement of Beliefs" that run counter to official Mormon doctrine. Again we ask the question, “How can Shawn McCraney truly be a ‘Mormon’ when he denies these essential doctrines of the Mormon Church?” This is not a review of all of Shawn’s beliefs and there are other points in his Statement that run counter to LDS faith that we do not discuss below. But this review of key doctrinal statements should be enough to convince anyone that Shawn is NOT a true “Mormon.”

By claiming to be “Mormon” while denying basic Mormon beliefs, we feel that Shawn is not only deceiving Christians with his brand of Mormonism, but he is dishonestly presenting himself to Mormons as well —claiming to be one of them while denying the key doctrines that make Mormons who they are. Since God is a God of Truth, would God really be behind a method that involves using deception to win lost Mormons to the Lord?

See Shawn’s website at the following link for a complete list of his “Statement of Beliefs”: http://www.bornagainmormon.com/pages/2/index.htm

While we applaud Shawn McCraney’s desire to look for new methods in reaching Mormons from inside their Church, our concern is over the honesty of claiming to be something he is not. The end does not justify the means. Using dishonesty as a method in reaching the lost should not be an option for the true believer. Paul said it best when he said, "Therefore, seeing we have this ministry...we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." (2 Cor 4:1-2) Since we are to bear witness of the real TRUTH—Jesus Himself— how can we honestly justify misrepresenting ourselves to Mormons in order to win them? If we're dishonest in our approach to them, how can they trust us to tell them the real Truth about Jesus?

The following article appeared in H.I.S. Ministries January Newsletter, covering December 2005, written by Rauni and Dennis Higley

I need to write to you about something that has caused a great concern in our hearts and minds.

It is not possible for us to know the hearts of people, but God has asked His own to be “fruit inspectors”. False teachers do not come announcing that they are false teachers. They claim to be teaching the truth. Jesus said, “Be aware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits…” (Matt. 7:15-16.) The fruit of a teacher is his teaching, his doctrine: does it, in all points, agree with the Word of God? We know that the devil also can quote scriptures… That said, let me explain what troubles us.

We have often been asked a question, “Can a Mormon be a Christian?” And our answer has always been, “No, as long as he is still a Mormon, he is not a Christian, because the Christ of Mormonism is not Jesus Christ of Christianity.”

If someone claims to be a Christian, but does not believe what the historic Christian church has taught and believed for nearly two thousand years, then that person simply is not a member of the true Christian faith, whether they call themselves followers of Christ or not. Words must mean what standard dictionaries have defined them to mean, otherwise we cannot communicate at all. When we hear the word “Mormon”, what comes to your mind? A person who is affiliated with the Mormon Church, who believes that Joseph Smith was a prophet and believes in the LDS scriptures that originated with him. We know that, because that is what a standard dictionary says a Mormon is.

How many of you have heard a new term "born-again Mormon"?

We have received letters this last week from concerned former-Mormons, now born-again Christians, because last Monday night (December 26, 2005) there had been a discussion on the local TV station with a pastor (Greg Johnson) and a person who calls himself a “born-again Mormon” (Shawn McCraney). Their discussion had focused on how a Mormon can be born-again and still remain in or be affiliated with the Mormon Church.

Of course, I understand that if one wants to remain in any capacity in the LDS ward or stake, he could not call himself “born-again Christian.” If he did, he would not be allowed to stay. I did not see the reported program, but I was alerted to it by those former Mormons who had seen it, as well as some Christians who wondered about what a “born-again Mormon” is. Some of those former Mormons wrote to us all confused, wondering if the Mormon Church might be changing and becoming a Christian church, and that perhaps they shouldn’t have left it at all, but should have continued as participating LDS Church members. They said that if they could have stayed, it would have eliminated upsetting their family and friends, which happened when they left and divorced that cult. They wondered if they did all that for no good reason.

I went to the website of this “born-again Mormon” (www.bornagainmormon.com) to see what he is now saying. On the surface his page seems Christian, until you get to the point in his statement of beliefs, where he (under Membership in the Church), recommends “actively supporting the LDS Church in an effort to bring other members to the Lord.” He also says, “We will do all that is asked of us except teach certain LDS theologies and/or sing certain LDS hymns which are in direct conflict with biblical truth.”

WHAT! “Bring other members to the [LDS] Lord” - to “another Jesus”? Obviously! IF bringing “other members to the Lord” and teaching is done in the LDS wards and stakes, people are coming to “another Jesus,” Jesus of Mormonism!! If teaching, or “bringing people to the Lord” is done in the LDS Church, one cannot teach the true Jesus and bring people to Jesus of the Bible, who is Immanuel, God with us. Their Jesus is a created being and a brother of Lucifer, angels and all mankind. He recommends that they “do all that is asked” of them by the LDS Church “except teach certain LDS theologies...” (What those “exceptions" are, is not disclosed.) He also suggests that “disaffected members of the LDS Church,” get over their disagreements and “return to the religion that held [them] bound, sit on the front pew and take the sacrament as someone belonging to Him.” (See: http://www.bornagainmormon.com/pages/10/index.htm)

Based on his life as a Mormon, he must know what “taking of the sacrament” means in the LDS Church! I will quote from Mormon Doctrine, p. 660, what it really means: "By partaking of the sacrament, worthy saints renew the covenant previously made by them in the waters of baptism (Mosiah 18:7-10).” [When they were baptized into the LDS church.] Baptism into the LDS is not a Christian baptism. Mormon Doctrine, p. 70, explains what baptism into the LDS Church means:

1. "It [baptism] is for the remission of sins." (D&C 13; 19:31; 20:37; 33:11; 49:13; 68:27; 84:27, 64,74; 107:20.)
2. "It [baptism] admits the repentant person to membership of the [LDS] Church and kingdom of God on earth." (D&C 20:37; 71-74.)
3. "It [baptism] is the gate to the celestial kingdom of heaven, that is, it starts a person out on the straight and narrow path which leads to eternal life [meaning godhood and exaltation]..."

In other words, by taking the sacrament in the LDS church a person is renewing his covenant to the LDS church! That is Mormonism - not Christianity! If the person is a born-again believer in Jesus of the Bible, he simply could not take the LDS sacrament and “renew his covenants” to the LDS church! If one is truly a biblical born-again believer, would not the Spirit of God make it impossible for him to “renew his covenants” to the Mormon Church? I would think so.

In addition to that, another matter that must be offensive to the true Lord Jesus is that the LDS “sacrament” (communion) consist of leavened bread and water, not unleavened bread and wine or red grape juice as is used in Christian communions. As you know, in the Bible leaven is used as a symbol of sin, thus bread made with leaven could not be symbolic of sinless body of Jesus, broken for us, and water could not be symbolic of His blood either. Thus the LDS sacrament is a communion with “another Jesus“, not with Jesus of the Bible, who, as Eternal God, came down to pay the penalty of our sins, shedding His precious blood for us.

This writer, on his website, continues, under “Other LDS books and Scriptures”, and says that he “recognizes the Bible as the Word of God”, but that he also agrees “that other [LDS] books have ability to move a man toward Him.” Nothing in these Mormon scriptures can bring a person toward the true God! The Mormon scriptures teach Mormonism, its false gods, false Jesus and false gospel under a false spirit. (2 Cor. 11:4, 13-15.)

This, in our opinion, it is a bunch of double talk! We see this as an additional step that is “blurring the lines” and helping Mormonism, eventually, being accepted into Christianity. Double-talk causes double-think. That is the way the devil has always gotten his way. His teachings are “mingled with scriptures”. While teaching his false doctrines, he throws in some truth to confuse the biblical illiterates, or those who do not care.

This website also links to LDS apologetic sites like FAIR and FARMS and others, and for a good measure he throws in some sites critical to the LDS church too. Those who are not too knowledgeable will only be confused. And if they can stay in that confused state, why would they even want leave Mormonism and “upset the applecart"? - He has written a book titled, Born-Again Mormon, and his book is recommended by Biola's Craig Hazen and other “Christians.” His book is also endorsed by several members of the LDS Church, who seem to like it a lot because it is not very critical of Joseph Smith, etc.

To my surprise his book is sold at Christian Bookstores nation wide and is recommended reading on how a Mormon can also be a Christian! We have found that very disturbing. Is this deliberate deception or is it just ignorance of how the LDS Church is manipulating Christian pastors and their congregations to come to accept Mormonism as part of the current ecumenical effort to unite all religions?

We have known for a long time that the goal of the LDS Church is to be accepted as another Christian denomination, without changing any of their doctrines. Some think that because a Mormon talks the “Christian talk,” he also believes Christian doctrine, and if some Mormons may seem “closer to Christianity,” it may mean that the Mormon Church itself is changing!

Not so! People must understand that Mormon doctrines will not change from the membership level! Only their prophet and apostles dictate what doctrine is. However, these LDS leaders do not mind that there are some in their wards and stakes, who, for the benefit of the LDS Church, talk like Christians, making it seem that they believe as Christians believe, while actually believing what Mormons believe. Isn’t that what the LDS missionaries are taught to say - that they believe what we believe, while knowing perfectly well that it is not so?

All this is helping to retain questioning members in the LDS Church, and by the same method obtain new members from Christianity. Mormons have borrowed Christian terminology for years, and most among them, as well as those outside of Mormonism, do not know the difference. But the devil does. The LDS leaders know that also! People are being tricked! Jesus warned about that. He said, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” (Matt. 24:4)

Think about this: The Mormon Church will not allow non-Mormons to take their sacrament! They would not allow “apostates,” those who have left the church, or even those who are still members, but have been disfellowshipped, to take the sacrament, nor participate, speak, pray or teach there! Remember that the sacrament is only for the “worthy members of the LDS Church.” Would they let Dennis and I take their sacrament (not that we would anyway) or teach and speak there? No way! So why is this man, who calls himself a “born-again Mormon,” recommending all this activity on his website? Is he allowed to take the sacrament and participate, or even speak in their meetings, as I understand that he has been asked to do?

In the past Mormons have been excommunicated for even going to another church more or less on a regular basis, or saying that they do not believe in Mormon doctrine any longer. There are some that have not been excommunicated, and that only if there is a benefit for the LDS Church by allowing them to stay. One recent example of that is Grant H. Palmer who wrote a book, “Insider’s View of Mormon Origins”, exposing all the basic claims and doctrines of Mormonism as not truth. He was disfellowshipped, but not excommunicated. He is obviously allowed to remain a member because he still says that he sees the LDS Church as a good and beneficial organization, even though he wrote that it is based on lies and deception. Many BYU professors have been able to expose some of the claims of the Mormon Church as questionable, but as long as they do not go too far and if they will still “bear their testimonies” of how great it is to be a member of the “true church,” they too have been able to stay. That is an obvious part of the LDS Church's ecumenical efforts and it demonstrates their “new tolerance”!

However, being a Mormon is a doctrinal statement. One saying that he is a “born-again Mormon,” is still claiming that he is a Mormon. If one came from Hinduism, would he say that he is “born-again Hindu” or if one's religion was Satanism, would he call himself “born-again Satanist”. I would think not!

If one comes to the faith of true Jesus of the Bible and is born from above, that person is a born-again Christian. The Word of God clears that: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17.)

In his website he compares Mormons to the Jews and why a Jew is still a Jew even after coming to faith in Jesus. Not an accurate comparison. Saying, “I am a Jew” is acknowledging their race as well as their Judaism, which, by the way, is foundational to Christianity. “Mormon” is not a declaration of a race. It describes religious beliefs, belief in “another Jesus and another gospel”!

He uses another inaccurate comparison, “being a woman,” that, he reasons, does not change after a woman is born-again, and asks why he cannot say that he is a “born-again Mormon.” To be a Mormon, any kind of Mormon, is to identify with what Mormons believe. To be a Christian is to identify with and believe what Christians believe. They cannot be mixed because Mormonism teaches a different God, Jesus and salvation.

If one is born-again, as the Bible teaches, then that person is a “Christian” - no longer a Mormon! One cannot be “born-again” as the Bible teaches and still keep their identity with a cult or a religion that does not believe in the same God as the God of the Bible. Mormonism is forever separated from Christianity and from the new birth in Christ Jesus of the Bible. I am amazed at the blindness and lack of discernment that has been shown by those Christians who endorse this teaching.

This all is making ministering to Mormons very difficult. Why would a Mormon want to leave Mormonism if they think they can have it both ways? Of course the truth is that they cannot have it both ways. After we come to know the Lord, and His Spirit dwells in us, His instruction to us, without exception, is, “Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers…And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord.” (2 Cor. 6:14-17.)

As we have understood, the Mormon Church is loosing members, hundreds of them every day. This could be one of their ways to try to keep them in, even those who see the errors, and convince them that it is OK to stay and believe in both…

Is this, in some sense, part of the “bridge building” with Mormons that has been promoted now for several years? It seems to have brought the enemy across and blurred the lines so that they are not recognizable any more. We are very concerned about this new development and confusion that it has brought to those who do not fully understand what lurks behind this.

We are instructed to witness to Mormons, but not to cultivate friendships with those who are unrepentant and willing false teachers. (2 John 10-11.) The Bible is very clear about our separateness from false teachers and false apostles. (1 Tim. 4:1.) We are to “…rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in faith” (Titus 1:13), we are to “earnestly contend for our faith that was once delivered”. (Jude 3) Truth and love are to be united in us as we reach them for Christ.

Please pray with us that Christians will become more alert and that they will have discernment. It only comes through studying the Word of God that was given to us so that we will know doctrine, and that we can instruct and correct those who have gone astray. (Read 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21.)

Rauni and Dennis Higley
2890 E
Willow Bend Dr
Sandy, Utah 84093

Email: hismin@xmission.com
Website: http://www.hismin.com

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PROBLEMS THAT STILL REMAIN ON SHAWN MCCRANEY'S SITE AND IN HIS BOOK "BORN-AGAIN MORMON"

UNDER “STATEMENT OF BELIEFS” Section of Shawn's Site

MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHURCH:

"Born-Again Mormons believe in actively supporting the LDS Church in an effort to bring other members to the Lord. We will do all that is asked of us except teach certain LDS theologies and/or sing certain LDS hymns which are in direct conflict with biblical truth."

Shawn still advocates "actively supporting" the "LDS Church" in order to "bring other members to the Lord." As noted before, if one is "supporting" a church that teaches a different Jesus, one cannot bring members to the REAL Jesus.

OTHER LDS BOOKS of SCRIPTURE

"Born-Again Mormons recognize no other book but the Bible as the Word of God, but agree that other books have the ability to move Man toward Him."

The latter part of this statement is too vague and gives the impression that Born-Again Mormon beliefs allow for other books to be considered “Scripture” – especially since it is under the “Scripture” section of the site beliefs.

STANDARDS

"Born-Again Mormons believe in following biblical standards of character regarding dress, behavior, decorum and lifestyle. We reject any set standard of appearance, dress, mode or fashion constructed by the ideals of Man or used to control the liberty of others."

This statement appears to contradict the statement in Shawn's book in which he says:

"A Born-Again Mormon will submit himself or herself in the flesh to all LDS ordinances, practices, assignments, rituals, callings, cultural expectations...A born-Again Mormon should submit to following whatever prescribed practices the general membership of the Church is inclined to support. White shirts and ties, as Sunday attire for men and modest grooming and appearance for all may be expected for your efforts to be fully realized."

So which is it? Does Shawn"reject"…"any set standard of appearance, dress" etc, or does he submit to "all LDS ordinances…White shirts and ties" etc?

There are other contradictory statements (like this one above) but this is enough to give an idea of the problems that still remain with Shawn's movement. For more information on problematic statements in Shawn's book, click HERE for Mormonism Research Ministry's review.