It’s really interesting: since my conversation on Facebook with my friend (and then another friend who also studied theology), I have had another conversation with another high school friend who was “worried about my salvation” and shared with me anti-Mormon website info…
I want to study today about how I can fight off that anti-Mormon slander tactfully but with good intent and direct enough to make it a teaching moment.
The poet Robert Frost once defined education as “the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.” Probably we will never be free of those who are openly anti-Mormon. Therefore, we encourage all our members to refuse to become anti-anti-Mormon. In the wise words of old, can we “live and let live”? – Pure Religion, Marvin J. Ashton
Here’s something else I found:
Since the spring of 1820, Lucifer has led a relentless attack against the Latter-day Saints and their leaders. A parade of anti-Christs, anti-Mormons, and apostate groups have appeared on the scene. Many are still among us and have released new floods of lies and false accusations. These faith-killers and testimony-thieves use personal contacts, the printed word, electronic media, and other means of communication to sow doubts and to disturb the peace of true believers.
Two months ago we received a tender letter from a bishop. He informed us that he had been involved in an excommunication of a recent convert. The new convert had fallen under the influence of a very dedicated apostate who was successful in destroying the convert’s testimony. It seems that, to discredit Joseph Smith and subsequent prophets, the apostate cited changes made in Church publications over the years.
The approach used by the apostate is common among those who are more interested in shadows than in light. Their logic, if followed, would have them burning the New Testament because Luke’s account of the gospel is not exactly like Matthew’s or because the book of Acts reports two differing versions of Paul’s vision on the road to Damascus. (See Acts 9:1–9 and Acts 22:4–11.) Belief in modern prophets and continuous revelation is absent in the lives of many apostates. They would pin their hopes for salvation upon things other than those related to living prophets and living faith.
… Avoid those who would tear down your faith. Faith-killers are to be shunned. The seeds which they plant in the minds and hearts of men grow like cancer and eat away the Spirit. – Opposition to the Work of God – Carlos Asay
President Gordon B. Hinkley talked about this topic a bit as well.
Vaughn J. Featherston said this about anti-Mormon literature:
“…theological pornography that is damaging to the spirit,” stating that “none of it is worth casting an eye upon. Do not read the anti-Mormon materials. That is not the way you resolve questions about the truthfulness of the restored gospel.”
Hugh Nibley said this:
Apostates usually become sometimes feverishly active, determined to prove to the world and themselves that it is a fraud after all. What is that to them? Apparently it is everything—it will not let them alone. At the other end of the scale are those who hold no rancor and even retain a sentimental affection for the Church—they just don’t believe the gospel. I know quite a few of them. But how many of them can leave it alone? It haunts them all the days of their life. No one who has ever had a testimony ever forgets or denies that he once did have it—that it was something that really happened to him. Even for such people who do not have it anymore, a testimony cannot be reduced to an illusion.
So, with all this, I leave with this take-away: It’s best to simply state what I believe, do my best to answer questions as they pertain to what I believe and what I’ve been taught, and to leave it at that.
Getting into arguments with people, trying to “prove” that what I believe is true, and debating what the meaning of scripture is is not worth anyone’s time and will only lead to on-going and more hostile resentment. Afterall, it all boils down to one main word – PRIDE.
I’m grateful for my testimony of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I read more last night about the priesthood, marriage, and temples found in the Book of Mormon.
I know this book is true.
I looked a bit more into the talk by Marvin J. Ashton, Pure Religion, and found this quote which confirms my feelings:
At no time did Jesus Christ encourage us to spend time participating in damaging, destructive criticism. His message was to encourage us to seek, learn, and share all that is praiseworthy and of value as we associate with our fellowmen. Only those who are vindictive and cantankerous participate in ferreting out and advertising the negative and unsavory.
…Robert West wrote, “Nothing is easier than fault-finding; no talent, no self-denial, no brains … are required to set up in the grumbling business.” (Richard L. Evans’ Quote Book, Salt Lake City: Publishers Press, 1971, p. 221.)
…the gospel of Jesus Christ reminds us that we are not to retaliate nor contend. “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness to God.” (James 1:19–20.)
Pure religion is learning the gospel of Jesus Christ and then putting it into action.
The discerning realize that it is not realistic to expect perfection in others when none of us is perfect.
“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
“Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, let me pull the mote out of thine eye; and behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
“Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” (Matt. 7:3–5.)
I’m not afraid to share my beliefs. I know that the experiences I’ve had have developed me into the person that I am.
I will continue to do my best to “live my religion” and share it with others via example and by opening my mouth when the time is right.
Hasta luego!
Nate
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