It needs to be done

Here I am, yet again making another midnight blog. I really should try getting to sleep earlier. Ah, I'll worry about that later.

It's amazing the type of things that are posted about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When you go online and Google it, about 1 out of every 10 pages is friendly toward the Church. And the ones that aren't? Well, they say the same things; Joseph Smith was a liar and a fraud, the Book of Mormon is false and here's why, etc. etc.

Why do they do this? Why do they feel like they must rape the unsuspecting of their faith? I'll admit, I fell into that trap when I was in high school. There was a dark period in my life when I delved deep into anti-Mormon literature. I mean, everything I could get my hands on, Jerald and Sandra Tanner, Ed Decker, Walter Martin, Mike Norton, and others. I wanted to know about what it was these people were saying, and why they were saying it. I dove so deep into it, that I ended up believing it myself. You couple that with the fact that no one, it seemed in the Church wanted me around that I just gave up. I went to seminary during that time simply because I needed the ride to school. Inwardly, I was scoffing at what was being taught.

So what happened? Why was I feeling this way? Paul taught that we can know the true influence of the Spirit by their fruits (see Galatians 4:22-23) and the Savior taught that we can know if people work through the Spirit by their fruits (see 3 Nephi 14:20 and Matthew 7:20). In order to understand the anti-Mormon agenda, we need to understand those two principles: Are they influenced by the Spirit of God and do we feel the Spirit when we come in contact with them. If the answer is "no", then there's a problem.

Critics of the LDS Church want to degrade those who are searching or otherwise investigating the Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They will use many different tactics. One of those is and outward attack. This could be physical, mental, or verbal, not unlike what the Saints experienced in the early days of the Church or even during the days of the Ancient Church. Another is that of a counterfeit of logic. They present things about the Church that are twisted in such a way, that they pass them off as fact. The easiest indication of this is if you get a book, or go to a webpage and they quote someone who was in leadership in the early days of the Church. If they have "…" anywhere in that quote, red flags should shoot up. More than likely, they have been taken out of context.

For example: many prominent anti-Mormons like to use "…" when using quotes from the Journal of Discourses. A couple of things to remember: Though the First Presidency endorsed the publication of the Journal there was no endorsement as to the accuracy or reliability of the contents. There were occasions when the accuracy was questionable. The accounts were not always cleared by the speakers because of problems of time and distance. This was especially true during the persecution of the 1880s, which finally forced the cessation of publication. Also, doctrinally, members of the Church were growing and learning. Most adults were converts who had to unlearn and relearn many doctrines. They were learning things that our children learn in Primary and Sunday School. Remarks were frequently impromptu. Close, friendly audiences frequently invited informal discussion of varied topics. There was occasional speculation about doctrines that have since been determined unimportant or even misleading. When it comes to the Journal of Discourses, it is an excellent tool, but it is not the primary source of doctrine. We need to remember that we receive our doctrine from the scriptures (The Bible, the Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrine and Covenants) as well as from the council of living Prophets and Apostles.

There are many things that are brought up by these people and it is impossible to shake them, no matter where we go in the world. They are there to try our faith, I know mine was. I have come back to the Church stronger than ever. Am I where I want to be yet? Not even close. But then, that's the beauty of eternal progression. I don't know about you, but I want to be better than I am. Knowing what I know to be right and true has shaped me into who I am now and is shaping me into who I am destined to become.

So what should we do when we come up against anti-Mormon filth? Go to someone who is knowledgeable of the Gospel. Someone who can teach you the plain truth. Don't be offended if they don't know. It is possible for someone not to know an answer to a question of this nature. When this happens, pray. God is your Father and wants what is best for you. He doesn't want you to be wandering in confusion. Keep in mind the words of Paul and the Savior. What is the outcome of these materials? Do they inspire people for the greater good or do they degrade and put down without much, if any, means of improvement? Do they prompt you to be better? Do they prompt you to serve God, and if you feel they do, how?

Remember to pray always. Keep close to the Spirit that you may know how to recognize what is for God, and what is there to attempt to overthrow His kingdom. I like repeating the words of Bruce R. McConkie right before he died when he said "I know independently of any other person that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. And when I see Him, I will fall at His feet and bathe them with my tears".