Opposition to the Church

I happened across a blog today of someone who writes quite a bit of disparaging things about our church. This disturbs me greatly on many levels, but perhaps most of all because it is so unjust. Here is a list of thoughts I've had about the subject.

1. Most of what these people write contains quotes by anti-mormons, apostates, or is information that is taken out of context. That is simply not fair.

2. Much of what is written is simply an untruth. These authors may not be knowingly perpetuating untruths, but the information is incorrect nonetheless. I've even been given pamphlets by other religions that had printed untruths about our religion. If a church is going to spend money to print something, you would think they would be careful to make sure the information was accurate, rather than risk their own reputation and integrity. How can a Christian perpetuate untruths in good conscience? I think they can't. So my warning to all is to be careful what you teach others about our religion so that you can maintain Christlike behavior.

3. I have to wonder why they feel the need to attack our religion. Are we really a threat to them? Our church spends NO time attacking other religions, or in printing information that warns against them. We are busy carrying out the work of carrying the gospel to the world. We don't have time to worry about what other religions are doing.

4. As I have seen quotes by apostates, or opponents of our church, I have wondered about the time and effort involved in researching such quotes. My advice to such people would be that if they spent the same amount of time in a honest study of the Book of Mormon, they would learn more about our beliefs than by reading any other anti-mormon literature. Notice I used the term "honest study". To me, that term means that a person studies with real intent to find out if it is true, not just to try to prove it wrong, or find some ammunition to use against us. Personally, when I search for information, I try to go to the source, not a biased opponent. Some may call them "religious scholars", but a true scholar doesn't just study to find evidence to support their own theories, but to learn the truth.

5. I would give this advice to opponents of the church: "38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." Acts 5:38,39

6. I would counsel all to respect the sacredness of the beliefs of others. Some anti-mormons reveal sacred things from the temple, or profane, or vandalize things which are sacred to us. That is disrespectful at best, and down right evil at the core.

7. The ultimate source of truth is God. The Holy Ghost can witness to us the truth of all things. It's always interesting to me that people study to try to find ways to fight against our religion, but I wonder how many of them actually study, then ask God with a sincere heart if our teachings are correct. My advice is to study with a sincere heart, with real intent, then ask God for yourself.