A Few More Tips To Handle Anti-Mormon Literature

A Few More Tips To Handle Anti-Mormon Literature

I wanted to share a few lines of thought that helped me navigate some of the doubts that anti-Mormon literature gave me. They are kind of random thoughts, but hopefully they may be helpful. If you are new to my writing, check out my About Me and Why I Write Post. first.

To start I want to write about some of the common characteristics that I have found anti to have.  1st, anti often makes a big deal out of something that really isn't a big deal.  Second, it spins things in ways that are true but sound really bad.  So when someone tries to counter argue, it just sounds weak, and makes it seem as though the bad thing that was said must be true. Third, if it is effective anti it can cause great doubt in just a sentence or two.  This anti could be completely untrue, unfair, or out of context.  But explaining why it is unfair, untrue, or out of context takes a lot more ink and explanation then it took just to cast the doubt.  Some examples of anti that has all these characteristics is “Jesus and Satan are brothers.” or “There have been 1000's of changes made to the Book of Mormon.”  Fourth: Anti like this will be given in groups with other more blatantly untrue things.  Because it comes in a list or all at once, you are unable to adequately defend yourself.

Recognizing these characteristics was one of the first things that helped me sift through my doubts.  Here is some additional line of thinking that may be useful to find the courage to walk away.

1. Often anti is shared is a spirit of competitiveness, ridicule, and even anger.  But Paul said that this is not the way to preach the Gospel.  

23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will (2 Timothy 2).

This debate type of preaching is the most common way that I am introduced to anti.  Not in a spirit of meekness.  When this happens, I have no problem rejecting their whole message, because the messenger is certainly not called of God.

2. I look for the one thing that is obviously not true, or obviously unfair. (and if you are presented with a list, you can surely find one thing).  A good place to double check the accusations is the apologetic websites I listed above.   I have no problem rejecting the whole list after reading just that one, because whoever wrote the list is obviously a liar or incredibly ignorant.

3.  I recognize that most of the reason anti or accusations about the Church makes me have doubt is not because I am actually concerned about what is being said or accused.  I realize that I fear others doubts and accusations.  It bugs me because it bugs them.  But really I should be my own person, and not worry about the doubts that others have.   Isaiah put it best:  "Fear ye not the reproach (disapproval) of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings” (Isaiah 51:7).