Challenges to Missionary Work - Part II

How did we handle the challenge of an anti-LDS website? When I discovered the website, I did a quick review and found the website lacked credibility. Some things it had wrong. In other areas, the author failed to provide the proper context.

After I was given the website address, I spent the following two weeks combing through the website and prepared a response covering such things as the Book of Mormon, plural marriage, and the nature of God. For me it was an engrossing project and my testimony was strengthened. Fortunately, I was able to draw upon the work of FAIR, FARMS, Jeff Lindsey and others. I ended up preparing a 25 page response. It was not comprehensive report, but it did point out the lack of scholarship on the website and explained a few key doctrines.

I sent the response to the girl's parents a week ago. I have not yet heard back. I prepared a cover letter in which I defended the right of parents to lookout for their children. I also pointed out that I wanted them to have an alternative response so they could make an informed decision.

Early in my response I stated, "It seems to me if one wants to learn about a religion (or any other type of organization), the inquirer ought to start at the source. If one wishes to learn about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that person should start with faithful sources." I then provided the web addresses for official Church websites. Near the end of my response I suggested that the reader compare the overall tone of the Church websites to the alternative websites that are attacking the Church.

I do not know if this was the best way to handle this situation. I do believe we need to be prepared to defend the faith. It does not need to be handled in an argumentive fashion. I think we simply provide the truth and let the individual decide for themselves. If one is an honest seeker of truth, the heart will be opened and truth and reason will prevail.