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Thanks, Ron, for addressing this important matter. And let me thank all the Interpreter volunteers for the efforts they put into countervailing the attacks organized by the modern Korihors. People get to choose the world they live in. If they choose to follow the Korihors, they will sacrifice the peace and joy available to them in the Church. Our task here at the Interpreter is to provide sufficient evidence–which is readily available–of the truthfulness of the Gospel that people can, in good faith, choose to remain in the fold. We must not leave people who look into issues in good faith without the comfort of well thought out responses to the Korihor attacks. We have the obligation Austen Farrar posed for defenders of Christianity more broadly:
“Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief. What seems to be proved may not be embraced; but what no one shows the ability to defend is quickly abandoned. Rational argument does not create belief, but it maintains a climate in which belief may flourish.”
In my long experience with the Korihors and longer experience with the joy of knowing Christ and his Gospel, I have become firmly convinced that we can meet the burden–and for those willing to put in the time and effort to inform themselves–have met the burden of adequately answering the Korihor attacks. Those who seek answers honestly have sufficient evidence, or can find it if they are motivated to keep looking, to preserve faith if that is what they want to do.
That said, we who defend the Gospel need to be as effective in our marketing of defenses as the Korihors are in marketing attacks. It is an immense tragedy when someone who wants to stay is dragged away by the wolves because no one was there to assist them in preserving their faith.
As for the financial issues specifically discussed in the article, we who work to defend the Gospel may not earn a quarter of a million dollars for our efforts. But I will take God’s pay–all that he hath–any day over the, by comparison, paltry amount Satan offers his minions.
If one wants to understand the Jewish people, the neo-Nazi propaganda is readily available, especially today and easy to read. The Nazi would have loved you tube! I am not calling the anti-LDS, Nazis but they should be aware of some similarities in methodologies.
I’ve been a member of the Church since 1964 and at 80 I still have a strong testimony. I have learned much by reading the work of Hugh Nibley and the scholars that followed him, as well as the contributors to Interpreter. Not always easy reading!
The path leading down is always easier.
Thank you for an interesting read.
Steve,
It is interesting that you should mention the persecution of the Jews in this context. They are the most recognizable members of the Houses of Israel and Satan has been trying to destroy them since Haman engineered a designated day when they would all be killed. They were saved by your namesake, his cousin Esther, and the fasting and prayers of the Jews.
It is all about the covenant of Abraham and the responsibility of the House of Israel to the the Gospel to the whole world. Satan is particular concerned about the Judah, because as the Book of Mormon points out, when they join with Joseph in this effort, Satan is finished.
Thanks for your comment, Steve. It means a lot
“Critics of the Church may present themselves as mere seekers of truth who are just asking sincere questions, but their actions and apparent financial incentives may be at odds with such innocent appearances.”
Thank you. Perfectly stated. This article seems to be the right amount of critique. It seems we are supposed to make transparent those who harm the church (D and C 50:32-33).
Thank you for your comment! I agree we need to make the actions of our detractors more transparent to our members.
Satan pays in cash, and this is probably just the beginning of the return of the persecutions against the Church and the Latter-day Saints. Mormon, who wrote the book for us, held up Captain Moroni as the greatest defender of the faith. That seems a little ominous.
Thanks for your comment!