Mormons Told to Use Christian Principles to Respond to Critics

Salt Lake City, UT – Opposition to Mormons, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, began even before Joseph Smith, Jr. established the Church in 1830, and continues today with frequent claims that Mormons are not really Christians.

During the 178th Semi-annual General Conference that concluded on Sunday, Latter-day Saints were instructed by Church leaders to respond to critics with the love of Jesus Christ. More than 100,000 people attended the conference in person while the other 13 million members throughout the world were able to attend the live satellite transmission at local church buildings.

Despite challenges, obstacles, and persecution throughout the history of the Church, membership has grown to over 13 million throughout the world, according to Elder M. Russell Ballard, a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.

He said that in recent years the Church has received unprecedented prominence in the worldwide community of faith, accompanied by unprecedented ideological attacks on members, history, and doctrine.

"We do not feel we are better than they are. Rather, we desire to show them a better way – the way of Jesus Christ," said Elder Robert D. Hales, another member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

He said that challenges to the faith of Latter-day Saints are not new, and are not likely to disappear soon. Then he added that true disciples of Christ see opportunity in the midst of opposition.

"Fortunately, the Lord knows the hearts of our accusers and how we can most effectively respond to them. As true disciples seek guidance from the Spirit, they receive inspiration tailored to each encounter," advised Elder Hales.

"We see increased conflict between peoples in the world around us. Those divisions and differences could infect us," said President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency of the Church. He said that Latter-day Saints are moving toward becoming one.

"Our hearts will be knit together in unity. God has promised that blessing to His faithful Saints, whatever their differences in background and whatever conflict rages around them," said President Eyring.

"Persecutions have raged. Calumny, lies, and misrepresentation have attempted to defame. But in every decade from the time of the Restoration forward, the truth of God has gone forth boldly, nobly, and independent. The little Church that started in 1830 with just a handful of members has grown to more than 13 million Latter-day Saints in many different nations around the world, and we are well on our way to penetrating every continent, visiting every clime, sweeping every country and sounding in every ear," said Elder Ballard.

He said the challenges faced by Latter-day Saints are not more severe today than those faced by early pioneers, just different.

"The Lord isn´t asking us to load up a handcart. He´s just asking us to fortify our faith. He isn´t asking us to walk across a continent. He´s just asking us to walk across the street to visit our neighbors. He isn´t asking us t give all of our worldly possessions to build a temple. He´s asking us to give of our means and our time despite the pressures of modern living to continue to build temples and then to attend regularly the temples already built. He isn´t asking us to die a martyr´s death. He´s asking us to live a disciple´s life."

He concluded by advising Latter-day Saints: "This is not a time for the spiritually faint of heart. We cannot afford to be superficially righteous. Our testimonies must run deep, with spiritual roots firmly imbedded in the rock of revelation."

Another apostle, Elder Boyd K. Packer, warned that Latter-day Saints will be blessed if they live in obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

"We must anchor ourselves as families and as a church to those principles and ordinances. We must look forward with faith. Whatever test lie ahead, and they will be many, we must remain faithful and true," said Elder Packer.