Frickin' Great Timing

[The Fourth Nephite]

So my niece flew into town and today she goes into the MTC. Last night I took her out to dinner and shopping for some last minute items (bug spray and mascara).

She stopped in Salt Lake to say hello to a girl she used to work with. This girl is about 24, temple-married and has gone inactive because her parents became anti and have hit her with a lot of Joseph Smith criticism.

So, she unloads it all on my niece. Typical Joseph Smith historical stuff. You know what I mean. This is news to my neice and she's shocked and doesn't know to to respond or what to think and she wants my opinion.

So, before I tell you what I told her, I'm curious, what would you have told her in that situation?

[wuapinmon]

So my niece flew into town and today she goes into the MTC. Last night I took her out to dinner and shopping for some last minute items (bug spray and mascara).

She stopped in Salt Lake to say hello to a girl she used to work with. This girl is about 24, temple-married and has gone inactive because her parents became anti and have hit her with a lot of Joseph Smith criticism.

So, she unloads it all on my niece. Typical Joseph Smith historical stuff. You know what I mean. This is news to my neice and she's shocked and doesn't know to to respond or what to think and she wants my opinion.

So, before I tell you what I told her, I'm curious, what would you have told her in that situation?

Get on the damned plane and tell people to really live their lives like Jesus Christ.

[pellegrino]

I would tell her that I've heard it all, and there were times when I wanted to leave, but that there is something compelling about the Joseph Smith story. Even with all its ugliness and contradictions, I can't get away from the fact that I believe he had an experience with the divine. That doesn't mean that everything he said happened actually did, or that he didn't outright lie about some things, but I still believe that at its base, his story is compelling and captivating.

Then I'd tell her that it was her choice, but that she should get on the damn plane and help people be better without worrying whether or not they join the church.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I got a big pile of anti-Mormon propaganda in the mail when I was in the MTC and I read every page. Stressed me out some but I was able to process it. Your niece will be fine. She will hear all that stuff from investigators anyway, may as well start processing it now.

[The Rambam]

I would tell her that I've heard it all, and there were times when I wanted to leave, but that there is something compelling about the Joseph Smith story. Even with all its ugliness and contradictions, I can't get away from the fact that I believe he had an experience with the divine. That doesn't mean that everything he said happened actually did, or that he didn't outright lie about some things, but I still believe that at its base, his story is compelling and captivating.

Then I'd tell her that it was her choice, but that she should get on the damn plane and help people be better without worrying whether or not they join the church.

I would read Pellegrino's response in its entirety. It is exactly how I feel. Exactly.

[jay santos]

I would downplay the seriousness of it. The night before entering the MTC's not the right time to deal with this. She will shortly be having a number of spiritual experiences that will validate her decision to go on a mission, and she'll be able to process this experience as Satan's last attempt to get her before her mission. There will be a more appropriate time for her to intellectually pursue these other questions and come to terms with it in her own way.

[byu71]

Ask her what that small still voice is telling her.

If it isn't talking to her or telling her the right thing, then share how just before you went, Satan put all sorts of obstacles in your way. The fact this is happening is even more proof she is doing the right thing and Satan is trying to prevent her from going and fulfilling her calling.

[TripletDaddy]

I never read the Godmakers until my mission. I found a copy of it in our apartment in one of my areas. It was a really interesting book but really disappointing. I had heard so much about it but almost from page 1 the writing struck me as very biased and agenda driven.

I finished reading the Godmakers and enjoyed the rest of my mission.

Another great bit of nostalgic anti Mormonism was the classic comic themed pamphlet, "Los Visitantes," which is possibly the only anti Mormon literature in existence that references "timbuktu."

[tooblue]

I would tell her that I've heard it all, and there were times when I wanted to leave, but that there is something compelling about the Joseph Smith story. Even with all its ugliness and contradictions, I can't get away from the fact that I believe he had an experience with the divine. That doesn't mean that everything he said happened actually did, or that he didn't outright lie about some things, but I still believe that at its base, his story is compelling and captivating.

Then I'd tell her that it was her choice, but that she should get on the damn plane and help people be better without worrying whether or not they join the church.

First, I would remind her that there is opposition in all things and this incident is not a coincidence, it is a blessing.

Second, I would explain to her that all history is in part fiction, and that the very best history is in fact good story telling. Story telling that is rich in allegory, metaphorical language and flourishes, freely mingling with truths — truths that result in remarkable good or remarkable bad. Joseph Smith's legacy — the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints — is a remarkably good thing, which render the truths of his personal history, real and sincere expressions of the factual past. He and his story can be believed. We can exercise faith and accept that, even though he was an imperfect man, he was prophet.

Third, I would admonish her to get on the plane and take every opportunity to teach people these truths. To love and cherish every moment of being a missionary and unabashedly invite people to come unto Christ and be baptized in his name.

[smokymountainrain]

Get on the damned plane and tell people to really live their lives like Jesus Christ.

There are some pretty good responses in this thread, but this is the best one. It's really this simple.

[byu71]

There are some pretty good responses in this thread, but this is the best one. It's really this simple.

Yes it is and we can hope her experience is as good as most of ours was. If it isn't, she will just become one of those RM's who leave the church. I think we have a couple of them on this board.

[SuperGabers]

I would tell her that I've heard it all, and there were times when I wanted to leave, but that there is something compelling about the Joseph Smith story. Even with all its ugliness and contradictions, I can't get away from the fact that I believe he had an experience with the divine. That doesn't mean that everything he said happened actually did, or that he didn't outright lie about some things, but I still believe that at its base, his story is compelling and captivating.

Then I'd tell her that it was her choice, but that she should get on the damn plane and help people be better without worrying whether or not they join the church.

[Katy Lied]

I love this thread, and especially Pellegrino's response.

[Moliere]

I'd tell her there are far worse skeletons in the church's closet so she should focus her time on the basics of the Gospel. Then when she comes back you can introduce her to Mormon Stories and she can learn all about the other disturbing skeletons.

[Dwight Schr-ute]

I'd smile and say, "Welcome to the mission field." I've never heard crazier stories than when on my mission. Some of it was probably even true. But in the end, the spirit had confirmed to me that the message was true, regardless of the noise.