In today’s Internet world, an increasing number of Latter-day Saints are encountering anti-Mormon material. Since most members don’t have all the answers at their fingertips, LDS-critical claims can be unsettling or create doubt. Some arguments have caused a few members—even active members with strong testimonies—to lose their faith.
Backed by extensive research and decades of experience dealing with anti-Mormon allegations, Michael Ash explores how we can be both critical thinkers and devout believers.
Because misconceptions can make us vulnerable to a shaken faith, the first half of this book offers suggestions on how we can strengthen our intellectual foundations against challenging issues. Ash invites us to fortify our testimonies as we develop a more mature appreciation of the role of prophets and personal revelation, as well as a greater understanding of the inherent limitations of science, history, and even the scriptures. The second half of this book exposes common anti-LDS tactics and engages some of the most frequent criticisms.
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Thanks for this interview, Richie! I appreciate much of what Bro. Ash had to say, in particular his generally respectful treatment of those who have doubts, his careful framing of the women seeking the priesthood, and how he warned against black-and-white thinking, regardless of whether it’s on the “church is true!” side or the “church is false!” side. We definitely need more nuanced thinking from all involved.
One quibble, though, is that he doesn’t really grant much leeway for Mormons to study the history/archaeology/theology books and read FAIR/FARMS but come to respectable and substantially different conclusions. For instance, I think listeners should understand that the way he painted scientific verification of Book of Mormon artifacts (e.g. swords) doesn’t meet with much if any agreement among non-Mormon scholars. See what Michael Coe, a preeminient Mesoamerican scholar, has to say on this.
Anyway, I feel like he often said, “Yeah, there are a few issues here and there, but they all pretty much have great answers if you look for them.” I disagree with this assessment. While there are sometimes decent answers available, there are also incidents or puzzle pieces without answers that can cause intelligent, honest seekers to feel serious, legitimate doubt, and some of the pat, simple answers that satisfy Bro. Ash might not satisfy others.
I appreciate that this came from a guy who was not always the perfectly stellar Mormon. If I remember correctly- near the end he talks about his own run-ins with false doctrine. While I appreciate that many Church Leaders have been faithful all their lives and their children are all amazing humans and they’re all happily married, and that their wives never complained about church callings, etc, etc. I found it refreshing to hear from someone who has struggled with faith and testimony explain how he overcame those challenges.
I don’t think I’m stating this clearly- so let me try it another way- While I love that quote from Elder Utchdorf that says, “Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith”- it is nice to hear a similar message from a regular person who has had doubts and has manifested those doubts in the choices he made.