No Other Option
From the preface in "A Marvelous work and a wonder", LeGrand Richards
gives a quick pep talk to the reader leaving on their mission to bring
the restored gospel to a world that has lost the true message of their
savior.
"When we find a home where "the son of peace be there"
we should have a definite aim to visit that home once a week for at
least six months. If we do that and present our message in a systematic
and orderly manner, the people with either join the Church or admit the message is true, but
their social and family standing will not permit their accepting it, if
they have followed with interest your presentation, realizing of
course, that the spring of the Lord must accompany your efforts since
"the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life" (2 Cor 3:6).
["A Marvelous work and a Wonder", Preface, Page xiii]
The
son of peace obviously being a term for a person with an acceptance to
hear what they have to say. But I find this statement intriguing because
LeGrand has stated here that if an LDS missionary can reason properly,
the potential hearer has no other option but to accept the Mormon
"truth".
However, an honest review of the facts of Mormon history,
archaeological evidence, the translation of the book of Abraham,
contradictions of the Bible with the book of Mormon and even the very
nature of God; show that a systematic and orderly review of Joseph
Smith's revelations in the 1820s and '30s leaves more questions and
holes than such a solid position that Richards professes.
If the
Mormon Gospel truly is inspired of God, it would be completely
bulletproof. Truth must exist outside of feelings or experiences.
When
a missionary comes knocking, this is the perfect opportunity to engage
with them, hear them, and lovingly show them the truth about what they
really believe. A critical examination of "A marvelous work and wonder"
shows how the Gospel of Jesus of the Bible is not consistent with
Joseph Smith's revelations, and are incompatible with each other.
After
examination, either one is right or they're both wrong, and the
willingness to come to one of those options must be an option. As even
President Ruben J. Clark said:
“If we have the truth, it cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed.”
At the end of the day, a gospel without the true Jesus cannot save.
