If you have attended general conference, you have likely seen protesters with pithy placards decrying Mormonism. These protesters line the streets adjacent to Temple Square and the Conference Center, as if to reinforce their own faith by tearing ours down.
General conference is a time for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to refresh and renew their faith in the Savior by listening to the words of inspired leaders. It also seems to be a time of cranky criticism against the LDS Church, not just near the Conference Center, but on social media as well. Critics howl at everything from how new apostles are selected to why church leaders don’t bend with the social trends du jour.
Honest discussion over differences in faith can be healthy, but when civility bleeds away, raised voices are an anemic substitute for substance. Engaging in angry debate over matters of faith often leaves the combatants spiritually bruised and more deeply entrenched in the rightness of their cause.
While faithful members of the LDS Church sometimes feel like punching bags, punching back only leads to black eyes. What we need is not more doctrinal ammunition in the war of words, but more kindness from the wellspring of wisdom. While civilized discussion fosters understanding, there is peace in the silence of spiritual settledness.
Constructive criticism
Without civility, “constructive criticism” is anything but. While some are willing to engage in fair inquiry over differences in doctrine, others uncork incivility, not as a style, but as a goal. In fact, some of the most strident criticism of Mormonism comes from the embittered ranks of a few former members. Occasionally, such critics are not motivated by honesty, so why would we expect civility?
Criticism against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not new: “Mormons aren’t Christians.” “Joe Smith is a fraud.” “The Golden Bible is homespun fiction.” The church has always had critics and it will ever be so.
How Mormons respond?
For the faithful, retaliation for criticism is not the disciple’s way. The author of Proverbs said it best: “A soft answer turneth away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1). We don’t need to persuade anybody on points of doctrine because the Spirit is the teacher.
When sharing our beliefs, civility should not depend on winning or losing an argument. We ensure civility when our character is one of a “meek and lowly...heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 32:1). We should share our beliefs in faith with respect for opposing viewpoints, including the faith to keep silent when emotion says otherwise.
One daughter’s response
Silence, however, is not always golden. While serving her mission on Temple Square, my daughter and her companion decided to respond to the shouts of protesters on South Temple during general conference by singing “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.” Within moments, members entering the temple grounds joined the chorus. Against the current of song and spirit the catcalls fell silent and the punchy placards slumped to the asphalt.
Social media for good and evil
What about criticism on social media? The Internet is an easy target for pajama-clad critics trolling the sour waters of discontent to hook the curious.
Personally, I don’t need to visit anti-Mormon websites to know whether my patriarchal blessing is revelatory. Why would I yield to the Internet’s volume of venom when I can yield to the quiet whispers of the Spirit?
Church leaders encourage us to use social media wisely, including sharing the gospel. Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said general conference in October 2014, “A wonderful example of the need for moderation, balance and wisdom is the use of the Internet. It can be used to do missionary outreach...The potential for good is enormous. We also know that it can be used to transmit evil, including... digital cruelty, and anonymous yakking” (see “Choose Wisely,” Ensign, November 2014, page 47).
Civility in the home
Many members of the church have family who are not members, or even a spouse who may be critical of Mormon beliefs and practices. Just as engaging in angry debate on social media is destructive, so it is with criticism in the home. “Dissonance in the home is like darkness in a room. It does little to scold the darkness. We must displace the darkness by introducing light,” said Elder Wilford W. Andersen of the Seventy in the April general conference (see “The Music of the Gospel,” Ensign, May 2015, page 55).
We introduce light with charity, not vitriol. Besides, no argument in the home is ever won with anger. The fruits of understanding and respect grow on the vine of persuasion, longsuffering “and by love unfeigned” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:41).
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When the discussion remains civil, sharing differences about faith and doctrine can lead to increased understanding, tolerance and even friendship. That said, the next time the naysayers picket general conference or blast the Internet with anti-Mormon messages, pause for a moment before reacting and consider the bigger picture. In comparison to God’s glorious creations, tweeting is not twilight, cynicism is not sunset, and Facebook aura is not the aurora borealis. All the debate in the world is not God’s world.
Like a weather prediction, some critics seem foreboding in the updrafts of the day, even ominously certain to the ears of science and logic. But rage of intellect is not revelation. Let the critics run; they will fade with the passing storm. After all, both storms and rainbows must eventually yield to heaven.
William Monahan graduated from BYU law school. He is an Air Force veteran and former stake and mission president. He practices and teaches law in Gilbert, Arizona.