What I heard about Mormons

Oh You're Mormon, Well I heard...

Whether it's these words exactly or a slight variation, this satement is made on many occasions. What they usually hear about us is a negative remark. Being LDS brings with it rumors, claims and misunderstanding that you as a member might have to answer to. Growing up in Missouri and being one of two LDS members in my high school, the other being my sister, I heard something about my religion on almost a daily basis. Socially I was pretty well known and once my faith was announced to the school, many came with remarks or questions. Most of the remarks we're very absurd and rude, yet some had interest behind them. I would like to offer suggestions on how to work with this sometimes intimidating task to discuss or sometimes defend your faith as a member of the church as a young Latter-day Saint.

1. Gain knowledge. D&C 11:21 "Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men."

• Go to seminary or institute. Spending time in the scriptures or other classes that pertain to the gospel enhances your gospel knowledge and therefore you can discuss it more freely.
• Study on Sunday personally. Straight up the week for a young person is busy. For me I like to have a good study session on the Sabbath for an hour or two. Whether its in the scriptures or in a good LDS book, anything that you can focus yourself on that is edifying is great.
• Use the internet. Now there is a lot of junk about us on the internet. But websites that specifically help with those tough questions on the LDS faith have helped me. I've seen that websites like www.fairlds.org and www.farms.byu.edu are excellent for a scholarly approach to defending the doctorine and practices of the church. Websites that edify are crucial!

2. Determine if someone is interested verses interested to argue. By the way someone presents their remark or question, it's usually easy to tell right off the bat where they are looking to go with it. It's never worth it to go back and forth in an argument. Remember "contention is of the devil" and we already have enough of him in our lives to try to battle with so why bring him into something like religious discussion? I would suggest if someone doesn't seem interested, a short answer to their question or remark, an invitation to learn more, and a statement of testimony is just fine and the rest is up to them.

3. Don't get worked up. Sometimes if you seem bombarded with "Mormon jokes" or contentious discussion on what you believe, it's easy to get mad and frustrated. Just realize you believe what you believe because you know it is good. Stay positive and smile. Remember to never forget that you have a testimony and what it felt like when you received it. Life has been promised to be great if we stay the course and keep the faith.

4. Ask for advice. Sometimes this is hard for us to do. But with situations like this, advice would be a great thing. Asking help on how to talk to someone about the church or about the question or remark that someone made to you can most likely be answered by your parents, other family, bishop, church leaders or the missionaries. Asking the Lord is also the top choice for advice.

5. Be an example. Once someone finds out you're Mormon, people watch. The example you set goes far beyond just high school or college to members not of our faith. Down the road they will cross paths with another member and they will remember you and say something like "yeah I had a friend that I knew that was Mormon back in the day". Live your faith and the impact you had on someone could have impact.

Through trials and tribulation comes the blessing. Being a member of the church is a blessing no matter what someone else says. Good luck!