YFAIRwiki:Sandbox

"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. The most of the remarks we're very absurd and rude. 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 econvincing 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.  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 is crucial!

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