Mormon Apologetics: Preparing Members and Missionaries for the Opposition and Anti.

This was a training I received on my mission. I feel that the principles are valuable and that I am sharing with you. This is valuable for members and missionaries alike, as we all face opposition or "Anti" at one point in our life. So here is how to prepare and deal with opposition and Anti. This is geared towards Missionaries (Both Ward and Full Time).  But knowing these principles will help with the everyday missionary efforts we all engage in.

The Reality of Anti and Opposition.

• 1st. Influence of Anti historically:

8 Now the sons of Mosiah were numbered among the unbelievers; and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being called Alma, after his father; nevertheless, he became a very wicked and an idolatrous man. And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities.
9 And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing much dissension among the people; giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them.
Mosiah 27:8-9;(Also Jacob 7:2-8; Acts 14:1-2😉

•  2nd. The Savior Himself felt the immediacy of Satan's temptations:

2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

Matthew 4:2-3

• 3rd. We are commanded to not contend:

28 And according as I have commanded you thus shall ye baptize. And there shall be no disputations among you, as there have hitherto been; neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there have hitherto been.

29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.
3rd Nephi 11:28-29

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear : 1st Peter 3:15

• 1st. The Savior prepared those who follow Him and His Apostles for opposition and persecution.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Matthew 5:11

(Also Romans 7:21; 3rd Nephi 11:29; Acts 28:22; 1st Peter 5:8; 1st Nephi 8:23-28)

• 2nd. Begin a lesson/conversation with inoculation.

Here is an example of an missionary inoculation style How to Begin teaching.
(Preach My Gospel Chapter 10, How to Begin Teaching, 6th Point)"As we teach you about the Restored Gospel of Christ, you will experience what is known as opposition. Do not be alarmed, the same thing happened to Christ's Disciples anciently. If you ever hear something that does not make sense. Or does not match with what we've been teaching you, please ask us about it. We want to help you find the truth."

And here is an example of how to do in in a conversation with a friend."I am not crazy. So if you ever hear "Mormons believe XY or Z" And it sounds crazy, ask me about it. I promise I will not ever get offended, I love questions and I will give you an honest answer. And if I don't have an answer I will look for one, because I will want to know also"

• 3rd. Prepare those you teach to recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

This one is VITAL for everyone to learn. This is the gateway to personal revelation and testimony.

A. Teach them to start asking: "Does it Feel good?  Light?" Remember one feels the words of the Spirit.

...and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words;  1 Nephi 17:45

(Also Moroni 7:12; Ether 4:12)

B. Teach them as they follow the commandments of God they will feel light.

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1st John 1:5

(Also John 8:12; 1st Nephi 17:13, 15.)C."As you pray sincerely about the Book of Mormon, what do you feel?"Light/enlightened Alma 32:28
Calm/Peace Galatians 5:22; Doctrine and Covenants 11:12-14Then ask them. When you hear and look at the Anti you are given, what do you feel?Mists of darkness 1st Nephi 8:23;1st Nephi 12:17
Confusion 1st Corinthians 14:33

 

• 4th. Help Those you talk with understand that as they hear anti about the Church and Joseph Smith it is a fulfillment of Prophecy.

33 He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people.  Joseph Smith History 1:33

Agreement and Assurance.

• 1st. Ask them to agree: "Will you allow us to return despite what you hear or see?"

• 2nd. Give assurance through your personal testimony.

Remember. "People may sometimes intellectually question what you teach, but it is difficult to question a sincere, heartfelt testimony. When you testify, pray that those you are teaching will feel the confirming witness of the Holy Ghost. When you testify, you help create an environment for investigators to feel the Holy Ghost confirming your witness of the truth."

PMG Chapter 11, Bear Testimony Frequently.

(Also see Moroni 10:3-5; Acts 4:5-12)

• 3rd. Assure them that knowing truth is an individual choice and responsibility.

"Investigators must resolve for themselves their concerns and objections. You can help as you focus them on what will strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ—reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. When they strengthen their testimony of the Restoration, they will have the strength to overcome their objections and concerns."

PMG Chapter 5; Use the Book of Mormon to Respond to Objections.

• 1st. Do NOT get pulled into a long discussion.

• 2nd. Give a brief answer.

Never get off course from our purpose. Return to our basic message. (See inoculate)

• 3rd Reply with "Lets look for that answer on Mormon.org"

Then go with them to http://www.mormon.org/faq and show them the answer.
Also go to http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormonism-101

 

• 4th. Keep uplifting daily Contact.

This is huge, the more frequent the contact the more likely they are to ask you questions, and tell you about anti they've heard.

• 5th. Answer like the Savior. With a Question to lead them to answer their own question.

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 16:13-17

 

• 6th. Answer concisely and kindly BUT return to our purpose.  Use some of the following.

Refer