Answering intellectual critics

    I would like to share a faith-promoting story with you from the experiences of Richard Bushman, eminent historical scholar, author of the pre-eminent biography of Joseph Smith, faithful Latter-day Saint, that you might find interesting and useful.  Brother Bushman was educated at Harvard a number of years ago, where he experienced almost universal anti-religious attitudes and pressure.  As an undergraduate he struggled somewhat with his own faith, but particularly with how to respond to the anti-religious pressures and questions from other students and also from faculty members.
    Eventually he decided it was not his own faith that was lacking but that he lacked the words to communicate his faith in this academic setting.  Then an answer came to his mind.  The next time someone badgered him about his faith, and asked him how he could possibly believe in Joseph Smith, he answered, “I find that when I live the Mormon way, I am the man I want to be.”  This response totally and permanently quieted the questioner.
    It seems to me that this response which seems to emphasize one’s faith helping to advance them toward or to achieve one’s own potential for good, might even change the conversation to a point of testimony.  If the questioner wants to pursue the conversation further, the points of discussion that would seem to follow would be details of how one’s faith or religion accomplishes these ends, for example, positive personal relationships, strong marriage and family, healthful living, giving service, feelings of peace and comfort, etc.  Then might come the golden missionary question, “How would you like to have these blessings in your life?”