If you're going to hit a pushy TBM with facts, do what *they* try to do: "Always make them commit to their answer before showing them the truth."

Anyway, I "read it" on another ex-mo forum.

I'm not sure what else the "other forum" advises, but you should also always make sure that you have a friendly source (preferably lds.org) to contradict the answer they've committed to.

^^^ That cant be stressed enough!

It feels wonderful to defeat their own teachings by using their own doctrine against them.

I held off 2 missionaries for hours using only LDS approved writings and scriptures.

They left frustrated with cracks in their testimonies.

You don't even have bring up or show the CES letter or any other anti-mormon information.

I wholeheartedly agree - LDS.org is a great source to counter claims with. That's why there were rumours of the site being hacked by 'anti-mormons'; it was the only way some members could cope with the content of the new 'gospel topics'. I wonder how they feel when they check for an update and see that the information is still there, although with a bit more more polish to gaslight longtime tbms.

True. The biggest weapon against the LDS is LDS itself.

Yes, when you can get to them pre-agree (is that a word?) and then ker-snick them with own doctrine, they can only fall back on testimony.

They hate being hoisted on their own petard.....

in sales, that technique is called 'pre-empting objections' and experienced sales people use it to shut down excuses not to buy before they even close the sale by asking the customer to buy-in to the product, be it a car, double glazing, or a religious cult.