Unless they were already having doubts, they'd probably read a few lines then toss it down for being anti mormon.
I remember as a BYU student someone passing out flyers just outside campus that had all sorts of BoM problems listed on it. As soon as I could see what it was about, I tossed it in the trash can. I can remember thinking, "Oooh! Anti Mormon stuff - the NERVE of those people! They shouldn't be allowed to hand out such trash!"
But you never know WHO may be harboring doubts and might be more open to reading a few facts.
I kind of think something SHORTER to give them a taste might be better. And then link to the longer document. I watched the Youtube video about it first. That was really interesting and you could also learn the back story and see the sincerity in which it was written.
Most TBMs if they don't have an open mind will view it as a large piece of unbalanced anti-mormonism and just read a bit and let it go.
In talking with TBMS it's best to start with a few key points.
1. The "Impudent Fraud" of the book of abraham is a pretty good starting point 2. The book of mormon and DNA, Linguistic, archaeological and text analysis proof it's a fraud. 3. THe real story behind the "restoration of the priesthood" … it didn't happen when they say it did, and they went back and rewrote history to add this new doctrine. 4. The mess of stories Brother Joseph made up about heavenly messengers before the first vision story was ever written. 5. Josephs letters to young girls recruiting them to polygamy.
Hedning Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > 3. THe real story behind the "restoration of the > priesthood" … it didn't happen when they say it > did, *and they went back and rewrote history to add > this new doctrine*.
Absolutely this, as well as the gradual development/fabrication of the First Vision over time. When I was a TBM, these ones shook me the hardest.
Book of Abraham and polygamy easy to brush to the side since they're mostly uninvolved in the typical practice of the religion. Priesthood and the First Vision however are most relevant in the day-to-day life of a TBM.
Hedning Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Most TBMs if they don't have an open mind will > view it as a large piece of unbalanced > anti-mormonism and just read a bit and let it go. > > > In talking with TBMS it's best to start with a > few key points. > > 1. The "Impudent Fraud" of the book of abraham is > a pretty good starting point > 2. The book of mormon and DNA, Linguistic, > archaeological and text analysis proof it's a > fraud. > 3. THe real story behind the "restoration of the > priesthood" … it didn't happen when they say it > did, and they went back and rewrote history to add > this new doctrine. > 4. The mess of stories Brother Joseph made up > about heavenly messengers before the first vision > story was ever written. > 5. Josephs letters to young girls recruiting them > to polygamy. > > > Keep it simple.
But that's the beauty of the CES Letter. The author DOES keep it simple. He writes about the same things you just mentioned above and does a great job summarizing the main problems. Its an easy read. AND he comes from the viewpoint of a sincere and devout member of the church.
I wasn't "questioning or doubting" when I read my first "anti" book but it CRUSHED my testimony. So I'm gonna have to disagree with you. There's plenty of examples of Mormons who didn't start questioning until they read the truth.
My niece posted something about looking for something to read (in general). I sent her a link to the CESletter! She replied that if I kept it up that she would no longer speak to me at family functions. Given their distance, we seldom see these TBMs anyway, so it's no big loss, but she ultimately unfriended me on FB, as did her mom.
Mormonism is so absurd that it's difficult for outsiders to really understand the mind lock that Mormonism has on people. The level of indoctrination and thought control is so high that it's almost impossible to get people to think critically about Mormonism.
The Mormon Entity is like a big dam that's starting to crack and slowly but surely people come to see the Entity for what it is. Even in North Korea people risk their lives to see television programs and films from the outside.
Just "anti" half truths/lies. Here's persecution, proving the church. Flecks of history. I knew all of that; everyone knows all of that. Continuing revelation fixes that. God's ways aren't our ways.
I served on a Jury where the defendant was charged with substance abuse and trafficking. She claimed to be innocent. The evidence was profoundly against her. Why did she claim to be innocent in light of the evidence?
When the verdict was read, she was really put out that her side of the story wasn't considered. Basically, persecution complex supported her innocence.
Best time to slip the CES Letter into someone's drink is when they are experiencing Cog-Dis. Until then they will believe they are right (persecution) and the world is wrong.