“Should I discuss the gospel with a person who is antagonistic toward the Church?” New Era, Feb. 1975, 9–10
“Should I discuss the gospel with a person who is antagonistic toward the Church?”
Answer/President A. Theodore Tuttle
Perhaps the question should be restated, or at least understood differently—Should I discuss the gospel with anyone who presently does not understand it? When we view it in that light, the answer is obvious. Of course we should. We should discuss the gospel with all people. The purpose of the gospel is to save and exalt mankind. So it applies to all.
The question of whether or not the person is antagonistic to the Church really has very little to do with it. The reasons why he is antagonistic may be many-faceted, but they should have no bearing whatsoever on whether we are willing to discuss the message of the restoration with such a person. The Lord addressed this direction to the Church leaders:
“Therefore, go ye into all the world; and unto whatsoever place ye cannot go ye shall send, that the testimony may go from you unto all the world unto every creature.” (D&C 84:62.)
Later in the same revelation, the Lord said:
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, they who believe not on your words, and are not baptized in water in my name, for the remission of their sins, that they may receive the Holy Ghost, shall be damned, and shall not come into my Father’s kingdom where my Father and I am.
“And this revelation unto you, and commandment, is in force from this very hour upon all the world, and the gospel is unto all who have not received it.
“But, verily I say unto all those to whom the kingdom has been given—from you it must be preached unto them. … ” (D&C 84:74–76. Italics added.)
A careful reading of these verses indicates that the message is to go from those who have it—the members of the Church—to those who do not have it—the nonmembers of the Church. What the Lord said in the 18th section likewise applies:
“And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!” (D&C 18:15. Italics added.)
We need to get in our hearts the same zeal that Nephi had when he wrote:
“For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.” (1 Ne. 6:4.)
The conversion stories of many fine people who have come into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches us again and again that it takes moral courage to teach the gospel. People who at one time were antagonistic toward the Church have had their hearts softened by the Spirit of the Lord acting upon them and have become diligent, faithful, and loving members of His church and kingdom.
If we understand clearly that the gospel of Jesus Christ can be taught to our Father’s other children only by those who have it, then we begin to sense our full responsibility to share the gospel with every soul. This knowledge gives us the courage to press forward even in the face of antagonism, with the calm assurance that we are on the Lord’s errand, and he will surely bless us. The Lord expects us to share the gospel, has commanded us to do it, and gives us that sweet joy that comes from obedience to this commandment.