My neighbors are very kind, loving generous people. They seem like the most happy people in the world to me and my husband. They are not wealthy, and we are, yet something is missing. We asked them why they are so happy and they told us about their church. It seemed so amazing and wonderful, we asked them what things they had to do to stay in the church. They told us about the commandments and the strict but humble rules they follow. I saw a protestor with this address so it is why I am asking, why do people like you protest against these kind and loving people. I have seen what they do and when people like you protest and say they are being “mislead” it ruins something, almost like a peace. What if these Mormons are wrong? What if they are being led astray to the depths of Hell. They are good and happy people, and no matter what you think about them, you should give them their peace. Or do you people think that freedom of choice should be dropped. These people choose to be happy and when I see people like you I am disgusted, maybe I am being led astray.

Hi,

Thank you for your email. I will try to answer your questions.

I’d like to clarify that we at Mormonism Research Ministry wholly believe in freedom of religion. The material we produce and distribute is primarily for the purpose of educating people about the differences between Mormonism and biblical Christianity as we understand it. The goal is to help people become better informed so they may make good, sound decisions about their possible involvement with the LDS Church. We support their right to make whatever decision they choose.

You have suggested that a person’s earthly “peace” is more important than their eternal future. You ask, “What if these Mormons are wrong? What if they are being led astray to the depths of Hell. They are good and happy people, and no matter what you think about them, you should give them their peace.” I appreciate your perspective/opinion on this, but I cannot agree with you. If someone was being “led astray to the depths of Hell” the loving thing to do would be to try to rescue them.

My brother is a firefighter. When he is called to fight a house fire several things happen. Even if it’s the middle of the night and people everywhere are sleeping comfortably, he jumps on a truck that screams through the streets with flashing lights and a blaring siren. He arrives at the burning home and begins pounding on the door with all his might in an effort to disturb the peace of the family inside. “Wake up! Fire! Get out!!!” Once the family is safely outside he climbs up on the roof with his ax and begins destroying the home. He chops, others flood the place with water, destroying furniture, family photos, and parts of the structure itself. Once the fire is out, the home is a complete mess — but hopefully not a complete loss. The family is saved and the home can be repaired.

My brother could follow your suggestion and refrain from disturbing the family’s peace. After all, while they are sleeping they are happily unaware that their life is in danger and their home is turning to ash. He could let them have their peace and die in their sleep. I think you and I would agree that that would be terribly wrong.

If preserving earthly life is important enough to risk shattering a person’s peace, surely a person’s eternal life is even more important. There was a Christian preacher in the 19th century who said something about this. His name was Charles Haddon Spurgeon and he said, “If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for.”

We at Mormonism Research Ministry pray for the LDS people. We care deeply about their eternal future. We cannot (and would not) force them to change religions. But we sincerely believe that Mormonism is a false religion which leads people away from their only hope for reconciliation with holy God, and so we implore them (and others) to take a closer look at what the Bible says with the hope that they will find true peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding, the peace that lasts forever (Philippians 4:7).

Thank you again for sharing your concern. Please let me know if there are any other questions I can try and answer for you.

In Christ,

Sharon