DiscussMormonism.com

I sometimes get grief from member friends and family who think I'm "playing with fire" by exposing myself to criticisms of the Church (even if it's to defend the Church from such), so to have something to offer as a retort next time this topic comes up, I'm trying to find more quotes like these (w/ references if possible) from Church leaders. Thanks for your help.

Got these from the Book of Abraham website:

"If we have the truth, it cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed."
-J. Reuben Clark, D. Michael Quinn, J. Reuben Clark: The Church Years. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press, 1983, p. 24.

"If faith will not bear to be investigated; if its preachers and professors are afraid to have it examined, their foundation must be very weak."
-George A. Smith, 1871, Journal of Discourses, Vol 14, pg 216.

This one might be useful. It's not from a Mormon, but it was quoted in the Ensign.

“What no one shows the ability to defend is quickly abandoned. Rational argument does not create belief, but it maintains a climate in which belief may flourish.”
- Austin Farrar, “The Christian Apologist,” in Light on C. S. Lewis, ed. Jocelyn Gibb, (New York: Harcourt, Brace and World, 1965), 26, as quoted in "Mounting Evidence for the Book of Mormon," Daniel C. Peterson, Ensign, Jan. 2000.

Here is a quote that Mortal Man posted a while back.

"The fact should be recognized by the Latter-day Saints that the Book of Mormon of necessity must submit to every test, to literary criticism, as well as to every other class of criticism; for our age is above all things critical, and especially critical of sacred literature, and we may not hope that the Book of Mormon will escape closest scrutiny; neither, indeed, is it desirable that it should escape. It is given to the world as a revelation from God. It is a volume of American scripture. Men have a right to test it by the keenest criticism, and to pass severest judgment upon it, and we who accept it as a revelation from God have every reason to believe that it will endure every test; and the more thoroughly it is investigated, the greater shall be its ultimate triumph. Here it is in the world; let the world make the most of it, or the least of it. It is and will remain true. But it will not do for those who believe it to suppose that they can dismiss objections to this American volume of scripture by the assumption of a lofty air of superiority, and a declaration as to what is enough for us or anybody else to know. The Book of Mormon is presented to the world for its acceptance; and the Latter-day Saints are anxious that their fellow men should believe it. If objections are made to it, to the manner of its translation, with the rest, these objections should be patiently investigated, and the most reasonable explanations possible, given." B.H. Roberts, "Translation of the Book of Mormon," Improvement Era, 1906, Vol. Ix. March, 1906. No. 5.

"If we have the truth, it cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed."
-J. Reuben Clark, D. Michael Quinn, J. Reuben Clark: The Church Years. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press, 1983, p. 24.

"If faith will not bear to be investigated; if its preachers and professors are afraid to have it examined, their foundation must be very weak."
-George A. Smith, 1871, Journal of Discourses, Vol 14, pg 216.

Neither of those are doctrinal works but I still say Amen! Exploring AntiMormonism is an excellent tool for building faith in the LDS Church.

mr space writes ""Neither of those are doctrinal works"

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Right, heaven help lds-inc if the members believe what the General Authorities say in talks specifically to the membership have any doctrinal force at all.

Aren't you denying their calling with crap like this boy?

Thanks, Dwight and Fence Sitter. Both are excellent. Much appreciated.