Yes, that’s exactly what we say. And the indisputable premise is, either it is true, or it is not. Nobody can argue with that. If it were not true, then it would be astounding that we have managed to convince some 13 million people to buy into it.

But what if it is true? Wouldn’t it be a precious bit of knowledge to have if it is true? Wouldn’t it be knowledge more valuable than all the goods of the earth?

It is true. Joseph really did see a pillar of light in the woods of Palmyra, New York. God the Father and God the Son really did stand in the midst of that light, and instruct him not to join any of the extant churches, and instead to await further instructions. Moroni really did deliver plates of gold to him, and he really did translate them into the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon really is an ancient American witness of the divinity of Jesus Christ that endorses and strengthens the witness of the Bible. And the only reason we ask anyone to believe any of these extraordinary tales is because they simply are true. And we cannot and will not try to convince you of their truth ourselves. The truths will speak for themselves if you will just open your heart enough to hear them, and then be humble enough to simply ask God—the source of all truth—if they are true. Then just go with whatever He tells you.

The testimony of millions of [Latter-day] Saints, living and dead, is that He told us that these things are true when we asked. He told me when I was very young. And I have never been able to deny it since, even when mortal experiences have tried and battered my faith.

Thank you for being bold enough to post this without apology and without equivocation. I have seen that you take your calling as a missionary very seriously. (p.s., I hope I don’t come across as always trying to hijack your blog with my frequent and over-long posts. Just blame my legal training).