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FAIR recently had a forum where the speaker said the following words regarding forums such as this: “Another one, perhaps just as dangerous is StayLDS.com. This is run by a gentleman I know personally, John Dehlin, and John for the most part I think is a sincere individual who likes to help people but I’ve got to tell you, in my opinion, he is way off the mark with this. Basically, what the organization is doing is saying “we want you to stay LDS even though you don’t believe. ” Why would you want to do that? Why would you want to have someone remain complacent in a state of doubt? It’s beyond me.”
http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Conferences/2009_Uh_oh_to_Ah_ha_in_Apologetics.html Never fear. I responded with the following email
Mr. Lynch,
Thank you for you recent article titled
“Uh oh!” to “Ah ha!” in Apologetics: 20/20 Foresight for a Faithful Future in Defending the Church”
I found it informative, and genuine. I do, however, take umbrage with statements you made concerning the website StayLds.com
You mentioned in your article that this site is “dangerous.”
I would like to (respectfully) disagree. I personally have found great comfort in its message and its council.
Being a member who has at times struggled with my faith it is nice to know that there are others that are “like me.” I find it disconcerting that you label something “dangerous” that seeks to keep members IN the Church. You ask why those who are in a state of doubt want to stay. Would you have all of those members who struggle, or have a difficult time reconciling doctrinal or historical issues excommunicate themselves?
I have read several FAIR articles, and many other apologist articles and have found great comfort in them. I also find comfort in discussing concerns and problems in a positive and uplifting environment that StayLDS provides.
I can assume that both you and I would agree that bringing up concerns about faith in Gospel Doctrine class would be inappropriate. Likewise many members (for varying reasons) are hesitant to voice concerns with ecclesiastical leaders or family.
The site offers good council to help people stay in the Church and offers numerous reasons for members struggling with faith to hold on, and offers a place where people can voice concerns or doubts in a positive and non-apostate environment.
The site also actively counsels people against criticizing Church leaders, or publicly advocating dissent.
Many people who struggle with their faith, especially concerning doctrinal or historical issues, will find themselves only focusing on the negative aspects of the church. StayLDS seeks to reinforce the positive things that the church has created.
These aspects include:
Spirituality
Community
Family
A good source of spirituality for Children
Clean Living
And the Undeniable good within the Church
You mention yourself that Mr. Dehlin is sincere. I have never met him, but if I did, I would thank him for being (in my opinion) inspired enough to create a forum for support. I personally believe that StayLDS seeks to help, because it has helped me at times to keep the motivation to stay in the Church…had I left the Church, I would not have eventually received spiritual witnesses that have since bolstered my faith in both the Divinity of Jesus Christ and the Church. Quite frankly, I have StayLDS to thank for that.
I would like to close by saying that I appreciate your work and your efforts. May the Lord bless you in your continued endeavors in defending the Church.
Thank you, andersonsrus, for that message. Some of us have addressed that article in various ways, and I personally am at peace with how everything has transpired as a result of that communication – but I am grateful for your expressions and endorsement. I appreciate especially your loving and gentle tone. Thanks for that post, it was very interesting. I did like the part about that there are some things that do not require defending. (my weight and choice of hair color, for example). What does require defending is that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Personally, I also don’t think that I have to defend any bad behavior from any prophet from Adam down to Thomas S. Monson. These men learned that they, like us, had to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. They are so very human and unique, as are all men and women.
Quote:Personally, I also don’t think that I have to defend any bad behavior from any prophet from Adam down to Thomas S. Monson. These men learned that they, like us, had to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling.
MWallace – love this thought!
Thanks for the endorsement and defense. That article/speech came up on the radar, and I think things were patched up adequately in the back channels. StayLDS is a fairly new concept (IMO), and we are not fully understood by the Mormon apologetic community yet. I am not sure if we will ever be fully understood or appreciated. That’s ok. We’re not working for their approval 
This is just my personal observation. Regular apologetic defenses mostly seem to help people who are
NOTreally having problems. Faithful members just like to know that someone out there formulated an answer to “attacks” (perception) on the Church. It’s faithful scholars writing to faithful members. They all feel great about it. That’s fine. I am happy for them (seriously, no sarcasm). Those same defenses seem to often make things worse for people with serious doubts and problems with history and doctrine. They just don’t speak to them.
My comments are not to say apologetics are bad or not needed. They serve a purpose, but they aren’t the Swiss army knife of faith to end all questions. I admire the effort and passion that anyone puts into promoting faith. They are a valuable section in the symphony.
Thanks for sending the letter and being so skilled in its writing, I really appreciate the tone. Valoel I think you are right that FAIR in particular is really just “preaching to the choir” and not providing much help to people with serious issues. The real problem I find with FAIR is their tendancy, as was seen in this case, to move to personal attacks (ad hominen attack is the fancy way of saying it) rather than dealing with the principle or the issues and this where they really come off the rails. I in fact belong to FAIR and have done so off and on for several years but rarely use their resources.
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