Letter 18 — The Mission President Speaks
Letters To A Mormon Elder
by James R. White
Friday, August 10
Dear Sir:
I am in receipt of your letter of Wednesday, August 8. I am sorry that you do not feel that you can allow the young men who serve in your mission area to make decisions for themselves or to examine the facts that would be relevant to their religious beliefs. I do not feel that your position is either scripturally defensible, or even logically consistent, and certainly your brusque tone was not required. I quote from your letter:
Elder Hahn has been transferred to another area of service. Your correspondence will not be forwarded to him. I would like to ask you to not harass any of our missionaries any further. They are not here to carry on lengthy conversations with you, but to proclaim the message of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I am sorry that Elder Hahn has been transferred elsewhere. I can certainly understand what someone in your Position has to fear in allowing him to maintain contact with me. But in taking the action that you have, you have placed yourself in the position of taking responsibility for keeping a young man from examining the truth. And, since you are unable to respond to the information I have provided to him (and would gladly provide to you as well), you shoulder a terrible burden.
As to “harassing” Mormon missionaries, my desire to befriend them and share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them is hardly harassment. I shall take each and every opportunity God gives me to share the truth with all men, Mormon missionaries included.
Finally, sir, I would like to remind you that while you may think you have safely tucked Elder Hahn away in some remote corner of your mission area, you should remember that my God is not limited in time nor space. He knows where Elder Hahn is, and He knows that I, and many others, are praying for him. You cannot stop the Holy Spirit of God, sir. That is my confidence.
Sincerely,
James White
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