Peter, the chief apostle, advised the followers of Christ to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and (reverence):

"Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good (conduct) in Christ" (1 Peter 3:15-16).

It is good counsel for the covenant people of God in any gospel dispensation and at the moment is particularly timely for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A Church News reader reported the experience of his family members following the recent national presentation of the PBS documentary "The Mormons." Some of them were accosted by schoolmates about their beliefs and membership in the Church. One granddaughter in particular was confronted by a fellow student and the student's mother during a carpool ride to school.

The next day, the mother sought and was granted permission to take the granddaughter out of the classroom and speak with her. During the ensuing conversation the mother disparaged LDS beliefs and told the granddaughter she needed to quit being a Mormon.

Understandably upset by the incident, the granddaughter's mother prayed, then prepared herself with essential Bible references and a spirit of love and forgiveness before meeting with the teacher and the other mother to resolve the matter. She reasoned with them from the scriptures and shared her testimony of the gospel. They wept together. The offending mother asked to be forgiven, and the teacher apologized and expressed deep regrets over her own lapse in judgment.

The incident is a prime illustration of the efficacy of Peter's counsel. Contention and ill feeling were avoided as the Latter-day Saint mother approached the situation in a spirit of meekness and love.

Most important, she bore humble witness of her beliefs, facilitating the presence of the Spirit. For, when all is said and done, it is the Holy Ghost, not argumentation, that truly converts.

President Ezra Taft Benson, in messages he delivered in various settings and locales, urged Church members to use the Book of Mormon in answering objections to our faith. He gave this formula:

"First, understand the objection. Second, give the answer from revelation. Third, show how the correctness of the answer really depends on whether or not we have modern revelation through modern prophets. Fourth, explain that whether or not we have modern prophets and revelation really depends on whether the Book of Mormon is true. Therefore, the only problem the objector has to resolve for himself is whether the Book of Mormon is true. For if the Book of Mormon is true, then Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith was His prophet, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true, and it is being led today by a prophet receiving revelation" ("The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God," Ensign, January 1988, p.3).

President Benson wisely counseled: "Our main task is to declare the gospel and do it effectively. We are not obligated to answer every objection. Every man eventually is backed up to the wall of faith, and there he must make his stand."

In that spirit, the apostle Paul instructed Titus to "avoid foolish questions...and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain" (Titus 3:9). Far better it is to declare gospel principles in clarity, humbly correcting misunderstandings and misconceptions, and then invite the listener to pray for a personal manifestation of the truth by the power of the Holy Ghost (see Moroni 10:3-5).

Finally, there can be no more eloquent declaration about the truth of our faith than the goodness of our lives. If we set a shining example as the proverbial "city that is set on an hill" (Matthew 5:14), we will find that false accusers, as in Peter's day, will be confounded "because of (our) good (conduct) in Christ."