Light and Truth Letter: My Search For More Light and Truth

by Austin Fife

“In 2014, I confessed to my wife that I no longer believed in God. Her reaction surprised me; she did not panic or get defensive. Instead, she told me how excited she was for my faith journey. I thought I was leaving the Church, but she reframed what I was feeling as the start of a journey. Then she made me a promise: If I could find more light and truth outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she would follow me. And she meant it.

The Light and Truth Letter is the culmination of my honest and exhaustive ten-year search for more light and truth.”

Read for free online at www.lightandtruthletter.org

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Church, Faith

245 pages, Paperback

Published August 9, 2024

Reviews

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sat down to glance through this and read it in one sitting. I feel like it was concise, organized well, and had some great insight in distinguishing between truth and the many lies and half-truths out there about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Had a great breakdown of the manipulative tactics used by those who attack the church.
My favorite quote:
“The internet is a great place to find out when Taco Bell closes. But ask Google which political party to vote for? Should I be pro-choice or pro-life? How about pro-Palestine or pro-Israel? Is the Mormon Church a cult? Yikes. Anything remotely controversial on the internet is a mess of disinformation and propaganda.
False news online travels six times faster than the truth, according to a 2018 study by researchers from MIT. A lie online is clean and short. The truth has depth and takes time to understand.”

[Viktoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once someone close to me was leaving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was being given lots of anti stuff, and she told me she felt stupid for not having any answer to it. I hadn't read any of it, but I knew it was either lies, half-lies, misunderstandings or not even a problem. However, no one can get by on someone else's testimony, and whatever I told her didn't help. This is the kind of book that I wish I had back then, and maybe it can help now. I learned things I didn't know, which was surprising because I actually do know a lot about church history and stuff. I found it very engaging and informative. I hope to be able to recommend it in the future to anyone with questions. Like he says in it, he can not definitely prove the Gospel true or false, but he can and does cut through much of the lies out there about it that stand in the way of people's testimonies.

[Joan Riddle Steinmann · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is not well researched and contradicts itself many times.

[Aiden Avarell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although it doesn't go into as much detail as other works in the field of LDS apologetics, this is an amazing overview and jumping-off point for anyone who is interested in defending the church or has questions of their own. Austin has an amazing story and his sincere testimony really shines through in this book. He gives a great example of being curious rather than being judgemental, which is a lesson that everyone needs to learn.

[Michelle the Magical · Rating 5 out of 5]

I (a fiction-fueled teen) was asked to read this book by my wonderful mother. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it! It was written in a very engaging way and made its points clearly. There was at least one topic I thought was under-discussed, but this is overall a comprehensive and compelling book.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This book is a result of the author’s ten year search for light and truth after having lost his faith in God and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Having extensively read claims and criticism on both sides, he eventually was led back to his faith in God and the Church. He shares parts of this journey of questioning and searching, much of which is in response to the CES letter and other critical claims. I found his research and resources interesting, valuable, and faith-promoting. While the facts won't ultimately prove anything, it does clearly show how much critical information is deceptive, out of context, or outright lies. I loved that his faith is now based on truth that makes sense intellectually and experiences that have touched his heart spiritually. I’m grateful for the time he took not only to find this truth himself, but also to share it with other seekers. (However, this will need to be a living document as new evidence continues to build.)

“We shall not ease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.”
T.S. Eliot

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring, Sincere, Descriptive (mostly) v Rhetorical

Ever wondered what the tactics and rhetoric look like of those agnostic or opposed to the institution (and said to be doctrine) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints? This work elucidates them (tactics and rhetoric); and does so without rancor and seemingly thoroughly. Of particular interest to me is the table illustrating flaws (or abuses of) of logic.

Why 3 stars? The ebook itself is awkward to use e.g., lacks a functional table of contents, pages forward and backward awkwardly, does not easily allow for notes, marking, etc.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book that covers so much evidence against arguments against the Church. The author was very open about his faith journey, and I appreciate his willingness to be vulnerable and authentic. Some of the topics were very well researched and had very compelling arguments; some of the hot button issues felt a little glossed over and I felt like a little more information would have been helpful. Overall, though, a thoughtful and well-researched rebuttal to the CES Letter. That’s not something I’ve ever struggled with, but I hope this would be a helpful resource for those who have.

[Mandi Waller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the laying out of facts/studies in response to critics of the church. I liked how he pointed out techniques of critics and asked for what they had to offer if he left the church. I get sick of people leaving the church and using certain tag lines as reasons while ignoring the majority of the facts that point to the ways the church enriches lives. I appreciated the explanation of some statistics that are often used and twisted against the church. I really liked some explanations he gave for some topics. And the defense of the BOM was a good outline of studies I have done. Overall, a great intro into defense of the church - and a great jumping point if you want to dig deeper.

[Jileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do believe that the author’s work to find his path in or out of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was exhaustive. I feel like his intentions were pure and that he came from a vulnerable place to write this book. He answered many questions in the same way I have found to answer my own questions about the Church and its history, policies, standards, etc. While a tad repetitive in how he writes his questions in the book, I still feel like it was a useful, possibly powerful way, to get across his message.

[Hannah Craner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book. Thank you for this incredible research. As someone who struggled a little after reading the CES letter, I appreciate this so much. I never left the church, as I had too many faith-building experiences to deny its goodness, I did carry a heaviness that was eventually lifted after doing my own research. This letter helped affirm facts I too discovered in my own study. I believe not because of this book or because of any "facts" but because the fruits of the gospel are too good to not believe.

[Ryan Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of the arguments aren't the strongest, but the author never claims they are anything more than interesting questions that helped guide his own journey. The book is worth it just for the extensive amount of resources linked throughout!

[Pedro Aguillón · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great document that provide a lot of anwers!

[BC Sterrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew that the CES Letter (now proven to have originated based on a lie) and other honestly deceptive anti-faith sources like “Mormon Stories” would inspire something as wonderful as The Light and Truth Letter. I’m only 1/4 through and it’s awesome :) My only small complaint is that there is more to add and more evidence to strengthen its answers. Just like the “author” of the CES Letter would pass around his “questions”/criticism with anti-religious blog folk to try and make his claims as potent as possible, so can this Letter also receive strength from EVEN MORE light and truth! (Which I gave this 4 stars, because there is room for much more, especially as archeological research is catching up with The Book of Mormon. I imagine more will be added to this letter in time, just as the CES Letter has had to continually be forced to change/delete and alter its claims as more truth continues to come to light. This letter is by an actual sincere seeker of truth during his faith crisis, instead of being one seeking deceptive means to counter truth, is a must read for anyone investigating the faith especially those who have easily been caught up in the fog of accusations thrown at The Church of Jesus Christ. (Today I finished this book and now give it 5 stars. One of the most important books for the here and now of our day.)

[Will Haslam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most comprehensive compendium of pro-church apologetics I’ve ever read. A wonderful handbook for refuting critics and a companion for anyone in a grueling faith journey. Could not esteem this book more highly.

My only (very minor) complaint is his use of interrogative sentences so frequently. I’m used to academic works that speak in declarations, not questions. But I see how he’s actually mimicking and satirizing the style of the CES letter, which presents itself as presenting a series of good-faith questions (spoiler alert: that’s not what’s happening there).