The Truth of the Matter

by Russell N. Greiner

Answering Questions with Scriptures

The continued growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has brought an increase of interest in its divine message. People want to know about our beliefs and customs. As such, Latter-day Saints need to be prepared to answer all sorts of questions as honest and faithful representatives of God's Church.

Pulling from his thirty years of experience as a Church educator, Russell N. Greiner provides ways you can answer these questions using scriptural and doctrinal evidence. The Truth of the Matter is an essential resource for missionaries and members alike, illustrating possible answers to questions such as

-Why isn't the Book of Mormon mentioned in the bible?
-Are "Mormons," or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Christian?
-Is the Church a cult, as some people say?
-Why do we need Joseph Smith if we already have the bible?
-What is the role of women in the Church?
-What is the purpose of the Book of Mormon?

From answering genuine questions about our faith to rebutting false rumors about the Church, this collection of topics will help Latter-day Saints use the scriptures to effectively share the truths of the gospel.

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 2022

Reviews

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure for my review: I know the author personally. I served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in southern California in 2014-2016 and I was assigned to serve in Brother Greiner's ward for several months. I attended several missionary preparation courses he taught and was astonished and inspired by his powerful teaching out of the scriptures. I have never known a better missionary or a teacher with greater knowledge of the scriptures. In particular, I have never known another person who has memorized so many scriptures and quotations from modern prophets-- I have heard Brother Greiner quote literally dozens of passages word perfect from memory while teaching--- and it is hard to describe how powerful teaching that way is. Brother Greiner had a huge impact on me as a missionary and increased my desire to deeply study, learn, remember, and memorize many passages of scripture. He is a very humble man but has strong and deep convictions of the truth of the restored gospel and is bold and fearless in sharing them. He inspires me to be a better, more Christlike man. I am grateful for the privilege of being acquainted with him. That being my personal experience, in 2022 I was delighted to hear that Brother Greiner wrote a book and I was eager and happy to have the opportunity to read it.

The Truth of the Matter: Answering Questions With Scriptures is a brief book with many short chapters that can be read in a few minutes each. Many of the chapter titles are questions that members of the church may be commonly asked or are claims or accusations that critics sometimes level against our church or beliefs. Each chapter has answers and responses that are grounded in the scriptures and the teachings of modern prophets. Many of the chapters are filled with inspiring and powerful stories and missionary experiences from the author's own life. Before becoming a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his youth the author was a Presbyterian, and a lot of his missionary experiences over the years have involved interactions with other Christians, so that background informs a lot of the questions and answers throughout the book. He teaches a lot out of the Bible as well as the scriptures of the restoration. The chapters address a wide range of gospel topics.

My overall feeling and experience from reading this book was being inspired and motivated to get to work studying and memorizing more passages of scripture. I also felt inspired to be more courageous and bold in sharing the truths that I know, and to do it by using the words of God through his prophets. I was reminded of the strength of our position as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as we plant our feet on the bedrock of divinely revealed truth. I am grateful for this book, for Brother Greiner, and for the faith and testimony of individual members of the church throughout the world who open their mouths to share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with others. I am determined to be one of them.

[Luke Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book!! Great for not only those preparing to serve and mission and those currently serving, but for everyone else. He teaches plain and simple truths using the scriptures and tells inspiring stories. Great read, won’t take you too long to read it all.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book filled with questions and answers about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

[Enrique Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional compilation of accounts that are insightful, entertaining, and, most of all, uplifting. People with an open heart and contrite demeanor will treasure this book.