True to the Faith<\/i> was introduced to the Church in the April 2004 Ensign:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Church has issued a new doctrinal guidebook aimed at youth, young single adults, and new members. True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference is a collection of brief, simple statements on gospel doctrines and principles. Almost 200 pages in length, the book is intended to supplement the scriptures and the counsel of current Church leaders. Young men and young women may use it as a resource to assist them in achieving their Duty to God and Personal Progress awards. The book is designed to accompany the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet and explains the doctrine behind the standards it contains. Priesthood quorums and Relief Society groups may also offer the book to new members to better acquaint them with the doctrines of the restored gospel. True to the Faith is available at Church distribution centers for $1.50.\u201d
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\nI\u2019ve skimmed it (it is available online) and here are my thoughts:<\/p>\n
(1) I think this is the first time that a work of this type (official, with the topics in alphabetical format) has been available. I know that the Bible Dictionary and the Encyclopedia of Mormonism are similar, but not exactly the same thing. I wonder what prompted this book. A few thoughts:<\/p>\n
(a) a desire to displace Mormon Doctrine as the easiest source for info on a specific topic. (True story: I had been a member of the Church for a few months when a teacher in a Young Women\u2019s class said the following: \u201cWhen you have a question about something, what do you do? You turn to Mormon Doctrine!\u201d And then she proceeded to quote at length.)<\/p>\n
(b) seriously, where do you go, as a young person or a new convert, with questions? I\u2019m thinking that, especially in areas where the Church is less established, it\u2019s probably a good idea for new converts to have another source besides the person who brought them into the Church, who maybe has only been a member for a few months or whatever.<\/p>\n
\u00a9) a response to all the junk on the Internet. In other words, here\u2019s the real doctrine, and what the antis are saying is our doctrine isn\u2019t our doctrine. It could be especially useful in keeping people from taking flights of bizarre doctrine in church classes\u2013hopefully someone could step up to the plate and note since whatever Faith Promoting Rumor is being spewed isn\u2019t in True to the Faith, we might be better off moving on.<\/p>\n
As mentioned, I have only skimmed it, but I think it is fair to say that:<\/p>\n
(1) the long-term effects of this book will be huge, because of its unique position as an official source of simple, easy-to-access info.<\/p>\n
(2) this book represents the liberal side of mainstream LDS doctrine. Just an example: the section on birth control. Quoting:<\/p>\n
\u201cwith a testimony of these principles [that children are a blessing, etc.], you and your spouse will be prepared to prayerfully decide how many children to have and when to have them. Such decisions are between the two of you and the Lord.\u201d <\/p>\n