Elder Dallin H. Oaks recently spoke at the fifth annual Mormonism 101 series at Harvard Law School and gave a talk that Maurine Proctor, editor of Meridian Magazine, said "is a model of how to address an intelligent, inquisitive, and perhaps secular group who may know little about the Church."
In an interesting parallel to the message our stake presidency has outlined for us this year was a reference to Pollster Gary Lawrence's research that indicated that very few people know what Mormonism is about. Elder Oaks then proceeded to explain the main doctrines of the church, not trying to please his audience by brushing over difficult topics. He was affirming and declarative of the truths we know.Here in the Lodi Stake, our leaders are encouraging us this year to "engage" with the community, and share the basic doctrines of the Gospel.
This is what Public Affairs is, and Elder Oaks' talk is definitely worth reading. You can find it on the Internet here.
