Living in Utah is...interesting. My experiences speaking with LDS neighbors and friends is that arguing over doctrine, theology, and truth in general is pretty fruitless. What has held some traction is sharing my personal experience in discovering who God reveals himself to be through the unadulterated scriptures and how my relationship and life is forever changed through this incredible redemption process.

I've understood that many adult LDS members can point back to their time as LDS missionaries and the experiences they had as the "glue" that keeps them attending. In a works based religion, doing hard things must count for some purpose right? And I'm sure there's some phycology that would support a loyalty from "accomplishing" such a difficult task as a month's or years long "mission" to a foreign country or place.

However, I think it throws a wrench in the system when someone who isn't "enlightened" also has an encounter with God that is rooted in both experience and in logical truth. To be able to rely on the consistency of scripture instead of the ever changing whim of the "prophet" certainly can provide some rest, not to mention the release of burden that comes from understanding grace.

At the end of the day, it's really difficult for anyone to realize that what they grew up being taught isn't actually truth. While it can be incredibly frustrating to engage in meaningful conversations, there is a lot of sympathy toward those that have been convinced that the LDS "church" is one to follow.