Inter-faith discussion

Someone very wise once said that in comparing faiths/religons, there should be three rules followed:
1) When you want to learn about a faith, talk to those who practice it. Don't talk to their critics.
2) Compare best with best, not best with worst.
3) Leave room for "holy envy." (Look for something that you like about the other person's viewpoint.)
 
I've been transferred from Clearlake to Cloverdale. Recently, I had a very nice conversation with a young man who is a practicing seventh-day adventist. He asked some questions about my faith, my background. I answered his questions calmly and gladly. We then asked him some questions about his faith, which he gladly answered. Of course, since we're both Christians, we both cited passages from the Holy Bible in discussing our beliefs. This 22 year old man is very strong in his faith. He is acting according to the knowledge that he has. The thing that I loved about this meeting was that neither me, my companion, or this man, who is around my age, were contentious. None of us were trying to prove each other wrong, no one was contentious. Simply put, we were believers of the Lord Jesus Christ discussing our opinions on various topics.

This was a pleasant, although rare occurence. Unfortunately, a large portion of my mission has had those who are staunch in their faith trying to argue or contend with me and my companion at the time. There's a passage in The Book of Mormon about this: 3 Nephi 11:27. When talking with others, or considering their views, don't get argumentative or contentious. The devil does not want anyone to learn, but knowledge truly is power that can be used against him. Therefore, he will try to get us irked and angry, so that we are blind and unable to see the truth that the other person has. Every person, no matter what their religious background, has at least one piece of genuine, from God, truth. Truth is truth, no matter the source.

If you have a strong opinon about topics of faith and belief, please remember that others will not necessarily share your beliefs. If you feel that your position is defendable intellectually, be careful. Something that needs to be kept in mind is that, no one person knows everything. Remember also that learning comes piece by piece, and if we have have an attitude of "I know it all" or "I know enough", we are unable to learn anything new and we begin to lsoe that which we had. (2 Nephi 28:30)