An example of how claims by bitter critics of Mormonism may not be altogether reliable

Some of you may find this interesting:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865651714/How-Belgian-Mormons-rallied-together-in-the-minutes-hours-and-days-after-the-Brussels-bombings.html?pg=1

It conflicts just a bit with the assertion by some especially virulent anti-Mormons that, in this case — as in most if not all others — the Church jettisoned the missionaries once their usefulness for recruiting lucrative new tithe payers had been compromised.

I addressed this nasty falsehood in an earlier post (“How the Church has callously abandoned the missionaries who were wounded in Brussels”).

I would like to call particular attention to three of the comments that followed that earlier blog post.  (I hope the authors won’t mind; since they identified themselves by name, I’m guessing that they won’t.)

The first came on 31 March from David DeFord, and appeared in the actual comments section of my blog:

As a bishop of the daughter of Elder Norby, the senior elder severely injured in the bombing, I can tell you the response from the Church has been incredible. Flights, a team of doctors to confer with the caregivers in Brussels, regular information updates, security, etc. The family is so pleased with the response. Just because they don’t publicize all they do, people assume they are doing nothing. Shame.

The other two appeared in Facebook comments related to my blog entry.  The first of these comes from Neville Rochow, and was posted on 31 March:

I am here in Brussels and have witnessed first hand the exact opposite of what is alleged. It is a malicious falsehood. The Church both general and local could not have done more for these three young missionaries and for the senior missionary injured. Meals have been delivered to the wife of the senior missionary, she has been given rides to and from the hospital and has felt overwhelmed by the support she has received. Two family members were flown to Belgium for each of the injured missionaries. Those that have gone back to the US had special ambulance jets come to pick them up to fly back home with medical teams. Those remaining will receive the same assistance. Everyday, the head of the receiving medical team in the US, a general authority, was in direct contact with the Brussels medical team and members of the family. The Area President called Pam Norby directly to offer sympathy and ask if there was anything that could or should be done. This is not hearsay. I have observed it as I have been driving Pam Norby to the hospital. Nothing was spared that would give them comfort and aid during their time of need. The young missionaries had so many visitors that they had to be rationed. every need was met, Every assistance was provided. We are very good friends with the Norbys and if they felt something was left undone that should have been done, they would have said so.

The second was posted by Anne Palmieri, on 1 April:

As a mission president’s wife I have seen a whole inside view of all the church does for the medical care of missionaries. Many come into the field from underprivileged countries where nether their family nor the local wards could afford to help them with dental or eye care and the mission pays for it. The church pays for a wonderful health insurance program for the missionaries and is always seeking to provide them with the best care available. There is so much that the critics can never dream of that goes on behind the scenes that is good.

Of course, as Pilate cynically asked, “What is truth?”