Editor's Note: In his article, Fundamental to our Faith, published in tne January 2011 Ensign, Elder Dallin H. Oaks quoted from the book, How Americans View Mormonism, several times. This excerpt is from that book. It was written by Gary Lawrence and published in 2008.

In focus groups with those of other faiths, I have asked what they understand by the word gospel. Most think of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Others say it means, “the good news” of Christ’s mission. Only a few know its true sense as the whole of Christianity—doctrines, ordinances, authority and organization. 

When I asked them for their understanding of restored, they said it’s what you do to Grandma’s old dining room table or the ’66 Mustang which Grandpa has been storing in the garage. 

Their answers did not suggest in the slightest that the object in point had been lost and then was returned; rather they assumed the object had always been around but had lost luster and required repainting or refinishing. No understanding how we use the word restored—as something that is re-established—makes it difficult for people to grasp that we are referring to a universal apostasy, that the true Church was taken from the earth, and that it has now been brought back. 

I wonder how many people upon hearing our claim that the gospel has been restored walk away musing, “St. Matthew has a new coat of paint?” 

Where we use the word gospel, others would use the word Christianity. Where we use the word restored, others would us the word re-established. I love the word restoration and its related forms for the great cause it signifies, but others may not readily understand it. As we open conversations with those of other faiths, using the word re-established best conveys our meaning and creates curiosity. We can later explain our particular use of the word restored. 

So instead of saying “The gospel has been restored,” consider expressing the same idea in three sentences that anyone, regardless of religious background, can grasp. 

• Christ organized a church.
• Men changed it.
• It has been brought back. 

Or condense it to one single claim. 

We claim to be the re-established original Christian church.