The X account Acts of the Apostles offers some good historical information.
1924 Yorkshire, England
When Elder James E Talmage was assigned to preside over the British and European missions, anti-Mormon sentiment was at an all time high.
Nothing boosted a newspapers circulation more than lurid tales of the Mormons.
An article with the headline "Mormon Mysteries Unveiled - A Girl's Awful Revelations" was guaranteed to sell papers.
The Argus was the worst newspaper. They were in an all out war with the Church.
So James E Talmage decided to visit the editor.
At the front desk Elder Talmage offered his calling card. It was soon returned. "Regretfully, the editor's schedule is so full he couldn't possibly find time to visit."
Elder Talmage expected this. He asked if he might have his calling card back to add a note he'd forgotten to append. With a pen, he wrote after his name F.R.S.E. F.R.M.S. F.R.G.S.
The effect on the clerk was electric. Startled, he looked at the calling card. Looked at Elder Talmage. Looked back at the card. And hastily excused himself to talk with the editors. Of course he knew what the initials meant. Every educated person did.
F.R.S.E = Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh F.R.M.S = Fellow of the Royal Microscopic Society F.R.G.S = Fellow of the Royal Geological Society
Elder Talmage was not only a peer of the greatest scientists of the British empire.
But a great scientist himself.
The editors found time in their schedule.
Once face to face the battle was mostly won. Elder Talmage was so reasonable and kind and had such authority that it was easy to convince the editors that they were being unfair.
As Elder Talmage traveled across the country, he always made sure to visit the local papers. This was astonishingly effective.
By 1926 anti-Mormon attacks in the British press were rare. And when they did occur it was almost always possible to obtain a prompt retraction and apology. (The Talmage Story pg 207-211)
I don't think there was another man in the church who could have done this.
The Lord was preparing Elder Talmage.
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