LDS Freedom Forum

I wanted to start this thread to see how we're doing to help fellowship others, whether they be non-members or inactive members. It's time for me to take a break from the usual routine of things that I normally post about here in the forum and focus more on bringing others into the fold or back into the fold. I'm currently trying to get a non-member interested in the church - she is a co-worker of mine (via cyberspace) who I used to work with on occasion and I got to know her pretty well. She's a married 55 year old lady who lives in Tennessee and she's very active in the Baptist church she and her husband attend. She is very caring, kind, compassionate and she and her husband are highly dedicated to the Scouting program having spent years serving as a Den Mother and her husband in other functions.

Anyway - she began asking questions one day about our church and so I expounded about what we believe, the importance of the family unit, the plan of salvation, the pre-mortal existence, the spirit world, eternal life, why we're here, etc. and our conversation went on back and forth about it for a few weeks and I was really getting excited that she was genuinely interested and that maybe she would get to the point of missionary discussions owing to her Christian background and acceptance/practice of the same principles we embrace. Then one day she just sort of lost interest and stopped asking questions (this was back in the summer of last year). Me and my family went camping over a 3 day weekend down south last summer and on our way back, we stopped at Cove Fort for a visit so our kids could see this fort that the early Saints had built to protect them from the Indians and to act as a shelter. While there I felt inspired to fill out one of those cards that the missionaries will use to contact and/or send church media to in the event of interest. So I did that for this lady and about two weeks later, two missionaries arrived at her door and gave her an introductory 30 minute DVD as to what the LDS church is all about, its founding, beliefs, etc.

I asked her if she had been contacted by our church and she responded she had, but since late last summer, she still hasn't watched it nor asked any further questions. Anyone have any ideas/suggestions how to spark a renewed interest without coming across as being pushy? I feel like she is leaning towards wanting to learn and know more formally, but that something is holding her back (Satan)? She has soured a little lately whenever I ask her if she has watched the DVD and communication usually goes into a void temporarily. I need a plan of attack - she and her husband would be perfect members of the church because of how they live their lives and who they are and I know she has questions about 'life'. Suggestions?

FIRST.........be a good Christian, biggest problem I see of church members, is the "great and spacious building syndrome or pointing fingers and acting self-righteous"

Col. Flagg wrote:I wanted to start this thread to see how we're doing to help fellowship others, whether they be non-members or inactive members. It's time for me to take a break from the usual routine of things that I normally post about here in the forum and focus more on bringing others into the fold or back into the fold. I'm currently trying to get a non-member interested in the church - she is a co-worker of mine (via cyberspace) who I used to work with on occasion and I got to know her pretty well. She's a married 55 year old lady who lives in Tennessee and she's very active in the Baptist church she and her husband attend. She is very caring, kind, compassionate and she and her husband are highly dedicated to the Scouting program having spent years serving as a Den Mother and her husband in other functions.

Anyway - she began asking questions one day about our church and so I expounded about what we believe, the importance of the family unit, the plan of salvation, the pre-mortal existence, the spirit world, eternal life, why we're here, etc. and our conversation went on back and forth about it for a few weeks and I was really getting excited that she was genuinely interested and that maybe she would get to the point of missionary discussions owing to her Christian background and acceptance/practice of the same principles we embrace. Then one day she just sort of lost interest and stopped asking questions (this was back in the summer of last year). Me and my family went camping over a 3 day weekend down south last summer and on our way back, we stopped at Cove Fort for a visit so our kids could see this fort that the early Saints had built to protect them from the Indians and to act as a shelter. While there I felt inspired to fill out one of those cards that the missionaries will use to contact and/or send church media to in the event of interest. So I did that for this lady and about two weeks later, two missionaries arrived at her door and gave her an introductory 30 minute DVD as to what the LDS church is all about, its founding, beliefs, etc.

I asked her if she had been contacted by our church and she responded she had, but since late last summer, she still hasn't watched it nor asked any further questions. Anyone have any ideas/suggestions how to spark a renewed interest without coming across as being pushy? I feel like she is leaning towards wanting to learn and know more formally, but that something is holding her back (Satan)? She has soured a little lately whenever I ask her if she has watched the DVD and communication usually goes into a void temporarily. I need a plan of attack - she and her husband would be perfect members of the church because of how they live their lives and who they are and I know she has questions about 'life'. Suggestions?

First of all I love your new focus Col. I just knew that eventually all those FHE's that your Mom and I gave you while you were still a snot nosed kid would finally pay off. :ymparty:

As to your cyberspace friend I commend you for your efforts. My experience has been that the Lords sheep hear his voice and respond with at least some semblance of curiosity. That she has not watched the dvd after several months may indicate that she is not quite ready to respond to the voice.

There is a wonderful small book written by Elder Ballard titled Our Search for Happiness which is an excellent overview of what the church is all about. I think the distribution center caries it. Perhaps this gift sent to her with a note of testimony from you would spur some further discussion. Bear in mind that sometimes You can lead a fish to water... Best of luck to you in the soul saving biz.

If she's souring I'd personally back off and just be her friend. Pray for her. A lot of baptist churches warn pretty heavily about our church, so that could be part of why she is uneasy.

Also, some frankness might work. I'd ask her flat out if the conversation is making her uncomfortable, and whether she is not open to any discussion.

Is it possible her husband is uncomfortable with the friendship, and your wife would have better luck? Just tossing out possibilities...

sbsion wrote:FIRST.........be a good Christian, biggest problem I see of church members, is the "great and spacious building syndrome or pointing fingers and acting self-righteous"

No worries sbsion - that is something I would and could never do as a Latter-Day Saint who was desirous to bring someone else unto Christ - not only is that hypocritical to who and what we are as Saints, that approach is never going to convert anyone to the gospel truth.

It sounds like she got ahold of some anti-Mormon literature. I think your should invite her and her husband to dinner and show them the dvd after. By the time they walk out your door to go home you will know whether any further missionary effort will be fruitful or fruitless.

Mark wrote:

Col. Flagg wrote:I wanted to start this thread to see how we're doing to help fellowship others, whether they be non-members or inactive members. It's time for me to take a break from the usual routine of things that I normally post about here in the forum and focus more on bringing others into the fold or back into the fold. I'm currently trying to get a non-member interested in the church - she is a co-worker of mine (via cyberspace) who I used to work with on occasion and I got to know her pretty well. She's a married 55 year old lady who lives in Tennessee and she's very active in the Baptist church she and her husband attend. She is very caring, kind, compassionate and she and her husband are highly dedicated to the Scouting program having spent years serving as a Den Mother and her husband in other functions.

Anyway - she began asking questions one day about our church and so I expounded about what we believe, the importance of the family unit, the plan of salvation, the pre-mortal existence, the spirit world, eternal life, why we're here, etc. and our conversation went on back and forth about it for a few weeks and I was really getting excited that she was genuinely interested and that maybe she would get to the point of missionary discussions owing to her Christian background and acceptance/practice of the same principles we embrace. Then one day she just sort of lost interest and stopped asking questions (this was back in the summer of last year). Me and my family went camping over a 3 day weekend down south last summer and on our way back, we stopped at Cove Fort for a visit so our kids could see this fort that the early Saints had built to protect them from the Indians and to act as a shelter. While there I felt inspired to fill out one of those cards that the missionaries will use to contact and/or send church media to in the event of interest. So I did that for this lady and about two weeks later, two missionaries arrived at her door and gave her an introductory 30 minute DVD as to what the LDS church is all about, its founding, beliefs, etc.

I asked her if she had been contacted by our church and she responded she had, but since late last summer, she still hasn't watched it nor asked any further questions. Anyone have any ideas/suggestions how to spark a renewed interest without coming across as being pushy? I feel like she is leaning towards wanting to learn and know more formally, but that something is holding her back (Satan)? She has soured a little lately whenever I ask her if she has watched the DVD and communication usually goes into a void temporarily. I need a plan of attack - she and her husband would be perfect members of the church because of how they live their lives and who they are and I know she has questions about 'life'. Suggestions?

First of all I love your new focus Col. I just knew that eventually all those FHE's that your Mom and I gave you while you were still a snot nosed kid would finally pay off. :ymparty:

As to your cyberspace friend I commend you for your efforts. My experience has been that the Lords sheep hear his voice and respond with at least some semblance of curiosity. That she has not watched the dvd after several months may indicate that she is not quite ready to respond to the voice.

There is a wonderful small book written by Elder Ballard titled Our Search for Happiness which is an excellent overview of what the church is all about. I think the distribution center caries it. Perhaps this gift sent to her with a note of testimony from you would spur some further discussion. Bear in mind that sometimes You can lead a fish to water... Best of luck to you in the soul saving biz.

Snot-nosed kid? That wasn't me, that was the kid next door, remember? Thanks for the kind words. :ymhug: Yeah, I think you're right about hearing the spirit - she sure had me thinking she was ready though - I don't know - maybe her husband still needs to warm up to it all? Thanks for the name of that book - I'll have to think about getting it and sending it to her. I just hope she comes around eventually and allows the spirit to touch her heart because I believe she is close. I've actually thought about creating a short film on the restoration and plan of salvation and uploading it to you-tube for her to watch - I think she would do that if she knows I made it - kinda like the one I did about 9/11, but not as long. Ultimately, as long as I have lead her to water, that is all I can do - from that point on, she has to drink on her own. Here's to hoping.

Wonderful focus, Col....something we all should do. I just wanted to say, however, don't make a new video. There are plenty that the Church has already done either on lds.org or mormon.org. These videos are prepared through prayer and inspiration. They are wonderful. And, as a side note to all of you here, go to lds.org and then scroll down to the video where it says "Youth Video:Inviting All"...you will love it and it's quite powerful considering these are young Aaronic Priesthood holders sharing their testimonies. Your friend, in particular, would love this one. It really touched my heart.