We as members of the Church are being watched as never before by friends, co-workers, roommates, associates, etc. as the news continues to highlight our religion and our Church.  What a wonderful opportunity this gives us to live what we profess, share our enthusiasm for each other, and testify of our Savior.  Here are some examples of how we can take advantage of the questions we are getting to turn them into “mini-missionary moments.”

Opportunity                   Question:     How about going to a movie Friday night?
Opportunity Missed       Answer:        I’d love to, but I’m busy that night.
Opportunity Taken         Answer:        I’d love to, but I’m going to a Church dance that night.

Opportunity                   Question:     We’re going out for a beer, want to come along?
Opportunity Missed       Answer:        No thanks.
Opportunity Taken         Answer:        No thanks, I don’t drink because of religious and personal reasons. 
                                                         But, I’d like to go out sometime and just have a soft drink with you.

In both these instances, an answer – in a normal conversation – was turned from just a statement, to one that invites the other person – if he or she has any interest — to respond with a question about the Church.  Here are some Church words (“Morm-talk”) that we use all the time that will spark a question if the person has interest:

  • Family Home Evening
  • Genealogy (Your Question:  “Do you do genealogy?  I just looked up my grandmother on the FamilySearch website, and it’s really interesting.”)
  • General Conference (Their Question: “What are you doing this weekend?”  Your Answer: “I’m going to watch General Conference” on TV, how about you . . . what are you going to do?”)
  • Fast Sunday
  • Temple marriage

Observation:   Most of the time, when people ask you a question about the Church and the Gospel, their interest is more likely to continue if you don’t try to overload them with too much at once.

There Are Many Ways to Bear Your Testimony.

The still small voice can be as effective as the roar of the lion. More often than not, it is this expression of quiet conviction that finds the receptive spirit.

  • “The Church brings me such comfort in these times when there’s so much tension and uncertainty in the world.”
  • “I don’t understand people who have never wanted to find out what God would have them do with their lives.”
  • “My folks live a long way from here. So, for me, my Church is my family here. I don’t know what I’d do without them.”

These are all testimony statements, just as much as any testimony born in Sacrament Meeting. They speak to the longing in each of us for truth, for comfort and for love.

We are engaged in a great cause: the bringing of souls unto our Savior. It is our life’s mission, and our joy. Every person who comes to this Church does so because someone back in their history joined the Church as a convert. It took courage, and a testimony in the living Christ. It also took another person of courage to deliver the message of the restored Gospel to them. Let us be that person of courage, and provide that daily fellowshipping, that teaching opportunity, and that testifying opportunity.