May 24, 2010
Situation sent from Elder Owens:
You are visiting an inactive couple that is fun to talk with. They are interested in your life before becoming a missionary. They shower you with lots of positive judgments like “Oh cool!” Or “we love to bike.”
After visiting in the ‘zero conflict‘ zone for a few minutes you change the subject to the gospel and their commitment or lack thereof.
The tenor of the conversation turns from warm and receptive to cool and evasive.
Now what?
Let’s take inventory of our position and our purpose:
- We are sent to harvest the blessings of the gospel (D&C 4:4)
- We have the greatest success with those who
- Want to hear the gospel
- Want to hear it now
- Will act upon the teachings presented
- Our time is on lease from the Lord and we agreed to spend it in activities that yield the best results possible
- Our position is to seek understanding and identify those who qualify to be taught the gospel by full-time missionaries (see 2nd bullet point)
Suggested Game Plan
- Identify if they are Harvest ready
- If no, thank them for their time and leave
- If yes, have a gospel discussion
- Determine what they want (seek understanding)
- Ask commitment questions
- Hold them accountable to their wants
- Find your neutral position and invite the spirit into the conversation
Miss: Br. Brown, how do you feel about the church?
Br. B Well, we’re not really focused on the church at this time in our lives.
Miss: Why?
Br. B: Well, (excuse to follow)
Miss: Do you remember how you felt when you joined the church? (if they’re converts)
Why did you join the church?
Do you remember how you felt when you gained your testimony of the church? What was that like?
Do you still have a testimony of the church? Of the prophet Joseph Smith? Of the Book of Mormon?
Do you want to receive all the blessings of the gospel?
Are you willing to do what is required to receive them?
Is having the spirit of God back in your home something you want?
Br. B: We already have the spirit.
Miss: Yes you do, but not the fullness of the spirit. That only comes with full-time church attendance. Is having the fullness of the spirit something you want?
Br. B: Well, we’re not ready for that right now.
Miss: Br. Brown, as missionaries we have limited time to share the gospel with those who want the full blessings of the spirit. It appears you do not. Is that true. It’s ok to be honest.
Br. B: Yeah, we’re not ready right now.
Miss: Ok, thank you for your time. Good bye. (Be respectful and leave.)
If they decide they want to have the fullness of the gospel, then let’s pick up the dialogue from …Is having the fullness of the spirit something you want?
Br. B: Yes it is.
Miss: Why?
Br. B: (Confesses to all the things they’ve been missing.)
Miss: If we teach you the gospel, are you willing to keep the commitments you’ve made with the Lord?
Br. B: What do you mean?
Miss: Church attendance, prayer, scripture study etc. (Baptismal covenants)
Br. B: Yes
It’s not up to you to call them to repentance, they want the spirit and have committed to obeying their covenants. Teach the gospel and remain a neutral tool in the hands of the Lord.
May the Lord bless you.
