Christ is the Reason

“…the standard of truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing: persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assembly, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of god shall be accomplished, and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done” – Joseph Smith Jr., (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4:540) (see D&C 65:2)

Principles of Contacting

• It is Our Responsibility

Mark 16: 15-20 (See also Matt. 28:19, Mormon 9:22, D&C 68:8, D&C 1:4, )

• Goals of Contacting

“It is the bringing of men and women to a knowledge of the eternal truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer and Savior of the world, and that only through belief in Him, and faith which manifests itself in good works, can men and nations enjoy peace.” –Joseph Smith Jr.

An ideal first contact would include (but is not limited to) a complete first discussion taught, introduction to the Book of Mormon with a commitment to read and pray about it, appropriate information exchanged, as well as a follow-up appointment confirmed. If you cannot get all of these things in the first contact, than work your way down to what you can do (ie: get their phone number, a good time to stop by again etc.)

• Speak to Everyone

D&C 61:3 Don’t move so ‘swiftly’

D&C 60:2 Open your mouths

D&C 112:19 “In whatsoever place ye shall proclaim my name an effectual door shall be opened unto you.”

• What Do You Say?

“Preach Christ and Him crucified.”

Fourth Article Faith

D&C 19:29-31 Speak “glad tidings” (not “tenets”)

• How Do You Say It?

D&C 38:41 “mildness and meekness”

See Alma’s Sin in Alma 29:1-3, compare D&C 50:17-22

• Mindset

D&C 4:5 “…charity, and love…qualify him for the work”

D&C 11:17 “According to your desires”

For a perfect example of righteous desires, see Alma 13:27 (cross reference D&C 67:1)

Role Playing: Door Approaches

Using the principles we talked about above, lets split up into groups and apply what we learned. Keep two other more practical principles in mind while we do this exercise:

1. Find something in common
2. Bear your testimony about that principle
3. Invite

Situation #1
As you approach a door, you hear the sound of a baby crying. The woman who answers the door is holding the crying infant in her arms and is accompanied by two other small children.
What gospel principle or blessing could you use to start a conversation with the mother?

Situation #2
As you are on your way to your next appointment, you pass by a young man walking his bicycle. As you exchange greetings, you notice that he has a Bible in his knapsack.
What could you say to engage him in a meaningful conversation about the gospel?

Situation #3

On a typical day of tracting, a man in his late 50’s opens the door. He grunts hello with a cigarette dangling from his lips and a beer can in his hand. You start to introduce yourselves, but realize the TV is on too loud to have a decent conversation.
How might you invite this man to hear your gospel message?

Situation #4
A kind and friendly grandmother opens her door to you on a hot afternoon after you introduce yourselves as missionaries. She says she is not interested in any “message” you might have, but immediately starts talking about her many grandchildren and shows you the recent pictures they sent her.
In what way could you share a gospel truth and help her feel the spirit without “preaching” to her?

Situation #5
Riding the bus to an appointment, you take a seat next to a college student who is intrigued by your manner of dress. You explain briefly that you are missionaries and he tells you that he also served a mission with his youth group building churches in Africa over the summer.
What similarities could you discuss to help this young man have a desire to learn about the gospel?

Situation #6
You approach a door and ring the door bell. As you wait for someone to answer, you notice a symbol on the door frame that represents the Jewish faith.
What might you say to engage the person who opens the door?

Situation #7

At the grocery store on preparation day you enter an aisle where a priest is looking for a particular item. He notices your presence and asks how you can feel comfortable preaching to the world that your religion is the only true faith on the earth today.
What would you say to help the preacher understand the fullness of the gospel message you share?

Situation #8
As you tract through an apartment complex, you are invited into the home of a young woman. She tells you that her boyfriend of 3 years is not home. He is working a new job so that they could afford to move into their new apartment together.
What gospel message can you share to inspire this young woman and her boyfriend to hear the discussions?

Situation #9
You knock on the door of a simple home in a run down neighborhood. The man who opens the door has a shaved head and is wearing the dress of a typical Buddhist. He begins to explain to you that Buddha is his God and begins to close the door.
What can you say to interest this devout Buddhist in the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Situation #10
A gentleman answers the door and is apparently in the middle of reading a Christian-based self-help book. When you introduce yourself as missionaries and ask if he would like to hear the discussions, he tells you he will listen to them if you will in turn listen to his own religious beliefs.
How will you respond to his invitation?

Conclusion

• 1 Corinthians 1:18, 22-23 “The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. … For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified.”
• “Anyone who does any kind of missionary work will have occasion to ask, Why is this so hard? Why doesn’t it go better? Why can’t our success be more rapid? Why aren’t there more people joining the Church? It is the truth. We believe in angels. We trust in miracles. Why don’t people just flock to the font? Why isn’t the only risk in missionary work that of pneumonia from being soaking wet all day and all night in the baptismal font? You will have occasion to ask those questions. I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? It seems to me that missionaries and mission leaders have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane. Missionaries and mission leaders have to take at least a step or two toward the summit of Calvary. Now, please don’t misunderstand. I’m not talking about anything anywhere near what Christ experienced. That would be presumptuous and sacrilegious. But I believe that missionaries and investigators, to come to the truth, to come to salvation, to know something of this price that has been paid, will have to pay a token of that same price. For that reason I don’t believe missionary work has ever been easy, nor that conversion is, nor that retention is, nor that continued faithfulness is. I believe it is supposed to require some effort, something from the depths of our soul. If He could come forward in the night, kneel down, fall on His face, bleed from every pore, and cry, “Abba, Father (Papa), if this cup can pass, let it pass,” then little wonder that salvation is not a whimsical or easy thing for us. If you wonder if there isn’t an easier way, you should remember you are not the first one to ask that. Someone a lot greater and a lot grander asked a long time ago if there wasn’t an easier way.” –Apostle Jeffrey Holland Missionary Work and the Atonement