For Mother's and Father's day, Jord and Jake gave us
this book. It has been so interesting to read and ponder. (Thanks for sharing it with us J&J.)
Today an article came out in
the paper referencing the book. The comments posted by readers are interesting and some quite thought provoking. The article makes some very good points. The main point is this - that LDS people need to work to change perceptions of our religion. We aren't doing a very good job of it. I'll share three example here of what we could be doing better according to the book. It's a tough topic and there aren't any easy answers. At least it's a good place to start the discussion.
1. We need to learn to speak in the language that people understand and not in Mormon speak. We need to cut the jargon.
So, instead of saying “The gospel has been restored,” consider expressing the same idea in three sentences that anyone, regardless of religious background, can grasp:
- Christ organized a church.
- Men changed it.
- It has been brought back.
Or condense it to one simple claim:
We claim to be the re-established original
Christian church.
2. We need to politely disturb the status quo.
As long as we emphasize the commonality approach, we always will remain ineffective and wishy-washy. We can state our contrasting claims without apology and without arrogance, but state them we must. After Captain Moroni wrote his title of liberty and invited all to join him, he did not run around the neighborhood seeking points of commonality with those who disagreed with his position. He didn’t want soldiers who would wither in the heat of battle. He planted his banner – in contrast to the wisdom of his world – and there he stood.
So it must be with us. We must politely disturb the status quo. The Lord’s people have always been a people apart, by definition different. So why should we try to be the same as others? We are different and to pretend otherwise is to be untrue to the re-established doctrines the Savior has revealed. Find the truths that other religions cannot or will not say, and put them into the conversation.
Differences pique interest. People investigate things that are different, not things that are the same.
3. A mentor skillfully suggests. For example -
Rather than asking, “Will you read this chapter?”, a mentor will say, “Here’s another chapter you might find interesting.”
Rather than asking, “Will you come to Church?”, a mentor will say, “Any time you’d like to visit our worship services, you’re surely welcome.”
Rather than saying, “Will you quit smoking?”, a mentor will ask, “What can I do to help you give up cigarettes?”
By the same token, a well-mentored friend is more likely to act, not promise to act. If membership is to be, he will make all the necessary commitments on his timetable, not ours.
Food for thought.
