Use Mormon Words In Everyday Conversation
Using Mormon words in our daily conversations opens a door for people to have a conversation about the Church. The vast majority don’t walk through the door, and that’s fine. But sometimes they do by asking, “Oh—so you’re a Mormon?” We have found it very helpful to follow up by asking, “Why do you ask?” This better prepares us to follow the spirit in answering the questions they are interested in and to not miss opportunities by talking only about what we are interested in.
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I’ve heard this called “Finding NEMO.” NEMO stands for Natural Expressions Missionary Opportunities.
Ha! Becky, I’ve never heard that before, and I love it. Thank you!
I’ve been trying to incorporate this principle into my life since reading this book a couple months ago. I was amazed by how easy and non-threatening it makes it to talk about the Church or the gospel. Now I have a conversation that mentions the gospel or the Church almost every day. I can’t explain how happy I feel because of this! It doesn’t matter that I haven’t had a friend meet with the missionaries yet. I feel so good, just knowing that I’m opening the door to those who are interested. I feel good because I know I am doing more than ever before to spread the gospel.
After I read about using LDS terms and expressing how something in the Church affected my way of thinking about subjects that I was discussing with another person, I found a whole new world of opportunities opening up to me.
While I inject the gospel ideas into the conversation, I do it in a casual, normal, non-charged way. Whether the person with whom I am talking picks up on the gospel thought or not is not relevant.
I’ve opened the door and, as such, feel good about my effort. In short, I have been successful in opening the door. Sometimes it bears fruit and I end up with a referral. Sometimes not. But I find it easy and I feel great about the effort.
Hey Jim, sharing openly DOES open a whole new world, doesn’t it?? Love how you said that and thanks for sharing. What you’re talking about also sounds like the principle of using the gospel at work confidently … speaking of useful pieces of the gospel as nonchalantly as we would something from the news or an industry journal.
I love this concept and want to share it in ward council. Do you know of a list of Mormon words that I could share to give them something concrete to help them implement it? I’ve heard Missionary, Church, BYU, Bishop, Scout Leader. I could add Sunday School, Young Women Leader, Youth Teacher, Youth program, Talk, Speak in church, Relief Society, Visiting Teacher, Home Teacher. Any others come to mind?
What are “Mormon” words? I’ve been a member of the Church my entire life. I didn’t realize we had words that are exclusively “Mormon.” Can someone elaborate on this or should I just buy the book?
haha! There isn’t a definitive list. There are a few in the book! What we are speaking to are those self-censoring moments when you and I don’t say something because it’s part of our “church self” that we think we can’t express outside “church” contact circles. Or maybe you never experience this and you’re always open about your faith and Mormon cultural experiences all the time! If that’s the case, good on ya!
Using “Mormon” words in our everyday conversation is a great way to be a member missionary. Not long ago I was travelling in a car with a coworker who wasn’t a member of our faith. We spent an hour or so talking about his family and the happenings in his life. After a brief moment he begin to ask questions about my life. One of the very first questions that he asked me was “Have you always lived in Idaho Falls?” I begin to answer the question, “for the most part, yes (and then I inserted the following) except for the time that I lived in Great Britain.” He was curious and asked “What were you doing in Great Britain?” I then proceeded to tell him that I served a mission for “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints”. From that point on, I was able to answer a large number of questions that he had about the church as well as clear up a lot of misconceptions about church doctrine. He wouldn’t accept my invitation to receive a copy of the Book of Mormon, but he walked away with a better understanding of the Church. I am learning to speak openly and freely of my experiences as a member of the Church. As I have made an effort to do this, it has become easier and easier to share the gospel with those that I interact with.
Jon,
Sometimes we don’t find someone for the missionaries to teach, but as we continue to share the Gospel we find the joy that Christ has promised as we share. KEEP ON SHARING!
Thank you
I love this idea! I am reading the book and have been impressed with how easy it can be to start the conversation. As a convert I have always been anxious to share what I have learned about the Gospel, but it has been difficult to know how to start those conversations. The book has been a blessing to me as a newly called Ward Mission Leader in my ward. I am excited to get the members involved as they are, in my mind, all ward missionaries!!
Jess, I love your comment about all the members of your ward being ward missionaries. They really all are! How have you tried to impliment using “Mormon Words” in your conversations? The greatest part of the book is collaboration to learn how to be more effective in the work of Salvation.
As a new ward mission leader, have you used the resources at missionaryleaders.org, our sister site? There is some great material there.
Here’s a question for you, what resources would you as a ward mission leader like at your disposal–what ideas, thoughts, tools, do you feel like you do not have ease of access to? As a new ward mission leader, what do you find to be challenging?
Thanks for those thoughts Daniel.
I used to tell people about the gospel and how it’s enriched my life. It never led to anyone being interested in talking to the missionaries, but now I’m trying the Mormon words approach and although most of the people I work with are members, some are less active and I don’t necessarily know who is and who isn’t, so for example on Monday I asked a fellow worker how their weekend was and when they responded and asked about mine I said “My church had a General Conference which is always great!” and the other person said “oh, yeah.” I figured they must be a member and didn’t want to talk about it, but I sure felt good saying it!
I’ve not as yet had time to look at missionaryleaders.org, but I plan to.
Regarding resources available, after I received the call I went first to the Church Handbook (#2) to get an idea of my responsibilities but the best thing I’ve found has been the book!! It gives such great ideas on ways to talk to people and invite. And this website is great as well. The Scriptures show the examples of many prophets that relied on the Lord to sustain them through their faith and that has been a great source of inspiration. At this point I think the most challenging thing is getting the ward members fired up and helping them catch the vision of what missionary work can be like when we act in full faith as disciples of Jesus Christ.