At the heart of our outreach is a simple message:
Jesus has already done everything necessary to bring us into a right relationship with God.
Through his life, death, and resurrection, he has accomplished what we never could. Eternal life with God is not something we achieve through effort or progress. It is a gift.
That message shapes everything about how we witness, especially in conversations with those in Mormonism.
We want people to hear about Jesus clearly, not get caught in unnecessary arguments, misunderstandings, or distractions. And because many people we speak with use familiar words in unfamiliar ways, it’s easy for conversations to become confusing or frustrating without us realizing it.
So before we talk about how to build meaningful conversations, it’s helpful to recognize a few common barriers we sometimes create without intending to.
Leading with arguments instead of listening
Trying to correct before we understand.
When we focus on proving a point instead of understanding a person, trust breaks down.
Meaningful conversations begin with listening.
Focusing on differences instead of Jesus
Getting stuck in debate instead of sharing good news.
It’s easy to spend so much time discussing beliefs that we never clearly share who Jesus is and what he has done.
When we recognize these barriers, we can begin to take a different approach.
Build Bridges, Not Barriers
Our goal is not to win arguments, but to have honest, meaningful conversations where Jesus can be clearly seen.
That means removing what is unnecessary, while keeping the message of Christ at the center. The message itself will not always be easy to hear, but we don’t want anything else to get in the way.
Over time, we’ve found that conversations tend to stay open and productive when they follow a few simple patterns.
The five pillars below help guide those conversations so they remain both loving and honest.
See Mormons as victims, not as enemies.
Approach people with compassion, not as opponents to defeat.
Treat Mormons with genuine love and respect.
Listen carefully and show real care in every interaction.
Focus on Mormon Stress Points.
Speak to the questions and struggles people actually feel.
Speak the Mormon Language.
Make sure you understand how key religious words are being used.
Witness Christ Rather Than Debate Mormonism.
Keep the focus on who Jesus is and what he has done.
Take the Next Step
As you begin having conversations, it’s helpful to recognize a few common challenges that can get in the way.