The Mormons Next Door

Our “Mormons Next Door” presentation went very well. Of the thirty people who attended five are not yet baptized. One young man, with whom the Elders have an appointment later this week, was alerted to the presentation by a Facebook post of one of our young women. This same young man asked for the times of our Sunday Service and expressed a desire to attend. He did attend our Fast and Testimony meeting and was impressed enough to accept the invitation to meet with the Elders. We previously knew three of the other non-members attending; they were the spouses or “good” friends of members. The remaining non-member attendee is doing some work for our Branch Mission Leader and has been hearing about the gospel from him. A big plus was the obvious energizing of branch members. They appreciated the professional approach and were happy they were involved. The next day at our Branch Council meeting we received more accolades and some suggestions as to how to improve the whole experience.

First, some of the things we feel made it work well:

-       We allowed six weeks from announcement to the actual program; this allowed reminders to be  given each week in Relief Society and Priesthood meetings

-       Some advertising was done by placing posters on community bulletin boards

-       Professional appearing invitations with envelopes that could be personally addressed and presented were used

-       We invited members to invite friends and relatives, thinking the missionaries would then have a follow-up contact person with any who were interested in knowing more

-       We held the presentation in a neutral place…the library

-       Branch members were used to present different sections of the presentation

Second, some things we will do better/again:

-       More advertising, specifically radio, TV, newspaper and social media.

-       Presentations in other parts of the Branch

-       Do it again next spring after Winter has gone away

-       Invite more people, more people mean more potential investigators

This was definitely a choice experience, one we will remember for a long time or until we are "gone" which by some standards may not be long at all. I think the most satisfying of all was how the members supported our efforts, became excited and began to offer suggestions and ideas. We in fact may be able to share what we have learned with other units in the stake. We invited out Branch President to talk with the Stake President to see if it is something he would like to do.

Some of our presenters. Left to Right Will Stevens,
Tanith Paquette, Steven Lewis and Shari Branham

The rest of the presenters. From left to right Brittney Stevens, Myron Berry,
Becky Shimanik, Cindy Gordon and Kerry Branham.

Other interesting news this week is the division of the district into two new ones with Elder Trout, here in Iron Mountain, serving as the new District Leader of the southern one. We will still have Escanaba and its companionship along with the Rileys the new senior couple. President Jones has also added the Marinette Elders for a total of ten individuals. We won't be driving to Marquette, at least not every week. 

"There is work enough to do, so put your shoulder to the wheel and push along" 

(that is if you can, all hunched over like that).

Loving the work,

Elder and Sister Johnson