Okay, I'm back, mostly in lurking mode. But nice to be back. Noel is correct that the spiritual conversion is key. However, most converts I've worked with (Stake Msn Pres/Ward Msn Leader for 10 years) have a testimony of the gospel, but as with the Peter prior to the day of Pentacost, they aren't yet converted.
It is extremely easy for new converts to sway in their testimonies. That is exactly when they need strong LDS friends to encourage them and remind them of their testimonies. Those little testimony plants are good, but the roots aren't deep yet. And the more LDS friends a person has, the better they are absorbed. I know a wonderful black family in Alabama. A few years ago, they heard the discussions but chose not to join, because they didn't want to lose their old traditions/friends/habits. A year or so later, they took the discussions again. This time, the branch president assigned the members to take a turn having this investigator family into their homes each Sunday for dinner after Church. They were baptized within 2 months, and he has gone on to be a Ward mission leader, Elder's Quorum President, and held several other key callings. His wife is no slouch either, having stepped up to several responsibilities, too. But this only occurred AFTER the friendships brought them into LDS culture, where the little testimony they had could nurture in the warmth of the gospel's light. Gary Smith K'aya K'ama Gerald Smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.geocities.com/rameumptom/ Freedom Forever John, I don't want to discount the need to provide a loving relationship for new converts. My concern is that too many converts fail to take hold regardless of the amount of friendship that is extended to them. It is almost like they didn't have their roots deep enough when the sun began to beat down upon them and they withered away. I think it takes both a community and a testimony to keep a convert. A testimony that is strong will be able to withstand the blows that are certain to come to a new convert. Noel ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// --^---------------------------------------------------------------- This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] TOPICA - Start your own email discussion group. FREE! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/create/index2.html --^----------------------------------------------------------------
