What is the best way to convert a close friend?

[I_love_latter_day_saints]

I need help, My friend is a scientologist. I was a scientologist once, but God showed me the light and now I am a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Please give me advice on how best to share God's love with my best friend.

[Truegrits]

By example.

[skalenfehl]

No man can convert another. Only the Holy Ghost converts us. As mentioned, you can just be a good example and even share the gospel if prompted.

[Guest tomk]

By example.

No man can convert another. Only the Holy Ghost converts us. As mentioned, you can just be a good example and even share the gospel if prompted.

I agree with the posts so far.

"WE" don't do "ANYTHING" to "CONVERT" "ANYONE". That is the Lord's job via the Holy Ghost. In fact conversion that comes in any other fashion, by definition, is subject to change. God is unchanging and so is the witness of His Spirit.

It's not about "tactics" or "how to approach" someone.

Just be a friend, be yourself, be prayerful, and the opportunities will present themselves.

It may not be YOUR efforts that will produce a change in this person....sometimes it is a series of interactions with people, over the course of many years...that results in someone's conversion. Be willing to do your part and wait upon the Lord. These things cannot be rushed and they cannot be forced upon us. Even lifelong members of the Church still need conversion in many areas!

[Guest tomk]

What were the obstacles the Lord helped you "overcome" during your conversion process?

[rameumptom]

Patience and friendship. Find out first what similarities and commonalities you have in belief. Second, find out what any concerns may be and seek out answers. A place like LDS.Net or LDSFair.org are great places to get some good input.

Then be a friend. Be patient. Be a great example. Show how the gospel has brought joy into your life. When discussing things, feel free to share some spiritual insights from the Book of Mormon or an LDS prophet. Don't shovel it down his/her throat, but share bits and pieces to stimulate conversation and increase his/her interest.

Remember that the mission field is a like a large garden. Each variety of plant needs different amounts of light, rain, time, and fertilizer. And then each plant differs a bit, even still. Make sure you nourish the relationship and inject healthy doses of spiritual thoughts into it. Just don't lay the fertilizer down so thick that the plant gets choked out. ;-)

[Aphrodite]

You can't convert anyone. You may feel excited at the newness of your membership, but trying to force your beliefs on anyone even if you mean well, is a BAD idea. You will ruin your friendship. Let your friend have their beliefs like you have yours. Most of my best friends aren't members and I don't think I'd want them to be. Im friends with them for who they are, not what they could become.

[Guest tomk]

I love reading this example of a teaching moment between two people of differing views:

THE BOOK OF ALMA

THE SON OF ALMA

CHAPTER 18

King Lamoni supposes that Ammon is the Great Spirit—Ammon teaches the king of the creation, of God’s dealings with men, and of the redemption that comes through Christ—Lamoni believes and falls to the earth as if dead. About 90 B.C.

1 And it came to pass that king Lamoni caused that his servants should stand forth and testify to all the things which they had seen concerning the matter.

2 And when they had all testified to the things which they had seen, and he had learned of the faithfulness of Ammon in preserving his flocks, and also of his great power in contending against those who sought to slay him, he was astonished exceedingly, and said: Surely, this is more than a man. Behold, is not this the Great Spirit who doth send such great punishments upon this people, because of their murders?

3 And they answered the king, and said: Whether he be the Great Spirit or a man, we know not; but this much we do know, that he cannot be slain by the enemies of the king; neither can they scatter the king’s flocks when he is with us, because of his expertness and great strength; therefore, we know that he is a friend to the king. And now, O king, we do not believe that a man has such great power, for we know he cannot be slain.

4 And now, when the king heard these words, he said unto them: Now I know that it is the Great Spirit; and he has come down at this time to preserve your lives, that I might not slay you as I did your brethren. Now this is the Great Spirit of whom our fathers have spoken.

5 Now this was the tradition of Lamoni, which he had received from his father, that there was a Great Spirit. Notwithstanding they believed in a Great Spirit, they supposed that whatsoever they did was right; nevertheless, Lamoni began to fear exceedingly, with fear lest he had done wrong in slaying his servants;

6 For he had slain many of them because their brethren had scattered their flocks at the place of water; and thus, because they had had their flocks scattered they were slain.

7 Now it was the practice of these Lamanites to stand by the waters of Sebus to scatter the flocks of the people, that thereby they might drive away many that were scattered unto their own land, it being a practice of plunder among them.

8 And it came to pass that king Lamoni inquired of his servants, saying: Where is this man that has such great power?

9 And they said unto him: Behold, he is feeding thy horses. Now the king had commanded his servants, previous to the time of the watering of their flocks, that they should prepare his horses and chariots, and conduct him forth to the land of Nephi; for there had been a great feast appointed at the land of Nephi, by the father of Lamoni, who was king over all the land.

10 Now when king Lamoni heard that Ammon was preparing his horses and his chariots he was more astonished, because of the faithfulness of Ammon, saying: Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this man; for even he doth remember all my commandments to execute them.

11 Now I surely know that this is the Great Spirit, and I would desire him that he come in unto me, but I durst not.

12 And it came to pass that when Ammon had made ready the horses and the chariots for the king and his servants, he went in unto the king, and he saw that the countenance of the king was changed; therefore he was about to return out of his presence.

13 And one of the king’s servants said unto him, Rabbanah, which is, being interpreted, powerful or great king, considering their kings to be powerful; and thus he said unto him: Rabbanah, the king desireth thee to stay.

14 Therefore Ammon turned himself unto the king, and said unto him: What wilt thou that I should do for thee, O king? And the king answered him not for the space of an hour, according to their time, for he knew not what he should say unto him.

15 And it came to pass that Ammon said unto him again: What desirest thou of me? But the king answered him not.

16 And it came to pass that Ammon, being filled with the Spirit of God, therefore he perceived the thoughts of the king. And he said unto him: Is it because thou hast heard that I defended thy servants and thy flocks, and slew seven of their brethren with the sling and with the sword, and smote off the arms of others, in order to defend thy flocks and thy servants; behold, is it this that causeth thy marvelings?

17 I say unto you, what is it, that thy marvelings are so great? Behold, I am a man, and am thy servant; therefore, whatsoever thou desirest which is right, that will I do.

18 Now when the king had heard these words, he marveled again, for he beheld that Ammon could discern his thoughts; but notwithstanding this, king Lamoni did open his mouth, and said unto him: Who art thou? Art thou that Great Spirit, who knows all things?

19 Ammon answered and said unto him: I am not.

20 And the king said: How knowest thou the thoughts of my heart? Thou mayest speak boldly, and tell me concerning these things; and also tell me by what power ye slew and smote off the arms of my brethren that scattered my flocks—

21 And now, if thou wilt tell me concerning these things, whatsoever thou desirest I will give unto thee; and if it were needed, I would guard thee with my armies; but I know that thou art more powerful than all they; nevertheless, whatsoever thou desirest of me I will grant it unto thee.

22 Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, he said unto Lamoni: Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee.

23 And the king answered him, and said: Yea, I will believe all thy words. And thus he was caught with guile.

24 And Ammon began to speak unto him with boldness, and said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God?

25 And he answered, and said unto him: I do not know what that meaneth.

26 And then Ammon said: Believest thou that there is a Great Spirit?

27 And he said, Yea.

28 And Ammon said: This is God. And Ammon said unto him again: Believest thou that this Great Spirit, who is God, created all things which are in heaven and in the earth?

29 And he said: Yea, I believe that he created all things which are in the earth; but I do not know the heavens.

30 And Ammon said unto him: The heavens is a place where God dwells and all his holy angels.

31 And king Lamoni said: Is it above the earth?

32 And Ammon said: Yea, and he looketh down upon all the children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart; for by his hand were they all created from the beginning.

33 And king Lamoni said: I believe all these things which thou hast spoken. Art thou sent from God?

34 Ammon said unto him: I am a man; and man in the beginning was created after the image of God, and I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this people, that they may be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true;

35 And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my faith and desires which are in God.

36 Now when Ammon had said these words, he began at the creation of the world, and also the creation of Adam, and told him all the things concerning the fall of man, and rehearsed and laid before him the records and the holy scriptures of the people, which had been spoken by the prophets, even down to the time that their father, Lehi, left Jerusalem.

37 And he also rehearsed unto them (for it was unto the king and to his servants) all the journeyings of their fathers in the wilderness, and all their sufferings with hunger and thirst, and their travail, and so forth.

38 And he also rehearsed unto them concerning the rebellions of Laman and Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael, yea, all their rebellions did he relate unto them; and he expounded unto them all the records and scriptures from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem down to the present time.

39 But this is not all; for he expounded unto them the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world; and he also made known unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and all the works of the Lord did he make known unto them.

40 And it came to pass that after he had said all these things, and expounded them to the king, that the king believed all his words.

41 And he began to cry unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, have mercy; according to thy abundant mercy which thou hast had upon the people of Nephi, have upon me, and my people.

42 And now, when he had said this, he fell unto the earth, as if he were dead.

43 And it came to pass that his servants took him and carried him in unto his wife, and laid him upon a bed; and he lay as if he were dead for the space of two days and two nights; and his wife, and his sons, and his daughters mourned over him, after the manner of the Lamanites, greatly lamenting his loss.

[MorningStar]

I need help, My friend is a scientologist. I was a scientologist once, but God showed me the light and now I am a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Please give me advice on how best to share God's love with my best friend.

Just remember that the Spirit converts and be prepared to answer questions they might have, and as someone mentioned, be a good example and friend. :)

How long were you a scientologist? I've never met anyone who used to be one. Actually, I've never met anyone in person who is a scientologist. I don't want to derail this thread, but I'd be really fascinated to hear all about it. :)

[WillowTheWhisp]

As others have already said, people don't convert other people the Holy Spirit does that. Be a friend. Be willing to answer questions. Be an example. Let your friend see how your life has changed. Pray for your friend.

[lilered]

I agree with being a good example and sincere ongoing prayer for the spirits help.

[MorningStar]

You can't convert anyone. You may feel excited at the newness of your membership, but trying to force your beliefs on anyone even if you mean well, is a BAD idea. You will ruin your friendship. Let your friend have their beliefs like you have yours. Most of my best friends aren't members and I don't think I'd want them to be. Im friends with them for who they are, not what they could become.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought you didn't believe anymore. I think most members who love the gospel would want their friends to have it too, but I agree that it shouldn't be forced on anyone. :)