If you could pick two addresses for a potential investigator to read...

[A-bolt]

...which would they be? I have a friend that has been investigating the church on and off, and she has read the Book of Mormon and felt the spirit and had great experiences but has been unable to commit or go any further. I don't like to use the term "last ditch effort" but for the time being, this is what it is. She will carefully read and consider anything I give her, so any advice?

Things that could be of particular value are things about listening to the spirit and not trying to over analyze things and of course the atonement is always a winner-and these definitely do not have to be conference addresses! One I will show her for sure is Brad Wilcox's speech "His Grace is Sufficient".

Her stumbling blocks include the church's stance on homosexuality and women and the priesthood, if that makes a difference.

I am immensely grateful for the help and advice!

[jerome1232]

Her stumbling blocks include the church's stance on homosexuality and women and the priesthood, if that makes a difference.

To clarify, the stance on homosexuality or on same sex marriage?

[pam]

To clarify, the stance on homosexuality or on same sex marriage?

Good question. There is a difference.

[Lakumi]

Sometimes certain practises or beliefs keep people from converting to a church and nothing will change their view, pushing them is usually not a good thing (though some people need a push so what do I know)

I myself have some issues (tithing, the extreme social element) but this isn't about me.

[A-bolt]

Good question. There is a difference.

Good point. Both, really-she doesn't feel comfortable believing that acting on homosex(ual inclinations is a sin, and especially believes they should be able to get married.

and Lakumi, absolutely. This has been a long and gradual process. It's just hard to see things getting in the way when she gets everything else. Any tips for overcoming stumbling blocks? I don't know if I'd recommend "holding your nose" and joining the church regardless of those issues, but I do know a few people who have and ended up being very happy with their decision.

[Guest]

Our Search for Happiness. It's a book, but a short one.

[Lakumi]

some blocks can't be overcome. If she doesn't agree with those views, she never will.

At this point, its all her.

[jerome1232]

The only thing I can think of on the same sex marriage issue is a rather long, somewhat difficult to read book. "What is Marriage? Man and Woman: A Defense", but I don't think it's the kind of thing you're looking for, it's a logical argument for keeping the definition of marriage intact.

I recall recent talk at the last general conference regarding women and the priesthood, I was hoping for a woman to chirp in on that though. I'll look for it right now.

[mnn727]

I myself have some issues....... the extreme social element) .

What extreme social element?

[Lakumi]

What extreme social element?

the LDS church seems very social, lot of community things, those callings

I mean I've not met anyone who was LDS and as anti social as I am

Edited July 18, 2013 by Lakumi

[A-bolt]

Our Search for Happiness. It's a book, but a short one.

I'm unfamiliar with this, I read the sample on amazon and it looks quite promising. Anything specific about it?

[A-bolt]

The only thing I can think of on the same sex marriage issue is a rather long, somewhat difficult to read book. "What is Marriage? Man and Woman: A Defense", but I don't think it's the kind of thing you're looking for, it's a logical argument for keeping the definition of marriage intact.

I recall recent talk at the last general conference regarding women and the priesthood, I was hoping for a woman to chirp in on that though. I'll look for it right now.

I would appreciate it, that is probably the thing I have the most difficulty explaining.