LDS New Member Discussions?

Question

I have finally been blessed with the opportunity to be a part of teaching my parents the new member discussions! Woo!

The question I have is as follows:

My parents have agreed to read the Book of Mormon but due to being devoted grandparents find very little time at home to sit and read. I have recommended that for now they concentrate on the chapter summaries as they encapsulate perfectly what the book is about.

Do you think this is a suitable precursor for the discussions? I am reading through Preach my Gospel to ready myself for sitting with them and the missionaries so hopefully they will accept with all their hearts.

Can we please refrain from "mormons are sinners REPENT REPENT!" on this question. The only thing you will be gaining is the points on Y!A (or is that the reason? eh? eh!)

Obviously some people dont fully read the details on the questions.

Genuine answers only please.
Anything else is purely spamming.

Thanks for the answers so far guys! Nice to see a strong LDS presence on here.

I must say I am also building up a nice collection of blocked users on this question, so its win/win all round!

Answer 1

Wow! Congratulations! I wish my parents were ready.

As for reading the chapter summaries, I'm not sure. You miss a lot when you just read the cliff notes. It's awesome that they are devoted grandparents, but maybe they need to read some too. Perhaps the chapters where Christ comes to the Nephites? Or Moroni's promise? I for one love to just start at the begining with I Nephi, having been born of goodly parents...
Do they have time to listen to it? There's a website that will read the scriptures to you, I'll include it below.
I just remember hearing time and time again that the best way to reach someone (the youth, an investigator, etc.) is to read the scriptures. Remember what is repeatedly said in the Book of Mormon, that the preaching of the Word had an effect on them that nothing else did - to turn them from their prideful ways, etc.

Answer 2

I do not find the straight reading any scripture from chapter one verse one to the end to be a lot of help to an investigator. If they are limited in the time they have, I would try to make it as simple as possible. Print out a daily page that follows the discussions. Given them a weeks worth. They don't even have to search for the page.

If you are just going to leave a copy with someone, put the page numbers and topics that are most instructive on a blank page in front or in back. Tape or paste your personal testamony to the back cover.

Answer 3

First off, I just want to tell you how happy I am for you that you get to be part of teaching your parents! Yay!
Okay, now on to answering the question. Obviously, it would be better if they read the Book of Mormon, BUT if that isn't an option, then I'm sure the Chapter Summaries will be fine. After all, it's better than nothing at all, right?
Once again, I'm very happy for you and hope that your parents will listen with their hearts and hopefully become members.
Cheers!

Answer 4

I would say no. Reading the chapter headings does not give enough information to let the spirit work on their thought processes. I suggest that they set aside 15 minutes before going to bed to read at least one chapter per night. That gives them time to think about what they read and let the value of the message sink in. If they want to double their effort, then they can read abut 15 minutes first thing in the morning as well. If they accompany their reading with a prayer asking for understanding and allow themselves to ponder the message throughout the day, the spirit will be able to speak peace to their minds concerning the matter. Have them focus first on the assigned chapters the missionaries give them. Then they can move on to the full book, filling in the story in between their reading assignments.
Best wishes.

Answer 5

Congratulations to your parents, and obviously people have a hard time paying attention to the requests to the asker to leave their derogatory comments out.
If your parents are finding it difficult to read because of time constraints, let them know about the BoM on CD or tape, that's an excellent way, and with only 15-30 minutes a day, the BoM can be finished in 15 Weeks.
Just follow your heart, and the Spirit will guide.
Smile - you are loved.
If you have any questions you can always email me.

Answer 6

I don't think reading chapter summaries is a good way to "get" the BoM. You have to read. That is what Moroni taught. Read, study, think and then pray. In fact, some of the things the missionaries are going to do it ask them and commit them to read. 10 minutes a day isn't too much to ask for grandparents who want the truth.

Answer 7

I would just let them read at their own pace. The last thing you want to do is push them into anything. That is a huge turnoff. This is one of the reasons I turned my back on it. Make suggestions and answer questions as they come up. Respect your parents' willingness to learn, respect that their time is valuable and above all respect their religious decisions regardless of what they may be.

Answer 8

Ask your parents to begin reading the Book of Mormon together, pondering the verses and their meanings. Ask that they don't try to read it as a novel, but as an adventure in learning history coupled with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

My parents and grandparents have now crossed over. My father had been Mormon and temple work has been done for them. You are blessed to have reached this stage in bringing to pass the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon to your parents.

Continue studying the "Preach My Gospel" book. It has a wealth of information and instructional guidelines within to help even the weakest of readers.

I pity the naysayers and fault-finders of this glorious testament. Their day will come before the Lord and I wonder what might their words be.

Answer 9

There are many ways to read the Book of Mormon. But, the best way I've found is simply to just start. It's not as daunting as some think. Start with the title page. Next just the Introduction. Next the testimonies of the withnesses. On the next reading, read the explanation page. Then, just open it up to First Nephi. Start in small doses. A chapter at a time. I once read the entire Book of Mormon on my 2 week spring break. Just read it like any other book....start at the beginning and read to the end.

***EDIT***
For grins and giggles....do this:
go to page 531 (end of Moroni) Put your index finger there.
now go to 1 Nephi (page one) Put your thumb there.
Now hold it up and look at all you don't have to read!!! (Index)
You're almost halfway done already!
smile :-)

Answer 10

Perhaps your parents could listen to the Book of Mormon if they're short on time. MP3s can be downloaded from http://www.lds.org/mp3/display/0,18692,5297-41,00.html