The approach outlined above for missionary work, is in fact the sanctioned approach. It’s just that there are too many individuals who lose sight of that. The mission of the church is to invite people to come to Christ. But, again, too many people miss that mark and shoot for the three-fold committees: “redeem the dead, proclaim the gospel, perfect the saints.” But the mission is still to invite people to come to Christ.

I’m continually impressed by your willingness to color outside the lines. I appreciate your inclusive views. They’re refreshing in a world that spends too much energy trying to find reasons to exclude and condemn.

Too many people fall off of this tightrope, as it can be difficult to navigate.

The bottom line for me (for now anyway) is that I have to hold to my convictions while honoring the right of others to hold theirs.

I absolutely LOVE this sentence. Another friend said it this way:

I must act to glorify the Father, and I must extend to you unending grace as you walk your own path.

The problem with this type of assumption in mormonism or other “restoration” branches, is the fact that we are led to believe from a statement from Orson F. Whitney that God intentionally keeps people blind so that they can perform his work where he has put them, which happens to be OUTSIDE the Church. Somewhere in the scriptures it says God will give them a strong delusion. So how do we know that God hasn’t given us all a “delusion” to be where he wants us to be to perform our work? This essentially puts the responsibility for people’s lot in life whether they have accepted the Gospel or not on God. And it also makes it clear that we cannot judge why God has put somebody where he has put them, or why he has given them the particular delusion he has given them so they will be the way they will be. And in saying delusion, I don’t mean that he gives them something false to believe. I mean that he withholds a measure of truth from them, not leading them to Mormonism immediately. So if God isn’t going to reveal to them the truth immediately, what light do they have to rebel against? Therefore, they are not rebelling, but are OBEYING.

http://www.mrm.org/topics/marriage-family/being-unequally-yoked-a-latter-day-saint

Were lucky to have you as a friend of our faith.

(I am, BTW, not opposed to missionary activity. I just think it should take the form of invitation and development of thought and faith rather than, “I’ve got to convince you of this stuff.”)

Great approach we should take it on board.

- Doug & Laurel