PEACEFUL HOME

I am a piano teacher. Every week I have students — including adults — coming into my home. Sometimes they arrive a little early and sit and wait for their lessons. I have in my home pictures of Christ, the Family Proclamation, family pictures, Church magazines, religious books and statues, and the scriptures. These things bring great peace into our home, and several people have commented about the "special feeling" that is here.

Some of my students have been non-LDS. While awaiting their lessons they have picked up some of this reading material and have asked to borrow it. I also believe in allowing the students the opportunity to experience many styles of music and have found great joy in introducing them to the hymns.

To one of my closest adult students/friends, I gave an engraved hymnbook that she has cherished as scripture. In fact, she has shown me the example of circling her favorite verse or underlining her favorite passages.

Sharing the gospel can be as easy as sharing with others the things that are dearest to you. — Barbara K. Dutson, West Jordan, Utah

PRAYED FOR MONTHS

I am one of nine children and the only member of the Church in my family. After nine years in the Church, I recently decided to share the gospel with my family. Here is how I did it.

I first decided what I would do, then I decided when I would do it. For me, it was giving them each a copy of the Book of Mormon as a Christmas gift. I prayed for months before sending this gift, that they would accept it and open their hearts to the gospel. Before I sat down to type out my testimony to place in each copy of the Book of Mormon, I fasted a day and prayed fervently that the Lord would direct my words and again that they would accept the gift with an open heart.

I have not heard anything as of yet. However, many doors for sharing the gospel to others have opened. I thank the Lord for these blessings. — Becky Jones, Idaho Falls, Idaho

WROTE HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY

I joined the Church in 1963 after several years of searching for something I could believe in. I was then the only member in my family. A few years later, a comment in a priesthood lesson manual gave me an idea how to effectively share the gospel. It said that gospel truths are more readily accepted if told as stories or parables than if one simply preaches to people.

Two efforts based on this concept have proved effective. The first was an autobiography that included a story of my search for truth. The second was a 200-page book wherein I shared my philosophy of life through the medium of stories, poems and appropriate cartoons. Both have been read by most of my family and close friends who now have a much better understanding of why the gospel means so much to me. — John M. Carson, Portland, Ore.

ASKED QUESTION

It is not easy to share the gospel with friends and associates who are agnostic or devout in their own faith.

I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. For three decades, I have asked the question, "If you knew that the Savior had been on the earth in this latter day and had reestablished His Church as He promised He would, and it was here today with all its glory, blessings and authority, would you be interested?"

No matter if the recipient of the question is a waitress, merchant, butcher, baker, candlestick maker or neighbor, I have striven to share the gospel. Some accept. The majority go merrily on their way. — Paul Parish, Whittier, Calif.

SET EXAMPLE

• Get a copy of the Book of Mormon, write your testimony and the missionaries' phone number on the inside cover. Wrap it up in fancy paper and give it to someone you love. If that person is sad, tell him/her this book always makes you feel better. Tell that person you give this book to everyone you love and that's why you're giving it to him/her.

• Invite your friend to a ward dinner or a homemaking night. Be sure to sit together. Invite friends to dinner with the missionaries.

• Set a good example. You may be the only Latter-day Saint your friend knows. He or she has to like who you are before a decision can be made to investigate the Church.

Whatever your friend's response, continue being a friend and a good example. — Cheryl Robinson, Mission Viejo, Calif.