📝 Worksheet 2.4: Latter-day Saint Ministry Conversation Map

Purpose of This Worksheet

This worksheet helps you practice wise, respectful, Christ-centered ministry conversations with people shaped by Mormonism, also known as the Latter-day Saint movement.

Latter-day Saint conversations often include familiar Christian words:

Jesus Christ
Heavenly Father
Holy Ghost
Scripture
priesthood
temple
family
salvation
eternal life
revelation
church
gospel

But familiar words may carry different meanings. Your goal is not to mock, argue, pressure, or assume. Your goal is to listen deeply, clarify shared words, discern the altar, and minister with Christlike clarity.

This worksheet is especially useful for:

wedding officiants
funeral officiants
chaplains
ministry coaches
pastors
Soul Center leaders
small group leaders
mentors
family ministry leaders
volunteers serving mixed-faith families

Part 1: Key Concept Review

1. Shared Words, Different Meanings

In Latter-day Saint ministry conversations, many words sound familiar to historic Christians, but the doctrinal framework may differ.

Reflection

What are three shared words that may need clarification in Latter-day Saint conversations?

Why is it unwise to assume those words mean the same thing in every conversation?

2. Five Major Latter-day Saint Themes

Topic 2 introduced five major themes often connected to Latter-day Saint identity.

Continuing Revelation

Latter-day Saints believe God restored prophetic authority through Joseph Smith and continues to guide the church through living prophets and apostles.

Priesthood Authority

Latter-day Saint teaching connects priesthood authority to ordinances, church order, blessings, temple practice, and salvation-related hope.

Temple Ordinances

Temple ordinances are deeply connected to covenant, family sealing, eternal marriage, and exaltation.

Eternal Family

Many Latter-day Saints cherish the hope that families can be together forever through temple sealing and covenant faithfulness.

Exaltation

Latter-day Saint teaching often connects eternal life with exaltation, divine potential, and becoming like Heavenly Father.

Reflection

Which of these themes do you think would carry the most emotional weight in a wedding, funeral, or family conversation?

Why?

Part 2: Personal Discernment

Before serving others, examine your own reactions.

My Reaction to Latter-day Saint Conversations

When I think about Mormonism or Latter-day Saint ministry conversations, I tend to:

☐ Feel curious
☐ Feel cautious
☐ Feel defensive
☐ Want to debate
☐ Feel compassion
☐ Feel confused by shared words
☐ Feel unsure what to say
☐ Think of family or friends with Latter-day Saint ties
☐ Want to avoid the topic
☐ Other: ____________________________________________________________________

Reflection

What might make it difficult for you to listen calmly?

What would help you speak truth without harshness?

Part 3: Comparative Religion Conversation Practice

Use the five questions to map a Latter-day Saint ministry conversation.

1. What is treated as ultimate?

Possible themes may include restored church authority, continuing revelation, priesthood, temple covenants, eternal family, obedience, exaltation, or worthiness.

What seems ultimate in this conversation?

2. What is the human problem?

Possible themes may include loss of full truth, separation from God, lack of priesthood authority, failure to keep covenants, unworthiness, family separation, or lack of access to saving ordinances.

What seems wrong, missing, feared, or painful?

3. What path to restoration is offered?

Possible themes may include faith, repentance, baptism, confirmation, obedience, priesthood ordinances, temple covenants, family sealing, missionary work, or enduring faithfully.

What path is being trusted?

4. What final hope is imagined?

Possible themes may include resurrection, eternal family, exaltation, the celestial kingdom, becoming like Heavenly Father, or highest glory.

What final hope is being imagined?

5. How does Christ meet, challenge, and redeem this longing?

How might Jesus Christ speak to the longing for family, worthiness, authority, forgiveness, belonging, or eternal hope?

Part 4: Practice Scenarios

Scenario 1: The Wedding

A bride says, “My fiancé’s family is Latter-day Saint. They are disappointed we are not being sealed in the temple, but we want a Christian wedding ceremony. I do not want the wedding to become a fight.”

What spiritual or family pressure is present?

What shared words may need clarification?

What should the Christian officiant clarify?

What should the Christian officiant avoid?

Write one gracious boundary phrase.

Scenario 2: The Funeral

A grieving son says, “My mother was Latter-day Saint. She believed families are forever. Please say that clearly in the service.”

What longing may be beneath this request?

What Latter-day Saint doctrine may be connected to this language?

How can a Christian officiant honor family love without using temple-sealing doctrine?

Write one Christ-centered funeral phrase.

Scenario 3: The Former Member

A ministry coaching client says, “I left the Latter-day Saint church, but now I feel like I lost my family, my identity, and my hope. I do not know how to trust church again.”

What emotional burdens may be present?

What should the ministry coach avoid becoming?

What permission-based question could the coach ask?

What gospel bridge could be built around grace and belonging?

Scenario 4: The Neighbor Conversation

Your Latter-day Saint neighbor says, “We both believe in Jesus, so I do not see why doctrine matters.”

What shared word is central here?

What clarification question could you ask?

How could you explain historic Christian faith without attacking?

Write one sentence that keeps Jesus central.

Part 5: Practice Phrases

Write your own ministry-ready phrase for each situation.

Clarifying Jesus

Example: “When you say Jesus is the Son of God, what does that mean in your faith background?”

My version:

Clarifying Grace

Example: “How do you understand God’s forgiveness and our worthiness before him?”

My version:

Clarifying Authority

Example: “What sources of authority shape your faith most deeply?”

My version:

Clarifying Temple Language

Example: “What has the temple meant in your family?”

My version:

Honoring Family Longing

Example: “I can hear how much family matters to you.”

My version:

Explaining Christian Hope

Example: “As a Christian, my hope is centered in the risen Christ, who brings us to the Father by grace.”

My version:

Setting a Ceremony Boundary

Example: “I can honor family love, but I cannot lead temple-sealing language as a Christian officiant.”

My version:

Part 6: Boundary Check Scenarios

For each situation, choose the most faithful next step and write your response.

Situation 1

A Latter-day Saint parent privately asks you to include language about temple sealing in a wedding ceremony, but the bride and groom have not requested it.

What should you do?

☐ Include it to keep the parent happy.
☐ Publicly criticize Latter-day Saint temple theology during the ceremony.
☐ Meet with the bride and groom, clarify their wishes, and explain what you can lead as a Christian officiant.
☐ Ignore the request and say nothing to anyone.

My response:

Situation 2

A former Latter-day Saint says, “I feel panicked when I talk about church. I think I need help processing religious trauma.”

What should you do?

☐ Begin trauma treatment yourself.
☐ Tell the person to stop thinking about the past.
☐ Listen with care, clarify your ministry role, and refer to qualified support when needed.
☐ Use the pain as proof in an argument against Mormonism.

My response:

Situation 3

A hospital patient from a Latter-day Saint background asks for prayer but is too weak for a doctrinal conversation.

What should you do?

☐ Turn the visit into a debate about the Trinity.
☐ Offer brief, permission-based prayer and compassionate presence.
☐ Refuse to pray unless the patient agrees with historic Christianity first.
☐ Correct every doctrinal difference immediately.

My response:

Situation 4

A Latter-day Saint friend says, “Grace matters, but we also have to become worthy.”

What should you do?

☐ Mock the word “worthy.”
☐ Ask how they understand grace and worthiness, then gently share the Christian hope of salvation by grace through faith.
☐ Avoid the topic forever.
☐ Tell them moral obedience does not matter at all.

My response:

Part 7: Field Handbook Tool

Latter-day Saint Ministry Conversation Map

Use this map when preparing for or reflecting on a conversation with someone shaped by Latter-day Saint faith, family, or former membership.

1. Ministry Setting

Where is this conversation happening?

☐ Wedding
☐ Funeral
☐ Hospital
☐ Hospice
☐ Jail or prison
☐ Recovery ministry
☐ Coaching
☐ Pastoral care
☐ Soul Center
☐ Church lobby
☐ Small group
☐ Family conversation
☐ Neighbor conversation
☐ Online
☐ Other: ____________________________________________________________________

2. My Role

What role am I serving in?

☐ Officiant
☐ Chaplain
☐ Minister
☐ Pastor
☐ Ministry coach
☐ Mentor
☐ Volunteer
☐ Friend
☐ Soul Center leader
☐ Other: ____________________________________________________________________

3. Permission

Have I been invited into this conversation?

☐ Yes
☐ No
☐ Not sure

Have I asked permission before going deeper?

☐ Yes
☐ No
☐ Not yet

Permission phrase I can use:

4. Relationship to Latter-day Saint Background

The person is:

☐ Active Latter-day Saint
☐ Questioning Latter-day Saint
☐ Former Latter-day Saint
☐ Married to or dating someone with LDS background
☐ From an LDS family system
☐ Grieving someone with LDS background
☐ Curious about LDS teaching
☐ Not sure
☐ Other: ____________________________________________________________________

5. Shared Words Used

Check any words or themes that appear:

☐ Jesus Christ
☐ Heavenly Father
☐ Holy Ghost
☐ Godhead
☐ Trinity
☐ Scripture
☐ Book of Mormon
☐ Doctrine and Covenants
☐ Pearl of Great Price
☐ prophet
☐ apostles
☐ continuing revelation
☐ restored gospel
☐ priesthood authority
☐ temple
☐ temple recommend
☐ sealing
☐ eternal family
☐ salvation
☐ exaltation
☐ celestial kingdom
☐ grace
☐ worthiness
☐ obedience
☐ covenant
☐ missionary work
☐ church authority
☐ family pressure
☐ leaving the church
☐ religious trauma
☐ other: ____________________________________________________________________

6. Possible Altar

What seems to be treated as ultimate?

☐ Restored church authority
☐ Continuing revelation
☐ Priesthood authority
☐ Temple ordinances
☐ Eternal family
☐ Exaltation
☐ Worthiness
☐ Obedience
☐ Family loyalty
☐ Doctrinal clarity
☐ Avoiding shame
☐ Belonging
☐ Peace with family
☐ Other: ____________________________________________________________________

Notes:

7. Human Problem

What seems wrong, missing, feared, or painful?

☐ Lack of full truth
☐ Lack of priesthood authority
☐ Unworthiness
☐ Broken family connection
☐ Not being sealed
☐ Disappointing parents
☐ Leaving the church
☐ Losing community
☐ Fear of judgment
☐ Confusion about God
☐ Confusion about grace
☐ Religious pressure
☐ Spiritual exhaustion
☐ Other: ____________________________________________________________________

Notes:

8. Path to Restoration

What path is being trusted?

☐ Faith in Christ
☐ Repentance
☐ Baptism
☐ Confirmation
☐ Obedience
☐ Temple ordinances
☐ Family sealing
☐ Priesthood blessing
☐ Missionary work
☐ Returning to church
☐ Worthiness
☐ Enduring faithfully
☐ Grace in Christ
☐ Christian discipleship
☐ Other: ____________________________________________________________________

Notes:

9. Final Hope

What final hope is imagined?

☐ Resurrection
☐ Eternal family
☐ Exaltation
☐ Celestial kingdom
☐ Becoming like Heavenly Father
☐ Forgiveness
☐ Peace with God
☐ Belonging to Christ
☐ New creation
☐ Family reconciliation
☐ Other: ____________________________________________________________________

Notes:

10. Christian Gospel Bridge

How might Christ meet, challenge, and redeem this longing?

☐ Christ as eternal Son of God
☐ Christ as Savior and Lord
☐ Christ as final Word
☐ Christ as great High Priest
☐ Christ as true temple access to the Father
☐ Christ as sufficient Savior
☐ Grace through faith
☐ Adoption into God’s family
☐ Resurrection hope
☐ New creation
☐ Other: ____________________________________________________________________

Write a gospel bridge phrase:

11. Boundary Check

Is this within my role?

☐ Yes
☐ No
☐ Not sure

Do I need to clarify what I can and cannot do?

☐ Yes
☐ No
☐ Not sure

Boundary phrase I can use:

12. Referral Check

Is there any concern involving:

☐ Self-harm
☐ Suicidal intent
☐ Abuse
☐ Domestic violence
☐ Danger to a minor
☐ Danger to another person
☐ Severe religious trauma
☐ Coercive control
☐ Family pressure or isolation
☐ Medical emergency
☐ Serious anxiety or panic
☐ Depression
☐ Legal concern
☐ None known

What should I do next?

13. Faithful Next Step

Choose one or two:

☐ Listen more
☐ Clarify a shared word
☐ Ask permission to go deeper
☐ Pray by permission
☐ Share Scripture with care
☐ Clarify my role
☐ Set a ceremony boundary
☐ Involve a pastor or ministry leader
☐ Refer to qualified care
☐ Follow safety protocol
☐ Schedule a follow-up
☐ Invite to Bible study
☐ Invite to church or Soul Center
☐ Offer a discipleship next step
☐ Other: ____________________________________________________________________

Part 8: Local Ministry Application

My Setting

Where might I encounter Latter-day Saint ministry conversations?

☐ Wedding ministry
☐ Funeral ministry
☐ Chaplaincy
☐ Coaching
☐ Soul Center ministry
☐ Pastoral care
☐ Family ministry
☐ Neighbor relationships
☐ Workplace relationships
☐ Online ministry
☐ Other: ____________________________________________________________________

Likely Conversation

What kind of Latter-day Saint-related conversation is most likely in my ministry context?

My Needed Growth

Where do I need more formation?

☐ Understanding LDS terms
☐ Clarifying Jesus
☐ Clarifying Godhead and Trinity
☐ Explaining grace
☐ Explaining Christian authority
☐ Handling wedding family pressure
☐ Handling funeral language
☐ Supporting former members carefully
☐ Avoiding mockery
☐ Asking permission
☐ Knowing when to refer
☐ Other: ____________________________________________________________________

One Step I Will Practice This Week

Part 9: Gospel Bridge Reflection

Choose one longing common in Latter-day Saint conversations.

Longing

☐ Eternal family
☐ Worthiness
☐ Forgiveness
☐ Restored authority
☐ Temple nearness to God
☐ Belonging
☐ Holiness
☐ Peace with parents
☐ Eternal life
☐ Identity after leaving the church
☐ Other: ____________________________________________________________________

What the person may be seeking

How Christ meets this longing

A gentle phrase I could use

Closing Formation Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,

Give me wisdom in conversations with Latter-day Saint neighbors, friends, families, seekers, and former members.
Help me listen without mockery and speak without fear.
Teach me to clarify shared words with patience.
Keep me centered on you as the eternal Son of God, the final Word, the great High Priest, the true temple, and the sufficient Savior.
Give me compassion for those carrying family pressure, worthiness anxiety, grief, or religious wounds.
Help me build gospel bridges without manipulation.
Teach me to honor people as image-bearers while remaining clear about your grace and truth.

Amen.