Pass-along card at laundromat. Tue, Mar 9, 2010.

03/09/2010. 1236. I was at a laundromat, not one of the ones I normally go to, but one within convenient driving range.

A man folding laundry next to me had a certain spiritual radiation, such that I assumed him to be a believer in God. I was considering striking up a conversation, and the Spirit seemed to strongly indicate that I should. So before I finished my folding, I struck up a conversation by asking him what church he went to. He said that he didn't go to church, but that the teenager with him (who I assumed was his daughter) did go. I wasn't prepared for that answer, so I didn't have a ready response. After a brief pause, I said "Well, you're welcome to come visit my church." He asked which one, and I said the name of the church, and the approximate address (cross streets).

I asked which one she went to, and he mentioned one not far from my ward's building.

That was about the extent of the conversation, but then before leaving, I felt inspired (strongly prompted of the Spirit) to offer him something. So I asked if I could give him a card with the church's phone number and web site on it. He said okay in a manner that let me know he was not put off at all by my offer. I gave him one of these.

Update: This is actually a new dynamic, or new approach for me. I think I was "taught from on high" in this. This new conversation starter: A) ask what church someone goes to, B) wait for a response, C) if they say they don't attend church, say that they are welcome to attend yours, D) wait for a response, E) if they ask what church you go to tell them, F) ask if you can give them something with the church's information on it.

The card I gave had the church's toll-free Book of Mormon number on it, and the church web site, but I didn't realize until later that it needed my ward's chapel address on it. I should have written the chapel address on it in case he wanted to just show up. After all, I did invite him.