Focus on what you have in common.

Ammon and his brothers had their work cut out for them teaching the gospel to the Lamanites. The Lamanites were hostile and didn’t know much about religion.

Check out this missionary conversation between Ammon and King Lamoni in Alma 18.

1. King Lamoni thought that Ammon, because of his strength and diligence, must be the Great Spirit.
2. Ammon wasn’t sure what a “Great Spirit” was. Maybe Lamoni was talking about God? But Lamoni said he didn’t know what “God” meant.
3. Ammon could see that Lamoni believed in a Supreme Being—he just used a different name.
4. So Ammon rephrased the question: “Believest thou that there is a Great Spirit?” (verse 26). Lamoni said yes, he did believe in the Great Spirit. Ammon explained that this was God.

In missionary work, we call this building on common beliefs. It means we focus on the things we already share with other people, not our differences.

Keep this in mind as you look for chances to share the gospel with friends. Most people believe in some kind of God or Higher Power. Don’t worry about how their understanding of God might be different from yours. Focus on the common ground!