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Being an Investigator

“Being an Investigator,” A Missionary’s MTC Experience: English 2015 (2015), 16–17

“Being an Investigator,” A Missionary’s MTC Experience, 16–17

Being an Investigator

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man being taught

How Do I Create a Role?

Take the role of someone you know well and care about. You should know enough about the person to comfortably represent his or her unique perspective and experience while remaining true to the role throughout the activity.

Consider each question below as you create a role. Strive to understand the needs of the person you are representing.

  • Who are you? Establish the investigator’s family, educational, employment, and economic situation. Identify the investigator’s basic beliefs, reservations, and questions. This could include what he or she already knows and believes about the Church and the gospel, invitations received, and commitments kept.

  • How did you meet the missionaries? Clearly identify the circumstances of the situation (e.g., how he or she first came in contact with the missionaries, what arrangements were made for this meeting, what has happened previously, etc.).

  • Why did you agree to let the missionaries come visit you? Was it simple curiosity? a favor to a friend who is a member? polite hospitality to foreigners? or a sincere desire to learn about Christ? Depending on the situation, you may not disclose before the practice why the investigator decided to meet with the missionaries.

  • What do you hope to gain from the visit? Carefully consider what you are hoping to learn, experience, or feel as a result of this meeting. You may not want to disclose these expectations, but let them guide your responses.

What Should I Remember When Being an Investigator?

  • Be genuine and true to the role. Be authentic. Speak and act honestly and sincerely. Your responses should be guided by what you know about the investigator and based on the honest thoughts and feelings you have during the visit. If you feel that the missionaries truly care, you may be more open.

  • Stay in the role. Avoid breaking from your role!

  • Record detailed notes after each visit. Record notes from the investigator’s perspective to help prepare for subsequent visits. Consider where the investigator is in the conversion process. Before subsequent visits, review your notes from the previous visit and determine how you have progressed.