One of the most important things that full-time missionaries do is build relationships with LDS church members in their area.

We all know the statistic that says that investigators are more likely to join the church if they're taught the gospel in the home of a member.

But just as cold medicine doesn't cure a cold, it only blocks an obnoxious symptom, so we've found that merely teaching lessons in a member's home is not the key.

The key is that when an investigator already has good friends inside the church, he is much more likely to join the church and remain active for life. Maybe it would be better if people joined the church on the basis of their testimony alone, and remained converted whether they are welcomed into a ward or not.

But we're human beings, and we hunger for company, for acceptance. A new convert often — no, usually — gives up old habits, old groups of friends. It's like the house Jesus talked about, swept clean of evil spirits but ready to be reoccupied by worse ones if the Spirit of God does not come to dwell there.

Read the full story via MormonTimes.com.