LDS vs Catholic Evangelization

[KendraM]

KendraM, thank you so much for sharing your view of the Catholic faith as a former LDS member. It really helps me to hear positive things about the Catholic church in the sense that we allow for questioning and a realistic viewpoint. While I’m struggling with where I belong, I would like to be the change I want to see in my church, it’s just hard to start that kind of cultural shift when I’m the only one who seems to notice that it’s lacking.

Be guided by the Holy Spirit. Do Catholics believe the Holy Spirit dwells within them? Keep at your search and don’t give up. I won’t give up if you don’t. Look for people in your parish (or in another parish) who believe in the pope’s words who can help you in making the change. Could you ask the priest to advertise in the bulletin a small faith and activity group? Bible class? Anything that you can do to find others who want to make changes.

How do you feel after the Eucharist when Jesus dwells within you? How do you feel after being free of sin after confession? I don’t know but I’ve seen joyful Catholics who have tried to put these in words and they don’t know I see their faith. Share this with your sons and others. Share your testimony. These are joyful things! I was joyful when I learned that Jesus is God in the flesh! One person once invited me to Mass when I was so broken up by lies. I did not go at first because of misconceptions. I now find some comfort here. Mormons believe God works through them. Do Catholics believe this?

I’m sorry if I sound preachy. Blame my past. Look at the richness and strength of your faith and of Christ’s true church and priesthood that was never taken from this earth.
Lighthouse Catholic Media, renewelministries.net, cssprogram.net, journey home on ewtn, surprised by truth books, etc. Keep searching and hope. God bless.

 

[JaminB123]

Hi everyone! I’m interested in your thoughts regarding Catholic evangelization vs Mormon evangelization.

Certainly we Catholics can do better at evangelization. The Pope recently called us to this with these words: “We can inspire others through witness so that one grows together in communicating. But the worst thing of all is religious proselytism, which paralyzes: ‘I am talking with you in order to persuade you,’ No. Each person dialogues, starting with his and her own identity. The church grows by attraction, not proselytizing.”

But the Mormon church indeed grows by proselytizing, often in a manner of slick, well-financed 21st century PR (try Googling an LDS topic and you’ll see how much money they’re paid to the search engine companies to divert you away from websites critical of Mormonism) and salesman-like tactics (billboards offering free Bibles, a bait and switch technique to get the Book of Mormon into your hands, etc.). As a young man in the mid-1990s, I was sold by Mormon missionaries and the friendly families I witnessed. It’s attractive on the surface. But then I found the missionaries were hardly forthcoming with me about many things and outright dishonest about others. A year later, I felt sold, conned, like someone who bought a used car from a smiling, friendly guy only to find out it was a lemon fraught with problems under the hood. It’s not evangelization as much as it is salesmanship.

We don’t want to be as insular as the Orthodox (sorry, I love the Orthodox, but it’s a tough entry for most) nor do I want us to became the slick LDS salesmen either (“Pay no attention to the polygamous, racist scoundrels behind the curtain.”).

Some Catholic parishes are doing a great job at striking the correct balance (like the one I’m in right now!). Others… have some work to do.

 

[Katiethemule]

Hello friends!

I’ve started a blog for Catholic/LDS dialogue and to be a central resource for LDS people discerning the Catholic faith. I would love any comments or insight from LDS and Catholic alike! There are few (if any) actual places of dialogue for Mormons considering leaving their Church to be Catholic and I was feeling inspired by Pope Francis’ call to evangelization

catholicmormon.wordpress.com/

 

[zaffiroborant]

But the Mormon church indeed grows by proselytizing, often in a manner of slick, well-financed 21st century PR (try Googling an LDS topic and you’ll see how much money they’re paid to the search engine companies to divert you away from websites critical of Mormonism) and salesman-like tactics (billboards offering free Bibles, a bait and switch technique to get the Book of Mormon into your hands, etc.).

Actually they are less slick and much more like pushy car salesmen with their full court press on people who want to be nice, the commitment pattern.

 

[Brandon_Cal]

But the Mormon church indeed grows by proselytizing, often in a manner of slick, well-financed 21st century PR (try Googling an LDS topic and you’ll see how much money they’re paid to the search engine companies to divert you away from websites critical of Mormonism) and salesman-like tactics (billboards offering free Bibles, a bait and switch technique to get the Book of Mormon into your hands, etc.). As a young man in the mid-1990s, I was sold by Mormon missionaries and the friendly families I witnessed. It’s attractive on the surface. But then I found the missionaries were hardly forthcoming with me about many things and outright dishonest about others. A year later, I felt sold, conned, like someone who bought a used car from a smiling, friendly guy only to find out it was a lemon fraught with problems under the hood. It’s not evangelization as much as it is salesmanship.

It’s one thing to respectfully envy the LDS fidelity to their Church, but I think it’s another to think the LDS model of “evangelization” is one that the Catholic Church ought to consider adopting. My eyebrow always crunches up whenever I see well-meaning Catholics mention such on these threads, and in fact, it was my incorrect assumption that Catholics would “evangelize” me just like the Mormons do that kept me away from walking into a Catholic church for so long.

I understand that each individual has different spiritual needs, and for some, love bombing is just what they’re looking for. I wanted to be left the hell alone! I wanted to walk into a Catholic church, sit in the back, not have anyone approach me, and just absorb what was happening around me as if I wasn’t even there. Lucky for me the Catholics I’ve met aren’t socially awkward and were able to tell that I wasn’t yet in the place to be “fellowshipped”. I was able to investigate Catholicism on my own terms without being barraged with a hoard of Sisters trying to give me a free Catechism.

 

[iepuras]

It’s one thing to respectfully envy the LDS fidelity to their Church, but I think it’s another to think the LDS model of “evangelization” is one that the Catholic Church ought to consider adopting. My eyebrow always crunches up whenever I see well-meaning Catholics mention such on these threads, and in fact, it was my incorrect assumption that Catholics would “evangelize” me just like the Mormons do that kept me away from walking into a Catholic church for so long.

I understand that each individual has different spiritual needs, and for some, love bombing is just what they’re looking for. I wanted to be left the hell alone! I wanted to walk into a Catholic church, sit in the back, not have anyone approach me, and just absorb what was happening around me as if I wasn’t even there. Lucky for me the Catholics I’ve met aren’t socially awkward and were able to tell that I wasn’t yet in the place to be “fellowshipped”. I was able to investigate Catholicism on my own terms without being barraged with a hoard of Sisters trying to give me a free Catechism.

This ^^^

Catholics, you don’t really want to “evangelize” the way Mormons do.

LDS missionaries are under a lot of pressure to “produce”. They push for baptism, and then leave the new convert to the local members. Once the newness wears off, converts are often forgotten and fall away, especially if they don’t easily fit the typical “Mormon mold”.

LDS missionaries are taught sales techniques in their training centers before being sent out. They are not taught theology or deep doctrine. Many have never read the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants and Pearl of Great Price all the way through much less understand them. Instead of being taught about the tough issues, they are told to just “bear their testimonies” and shy away from the tough questions. Many of the never Mormons and all the ex-Mormons on this board know more about LDS doctrine and history than the typical LDS missionary.

LDS missionaries are all about “milk before meat”. Many converts are not told about eternal progression, the temple endowment, the temple garment, etc until after they are baptized. They are not given the complete picture - good, bad, and ugly - prior to baptism. It is deceptive. See this blog post on how LDS are encouraged to be not entirely open an honest when they share “the Gospel”.

the8ways2.com/2014/11/20/8-things-not-to-say-when-sharing-the-gospel/

I frankly found the “Catholic way”, while not perfect, to be better suited to me. I was never openly evangelized by a Catholic until I showed up at a Catholic Church and asked for it. I was taught the good, the bad, and the ugly so I could make an informed decision. I was never pressured to commit to baptism. The RCIA leaders were always adamant that I discern and move forward in the process when I was ready. If I needed more time, that was entirely ok. It was never about numbers. I was a person to them, not a statistic to be reported to the bishop.

 

[boar2roar]

It’s one thing to respectfully envy the LDS fidelity to their Church, but I think it’s another to think the LDS model of “evangelization” is one that the Catholic Church ought to consider adopting. My eyebrow always crunches up whenever I see well-meaning Catholics mention such on these threads, and in fact, it was my incorrect assumption that Catholics would “evangelize” me just like the Mormons do that kept me away from walking into a Catholic church for so long.

I understand that each individual has different spiritual needs, and for some, love bombing is just what they’re looking for. I wanted to be left the hell alone! I wanted to walk into a Catholic church, sit in the back, not have anyone approach me, and just absorb what was happening around me as if I wasn’t even there. Lucky for me the Catholics I’ve met aren’t socially awkward and were able to tell that I wasn’t yet in the place to be “fellowshipped”. I was able to investigate Catholicism on my own terms without being barraged with a hoard of Sisters trying to give me a free Catechism.

I’m kind of the introverted catholic too but the catholic church kind of operates on like local small town government like basis. Nobody holds your hand to show up and reminds you of important dates. They don’t seek you out its up to you to get informed and involved, Its also no big deal if you don’t show up so peer pressure for going or not going is good but can also make you feel anonymous. I honestly don’t think (or want) catholics to become LDS/jehovas ever. The sunday catholic model is too common for regular church goers for that to happen. I do think that the groups that do evangelize could maybe widen their demographics if thats possible. I feel like catholic evangelizing is too poor centric and ignores the middle class too much. I don’t think its a coincidence that the middle class in places like brazil is the group most likely to turn protestant.