Mormon missionaries coming to my home!

[harinkj]

Back to the thread’s question: What to expect? Two nice young men will knoock on your door and talk about God’s plan – as they believe it. They’ll probably leave you a Book of Morman and ask you to read the Introduction, a section on the promise to those who read the Book of Morman, and another section on how Christ visited the Americas. They’ll ask you to read the Book of Mormon and pray for God’s indication that it is true. And they’ll check back sometime later.

• Kathie :bowdown:

 

[ben_dy]

Malachi4U:

I ordered a BOM online last week and some LDS missionaries called and will deliver their BOM to me on Monday October 31st. What can I expect from them? What should I prepare for? What will be their pitch and what do I use to prove them wrong?

I look forward to seeing them and helping to share Gods Word with them. Maybe they will loose a few scales off their eyes?

JMJ

I’m assuming that as the boys who visited me - one 19 and the other 21 - were grouped so, too, will the missionaries visiting you be grouped so that one is ‘senior’ to the other and I would expect them to be as nice as can be imagined. As they are invited guests in your home it goes without saying that they should be treated as such and they are sure to be equally as pleasant. Be certain to have bottled water, Kool-Aid, or some type of fruit juice to offer. That, up front, shows that you mean well and that you’re aware that they have some speaking to do - always nicer when it’s not with a dry throat. They might begin with some general conversation but one question you should be able to answer quickly, and with some forethought, is if they ask WHY you called and requested a BoM - your answer to that question will likely lay out the manner in which they proceed, since this isn’t actually a 'cold call - you called and asked for the BoM to be delivered. Be honest - my reason was that I was simply interested in the LDS church (I first thought Mormon was a pejorative term but learned that it’s not) because I had learned that their church, like my own, made the claim of being the True Church of Christ on earth. They may ask to begin with a prayer - that’s fine, but as crossing myself at the end of prayer is second nature I did so at the end of the prayer.

Oh - and remember that, odd as it may seem to address a 19 year old kid as “Elder” the preferred exchange of names is “Elder Smith” for the boy priests and you may be addressed as “Brother Jones” or, later in the sessions, “Brother Malachi”.

They will likely begin by presenting you with the BoM, after a bit of small talk. When they present you with the BoM ask them where you can find the Pearl of Great Price - say it’s because you want to read Joseph Smith’s History before actually reading the BoM. The book they will have brought will LIKELY be the bare-bones BoM WITHOUT the “Doctrines & Covenants” and the “Pearl of Great Price” (the latter of which contains the “Joseph Smith - History”. They MAY have one with them or they MAY have to get a copy for you quickly. Since it really is a good read - if you can get beyond the “And it came to pass” repetitions in the BoM - you want to make sure you get the most complete volume that you can (they will have a nice large single book that contain all four standard works - including the Old and New Testaments - but those aren’t offered free! Although it will take a return visit, perhaps, to get the ‘triune’ copy, don’t sweat it - you’re going to want them to return.

Before the ‘first discussion’ begins, you may want to make it clear up front (if it hasn’t already come up) that you are Catholic, that you have some certainty that you’re not likely to convert and that your faith is strong (which I’m hoping it is!), and that you’re simply interested in learning what Mormons believe. I would keep a CCC handy - maybe not right out on the coffee table but somewhere close by - so that if the make reference to a doctrine that is similar to Catholic doctrine, but uses different terminology, you have a good excuse for retrieving the CCC and having it handy as your ‘discussion’ book. Depending on if the boys have been trained to proselytizing to Catholics, or whether the older one has picked up Catholic ‘jargon’ during his mission, you may not have the need to break out the CCC during the first discussion,

I have misplaced my discussion pamphlets that I received but I believe that the first lesson is on Christ and sort of a general Christianity, then moves on to Him coming to America, where this is found in the BoM, and then comes the story of Joseph Smith and the translation of the plates. I seem to recall that being the whole of the first lesson. Be patient because they have a very structured presentation to follow (and if the ‘new’ guy is doing most of the presentation he may be nervous so don’t make him more so by asking questions during the actual presentation - leave that until afterward).

…continued…

 

[ben_dy]

…continued…

Malachi4U:

I ordered a BOM online last week and some LDS missionaries called and will deliver their BOM to me on Monday October 31st. What can I expect from them? What should I prepare for? What will be their pitch and what do I use to prove them wrong?

I look forward to seeing them and helping to share Gods Word with them. Maybe they will loose a few scales off their eyes?

JMJ

If you really mean to teach them something about Catholicism (which I think is a worthy and great intention) be aware that you will not likely get a chance during the first lesson. Depending on the time of day, whether they have other appointments, etc., the first discussion may be rather short. If it looks as if there’s going to be no real time devoted to ‘discussing the discussions’ then this may be your last meeting with them - although I would insist on getting the ‘triune’ copy of the BoM and would be open, at LEAST, to a second discussion as it’s only in those further discussions that you will have the chance to ‘evangelize’ to them.

It’s in subsequent discussions that you may be able to short-circuit a bit of the ‘milk’ which they are feeding you - remember that these discussions are really very general - they are unlikely to even touch upon anything but the most basic LDS beliefs - this may be a good thing and it’s hear that you may find a way to get your foot in the door with these earnest young men. If they mention baptism, for instance, that’s a GREAT place to jump in and make a comment to the effect that even were you to join the LDS church you would need no baptism as you’ve already been baptized. This one subject can open dozens of doors for you to explain your beliefs. Or if ‘heaven’ is mentioned (even if eternal progression is not) that may allow you to say "you know, that sounds rather like Purgatory’, allowing you to retrieve your Bible and CCC and show where prayers for the dead, cleansing fire, etc., is mentioned. If you continue straight though the discussion (I did it in about 12 days, I believe) they may call in a third-party who may be more adapt at answering your questions and/or more able to ‘explain’ LDS doctrine in more detail.

Three last things (one which may be obvious): if the boys feel any enthusiasm or agreement coming from you, they may want to go ahead and schedule a ‘baptism’ for you - let them know that is simply not on the menu but that you’re still interested in learning more about the LDS church; if they want to open or close the discussion with a verbal prayer, that’s fine (they may even ask - as they asked me - if I would like to be the one to say the prayer) - it’s important, I feel, to end the prayer with an audible “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” while crossing yourself - this affirms for all (and, maybe, particularly to God!) that you are praying to the one Triune God, and finally; do read the Book of Mormon, the Doctrines and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. It’s interesting reading, you’ll learn more about Mormonism (and then you can come back here to get all the questions you have answered!) and it also gives some great insight into Joseph Smith whom, while I don’t believe to be a Prophet chosen by God at all, I do believe was a brilliant man (with little formal education) who was able to build up a religion of and by himself and that same religion has grown quickly (not so many numbers as many churches - less than or right at around 12 million, I believe, world-wide) and after that no one can say that you’re only critical of Mormons because you haven’t read the BoM or that you’re just dismissing Smith as an uneducated country bumpkin.

 

[Casen]

Having served a mission myself I think Ben has given pretty good advice here. I would just emphasize that initially the missionaries will want you to let them make their short presentation. If you want a true discussion and are since in wanting to discuss and exchange ideas you will do well to save most of that for the second or third discussion. In the first discussion I suggest you listen and answer their simple questions related to the presentation and save the tough stuff for later. Missionaries deal with so many hostile people daily that if you jump right into questions about Joseph Smith’s polygamy they’re likely to write you off as insincere. However, if you show an interest in learning, even if you’re clear you’re not interested in discussing baptism, they will build trust with you after a few visits and then you can politely discuss deeper issues. In short, establish a friendly relationship first and you’ll learn more and be able to share more.

 

[ben_dy]

Casen:

Having served a mission myself I think Ben has given pretty good advice here. I would just emphasize that initially the missionaries will want you to let them make their short presentation. If you want a true discussion and are since in wanting to discuss and exchange ideas you will do well to save most of that for the second or third discussion. In the first discussion I suggest you listen and answer their simple questions related to the presentation and save the tough stuff for later. Missionaries deal with so many hostile people daily that if you jump right into questions about Joseph Smith’s polygamy they’re likely to write you off as insincere. However, if you show an interest in learning, even if you’re clear you’re not interested in discussing baptism, they will build trust with you after a few visits and then you can politely discuss deeper issues. In short, establish a friendly relationship first and you’ll learn more and be able to share more.

Casen,

I should have mentioned that it’s really of no profit whatsoever - to anyone - to jump on a topic like polygamy, My boys (and that’s how I’ll always think of them) brought up the subject during maybe the third discussion as one of those “You’ve probably heard about…” introduction (it may have been later, though, during the discussion of heaven - I can’t remember in which lesson that was discussed). The missionaries, particularly if you’ve developed a rapport (which is pretty simple - be civil and treat them with the same respect you would wish to be treated were you sharing your faith with others) will, if not during the first discussion, usually point out the BIG doctrinal differences if you are sincere in wanting to learn more about Mormonism.

The only other thing I would say is don’t get your hopes too high - the discussions aren’t meant to be a mini-seminary as much as a basic introduction and although you may be prepared to enter into theological debate, they may not be ready for that. Remember that these boys, no matter how strong their faith and how well-versed they may be in most matters Mormon, are usually still kids - they may or may not have a year of college under their belt and while they do hold the higher priesthood that doesn’t mean, as it would as if you were talking to a Catholic priest, that they have years of theological, philosophical, etc., training - they have 6-8 weeks (? happy to be corrected here!) of ‘Mormon Boot Camp’.

My two boys were both from underprivileged families - one much worse off than the other - yet both had worked to provide the money to go on their missions and while one was heading back to go to college in Idaho the other (from SLC) did not know if college was in his future or not.

I completely agree with Casen that the first discussion is not the time (unless circumstances prove otherwise - if you hit it off and they’ve no other appointments that first visit could turn into a 3-4 hour discussion!) to get into genuine conversation. If they are willing - and you are interested - I suggest going through all the discussions. They will likely not worry about the fact that you’re honest about not wishing to convert - just allowing them the time to present the discussions and the opportunity to answer the ‘tough’ questions is something that they will likely appreciate. In the case of my boys - down here in the Bible Belt - just being able to sit down and have a civil discourse about their beliefs (and they seemed just as interested about mine) is a relief from the doors slammed in their faces, the immediate accusation of CULT!, etc.

I think with the (name removed by moderator)ut you’ve received from the LDS folks here will serve you well - get ready to encounter the Book of Mormon!

 

[FCEGM]

Ben, or anyone else who could help -

Is there a central record of those persons/families that have met with the LDS missionaries even if nothing came of these visits?

In Christ,
Frances

 

[ben_dy]

FCEGM:

Ben, or anyone else who could help -

Is there a central record of those persons/families that have met with the LDS missionaries even if nothing came of these visits?

In Christ,
Frances

I have to assume that the answer is ‘yes’ - I can’t recall now whether I made my request online or via a toll-free number, but I know I gave my home address and telephone number (and had a lengthy conversation with someone at BYU who called to verify that I wanted the BoM delivered by missionaries to my home - which now leads me to believe that I likely made the request online).

What do they do with the information? I have no idea - but the only contact I’ve had with anyone since that time (over two years ago) have been a few friendly email messages from one of the guys. No other solicitation, knocks on the door, mail, etc., has followed - you may even be put on a ‘do not disturb’ list if you choose not to convert.

 

[FCEGM]

Thanks, Ben.

I asked because many years ago a neighbor overheard some LDS missionaries discussing having to check us out after a brief visit to my home - they returned for a few more visits. I met with a couple of different sets of missionaries over the years when we lived in California, but haven’t seen any in our new neighborhood here in North Carolina (we’re a lot more remote now).

In Christ,
Frances

 

[mormon_fool]

As ben-dy suggests, calling a toll-free number gets your contact information on a database, so that the item can be delivered. Sometimes this service makes follow-up calls to make sure the item arrived or if there is any interest in other items. I worked the phones for a few weeks in the Missionary Training Center and took many people off the list who weren’t interested in these other offers. This was over five years ago, so I don’t know what is done now.

Sometimes a record of interested or long term “investigators” is kept by the local missionaries. However the local missionaries usually only keep very sparse records. They definitely wouldn’t track somebody through a move.

later,
fool

 

[FCEGM]

Thanks for the further clarification, fool.

 

[Courtneyjo]

Malachi4U:

I ordered a BOM online last week and some LDS missionaries called and will deliver their BOM to me on Monday October 31st. What can I expect from them? What should I prepare for? What will be their pitch and what do I use to prove them wrong?

I look foward to seeing them and helping to share Gods Word with them. Maybe they will loose a few scales off their eyes?

JMJ

I have been following this thread and am curious as to why you didn’t just order from Barnes and Noble or some other online bookdealer?

 

[Malachi4U]

Courtneyjo:

I have been following this thread and am curious as to why you didn’t just order from Barnes and Noble or some other online bookdealer?

Free! Plus it comes with two elders to talk to for free.

 

[harinkj]

Recently, two missionaries came by my place too. I had ordered a Morman Tabernacle Choir Christmas CD through Deseret Books months ago.

• Kathie :bowdown:

 

[Courtneyjo]

Malachi4U:

Free! Plus it comes with two elders to talk to for free.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[silverwings_88]

Courtneyjo:

Thanks for the reply.

Yup, but when members want the free BOM’s, they have to pay about $2.50CAD. It’s so evil

 

[JohnnyR]

** Malachi4U writes,**
I ordered a BOM online last week and some LDS missionaries called and will deliver their BOM to me on Monday October 31st. What can I expect from them? What should I prepare for? What will be their pitch and what do I use to prove them wrong?
I look foward to seeing them and helping to share Gods Word with them. Maybe they will loose a few scales off their eyes?

You can expect for them to ask you to pray about the BOM. Keep in mind that the Bible reveals that followers of Jesus can experience a burning of the bosom and still not know Jesus (Luke 24:16,32). It is not a burning bosom that guide us to truth. It is the Spirit of truth that guides us to all truth (John 16:13). I would suggest you ask the Father to give you the Holy Spirit to guide you to truth before your speak with the Mormon missinaries (Luke 11:9,13).

The BOM (see link below) reveals that “Infant baptism is an evil abomination” (Moro. 8:8–25.)

scriptures.lds.org/moro/8

To prepare for their visit I would have a good understanding of what the Catholic Church and what the Bible reveals about original sin and infant baptism. Below are a couple of links the summarizes some of the catholic teachings and bible verses on original sin and the fall of Adam.

comparing-views.com/book/c10.htm

comparing-views.com/book/c09.htm

Below is a Mormon Church article on the Salvation of little children.

library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1977.htm/ensign%20april%201977.htm/the%20salvation%20of%20little%20children%20.htm?fn=document-frameset.htm$f=templates$3.0

 

[harinkj]

How did the visit with the missionaries go?

• Kathie :bowdown:

 

[Malachi4U]

UPDATE:

The Mormon missionaries came by today (Halloween) and visited for about an hour. There were three of them, two elders and a “brother” (not a sibling as the Baptists would assume ). The “brother” drove them since the weather was poor tonight and he lived near where I live.

They were polite and gave me my very own BOM:thumbsup: . They pointed out a few Scripture verses and read them. The Scripture for them includes the BOM. (Protestants deleted books and reworded Scripture and the Mormons added to it, who can throw a rock in a glass house?) They keyed in on the apostacy and how prophets are often ignored. They talked a bit about Joe and how he got started. They said many people spread lies about them too, which is very true from what I’ve seen. They invited me to their service Sunday, which I declined at this point. They also said they will call later this week and visit me again in about two weeks when I have time to read and study some more about them and the BOM.

Overall they were very nice and polite. I wish Christian missionaries like the Baptist street preachers (in Salt Lake), Westboro Baptist church (Kansas), Jack Chick, etc. were as kind as the Mormons. Christains could learn a valuable lesson from the Mormons in proper Christian conduct. But that’s another topic.

I listened this time and asked no real or hard questions. I just wanted to hear their sales pitch. For a couple of kids, rather elders, they did a fine job and the LDS sect should be proud of them.

I offered them some caffine free soda and flavored water and they were happy to have some when they left. They were parched from talking so much. I’d like to thank whoever suggested I have something on hand for them to drink.

When they come back I’ll be asking some questions of them I hope they can answer. Thank you for your suggestions so far. I will also speak about points in our Faith as someone also suggested earlier.

The only problem I had was praying with them when I know they pray to false gods. I just prayed to God and let them do their own thing.

JMJ

 

[Zooey]

Malachi4U:

UPDATE:
The only problem I had was praying with them when I know they pray to false gods. I just prayed to God and let them do their own thing.

JMJ

When they come to my house, I do the only praying…They were more surprised than anything else, I think…I felt the same way, though: It’s my house, & the only prayers are going to be to my Lord, not theirs…It was no problem. As I say, they were just surprised that I insisted on that…
I will agree, the Mormons are really nice…As much as I don’t agree with them, I will give them high grades for manners & demeanor…

 

[ben_dy]

Malachi4U:

UPDATE:

The Mormon missionaries came by today (Halloween) and visited for about an hour. There were three of them, two elders and a “brother” (not a sibling as the Baptists would assume ). The “brother” drove them since the weather was poor tonight and he lived near where I live.

They were polite and gave me my very own BOM:thumbsup: . They pointed out a few Scripture verses and read them. The Scripture for them includes the BOM. (Protestants deleted books and reworded Scripture and the Mormons added to it, who can throw a rock in a glass house?) They keyed in on the apostacy and how prophets are often ignored. They talked a bit about Joe and how he got started. They said many people spread lies about them too, which is very true from what I’ve seen. They invited me to their service Sunday, which I declined at this point. They also said they will call later this week and visit me again in about two weeks when I have time to read and study some more about them and the BOM.

Overall they were very nice and polite. I wish Christian missionaries like the Baptist street preachers (in Salt Lake), Westboro Baptist church (Kansas), Jack Chick, etc. were as kind as the Mormons. Christains could learn a valuable lesson from the Mormons in proper Christian conduct. But that’s another topic.

I listened this time and asked no real or hard questions. I just wanted to hear their sales pitch. For a couple of kids, rather elders, they did a fine job and the LDS sect should be proud of them.

I offered them some caffine free soda and flavored water and they were happy to have some when they left. They were parched from talking so much. I’d like to thank whoever suggested I have something on hand for them to drink.

When they come back I’ll be asking some questions of them I hope they can answer. Thank you for your suggestions so far. I will also speak about points in our Faith as someone also suggested earlier.

The only problem I had was praying with them when I know they pray to false gods. I just prayed to God and let them do their own thing.

JMJ

Sounds like a great first visit/discussion - if you didn’t get the Book of Mormon edition that includes the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price, be sure and ask for a copy.

My first reading of the BoM was something I found tedious: I’ve read it three times now and I find it good, but not inspirational, reading but only, I think, because I have a better understanding of what it’s ‘supposed’ to be about. I’m supposing that they maybe jotted down some particular passages to read in the BoM? If not, reading from 1 Nephi through to the Book of Moroni can be a little confusing when you are suddenly confronted with the Jaredites. Maybe a kind LDS member here (Casen?) will jump in with some ‘must reads’ or suggested sequence of reading. I’m not certain if the standard copy of the BoM has a good index or not but if you tire of the “And it came to pass” and want to read, for instance, of Jesus amongst the Nephites, just check the index.

I’m a bit surprised that the word ‘apostasy’ was used - I believe some general term such as ‘falling away’ was first used during my visit.

It’s sounds as if your experience is going to be similar to mine - sounds as if the missionaries are two nice and intelligent guys and, with luck, you’ll find out a lot more about a religion that is as unique as the Catholic Church in it’s claim to be the one, true Church. I’m wondering who the fellow was with the missionaries - I can’t recall the titles but I believe that all missionaries in a ward have a sort of ‘caretaker’ but I wouldn’t think he would come around on a first visit unless both boys (I was glad to get on a first name basis - a 65 year old man calling a 19 year old young man ‘elder’ was a kind of humorous stretch for me!) are new to the area (or if they don’t have a car - although I suppose some missionaries still travel on bikes, the local LDS ward - or a member - provides automobiles for pairs of missionaries around here as the geographical area of the ward is large) or are simply both new missionaries (which would be unusual - there is usually a senior missionary as I understand it).

I wouldn’t worry about the prayers - you know to Whom you are praying! Please keep us informed as to your subsequent discussions - I am interested to see if other Catholics have similar experiences as my own.

God Bless,