My family and I are moving 1/2 a block away from a mormon church what can we expect?

[lovesMary]

What is “milk before meat”

I think it means to lure potential converts in with the attractive, easily digested teachings and then lay the heavy stuff on once you have them on the hook.

 

[BDawg]

What is “milk before meat”

It means that you teach the basics of the Gospel before the more obscure stuff. I’m sure, for example, that in RCIA classes they teach basic theology and morals before going into stuff like 1) “Why Crusades?”, 2) “Indulgences: Bad or Good”, or 3) “Am I Really Eating Jesus At Mass?” A novice couldn’t really understand the Catholic approach to any of that without some fundamentals.

Well, anyway, it’s the same for Mormons. But for some people, they like to make it sound all sinister. Why? Because they want to introduce others to Mormonism by loading on all the weird, complicated stuff, so that they will be turned off immediately. When Mormon missionaries start with just the basics, it’s obviously a sinister cover up.

Also, some Mormons don’t really understand all the weird, complicated stuff, so they might actually deny that Mormons teach, or ever taught, something that was actually the case. Again, this is all an obvious attempt to cover up the truth, instead of a naive mistake.

Finally, the people who get all worked up about this also complain that our Sunday School manuals, and such, leave out a lot of the weird, complicated stuff. Obviously a big cover up, once again, even though Sunday School is meant to cover just the basics (like RCIA,) and there’s all kinds of books available that anyone can read. Unlike Catholics, Mormons have never had a list of banned books, and quite a few of us are actually quite well-read about our religion, including literature that is critical of us.

With this handy guide, you can make sense of a lot of what people say about the Mormons on this forum.

 

[estesbob]

It means that you teach the basics of the Gospel before the more obscure stuff. I’m sure, for example, that in RCIA classes they teach basic theology and morals before going into stuff like 1) “Why Crusades?”, 2) “Indulgences: Bad or Good”, or 3) “Am I Really Eating Jesus At Mass?” A novice couldn’t really understand the Catholic approach to any of that without some fundamentals.

Well, anyway, it’s the same for Mormons. But for some people, they like to make it sound all sinister. Why? Because they want to introduce others to Mormonism by loading on all the weird, complicated stuff, so that they will be turned off immediately. When Mormon missionaries start with just the basics, it’s obviously a sinister cover up.

Also, some Mormons don’t really understand all the weird, complicated stuff, so they might actually deny that Mormons teach, or ever taught, something that was actually the case. Again, this is all an obvious attempt to cover up the truth, instead of a naive mistake.

Finally, the people who get all worked up about this also complain that our Sunday School manuals, and such, leave out a lot of the weird, complicated stuff. Obviously a big cover up, once again, even though Sunday School is meant to cover just the basics (like RCIA,) and there’s all kinds of books available that anyone can read. Unlike Catholics, Mormons have never had a list of banned books, and quite a few of us are actually quite well-read about our religion, including literature that is critical of us.

With this handy guide, you can make sense of a lot of what people say about the Mormons on this forum.

So they are in fact informed about the “meat” (as the Catholics do in RCIA)before they are baptized?

Thanks to all for the explantions.

 

[RebeccaJ]

The only milk the Catholic Church has to offer is the Love of The One True God. Once that is understood, the rest is welcomed meat.

 

[PaulDupre]

So they are in fact informed about the “meat” (as the Catholics do in RCIA)before they are baptized?

Thanks to all for the explantions.

They certainly are not. Most converts are baptized after 3 - 6 hours of contact with the missionaries and attendance at one or two sacrament meetings. Most have no idea what they are joining. I sure didn’t.

 

[ibkc]

It means that you teach the basics of the Gospel before the more obscure stuff. I’m sure, for example, that in RCIA classes they teach basic theology and morals before going into stuff like 1) “Why Crusades?”, 2) “Indulgences: Bad or Good”, or 3) “Am I Really Eating Jesus At Mass?” A novice couldn’t really understand the Catholic approach to any of that without some fundamentals.

In my RCIA class (I went through it this past winter) everything you mention above was covered. Of course, not in one class, simply because there isn’t time; but in the first class we were given a copy of the Catechism, an outline of what we would be covering each week, and suggestions for preparatory reading.

What they didn’t do is keep us in the dark about what the Church is really about, or try to obscure certain practices so as not to scare anyone off. It was all on the table from the start.

 

[RC_Matt]

What is “milk before meat”

For fear of scaring off potential converts, they don’t tell you the real weird stuff (like their god was once a mortal human being on another planet and that people can become gods of their own planets by being good Mormons – doctrine of eternal progression) until AFTER they are baptized. Same tactic used by Scientology. On the other hand, you can’t become Catholic until you have learned everything the Church teaches; hence RCIA.

 

[BDawg]

So they are in fact informed about the “meat” (as the Catholics do in RCIA)before they are baptized?

Thanks to all for the explantions.

Not always. Actually, I think this is a legitimate criticism of the LDS missionary program. In the New Testament, you have people hearing one sermon and then getting baptized (Acts 2,) but I can at least see why some people would have a problem with this.

 

[RebeccaJ]

It means that you teach the basics of the Gospel before the more obscure stuff. I’m sure, for example, that in RCIA classes they teach basic theology and morals before going into stuff like 1) “Why Crusades?”, 2) “Indulgences: Bad or Good”, or 3) “Am I Really Eating Jesus At Mass?” A novice couldn’t really understand the Catholic approach to any of that without some fundamentals.

Well, anyway, it’s the same for Mormons. But for some people, they like to make it sound all sinister. Why? Because they want to introduce others to Mormonism by loading on all the weird, complicated stuff, so that they will be turned off immediately. When Mormon missionaries start with just the basics, it’s obviously a sinister cover up.

Also, some Mormons don’t really understand all the weird, complicated stuff, so they might actually deny that Mormons teach, or ever taught, something that was actually the case. Again, this is all an obvious attempt to cover up the truth, instead of a naive mistake.

Finally, the people who get all worked up about this also complain that our Sunday School manuals, and such, leave out a lot of the weird, complicated stuff. Obviously a big cover up, once again, even though Sunday School is meant to cover just the basics (like RCIA,) and there’s all kinds of books available that anyone can read. Unlike Catholics, Mormons have never had a list of banned books, and quite a few of us are actually quite well-read about our religion, including literature that is critical of us.

With this handy guide, you can make sense of a lot of what people say about the Mormons on this forum.

BDawg, interesting comments you have woven in this post.

re: the weird and complicated, first, don’t you think that people should know the doctrines, the beliefs, of a religion in order to make an informed decision, before being baptized?

Second, Crusades are not doctrinal, so I don’t know how that compares to say, gods (plural) creating the world.

Third, indulgences is dogma, but I believe you are referring to the abuses pre-reformation. Which abuses are not doctrinal. So again, I don’t know how that compares.

And fourth, certainly, no Catholic is baptized without knowing the truth of the Real Presence, which truth is only understood by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

[acatholic4ever]

well just to update everyone-

We are moving down on Sunday night (after mass of course) Pray we make it thier safly. There is 3 Catholic families coming to help us unload and get settled. According to my husbands boss this isn’t a permanent stay. I guess may be 6 month - 2 years at the most. Which is fine

By the way I’m not scared of Mormons we just want a good environment for our children.

I don’t know how long we will be in Utah and if we plan to stay I just know we will continue to love thy neighbor but also shelter our children from becoming too involved with mormons:thumbsup:

 

[cheddarsox]

We lived a half block from a Mormon church many years ago. No one every knocked on our door or paid any attention to us or our children. We didn’t notice any behavior there any different from any other church.

When we did find tracts on our door or mailboxes they were always from Evangelical churches or hari krishnas.

 

[Yerusalyim]

I’ve never had a problem with Mormon missionaries…or Mormons in general.

In fact, I’ve always tried to be protective of the missionaries I run into. For the most part they’re good kids doing what they believe in and USUALLY not pushy about it. While stationed with the military overseas it’s usually easy to spot the missionaries in the community. I’ll stop and chat with them, make sure they’re getting fed well by the congregation, check on the homesick factor and what not.

When Stateside I make sure they know which sections of town to avoid after dark, make sure the congregation is feeding them well, etc.

When new ones come to my door I tell them I’m happy in my faith as they are in theirs and then we have a casual chat.

My dad once took pity on two missionaries that came to his house…it was 2:30 PM on a hot July day and they were wrung out. Dad invited them in for some lemonade and air conditioning, up front told them he wasn’t interested in their religion, then they started talking sports. For the rest of the time they were in town these guys would stop by and talk to dad about once every two weeks or so…they were apparently racing fans and my dad used to be a crew member for an Indy racing team and was the sponsor and lead mechanic for a local midget racer…after the first meeting these guys never brought up religion as a topic, they just got along well with dad.

JW’s could learn something from this approach.

I’m sure there are pushy rude and self-righteous Mormons out there, but I’ve not met them.

 

[tundramom]

As a former Mormon, I admire all those non-Mormons who can and do live in Utah. I would have a difficult time of it.

The missionaries come to my home all the time. The last time was just a couple of days ago. I invite them in because I feel like they are just nice kids who are far away from home and if I can show them true Christian kindness then I will.

I don’t know that I would feel the same if I lived in Utah. I think I might feel more inundated.

In one conversation with a missionary last year he was talking the “milk” and I said to him, “I’m lactose intolerant”. He laughed at that.

in Christ
Steph

 

[acatholic4ever]

as my husband and I pack up the van and such to get on the road tomorrow we talked about this thread and feel we are going to be headed into a life experiance. Weither good or bad who knows

 

[zerinus]

as my husband and I pack up the van and such to get on the road tomorrow we talked about this thread and feel we are going to be headed into a life experiance. Weither good or bad who knows

Tell us what your experience is when you arrive there. I will give you a tip. If you want to enjoy your experience in Utah, learn to make friends with your Mormon neighbors, and let them make friends with you. Let your kids play with their kids, and their kids with yours. If you try to shun them, or tell your kids to shun them, your life there will be miserable, and your experience of Mormons an unhappy one.

zerinus

 

[PaulDupre]

Tell us what your experience is when you arrive there. I will give you a tip. If you want to enjoy your experience in Utah, learn to make friends with your Mormon neighbors, and let them make friends with you. Let your kids play with their kids, and their kids with yours.

Right, then your Mormon neighbors will indoctrinate your children behind your back, until one day your child asks you “Mommy, why don’t you and daddy love me enough to want to be with me forever?”

 

[AMDGtoo]

. If you try to shun them, or tell your kids to shun them, your life there will be miserable, and your experience of Mormons an unhappy one.

Actually the only “shunning” involved will probably be the LDS. Or so it may seem. Sunday time is taken up with meetings where “extracurricula” events are not appreciated. There are other meetings on other days too. Often it may seem like a “little clique”.

And I’m assuming that catholic4ever already knows that coffee or tea are forbidden in LDS circles. So I doubt that LDS neighbors would appreciate being invited over for actual coffee–serve something like hot chocolate or lemonade instead.

 

[RC_Matt]

Right, then your Mormon neighbors will indoctrinate your children behind your back, until one day your child asks you “Mommy, why don’t you and daddy love me enough to want to be with me forever?”

LOL, the thought that crossed my mind when I read that post was, “dang, it’s starting already and the poor folks haven’t even left yet…”

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

A Crucifix inside your front door works well. When the missionaries tell you they have a message about the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, you can open your door wide, point to the Crucifix, and say you already know allll about Him.

I also had a sign made for my front door:

Active Catholic Family
We Are Not interested
In Joining Any Other Church
THINK Before You Ring That Doorbell!

It works great for LDS as well as JWs and the local Disciples of Christ.

 

[JDHallKY]

Hi JD,

Wouldn’t you say that it’s pretty common for Catholics to misunderstand parts of their faith? If so, why be surprised when you find out a Mormon misunderstood something? It doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with “milk before meat.” That simply has to do with teaching the basics before all the complicated stuff that would be confusing without the basics.

BDawg, I would say it’s extremely common for Catholics to misunderstand parts of their faith. My point wasn’t so much that my Mormon friend misunderstood something about his faith. My point was that the missionary I asked about it didn’t try to sugarcoat anything. He gave me a straight answer that he surely knew wouldn’t make me more drawn to the Mormon viewpoint.

So, I was proposing that Mormon missionaries aren’t (at least now) taught to sugarcoat things, at least in the face of a direct question.

And no, I wouldn’t expect a missionary to start introducing someone to their faith with the most obscure and difficult doctrines.