Need help getting rid of Mormon Missionaries

[RebeccaJ]

“I am no longer interested”

You don’t need to explain why, or what your reasons are, or give any other “excuse,” for saying “No” to something. No is a complete sentence, it’s not rude to leave it at that.
Close door.

Do not answer door/phone if you know it’s them.

You don’t need to be mean or rude, just firm and non-engaging to anything they say- “No thank you, I must go.” close door, hang up, whatever.

For the OP, Just be aware, that since you’ve expressed interest, however brief and slight, they’ve recorded this interest. This is how you will end up with missionaries at your door again. A different set who you will have to once again get rid of.

 

[zaffiroborant]

For the OP, Just be aware, that since you’ve expressed interest, however brief and slight, they’ve recorded this interest. This is how you will end up with missionaries at your door again. A different set who you will have to once again get rid of.

You’ll have to move to get your name off their list and they will more than likely ask the new resident if they have any further info on you, all the while trying to get their names so they can put them on the list.

 

[xixxvmcm85]

I remember my mission president would tell us that whenever we get backed into a corner and can’t quite answer our critics, to just bear our testimonies. We never expected doing so to immediately change minds, but we were taught that doing so would plant seeds and the Holy Ghost could do the rest.

Boy were they right! My companion and I once bore our testimonies after a nice young German Catholic woman was poking and prodding us about apostolic succession. Her response was epic (and totally unexpected): she bore her own Catholic testimony in response. It was then that my companion and I knew that there was absolutely nothing left for either of us to say to her, and so we never bothered her again. Here I am as a Catholic now, so I guess her testimony was more powerful than mine.

Tell them: “I’m sorry to waste your time, gentlemen, but I’m a devout Catholic and have no intentions on leaving the Catholic Church. I know the Catholic Church is Christ’s true Church. I know Pope Francis is the spiritual and temporal head of said Church. I know that there was never any apostasy of Christ’s Church and there never will be one. I know Christ is truly present in the Eucharist and I would never, ever give any of this up for another religion. I know the Book of Mormon is not true. I know Joseph Smith was not a prophet, and indeed was most likely a charlatan. I will be praying for you two boys that one day you will both give the Catholic Church some consideration. God Bless you two and the best of luck in all your endeavors.” Then close the door. If they ever bother you again, call their Mission President. If the problem persists, don’t even bother threatening them with police action, just call the police.

There’s no need to be rude, though. When I was a missionary we were instructed with very forceful language to not pester people who have explicitly stated that they are not interested. If these boys are bothering you after you’ve already told them to take a hike, then just go over their heads and talk to their boss.

 

[twopekinguys]

You’ll have to move to get your name off their list and they will more than likely ask the new resident if they have any further info on you, all the while trying to get their names so they can put them on the list.

That is very dangerous don’t you think? It could be construed as “stalking”.

There would be some big money if a lawsuit ever happened.

 

[Porknpie]

Granted we feel different about what constitutes the gospel. But the point here is that the missionaries were likely sincere in their effort. They were not out to “trick” anyone.

Are missionaries taught “milk before meat?”

 

[twopekinguys]

I remember an incident growing up when missionaries ignored a “No Trespassing” sign on our property. We lived in a rural area, and had a long lane (driveway).

We happened to be outside working in the yard when they showed up. They were polite, and started an congenial conversation. As my father and the missionaries were talking, they were also walking. I don’t think they realized my father was walking them down the drive.

Once they got to the end of the driveway, my father asked them to read out loud the sign that they either didn’t see, or they ignored.

He smiled, turned around, and came back. They stood there stunned.

 

[JamesCaruso]

I am a Catholic, I have spoken to the Mormon missionaries recently, they approached me and we talked for a little. They talked me going to one of their church services and I agreed to it just out of curiosity. I am young and I admit I got brainwashed and dumbed into their nonsense. But I want them to just leave me alone now I want nothing to do with them. What would be a good way of letting them know I do not want anything to do with them?

What I did was invite them in to discuss the Bible. They told me what they believed. I told them what I believed and explained to them their misinterpretations of Scriptures. I have not seen them since, and it’s been many years.

 

[rfournier103]

1st: Are you saying Jesus failed the first time?
We do not worship the same God. Your god was once a man, mine isnt. (If they say no He isnt, then ask them why one of their prophets said “As man is, god once was”

Brilliant answer. I love this. By them saying that Jesus wasn’t good enough SHOULD be a deal-breaker to ANY Christian.

Tell them: “I’m sorry to waste your time, gentlemen, but I’m a devout Catholic and have no intentions on leaving the Catholic Church. I know the Catholic Church is Christ’s true Church. I know Pope Francis is the spiritual and temporal head of said Church. I know that there was never any apostasy of Christ’s Church and there never will be one. I know Christ is truly present in the Eucharist and I would never, ever give any of this up for another religion. I know the Book of Mormon is not true. I know Joseph Smith was not a prophet, and indeed was most likely a charlatan. I will be praying for you two boys that one day you will both give the Catholic Church some consideration. God Bless you two and the best of luck in all your endeavors.” Then close the door. If they ever bother you again, call their Mission President. If the problem persists, don’t even bother threatening them with police action, just call the police.

Also, brilliant!

That is very dangerous don’t you think? It could be construed as “stalking”.

There would be some big money if a lawsuit ever happened.

Hmm… I wonder… Having some of Mitt Romney’s money WOULD be cool. I would donate all of it to my Parish

 

[Becca3]

I remember an incident growing up when missionaries ignored a “No Trespassing” sign on our property. We lived in a rural area, and had a long lane (driveway).

We happened to be outside working in the yard when they showed up. They were polite, and started an congenial conversation. As my father and the missionaries were talking, they were also walking. I don’t think they realized my father was walking them down the drive.

Once they got to the end of the driveway, my father asked them to read out loud the sign that they either didn’t see, or they ignored.

He smiled, turned around, and came back. They stood there stunned.

That just gave me a laugh that I so needed on this day! lol.

 

[RebeccaJ]

We’ve been giving the pairs (sometimes three) missionaries that come to our door “not interested”, for over 25 years now. They don’t listen, and I expect never will. The “I’m not interested” response doesn’t work. One missionary just kept talking like I wasn’t saying anything. Me responding to every one of his statements and questions with “I’m not interested.” Him, giving no indication he heard what I was saying.

The Mormon church has 60000 missionaries. They have to keep them busy. Coming around to the same doors over and over and over gives them something to do. They are trained like sales people, which means they don’t take no for an answer.

 

[zaffiroborant]

Then close the door. If they ever bother you again, call their Mission President. If the problem persists, don’t even bother threatening them with police action, just call the police.

I mean writing a letter to the mission president asking for the correct address to notify the church of the lawsuit you’ll file for tresspass and invasion of privacy if you ever see another mormon set foot on your property. Missionaries come and go - mission presidents usually stay a while, and can get the word out better.

How do you find out who the mission president is without letting them know who you are?

 

[LivingWaters7]

How do you find out who the mission president is without letting them know who you are?

Isn’t the whole point of contacting the mission president to let them know who you are and that you don’t want to be contacted?

 

[Fairwinds]

We’ve been giving the pairs (sometimes three) missionaries that come to our door “not interested”, for over 25 years now. They don’t listen, and I expect never will. The “I’m not interested” response doesn’t work. One missionary just kept talking like I wasn’t saying anything. Me responding to every one of his statements and questions with “I’m not interested.” Him, giving no indication he heard what I was saying.

The Mormon church has 60000 missionaries. They have to keep them busy. Coming around to the same doors over and over and over gives them something to do. They are trained like sales people, which means they don’t take no for an answer.

they won’t talk to a door shut in their face.

 

[LivingWaters7]

There’s no need to be rude, though. When I was a missionary we were instructed with very forceful language to not pester people who have explicitly stated that they are not interested. If these boys are bothering you after you’ve already told them to take a hike, then just go over their heads and talk to their boss.

Exactly. In my experience working with the missionaries (ward missionary, assistant ward mission leader, in ward council, etc), if someone clearly states that they are no longer interested, they don’t contact them anymore (especially since it’s a waste of everyone’s time and doesn’t help in the missionaries’ purpose, which they believe is to bring all to Christ through His restored gospel). A similar practice goes for members that don’t want to be contacted. Now with members that say that, my bishop had the view that we should attempt to contact them once a year, since things can change, don’t give up on spiritual siblings, etc.

And yes, as I’ve said repeatedly on this thread, if the missionaries aren’t listening to your wishes, the OP can go on maps.lds.org, put in their zip code, find the ward/congregation that the missionaries are associated with (i.e. the one that the wanted you to attend with them), and call the number there, which usually includes the number for the leader of the congregation, the bishop. He can get you in touch with the ward mission leader, and/or the mission president.

 

[pr5843]

Okay so I went to their Church service to clear things up. On their second part of Church they have a little sunday school type of deal. They talked about Heaven and what happens after. The said that after you die you go to spirit world (I guess a lot like Purgatory) to teach the word of Christ to those who did bad in their life. After that they said you go to Heaven to work even more and it’s broken up into 3 kingdoms, etc. I stood up and said “So wait you mean to tell me that after we die, we go to Heaven and work? That sounds a lot like hell to me. And why is it that there are 3 kingdoms? Once we get saved by Christ we are all equal.” I went on to go about joseph smith and all that, how he pretty much made the whole thing up. I then told them to just not buy into that garbage, I mean really it’s garbage made up by a con artist and to go the real path of Christ. I spoke my mind and left, I also let them know that the missionaries should not be coming my way anymore.

 

[Fairwinds]

Okay so I went to their Church service with a mission of myself. …

that’s not healthy. you need to let this stuff go.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

Okay so I went to their Church service to clear things up. On their second part of Church they have a little sunday school type of deal. They talked about Heaven and what happens after. The said that after you die you go to spirit world (I guess a lot like Purgatory) to teach the word of Christ to those who did bad in their life. After that they said you go to Heaven to work even more and it’s broken up into 3 kingdoms, etc. I stood up and said “So wait you mean to tell me that after we die, we go to Heaven and work? That sounds a lot like hell to me. And why is it that there are 3 kingdoms? Once we get saved by Christ we are all equal.” I went on to go about joseph smith and all that, how he pretty much made the whole thing up. I then told them to just not buy into that garbage, I mean really it’s garbage made up by a con artist and to go the real path of Christ. I spoke my mind and left, I also let them know that the missionaries should not be coming my way anymore.

That was really rude. You should have called the church and told them to take you off their visiting list, NOT go to their Sunday bible study and heckle them. That was very childish.

 

[pr5843]

That was really rude. You should have called the church and told them to take you off their visiting list, NOT go to their Sunday bible study and heckle them. That was very childish.

Yes it was childish, but maybe their missionaries should have not heckled me when I told them numerous times to stop contacting me and wouldn’t take “No” for an answer.

 

[Fairwinds]

Yes it was childish, but maybe their missionaries should have not heckled me when I told them numerous times to stop coming to my door and wouldn’t take “No” for an answer.

don’t embarrass the rest of us Catholics with childish antics like that. if you need to vent, verbally abuse them, sic the dogs on them or hose 'em down when they’re on your property.

if I have to miss a minute of the NFL or NASCAR to deal with missionaries of any stripe (except Anglican) that’s what they get.

 

[JamesCaruso]

Yes it was childish, but maybe their missionaries should have not heckled me when I told them numerous times to stop contacting me and wouldn’t take “No” for an answer.

I’ll bet you prayed to God for more patience to deal with them. I’ve heard it said that when we pray for patience he sometimes gives us more opportunities than we bargained for. I am not the one to advise you. Sometimes I need a straitjacket to control myself, but I recognize that I am a work in progress. Happy Ascension Sunday.