When Mormons Knock on your door (or other religious folks)

[zaffiroborant]

I usually just politely turn them away. It is nice of you to offer the Morman Missionaries a drink and use of your bathroom. They have very strict rules when they out on missionary work, and are only supposed to eat and drink whatever others offer them. Sometimes it can be a day or two between meals.

While the “elders” have strict rules, they are not required to eat and drink only what others offer them. They have a small budget (recently reduced) to pay their living expenses this includes their own meals. So no they won’t go a day or two without a meal if you don’t feed them.

 

[Australis]

When the JWs come around I happily take their magazines because there are some interesting articles in them. I usually take the mags and then they leave straight away. Unfortunately the last time they showed up a resident here said something about blowing a head off and I haven’t seen them since I think they took him seriously AS IF Anyway it was very embarrassing and I was very sorry for the man who had his young son with him. What a stupid thing to say!

The mormons haven’t called around for ages either.

 

[scottm]

So I am curious, what do you do when they (or maybe another religion) knocks on your door? Do you try to talk about Scripture with them? Defend your faith (I’ve never had to do this)? Just be nice and send them on their way?

Those door-to-door missionaries are cool. If they haven’t caught me at a bad time I’ll talk with them for as long as possible, picking their brains on this and that, and finding out why they believe what they believe.

 

[catsrus]

I LOVE when the jws show up. Because I once spent 18 months “studying” with them, many, many years ago, I know what they will say and how they’ll say it.
They always leave frustrated because I know how to turn their little prepared speechs around on them.
I hopefully, give them a spark of an idea also to investigate at home, in private.
If another jw finds out that you have questioned their party line, in any way, you will be called up before a committee of “elders” to explain yourself.
As to the mormons, I’m always polite but cannot bring myself to even listen to their fanasy interpretaions so just send them on their way with a smile and “thanks for stopping by.”

 

[catholic-rcia]

Why would a Catholic who knows Jesus just send these missionaries on their way? I can’t understand that, sin, our fallen nature plays this part.

I would think that we would be excited to invite them in and speak about Jesus, about our Catholic faith. That nothing going on when they knock is more important than this. Yes they will try to take charge; this is what they have been taught to do. But we have the Holy Spirit who is in charge of us and of them. We have truth at our hands and we should be able to express these truths about our faith as Lives are at risk.

We are called as Catholics to let the Holy Spirit blow where it may, we have the choice to allow this to happen. Why would we choose to shut the Holy Spirit in us down before we even gave it a chance to share Jesus with others? Do we keep Jesus in chains deep within us, no open doors? No open windows?

As one who has spoken to many Mormons, helped with the RCIA here in Utah for 12 years I can only think that many Catholics are missing great opportunities to bring Christ to others in need. Trust me Mormons are in great need.

Do you know what the great link is when it comes to a Mormon becoming Catholic? Its this: They have encountered Catholics who took the time to speak about Jesus with them, about the Church etc… Some where even invited to a Mass. Many who spoke to them will never know how they have helped. But those who speak up do not need to know such things as they give it up to God who knows all things.

All we are asked to do is play a small part and not look back for results. The part you play today can and does make all of the difference in ones journey. How do I know this? When they come through our doors I get to ask what brought them in. It’s not because of the ones who turned them away at the door. It’s always because of the the ones who let them in. Always!
www.utahmission.com

 

[SnakeMauler]

If anyone from other religions come over and try to convert you, have them prove the “truth” behind their church by throwing a venomous snake at them. If they don’t die from the snake bite, then they come from the true church.

 

[Disciple4Christ]

I keep seeing that book on the right hand side of the screen “When Mormons Call” (or something like that.

So I am curious, what do you do when they (or maybe another religion) knocks on your door? Do you try to talk about Scripture with them? Defend your faith (I’ve never had to do this)? Just be nice and send them on their way?

I look forward to the chance to discuss the truth about my faith and share with these folks the pieces and parts of the scriptures they seem to have overlooked. Some are fascinated at the things they never saw and understood (truth seekers) and others will not discuss anything even scripture that conflicts with their religious belief (the Blind). But my job is only to plant seeds of truth God will make them grow.
I keep trying to immerse myself in biblical studies to increase my ability to explain to those unfortunate souls that have been misled.
Doing his will to the best of my ability as limited as that may be by my own ignorance.

 

[Returning_Home]

You are a trooper. You have all these internet posts filled with esoteric discussions of biblical subjects (1,465 at MADB and 182 here), you read books about Mormonism by Catholic and even Protestant apologists, I see from your MADB profile that you are working on a Ph.D, I understand from a post by you on another thread that you have a baby, and now – and it sure beats me as to why – I see that you spend time evangelizing LDS missionaries.

You sound like an internet stalker, searching people’s posts for something you can use to embarrass or call them out. You go on the offensive to keep people off balance and distracted from the facts about Mormonism.

A Friend in an earlier post in this thread described what sounded like a wonderful experience with LDS missionaries that in no way affected his faith. Of course, that is what one would expect of the Friends. At any rate, for most people, most of the time, his approach is going to be a more satisfying experience than Soren’s approach. Of course, there is always the other possible experience.

The missionaries who come to my house don’t leave happy. I invite them in, sit them down, let them go through their spiel and then give them the facts about it, supported with their own literature. Imagine their suprise when I pull out my different editions of the BOM and pro-LDS literature. They shut down, their eyes glaze over, and one even showed hate in his eyes, refusing to talk to me once he realized I know more of his own history than he did.

That all said, I haven’t had any here in some three years; I must be on the black list because with an LDS church only three blocks away, I’d think they’d be here regularly.

The next time they show up, however, I’ll invite them in, offer them water and a snack, and take a softer approach. The facts, however, will still be presented.

 

[Returning_Home]

When the JWs come around I happily take their magazines because there are some interesting articles in them. I usually take the mags and then they leave straight away. Anyway it was very embarrassing and I was very sorry for the man who had his young son with him.

I was going to say somehting similar. The last JWs I had knock on my door were well dressed and polite. I asked if they were Jehovah’s Witnesses and they said they were I told them that I wasn’t interested and they left without incident.

I felt sorry for the little boy in the suit as he carried an armload of Watchtower magazines, though.

 

[mellowcalico]

Why would a Catholic who knows Jesus just send these missionaries on their way? I can’t understand that, sin, our fallen nature plays this part.

I would think that we would be excited to invite them in and speak about Jesus, about our Catholic faith. That nothing going on when they knock is more important than this. Yes they will try to take charge; this is what they have been taught to do. But we have the Holy Spirit who is in charge of us and of them. We have truth at our hands and we should be able to express these truths about our faith as Lives are at risk.

We are called as Catholics to let the Holy Spirit blow where it may, we have the choice to allow this to happen. Why would we choose to shut the Holy Spirit in us down before we even gave it a chance to share Jesus with others? Do we keep Jesus in chains deep within us, no open doors? No open windows?

As one who has spoken to many Mormons, helped with the RCIA here in Utah for 12 years I can only think that many Catholics are missing great opportunities to bring Christ to others in need. Trust me Mormons are in great need.

Do you know what the great link is when it comes to a Mormon becoming Catholic? Its this: They have encountered Catholics who took the time to speak about Jesus with them, about the Church etc… Some where even invited to a Mass. Many who spoke to them will never know how they have helped. But those who speak up do not need to know such things as they give it up to God who knows all things.

All we are asked to do is play a small part and not look back for results. The part you play today can and does make all of the difference in ones journey. How do I know this? When they come through our doors I get to ask what brought them in. It’s not because of the ones who turned them away at the door. It’s always because of the the ones who let them in. Always!
www.utahmission.com

This is a very beautiful sentiment. And I really wish I could talk with them, but honestly, I am not knowledgeable enough. Most of what I know, I know with my heart. I am not able to quote scripture like they are and I don’t know Catechism by heart either. I have a friend I’ve known since elementary school–she’s Mormon. She’s able to “out scripture” me any time and I just clam up. I am just not a debater–it’s not a talent I have. The best I can do is Christian and kind… by example I guess.

 

[Prague]

A few years ago, I was cleaning house. I was next to the front door where my crucifix with rosary on is located. I just took it down to dust when the doorbell rang. When I answered the door I was standing there holding out the crucifix and rosary.
Two people took one look and took off running back down the sidewalk.! People next door said they were JW’s. as they had already stopped there.
Do you suppose it was something I said.

 

[Returning_Home]

This is a very beautiful sentiment. And I really wish I could talk with them, but honestly, I am not knowledgeable enough. Most of what I know, I know with my heart. I am not able to quote scripture like they are and I don’t know Catechism by heart either. I have a friend I’ve known since elementary school–she’s Mormon. She’s able to “out scripture” me any time and I just clam up. I am just not a debater–it’s not a talent I have. The best I can do is Christian and kind… by example I guess.

If you’re looking to engage her on her own turf as it were, I suggest you get two very good books: Mormons Answered Verse by Verse and Mormonism: Changes, Contradiction, and Errors, both by John Farkas and David Reed.

They will help you develop an understanding of Mormonism and how it masquarades as Christianity by covering the major points of contention.

I hope this helps.

 

[vera_dicere]

I know not every pair is the same, but I was kinda annoyed at a couple that showed up on my (lapsed Catholic) sister’s place, and basically told her she was going to Hell if they didn’t beleive in what they did. They were JWs. She said they started coming over every week, and when they found out where her daughter was goign to school they started following home a 6 year old girl, which of course scared her to no ends, to have two strange men following her. My sister was getting really upset, and one day when I was visiting, I caught them. We had a polite discussion about the faith, and I had jsut finished reading a book writen by a NZL protestant minister on ways to refute JW teaching (this minister also wrote about the cult of Catholicism >_<)

Anyway, I was rather annoyed that they kept badgering my sister and I was probably a little “forward” with them when I pointed out the holes in their faith, usually I don’t behave that way, but they were freaking out my sister and my niece.

Not long ago I had Mormons constantly at my door, I said I respected what they did, and it was good they were bringign people to a sort of Christianity, but they should really focus on my neighbours who had no faith as opposed to me, who was already saved. It was unusual as well, because oftentimes only one of them would show up, and she was a young girl of about 20ish? I asked her about where she was from as she wasn’t a NZLer and she was from a very poor island nation. In pointing out a few quirks of Mormon faith, I could see she was questioning it, I asked her if she started to outwardly question the Mormon line would she be sent home? Was spreading the Mormon faith her only way to get out of poverty? She said yes, and I did offer to help her through the Catholic church - no strings attached, but she never came back. I saw her partner in the street a few times with a new woman.

I hope she wasn’t sent back to some pit of a country because she asked a few questions.

But my brother, he always asks for their magazines - he said it’s good toilet paper!

 

[PaulDupre]

Not long ago I had Mormons constantly at my door, I said I respected what they did, and it was good they were bringign people to a sort of Christianity, but they should really focus on my neighbours who had no faith as opposed to me, who was already saved. It was unusual as well, because oftentimes only one of them would show up, and she was a young girl of about 20ish? I asked her about where she was from as she wasn’t a NZLer and she was from a very poor island nation. In pointing out a few quirks of Mormon faith, I could see she was questioning it, I asked her if she started to outwardly question the Mormon line would she be sent home? Was spreading the Mormon faith her only way to get out of poverty? She said yes, and I did offer to help her through the Catholic church - no strings attached, but she never came back. I saw her partner in the street a few times with a new woman.

I hope she wasn’t sent back to some pit of a country because she asked a few questions.

More likely she was sent home for going out without her companion. That is a major no-no for LDS missionaries. They are never to be without a companion. Never.

 

[catholic-rcia]

This is a very beautiful sentiment. And I really wish I could talk with them, but honestly, I am not knowledgeable enough. Most of what I know, I know with my heart. I am not able to quote scripture like they are and I don’t know Catechism by heart either. I have a friend I’ve known since elementary school–she’s Mormon. She’s able to “out scripture” me any time and I just clam up. I am just not a debater–it’s not a talent I have. The best I can do is Christian and kind… by example I guess.

Your heart knows Jesus. You are a Baptised Catholic so you have the Holy Spirit in you. Talkng about how Jesus effects your life is enough. Just speak about Him. (heart)

We us the book “We Believe” to teach those asking about our faith. It is the book I encountered myself at the RCIA 12 years ago here in Utah. If you read this book you will be able to speak to others about our faith. You do not have to know Mormonsim, you just need to have a good understanding of what we as Catholics beleive.

aquinasandmore.com/catholic-books/We-Believe/sku/18723/s/459

In Christ
Rich
www.utahmission.com

 

[TikiTokiguy]

I wonder what the missionaries would say if you asked them - In the next life will you have one wife or more?

When they say the LDS church does not practice polygamy anymore, I wonder what they would say if you asked them to promise you right there that they don’t believe in polygamy and will refuse to practice it in the next life.

Will they do that? Will they look you right in your eyes and promise to refuse to practice polygamy in the next life or will they dance around the question?

 

[catholic-rcia]

I wonder what the missionaries would say if you asked them - In the next life will you have one wife or more?

When they say the LDS church does not practice polygamy anymore, I wonder what they would say if you asked them to promise you right there that they don’t believe in polygamy and will refuse to practice it in the next life.

Will they do that? Will they look you right in your eyes and promise to refuse to practice polygamy in the next life or will they dance around the question?

Its best to understand your own faith, be excited about it, the fact that they are with you a Catholic, and speak to them about Jesus from your heart. The other stuff would just be the same kind of spin that they get all the time that hardens hearts to our Church. What we need to do is allow Christ to genuinely love them through us, to keep this open to them while we are with them. I know a Mormon Missionary that was placed in Spain. He walked into a Cathedral and was never the same. He walked out thinking “I should not be feeling this way” He secretly went and bough the Catechism and read it cover to cover.

When Mormon Missionaries leave our homes, because we have the authentic truth and are challenged to know it. They should walk away from our homes thinking “I should not be feeling this way”

In Christ
Rich
www.chooseyourcross.com
www.utahmission.com

 

[PaulDupre]

This is true. Mormons are taught that members of other faiths do not have real faith - they only go through empty rituals with no real passion for God. To hear a Catholic or other Christian speak of their love for Jesus and the surity of faith that comes from the Holy Spirit is deeply unsettling and disorienting to them. It challenges every lie they have been taught from birth. The best thing a Christian can do is to speak of the great love they have for Jesus and the witness they have had from the Holy Spirit than quickens their spirits and gives joy to their lives. Mormons do not know how to deal with this.

Do not let the Mormons lead a prayer in your home. Pray with them, but YOU lead the prayer, and speak from your heart. That does more than 2 hours of arguing bible passages.

 

[dianaiad]

This is true. Mormons are taught that members of other faiths do not have real faith - they only go through empty rituals with no real passion for God. ]/quote]

CFR.

Please show me a quote, a lesson, ANYTHING AT ALL to illustrate that what you have just claimed to be true is true.

I have never been taught that the faith of non-LDS theists ‘don’t really believe.’

Ever.
PaulDupre;6880109:

To hear a Catholic or other Christian speak of their love for Jesus and the surity of faith that comes from the Holy Spirit is deeply unsettling and disorienting to them.

No it’s not.

It challenges every lie they have been taught from birth. The best thing a Christian can do is to speak of the great love they have for Jesus and the witness they have had from the Holy Spirit than quickens their spirits and gives joy to their lives. Mormons do not know how to deal with this.

Do not let the Mormons lead a prayer in your home. Pray with them, but YOU lead the prayer, and speak from your heart. That does more than 2 hours of arguing bible passages.

You know, Paul, what you have just stated is absolutely false to fact.

 

[Love_Divine]

I’ve never had LDS missionaries knock on my door, most likely because I have lived with Mormons as roommates and landlords for the past three years. I have a few friends who were LDS missionaries. All I can say is I’ve never had any issues with any of them, as they’ve all been very respectful and kind to me, which is more than I can say about many of my fellow Catholics.

I don’t understand why it is that whenever people feel the need to discuss religion, one always has to try to prove the other person’s religion is wrong. WHY?!! Why can’t people just discuss the differences and similarities, and rejoice in what we all share in common. The Catholic Church and LDS Church have come together so much in the recent years with social issues. We shouldn’t be working against them, but with them.

The Bible even says that those who are not against us are with us. Seeing how the LDS church isn’t protestant, they actually aren’t against us, which means they’re for us. It never ceases to amaze me how people can get so caught up in the little minor details of religion rather than focusing on what we all have in common. It’s sickening. Why bother praying for unity when so many people want to argue differences?

Every religion has some truth in it, and while many people don’t believe in the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, the Pearl of Great Price, or the Word of Wisdom, no one can deny that there isn’t some truth to what they believe.

Many can continue to argue with Latter Day Saints missionaries about who’s religion is right and who’s isn’t, but I can tell you one thing- every Sunday their sacrament meeting houses are filled every Sunday for roughly 3 hours with whole families who are dedicated to their faith and families. We as Catholics should look to them and ask what it is that they’re doing that makes its congregation so dedicated because they’re obviously doing something right.