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

[mellowcalico]

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

I usually get a visit once a summer. And it’s usually stinking hot, so I often invite them in the AC for a bit to drink some cold water, use the bathroom, etc. You know, just be nice. They usually try to talk to me about the Book of Mormon and Latter Day Saints, but I just tell them I am Catholic and am not interested. I sometimes add, “I have a few Mormon friends and they haven’t been able to convert me. I am strong in my faith. So I think your chances are slim.” They always offer to help me out around the house too–but I decline.

They usually accept that I am not interested and leave me alone (and thank me for the water). In turn, I don’t try to preach to them either.

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?

 

[twopekinguys]

In the 15 or so years that I have been in this house, they have only knocked on my door once. Which is funny, because I seem them hit all of the other 26 houses on my street, every year.

I did get a visit earlier this year, and was polite of course, but when they offered me the BoM, I offered them a Catholic Bible, and a copy of the Catechism.

They declined, and I’m not sure why.

 

[pigtown]

I used to have members of the JW religion come to my door. I’d usually invite them in but I’d tell them that I’m Catholic and do not wish to discuss religion with them. Generally, they’d come in and we’d simply have a short visit and talk about the weather or anything but religion. I didn’t mind having them come in for a short rest and some cold water but that’s it. For a while I’d even get a copy of the Watchtower from them until I realized that almost every issue contained anti-Catholic articles and then I told them why I did not want to read their magazine. For some strange reason, they stopped coming around.

 

[Publisher]

I related this before. A couple summers ago, one Saturday afternoon, while I was moving pavers into my back yard from the front yard to finish out my patio I was building, two missionaries came by and asked if they could help me. I told them I could probably finish on my own but they insisted it wouldn’t be an impostion…so I agreed. I had about a 1/2 pallet left…between the three of us we moved the pavers into the back yard in record time.

I asked the two elders to have a seat under the umbrella and I’d be right back. I went and fixed us some lemonaide and sandwiches and served “bruch” on the unfinished patio. We sat and talked for about an hour. They offered me a copy of the Book of Mormon but I told them I had a nice leather edition an RLDS friend had given me for my birthday one year…I went and got it and showed it to them. We spoke of spiritual things and how good God is to us. When they figured they weren’t going to be able to convert the “nice Quaker man”…they rose to leave.

I told them if they were ever in the neighborhood and wanted to “take a break” from their duties, come on by and I’d serve them a meal and a cool drink. I really didn’t think I’d see them again…but in a couple weeks…here they were again…asking how the patio turned out. I invited them into the back yard and served them a nicer fare than I did the first time and thanked them again for helping me move the pavers. When they left I again let them know if they ever wanted a break and a meal, to come on by and I’d make sure they left full and content. I didn’t see them again…but I enjoyed the time we spoke. They were two kind young men. They shared about their families and what they wanted to do when they got back home.

I have done the same when Jehovah’s Witnesses stop by in the summer afternoons…most of the JW’s aren’t interested to “sit and talk” once they figure out I’m not really interested and am quite content in the Society of Friends.

I like to think I was a postitive representative as I know other “Christians” who are quite hostile toward the missionaries when they stop by.

I let the missionaries know that they could tell their missionary friends of the “haven” to sit out of the sun and have a nice meal if they too wanted to stop by and “take a load off” for a time.

 

[HeavenlyRoses]

My grandfather was raised Mormon & converted to Catholicism when he married. When he was elderly and lived alone the LDS missionaries would knock on his door and he’d pretend to be interested and ask for as many copies of their tracts as he could get so he could “share them”. And when the men left my grandfather would throw them away. It was his little way of getting the pamphlets out of circulation, LOL.

 

[aicirt]

I was a busy young mom in a new house when the missionaries stopped by. I was all excited and embarrassed thinking they were the “Welcome Wagon” women. They weren’t.

Anyway, they always stopped by and I always offered them something to drink and we’d chat for awhile. They knew I was Catholic and had no intention of changing but they were always willing to try. And I was curious about what they believed. Then they informed me that they had a restriction re. blacks. And I said there was no way I’d ever consider a belief system that supposedly was from a loving God which discriminated against His own children.

They never returned. Years later I heard that the Latter Day Saints changed that position re. blacks. Could it have been because of something I said?

Jehovah’s Witnesses came by too, and I’d offer them something to drink but they were more interested in dropping off their pamphlets and be on their way.

 

[soren1]

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

I usually get a visit once a summer. And it’s usually stinking hot, so I often invite them in the AC for a bit to drink some cold water, use the bathroom, etc. You know, just be nice. They usually try to talk to me about the Book of Mormon and Latter Day Saints, but I just tell them I am Catholic and am not interested. I sometimes add, “I have a few Mormon friends and they haven’t been able to convert me. I am strong in my faith. So I think your chances are slim.” They always offer to help me out around the house too–but I decline.

They usually accept that I am not interested and leave me alone (and thank me for the water). In turn, I don’t try to preach to them either.

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 am not a big fan of When Mormons Call. For one thing it id dated, written during the time that LDS missionaries were trained to teach six lessons on basic LDS theology to investigators. The Mormon Church has since abandoned that methodology in favor of a more spirit-driven approach taught in their current missionary curriculum text Preach My Gospel. Second, I think Bennett wrote that book too soon after leaving Mormonism, and it often carries an invective tone, reflecting the authors indignation at the way the Mormon Church had deceived him. Later, Bennett wrote a much better book, with editorial assistance from James Akin, called Inside Mormonism. It is a significant improvement both in tone and content. His second book has one particularly useful section for talking to missionaries - a devastating response to twenty or so proof texts that Mormon’s use to justify the Great Apostasy. While this section is not completely exhaustive and could be even more powerfully argued in places, it is more than sufficient for what anyone would need to know to respond to missionaries.

Whenever I talk to missionaries, the first thing I do is invite them in and ask them about how they are doing - get to know them. Then when they want to start the lesson, they offer to begin with prayer. At this point (because I do not want to join them in praying to a man from another planet) I offer to lead the prayer myself, and invite the Holy Spirit to guide our discussion. When they start to explain how God revealed to Joseph Smith that the entire Church had fallen away, I challenge them at once and then let them go on the offensive, attacking the Catholic Church and historic Christianity in general. If you do this yourself, an ability to respond to all the biblical texts they use, and which few of them have ever heard questioned, can give you control over that conversation very rapidly. Overall, this is not that hard to do, just ask them if they know the contexts of their verses and press them to show where a total apostasy or where an loss of authority is taught in any of their texts. They will rarely have rational answers to this. You should also be able to give a decent, general defense of the Church historically - Crusades, doctrinal development - that kind of thing. If you are not prepared for this kind of debate, do not get involved with them at all. Something I then do, and which I only recommend to people who have done a lot of study, is tell them I will read the Book of Mormon again. This will cause them to come back a second time, and on that occasion I will get into more heavy theology, defending the Trinity, etc.

Another good book for this that I might mention, is actually written by an anti-Catholic Reformed Apologist, James White. It is his book Letters to a Mormon Elder. It doubt many people on this forum like White very much, but this is one of his very best books, probably the most definitive text existing when it comes to responding to the types of arguments missionaries are likely to use. White began his apologetic ministry by spending years witnessing to Mormons at public events like Easter pageants and General Conferences. He claims to have spoken with about 12,000 Mormons in his life, and given his methods of street evangelism - and photos I have seen of him taking questions from ten or twenty Mormons at a time - I can easily believe that. I have found time and again that Mormons makes exactly the arguments White presents in his book and that responses like the ones he gives work. The big danger of this book is that it offers a strong dose of sola scriptura and Calvinist soteriology. It is well argued and persuasive on these points, so I only recommend to book to people who know how to respond to those kinds of claims and can study it with discretion.

 

[Murdock]

Soren

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.

Based upon your MADB profile and your post here, I assume that you know the facts as to LDS missionaries but, for the sake of others here who read your post, and might be considering emulating you, it is worth hitting at least a few salient points. While people often focus on the three weeks (for English language missions) of twelve-hours-a-day “missionary boot camp” they undergo at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, in fact these young men have been prepared for the mission in various ways since they were small children. For example, the LDS Children’s Song Book, used in Primary and at home, has eight songs on the specific topic of missionary work, and by age 11 they have long known all of these songs by heart. During their four years of high school, they attended seminary for an hour each school day. As 16 and 17 year old Priests of the Aaronic Priesthood, they were responsible for blessing the Sacrament. When they were seniors in high school, for a while, instead of their regular Sunday School class, they took a Missionary Preparation Class in which they studied and practiced using Preach My Gospel. As juniors and seniors in high school, they sometimes accompanied the full-time missionaries in their Ward while tracting or teaching investigators. At least a year before they were called as full-time missionaries, they were ordained in the Melchizedek priesthood. They have received their endowment in the temple. Each morning of their mission, they prepare by spending an hour in individual and companion prayer, plus an hour in individual and companion scripture study, before they set foot outside their door. They are fully aware that, when they return home, which often includes BYU, they will be in demand by the prettiest young women who have always wanted to marry an “RM” (returned missionary) with the RM’s characteristic disciplined masculinity and powerful testimony. As RMs are usually 21 year old virgins, marriage is on their minds, even while they are still on their mission, despite the ideal of “losing oneself in the work”.

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.

Murdock

 

[LongJourney]

Wait until more people get access to my (semi-)satirical interpretation of the BoM that proves that those who think there is any true wisdom in that book must respond by leaving Mormonism. It is just about ready.

 

[zaffiroborant]

Soren

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.

Based upon your MADB profile and your post here, I assume that you know the facts as to LDS missionaries but, for the sake of others here who read your post, and might be considering emulating you, it is worth hitting at least a few salient points. While people often focus on the three weeks (for English language missions) of twelve-hours-a-day “missionary boot camp” they undergo at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, in fact these young men have been prepared for the mission in various ways since they were small children. For example, the LDS Children’s Song Book, used in Primary and at home, has eight songs on the specific topic of missionary work, and by age 11 they have long known all of these songs by heart. During their four years of high school, they attended seminary for an hour each school day. As 16 and 17 year old Priests of the Aaronic Priesthood, they were responsible for blessing the Sacrament. When they were seniors in high school, for a while, instead of their regular Sunday School class, they took a Missionary Preparation Class in which they studied and practiced using Preach My Gospel. As juniors and seniors in high school, they sometimes accompanied the full-time missionaries in their Ward while tracting or teaching investigators. At least a year before they were called as full-time missionaries, they were ordained in the Melchizedek priesthood. They have received their endowment in the temple. Each morning of their mission, they prepare by spending an hour in individual and companion prayer, plus an hour in individual and companion scripture study, before they set foot outside their door. They are fully aware that, when they return home, which often includes BYU, they will be in demand by the prettiest young women who have always wanted to marry an “RM” (returned missionary) with the RM’s characteristic disciplined masculinity and powerful testimony. As RMs are usually 21 year old virgins, marriage is on their minds, even while they are still on their mission, despite the ideal of “losing oneself in the work”.

**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.

Murdock

This is an attitude I see frequently from LDS members, some on B-Net were quite adamant about it and never missed a chance to admonish folks not to waste the missionaries time with any evangelizing efforts. We are supposed to simply sit there and listen to LDS missionaries do their thing, we really shouldn’t be evangelizing them. I don’t understand why we shouldn’t.

I’ve read quite a few posts from RM’s on NOM and FLAK that recount experiences with people like Publisher (recalled fondly) and, Soren (grateful they made them think) and, people who were baptized, also recalled fondly but frequently tinged with regret. The saddest thing with these RM’s who post on those boards is they predominantly atheist now.

I’m also not sure why you felt the need to comment on how Soren spends her time??

 

[PaulDupre]

Wait until more people get access to my (semi-)satirical interpretation of the BoM that proves that those who think there is any true wisdom in that book must respond by leaving Mormonism. It is just about ready.

Looking forward to it!

 

[catholic-rcia]

I love Mormon Missionaries. I love it when they have come to my door. It gives me a chance to speak about Jesus, Mary, the Holy Trinity, the communion of Saints, Confession, Eucharist and so forth. I actually had two missionaries ask me at the door of my Church why I was going in. I simply said to be with God. We ended up on the lawn talking about the great apostasy. I told them that I was a great apostasy and because of this I needed Jesus. They ended up coming to our Bible reflection that night where we read the up and coming Sunday scripture and then comment on it. The whole time they were whispering to each other and refereeing to their books. When it was over I asked them if they wanted to go into the Chapel. They said yes. In the chapel they asked a lot of questions right under the Crucifix. The whole time I was thinking these two are home and they do not know it. Not much I could do as they left, I did get a hug from both of them. I have been helping with the RCIA here in Logan Utah for 12 years, ever since my own baptism. Plus I was raised in a Mormon home so I do know a lot about both faiths so I am comfortable with them. The RCIA helps me to learn more and more about Jesus and His Church. Its not hard when you come face to face with truth, the real question becomes what will I loose if I un wrap it? But the harder question becomes what if I sense it then deny that I did? That could be a problem. I have seen the fear in the eyes and in the hearts of Mormons who have come to question their faith. I have witnessed many baptisms and I have to say this. Christ is gain, with Him nothing can ever be lost. While this post is on the subject of Mormon Missionaries coming to our doors I would like to invite the LDS here to read this. It was written by a women here in Logan who is our Parishes Liturgist.
She is also, along with her husband the leaders of our RCIA program . They both helped me with my own conversion to Christ.
http://utahmission.com/pages/Here_I_am.html

We must not forget that all that we do should be all about Jesus. He is the one loved by His Father, we get to share in this love. As long as we have Jesus in us, the Most Holy Trinity that sustains us, we will not only be loved by Him, we will love others for Him and to Him.
http://utahmission.com/pages/Here_I_am.html

 

[Murdock]

Zaffiroborant

Soren is a man. Like Soren Kierkegaard.

Of course you do not have to “sit there while LDS missionaries do their thing.” It is your home. You can tell them not to proselytize or ask to discuss something else.

If you want to evangelize then, once again, it is your home so it is for you to decide. As you say, I believe that evangelization is a waste of time but, more importantly, it may be a waste of an opportunnity to get to know a good person with an interesting background, especially if they are from another country.

For example, a missionary recently in my ward, who is from Mongolia, and is a physician, said that he was told by many people that he was the first person from Mongolia that they had met and the first LDS missionary they had met who was a medical doctor.

However, it is, of course, your time and your opportunity to use as you choose.

Murdock

 

[zerinus]

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

I usually get a visit once a summer. And it’s usually stinking hot, so I often invite them in the AC for a bit to drink some cold water, use the bathroom, etc. You know, just be nice. They usually try to talk to me about the Book of Mormon and Latter Day Saints, but I just tell them I am Catholic and am not interested. I sometimes add, “I have a few Mormon friends and they haven’t been able to convert me. I am strong in my faith. So I think your chances are slim.” They always offer to help me out around the house too–but I decline.

They usually accept that I am not interested and leave me alone (and thank me for the water). In turn, I don’t try to preach to them either.

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?

When JWs come and knock on my door, I always invite them in and talk to them. I also listen to them and let them proselytize me. In fact I am the one who is proselytizing them, but I don’t know that, and that is alright with me. When they come in, I let them know from the start that I am a Mormon, and after that in the conversation that takes place, although they think they are proselytizing me, I am in fact proselytizing them. Is that a good way to approach it do you think?

 

[zaffiroborant]

Zaffiroborant

Soren is a man. Like Soren Kierkegaard.

This is what I thought for the longest time while lurking on MADB then there was something posted by Soren that lead me to believe otherwise I don’t really remember what was said though. It still doesn’t explain why you chose to comment on his use of time.

Of course you do not have to “sit there while LDS missionaries do their thing.” It is your home. You can tell them not to proselytize or ask to discuss something else.

If you want to evangelize then, once again, it is your home so it is for you to decide. As you say, I believe that evangelization is a waste of time but, more importantly, it may be a waste of an opportunnity to get to know a good person with an interesting background, especially if they are from another country.

So then you believe all of your missionaries waste an opportunity to get to know a good person with an interesting background every time they proselytize someone also? After all if we are wasting “get to know you” time by evangelizing so are you. I would imagine they waste an amazing amount of opportunity that way. Like I said there are many examples of people on NOM, FLAK and PM who prove that evangelizing missionaries is NOT a waste of time.

For example, a missionary recently in my ward, who is from Mongolia, and is a physician, said that he was told by many people that he was the first person from Mongolia that they had met and the first LDS missionary they had met who was a medical doctor.

However, it is, of course, your time and your opportunity to use as you choose.

Murdock

Well all the missionaries I’ve seen have all been young (and white) Americans, not in the least bit interested in getting to know us, one pair even bordered on belligerence (they are the reason I wound up on-line looking into the LDS church) the JW’s and SDA’s have been much better in making a connection, my experience with them has been much like that described by Publisher. Heck even the “college” kids from other countries selling childrens’ books have a better record of wanting to “get to know you” than any LDS I’ve encountered.

 

[horselvr]

Here in the deep south I get the Baptists driving up in their van to convert me especially since they feel I need them because of that St. Francis statue I have that can be easily seen from the road.

They have been respectful as am I, and I always lead a prayer before sending them on their way.

I know they would like to ask questions but they don’t.

 

[Miserys_Fence]

I related this before. A couple summers ago, one Saturday afternoon, while I was moving pavers into my back yard from the front yard to finish out my patio I was building, two missionaries came by and asked if they could help me. I told them I could probably finish on my own but they insisted it wouldn’t be an impostion…so I agreed. I had about a 1/2 pallet left…between the three of us we moved the pavers into the back yard in record time.

I asked the two elders to have a seat under the umbrella and I’d be right back. I went and fixed us some lemonaide and sandwiches and served “bruch” on the unfinished patio. We sat and talked for about an hour. They offered me a copy of the Book of Mormon but I told them I had a nice leather edition an RLDS friend had given me for my birthday one year…I went and got it and showed it to them. We spoke of spiritual things and how good God is to us. When they figured they weren’t going to be able to convert the “nice Quaker man”…they rose to leave.

I told them if they were ever in the neighborhood and wanted to “take a break” from their duties, come on by and I’d serve them a meal and a cool drink. I really didn’t think I’d see them again…but in a couple weeks…here they were again…asking how the patio turned out. I invited them into the back yard and served them a nicer fare than I did the first time and thanked them again for helping me move the pavers. When they left I again let them know if they ever wanted a break and a meal, to come on by and I’d make sure they left full and content. I didn’t see them again…but I enjoyed the time we spoke. They were two kind young men. They shared about their families and what they wanted to do when they got back home.

I have done the same when Jehovah’s Witnesses stop by in the summer afternoons…most of the JW’s aren’t interested to “sit and talk” once they figure out I’m not really interested and am quite content in the Society of Friends.

I like to think I was a postitive representative as I know other “Christians” who are quite hostile toward the missionaries when they stop by.

I let the missionaries know that they could tell their missionary friends of the “haven” to sit out of the sun and have a nice meal if they too wanted to stop by and “take a load off” for a time.

Indeed! You are a shining example of “preaching a sermon with your life instead of your lips.” You are to be commended for your kindness!!

A couple of young Mormons stopped by one day when I was not home, and spoke to my (adult) daughter and an adult male friend who was staying with us for a few weeks to help out around the house (I had just had knee surgery). Our friend was pulling the carpet from the downstairs living room, and the young men offered to help (he declined, as he was almost done anyway). They offered to come back at another time, when I was home, as they told my daughter they would not enter the house if she were home alone. She invited them back–because “they were sooooo good-looking!!” (To my knowledge, they haven’t been back.)

I need to take lessons from Publisher. Whenever I answer the door–whether it’s Mormons, JWs, or salespeople–I make sure Angeles comes to the door too. At 100 lbs. of muscle–and especially back in the day when he had 4-inch tusks–my territorial VPBP is quite the imposing sight. No one wants to “come in and chat” with Angeles around!

That and the fact that my house is never clean enough for company!

Miz

 

[Catholic_Wife]

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?

Normally, I am very upfront when people come calling like this. I let them know right away that I have a church that I am very happy with, that I made the decision about my faith as an adult, and that I have no plans to change my faith. If they are still interested in talking about something other than religion, they are more than welcome to come in for a glass of lemonade and a chat. Most don’t, though.

A couple of LDS missionaries came by just last week as I was finishing unloading groceries from my car. We talked for a few minutes outside in the driveway. I shared my witness of how God has blessed me and has worked in my life (how I became a Christian, how I felt called to my career, how I felt led to marry my husband, etc.). They told me a little about their mission work. There wasn’t any attempts at ‘conversion’ on either side. I offered them some Gatorade I had just bought since it was close to 100F that afternoon, but they declined and moved on.

 

[Marie5890]

Want to thank all of you who showed kindness and neighborliness to LDS Missionaries…Many of my friends when I lived in Provo were RM’s (returned missionaries) and it is not easy for these young people to give up 18 (women) to 24 (men) months of their lives spreading Mormon teaching…It comes at a great deal of sacrifice for them and their families…

Most of them are very sincere and earnest in this sacrifice…Very kind and friendly too…

It’s a good time for all to share in Christian kindness…

 

[Catholic1954]

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

I usually get a visit once a summer. And it’s usually stinking hot, so I often invite them in the AC for a bit to drink some cold water, use the bathroom, etc. You know, just be nice. They usually try to talk to me about the Book of Mormon and Latter Day Saints, but I just tell them I am Catholic and am not interested. I sometimes add, “I have a few Mormon friends and they haven’t been able to convert me. I am strong in my faith. So I think your chances are slim.” They always offer to help me out around the house too–but I decline.

They usually accept that I am not interested and leave me alone (and thank me for the water). In turn, I don’t try to preach to them either.

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 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.