Why do Mormons evangelize in the manner that they do?

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victrolatim

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I’ve always been curious about this. There are a few young LDS men who are frequently evangelizing on our block. They are very nice and polite. I’ve encountered them a few times. Since I try to evangelize by example I always politely decline, I tell them I am Catholic and that I am happy to answer any questions they have about my faith and I ask them if there is anything they would like me to pray for. They are always very friendly and I make a point to say hello when I pass them. I’ve noticed that it is always the same two young men who basically walk up and down the same block all day. We are close to a main intersection. They are always clean cut, white shirt, black pants, black tie. Is there something in their practice or scripture that dictates why they evangelize as such. Every time I see LDS evangelizing it is always young men in pairs dressed in the same manner.
 
It is the hierarchy who pressure this for the young men. Arguing for their faith and suffering rejection because of hard-hearted people is hoped to seal them in their conviction that it is true. It also gives them a better position for advancing in the hierarchy with its many perks. Nowadays, more people know more about their faith, and know more about how to handle their efforts. The result is that having served a mission (or having cut it short) is more likely to be associated with leaving the LDS faith.

So, continue treating them with kindness, and stay firm in your Catholic faith.
 
Being a missionary in the LDS church is not required, but it is generally expected for young men. There are exceptions for those who have health issues, particularly mental health issues. The young women are not pressured as much, but a good number of them are going now as well. They used to be a minimum age of 19 for the young men but a few years ago they lowered it to 18. Young women can go when they are 19. Men go for two years. Women go for 18 months. I think they lowered to age to 18 because they were losing a lot of young men right after high school, and this was an effort to retain them. But that’s just my take on it. My son went at age 18 and returned after 7 months after realizing that the whole Mormon thing was a giant hoax. I was proud of him for that. Unfortunately, a large number of people who leave the church fall into atheism and agnosticism. Once they realize how they were betrayed, they dismiss God altogether. Such is the case with my son.

You will always see them in pairs, sometimes threesomes. Black pants are common, but they can wear colorful slacks and ties. Shirts must be white. Hair must be short.

Stay friendly towards the missionaries. Testify where you can. You are planting seeds. The good news is that a lot of them lose their testimonies on their missions. A good number of them fall off the wagon after they get home. Kids are leaving the Mormon church in record numbers. Praise the Lord!
 
Thanks for the details. How is the 2 years determined. Is it something akin to how I had to do “community service hours” while in Religious Ed before I was confirmed?
 
I feel bad for Mormons. Much more so than Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Mormons are raised being told a fat lie. A lie that you need to give up on all rationale thought to accept.
You know there is not a shred of evidence that anything in the Book of Mormon is historically accurate.
You know animals and weapons exist in it which weren’t even in the Americas at the time.
You know it steals from the Bible.

All they have is this feeling they speak of. The feeling is stupid though. I read the BOM and sure it made me feel good it’s a nice read, but in the same was as when I read Paradise Lost or the Communist Manifesto…It makes me feel good but I’m not gonna become a communist…

Mormons tell me there was an apostasy . I researched this a lot and not only is it false , but if I were to accept their reasoning for It, I’d also have to believe there was one in early Mormonism. There’s splits right in their faith as well.
 
victrolatim said:
Thanks for the details. How is the 2 years determined. Is it something akin to how I had to do “community service hours” while in Religious Ed before I was confirmed?
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I’m not sure how it’s determined. It was three years for my father, and 2-1/2 years for my oldest brother. Then it became 2 and then 18 months. Now, it’s 2 years again. Ask me this question again in another 2 years!
 
jas84173 said:
All they have is this feeling they speak of. The feeling is stupid though. I read the BOM and sure it made me feel good it’s a nice read, but in the same was as when I read Paradise Lost or the Communist Manifesto…It makes me feel good but I’m not gonna become a communist…
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There’s this guy named Paul H. Dunn who was a Seventy in the LDS church. He gave a lot of talks, especially to the youth, about his career in professional baseball and in the military. He tells a lot of faith-promoting stories that are extremely captivating, powerful and moving. He had people eating out of his hand. The “spirit” was always strong when he bore his testimony and told his stories.

Turns out most of them were lies! Haha . . . so much for the Mormon Spirit!
 
Their purpose is to share the truth with those interested in learning. As you noticed that they are polite and respectful ---- not like some Catholics I know trying their best to bully or have me feel guilty for leaving Catholicism.

Catholics generally expect those not loyal to their church to become interested by the fact that Catholicism exists.
 
CourtingTex said:
not like some Catholics I know trying their best to bully or have me feel guilty for leaving Catholicism.
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I left Mormonism several years ago and being bullied and put on guilt trips was just part of the process. I still get regular pressure from well-intended members. I also know it makes them crazy at how much richer my life is now that I’m on a path to real happiness in Christ.
 
CourtingTex said:
Their purpose is to share the truth with those interested in learning.
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Do they tell the truth about multiple conflicting versions of the first vision?

Do they tell the truth about Joseph Smith’s polygamy and polyandry?

Do they tell the truth about Joe’s multiple affairs?

Do they tell the part where he lied about having multiple wives shortly before he got killed in a gunfight?

Do they tell the truth about the Book of Abraham?

Do they tell the truth about the history of racism and why “darkies” couldn’t hold the priesthood?

Do they tell the truth about the hundreds of polygamist marriages that happened after the 1990 Manifesto?

Do they tell the truth about paid ministry in the church?

Do they tell the truth about the doctrinal revisions in the Book of Mormon?

Do they tell the truth about how the plates were translated?

Do they even know the truth?
 
The First Vision was never denied regardless of the number of versions.

Folks such as yourself will never understand why God required polygamy to happen.

Polygamy is not affairs — again you do not understand about the purpose of polygamy.

The enemies of the church were interested in killing him and ending the church so again you do not understand the purpose of polygamy.

The Book of Abraham is part of the Peal of Great Price, so anything inaccurate about it continues to be spread by our enemies.

If you knew the Bible, not all men held the priesthood and it had nothing to do with race, as you claim.

Those who split from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or who never were part of at all are the answer to that statement.

It is a living allowance, not a salary. Further, it the General Authority does not wish to receive the living allowance, they do not have to receive it.

What doctrinal revisions? The enemies of the church who continue this mountain of false nonsense.

The church has always been correct here.

Yes, it was revealed to them by the power of the Holy Ghost. Not like Catholicism who has to believe, by the fact that the Catholic church exists and says what it does doctrinally.

Bottom line, for me none of what you have said is accurate ---- just a continuation of the nonsense about the church so for me nice try — you have failed to me.

Just admit you are offended my church exists and shares the truth and I do not come crawling back to Catholicism.
 
Yeah. I spent the better part of two hours listening to one completely trashing Catholics to a poor woman trapped in the window seat. Shovel that stuff somewhere else.
 
CourtingTex said:
Just admit you are offended my church exists and shares the truth and I do not come crawling back to Catholicism.
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Remember Elder Bednar’s talk about being offended? It was a good talk. I choose not to be offended. It’s not that hard. 😎

Your church doesn’t have the truth to share. I don’t worry about whether you become Catholic or not. As for my family, I must admit that I DO care about them. Fortunately, all but one of my children are free of the church. So I’m making decent progress!

You had quite a list there. I’m looking forward to answering them. I have a busy evening ahead so I will have to answer you in small pieces but I will answer you.
 
CourtingTex said:
Folks such as yourself will never understand why God required polygamy to happen.
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Well, let’s start here;

From Jacob 2

30 For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.

So tell me about Joseph’s seed.

Can you also explain D&C 101:4 (1935) and why it was removed?

Can you also explain his sexual polyandry which your own church admits to? Was it to raise seed? Were their other husbands not up to the task?

Why did Joseph have to go behind Emma’s back?

Why did he lie about having multiple wives?

Did he follow the requirements in Section 132 for having multiple wives?
 
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Yet the nonstop assault on my church is OK?

I could complain in settings that I am in as well – I do not to spare the people I am around.
 
That’s the same reason I didn’t engage the LDS gentleman in the airplane.
 
CourtingTex said:
If you knew the Bible, not all men held the priesthood and it had nothing to do with race, as you claim.
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From Journal of Discourses:

How long is that race to endure the dreadful curse that is upon them? That curse will remain upon them, and they never can hold the Priesthood or share in it until all the other descendants of Adam have received the promises and enjoyed the blessings of the Priesthood and the keys thereof. Until the last ones of the residue of Adam’s children are brought up to that favourable position, the children of Cain cannot receive the first ordinances of the Priesthood. They were the first that were cursed, and they will be the last from whom the curse will be removed. When the residue of the family of Adam come up and receive their blessings, then the curse will be removed from the seed of Cain, and they will receive blessings in like proportion.

Nothing to do with race?
 
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