Would you let Mormon missionaries pray aloud in your house?

[Al_Masetti]

Both Mormons and JVs have quit coming to our house.

When they used to come here, I would ask them if they had a bible and then I would start asking them questions.

Probably, the word got around.

And etc.

 

[Georgia]

I let no one into my house unless I know that person. It is too dangerous these days. I find no exception for the LDS or for the JWs.

In both cases, I greet them warmly because I truly feel sorry for them. Both are, I believe, victims, but that will not get them across my threshold. If they wish to talk, I will join in for a discussion, not a religious argument, on the porch. As an odd hobby, I study both religions, hoping for the day I can help them to our side of the river.

When they leave, I pray for them.

And back more on topic, I was in a home where an LDS blessing of a meal was being offered. The people around the table were about half Catholic and about half LDS. As I would hope others do, I respected the moment, actually several as that was the longest blessing I ever heard. I did not join in the group saying amen as that is an indication of belief. I believe in only one eternal God, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. I do not believe that my God was a human on another planet, so I cannot indicate a belief in the person to whom the LDS were praying.

If there were a reason that a person holding the LDS faith were in my home, I would not invite him to offer a prayer, but, if he did, I would be respectful. While I do not believe in the exalted human to whom he prays, I do not think it would contaminate my home and I really don’t understand how we can hope to lead others to the truth of the Catholic Church if we alienate them.

 

[tundramom]

I think I’m going to be the one here who is out of the norm.

Why NOT invite them into your homes? I always allow them in. I know that they know beforehand that I am an ex-Mormon and I am not sure if their goal is to get me back into the fold or just to cut their teeth on a difficult person.

Over the years, I’ve had many many missionaries in my home. I know that I am not going to waver in my faith and re-join them, but being charitable simply because I am a former member is crucial to me.

These boys are just kids. They’ve been programmed. Most of them that have come here are from Utah, only know what they’ve been told about ex-Mormons, don’t have a real clue about how Catholics or Protestants worship God, etc.

I invite them over for dinner, I’ve had them come over and spend their day with my husband helping him scap metal (when they’re supposed to do service work-- my hubby is always amiable and has that male thing going on with them. )

As far as prayer? Mostly they defer to my husband praying. When they’ve asked me at the end of a visit if we can pray. I just volunteer. Most of them have been gracious enough to just let me pray in my own home. After all… THEY think we worship the same God.

Don’t be so tough on these kids. Offer them a glass of water. It’s really what Jesus would want us to do I think.

in Christ
Steph

 

[Publisher]

Of course I would let them pray if they wanted to…and I have. We may understand the Light differently…and I may believe wholeheartedly that my understanding is more “correct”…but I also believe that “that of God” resides within them as well, guiding them toward understanding just as the Light Within does with all of us.

To deny a beloved child to speak to a loved parent…just because I do not share the same view as they do of this parent somehow seems wrong to me. In good conscience I could not deny them to vocalize a heart felt prayer in my home…especially if I had asked them to pray with me…or agree to pray with them at their request…the only alternative I could see is refuse to pray with them period…and that seems very “un-Quakerly” to me…so of course I’d let them “pray aloud” in my house, since they wouldn’t be in my house in the first place if I did not invite them in…“the stranger within my gates” come to mind.