Comments on: Missionaries Knock On Your Door: What to Expect http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2010/03/missionaries-knock-on-your-door-what-to-expect/ "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men." -Joseph Smith Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:20:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Thaddeus http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2010/03/missionaries-knock-on-your-door-what-to-expect/comment-page-1/#comment-2063 Thaddeus Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:32:08 +0000 http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=2269#comment-2063 Renagade, these are some good questions to ask the missionaries! I'll do my best, but a face-to-face meet-up can do much more to clear up these misunderstandings. The Book of Mormon actually begins in a Middle Eastern setting. A family of Jews is commanded by God to flee Jerusalem. They construct a ship and sail to the Western hemisphere. From then on, all of the action takes place in the New World (probably meso-america). Black people aren't cursed. They are beloved children of God. <a href="http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2009/02/blacks-mormons-priesthood-racism-answers/" rel="nofollow">See this article</a> for more details. Renagade, these are some good questions to ask the missionaries! I’ll do my best, but a face-to-face meet-up can do much more to clear up these misunderstandings.

The Book of Mormon actually begins in a Middle Eastern setting. A family of Jews is commanded by God to flee Jerusalem. They construct a ship and sail to the Western hemisphere. From then on, all of the action takes place in the New World (probably meso-america).

Black people aren’t cursed. They are beloved children of God. See this article for more details.

]]> By: Renagade http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2010/03/missionaries-knock-on-your-door-what-to-expect/comment-page-1/#comment-2051 Renagade Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:58:34 +0000 http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=2269#comment-2051 Why is book of mormon only based on american places. And why are black people cursed? Why is book of mormon only based on american places. And why are black people cursed?

]]> By: josephine http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2010/03/missionaries-knock-on-your-door-what-to-expect/comment-page-1/#comment-1625 josephine Tue, 31 May 2011 01:15:08 +0000 http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=2269#comment-1625 DEAR FOUNDER, I BRING YOU GREETINGS IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME FROM KENYA.....I  AM SO HAPPY TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING IN KENYA.....I AM PASTOR JOSEPHINE . I HAVE 3 CHURCHES {156 MEMBERS }AND CARING 45 ORPHANS WHO ARE UNDER MY CARE.....I HAVE SEEN YOUR WEBSITE  AND INSPIRED WHAT YOU ARE DOING THERE BY INSPIRATION OF HOLY SPIRIT.  I AM WRITING THIS EMAIL TO YOU TODAY, YOU ARE DOING REALLY WONDERFUL MINISTRIES. LORD IS RICHLY BLESSING YOU ..  I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING YOUR WEBSITE HERE IN KENYA AND PRAYING NOW THREE MONTHS AGO.,.  I AM  SO SO HAPPY FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING IN THE VINEYARD OF THE LORD . PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR US AND HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH THIS POOR MINISTRY IN KENYA ....IF THE LORD WILLS, PLEASE COME AND PREACH IN OUR CRUSADES SPEAK TO PASTORS/ LEADERS CONFERENCE AND HEALING REVIVALS TO SAVE PERISHING SOULS IN KENYA.THANKING YOU .... HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU. MUCH LOVE JOSEPHINE DEAR FOUNDER,

I BRING YOU GREETINGS IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME FROM KENYA…..I  AM SO HAPPY TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING IN KENYA…..I AM PASTOR JOSEPHINE . I HAVE 3 CHURCHES {156 MEMBERS }AND CARING 45 ORPHANS WHO ARE UNDER MY CARE…..I HAVE SEEN YOUR WEBSITE  AND INSPIRED WHAT YOU ARE DOING THERE BY INSPIRATION OF HOLY SPIRIT.  I AM WRITING THIS EMAIL TO YOU TODAY, YOU ARE DOING REALLY WONDERFUL MINISTRIES. LORD IS RICHLY BLESSING YOU ..  I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING YOUR WEBSITE HERE IN KENYA AND PRAYING NOW THREE MONTHS AGO.,.  I AM  SO SO HAPPY FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING IN THE VINEYARD OF THE LORD . PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR US AND HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH THIS POOR MINISTRY IN KENYA ….IF THE LORD WILLS, PLEASE COME AND PREACH IN OUR CRUSADES SPEAK TO PASTORS/ LEADERS CONFERENCE AND HEALING REVIVALS TO SAVE PERISHING SOULS IN KENYA.THANKING YOU ….

HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

MUCH LOVE

JOSEPHINE

]]> By: tgaines http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2010/03/missionaries-knock-on-your-door-what-to-expect/comment-page-1/#comment-1246 tgaines Tue, 30 Nov 2010 05:52:01 +0000 http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=2269#comment-1246 Kathy that was a wonderful thing you did, and I'm sure these missionaries mothers appreciate you letting them in out of the storm. I'm sure those Elders would love to share their love and knowledge of the gospel with you. I hope you invited them back. Kathy that was a wonderful thing you did, and I’m sure these missionaries mothers appreciate you letting them in out of the storm. I’m sure those Elders would love to share their love and knowledge of the gospel with you. I hope you invited them back.

]]> By: Kathy http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2010/03/missionaries-knock-on-your-door-what-to-expect/comment-page-1/#comment-1237 Kathy Wed, 24 Nov 2010 21:19:51 +0000 http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=2269#comment-1237 I had two young elders come to my door today. I invited them in and they were extremely nice. I used to go door-to-door for work and because we were in the middle of an ice storm I couldn't let them stand in the cold! I am Lutheran and would shame my father if I ever switched religions--I'm not interested in switching but I have a thirst for knowledge. I'm 24, married with 2 children. I work full time and will graduate with my bachelors in corporate finance next month. I want to strengthen my faith in general but I know I will not be switching religions....I don't want to offend them, but I'd still love to learn. Do you think they would still share with me even though I won't convert? I had two young elders come to my door today. I invited them in and they were extremely nice. I used to go door-to-door for work and because we were in the middle of an ice storm I couldn’t let them stand in the cold!
I am Lutheran and would shame my father if I ever switched religions–I’m not interested in switching but I have a thirst for knowledge. I’m 24, married with 2 children. I work full time and will graduate with my bachelors in corporate finance next month.
I want to strengthen my faith in general but I know I will not be switching religions….I don’t want to offend them, but I’d still love to learn. Do you think they would still share with me even though I won’t convert?

]]> By: Jan http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2010/03/missionaries-knock-on-your-door-what-to-expect/comment-page-1/#comment-1233 Jan Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:38:56 +0000 http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=2269#comment-1233 Alex! How exciting for you! Don't worry about your nerves, the Sisters will be super nice and bring a nice peaceful spirit with them. Your parents might notice it too, and be okay with them coming. Also, don't be shy about asking questions. They have a set of lessons that they will give you to explain the fundamentals of what we believe, but feel free to interrupt and ask your own questions whenever you want to. Tell me what led you to invite them in? What are you hoping to learn from them? Let us know how it went! Alex! How exciting for you! Don’t worry about your nerves, the Sisters will be super nice and bring a nice peaceful spirit with them. Your parents might notice it too, and be okay with them coming.

Also, don’t be shy about asking questions. They have a set of lessons that they will give you to explain the fundamentals of what we believe, but feel free to interrupt and ask your own questions whenever you want to.

Tell me what led you to invite them in? What are you hoping to learn from them? Let us know how it went!

]]> By: Alex http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2010/03/missionaries-knock-on-your-door-what-to-expect/comment-page-1/#comment-1232 Alex Mon, 22 Nov 2010 07:45:01 +0000 http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=2269#comment-1232 I know no one has commented on this in a while, but I think that even if no one reads my comment or says anything back, that just getting it off my chest will help my nerves a little. You see I'm meeting with sister missionaries on Wednesday and I don't really know what to expect. I'm also very nervous because, while I am a twenty-one year old young woman, I do still live at home and go to school and rely on my parents a lot and they don't exactly like it. I wasn't raised attending church, if anything I was raised watching my father try and tell any sort of church goers that came to our door (mormon missionaries, jehovah's witnesses, etc.) that they were wrong in going to people's doors and trying to *force* their beliefs onto others. I know I should tell them now, but I think I might wait until I have a better understanding and can better explain my reasoning to them. I know no one has commented on this in a while, but I think that even if no one reads my comment or says anything back, that just getting it off my chest will help my nerves a little. You see I’m meeting with sister missionaries on Wednesday and I don’t really know what to expect. I’m also very nervous because, while I am a twenty-one year old young woman, I do still live at home and go to school and rely on my parents a lot and they don’t exactly like it. I wasn’t raised attending church, if anything I was raised watching my father try and tell any sort of church goers that came to our door (mormon missionaries, jehovah’s witnesses, etc.) that they were wrong in going to people’s doors and trying to *force* their beliefs onto others. I know I should tell them now, but I think I might wait until I have a better understanding and can better explain my reasoning to them.

]]> By: Thaddeus http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2010/03/missionaries-knock-on-your-door-what-to-expect/comment-page-1/#comment-1171 Thaddeus Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:44:50 +0000 http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=2269#comment-1171 probro, you're right. Missionaries are in their early 20s. Most of them do not have advanced theological degrees and their purpose isn't to hash out all the philosophical possibilities. We don't believe that's the purpose of religion, anyway. Of course, I can't defend that particular sister's response, but I will say that it is out of the norm and certainly at odds with her instructions. A missionary is, as you say, a messenger. They present what we believe and instruct people on how to find out if it's true by going directly to God. The most productive way to learn about God is to speak to Him and listen to Him. It has more weight than mere academic analysis. Even so, after our missions, many of us do become scholars and we find scholarship to be a useful secondary tool (after revelation) to understanding more about God. If you would like a more rigorous discussion on the philosophical underpinnings of Mormonism, I suggest visiting the <a href="http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/" rel="nofollow">Maxwell Institute</a>, the <a href="http://www.mormonapologetics.org/" rel="nofollow">Mormon Apologetics & Discussion Board,</a> or contact your local bishop. Thanks for your comment! probro, you’re right. Missionaries are in their early 20s. Most of them do not have advanced theological degrees and their purpose isn’t to hash out all the philosophical possibilities. We don’t believe that’s the purpose of religion, anyway.
Of course, I can’t defend that particular sister’s response, but I will say that it is out of the norm and certainly at odds with her instructions. A missionary is, as you say, a messenger. They present what we believe and instruct people on how to find out if it’s true by going directly to God. The most productive way to learn about God is to speak to Him and listen to Him. It has more weight than mere academic analysis.

Even so, after our missions, many of us do become scholars and we find scholarship to be a useful secondary tool (after revelation) to understanding more about God. If you would like a more rigorous discussion on the philosophical underpinnings of Mormonism, I suggest visiting the Maxwell Institute, the Mormon Apologetics & Discussion Board, or contact your local bishop. Thanks for your comment!

]]> By: probro http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2010/03/missionaries-knock-on-your-door-what-to-expect/comment-page-1/#comment-1170 probro Tue, 19 Oct 2010 11:22:41 +0000 http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=2269#comment-1170 One thing I've learned is not to expect too much from the missionaries. Don't expect meaningful answers when you ask them *how* they know it's all true, and *why* they're so certain that they're not deceived. They don't think in those terms, and if you press them you'll only make them angry. I once had a sister shout at me that: 1. I must be a very irritating person. 2. I am *so* argumentative. 3. Since I'm obviously *not* a humble person, I'll never hear the "still small voice". 4. I'm not worthy. 5. The message isn't for* me. I'm not disputing the truth of all this, but I don't think shouting it at me in the middle of the street did her (or me for that matter) a lot of good. They are only kids really, and they're not prepared for deep philosophical questions. It's best to accept that (in their view) they're only there to deliver a message and that it's the Holy Spirit who'll do the real work. One thing I’ve learned is not to expect too much from the missionaries. Don’t expect meaningful answers when you ask them *how* they know it’s all true, and *why* they’re so certain that they’re not deceived. They don’t think in those terms, and if you press them you’ll only make them angry. I once had a sister shout at me that:

1. I must be a very irritating person.
2. I am *so* argumentative.
3. Since I’m obviously *not* a humble person, I’ll never hear the “still small voice”.
4. I’m not worthy.
5. The message isn’t for* me.

I’m not disputing the truth of all this, but I don’t think shouting it at me in the middle of the street did her (or me for that matter) a lot of good. They are only kids really, and they’re not prepared for deep philosophical questions. It’s best to accept that (in their view) they’re only there to deliver a message and that it’s the Holy Spirit who’ll do the real work.

]]> By: Thaddeus http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2010/03/missionaries-knock-on-your-door-what-to-expect/comment-page-1/#comment-1158 Thaddeus Wed, 29 Sep 2010 21:41:15 +0000 http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=2269#comment-1158 cameron, Elder is his office in the LDS priesthood (we also have deacons, bishops, priests, apostles, etc). Love is his last name. Missionaries use the title Elder. Did you end up meeting with them, then? What did you think? They are freely allowed to keep in contact with you, and I hope they will. We are also glad to keep in contact. cameron,

Elder is his office in the LDS priesthood (we also have deacons, bishops, priests, apostles, etc). Love is his last name. Missionaries use the title Elder.

Did you end up meeting with them, then? What did you think?

They are freely allowed to keep in contact with you, and I hope they will. We are also glad to keep in contact.

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