Bad experience talking to Mormon missionary

[Dorian]

I've had an interest in the LDS faith for a while now and today for the first time I logged onto the Mormon.org 'chat to a missionary' website. I did so because I kept hearing conflicting reports about what Mormons believe, so I thought I'd go ask someone who is an official representative of the Church.

 

I asked about the afterlife and how their understanding of Heaven differs from what I grew up with (mainline Christian). She said Heaven was a place to grow and become more like Heavenly Father, etc. She asked me why I was asking and I was very honest and said that I keep hearing conflicting reports, so I thought I'd come to a missionary and ask. She asked what I'd heard and I mentioned the idea that people can have kids in the afterlife, she said this isn't LDS doctrine she had heard of and asked where I heard it. I read it in an artice on the BYU website called 'Eternal lives, Eternal Increase' so told her so.

 

She then became really defensive and asked me if I'd read the book of Mormon. I said I'd read a bit, but not all of it. She then said I should read the Book of Mormon before reading anything else or asking any more questions, because any questions I have will be answered in the Book of Mormon. When I asked if I was allowed to ask questions about the religion she said "not until you've read all of the Book of Mormon. Then she said she wouldn't talk to me anymore, and that I should come back to Mormon.org and chat after I'd read all of the BoM.

 

I wanted to argue after that because I felt like she was being pretty rude. I mean, those nice young men that knock on people's doors don't wait for people to read all of the BoM before trying to convert them. I've never been told before that I'm not allowed to ask questions until I read a massive book first. I didn't argue though, that's not what I came for, and more to the point the missionary closed the chat before I could say anything else.

Is this normal? I mean why even bother having a 'Chat with a Missionary' function if all they're going to do is say "if you've got questions, read the Book of Mormon and then we'll talk". May as well just link straigh to the BoM.

 

If a newcomer comes into my Catholic church and has questions we try to answer as best we can, we don't say "Read the entire Catechism and then we'll talk". That's just ridiculous. Really not getting a good feel if that's the way your Church deals with honest questions...

[PolarVortex]

It doesn't sound normal to me.  But I've found that online chatting and email can lead to all kinds of misunderstandings.  I can't count the number of times I have sent an email or a text message to someone who has totally misinterpreted my mood and taken great offense at some little comment that I intended to be dry humor.  I suppose that's why emoticons evolved. 

 

Is it possible that your messages, with no voice or face behind them, were interpreted the wrong way?  Or that you perhaps misinterpreted the missionaries' messages?  If the missionaries somehow got the wrong idea that you were pestering them for no good reason, I'm sure they are trained to end the conversation quickly and gracefully.

 

In any case, I've had zillions of questions over the years and I have not read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover.  My experience is that LDS people are very happy to answer my questions, just as people in your Catholic church are.  I hope you try again.

[Silhouette]

I've had an interest in the LDS faith for a while now and today for the first time I logged onto the Mormon.org 'chat to a missionary' website. I did so because I kept hearing conflicting reports about what Mormons believe, so I thought I'd go ask someone who is an official representative of the Church.

I asked about the afterlife and how their understanding of Heaven differs from what I grew up with (mainline Christian). She said Heaven was a place to grow and become more like Heavenly Father, etc. She asked me why I was asking and I was very honest and said that I keep hearing conflicting reports, so I thought I'd come to a missionary and ask. She asked what I'd heard and I mentioned the idea that people can have kids in the afterlife, she said this isn't LDS doctrine she had heard of and asked where I heard it. I read it in an artice on the BYU website called 'Eternal lives, Eternal Increase' so told her so.

She then became really defensive and asked me if I'd read the book of Mormon. I said I'd read a bit, but not all of it. She then said I should read the Book of Mormon before reading anything else or asking any more questions, because any questions I have will be answered in the Book of Mormon. When I asked if I was allowed to ask questions about the religion she said "not until you've read all of the Book of Mormon. Then she said she wouldn't talk to me anymore, and that I should come back to Mormon.org and chat after I'd read all of the BoM.

I wanted to argue after that because I felt like she was being pretty rude. I mean, those nice young men that knock on people's doors don't wait for people to read all of the BoM before trying to convert them. I've never been told before that I'm not allowed to ask questions until I read a massive book first. I didn't argue though, that's not what I came for, and more to the point the missionary closed the chat before I could say anything else.

Is this normal? I mean why even bother having a 'Chat with a Missionary' function if all they're going to do is say "if you've got questions, read the Book of Mormon and then we'll talk". May as well just link straigh to the BoM.

If a newcomer comes into my Catholic church and has questions we try to answer as best we can, we don't say "Read the entire Catechism and then we'll talk". That's just ridiculous. Really not getting a good feel if that's the way your Church deals with honest questions...

No, this is not how the Church deals with honest questions. I am so sorry you had such a negative experience.

Certainly no one is required to read the Book of Mormon before asking questions, although in the course of missionary discussions, you might be asked to read and ponder certain chapters and verses of the Book of Mormon in order to further understand a concept you're being taught. When I was investigating the Church, I loved being given reading assignments from the Book of Mormon.

As to your question about eternal increase, it's always been my understanding that yes, we will indeed have our own offspring if we attain exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom.

There is an excellent website that you can go to, to ask questions about the LDS faith. It's called askgramps.org. It is staffed by knowledgable members who enjoy helping people (members and investigators alike) find answers to their questions about doctrine. The site is lovely and easy to navigate.

I hope you will not let your bad experience with one unpleasant missionary deter you from seeking the truths you desire to know about the LDS faith.

Please try again with askgramps.org. Also, your local LDS missionaries would be pleased to help you in your investigation, of course.

Please continue posting here and keep us informed of how you're doing. Despite what your bad experience might have led you to think, we truly care, and wish you the very best in your investigative endeavors.

Best Wishes,

Melanie/Silhouette

Edited November 26, 2014 by Silhouette

[The Folk Prophet]

What kind of missionary doesn't know that eternal increase is part of our doctrine? If she knew but was lying because she felt it was "meat before milk" then shame on her for lying. If she didn't know, shame on her for not knowing.

 

Sad commentary.

 

Dorian, missionaries are people, and they vary as much as any people do. Don't judge missionaries or the church on one person. And remember, most missionaries are quite young, not incredibly mature or educated, and still growing up in many ways.

 

Plus what PolarVortex said. Written text in chat/forum form doesn't always come across. Trust me, I know. :)

[Jane_Doe]

I've had an interest in the LDS faith for a while now and today for the first time I logged onto the Mormon.org 'chat to a missionary' website. I did so because I kept hearing conflicting reports about what Mormons believe, so I thought I'd go ask someone who is an official representative of the Church.

 

I asked about the afterlife and how their understanding of Heaven differs from what I grew up with (mainline Christian). She said Heaven was a place to grow and become more like Heavenly Father, etc. She asked me why I was asking and I was very honest and said that I keep hearing conflicting reports, so I thought I'd come to a missionary and ask. She asked what I'd heard and I mentioned the idea that people can have kids in the afterlife, she said this isn't LDS doctrine she had heard of and asked where I heard it. I read it in an artice on the BYU website called 'Eternal lives, Eternal Increase' so told her so.

 

She then became really defensive and asked me if I'd read the book of Mormon. I said I'd read a bit, but not all of it. She then said I should read the Book of Mormon before reading anything else or asking any more questions, because any questions I have will be answered in the Book of Mormon. When I asked if I was allowed to ask questions about the religion she said "not until you've read all of the Book of Mormon. Then she said she wouldn't talk to me anymore, and that I should come back to Mormon.org and chat after I'd read all of the BoM.

 

I wanted to argue after that because I felt like she was being pretty rude. I mean, those nice young men that knock on people's doors don't wait for people to read all of the BoM before trying to convert them. I've never been told before that I'm not allowed to ask questions until I read a massive book first. I didn't argue though, that's not what I came for, and more to the point the missionary closed the chat before I could say anything else.

Is this normal? I mean why even bother having a 'Chat with a Missionary' function if all they're going to do is say "if you've got questions, read the Book of Mormon and then we'll talk". May as well just link straigh to the BoM.

 

If a newcomer comes into my Catholic church and has questions we try to answer as best we can, we don't say "Read the entire Catechism and then we'll talk". That's just ridiculous. Really not getting a good feel if that's the way your Church deals with honest questions...

 

I've found that the speed in which a person into a defensive posture is highly correlated with how often they're thrown rocks at.

 

The online missionaries have a very unique position, in that they only hang out in this universe on anonymity, where tone is so easily misconstrued and trolls reign.  I've heard online missionaries estimate that 1/2 of the people that log on are trolls, just wanting to have their laugh at the missionary's precious beliefs.  Excluding the trolls, a lot of people log on saying something like "I heard this craziest thing on tabloid.com-- that Mormons can't make it into heaven without magic underwear- is that true?"  Being an online missionary is a tough gig.

 

One of the ways online missionaries filter out those that want to learn from those that just want to mock is to ask you to to put forth a little effort, usually in the form of reading a paragraph.  If a person wants to learn, reading a paragraph and talking about it is no big deal, right?  But trolls don't read, they just want to mock and not put any effort forth themselves.  

 

I'm not saying any of this to excuse this online-missionary-- she was rude and asking you to read the entire Book of Mormon is rather ridiculous for a first time encounter.  I just find that understanding where a person is coming from helps in the forgiveness process.  I'm sorry you had such a bad experience.  Not all the online missionaries are like that (they have diverse personalities just like everyone else).   And missionaries are not super advanced theologians or apologists: they're 18-20 yo kids out trying to shine forth their child-like faith of the Savior.

 

Mormon theology does have layers, just like Protestant Christian theology.  Mormonism 101 starts with defining sin and the need of the Savior-- you want a person to realize that they need Christ (cause they do).  Stuff like eternal increase is totally not Mormonism 101, and hence missionaries (i.e. specialists in Mormonism 101) don't really go in it.  

 

And Dorian, if you have an questions you can also ask us too.

Edited November 26, 2014 by Jane_Doe

[Dravin]

Missionaries are taught to use of Book of Mormon to respond to objections:

 

 

 

Use the Book of Mormon to Respond to Objections

 

Many people will not believe everything you teach. President Ezra Taft Benson taught how the Book of Mormon can be the central resource in responding to such situations:

 

“We are to use the Book of Mormon in handling objections to the Church. …

 

“… All objections, whether they be on abortion, plural marriage, seventh-day worship, etc., basically hinge on whether Joseph Smith and his successors were and are prophets of God receiving divine revelation. …

“Our main task is to declare the gospel and do it effectively. We are not obligated to answer every objection. Every man eventually is backed up to the wall of faith, and there he must make his stand” (A Witness and a Warning, 4–5).“… 

 

The only problem the objector has to resolve for himself is whether the Book of Mormon is true. For if the Book of Mormon is true, then Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith was his prophet, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true, and it is being led today by a prophet receiving revelation.

 

For example, sincere investigators might object to what you have taught about the Word of Wisdom. Help them see that their real question is whether Joseph Smith was speaking as God’s prophet when this commandment was renewed in this dispensation. You might say: “Having the faith to accept this teaching will require the assurance that this commandment came to us through revelation from God to the Prophet Joseph Smith. The way to know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God is to read and pray about the Book of Mormon.”

 

Investigators must resolve for themselves their concerns and objections. You can help as you focus them on what will strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ—reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. When they strengthen their testimony of the Restoration, they will have the strength to overcome their objections and concerns.

 

As you answer concerns, remember that our understanding comes from modern prophets—Joseph Smith and his successors—who receive direct revelation from God. Therefore, the first question for an investigator to answer is whether Joseph Smith was a prophet, and he or she can answer this question by reading and praying about the Book of Mormon.

 

 

Link (Preach My Gospel, the missionary study manual): https://www.lds.org/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service/what-is-the-role-of-the-book-of-mormon?lang=eng

 

I don't know if the "Chat with a Missionary" missionaries are fresh arrivals at the MTC, but if they are I could understand how a new missionary who is learning how to deal with rejection and internalize Preach My Gospel might respond similarly to what you've recounted. Particularly if you throw in the fact that online communication losses a lot of nuance so it's easy for tone to be misinterpreted (either way).

Edited November 26, 2014 by Dravin

[Guest]

I'm struggling with this "online missionary" thing... I was called as a ward missionary for 2 years and I have to say I sucked at that job.  Our ward is doing a lot of this "online" thing where we do these "post your testimony on FB" thing or "post a picture of you holding a BOM on FB" thing... and I am getting very resistant to it... because... I have all these Catholic friends and family on my FB and they will not understand this unless I first sit them down and explain what I'm doing person to person...

 

Okay, I don't know how that was relevant to this post, but I just felt I needed to express that.

[The Folk Prophet]

I'm struggling with this "online missionary" thing... I was called as a ward missionary for 2 years and I have to say I sucked at that job.  Our ward is doing a lot of this "online" thing where we do these "post your testimony on FB" thing or "post a picture of you holding a BOM on FB" thing... and I am getting very resistant to it... because... I have all these Catholic friends and family on my FB and they will not understand this unless I first sit them down and explain what I'm doing person to person...

 

Okay, I don't know how that was relevant to this post, but I just felt I needed to express that.

 

Maybe I'm mistaken on this, but I think half the point is that family and friends will not understand, which will lead them to ask, "What's up with that?", which then leads to the sit down and explain what you're doing person to person.

[omegaseamaster75]

What kind of missionary doesn't know that eternal increase is part of our doctrine? If she knew but was lying because she felt it was "meat before milk" then shame on her for lying. If she didn't know, shame on her for not knowing.

 

Sad commentary.

 

Dorian, missionaries are people, and they vary as much as any people do. Don't judge missionaries or the church on one person. And remember, most missionaries are quite young, not incredibly mature or educated, and still growing up in many ways.

 

Plus what PolarVortex said. Written text in chat/forum form doesn't always come across. Trust me, I know. :)

Eternal Increase is laid out pretty well in D&C but I from a doctrinal stand point I understand the reluctance to discuss this with a non member. It's a pretty big pill to swallow and is not biblicaly supported. I guess if I was the online missionary I would respond that yes it is a part of our doctrine but then try to change to course of the conversation.

[Vort]

It's a pretty big pill to swallow and is not biblicaly supported.

 

On the contrary, I think it's very well-supported Biblically. But as with many Biblical doctrines, it's a matter of interpretation, and most sectarian Christians would not accept our interpretations. Nevertheless, it certainly can be supported from a correct (LDS) Bible reading.

[omegaseamaster75]

On the contrary, I think it's very well-supported Biblically. But as with many Biblical doctrines, it's a matter of interpretation, and most sectarian Christians would not accept our interpretations. Nevertheless, it certainly can be supported from a correct (LDS) Bible reading.

This is a non-started with nonmembers. "our interpretation" "our correct LDS bible reading"

[The Folk Prophet]

Eternal Increase is laid out pretty well in D&C but I from a doctrinal stand point I understand the reluctance to discuss this with a non member. It's a pretty big pill to swallow and is not biblicaly supported. I guess if I was the online missionary I would respond that yes it is a part of our doctrine but then try to change to course of the conversation.

 

I don't disagree. I just don't think we should lie when asked a point blank question. The bottom line is, in the day of the internet, the info is there. They're going to find it anyway. Just speak candidly I think. Don't necessarily bring it up on purpose. But if it's asked, answer. Clear, truthful, etc.

[Vort]

I agree. I was not disagreeing with your big picture, just picking a nit regarding the statement that our doctrine is not Biblically supported. It is very much Biblically supported -- if you understand the Bible in the correct way.

[omegaseamaster75]

I don't disagree. I just don't think we should lie when asked a point blank question. The bottom line is, in the day of the internet, the info is there. They're going to find it anyway. Just speak candidly I think. Don't necessarily bring it up on purpose. But if it's asked, answer. Clear, truthful, etc.

I'm not saying back down, the question should be answered. A true understanding of the doctrine to me is better understood by a believing member who accepts JS as a prophet. 

 

To an investigator without this shared belief it just sounds like a cute story.

[The Folk Prophet]

I'm not saying back down,

 

And I'm not saying you said we should back down. You shouldn't assume everything I say is contrary.  :) 

[omegaseamaster75]

but it is ~

[The Folk Prophet]

but it is ~

 

Wrong!

[prisonchaplain]

My guess is that the missionary thought you were getting your information from antagonistic sources.  She probably figured the typical investigator would not just stumble upon the BYU website to look up information about eternal families.  So, sensing a debate coming on ("contention"), she urged you to the most primary of primary sources, and ended the convo.

 

I'm not LDS, so I have no stake in defending what happened.  Besides, there is no need.  The kind of question you asked is perfect for this site.  So, ask away...you'll find useful and intelligent responses here.  And...no pressure...I've been here since '06.  :-)

 

 

I've had an interest in the LDS faith for a while now and today for the first time I logged onto the Mormon.org 'chat to a missionary' website. I did so because I kept hearing conflicting reports about what Mormons believe, so I thought I'd go ask someone who is an official representative of the Church.

 

I asked about the afterlife and how their understanding of Heaven differs from what I grew up with (mainline Christian). She said Heaven was a place to grow and become more like Heavenly Father, etc. She asked me why I was asking and I was very honest and said that I keep hearing conflicting reports, so I thought I'd come to a missionary and ask. She asked what I'd heard and I mentioned the idea that people can have kids in the afterlife, she said this isn't LDS doctrine she had heard of and asked where I heard it. I read it in an artice on the BYU website called 'Eternal lives, Eternal Increase' so told her so.

 

She then became really defensive and asked me if I'd read the book of Mormon. I said I'd read a bit, but not all of it. She then said I should read the Book of Mormon before reading anything else or asking any more questions, because any questions I have will be answered in the Book of Mormon. When I asked if I was allowed to ask questions about the religion she said "not until you've read all of the Book of Mormon. Then she said she wouldn't talk to me anymore, and that I should come back to Mormon.org and chat after I'd read all of the BoM.

 

I wanted to argue after that because I felt like she was being pretty rude. I mean, those nice young men that knock on people's doors don't wait for people to read all of the BoM before trying to convert them. I've never been told before that I'm not allowed to ask questions until I read a massive book first. I didn't argue though, that's not what I came for, and more to the point the missionary closed the chat before I could say anything else.

Is this normal? I mean why even bother having a 'Chat with a Missionary' function if all they're going to do is say "if you've got questions, read the Book of Mormon and then we'll talk". May as well just link straigh to the BoM.

 

If a newcomer comes into my Catholic church and has questions we try to answer as best we can, we don't say "Read the entire Catechism and then we'll talk". That's just ridiculous. Really not getting a good feel if that's the way your Church deals with honest questions...

[Guest]

Maybe I'm mistaken on this, but I think half the point is that family and friends will not understand, which will lead them to ask, "What's up with that?", which then leads to the sit down and explain what you're doing person to person.

 

That's not how it's gonna go down... It's gonna go like this:

 

- Anatess posts Church-related stuff

- The first part is gonna ignore my newsfeed.

- The second part is gonna block me from their newsfeed.

- The third part is gonna argue religion on my wall and tell me my soul will roast in the fires of hell unless I repent.

 

The very few that are really interested in the "What's up with that?" question would ask that question regardless of what's on my wall - they hear Mormon (we've been pretty visible lately) they go ask me about it...

 

FB is just not the place for this type of stuff with my ginormous family who I am banking on to not vote me off the island...

Edited November 26, 2014 by anatess

[Just_A_Guy]

Dorian, Mormon missionaries are trained to facilitate a spiritual conversion; not necessarily an intellectual one. That approach has its advantages; but (IMHO) it can also result in a missionary's getting a certain amount of tunnel vision--which you had the misfortune to experience firsthand.

I think the vast majority of Mormon missionaries lack both the training and the life experience to seriously engage with interlocutors on an intellectual level over any doctrinal topic above and beyond the fundamentals of conversion--faith, repentance, baptism, and gift of the Holy Ghost.

[Dravin]

I think the vast majority of Mormon missionaries lack both the training and the life experience to seriously engage with interlocutors on an intellectual level over any doctrinal topic above and beyond the fundamentals of conversion--faith, repentance, baptism, and gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

Missionaries certainly aren't trained to do so, so any ability to do so is going to be something the missionary brought with them into their service. In short, don't expect them to be any more able to engage in that arena than your average member of similar background and inclination.

 

They're also limited in their ability to look things up, the mission library is limited so even if Elder Smith was of such a bent he doesn't have access to the book shelf full of books on the subject at home. If you want to discuss the contents and implications of a particular sermon given by Brigham Young from the Journal of Discourses the missionary won't be able to go back and study it out to be prepared for future discussion unless they know a member who will lend it to them (and many a mission president would be unhappy to know that is going on). The same would apply to online materials, unless things have changed. 

Edited November 27, 2014 by Dravin

[FunkyTown]

All I can say is be patient:

 

Sometimes, people on the internet with an axe to grind try to attack these missionaries and use these missionaries as a means to do that.

 

What you did was the equivalent of someone on the internet contacting a Priest and saying they have some honest questions about things like Papal Infallibility and the abolition of St. George or Purgatory and admitting they hadn't ever read the scriptures.

 

The Savior did the same when asked about marriage in heaven.

 

In this case, she wanted to be able to have a discussion with you that allowed you to understand what she would be saying, and that you would have an open heart when you did so.

 

I apologize that you felt slighted by this. It would never have been the Missionary's intention.

 

I've had an interest in the LDS faith for a while now and today for the first time I logged onto the Mormon.org 'chat to a missionary' website. I did so because I kept hearing conflicting reports about what Mormons believe, so I thought I'd go ask someone who is an official representative of the Church.

 

I asked about the afterlife and how their understanding of Heaven differs from what I grew up with (mainline Christian). She said Heaven was a place to grow and become more like Heavenly Father, etc. She asked me why I was asking and I was very honest and said that I keep hearing conflicting reports, so I thought I'd come to a missionary and ask. She asked what I'd heard and I mentioned the idea that people can have kids in the afterlife, she said this isn't LDS doctrine she had heard of and asked where I heard it. I read it in an artice on the BYU website called 'Eternal lives, Eternal Increase' so told her so.

 

She then became really defensive and asked me if I'd read the book of Mormon. I said I'd read a bit, but not all of it. She then said I should read the Book of Mormon before reading anything else or asking any more questions, because any questions I have will be answered in the Book of Mormon. When I asked if I was allowed to ask questions about the religion she said "not until you've read all of the Book of Mormon. Then she said she wouldn't talk to me anymore, and that I should come back to Mormon.org and chat after I'd read all of the BoM.

 

I wanted to argue after that because I felt like she was being pretty rude. I mean, those nice young men that knock on people's doors don't wait for people to read all of the BoM before trying to convert them. I've never been told before that I'm not allowed to ask questions until I read a massive book first. I didn't argue though, that's not what I came for, and more to the point the missionary closed the chat before I could say anything else.

Is this normal? I mean why even bother having a 'Chat with a Missionary' function if all they're going to do is say "if you've got questions, read the Book of Mormon and then we'll talk". May as well just link straigh to the BoM.

 

If a newcomer comes into my Catholic church and has questions we try to answer as best we can, we don't say "Read the entire Catechism and then we'll talk". That's just ridiculous. Really not getting a good feel if that's the way your Church deals with honest questions...

[Silhouette]

All I can say is be patient:

Sometimes, people on the internet with an axe to grind try to attack these missionaries and use these missionaries as a means to do that.

What you did was the equivalent of someone on the internet contacting a Priest and saying they have some honest questions about things like Papal Infallibility and the abolition of St. George or Purgatory and admitting they hadn't ever read the scriptures.

The Savior did the same when asked about marriage in heaven.

In this case, she wanted to be able to have a discussion with you that allowed you to understand what she would be saying, and that you would have an open heart when you did so.

I apologize that you felt slighted by this. It would never have been the Missionary's intention.

I respectfully disagree with some of this. Why would the missionary assume the person asking was a dimwit who wouldn't be able to understand what she was saying without having read the Book of Mormon first? Why would she assume he didn't have an open heart? Quite the contrary; some Gospel background and basic beliefs ought to be taught before asking an investigator to read the Book of Mormon.

Before I was baptized, I tried reading the Book of Mormon and absolutely could not understand it at all. I didn't know who the people were that were in it, I did not understand where they were supposed to have lived... I hadn't a clue about anything in it. I had picked it up at the age of 12 from a street board that the local Church had at the mall. I admired it and thought it was "pretty", so the lady told me I could have it. No preaching was involved at all. So I was totally lost when I tried to read it.

It took me calling the Church 3 years later and asking for missionaries to come, before I finally understood what the Book of Mormon was all about. I think that if things unfolded the way the OP describes, that missionary was very much in the wrong and was very insulting. There is no reason a missionary should hesitate to answer a question as straightforward as the one the OP asked.

I'm sorry also that he felt slighted, but it sounds like he had every reason to. It sounds to me like he WAS slighted, and that she assumed he was stupid to boot.

Edited November 29, 2014 by Silhouette

[Dorian]

Hi all,

Thank you for your responses. I guess I was surprised because I've only ever had one encounter with a missionary before (we met on a tram, and I stupidly invited him and his companion to come in for a cup of coffee before remembering you guys don't drink it. He just had water hahaha). He must have been a one off though, because he was very passionate about his religion and quoting scripture off by heart and we had some great conversations so I guess I just assumed they were all like that. Also, I'm a teacher and one of the subjects I teach is comparative religion, so it's kind of my job to know about different beliefs. Maybe the missionary thought I was trying to trip her up or something. Oh well, no harm done and I'll just stick to here or maybe talk to a local Church leader if I have any more questions.

[Jane_Doe]

Hi all,

Thank you for your responses. I guess I was surprised because I've only ever had one encounter with a missionary before (we met on a tram, and I stupidly invited him and his companion to come in for a cup of coffee before remembering you guys don't drink it. He just had water hahaha). He must have been a one off though, because he was very passionate about his religion and quoting scripture off by heart and we had some great conversations so I guess I just assumed they were all like that. Also, I'm a teacher and one of the subjects I teach is comparative religion, so it's kind of my job to know about different beliefs. Maybe the missionary thought I was trying to trip her up or something. Oh well, no harm done and I'll just stick to here or maybe talk to a local Church leader if I have any more questions.

 

When you're talking to someone you don't know, it might be useful to mention you teach comparative religions.  Speaking personally, I run across a lot more people who are 'educated' on Mormonism because of some anti-propoganda site than people who are studying Mormonism because they are professors.