april6e Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 I was walking around campus one day and met some guys who wanted to invite me to learn more about their faith.I agreed, I'm personally non-denominational with baptist viewpoints but I'm always up for challenging my current world views.They filled me in on Joseph Smith, their beliefs, etc. Through a few meetings, they challenged me to pray about whether I accepted their viewpoint. Recently, we also talked about me attending church with them and baptism (I'm already baptized but I guess you must be "properly" baptized by a member with authority in that faith?)I'm very indirect about my faith, I told them that I'd pray and research more about it and let them know if I decided to attend church with them or go further and get baptized.They seem very agenda based though; they seem very eager to have me join them for service as they constantly tried to pinpoint me for another meeting though I conveyed that I'm just going to pray about it and I'll come back and let them know if God wills it.I'm not offended by this, I appreciate how much they care about having me join with them. Though I am curious. Is there some sort of incentive in the latter day saint about having new members join (I read something about proselytism??). They seemed very...strong handed about making sure I continued meeting with them.
blackstrap Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 I'm sorry for this interruption in your life.If you let us know what campus you were wandering on,we will be sure to contact the authorities there and inform the young men that they are to go less aggressively in your case.This may take a few days to arrange so please be patient.
Buzzard Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 We LOVE new members, and yes, are very much into missionary work, but missionaries, whether full time or regular members sharing their faith, don't work on commission. So no incentives other than good feelings for helping someone accept the message of the restoration.I'm speculating a bit here, but many young, full time missionaries are trained in what is called a "committment pattern". That is, if people commit to read the Book of Mormon, attend church, etc.., and follow through on those committments, they are much more likely to be baptized than someone who talks with the missionaries and casually researches the church.So they may have just been following the training they recieived. BTW, it's been a while since I was a full time missionary. A lot has changed, but many things have not.Whatever you decide and/or discover, feel free to post any questions you may have.
Buzzard Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 I'm sorry for this interruption in your life.If you let us know what campus you were wandering on,we will be sure to contact the authorities there and inform the young men that they are to go less aggressively in your case.This may take a few days to arrange so please be patient.I only hope you are being flippant.
bluebell Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 There's no incentive for members who help someone else to join. However, if you understood where these guys were coming from, their 'encouragement' would make more sense.Missionaries volunteer two years (or 18 months for women) of their lives to go out share the gospel with people. They have no say in where they are sent (they send in some paperwork and receive a letter in the mail a few weeks later telling them where in the world they will be going). They (and/or their families) pay for them to go. It's about 425 a month or so. That monthly payment is sent into the church headquarters and doled out through out the world. The missionaries receive a stipend every month to pay for their expenses (when I served it was 144 dollars but because the cost of living is different in different places, my experience is probably not typical).While on their missions, missionaries only get to talk to their families 2 times a year-otherwise it's just letters once a week. They work 6 days a week (up at 6:30, out the door around 9, back home around 9 and in bed by 10:30). They get one day off (until 6 in the evening, after six it's like a typical day and they are out working) where they can relax a little, wash their clothes and go food shopping for the week. They can't date-they are with a partner (called a companion) at all times except when they are in the bathroom. They can't watch t.v., listen to regular music, or read anything but religious materials. They also do service every week as well that has nothing to do with sharing a religious message.Some missionaries are more dedicated than others-no one forces you to go out and work so you have to be your own motivator-but this is what life as a missionary is generally like.They do all this just so they can share their beliefs with other people and hope that the other person will take their message seriously and want to find out for themselves whether or not it is true. That's why, sometimes, they are too aggressive or might come off as too pushy. They are giving up a lot and most of them just want to be good representatives of Jesus Christ. If they are starting to bug you, just tell them straight out they need to back off. Hopefully, they'll calm down and let you proceed at the pace you believe is best for you. 4
TAO Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 The missionaries are zealous, that they are =).Nah, they don't have an incentive besides the spirit... missionaries are isolated from all that stuff at home, for the most part. They leave the world... and the things of the world... for 2 years. And their mission is to help others join the church, that it is. That's what they've been called to do - to serve, to preach, and to baptize and such =).Bluebell did a good job explaining what it is like to be a missionary. It's very... important... you see... when you are a missionary... you want people to have the same joy you do. So, you proselytize. And you hope, people are willing to listen. And if they are, then you teach them =).That's probably why they were teaching you. Because you were potentially open, and willing to listen and consider it =D.Hope this helps,-TAO
thesometimesaint Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 Besides we're out to convert the whole world..............................Eventually.
Storm Rider Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 I was walking around campus one day and met some guys who wanted to invite me to learn more about their faith.I agreed, I'm personally non-denominational with baptist viewpoints but I'm always up for challenging my current world views.They filled me in on Joseph Smith, their beliefs, etc. Through a few meetings, they challenged me to pray about whether I accepted their viewpoint. Recently, we also talked about me attending church with them and baptism (I'm already baptized but I guess you must be "properly" baptized by a member with authority in that faith?)I'm very indirect about my faith, I told them that I'd pray and research more about it and let them know if I decided to attend church with them or go further and get baptized.They seem very agenda based though; they seem very eager to have me join them for service as they constantly tried to pinpoint me for another meeting though I conveyed that I'm just going to pray about it and I'll come back and let them know if God wills it.I'm not offended by this, I appreciate how much they care about having me join with them. Though I am curious. Is there some sort of incentive in the latter day saint about having new members join (I read something about proselytism??). They seemed very...strong handed about making sure I continued meeting with them.Your ability to firmly respond to their requests is healthy and good. Mormons believe in the Great Commission and feel the responsiblity to teach the gospel to all the world. They will continue to ask you to attend church as long as your are open to it. Thank you for asking the question. Cheers,
Calm Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 I'm not offended by this, I appreciate how much they care about having me join with them. Though I am curious. Is there some sort of incentive in the latter day saint about having new members join (I read something about proselytism??). They seemed very...strong handed about making sure I continued meeting with them.This is very kind of you to take this in a positive way and generous that you take the extra effort to find out more information from other LDS before making any assumptions. There are many who do not so it is always good to see one who understands that we do this out of care and love for others.
rpn Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 It will help the missionaries if you are direct about what you are thinking and feeling. If you really don't want them to bother you for a while, then tell them to call you the week before finals, or in two weeks, or whatever. Most church members know that it is easy for all of us to get caught up in our every day lives and get sidetracked from searching for the things of God, and that is another reason why the missionaries want to confirm another appt. If you want it to be a month from now, just tell them that.
Garden Girl Posted March 26, 2012 Posted March 26, 2012 I agree... sometimes our missionaries in their desire to teach the gospel can sometimes seem like they are pushing... in a way they are for the reasons others have explained. We love the message of the gospel and want share it with others. But, it is true that if you want them to not press you so much at this time, just tell them honestly. I encourage you not to shut any doors but to proceed at your own pace. Ask for reading material to study... go online to lds.org and search out accurate information vs some of the other "Mormon" websites that are in reality misleading.And feel free to ask any questions here... We love to share...All good wishes from the beautiful central Oregon coast... GG
Fly Fisherman Posted March 27, 2012 Posted March 27, 2012 Same question posted on a Christian forum, but with bad answers: http://www.christianforums.com/t7643107/
blueadept Posted March 27, 2012 Posted March 27, 2012 (edited) Same question posted on a Christian forum, but with bad answers:http://www.christian...s.com/t7643107/Obviously it's the same poster on both boards and the poster doesn't necessarily seem any more persuaded by their comments over there even with the 'bad answers.'As the saying goes, "Preach My Gospel At All Times.......When Necessary, Use Words"At this point, I would say that the LDS members are being a better example. To the OP, this is coming from a non-LDS dude The missionaries are simply trying to take your discussions to the next level which is a reasonable thing to try. I've taken the missionary lessons a couple of times and attended their services for several years. All that experience did was to make me a stronger Catholic which I don't regret. Good luck with your lessons.As a Catholic who has done door-to-door evangelization, I would say the approach is the same. Engage, pray and teach with the hope that they may be interested in coming to our inquirer's class. Edited March 27, 2012 by blueadept
Calm Posted March 27, 2012 Posted March 27, 2012 I really liked what Pres. Holland had to say about missionary work in the Q&A section of his talk at Harvard. If you have the time it would be good to listen to it to see the attitude of at least one of those sending them out. DavidT put up a link in a thread in the main forum for those interested.
Kenngo1969 Posted March 27, 2012 Posted March 27, 2012 (edited) ... Is there some sort of incentive in the latter day saint about having new members join (I read something about proselytism??). Yes. We get a 1% discount off of our tithing for every member we bring into the Church. Cha-ching! P.S.: Those in-the-know, know I'm joking. For those not in-the-know, I'm joking. Edited March 27, 2012 by Kenngo1969
blackstrap Posted March 28, 2012 Posted March 28, 2012 I guess it's just me who hears the 'sounds of silence'.
Kenngo1969 Posted March 28, 2012 Posted March 28, 2012 Besides we're out to convert the whole world..............................Eventually. And, while we prefer to do it while you're alive, if we have to, we'll wait until after your dead. (Baptism by proxy is a rite performed by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in behalf of their deceased ancestors who didn't join the Church in this life ... but don't worry: you still have free will to accept or to reject any ordinance performed in your behalf.)
volgadon Posted March 28, 2012 Posted March 28, 2012 I guess it's just me who hears the 'sounds of silence'.Or the name "april6e."
Avatar4321 Posted March 28, 2012 Posted March 28, 2012 we like sharing more happiness with people. Who can blame us though:)
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