Chat live with a missionary is very FUN!

[_Jersey Girl]

Who Knows

Hey Dan P - let me ask you to do the same thing you asked of Jersey Girl (which she kindly obliged): You're registered {free to register} here, why don't you come here and talk to us about it? (we would do the same if we could)

A small question....why can't you?

[_Who Knows]

Who Knows

Hey Dan P - let me ask you to do the same thing you asked of Jersey Girl (which she kindly obliged): You're registered {free to register} here, why don't you come here and talk to us about it? (we would do the same if we could)

A small question....why can't you?

I was banned for life because DanG (and most likely juliann) thought I committed the heinous crime of telling someone who the mods were. Why did he think this? Because he MISread a PM that I sent to someone at MAD. That, and I participated on this board (I was part of the original mass purging on November 5th).

[_Mr. Coffee]

You guys do know that there are a lot of extremely easy to impliment means of getting around an IP ban, right?

[_Who Knows]

You guys do know that there are a lot of extremely easy to impliment means of getting around an IP ban, right?

I don't care about posting there, if I'm not posting there as me.

[_Jersey Girl]

You guys do know that there are a lot of extremely easy to impliment means of getting around an IP ban, right?

I don't care about posting there, if I'm not posting there as me.

Well, then wouldn't it be a better idea to accept your circumstances, post where you're able or care to, and let others do the same? I, too, was banned in the Nov 5th purges.

[_Who Knows]

You guys do know that there are a lot of extremely easy to impliment means of getting around an IP ban, right?

I don't care about posting there, if I'm not posting there as me.

Well, then wouldn't it be a better idea to accept your circumstances, post where you're able or care to, and let others do the same? I, too, was banned in the Nov 5th purges.

Sorry, I'm not following you (mostly the part about 'letting others do the same').

[_gramps]

I could care less what Dan thinks.

My conversation with Mormon.org. Jared to be exact. No, not the brother of Jared, just Jared. Quite a nice guy, if not a little confused, and slow at typing. You would think being that slow he would be able to spell, but he had a bit of a difficulty at both, typing and spelling. Hint: I usually fire off a few questions before he can get back to me. So, forgive Jared’s delayed responses at times. Also, when you read me calling out “hello?”, “hello?”, I didn’t have a clue where he was at times. It felt like he was working a couple of investigators at the same time, but who knows?

INTRODUCTIONS AND MISSIONARY WORK

Jared: Hello. How may I help you?

Tim: My name is Tim.

J: Hello Tim.

T: I have been investigating a little about your church. I have met some missionaries at the university here in Germany.

J: Excellent.

T: They are really nice guys. One is from SLC and the other is from Munich.

J: How are the visits going?

T: Well, you are the Jehovah Witnesses, that’s for sure.

T: Aren’t, I mean.

T: They are a little secretive about some of their meetings and all.

T: But the missionaries have invited me to a baptism at the church. I went and saw it.

T: Hello? Anyone there?

J: Yes.

T: Jared?

J: I was just listening.

J: How did the baptism go?

T: I’ve felt pretty good with the missionaries and they have been quite helpful in explaining doctrine. I am not allowed at some of their meetings.

J: What type of meetings?

T: About the baptism: I guess it was a little boy of a family in your church. Everyone was crying at the end. Well, I wasn’t.

J: I ask because there are some meetings that only missionaries go to.

J: Right. Go on.

T: Well, I mean the JW’s. Until I’m baptized, I can’t attend some of their meetings.

T: But, it seems the members of the church invite me to everything.

J: Oh I see what you are saying.

T: Sometimes I don’t have the time to do everything they ask me to do.

T: Your church has a lot of meetings.

J: We sure do.

T: Why is that?

J: Do you mean just on Sundays?

T: I’m thinking that not lots of people are interested in your church here, so maybe that is why they are always dropping by.

T: There is always a get together at someone’s house or at the park or at your church.

J: Oh I see.

J: We just love to get together.

T: I do like everyone I met so far, except your priest at the church seems a little too former east German to me. Sorry for the stereotype.

T: Why is everyone seeming to be so happy?

J: As we have those activities it helps us build friendships within our areas that we are at.

T: That makes sense. The missionaries seem a little lonely I think. Do they eat well?

J: I think so.

J: I don’t know what it is like in Germany. I have never been there.

T: Who pays for them to do their work here in Germany? It’s quite expensive here.

J: I was a missionary in a different country. There we ate well.

T: Oh! You were a missionary?

J: They pay thier own way.

T: How can they do that? They are just kids. By the way, I am former military and live here with my German wife.

J: I was. Now I am a regular member of the church like the people you have met.

J: I see.

J: Well, those that choose to go on missions usually save up.

T: It must be a real burden for young people to pay for everything.

T: Do they take donations?

J: Well it isn’t only them. Their families help

J: As well as their home wards.

T: Does every boy go on a mission. They told me it is completely voluntary. Is that true?

T: What is a ward?

J: It is.

T: That’s pretty impressive. Do all the boys go or just some of them?

J: Well when the time comes each member of the church decides whether or not they want to go.

THE Book of Mormon

T: I have a million and one questions, but sometimes they can’t answer them. Can you help me out and give me an objective viewpoint?

J: For men they can leave as early as 19 years, and women can leave as early as 21 years.

T: I met some women missionaries here too. They were really nice. One was German and the other from Wash. D.C.

J: Great. So how are the lessons going with the missionaries?

T: We had a first lesson, if that is what you call it.

J: Yes, that is what it is called.

T: I’ve been asked to read the Book of Mormon and to pray to God about it.

J: What did you talk about?

J: Oh, excellent.

J: How is that going?

T: It is a little tough going. I have never read the Bible even before.

T: I still am not sure I understand the story line.

J: Well this will be a good oppertunity to do that.

J: I know what you mean. For the first time it can take a little getting used to.

J: You know what though.

T: Help me out please. What exactly did Joseph Smith translate and how?

J: You can always ask the missionaries to help you understand.

J: Sure.

J: I would love to answer that.

T: O.K. Please do.

T: Hello?

J: When Joseph Smith was wondering which church he should join he prayed and received the vision that the missionaries share with you.

J: (sorry I am a slow typer)

T: O.K. No problem!

J: Joseph was called to be a prophet and God sent him a messager to show him were a special book was hidden from the world.

T: And who is the messenger and what is this book?

J: This book was so special because it was written by prophets a long time ago.

T: Where were these prophets?

J: They were here in the Americas.

T: Where in the Americas?

J: That is also why this book is so special.

J: We don’t really know for sure.

T: Again, where?

J: We don’t really know that.

T: So, maybe Brazil or Alaska?

J: Some think it was somewhere in Central America but we know it was somewhere in the Americas

T: O.K. The Americas is a big place. Why were they in the Americas and not in Jerusalem?

J: That is another great question.

J: You ask excellent questions.

T: I’ve never heard of prophets in the Americas. Only in Jerusalem.

J: Well it was here because this is where the Lord led a small group of them

T: My major in university was in Philosophy. I ask a lot of questions. My wife hates it.

T: Are they still in the Americas?

J: In the first part of the Book it talks about a prophet Lehi who lived in Jerusalem with his family.

T: That is the part I have started reading. Now they are building a boat. Some guy got killed first and now they are sailing away.

J: They started out there and the Lord told them to leave because Jerusalem was going to be destroyed.

T: It was a sail boat right?

J: I’m not sure what it looked like exactly but they did use it to sail across the ocean.

T: By the way, I told my wife about this book. She says to be careful.

J: They were led in the ship by the Lord and He guided them here.

T: And were there people there in the Americas already?

J: Or maybe I should say somewhere in America.

J: There were. It was another small group that was led to America by the Lord.

J: You will hit that part a little latter.

T: When was that?

T: Were they the only others?

J: Later

J: Do you want like a date?

T: Do you have a date?

J: That we know of yes.

T: And when was that?

J: Not an exact date because it was so long ago but it was somewhere around 600 BC.

T: OK. Is that the group in the start of the book?

J: Yes.

T: That is Lehi’s family.

T: O.K. And there were some other people there, too? From the same place or where?

J: You mean the other people? Yeah they came from the middle east also.

T: By boat, as well?

J: Yeah it would have had to have been by boat.

T: Were there any other people there? I only know about the Incas and the Aztecs and the Mayas. I haven’t heard about others.

J: I hope I am not confusing you even more.

T: No. I have been reading all day. It is fascinating, if it is true.

J: It is true. That is the great thing about it.

T: I hope so. Like I said, my wife is a little concerned.

J: I see.

T: But don’t worry about her. She does what I say, always, in the end.

J: It is a book of prophets that taught of Chirst.

T: O.K. How are they related to the Aztecs and the Mayas and Incas? Or are they?

J: We aren’t 100% sure on that.

T: I am not sure I understand. What does your church say? Certainly, they have been asked about this before.

J: See even before those two groups that I mentioned it talks about a whole different group that left the area of the middle east a long time before Lehi and his family.

T: When was that?

T: Approximately?

J: This was a long time before. We don’t have the actual date but this was back when the people in Babylon were building the tower.

J: The tower was called the tower of Bable.

T: O.K. did these groups associate with others on the American continent or are the others part of these groups from the Middle East?

J: I’m not usre if I am making any sense.

T: You are. I have heard of that tower.

J: OK. Good. Well Lehi’s family came last.

T: So how are they connected to the Incas or the Aztecs? My wife keeps asking me these questions. She went to Peru last year, from Cuzco to Macchu Picchu.

J: The first one that I was talking about did have a little contact with the middle group (called the Mulekites).

T: How many people total?

J: Thje Mulekites had contact with Lehi and his family.

T: O.K.

J: There were three groups.

T: O.K. And the connection with the Aztecs or the Incas, etc. Are they the same people?

J: I am totally sure.

T: You are sure they are the same people? Is that what you said?

J: I haven’t studied it out enough to tell you a definite answer.

T: What did Joseph Smith say?

J: No I am not totally sure.

J: Sorry I said the wrong thing.

T: What did Joseph Smith Say?

T: Or your prophet today? What does he say?

J: I’m not sure if Joseph Smith ever talked about the Aztecs or Mayens.

T: I don’t know the time frame exactly. My wife is not here right now. Were they all there at the same time?

J: You mean the Aztecs and the Mayens?

T: Yes, and the people from the book. Either the first or the other group.

T: I am just trying to understand the chronology.

J: I am not so sure about the first group.

T: But the other group?

J: Lehi and his family’s record started at about 600 B.C.

T: So, were there others there when they got there not from the Middle East?

J: Yes.

T: Where did they come from? The others, I mean? From the middle east?

J: Lehi’s group didn’t meet the first one because they were all gone by time they got there.

J: Yes.

T: Where did the Aztecs and the Mayas and the Incas come from?

T: Polynesia?

J: That is what I don’t know

T: Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan? The middle east?

T: So, you are saying they aren’t connected at all?

J: I’m not sure. I would have to study it out in order to tell you for sure.

J: I’m sure something has been said about it somewhere. I just need to find it.

J: They very well could be. I just don’t know.

T: O.K. My wife is fascinated in the “Beastie” god and the Inca ruins and all that stuff. She doesn’t think they came over the Bering Strait. Do you think they did?

T: Maybe they are the same people. You probably have a convert if that is the case. That would answer my wife’s questions.

J: I’m not sure. I haven’t studied it out.

continued on next post

[_gramps]

PRAYER AND STUDYING THINGS OUT

T: Can’t you pray about it? Hasn’t your prophet prayed about it?

T: Hello?

J: In order to receive an answer we can’t just pray about it. If that is all we do we don’t show Heavenly Father that we really do deserve an answer.

T: What else do you need to do?

T: That’s what they told me to do with this book

J: We must study it out as well as in our mind then we pray.

J: Exactly.

T: So, did you pray about the Book of Mormon? What did you study beforehand?

J: We must read, ponder and pray about it.

J: That is how we can come to know that it is true.

T: What should I study first?

J: I would suggest you read it.

J: And decide whether it is a book from God.

T: That is what I am starting to do. I have been reading it all day. What should I study out?

J: Ponder the message that it shares.

T: O.K. And then what?

J: First I would say to study the story and try to get the messages that are shared there.

T: O.K. And then what?

J: Ask all the questions you have to the missionaries.

T: They get tired of all my questions. They are coming over to our place tomorrow.

J: Great.

J: You shouldn’t think that they get tired of your questions.

T: Maybe they can explain the Aztec-Maya-Inca connection. I just had all these questions while I was reading today.

J: The main thing is that you are truing to learn more about Christ.

ARE Mormons CHRISTIAN? (AND EVOLUTION)

T: Does Christ mean a lot to Mormons?

J: See the though the Book of Mormon is a history of an ancient people the purpose of the Book of Mormon is to bring people to Christ.

J: He definitely does.

T: Mormons are Christians right? Someone told me they weren’t.

J: We definitely are Christian.

T: I thought so. It is in your name for heaven’s sake. How could people get confused about that?

J: I’m not sure what leads people to say we aren’t but we really are because we believe in Christ.

J: Exactly.

J: I’m not sure.

J: Why they would say that.

T: I’m not sure about Christ yet. I don’t understand the atonement and all this science and evolution stuff.

T: I should live in America where the people don’t believe in evolution.

J: I understand where you are coming from.

T: Why?

J: Well with such conflicting views it can be easy to be confused.

T: Do you believe in evolution? How can one believe in Christ and evolution?

T: Do Mormons teach evolution or creationism?

J: But it doesn’t really matter where you are. God is always with us and promises answers if we seek them.

J: No not at all. We believe that God is the Creator of everything.

T: I hope so. Do Mormons teach evolution or creationism? We teach our kids at home all about creationism. My wife is a strong believer. Very anti-science. Me? I’m not sure yet. The jury is still out, so they say.

T: So, no evolution, you mean?

T: It is a sell-out for a Christian to believe in that, don’t you think?

J: Right. We do not believe that Humans came from other species

J: Everything is connected though in that it was all created by the same person.

T: O.K. that is good to hear. Where did they come from? The Garden of Eden?

T: The scientists today are saying that the real Adam was living about 70-80,000 years ago. Don’t you think that is nonsense? Some DNA science that I can’t understand.

J: You know I’m not sure how that all worked in the beginning.

T: Well, what does the Book of Mormon say?

T: You have other books. What do they say?

T: What does your prophet say?

T: I can’t remember his name. Sorry!

J: Well the Book of Mormon teaches us about Christ.

J: Let me find you something our prophet Gordon B. Hinckley has said abut this.

T: Sorry….Does it teach about Adam?

ALL ANSWERS TO BE FOUND AT LDS.ORG

J: You know let me show you something.

T: O.K.

J: This a great place to find answers to your questions when ever you have them.

T: Where?

J: It teaches about a whole bunch of things pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

J: Let me push it to you.

J: One second.

T: Yes, O.K. But where are you telling me. I don’t see anything.

T: O.K.

J: Tell me when you get it.

(sends link to LDS.org)

T: I’m waiting for my wife to come home and cook dinner. She has been working all day. I’m so sorry for bothering you so much.

T: OK. I got it. What does that send me to?

J: Not at all.

J: I have enjoyed very much our conversation.

T: What is the link you sent me?

T: Hello? Are you gone?

J: It is a search engine where you can type in the topics that you want to know about and it will show you what prophets of our time have said as well as prophets in the Book of Mormon and Bible ghave said about different topics.

J: No just a slow typer.

J: This way you can study out the answers that you have.

T: O.K. Thanks. I appreciate that. Maybe I can check it out about the Mayas and Aztecs, for instance. Is that what you are telling me?

J: Yeah.

J: Or Adam.

J: Or evolution.

T: So, all the answers are there?

J: I go to this site a bunch when I have questions.

T: Maybe you and I should go there and figure out this Maya stuff, huh?

J: Sure. I think that would be a great idea.

J: I looked up evolution on there and got a whole bunch of stuff that helped me.

J: I’m sure it can help you as well.

T: Wow. I wish my wife would get home. I am starving.

T: Thanks for the evolution tip.

J: Sure.

T: Are you married or single?

J: I am single.

T: Don’t do it if you are still single? Women. How to handle them? They confuse me.

T: I haven’t done anything around the house all day except read this new book. I think she is going to kill me.

J: Haha.

T: I don’t think she is going to say haha.



QUOTAS AND SERVING IN THE DOM. REPUBLIC

T: Am I keeping you? Do you have a quota of people you have to talk to?

J: Right

T: Yes, you have a quota?

J: No not at all.

T: That’s good. I am feeling really good when I read this book today.

J: No we talk to people that are interested in learning more about Christ.

J: You really can’t put a quota on that.

J: If we talk to just one person all day and help that one person out than we have been successful.

T: I hear that. Did you have quotas as a missionary? Where did you go?

J: I went to the Dominican Republic.

J: We set our own goals and that is what all the missionaries do.

T: The Dominican Republic! You are kidding right? They have Christians there?

T: Did you baptize anyone?

J: I did.

J: It was great to see how the church can change people’s life.

T: I just thought they were a bunch of ganja smoking Ethiopian refugees.

T: Do you still have contact with them?

WHAT I HAVE TO GIVE UP

T: Hey, what about my coffee drinking? And my cigarette smoking? Do I have to give that up? If so, my wife would love you guys.

J: Yeah. As you learn more you will love yourself for doing that as well.

T: She only lets me smoke in the kitchen. But I talk to her while she cooks.

J: Really, my coffee?

J: That, too.

T: My Mr. Coffee maker down the drain?

T: And movies? Can I watch the hot chicks on James Bond movies?

J: You can use it for other things.

T: What my Mr. Coffee maker? Her name is Linda.

T: I use her and love her that much.

J: But I think it would be best for the missionaries at a different time.

T: I don’t understand.

T: What would be best?

SPANISH LESSONS AND A LITTLE MISCELLANEOUS FUN

T: Hey, you learned Spanish, right?

J: Right.

T: What does Runtu mean?

J: I don’t know.

T: My neighbors call my son runtu.

T: In Spanish, I mean.

T: They are from Spain.

J: I don’t think that is Spanish.
T: Maybe it is Portugese or something. Or some Andean language?

J: Yeah, maybe.

T: I have googled it but I can’t find anything.

J: I see.

T: Are you just back from your mission?

J: Yes.

T: Now, college or what?

J: It was great to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with as many as I could.

J: I guess you could say that I still do.

T: I’m sure. More important I am sure than my military service.

T: Some schmo tried to tell me the other day that military service is something to be proud of, but I don’t think so. Killed too many people.

T: It’s about as fun as a barrel full of monkeys, if you know what I mean. I was over in Afghanistan.

J: I see.

T: It’s really inconceivable, isn’t it, what’s going on over in Iraq now.

T: Hey, do you like movies?

T: I saw a great one recently. It’s a little old now but it is great.

T: You should see it.

T: Hello?

T: Hello?

J: Yeah, I am here.

T: The Big Lebowski. Great character in that one: the dude. Have you seen it?

J: Tim, it is good that you are going to meet with the missionaries. I have really enjoyed talking with you.

T: OK. I can tell you want to go. Quotas and all.

J: No I have not.

T: What?

T: Who knows what lurks behind that screen?

T: Peace and harmony to yours. If you are still there.

J: I am.

J: Well, there is a group that just came in. I think we had a great conversation.

J: Tim I really did enjoy this conversation with you.

T: Yes, indeed.

J: I wish you the best with you family and with the missionaries.

T: Can we talk again?

J: Sure.

J: You can come in when ever you want.

T: What time? When?

T: Should I ask for you?

J: The way it works here is that there is a group of us that help people with their questions.

J: My hours here are a little weird but I would love to know how it ends up going with you and your family.

J: You can ask for me, but let me just tell that everyone here is great as well.

J: Well, I should go. Please come back and let us know how it goes.

Hello?

Hello?

Jared?

[_Jersey Girl]

You guys do know that there are a lot of extremely easy to impliment means of getting around an IP ban, right?

I don't care about posting there, if I'm not posting there as me.

Well, then wouldn't it be a better idea to accept your circumstances, post where you're able or care to, and let others do the same? I, too, was banned in the Nov 5th purges.

Sorry, I'm not following you (mostly the part about 'letting others do the same').

Who Knows, you asked Daniel why he doesn't come here to talk to us...he apparently doesn't "care to". That's what I meant.

[_Who Knows]

Who Knows, you asked Daniel why he doesn't come here to talk to us...he apparently doesn't "care to". That's what I meant.

Of course he doesn't care to. I find it hypocritical though.

You talked about him on this board, and he invited you over there to talk to him. You were kind enough to do so.

He talked about [me] over on MAD, so I invited him over here to talk about it.

So he can take, but not give. He can call us wretches, but not have the nerve to tell us where we can respond. But he's on the moral high ground in all of this. got it.