A discussion with a recently returned missionary

[_Dr. Shades]

The happened several months ago; I'm just now getting around to posting about it.

I had a conversation with a returned missionary who had been home only a few days. He had served stateside, English speaking. I asked him if the Internet was having any effect on the work, and if so, what.

He answered that yes, it was having an influence. He explained that they'd sometimes book a return appointment, but when they showed up, the person would start bringing up blacks and the priesthood, etc., then say that they were no longer interested and then cancel the lesson. When that happened, they'd ask the person, "Let me guess, you googled 'Mormon,' didn't you?" Invariably they had.

I asked if this scenario happened a majority of the time, and he answered no, it happened about 25% of the time.

So there you have it, straight from the horse's mouth. That's the effect that the Internet is having on missionary work, at least in the United States.

.

[_JohnStuartMill]

Good find, Shades.

I wonder how many of the remaining 75% found information about blacks and the priesthood and didn't believe it (or didn't think it mattered), and how many never even bothered to look.

[_Seven]

Good find, Shades.

I wonder how many of the remaining 75% found information about blacks and the priesthood and didn't believe it (or didn't think it mattered), and how many never even bothered to look.

or how many did look, but were told by missionaries and Chapel Mormons that it was anti Mormon lies. I've witnessed and heard of many investigator discussions where troubling information was brought to light from non member friends or family. The investigator was encouraged to believe the history was Satan trying to keep them from joining the true church and to disregard any information not coming from the church website or publications as lies.

[The Stig]

Wheat and tares. Wheat and tares.

My sheep hear my voice ...

Frankly, I don't expect much more "gathering" to occur in North America. Most of those people have had their chance.

As I suggested in my lesson last week, in reference to the following prophecy:

And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.

... and then shall the end come.

I estimate that this "second coming" prophecy is at least 90% fulfilled at this juncture. When (as reported by my neighbor, who is a missionary in Singapore) you've got Chinese nationals traveling to Singapore for the express intention of being baptized into the Church (having come into contact with the restored gospel via the internet), and then traveling back home again, I'd say that the message of the gospel is close to the objective of penetrating every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.

You see, Shades, the internet is used by both sides in this war.

[_Lucretia MacEvil]

Good find, Shades.

I wonder how many of the remaining 75% found information about blacks and the priesthood and didn't believe it (or didn't think it mattered), and how many never even bothered to look.

or how many did look, but were told by missionaries and Chapel Mormons that it was anti Mormon lies. I've witnessed and heard of many investigator discussions where troubling information was brought to light from non member friends or family. The investigator was encouraged to believe the history was Satan trying to keep them from joining the true church and to disregard any information not coming from the church website or publications as lies.

And if an investigator is young enough, or desperate enough, or depressed enough, or superstitious enough to join the church on that basis, well, the church will probably be good for him. I suspect the church is attracting a fair share of dysfunctional people these days, although the only person I actually know who has converted in recent history did so for a Mormon woman and left a 25-year marriage to do so.

[_William Schryver]

And if an investigator is young enough, or desperate enough, or depressed enough, or superstitious enough to join the church on that basis, well, the church will probably be good for him. I suspect the church is attracting a fair share of dysfunctional people these days, although the only person I actually know who has converted in recent history did so for a Mormon woman and left a 25-year marriage to do so.

That's right. The only people who remain or become Mormons these days are either irrational or dysfunctional or extremely desperate for fellowship from any quarter.

[_Dr. Shades]

As I suggested in my lesson last week, in reference to the following prophecy:

And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.

... and then shall the end come.

Hopefully you were consistent enough to add that that prophecy was merely the prophet stumbling around and falling after a vague impression due to God having done the minimum.

[_Lucretia MacEvil]

And if an investigator is young enough, or desperate enough, or depressed enough, or superstitious enough to join the church on that basis, well, the church will probably be good for him. I suspect the church is attracting a fair share of dysfunctional people these days, although the only person I actually know who has converted in recent history did so for a Mormon woman and left a 25-year marriage to do so.

That's right. The only people who remain or become Mormons these days are either irrational or dysfunctional or extremely desperate for fellowship from any quarter.

Have you ever been tested for narcissistic personality disorder?

[_William Schryver]

Have you ever been tested for narcissistic personality disorder?

No, but I have had my patience tested on numerous occasions. Does that count for something?

Do you believe that my response above indicates that I'm suffering from NPD?

How would you characterize my symptoms?

(again!)

[_JohnStuartMill]

Schryver's just pissed because he believed all the crap his teachers in the Church said about its inevitable victory. Remember the exponential graphs of Church membership intended to show the tide turning in the Church's favor, etc.? Denying Mormonism's triumphalism is an emotional blow to people whose belief system says that the Church will one day rule the entire Earth.