Interesting discussion with the full-time missionaries

[_malkie]

The missionaries from our ward stopped by tonight (as they did a couple of weeks ago) to talk to me - not to my mostly TBM wife or daughter.

Last time they just chatted for 20 minutes and went on their way. I told them that they were welcome any time that they needed a place to catch their breath, have something to eat or drink, whatever. And I'm perfectly sincere about that - I'm happy for my home to be a haven of peace for them whenever they are in the neighbourhood and feel the need. My son served in LA several years ago, and I was always grateful for the people who treated him nicely, whether active, inactive, non-members, or what.

I was expecting them to come back.

Tonight they had some juice and cookies, then the senior companion asked me if I could help them: the junior is new in the mission field, and needs to practice his discussions. (I concede, by the way, that this may be completely true and without subterfuge. I'm not convinced that it is, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.)

So that there would be no misunderstanding, I told them that I was willing to help them, but that they had to understand that I'm not just inactive, I'm apostate. They also had to be aware that I would not make it easy for them, and that I reserved the right to disagree (politely) with anything that they said. I also said that there was a possibility that, if the MP knew what kind of information they were exposing themselves to, he might tell them to let me be.

So, we chatted a little more, and they had another cookie each, and then they prepared to leave. As they went out the door I reminded them that I had agreed to help, and said that they should let me know if and when they wanted to take up the challenge. The senior companion said he doesn't like to disagree with people: he'd rather just walk away. But I think that the junior companion has a little more fire in him.

What do you think - will I see them again?

If they do come back, have I given them fair warning? Can I, with clear conscience, expose them to the criticisms of the things they teach, and some of the apologetics? (Sometimes I'm not sure which is more harmful to a believer.)

Thoughts?

[_Tobin]

Having been a missionary, I view it as a complete waste of time to go teach adults, who are likely to know the scriptures and history better than you do. I would encourage them instead to listen to other people and help them in their lives. Learn to love to the people in the community, serve the community they are assigned to and become active in it. I think they'll have a much better mission that way.

[_Stormy Waters]

You've given them proper warning. If they choose to proceed they do it at their own risk. The average missionary will be in way over their head. Honestly I think that you'll be doing them a favor. If there is information about the church they don't know (which is probably the case), they deserve to know it before they continue to dedicate their lives to the church.

[_MCB]

About a year ago I received a visit. At that moment, I was in the process of reviewing the witnesses to Spalding's manuscript found. I informed them so, and suggested that they would not want to have a discussion with me. They accepted that, and politely asked me if I needed any help with anything. I said "no," and they went on their way. If that were to happen today, I would do the same thing. Except right now I am doing a compare/contrast between Mormonism and Islam.

[_malkie]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

Tobin, I agree with you. If they come back I'll quote you, and let you know what they say.

I think I'll review the first lesson sometime during the next week, so I have a list of topics to discuss, and we'll take it from there.

[_Drifting]

IMHBCO I think you know their game.

You would be a significant notch on their bedpost were they able to reactivate you; and they believe they can succeed where others have failed.

I think there would be a fall out (not on your part) were the teaching discussions to take place which may end your place being seen by future missionaries as a safe haven.

[_malkie]

IMHBCO I think you know their game.

You would be a significant notch on their bedpost were they able to reactivate you; and they believe they can succeed where others have failed.

I think there would be a fall out (not on your part) were the teaching discussions to take place which may end your place being seen by future missionaries as a safe haven.

Yes, I think I do - it's a simple enough game to spot. I'm not sure if they think that they invented this game. I'm also not sure if they think of their approach to me as not 100% honest. But again, they are young, and I don't blame them for giving it a try. At this point, though, they should be having second thoughts about the game.

If they are wise, I don't believe that they will take me up on my offer to help them practise the discussions, because they should recognise the potential dangers. They should have gone home, prayed about their encounter with me, and either decided not to take the chance, or talked to the DLs or ZLs and have been told to let it go.

Apart from my wife's VTs, they are the only representatives of the church who have come to my home in the 13-14 months that we've been there. So, although I'd prefer the missionaries to be able to come for a friendly visit, I'm not sure that they or I will be missing very much if they "cannot" come back.

If they do follow through, I'll be gentle with them - I have no interest in hurting anyone - but will be prepared to refute the foundational stories that they have been taught to teach.

[_KevinSim]

If they do follow through, I'll be gentle with them - I have no interest in hurting anyone - but will be prepared to refute the foundational stories that they have been taught to teach.

Malkie, I think it's totally possible that those missionaries might have many "foundational stories" that you might be able to successfully refute, to the extent that those missionaries might end up having doubts about those stories for the rest of their missions.

On the other hand, what if you ran into a missionary that really didn't care about any "foundational stories"? What if all that missionary cared about was that you realized the way to obtain a certain foundation for your own personal theology was to ask God a question, ready to base the whole rest of your life on whatever answer God gave to your question? And urged you to ask that question? what would you have said in response? Would you have agreed that you needed to ask God that question?

[_malkie]

If they do follow through, I'll be gentle with them - I have no interest in hurting anyone - but will be prepared to refute the foundational stories that they have been taught to teach.

Malkie, I think it's totally possible that those missionaries might have many "foundational stories" that you might be able to successfully refute, to the extent that those missionaries might end up having doubts about those stories for the rest of their missions.

On the other hand, what if you ran into a missionary that really didn't care about any "foundational stories"? What if all that missionary cared about was that you realized the way to obtain a certain foundation for your own personal theology was to ask God a question, ready to base the whole rest of your life on whatever answer God gave to your question? And urged you to ask that question? what would you have said in response? Would you have agreed that you needed to ask God that question?

The potential for causing doubts is why I felt that I had to give the missionaries fair warning - I would not want to spring it on them. (they actually thanked me for my honesty)

That I do not believe in god is a substantial barrier to your "what if". I think I've done enough asking of questions to a non-existent being to last the rest of my life. Interesting idea, perhaps, for someone who has the necessary beliefs.