It never ceases to amaze me just how little I know.
Today, two sweet girls from the Mormon church came knocking on my front door. I was the only one home (funny, that happened the last time they came) and by the time I hit the stairs and realized who they were, I knew I had to open the door. I wasn't ready or prepared to speak to them; I had just been researching contacts for one of my stories and definitely was not in the mindset to be thinking, "Okay, how can I engage these girls?"
They spoke to me for a few minutes, asking how familiar I was with the Mormon church. They were glad to hear that I had a Mormon friend and were surprised to hear that I had studied the Mormon religion at my high school (Just to clear things up: studied, not believed, meaning we were taught about it, but not taught to believe it. I went to an Evangelical Christian high school.) We actually watched this video in high school, and it basically sums up what I remember learning about the Mormon faith. I know there was more, but that would require me finding my Bible 12 notes to remember everything.
They offered me a little information, encouraged me to check out their web site for non-church members, and gave me a card with a phone number and the web site address.
Every time the Mormon church comes up, whether it's in a conversation, seeing that friend of mine pop up on Facebook, or having Mormon missionaries knock on my door, I instantly regret not knowing more about what others believe. There are so many different religions out there, but the Mormon religion keeps coming back to me again and again. I just wish I knew more about it so that I could actually sit down and have an intelligent, non-threatening conversations with those who come with the intent to get me interested (and eventually converted).
I admire their hearts - although they're required to be missionaries for the Mormon church for at least 18 months (I thought it was two years, but I can't find the exact number), they do it very nicely and sincerely. They weren't pushy and simply want to offer further information. Sometimes I feel like the Christian church could take a lesson in evangelism just by watching how fervent other religions are in their efforts to convert.
So this summer, I'm making it a priority: I'm going to review the teachings of the Mormon church and find out what they believe so that I can effectively sit down with their missionaries and start asking questions...with the intent of pointing them back to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
5 comments:
Hey - good chance to read the Ostling book we got at WJI, right?
Sorry if I'm intruding. I stumbled on your blog and was touched by your humility. Most people assume they already know it all.
You need not know everything about the Church to meet with the missionaries; that is their purpose: to teach.
Also, visit my website and leave comments and questions there, if you like. I certainly am no expert, but I am pretty passionate about the gospel.
What Do Mormons Believe?
I totally agree. I feel that way when Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses come to the door. Daniel always does a GREAT job engaging them, and I just get nervous. Not sure why though...I guess it's that feeling of not knowing much.
My Dear Friend, Mormons are like snakes. They have pretty colors and move very smothly. However, Do not turn ur ears to listen the half truth. It is always to say "I am sorry, I can not talk with you, We believe in different Religions and we should respect that" During all this years I try to talk to my friends out of that mormon thought, and there has been no results. If you are not secure about what you beliefs are, sometimes is not good to learn something else that you have not master yet.
To clarify to the anonymous poster, I'm not doubting my faith. I would just like to be able to engage others who don't believe what I do; in other words, make them think/consider what and why they believe what they do.
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