LDS Missionary Encounter

[Moksha]

Originally Posted by ErikJohnson

What do you think, is any sense of exasperation on my part justified by the encounter?

--Erik

Yes, It really is best not to critique the religion of others. Sometimes however, the term "character" can be used in an endearing manner. Too bad you did not get him to elaborate. The one thing missionaries of all denominations will do is invite you to church, so no surprise there. It is best if they do it in a friendly and generative manner.

Erik, do you still post at MAD?

[connerific]

The only remarkable thing i found in this encounter was that he stated your "problem" was that you never served an LDS mission. Does he think return missionaries are infallible? Don't get me wrong, i have a great admiration for return missionaries. I'm married to one! But return missionaries can fall away just like anybody.

I also find it remarkable that you did not consider yourself a Christian when you were LDS. I have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints since i was baptized at the age of 8, and i am a Christian.

[Palerider]

I wonder if we are going to hear more....or was this a one time post.....kinda curious about his response to some of the questions....

[goofball]

I am thinking one-timer.

[peanutgallery]

Originally Posted by ErikJohnson

Earlier this week my wife was walking across “Red Square” at the University of Washington campus, and she was approached by an LDS missionary (there were a group of them in the Square attempting to proselytize to students). Now don’t get me wrong—I’m totally in favor of free speech—it’s the content she shared with me that kind of rubs me wrong way. Wanted to see if anyone thinks I’m justified in feeling exasperated about what this young man had to say to my wife.

The young man approached and introduced himself as a missionary for the LDS church. Nothing wrong with that. He then asked my wife if she attends a church. Again, nothing wrong, it’s a fair question. She told him that she and I go to Mars Hill Church (a non-denominational church here in Seattle that is theologically Reformed Baptist). Somewhat surprising to me, the young missionary had heard of our church and had also heard of our preaching pastor, Mark Driscoll. He replied, in a condescending manner, that Mark Driscoll is “quite a character.” Now that gets me a bit, because Mark Driscoll is a preacher of the Word of God, and while by no means infallible—he deserves respect as such, not this young man’s dismissal as merely being “a character.” God has used Pastor Mark and Mars Hill Church to bring the Gospel to a lot of people in Seattle. And while the LDS Church has been closing and consolidating wards within the city over the past decade (eliminating the International Ward and the University 4th)—Mars Hill Church has been growing steadily.

My wife then explained that I used to be LDS and that I became a Christian about three years ago. The young missionary replied—“did your husband serve an LDS mission?” She told him I did not, and he answered, “That was the problem.” He followed up his condescension and all-knowingness by inviting her to attend an LDS Church meeting, which he added, “Would be good for your family” (my wife is visibly pregnant). This last bit made my wife laugh, thinking this would be a long way from good for our family.

Anyway, no real harm done. I do find it exasperating, but a little funny too. The last thing this young man’s superiors would want is for me to show up, Bible in hand, to critique the next Gospel Doctrine lesson in the local LDS ward.

What do you think, is any sense of exasperation on my part justified by the encounter?

--Erik

I don't think calling someone a "character" is an insult. Some of my favorite people are characters and I like them because they are characters. I only hope that someday I can be a character.

I don't think the missionary was insulting when he said your problem was that you didn't serve a mission. People kid each other like that all the time. I can see a BYU alumni kidding around with a friend who is a bad football player and saying something like, "Your problem is that you didn't go to BYU."

It sounds like he was just trying to make some friendly conversation. Maybe, because of things you have said about the church, your wife was a little overly sensitive to some joking.

[ErikJohnson]

Originally Posted by Moksha

Yes, It really is best not to critique the religion of others. Sometimes however, the term "character" can be used in an endearing manner. Too bad you did not get him to elaborate. The one thing missionaries of all denominations will do is invite you to church, so no surprise there. It is best if they do it in a friendly and generative manner.

Erik, do you still post at MAD?

Yeah, I would have enjoyed hearing him elaborate. Sadly, I wasn't there and it's all second hand. Potentially "character" was meant in a positive, friendly manner—but that's not how my wife heard the tone. Honestly, I'm amazed he'd heard of Mars Hill. In my experience, those guys were pretty insular--couldn't even read local papers. Guess it's kind of cool LDS missionaries in Seattle are aware of MHC. Really cool, now that I think about it.

Regarding MAD, the moderators told me I was no longer welcome to post in their venue. This was after my Good Friday post. You can go back and take a look at it and judge for yourself. Juliann effectively called me a liar—and when I defended myself, the moderators told me I was no longer welcome to post on their forum. And I've respected that. I've never even checked to see if they actually terminated my account.

Good to hear from you, Moksha

--Erik

[candyprpl]

Originally Posted by peanutgallery

I don't think calling someone a "character" is an insult. Some of my favorite people are characters and I like them because they are characters. I only hope that someday I can be a character.

I don't think the missionary was insulting when he said your problem was that you didn't serve a mission. People kid each other like that all the time. I can see a BYU alumni kidding around with a friend who is a bad football player and saying something like, "Your problem is that you didn't go to BYU."

It sounds like he was just trying to make some friendly conversation. Maybe, because of things you have said about the church, your wife was a little overly sensitive to some joking.

I think you're probably right on this -- they're nervous and they're just trying to show that they are friendly and don't mean any harm. Now, having said that, they (the missionaries) are approaching strangers and don't know what kind of mood a person might be in and starting out with joking maybe was a poor choice.

[ErikJohnson]

Originally Posted by MorningStar

And I find it lame that you seem to be threatening to go disrupt a Gospel Doctrine class because you perceive that the missionary was being disrespectful.

Hi MorningStar--

Good to hear from you, too. Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not making any threats. I'll be going to my own church this Sunday, not showing up at the N. Seattle stake to cause disruption. It was all hypothetical--if the missionary got his wish. He won't. By God's grace, I've a little self control...
;0)

--Erik

[omega0401]

Originally Posted by ErikJohnson

... inviting her to attend an LDS Church meeting, which he added, “Would be good for your family” (my wife is visibly pregnant). This last bit made my wife laugh, thinking this would be a long way from good for our family.
--Erik

Hard to tell what the missionary was thinking. Even if Mark Driscol is one of those preachers that likes to attack our church and spread lies about our doctrine, still it would be best if the missionary had not said anything. We try to present the gospel we believe in and not tear down other churches.

I'm sorry your wife has such a low opinion of our church and family values. My view is totally the opposite. But we are all different.

[MorningStar]

Originally Posted by ErikJohnson

Hi MorningStar--

Good to hear from you, too. Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not making any threats. I'll be going to my own church this Sunday, not showing up at the N. Seattle stake to cause disruption. It was all hypothetical--if the missionary got his wish. He won't. By God's grace, I've a little self control...
;0)

--Erik

Good to hear.