Apparently this phenonemon has been witnessed from north to south in this great country of ours. Just yesterday I saw the famous "pair" hanging out at a ice cream shop. I understand the purpose of ministering their beliefs....but WHY BIKES??? WHY PAIRS??? why not drive a car? or walk? what is with the bikes??
2006-06-20 08:40:43 · 13 answers · asked by nev 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The people you are referring to are full-time missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are many latter-day saints who have jobs and families and live lives similar to yours. These full-time missionaries have devoted a certain period of their lives to serving full-time by preaching the gospel to people who will listen and representing the Savior Jesus Christ.
Missionaries travel in pairs for a lot of reasons. In fact, they have rules that require them to be with their "companion" at all times. They live like roommates and work together to do their missionary work. I believe that this helps for safety, and also helps the missionaries to do their work better, since the two missionaries can pool their intelligence and abilities to preach the gospel together.
Missionaries dress in suits or other appropriate clothing to reflect the seriousness of their mission. As I mentioned, missionaries are preachers, representatives of the Savior Jesus Christ, and it's therefore important for them to reflect their calling.
In some areas, depending on the transportation available, missionaries travel on foot, on bikes, on public transportation, or in cars. Again, the church decides what type of transportation the missionaries should use depending on the missionaries' needs, and again for safety. When I was a full-time missionary, I lived in an area that was a 4 1/2 hour drive from the mission headquarters, and we therefore had a car provided for our use to allow us to travel in our assigned proselyting area. In places where the proselyting areas are smaller, walking, public transportation, or bikes might work better. So I suspect that you see missionaries on bikes because that fits the kind of transportation they need in the area where you live.
The full-time missionaries of the Church are usually young people who have families who love them. The Church has many rules to help missionaries do their work better and to protect them so they can safely return to their families at the end of their missionary service. I'm sure if you have any more questions like these, you can ask the missionaries themselves; they'd be happy to explain it to you.
2006-06-20 15:03:28 · answer #1 · answered by drshorty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the reason that you will never see a mormon missionary alone is for safety. it keeps them safe, and it keeps them accountable to be doing the what they are supposed to be doing. they are wearing a white shirt and tie because they are doing the Lord's work and need to be dressed in an appropriate way. there are many missionaries who do have cars, but some do ride bicycles. the determination for bike vs. car is made by the mission president and is based on factors of how large the area is that they are ministering too. a larger area gets a car, usually. they do walk short distances, and around in neighborhoods looking for people who might be interested in hearing their message. next time you see a missionary, wave! whether you agree with their message or not, they are good, clean cut young people who sacrifice their time to try and help other people!
2006-06-20 08:50:41 · answer #2 · answered by elysha 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure about the bikes... I've known at least one Mormon pair that drove a car. Perhaps it's just more efficient when you're going door to door. As for the suits - there is a certain dress code required when representing the church. They're paired up in order to keep one another from temptations.
2006-06-20 08:46:49 · answer #3 · answered by weofui 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pairs is because the Missionaries travel in pairs, they aren't supposed to go into houses, stores, anywhare alone.
The bikes are a faster way to get around than walking obviously. Cars cannot always be available to the Missionaries of certain areas. I hope this helps.
2006-06-20 08:44:48 · answer #4 · answered by topher 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bikes allow them to reach more people effectively. If you are in a car you will miss alot of people. Also, the stopping and going of a car is inconvenient. Bikes just allow you to minister to people quickly. In addition, when you go in a pair it gives you a boost of confidence. When you go by yourself, you can sometimes feel intimidated and alone.
2006-06-20 08:47:59 · answer #5 · answered by super saiyan 3 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are in pairs a system of control. It is much harder to sin with someone watching you all the time. They ride bikes so they can see more people and convert them to cult members. Cars would be too expensive and extravagant. As for the clothes, who knows it's a weird cult anyway.
2006-06-20 08:49:44 · answer #6 · answered by ZCT 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They generally use bikes, but I think cars are made available to them if they have to go grocery shopping or something.
2006-06-20 08:48:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they are Jehovah Witnesses. Ask them for a pamphlet about Jehova and then use it to put your chewed gum in and throw it in the trash.This is Hilarious! Just make sure you have shoes you can run in...
2006-06-20 08:49:14 · answer #8 · answered by go_to_girl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THey ripped a passage from the Bible--"two by two", you will have to aks them about the bikes.
2006-06-20 08:47:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Switzerland they travel by train/tram. (In pairs and suits, or at least when I recognize them as Mormons it's by the pairs and suits (and nametags).)
2006-06-21 01:28:59 · answer #10 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋