Why do Mormons go to peoples doors to "talk about Jesus"?

Question

I really don't understand this at all. Yesterday 2 young men came to my door talking about The Book of Mormon. I really didnt want to hear it because frankly I think the Mormon religion is ridiculous and full of rules set to control it's followers. Ever notice that most of the rules effect women not men? Anyway while he started is schpeel I stood thinking about what to say to make him go away. I came up with "Well, I'm Jewish so no thank you" which isnt entirely a lie. My Dad is Jewish, so I'm Jewish by blood, not religion. So he continued in asking me whether I had heard of The Book of mormon, I replied with "Yes, I have, so no thank you" He said something else and I just replied with another "No thank you" and he left. I was polite, but I wanted to make it clear that I was not interested. I just dont understand what their motive is in doing this, and how they really justify it.

The rules I was referring to are one's like: Mormoms think it is a sin to watch rated R movies, Im 20 years old, I think I am mature enough to take some FICTION movie and realize that it is a movie and it is not real. I dont think most people realize that The Book of Mormon was introduced by a guy not too long ago, only a couple hundred years ago. Why is it that they have to elaborate on something that was spoken as the word of God thousands of years ago? Did God change his mind?

To the last answer referring to "you are jewish and I'm sure you have responsibilities to spread the word" actually judaism does not encourage conversion from any religion because as a Jew your are born that way, it is not something you choose. They do not go door to door and if someone comes to a rabbi and wants to convert they have to learn to speak Hebrew and the conversion takes about 2 years. You will never have a Jew come to your door and ask you if you have read The Torah, I can promise you that.

and since when is muslims blowing up the twin towers doing their job to spread the word? You have completely shocked me by saying "if every one did their job to spread the word as muslims have..." WTFreak?

Answer 1

They come to your door because your not going to go tho theirs.
It's like traveling salesmen.
really annoying if I want something I'll go out and get it.

Answer 2

Mormons believe in what they are preaching. Regardless of your religion/beliefs you should do the same. As a Christian, we are guided by "The Great Commission" to go out into the world and tell others about Christ. Unfortunately Christians haven't done their job as well as they should. If you are Jewish, I'm sure you have the same responsibilities as Christians to spread the Word. If all the religions would do there jobs as well as Muslims think about how the world might be today. With that being said, just like Christians, Jews, Muslims all believe their belief is the correct one, so do Mormons. They just work harder to spread the word.

Answer 3

I'm Mormon, so I can answer this question. We send out missionaries to spread the gospel that we believe in. I don't want to get into a debate about who's religion is the right one, but let's just say that the missionaries that go door to door believe in the Mormon religion and want to share the blessings it brings with other people. Usually they try to avoid going door to door, though, by asking members of the church to refer them to people. Going door to door is kind of a last resort.

Edit:
As for R-rated movies, we don't watch them because of the things they contain (violence, immorality, etc.). It's not just R-rated movies, though; we're counseled to stay away from any type of media that contains those things, such as tv shows, music, and video games. We know that it's not real, but those things can lead to bad thoughts and also drive away the Spirit from our lives.

The Book of Mormon was published almost two hundred years ago, but it was also originally written thousands of years ago on gold plates. God didn't change his mind--at least, I don't find anything in the Book of Mormon that contradicts the Bible--it is just a record of His word to another nation of people.

Answer 4

To understand why Mormons go door to door, first you would have to accept the fact (I'm not saying you have to believe it) that Mormons believe that God has a specific message for his people and it is the responsibility of those who have heard the message to share it with those who haven't. Mormons believe it, and that's why they go door to door. They want to give everyone a chance to hear the message, but if someone doesn't want to hear it, they won't waste your time or theirs by trying to make you listen

I'm not sure which rules you are talking about that are set to "control" followers, and I'm really curious to know what rules apply only to women and not men.


Additional details:

Erica, do you really think the suggestion to not watch R rated movies is used to control followers? That's a bit absurd. The idea is actually that you should always try to do things that are positive, that give you a good frame of mind, or that bring you closer to God. Movies containing violence, sex, drugs, and foul language usually do none of those things.
That being said, I am a Mormon who watches R rated movies, drinks Pepsi, and plays poker in Vegas. Does the Church advise against those things? Certainly. When considering my everlasting soul, do they have a point in advising against those things? Certainly. Does the Church control me? Certainly not.

Answer 5

Because being mormon i s the best thing that can happen to you, its just like the catholic religion except for the book of mormon, which God gave to the modern day world for modern day problems that people didn't even have before. The missionaries want to spread the joy that millions -millions!!- of people have found in becomming mormon, and NO! we don't think you're going to go to hell if u don't convert!! thats ridiculous, and NO! most of the rules don't apply to women, they apply to both. We don't watch R-rated movies because there usually full of sex and do u honestly think God wants you to go out and watch people having sex? think about it. Next time the missionaries come to your door, let them in, talk to them, and get your facst straight before you start bagging on the mormons, because u obviously don't know much about them

Answer 6

I served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I went on a mission because I felt that it was something that I deeply wanted to do. The principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ make me happy and help me in my life. When you feel this happiness you want others to have it too, so you want to share it. A full-time mission is one way to do this.

Young full-time missionaries like the men who came to your door recently serve every day for a period of 2 years for the guys or 1 1/2 years for the girls, typically. They work about 10 hours a day just trying to teach people about Jesus Christ. They are not paid for this service; in fact, many missionaries save up money beforehand so they can go. You are not obligated to listen in any way, but they are offering you the opportunity. I appreciate you being polite when turning them away from your door, because many people aren't so polite, and that gets hard sometimes when it happens 75+ times a day, day in and day out. I hope that sometime you'll be willing to listen to them.

Answer 7

Because both Mormons as well as Jehovah's Witnesses have a strong belief in the literal meaning of the Bible, and believe they must act out the Christian responsibility of going out and spreading the word of the Lord. The Bible says we are to be ministers unto our brothers and they hold this responsibility to a high esteem.

Answer 8

Currently, the Church calls as missionaries single men from the ages of nineteen to twenty-six, single women twenty-one years and older, and older married couples with no dependent children. These missionaries serve on a voluntary, temporary basis. At missionary training centers, missionaries are instructed in gospel doctrine and in the language of their assigned missions. A missionary never labors alone, but always works with a companion. Single missionaries are assigned to a companion of the same gender; married couples work together. Missionaries are asked to follow a stringent daily schedule. Their time is dedicated to the service of the Lord and is spent finding receptive people and teaching them the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Letters, phone calls home, and nonmission business are limited. Their clothing is conservative business wear with distinctive name tags. Married missionary couples may be given considerable latitude with their schedules because they often fill several different assignments. Although missionaries face challenges, they are typically dedicated, enthusiastic, and faithful. The experience of teaching the basic doctrines of the gospel and serving others daily leads to solemn introspection, earnest prayer, and continual study. Consequently, missionaries gain a new perspective of themselves, of people, of the place where they serve, and of the gospel.

Answer 9

they are not the only ones that do that. they feel it is what god has told his followers to do, to spread the word, either about the book of mormon or the "good news"
you did the right thing, be polite that is what i do as well.

Answer 10

they try to convert as many people as they can because they think there religion is the true religion and when Jesus returns they are going to be the ones judging the sinners along with other Christians and there church is going to be the new government. you may not believe me but I am Mormon.

Answer 11

They are following the last thing Jesus said on earth
Matthew 28:19
You might do better by humoring them instead of 3 or 4
"No Thank You's"
They are ready for rejection, humor catches them off guard.
Note: I say 'humor', not ridicule.