I work with a Mormon family and I understand that Christians and Mormons have different fundamental beliefs, but I accepted an invintation to dinner where there are going to be "Missionaries". Are they trying to convert me?
Should I have something Biblical prepared to refute their arguments?
2006-10-19 11:11:03 · 31 answers · asked by keepingGodfirst 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They probably are but here is a resource to help you.
Mormon at your door
(doctrinal differences)
They Say: The Bible has been corrupted by errors of translation and transmission, as well as by deliberate action. (WMT; CJS; 1 Nephi 13:26-29, BOM)
God Says: The words of God and of Jesus cannot wither, fade, fall or pass away; this the Bible, the Word of God cannot be corrupted. (Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35; Luke 21:33, 1 Peter 1:23-25)
They Say: The true Church was lost and needed restoring. (WMT; WCR; CJC; FAR)
God Says: The true Church is unshakable, indestructible, bringing glory to Christ in all ages. (Isaiah 51:6-8; Matthew 28:20; Acts 2:21; 5:38-39; Ephesians 3:20-21; Hebrews 10:23; 12:28)
They Say: Jesus Christ and the Heavenly Father appeared in secret to Joseph Smith in the woods. (CJC; FAR; JS 2:17 PGP)
God Says: Since His coming would be obvious to all, Jesus warned us not to believe those who claimed to see Him in secret. (Zechariah 14:4; Matthew 24:23-27; Luke 17:23-24; 21:8; Mark 13:21-22; Rev.1:7)
They Say: God, our Heavenly Father, is an exalted man of flesh and bone. (CJS; D7C 130:22)
God Says: God is a Spirit, able to dwell in men. (Matthew 16:17; John 4:24; 14:23; Luke 24:39)
They Say: Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ the Son are two
distinct physical beings. (CJS)
God Says: The Father and the Son are distinct Persons, and yet are one God. (Isaiah 9:6; John 5:17-18; 14:9-11)
They Say: The Holy Ghost is a third, distinct, spirit being; different also in function and identity from the Holy Spirit. (CJS)
God Says: The Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit are two names for the same Being (the same Greek word, pneuma, is translated both ways), who is also one of the three Persons of the one God (Isaiah 6:9-10 [compare with Acts 28:25-26]; Isaiah 48:14-17; Luke 1:35; Acts 5:3-4; Hebrews 10 :15-17)
They Say: Jesus is the literal son of God, conceived as we were, but of an immortal Father.(WMT
God Says: Jesus, Himself uncreated, created all things physical and spiritual before creating man upon the earth. (Isaiah 45:12; John 1:1-2, 10; 17:5; Hebrews 1:12; 13:8)
They Say: Jesus is mankind's elder brother, firstborn spirit child of our Heavenly Father, and by inference, spirit-brother to Lucifer and his demons. (WMT; POL)
God Says: God does not change, and has never been anything other than He is now He specifically has never been a man. (Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Hosea 11:9; Romans 1:21-23)
They Say: One's personal salvation and exaltation is conditioned upon his works and obedience to the teachings of the Mormon church, with the highest exaltation going to those who are most faithful. (WMT; POL; ABW)
God Says: Only those who trust in Christ will gain entrance into any heaven, based on that trust. "Almost" doesn't count.! All others will be cast into the lake of fire as a result of trusting in their own good works. (John 14:6; Galatians 2:16, 21; 3:8, 21, 24; Revelation 20:4-6, 10-15; 21:18)
Please don't engage Mormons in verbal battle. Pray first, be led by the Holy Spirit, then share the scriptures verse by verse.
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15
2006-10-19 11:12:32 · answer #1 · answered by R. C 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
That is so funny! Why would you need to be "prepared" to refute them? That is what is wrong with most Christians, they are so scared that Mormons might actually be right they have to always be on guard! That is so silly.
You should listen to them, they share a message of happiness and love from our Heavenly Father. Mormons are not scary, weird, cult-ish, or anything even close to that. We love the Lord.
BY THE WAY - You can't be "converted" unless you want to be. No matter how persuasive they are, the Spirit is the only one who can convert you, not the missionaries.
2006-10-20 06:22:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I used to be Catholic but I am now a Mormon (a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). I was also a missionary. You can relax.
They have invited you to dinner. You will go to their house, meet the missionaries, offer a blessing on the food, have a great dinner and uplifting conversation. Of course they may try to share their beliefs with you; they are missionaries after all.
It is usually very non-threatening. They are not there to bash anyone's beliefs so I wouldn't recommend preparing for battle. If they invite you to listen to their discussions and you do not want to, politely decline and I am sure that they will respect you.
Please contact me if you have other concerns, before or after your dinner. I would be more than happy to share my insights. Good luck and enjoy your meal.
2006-10-19 13:20:28 · answer #3 · answered by whapingmon 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Keep in mind that Mormons, or more correctly, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, are christians too. We read the Bible along with the Book of Mormon.
The missionaries may share a quick message with you and of course they will answer any questions you may have, but odds are, they are just there for dinner. Take this as an opportunity to learn more about the faith and enjoy a nice dinner.
2006-10-19 13:36:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
I was a missionary for 2 years, and I was always so excited to share a message about what I believe. So of course they are going to try to share a message. However, I would be honest with them. If you aren't interested, tell them that. Arguing won't do any good, they aren't going to change their minds. We as missionaries are taught not to "Bible-Bash" with people because that's not going to do anyone any good. However, some get so excited about what they believe that they can't help themselves so some will argue with you.
Think about the sacrifice that they've made, they've left their family, friends, girl/boyfriends for two years to share what they believe with the world. Give them the respect that they deserve and hear their message. If you don't like or agree with what you hear, just tell them exactly how you feel. It won't be the first time that they've been turned down so they won't be shocked or offended.
2006-10-21 18:39:11 · answer #5 · answered by nsspunk84 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Mormons are good people, but being they have invited you to a dinner with Missionaries, YES they will work hard to convert you. Use the Holy Spirit within yourself to know . Know when to let them know that you stand strong in your own Christianity. I have Great Respect for the Mormons, but after many years of searching to find out if I should go their way. I did not recieve a go ahead from my own inner spirit, so I never went to the church. The Missionaries are Great. They wanted to Baptize me , in every which way. I have been baptized already and once is enough. I prayed over it , every night, that God would lead me in the right direction. I never recieved a go ahead sign. So I did not go to church. After a while they quit coming. Altho., I Loved to pray with them. Their prayers are sincere and real. I just did not know if I could truely believe that Joseph Smith was a Prophet from God, or his own appointed doings. I prayed so hard over this and that is what you have got to do. Pray .
2006-10-19 11:25:06 · answer #6 · answered by Norskeyenta 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
We don't call all Christians Fundies. Only the ones who profess Fundamentalist beliefs. Sometimes, I guess it can be insulting. So can being told that I am going to hell because I am not a Christian. Get over it. The word fundie is in no way like the "N" word. Not at all. That is a cheap generalization on your part.
2016-05-22 03:17:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would encourage you to look at the Berean Christian Ministries web site in Rochester NY. John and Phyllis Farkas are researchers who live near Palmyra. They have information for you. They will try and convert you and the one thing you need to understand is what a restoration is. A restoration puts something back like it was in the beginning. The mormons say that the priesthood was restored by their church. What does the bible say about the high priests? _There is only one at a time_. In Hebrews 4, it says that Jesus is the Aaronic high priest. In Hebrews 7, it says that Jesus is the Melechizedek high priest.
Since the Mormons put _men_ into those positions, then this is not a _restoration_! It also means that their priesthood is invalid by the Bible. There is already a high priest for both positions and there is no need for any other ones! Read Hebrews 1 to see that it says Jesus sat down after He was done. He is done and his priesthood is _eternal_ because Jesus is God.
The mormons may tell you that they need to have a priesthood set up when Jesus' priesthood will end. Think about what that means. If Jesus ceases to be both high priests, then we are all in trouble!
2006-10-19 15:40:19 · answer #8 · answered by Buzz s 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Just bring yourself and your christian beliefs, Mormons are a christian sect that are extremely native to North America, so they are primarily rural folks that now live in the suburbs. They are extremely faithful and family loving people. All I can say, if do what Jesus Christ would do in this situation as outlined in the Holy Bible, they will follow the Book of Mormon, I would get familiar with their religion or learn from them during the dinner, I am sure that they would like to learn about your faith too.
2006-10-19 11:15:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Yes! They are always looking to convert, so be prepared with the Word of God! Personally, I would have them to my home, but I wouldn't go to a function where I would be the only Christian there, especially if you're a baby in the Lord.
2006-10-19 11:14:59 · answer #10 · answered by lookn2cjc 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
god has given you a gift a spirit that resides in your heart it is the spirit of truth john14:16-17 read it i don't know if you have received this spirit of truth yet but i would not have even exempted the invitation because you know what there trying to do to you so simply call them and say sorry some thing came up and go watch the new movie one night with the king that way you wont lie.notice the placidness of the other mormon feed back of course they want you to go they want to convert you
2006-10-19 11:31:15 · answer #11 · answered by lowcojon 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋