Why are Mormon missionaries told not to reveal anything questionable about Mormonism to potential converts?

Question

A quote from this site: http://www.exmormon.org/tract2.htm

"They have been trained, however, to give investigators "milk before meat," that is, to postpone revealing anything at all that might make an investigator hesitant, even if it is true. "

Answer 1

It is not that missionaries don't want to reveal anything questionable, but only want to give potential converts a sufficient foundation to build upon. Many missionaries are young in the Church and haven't learned many deep doctriness themselves, and it is not their purpose to teach the deep doctrines. They are called to teach the plain and simple truths. The concept of "milk before meat" is a fair analogy. However, I prefer the following:

If you are going to learn algebra, or some other complex math or statical subject, then you most definitely would like to learn basic addition, division, multiplication, etc. Without the foundation of these more elementary math subjects you will most likely not understand or even wish to understand the more complex subjects. Similarly, unless you have a foundation in the basics of God's word and his teachings you will be unable to comprehend the more complex. In fact, you will likely find them completely wacky and unbelievable. Got has does not expect one to understand all at once. I believe God is wise and loving and desires us to have the best understanding possible, which would mean he doesn't expect us to learn the most complex or difficult matters before we learn teh basic. Had Christ's apostles not had a belief (and faith) in the Messiah and Old Testament teachings I am certain they wouldn't have been pulling up their roots, leaving all behind, and following Him.

I have had deep conversations with those who aren't members of the church about very difficult doctrines, and I always know they will be taken back, but that doesn't bother me, because I know the progression of all things and know it can't work in reverse, at least not usually. This at least makes logical sense to me.

Answer 2

Well, sometimes they reveal a lot, but they don't reveal some things because the training at Missionary "School" is somewhat abbreviated, so some do not tell simply because they do not know.
However, the best item I was told was that Almost Everyone goes to one of the 3 Glories; The Highest Glory is with God, and in the 3rd ( the lowest glory), no God there, but People like Hitler and others will be in the least of the glories.... Kind of surprised me. But most Missionaries reveal to me that they are basically Universalists, which kind of begs the question as to why they should be proselytizing in the first place.
Also JWs are doing the Same, especially with the current or soon to happen shift from Fortnightly Magazines to Monthly magazines, and there will be one edition for those inside the "Truth", and another for those outside the "Truth"...

Answer 3

It is like this just like learning anything new. Everything is learned line upon line. You can't just skip the basics. Some thing's require faith to learn that are more advanced. I am a convert and just possibly could not understand everything all at once. They will not withhold information from you if you want to know. If they don't know they will find someone who doe's. Make sure you ask a Mormon and not go to a site like ex Mormon.com to find answers because if you look there you will only find the wrong answers or negative opinions.

Answer 4

If it's questionable then why are the missionaries following it? There's the problem. If the ones instructing the missionaries admit that their faith is "questionable," then why follow it? That goes for any religion!

The only thing that makes sense to me is that it may be because they don't want to give potential members a reason to doubt Mormonism, and think that it's all good with Mormonism. If someone wanted me to convert to their faith, and they gave me information that would make me hesitant, I wouldn't join. The whole thing is sketchy.

Answer 5

They ask in case you have any acquaintances or kinfolk that would have an interest in listening to the classes, particular. after which you using fact the member are in many cases expected or invited to be a factor of that technique ought to they have an interest. yet no, no member is only handing out names of alternative non-contributors to the missionaries. at first using fact the missionaries are searching for for ppl who're actual *involved*. And secondly, as stated, that doesnt make for a stable reliable friendship.

Answer 6

well the potential converts are just learning the religion. Do not run faster than you are able. It's not that they are trying to be secretive. It's just that sometimes things make more since once you've learned the fundamentals. For instance, suppose you teach a child algebra before you even teach them how to ***, subtract, multiply and divide. Doesn't make sense does it? The child would not be able to progress because they would not first have the basics.

Answer 7

The point is not to keep them from hearing "questionable" material, the point is to not overwhelm them. You want an investigator to understand, so you give them the basics at first and gradually tell them more as they learn. This not only goes for missionaries, you do this whenever you try to teach a person something.

Answer 8

They aren't told that. I served a mission, and nothing even close to that was ever suggested or required. The best source of information on a church is not an exmember site where people are bitter and want to discredit it. If I was interested in say catholicism, I would go to the source, not to an ex member, or a bitter critic.

Answer 9

Interesting spin.

They are trained to present the basic gospel message. They are not "trained not to reveal anything...etc."

Nine times out of ten, if you ask them about these things that "might make an investigator hesitate", they won't know what you're talking about.

Answer 10

It is as with anything. You teach the basics first. Anyone with any sense knows you teach the basics first.
If a child is learning to read do you give them a newspaper or dictionary to read? Even though a newspaper and dictionary has good facts in them it is too hard for them to understand.
Studying a new religion is the same way. They need the basics first and then work up to the harder topics.