How to be polite but firm with Mormon Missionaries?

Question

On my way to the car today, I was stopped by two young men. I talked with them briefly and they asked if they could come back to talk with me and I said yes. I clearly stated to them that I am Southern Baptist and believed in The Bible. I did not want to be rude. Now I am researching about the Mormon religion and I am scared to death to let them come in my home. I have NO interest in coverting, but believe that true Christians are tolerant of other religions and we should share our story. What should I do?

Answer 1

I have spoken scripture to quite many denominations, including Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Catholics, Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, among many others. (I am non-denominational) By all means tell them about Christ! Be willing to talk scripture! THAT IS YOUR JOB!!!!

I will just warn you of this. Do not be surprised if from whatever group you speak to, if you find one or two with the spirit. I had to revise my own understanding based upon what the spirit has shown me personally. Anywhere Christ is preached, people can come to know him, even if he then calls them away from wherever they are presently. You may be faced with the same thing. Like me, maybe your words will be used by God to have some effect.

I used to be a favorite stop for the Witnesses. They would have one experienced man, with several trainees. I would invite them in, then grab my bible. I would show them where my belief came from, and why. One day, just the experienced man returned alone, to tell me that they would no longer bring any to me, as SEVERAL had left them already, because of the truth shown them in scripture!

Think not about what you will say. Let the spirit guide the whole conversation. Put your trust in God. I will warn you this though.

If you have not read your bible, and studied scripture, you shall be as the blind leading the blind, and both shall fall in the ditch, as you shall be unskilled in the word of righteousness, yet a babe. Read the last several verses of Heb 5, and the beginning of 6 through verse 8.

You cannot confront false doctrine, if you do not know what scripture has to say about it. Many are thoroughly shaken in their understanding, since they hold to false doctrine themselves, and this often leads them to other even worse false doctrines, when they find one dissolved by the light of scripture. Understand that I speak not only about them, but you as well. Be carefull, and put your trust in God, not man, and wear God's armor at all times.

If he shows you to be in error, then change. If not, then follow his words by proving all things and holding fast to that which is good. If you shall do this, then you as well shall not be shaken by every wind of doctrine.

Paul

Answer 2

Just be polite. You can still converse with them. There is no need to be afraid. I happen to be a convert but my parents are not. The missionaries have been to my house countless times for dinners and my folks have always been invited and the missionaries are not pushy in the least. My parents think they have all been thoughtful and polite boys and always enjoy their company. They want to share the gospel just as much as you do. They will be polite and respectful and won't try to push you into conversion. They are nice, young christian men and women who have an enormous faith in the Lord. They are the best source of information to learn about Mormonism. If you are a lone female you can ask someone (a friend of your own) to sit with you while they visit, also.

Answer 3

Mormons believe in the bible also. They will interpret the scriptures in a way that will apply to their beliefs. Since the bible can be interpreted a million different ways any Christian religion can use it.

But a quick proof against the Mormon religion is this:
They believe that a Jewish family left Israel ~600 years ago and came to America and settled here. They also believe that every native South and North American is descendants of this family. But science proves this wrong as DNA evidence shows that Native Americans did not descend from Jewish blood. Joseph Smith never could have foreseen this flaw in his story...

Answer 4

My sister used to allow the Mormons to come in and dicuss the bible with her. She ws able to argue so well, she became a training stop for several years before she moved to another state.

What exactly are you afraid they're going to do? rape you? Tie you to a chair and beat you until you become mormon? They may be forceful at times in their opinions, but NOT in their actions.

If you just want to share your story, do so. They don't even have to come in off the porch. If you've changed your mind, you politely and firmly tell them that you do not currently have the time to talk with them and you don't know when you will in the future. Thank them for stopping by and then close the door.

Answer 5

There is nothing to be scared of ^_^
Find the right sources to make your research, like lds.org and Mormon.org there are many mean sites about Mormons out there as there are for other religions.
Missionaries are polite, respectful and caring. Give them an opportunity, even if you don't share beliefs just listen to them and if you're not interested just be polite and tell them politely. Don't be rude to them please, many people are and don't remember that they are human beings with feelings. Usually they are young guys between 19 to 23 years old who are serving on a mission for 2 years far from home and their loved ones, they can call home only twice a year: Christmas and mother's day.
If you have questions about the LDS church they will be glad to answer! they are great friends and a blessing when they visit our homes. They always have a good and contagious attitude.
If you just don't want them to visit you just tell them and they will stop, they are very respectful. Please, don't be mean to them, they are great.

Answer 6

My advice is when they come back, invite them in for dinner or something. (they need members and just people they meet to give them dinner because they arent given very much money from their mission president for food) Over dinner, explain to them how you feel. Tell them that you respect them as people, their religion, their beliefs and their effort to spread their beliefs. What you would like though, is for them to return the favor, and respect your beliefs. You are happy to chat with them over dinner, etc. but you want no mention of their church, no prayers, no scriptures from the BOM (book of mormon...their second bible in a way), or any effort to give you one of their descussions.

Be, like you said, polite but VERY firm. Sometimes these kids can be very hard to get to back off. You need to make your intentions clear RIGHT OFF THE BAT. I hope this helps!

Answer 7

I'm Mormon andI served a mission for my church a few years ago. Really, you have nothing to be afraid of by talking to them. We aren't taught how to steal souls or anything like that. If you really don't want to talk to them let them know. They are told that all the time and it won't hurt their feelings. If you do want to just talk to them, tell them. They will share our beliefs and listen to yours. Sometimes missionaries can get confrontational, but most don't.

Basically just tell them your intentions and they won't talk with you more than you want them to.

Answer 8

Get a copy of the DVD "The Bible v. the Book of Mormon" and tell them that you will look at their info AFTER they look at yours. If they refuse simply tell them if they can't look at your info, you can't look at theirs.

The DVD is very good. It clearly shows the differences between the Christian church and Mormonism. I've listed a link of where you can get a copy. I think your church library might have a copy, though, as it was produced by the Southern Baptist Church.

Answer 9

Good for you...except one thing, in your research about the Mormons did you find that they believe in the bible as well?

The only difference between the Mormons and other Christians is that when Jesus left saying He had other sheep in his flock to tend to, He came to the Americas.

There have been many historical findings that a "white spirit" as they called it, came to that area.

I'm not Mormon, but I've been taught by missionaries.

P.S. They're very polite, they're known as Elders(the women ones are Sisters).

They will not try to convert you, they will teach you about their faith. You may be closed to it now, but if you are open minded, you may see something.

When they are done their lesson with you, tell them you aren't interested, that you're happy in the church you're in now and believe that it is the true church.

Answer 10

Mormons are actually pretty respectful that way--they aren't like jehova's witnesses or pentacostals or anything--they really will just talk and share--you can be friends with them with no pressure to convert