What sort of personal information do Mormon missionaries keep in their Investigator Records?

Question

Wondering specifically what kind of information - aside from name, address etc.
Likes? Dislikes? Personality? Doubts about the church?
Any ex-missionaries out there? Would appreciate a very honest answer. Thanks!

Answer 1

They will have the basic contact information. They will put in a comment as to your reaction to their visit; How many discussions you had; and so forth. When new missionaries are assigned to the area, they will have a quick reference.

So the record will say something like "Family with 2 teenage children. Had first discussion. Kids interested, but parents are not." Or it could be "single mom with 11 year old son. Problem with smoking. Son interested in scouts"

Answer 2

You can ask the current missionaries. Usually they just have a very general record of investigators. If people ask not to be contacted by the missionaries anymore then obviously they will keep note of that. If someone who was once an investigator makes it pretty clear that they don't really want to hear what the missionaries have to say, but just want to argue with the missionaries, then there comes a point when they will stop consistently coming over because missionaries aren't out to debate and argue, but to talk to people that actually care to hear what they have to say. I don't think you are black balled, but it is possible that it was noted that you aren't really that serious about investigating the church. None of the members would really know this except maybe leadership in the local ward that your records would be in, but if it has been a while, I doubt even that ward leadership would know anymore because investigators are discussed in council meetings and if you aren't an active investigator, your name just wouldn't be brought up. Members wouldn't really know anything that is going on unless they were good friends with the missionaries or were following up on you. I don't why any Mormon friends would stop contacting you unless it was felt that you were being kind of rude and disrespectful to the missionaries and hostile twds the church and so they got all offended, but then if they didn't ask you about it, were you guys really friends? I would ask my friend if the missionaries told me that a friend who was investigating or chatting with the missionaries was being a jerk. Keep in mind, for the most part these are 19-21 year olds with no formal training who are suppose to be relying on the spirit to guide them. Sometimes they get pushy and sometimes they don't always react to someone who also maybe pushy or antagonizing them a bit. I am not saying you were, but if you guys were starting to butt heads, then they might have felt it was just time to walk away. There does come a point where it is obvious the person isn't really that interested and if it becomes a less than pleasant situation where all you are doing is debating, then that really isn't what the missionaries are suppose to be doing. If you really want to speak to the missionaries again or are curious about this, then you can ask the current missionaries or find out who the mission president in the area is.

Answer 3

Ya know, it's really not about converting anyone as it is about brainwahing the missionary. At the end of your mission, if you are typical, you return home, bear your testimony, as expected, that the church is true, that Joseph Smith, the church founder, was a prophet of God and that the present church president is a prophet, etc. You have become an unquestioning and true believer and remain so throughout your life. If you excel in conforming you will receive even greater love and honor than more ordinary conformists.

Answer 4

They just keep contact info and maybe a few questions the person had and wanted more information about. That's all.

Answer 5

I don't have personal knowledge, but I would guess surnames are important for genealogical purposes.

Answer 6

Stand by while the LDS supercomputer downloads the personal info from your computer ....................

Download complete. Thank you, have a nice day.