Put a pair of LDS missionaries and a pair of Jehovah's Witness in the same room. Who will prevail?

Answer 1

This is an interesting question. The reputations of each group suggest that both would work to imitate Christ's humility and graciousness, but it would seem the Jehovah's Witnesses would have the edge.

Firstly, an LDS member is only considered a "missionary" while he is on a "mission", that is, on an approximately two-year assignment to devote himself to preaching and teaching. A Jehovah's Witness remains a "Witness" and a preaching minister for the rest of his life, generally. Since their mindset is not to endure for a year or two but for a lifetime, most Jehovah's Witnesses have the opportunity to train for the ministry alongside experienced ministers such as Zerah Stigers. According to her life story in the 8/1/2007 issue of The Watchtower, Mrs. Stigers began serving as a full-time "pioneer" minister in 1928 and continued until her death earlier this year 2007. Mrs. Stigers only break in full-time service was a few years surrounding the terminal illness and death of her husband, while her two children were both quite young. During those few years as a widow with a two- and a twelve-year-old, Mrs. Stigers remained an active preacher but was unable to report the 100 hours each month to be considered "full-time".

Secondly, LDS actively encourages large families with many children, while Jehovah's Witnesses tacitly encourage "family planning" and even singleness which tends toward smaller families among the Witnesses. Thus, a typical LDS missionary was raised in the faith, and incidentally did not have to meet any real qualifications for baptism as a Mormon. By contrast, a typical Jehovah's Witness came from a different religion, and was personally persuaded that Jehovah's Witnesses represent bible truth. Witness baptismal candidates generally attend months of congregation meetings and perform months of informal and formal ministry themselves before they even qualify for the three lengthy interviews with three different elders during which hundreds of specific questions must be answered with understanding and conviction. By definition, a baptized Witness knows and can explain the Scriptural underpinnings of his faith.


To some extent, the comparison between LDS missionaries and Jehovah's Witnesses should actually compare LDS missionaries with JW "pioneers". Yet, even this latter comparison is somewhat inexact. While Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the bible represents the only infallible inspired means of knowing God's will and purposes, Latter-day Saints do not (and in fact LDS do not claim that their worship is based on the bible, but merely "is compatible with" the bible).

Knowledgeable LDS, please email any corrections directly (with references).

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_02.htm


EDIT: As always, Mormon respondents have been polite and informative (via private email). Thus, two clarifications:
1. Officially, LDS aspire to the following ideal: “Every member a missionary.” It will be left to the reader to decide whether that ideal is actually practiced.
2. LDS also practice "family planning" in that they allow birth control and plan their families.

Answer 2

Prevailing in a contest between Jehovah Witnesses and Mormon missionaries is moot. The LDS missionaries are not to contend with anyone about the Gospel of Jesus Christ; they simply present what we believe is the truth about it.

As for the Jehovah Witnesses, I get the strong impression that they will not be contentious either--unlike some of the Protestant fundamentalists often do. My contacts with the Jehovah Witnesses have been cordial and respectful and not once have any of them become contentious with me.

The only prevailing judgment to be made is which faith the investigator will choose after receiving the testimonies and lessons from the missionaries.

Answer 3

Neither. I don't think their goal would be to "prevail." Neither has the reputation of being combative. But Jehovah's Witnesses base their beliefs only on the Bible, and the LDS use additional sources that the Witnesses would not accept as divinely inspired. I imagine that both pairs would talk for a while, and end up on friendly terms, agreeing to disagree.

Answer 4

Both LDS and Jehovah s witnesses are man made cults that attack the truth handed to us through Christ and the Apostles. They are much like the Judaiizers and Gnostics that the apostle Paul was constantly refuting in his 13 letters of the New Testament. Both LDS and Jehovah s were founded by men, Joseph Smith and Charles Taze Russel who didn t like the grace message and decided that the true bible had been corrupted through the ages. The truth of the matter is, the Bible, both Old Testament and New Testament have been beautifully preserved through the ages. There is only salvation and atonement through faith in Jesus Christ. All others focus on faith good works and obedience to get to heaven. In other words mans own efforts where as the true bible (not NWT) tells us man can t get to heaven through his own works and obedience, but only through faith in Christ. Christ s blood alone has saving power. The hypo-static Union, Christ being fully a man and fully God makes him the only perfect sacrifice for humanity. He is the ONLY means of salvation. Whosoever will come and kneel before him he will give eternal life, without human works as all of mans works are altogether vain and as filthy rags before a holy God, Psalm 39:5 and Isaiah 64:6. Jesus said in John 14:6, I am the way, the truth and the life no man comes to the father but by me.

Answer 5

As a Jehovah's Witness, I have respect for other religions and go door to door to share the Bibles hope for mankind's future.

I respect the Mormon's love of family and that some of them also share in a preaching work.

As far as prevailing....the truth in the bible is what will prevail every time in the long run.

edit: To Manaia, yes I am happy to inherit the earth, it is not a toilet, it is a beautiful planet that man is ruining. And as the bible says God is going to "bring to ruin those ruining the earth". Rev. 11:18 God made the earth for man, not heaven. I have no desire to go to heaven. By the way, we do not believe that 144,000 of Jehovah's Witnesses today are going to heaven. That number started to be filled at Penecost 33 C.E..

Answer 6

I don't know what you mean by "prevail." I know what the word means, but in this case it does not seem to apply.

When I speak to people at their doors, I am not trying to prevail; I am presenting the truth to them so they can make an informed decision.

I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and I would do the same in the scenerio you describe. I assume that my LDS counterparts would be doing the same from their point of view, so in that sense I guess it would be a tie.

Answer 7

I think it would be a tie. Both LDS and Jehovah's Witnesses believe in their religion, and will defend that religion if need be.

I don't think that prevailing would be the best thing. I would be much better to get together and discuss things, and see the good in each of our religions then try to rip them apart. It would everyone better in the long run.

Answer 8

Which one will use the bilbe to prove that Jesus will rule the earth during 1000 years and transform it in a paradise , Jehovah´s witnesses will do it.

Answer 9

Are you talking "Religious Death Match" (similar to Celebrity Death Match) or are you talking a doctrinal war of words?

D

Added:

Correction to achtung_heiss

"Every Member a missionary" has been the policy of the LDS church since 1959

http://lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b3bc55cbf541229058520974e44916a0/?vgnextoid=88021b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=5e13be335dc20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1


I go out to teach with the "full-time" Missionaries once a month (it's part of my calling)

Peace Brother
D

Answer 10

Unlike so many other religions on this forum, Jehovah's Witnesses do not degrade any other religions. We don't shove our religion down anyones throat. We present the scriptures and explain them, and offer others the chance to listen to what we have to say. If they don't want to hear us then that is their decision, and we respect that.