Mormons at the door

by jws 17 Replies latest jw friends

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  jws

  I suppose I could look it up elsewhere, but I'll ask here.

  When I was young, I remember a JW telling a "gotcha" moment when Mormons knocked on his door. Supposedly he asked them what business they were going into. Apparently he was under the impression that after a 2-year missionary stint, they were given some sort of reward. Like a loan to start a business, or college funding or something. And apparently the comment was supposed to imply they weren't in it for the love of the religion, but for selfish motives.

  Is there any such thing? Or was that a thing at the time (late 70's maybe)? Or was this guy totally confused and making some totally unfounded claim. Wouldn't be the first time JWs were misinformed about other religions.
• 

  tec

  I like that you bought them a couple of beers. Makes you (and them) just seem normal. Like you're not judging them too (because they probably assume that most people know Mormons don't drink)

  I wouldn't dream of turning them into their elders, or whatever. Leaving is their choice to make, if they decide to make it, and when they are ready to leave.

  I don't know anything about a reward after their 2 years. Qcmbr will know though. He used to be a Mormon.

  Peace,

  Tammy
• 

  JeffT

  I don't think alcohol is strictly forbidden, but it is very very strongly discouraged. I worked with a mormon who would have a beer once in awhile. He told me that it started as a "suggestion" which turned int a rule.

  I wasn't there, but a year my wife said her mormon sister got tanked at her daughter's wedding.

  I think its nice you bought them a beer. Who knows, you may have made a good impression.
• 

  jws

  I'm with Tec. I never ratted out another JW when I was one. I wouldn't rat out these guys for doing a normal thing most guys their age might do.

  Unless you're ready to leave, disfellowshipping has torn apart so many lives in the JWs.

  They looked so guilty, me buying them another round was my way of saying, "it's OK, it's cool with me". I'd hate for it to seem like I was trying to trap them (even though they already had beers).

  It is interesting they didn't show up until 11pm. Wonder if they were waiting until most Mormons were in bed to sneak out.

  At least they were rebelling in one way. That might make it easier to rebel in other ways later.

  Even if alcohol isn't strictly prohibited, it's probably like one of those JW un-rules. "A true Christian would be wise to consider whether they should do <fill-in-blank>". Which technically reads you have some freedom to do it, but in practice, every JW knows it's a no-no and other JWs would judge you if you did it.

  And I've got to imagine it's especially off limits while they're on their missionary tour of duty for the exact same reason as what just happened. Somebody might see them that they either talked to or are going to talk to. Maybe some seed they planted will be uprooted by being seen going into Hooters and/or drinking there.
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  Qcmbr

  1030 is lights out to the missionaries and prior to that they have to report their day to the district leader or zone leader (zl if dl or dl if regular miss.) so 11 was the first time they know that someone won't be phoning them to check they are in plus there is supposedly zero chance of another missionary stumbling on them.

  There are no church rewards in terms of jobs however, many girlfriends stipulate that they will only marry a returned missionary and certainly in lds heavy populations being a returned missionary will open doors to job opportunities. In some very rare situations a family business may make a position available only after the son/ daughter has served a mission.

  Most mission presidents know who the less committed missionaries are and may well place them together in places where there is no growth, our dumping ground for wasters in the Manchester UK mission was Barrow ironically due to the vast number of JWs there so the place was sick of door to door approaches. Oddly enough party time missionaries can sometimes baptise a lot of people since most converts are socially converted rather than being impressed by golden plates.

  Missions are such a pressure cooker that it also emphasises any odd traits you have and any mental health problems. One missionary bought toy soldiers and some tapes of battle sounds and when out door tracking would whistle without a tune constantly. Weird.
• 

  3rdgen

  Funny experience! I like that you were nice to them when they called at your door. One time 2 nervous looking Mormans came to my door. I smiled and said something like : As one of JW's I appreciate the sincerity,effort, and courage it takes to do this kind of work. How is your day going so far? They started to relax and thanked me over and over for being nice. They went on to say that most everyone had been polite UNTIL they called on my JW neighbor who was so mean they were actually shaken up. I appoligized for his terrible behavior. You would think JW's would have more empathy. Glad you bought those guys a beer... it shows class!
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  jookbeard

  I've heard of Morons drinking alcohol, but definitely view caffeine as a no no surprisingly.
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  iCeltic

  I only know one Mormon and she never drinks alcohol or caffeine, but I know she has major doubts. I always remember her laughing at me about 1975...