I agree with you. Mormon missionaries are trained to convert people with loving acts. If you don’t believe me watch the PBS documentary (second night).
I was taught as a young LDS girl to “always be a missionary.” In fact it is the calling of every single LDS individual. Mormons are castigated when their lack of righteous living leads someone astray (away from mormonism).
Here are some links from the official LDS website, to back my observations. http://lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=dfe9e2270ed6c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
A gospel-sharing (proselyting) home is one in which neighborhood children love to play, making it natural to invite them and their family to attend church, a family home evening, or some other activity. Teenagers visiting a gospel-sharing home feel comfortable asking questions or participating with the family in prayer.
A sister in France was asked about the secret of her success. She said, “I simply share my joy. I treat everyone as if they were already a member of the Church. If I’m standing by someone in line and strike up a conversation, I share with them how much I enjoyed my Church meetings on Sunday. When co-workers ask, ‘What did you do this weekend?’ I do not skip from Saturday night to Monday morning. I share with them that I went to church, what was said, and my experiences with the Saints. I talk about how I live, think, and feel.”
andyandmikesmom, Mormonism teaches that every member should use any oportunity and any means necessary to convert people. So do Christians. But don’t assume there was no ulterior motive in the actions of these young men. They are sent on Mission precisely to do what they did for your parents. This is one of their “methods of operation.” They were doing their job, and doing it very well.
One of the prime motivators might be that they will not achieve the Celestial glory (to live with the Father) without performing these works. Much of Mormonism is composed of perfect obedience to laws....one of which is missionary work.
I appreciate your reply..whatever their motivations, these two men provided a fine service to my parents and to me...they alleviated the worry that I had about not being to be there immediately with my parents..as I said, I lived in one state, my parents in another, I had to make travel plans, I had to make plans for my family to operate smoothly without my being there, and that all took a couple of days...
My mom would call me and tell me not to worry...they had their ‘gentlemen’ helpers, who were there to assist them until I got there...that certainly alleviated any fears and worries I had...
Whatever their motivations, they were two of the finest men in this world, as far as I am concerned...and if what they did was a part of their missionary work, then I say, job well done...
“Mormonism teaches that every member should use any oportunity and any means necessary to convert people. So do Christians. But don’t assume there was no ulterior motive in the actions of these young men. They are sent on Mission precisely to do what they did for your parents. This is one of their “methods of operation.” They were doing their job, and doing it very well.”
I’m very impressed with you well you worked genuine Christian service into a cynical ploy to subvert a victim’s faith. Unless I read the story wrong, the parents never converted.