Mormon Missionaries Go Online in Search of New Converts

Beliefnet News ^ | Tuesday June 16, 2009 | PEGGY FLETCHER STACK

[delacoert]

• Pilot program that calls on Mormon missionaries to attract new converts to the faith via the virtual world, rather than the traditional, face-to-face approach
• Every missionary who is trained at the MTC takes a turn in the Referral Center for a total of 12 hours online during the three-to-nine-week stay. By the beginning of last year, missionaries were engaged in about 100 chats a day, with conversations lasting from five to 50 minutes.
• Now the number is closer to 500 a day at one of the 38 stations in the center.
• Excellent chance for missionaries to practice their proselytizing skills
• Most anti-Mormons who come to the site are pretty sincere. We let them know that arguing is not the purpose of the site and then we try to ignore them.

[svcw]

WTH?
Why are they (lds) so desperate?

[rom]

They figure because people fall for all sorts of other scams on the Internet, that they have a shot too.

[SkyDancer]

People are anti-mormon religion, not anti-mormon with regard to persons. When we “argue” re: LDS religion it has nothing to do with personalities, we argue the facts that the LDS church claim to be Christian.

[Bulwyf]

don’t be decieved by the wolf in sheep’s clothing, don’t be decieved by lies. The only way to salvation is belief in Jesus the son of God, not through good works. Remember the devil himself can appear as an angel of light.

[Saundra Duffy]

Totally cool. This is called freedom of religion and thought. No one is forced to connect with the LDS Missionaries. Ain’t America grand? Yahoo for the LDS Missionaries. Loving this news. Thank you.

[nesnah]

“Why are they so desperate?”

Because they have to prop up the massive numbers of those who leave after they have figured out the scam.

[Deb]

Don’t all religions have on-line missions? Why do you call this so “desperate”?

[republicanbred]

Do you only quote scriptures that support your beliefs? How about these... James 2: 20 & 26...

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
• • •
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

[delacoert]

Totally cool. This is called freedom of religion and thought.

Yes. The internet is wonder both for giving and getting information. Anyone curious enough to explore a topic, and then enter a forum or chat room for two way communication is bound to find the truth.

Churches are in the Truth business and must respond to credibility crisis.

[colorcountry]

That just means you can’t have faith if it isn’t born out by works.

Certainly has nothing to do with performing rites and rituals in the Temple, abstaining from coffee or paying 10% of your gross income. Do you place your faith in Jesus Christ or is your faith placed in your own obedience?

Let those with ears, hear.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

[mormons reach out online...]

My beloved,

It is my pleasure to contact you for a celestial business venture which I intend to
establish in your country.Though I have not met with you before but I believe,
one has to risk confiding in someone to succeed sometimes in life - and score
a planet in the hereafter.

There is this amount of FIFTEEN Million US Dollars which the Temple in Salt Lake City deposited
with a security company which our prophet (bless his toes) wanted to use to purchase shopping
centers, ranches, etc. before he was kidnapped and killed by unknown FLDS Apostates.
I do not have any other hope rather than this funds which is why I contacted you.

Now I have decided to invest these money in spreading the restored good news of our
new “branch” of Chrisianity. Please do not show this email to anyone else. Their jealousy
will cause them to accuse us of the Arian Heresy. This shall be our secret. Indeed! I have
many secrets to share once you commit yourself to our “business venture”.

I want you to help us claim and receive this godhood, of which I write. I promise these
funds will be sent to you through diplomatic means to your address to avoid any traces
of the funds and to enable you plan for the investment in your Country.

I will like to invest part of the money into these three investment in your Country but,
if there is any other business that is better than my suggestion, I will be very glad to follow
your advice.

1). Real estate? The lying prophet liked real estate.
2). The transport industry - perhaps a bicycle manufacturing facility.
3). Five star hotels - such as the Marriott - a fine mormon institution.

If you can be of an assistance to me, I will be pleased to offer to you YOUR
own planet, eternal godess wives to populate it and, of course godhood.
Of the total fund while the balance will be invested by you. I need your
understanding and honesty to this project, I assure you to always be your brother.

I await your soonest response.

Respectfully yours,

Elder Byron Smith (screen name Eldog B)

[colorcountry]

Don’t all religions have on-line missions? Why do you call this so “desperate”?

Ummm, no. Can't remember the last time I was a Buddist missionary on line.

[rom]

The standard response to those verses in James is that Saving Faith produces the fruit of good works.

But that Faith + Works is not a * prerequisite * for Salvation. Rather that the outcome of true saving faith is going to be good works.

[Saundra Duffy]

Agency - as in free agency - and we all have it and thank God for it. You seem to think all Mormons are idiots. To some the Gospel is nonsense. And we Mormons are a peculiar people - I’ll grant you that.

(I used to be an anti Mormon, too.)

[greyfoxx39]

Ping

[Deb]

Ummm, well, I’m sure all the religions have online out-reach programs whether you know of them or not.

[exist]

When I was a kid these two missionaries came to my house like every other day. Acted like they were my best friends played video games with me. The day was baptized— never saw ‘em again.

[greyfoxx39]

:)

[svcw]

I guess it using the term “looking for new converts”,
makes them look desperate.