Your analogy is silly. Mormonism is not a product; it is a way of life, based on a covenant relationship with God. Such a relationship cannot be purchased with money.
Moreover, the missionaries are not paid for their work, as a typical TV pitchman is. LDS missionaries are not "seeking an income" from their work; in fact, they pay for the opportunity to serve. Therefore, by your definition, they are not engaged in selling a product.
But if you insist that the LDS missionaries are trying to sell something, what do you say of clergy who make a career of the ministry? Are they mere salesmen? Should they serve without pay, as the Mormon missionaries do? (I am not saying they should; are you?)
Jeremiah 11:1-10
1. This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
2. "Listen to the terms of this covenant and tell them to the people of Judah and to those who live in Jerusalem.
3. Tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: `Cursed is the man who does not obey the terms of this covenant--
4. the terms I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of Egypt, out of the iron-smelting furnace.' I said, `Obey me and do everything I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God.
5. Then I will fulfill the oath I swore to your forefathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey'--the land you possess today." I answered, "Amen, LORD."
6. The LORD said to me, "Proclaim all these words in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem: `Listen to the terms of this covenant and follow them.
7. From the time I brought your forefathers up from Egypt until today, I warned them again and again, saying, "Obey me."
8. But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubbornness of their evil hearts. So I brought on them all the curses of the covenant I had commanded them to follow but that they did not keep.'"
9. Then the LORD said to me, "There is a conspiracy among the people of Judah and those who live in Jerusalem.
10. They have returned to the sins of their forefathers, who refused to listen to my words. They have followed other gods to serve them. Both the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the covenant I made with their forefathers.Jeremiah 22:9
And the answer will be: `Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God and have worshiped and served other gods.'"
Jeremiah 31:31-34
31. "The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
32. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, " declares the LORD.
33. "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
34. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, `Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
Acts 8:17-2017. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money
19. and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
20. Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!
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Temple Recommend Questions: 1 Do you have faith in and a testimony of God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost? 2 Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Christ and of His role as Savior and Redeemer? 3 Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel in these the latter days? 4 Do you sustain the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and as the only person on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys? Do you sustain members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators? Do you sustain the other General Authorities and local authorities of the Church? 5 Do you live the law of chastity? 6 Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church? 7 Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? 8 Do you strive to keep the covenants you have made, to attend your sacrament and other meetings, and to keep your life in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel? 9 Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen? 10 Are you a full-tithe payer? 11 Do your keep the Word of Wisdom? 12 Do you have financial or other oblgations to a former spouse or children? If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations? 13 If you have previously received your temple endowment: Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple? Do you wear the garment both night and day as instructed in the endowment and in accordance with the covenant you made in the temple? 14 Have there been any sins or misdeeds in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but have not been? 15 Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord's house and participate in temple ordinances? |
The marketing of mormonism is no different from marketing of other products, and is treated as such by leaders and members.
"Intensive effort on the part of the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve, other General Authorities, and most capable teams of devoted, experienced staff members produced Preach My Gospel and its planning tools. Those who participated in its development are witnesses of the inspired direction of the Lord through the Holy Ghost in the conception, framing, and finalization of the materials in Preach My Gospel.
After extensive testing in 14 missions, Preach My Gospel was adjusted. That result was reviewed, modified, and approved by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. On October 15, 2004, a worldwide satellite broadcast introduced mission presidents and missionary leaders to Preach My Gospel. Every missionary throughout the world was given an English copy. While many did not speak English, they felt part of the renewal of our missionary effort. Interestingly, some foreign-language-speaking missionaries were motivated to learn English. Early this year Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese versions of Preach My Gospel were distributed. By the end of the year, we anticipate that the guide will be available in most of the languages spoken by missionaries."
-SNIP-
"Can you catch the vision? You’ll be as excited as I am when in your personal life you begin to understand and use this missionary tool. Unlike prior full-time missionary resources, Preach My Gospel is available to any leader or member through Church distribution." (Available at Deseret Books for $9.00)
The fact that missionaries "serve without pay" does not make the marketing of the product any less a "sales pitch".
This straw man you attempt to build "what do you say of clergy who make a career of the ministry? Are they mere salesmen?" is similar..."unpaid clergy", another boasting point by the LDS, who are untrained and in most cases have to have full-time jobs to support their families IMO short-change members.
Paid clergymen and women, in most cases have spent years training for the occupation. Caring for and serving their parishoners IS a full-time job to them, not something that has to be done as a side job.