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Roy wrote:
There is something about the euphoria of the moment that makes poor decisions.
Behold the secret of the Jedi mind trick.
Quote:I tell DW that I would prefer that she invite people from the ward over for dinner instead of the missionaries. That way we are actually building potentially lasting relationships over the course of the meal.
I’ve told mine I would prefer we didn’t have anyone over….
DarkJedi wrote:Quote:I tell DW that I would prefer that she invite people from the ward over for dinner instead of the missionaries. That way we are actually building potentially lasting relationships over the course of the meal.
I’ve told mine I would prefer we didn’t have anyone over….
😆 I know that feeling. haha
Good point, Heber, and I do make a point of letting people know I work with and am willing to work with inactives. In my son’s mission working with inactives is a priority and reactivation is given the same weight as baptism. In fact, on this visit last night I told the sisters that very thing during dinner. I frequently ask them about inactives in the ward they visit, BUT it is not a priority for this mission and they don’t frequently visit inactives. I purposely avoided the deeper issues last night because of “do no harm.” I seriously don’t believe these sisters have even the essays to use as defense, I don’t think they are encouraged to be familiar with them. And I think I could wreck their relatively weak testimonies and faith with relative ease. I have no desire to do that. Besides, I do also value keeping my doubts to myself – even my SP who knows more about them than anyone else (including my wife) has no clue of their breadth and depth. Another secret of the Jedi mind trick SMiLe – fear of embarrassment. FWIW, I’m not into family history, either. The truth is that some of us are better at talking to people than others. I am useless explaining my connection to the church and my faith with my mouth unfortunately. I think also we have to be careful how we discuss this with friends. Not only because a lot of people don’t like to be preached at and will possibly stop being your friends, but also because I think there are suitable times and places.
I have had some really awkward missionary moments, where I have just blurted out my frustration with them because they wouldnt stop harassing me. I get that they are just kids and trying their best, but some times you get those really gung-ho kids that are dying to make every member a missionary. I finally just said, no need to follow up because I won’t do the challenge, and I won’t answer the phone. But, if the spirit prompts me to talk to someone about the church, I will do it. They looked a little stunned, but I was getting a phone call 3x per week. It was insane!!! I think you are doing the best you can with them and your being fantastically patient. Being a little more honest with them will be a good thing. Tell them that you will do something if you feel prompted, and you will let them know if something good comes from it. This is the exact reason why we havent had missionaries over since my FC, I just don’t want to fake things right now. OR have them guess that there is something going on with me and become their project. Let us know if you come up with a solution, because I could use some help in this department as well! Ps, you are helping a lot of people on here, so I would call that some awesome missionary work!!
May the Force Be With You. Yeah, you get the gung-ho types. Missionaries are also trained to do that sort of thing. 
Most missionaries don’t really feel comfortable doing that sort of thing but you will get the occasional missionary that sticks to the methods that they were taught to the point where it makes their companion start to squirm.
(psst… dude, just let it go)
Missionaries could use a healthy dose of “no means no” in their instruction.
Also, missionaries really, and I mean really feel like the main thing holding the work back is a lack of member involvement. It’s right there at the top of their list. No surprises there, we hear that sort of thing during general conference… and depending on how you define success in missionary work it’s probably true.
:shifty: A lack of real world experience mixed with overflowing enthusiasm and a dash of impatience can lead missionaries down the path of calling people three times a week.
A long time ago someone that had been inactive for a long time showed up with the missionaries one Sunday. I chatted with him and he told me point blank: the only reason I’m here is to get the missionaries off my back about coming. He was serious. He didn’t come back after that Sunday. I feel it’s an important life lesson for missionaries, don’t be overbearing. Unfortunately we tend to learn things the hard way and unfortunately someone has to be the guinea pig.
My mission plan, if anybody asks 1. Live a moral life
2. If anybody asks about my church, answer the questions.
3. Rinse and repeat
Sheldon wrote:My mission plan, if anybody asks
1. Live a moral life
2. If anybody asks about my church, answer the questions.
3. Rinse and repeat
This isn’t bad advice.
Try and live a decent life when you are away from other church members!
(Easier said that done, of course. I have great trouble with this one.)
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