Comments on: Missionaries: I think I broke mine

By: JM

JM — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 20:45:38 +0000

Rick,

I bet they have a nice little write up in their area book that details most, if not all the visits they have had with you over time.

Some comments may say things like “Cool guy, awsome to talk to, keep working at him” to comments like “Total waste of time, he ain’t going nowhere.”

So, it probably depends on if you have campers, or preachers or some other type of missionary in your area. Also, they may have been given a larger area to work in, so they see a lot less of everyone if there arent enough replacements for the ones that go home.

Could be a ton of reasons.

By: Kim Siever

Kim Siever — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 18:00:30 +0000

Our experience has been similar to yours, Nermalcat. What happened in Vancouver and what happens in Lethbridge parallels your experience.

By: Nermalcat

Nermalcat — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 17:47:37 +0000

When we lived in CA and NE the missionaries also discovered that our house was a relaxing place to take a break. They would often come over on the pretense that they needed to use the phone (for missionary purposes) or needed something to drink etc. I am a member already so they weren’t there to teach us, just to take a break (although they would occasionaly justify it by sharing an encouraging scripture). Anyhow, we really enjoyed having them around, they always had fun with my husband and of course my kids adored them. Sometimes we would even go out and have some fast food with them. Now that I am in Idaho we have NEVER had any missionaries discover our place and we miss it. Also in Omaha we lived in a neighborhood with NO mormons but our friends accross the street, and elderly couple who were not affiliated with any religion, also provided a place for the elders to hang out for a break. They always offered them a pop, and enjoyed their company. They even gave the elders a ride to places sometimes. I relate to Rick enjoying the company of missionaries, they do bring an energy and fresh perspectives into the home. Some of them even remained our friends after their mission and we are still in touch and visit when we are in the same town.

I can’t really explain why nobody has even stopped by in the first place here in ID (but the JWs have). It’s kind of weird not to have elders hanging around on a regular basis after having them around quite frequently for many years. Rick is right that they are refreshing change in comparisn to our like-aged neighbors and friends. Just something about them….

Anyhow, in my experience Rick, I think it has more to do with personalities clicking than anything else. Also if an area gets “whitewashed” there is no companion to let the new transfers know about their traditions. But maybe the newer elders lately have simply been more uptight and new and friendlier elders will come along eventually.

By: rick

rick — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 02:43:10 +0000

Yeah, no to food and no to church anything.

I’m very fickle. =)

By: Bookslinger

Bookslinger — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 23:45:02 +0000

Rick,
Another way to catch the missionaries’ interest, other than offering free food, is to occasionally attend Sunday church services, and/or a ward dinner. They’ll be all over you like something-on-whatever.

By: Bookslinger

Bookslinger — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 23:38:04 +0000

“Yes to visiting, no to feeding.”

There’s your problem. Offer them food, make an official dinner appointment, they’ll come.

By: Mary Siever

Mary Siever — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 21:49:15 +0000

Rick

lol, yes well that’s what the Boook of Mormon says, we are a peculiar people. And in some areas even more peculiar….let me tell you, the Church is different (I should say the member-culture) here than in BC and probably anywhere else in Canada. But it is little Utah.

By: rick

rick — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 21:30:16 +0000

Well, I’d say I’m Ignostic if I were really cornered. :)

My beloved life partner was LDS since birth (purportedly before so as well).

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 21:26:23 +0000

That explains a lot. So what religion do you consider yourself to be?

Was your wife LDS before or after you married?

By: rick

rick — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 21:07:51 +0000

I’m married to a member, live in a town that’s chock full of members and ,in general, find y’all to be a peculiar people with equally peculiar beliefs and cultural practises.

I think that just about covers it.