# I met some Missionaries today... **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 31, 2003, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223 "2003-07-31T21:05:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Squirebob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Squirebob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squirebob)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/1 "2003-07-31T21:05:47Z")
I even manage not to crack a favourite position joke. Anyway, I live in North East England, Sunderland to be precise. I was walking along minding my own business when two well dressed American men about my age 21 stopped me. I’m a polite guy and was in a particularly good mood so when they asked to if I had a moment to spare I said ‘yep’. I had guessed they were from some type of religious body (anyone who knows Sunderland would know why… young men normally wear tracksuits and can’t string two words together) When they said that they were from the Church of Later day Saints it came as no surprise, I think that was the church anyway. They introduced themselves as missionaries and presented the ‘Book of Mormon’ I haf heard of Mormons but always pictured the _‘Farmers in black’_ stereotype. They told how the the mormon church is different. So as not to waste thier time, I explained i’m an athiest and not into anything spiritual, they were nice about this and while trying to get thier ideas across they were not at all pushy. They sad that the book of Mormon was wrote in ‘Central and Southern America about 600bc’ By people from ‘Jerusalem’ his only explanation of how this came about was they built a ‘ship’ i’m not putting a downer on thier church or beliefs I have up most respect for people who beleve in God but its just not my thing. So wha makes them think that people from Middle east sailed to South America? ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/2 "2003-07-31T21:35:10Z")
> **[Home | ComeUntoChrist](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist)** > > Welcome to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. No matter your story, we welcome you to join us as we all try to be a little bit better, a little bit kinder, a little more helpful—because that’s what Jesus taught. ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/3 "2003-07-31T21:40:39Z")
also [http://www.mormonismexamined.com/part1/2-bookofmormon.html](http://www.mormonismexamined.com/part1/2-bookofmormon.html) ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/4 "2003-07-31T21:44:20Z")
It’s The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Squirebob \* > So wha makes them think that people from Middle east sailed to South America? Because they believe what is recorded in the [Book of Mormon](http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,1090-1,00.html). The account can be found in The First Book of Nephi chapters[17](http://scriptures.lds.org/1_ne/17) and [18](http://scriptures.lds.org/1_ne/18). ---
**Author:** ![Squirebob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Squirebob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squirebob)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/5 "2003-07-31T21:45:15Z")
Thank you Emily, may I ask if you are a Mormon, or from the Church of Later-day Saints? ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/6 "2003-07-31T21:45:47Z")
also [http://www.mormonismexamined.com/part1/2-bookofmormon.html](http://www.mormonismexamined.com/part1/2-bookofmormon.html) ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/7 "2003-07-31T21:50:53Z")
also [http://www.mormonismexamined.com/part1/2-bookofmormon.html](http://www.mormonismexamined.com/part1/2-bookofmormon.html) ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/8 "2003-07-31T21:54:33Z")
[http://www.mormonismexamined.com/part1/2-bookofmormon.html](http://www.mormonismexamined.com/part1/2-bookofmormon.html) [http://www.lds-mormon.com/9-01newsweek.shtml](http://www.lds-mormon.com/9-01newsweek.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![Squirebob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Squirebob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squirebob)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/9 "2003-07-31T21:56:08Z")
But what about evidence, how did they complete this voyage? The peoples of south america have very little in common with those of the Middle east (at that time and for centuries) what about language ect? ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/10 "2003-07-31T22:00:05Z")
[http://www.mormonismexamined.com/part1/2-bookofmormon.html](http://www.mormonismexamined.com/part1/2-bookofmormon.html) [http://www.lds-mormon.com/9-01newsweek.shtml](http://www.lds-mormon.com/9-01newsweek.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/11 "2003-07-31T22:06:17Z")
[http://www.mormonismexamined.com/part1/2-bookofmormon.html](http://www.mormonismexamined.com/part1/2-bookofmormon.html) [http://www.lds-mormon.com/9-01newsweek.shtml](http://www.lds-mormon.com/9-01newsweek.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/12 "2003-07-31T22:27:33Z")
I do not know for sure but I doubt **emilyforce** is a member based on the links to the Mormonism Examined site. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Squirebob \* > \*\*But what about evidence, how did they complete this voyage? The peoples of south america have very little in common with those of the Middle east (at that time and for centuries) what about language ect? \*\* The story of the voyage and arrival is in chapter 18 which I have conveniently linked for you. While I agree with you that there is little in common with the peoples, it does not surprise me for at least two reasons. (Setting aside prayer, and faith for the moment.) The Book of Mormon does not claim that the land here was ONLY inhabited by Lehi’s people. Additionally towards the end of the records, the people of the Book of Mormon were totally destroyed. [See here.](http://scriptures.lds.org/moro/9) So since we believe the people were destroyed, it does not worry me that there is little in common with the people who are there today. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/13 "2003-07-31T22:29:02Z")
> [@](#): > > haf heard of Mormons but always pictured the ‘Farmers in black’ stereotype. I think you’re confusing them with the Amish or Mennonites, which are non-proselytyzing religious communities here in the USA. > **[Amish and the Plain People](https://lancasterpa.com/amish/)** > > Learn about the Amish of Lancaster County's beliefs, lifestyle, and culture. See how this fascinating community is thriving in our modern society! ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/14 "2003-07-31T22:36:07Z")
Freakin’ hamsters! Geez! Why can’t they just get themselves a [Habitrail](http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/5788/hamsters/habintro.htm) and leave me alone? No, **Squirebob** and **AbbySthrnAccent** , I am not a Mormon. I have several friends that were raised as Mormons but do not belong to the church now. There were many in my hometown growing up, and they were active in our community. And there were some fine fresh-faced Mormon missionaries knocking on doors on my block last night, so I was actually thinking about them earlier today. It’s a little misguided to ask Mormons for factual evidence to support their beliefs; they do have [some](http://newsnet.byu.edu/story.cfm/41852) to offer, but as I understand it, it is [not generally accepted](http://www.trialsofascension.net/mormon/dna.html%5B/url) by the relevant scientific communities as definitive. We’re dealing with faith here. Most religions have deeply-held beliefs that are not supportable by scientific evidence, at least at this point in history. As a skeptic, I try always to remember that there are few scientific beliefs that have not changed over time as new evidence is newly interpreted. ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/15 "2003-07-31T23:32:36Z")
By the way, is there anyone out there who does belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who can tell me whether you’d really prefer not to be called “Mormons”? As in the noun applied to the person? I do know that your religion is not “Mormonism” and you do not belong to “the Mormon Church”. I think highly of many aspects of the Church and many of its members and want to be respectful. ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/16 "2003-08-01T00:14:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by emilyforce \* > It’s a little misguided to ask Mormons for factual evidence to support their beliefs; they do have [some](http://newsnet.byu.edu/story.cfm/41852) to offer, but as I understand it, it is [not generally accepted](http://www.trialsofascension.net/mormon/dna.html%5B/url) by the relevant scientific communities as definitive. We’re dealing with faith here. Most religions have deeply-held beliefs that are not supportable by scientific evidence, at least at this point in history. **emilyforce** I agree. In fact I was thinking about this on the bus on the way home. I couldn’t figure out how to address the prayer and faith aspect of why most of us believe without irritating **Manhattan** since this is in GQ instead of in GD. In my experience he gets unnecessarily profane about it, so I’m not going to try to address those points as long as the thread is here in GQ. I think you’ve done a nice job of addressing the issue of faith without getting into the specifics in your paragraph quoted above. ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/17 "2003-08-01T00:21:14Z")
When asked I do not say Mormon, because it never fails someone mentions polygamy or some other derogatory myth. I cannot speak for the entire population of the church, but I prefer to identify as LDS. ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/18 "2003-08-01T01:19:06Z")
As to the remark about ‘Farmers in Black’ I thought I’d show you a few prominent members of the church: [Kim B. Clark](http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/bulletin/2001/october/img/clark.jpg) A dean of Harvard Business School [Mitt Romney](http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/bulletin/1999/october/img/romney.jpg) Massachusetts Governor [Gladys Knight](http://www.radiationphysics.com/photos/gladys_knight.gif) of Gladys Knight and the Pips fame (Also her husband William McDowell) [J.W. Marriott](http://www.hrm.uh.edu/images/hallofhonor/jwmarriottjr_large.jpg) Chairman of the Board and CEO of Marriott International [Steve Young](http://www.sfgate.com/traveler/postcards/steve-young.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/19 "2003-08-01T03:12:27Z")
But aren’t the LDS the nicest missionaries? None of the one’s who have approached me have ever tried to convert me; they’ve just tried to share their religion with me (and saved my dog from a run-away fuel truck once). I profoundly distrust: organized religion ANY social organization with a separate set of responsibliites for women and missionaries but I like the LDS ---
**Author:** ![RyanD004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/848f3c/32.png) [@RyanD004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyanD004)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223/20 "2003-08-01T03:26:48Z")
Ok, here’s a few questions I have, quasi-unrelated, but heck, why start another thread? Does the gold tablet that Joseph Smith found exist? What I mean is, could i go to a museaum and view or? Or was it “lost” or something like the arc of the covenant (could this be a future indiana jones plot?). Secondly, they supposedly have living prophets. What are these prophets funcrions? Do they supposedly have visions and stuff? Thirdly: why do they have such cool looking temples? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-some-missionaries-today/192223.md?page=2)