In my mission we had a lot of native Korean missionaries too–of the six companions that I served with, three were American and three were Korean. That definitely helps with the cultural part. (The LDS members there manage to practise the gospel in a very Korean way–I imagine the same thing happens in other cultures.)
Some of the Korean elders were just as awkward and geeky as the American elders, though.
This surprises me for some reason. Having had fairly lengthy discussions with my best friend who is L.D.S., I am of the mind that an 18 year old LDS missionary is more immersed in his/her religion from a factual and faith-based point of view, than many older adults of other religious inclinations. It is a carefully followed plan, and from the very early ages right up to when they leave, LDS youth seem to be raised to understand their place within themselves, within their family, their Church and their life here on this Earth.
I thought I had a fairly complete Jewish education, but I’ve learned over the years that rote repetition and listening to dry tales is no replacement for a living breathing faith. The 18 year olds who you see as arrogant are, IMHO, more fully prepared to educate others than I was at 18, and perhaps ( and I mean no presumption or offense by this ) than you might have been at 18. Or at 48. That’s not arrogance, that’s confidence in one’s education.
There’s not ham-handed prostyletizing, there is an exchange of ideas and beliefs, and an education- always at the behest of the person who lives behind the door that’s knocked on. I appreciate that, at least with the Missionaries I’ve met. If I wish to have a dialogue, they are prepared fully to have one. If not, they are most respectful and genteel in their acceptance of a decline of the invitation to engage in dialogue.
YMMV depending on which religious groups’ Missionaries you find at your doorstep, but it doesn’t seem to vary with regards to where in the world you are when an L.D.S. Missionary comes a-knockin’.
Cartooniverse, lapsed jew, early Quaker, re-establishing connections with the Friends…
Cartooniverse: MelCthefirst’s basic premise is “Mormon missionaries are culturally arrogant and they therefore don’t know anything, let alone their own religion’s scriptures.” He has no proof of that premise, yet demands others disprove it. When others have, he’s dismissed those proofs.
Young men missionaries are 19-26, not 18.
Young Women are 21-26.
Helena I’ve appreciated your comments.
Undoubtedly, I could tell you stories of smart, mature, charming, charismatic, awkward, immature or ignorant young men I’ve met who were serving a mission. LDS young people, like all other young people come in a wide range of ability, attitudes and work ethics.
The young people who decide to serve a mission, do not base their decision on whether or not to choose to go because they think they are smart, learned or master scriptorian’s.
They go because they have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and they feel that he wants them to dedicate a short time of their life teaching it to others. They go because they believe they are serving their God.
You’re not telling the truth! NOWHERE did I claim that the “purpose” of the temple recommend was for the “purpose” of gratification!! The fact that some of you folks can state such blatant falsehoods without invervention by a moderator is not reassuring.
There was nothing false in what I reported! Here are a tiny few of the FACTUAL reports I described…
I have stated nothing but FACTS. So please stop fabricating disingenuous falsehoods about what I said, Monty. Only facts are allowed here, and all your posts to me have expressed nothing but personal opinions and untruths rather than facts.
Hey, ambushed, you tell a lie and I’ll call you on it. You told one and are now telling another. I did not tell an untruth. You purposely worded your posting to say that the church authority conducting the temple interview was doing so for gratification.
