Did you hear it? That knock, knock, knock. You take a peek and you see two young men dressed in black pants, a white shirt, a tie, and of course the infamous bicycle. You mentally decide two things: either to A. Run and hide and pretend your not home (all while of course kids are yapping in the background, the TV is going, and your husband is yelling at the football game) or B. you open the door you smile politely, yet with a tinge of annoyance and you tell them thank you and that we have another faith and are not interested and please tell the Mormon church don't ever come back again. We dismiss them with a shrug and wonder why they even bother.
I happen to fall into the A category. When I hear that knock and see who is outside, I hit the floor running and turn off all the lights... except for this day on April 16th. That day, was a typical day my now 1 year old was playing near the door in a onesie and my toddler was watching Curious George after nap time as I normally allow him that screen time. My door was wide open as it was a curious warm day in Minnesota during spring time and I noticed those Mormon boys coming up the driveway to my door. Like an idiot, I darted into the room to shut off the TV all the while forgetting the 1 year old was sitting by the screen door happily looking at our visitors. Shoot, no pretending I'm not home. As I'm walking up to my door, I'm mentally thinking how did I look darting into the other room considering the fact I'm pretty sure they saw me run off in a stupid hurry.
I grab my 1 year old and I open the door and they said hello and I said hello and then there was this awkward silence and then they ask me if they could share their "testimony". I said sure all the meanwhile thinking how could I end this conversation without being rude. During their testimony, I realized I just couldn't keep silent..those who know me know it's difficult for me to keep my mouth shut if there is something I believe in and am passionate about. As they were talking, I was thinking.." I got this, I just studied Romans 1-5 in depth about faith and works..I'm going to blow them away with truth" I stood up straighter, rolled my shoulders up and down a bit, stretched my arms and said " Well, I believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ that he is the Son of God, that he died for our sins, was buried, and was resurrected on the 3rd day and we need to repent and believe in him." To my shock the Mormons agreed.They said they believed God's salvation and only by grace we are saved and our purpose here on earth was to follow Christ example. I stood a bit dumbfounded. I just had this fantastic study on Romans and I can't even pinpoint an error or difference in what I'm saying and what they are saying. I just stood there. I didn't know what to say. My pride took a beating. Here I was showing them "the way" and they were agreeing with everything I was saying. Eventually I told them, that I know enough about their religion to know we don't believe in the same things (even though I couldn't quite pinpoint it yet) and that they preached a different gospel. To them, they said we were "both" Christians and I said "If I'm a christian, you are not one, and if you are a Christian then I'm not one..we cannot both be Christians" I said if I am right what your doing on this missionary journey would be pointless and your faith in vain. To my surprise, they agreed and asked if they could set up a time to meet back. I told them yes and that I would study up on the Mormon website if they would read Romans. So the meeting was set for Thursday, 23rd at 7:00
After our conversation that afternoon, I began researching the Mormon faith and everything that they believed in. When I commit to something... I'm all in. it's hard for me to set limits because I just have to know everything. My brother-in-law, gave me some great resources that really helped in seeing how the LDS missionaries work and what they base their faith on. It's a really scary false religion. In some points of my reading, I felt like I was reading the mind of Satan. Don't ever underestimate the devil. He is crafty and don't think these people are dumb for believing in this religion. There is a whole state and university built upon the Mormon faith.
To the point in my article, I used to think what is even the point of doing this? Why even take the time to talk to these people. All it leads to is arguing and essentially agreeing to disagree, and then later banging my head against the bathroom door because it's so frustrating. I'm not an apologist, I'm not a MDiv or PH. D in Theology. What chance do I really have in convincing these young chaps? And then it hit me! Like God's spirit telling me that this didn't matter. It doesn't matter if I don't know Everything about the Mormon faith or every theological stand and strategic viewpoint to refute...I have the Gospel!! It's not about what I do..it's about what God has already done for us! Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the POWER of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" I have God's spirit living inside of me and the power of the Gospel. All I needed to do was share the gospel with them in truth and grace.
Here is the thing Christian. We need to be ready to give an answer to everyone who ask. 1 Peter 3:15 "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" We have no excuse Not to talk to them! They came to my door..they set up a time with me that works for me. How easy is that! I don't have to go anywhere or go to Africa or go to the weekly meeting at my church for evangelism...or walk up to my neighbor and try to toe around as to what they believe in. They came to me! I should have an answer ready. We know they will knock..it will just be a matter of time. They are just as spiritually dead as anybody else who doesn't have the gospel of Christ. No one can be deader than the other ...deader doesn't even exist in language. When your dead..your dead..no deader. They are not more dead then the Muslim, the atheist, the passive "christian" in church. Aren't you glad someone shared with you the gospel of Christ? How many times did you need to hear the Gospel before you repented and believed? They are dead in their sins and how can they know unless someone tells them? Rom 10:14" ...and how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? and how are they to hear without someone preaching?" . God's word is sharper than a two-edged sword.Heb 4:12 tells us "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and dicerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Wow! Is that powerful...Let God's word speak to them..how do you know Christian if by speaking God's word in truth and grace will penetrate their heart and God will draw them to himself???
During our meeting on Thursday. I served them some homemade strawberry shortcake and some rootbeer (i thought they couldn't have caffine but it's just coffee!;) and we talked for almost 2 hours. At the end of the meeting, they said they had a lot to think about. I encouraged them to take their 2 year missionary journey and read the New Testament with no preconceived notions just to read it as it was. Here are some things you might not know about LDS Missionaries.
1. They are usually male
2. Between the ages of 18-20
3. They typically stay in "an area" for about 6 weeks
4. Their parents ususally make them do this to get serious about "the church"
5. They can only call home and Skype once a week.
6. They are not allowed to really socialized or watch movies.
7. Their parents pay $400 a month to the church, and the church gives them only $120 for food and
necessities
8. They are not really versed in the Bible or even their own Mormon faith
9. They get up at 6:30 to study and then to go hit the streets
All this to say...invite these young men into your homes. Love on them--give them food!! (they are hungary ;) Play a game..have a good time...they don't get out much!!! Show them the hope that you have because you never know what God can do.1 Cor. 4:3 "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth"..how do you know Christian if you are planting or watering..you don't and it doesn't matter! God will give the increase. Ever wandered why he referred it to plants? How much watering does a plant need to grow? So regardless of whether these Mormon friends of ours are hearing it for the 1st time or the 12th time..keep watering because God's word is sharper than a two-edged sword and who are we to judge or determine who God will save or not? We asked them..."if you are at a Nursing home and someone was dying and had a day to live...what would you tell them of the hope that is in you for eternal life?". They said " we hope that they would recieve it but we can't tell them either way because we don't know how they lived on earth and it's up to God to decide"...how sad is that!!!! That our works because the basis of our eternal life and hope?? We have hope!!! We are heirs of the kingdom of God because of what he did and nothing about ourselves. To God be the glory
So please Christian open your door, and if you are not ready. Invite them back. Do some due diligence and study up on their definitions. Open your home and speak truth and grace...Here are some websites below that really helped me in my research. If you have time listen to lynn Wilder son share his 10 min testimony...it will change the way you see them..it changed me. Because a pastor stopped to take time to show him the gospel. He is saved along with his entire family. His mom was a BYU professor and his dad a high priest. God can use anybody. Please answer the knock and pray that they will have ears to hear and eyes to see..:)...Part 2 could be coming because they might be coming back and I'll divulge more in what we actually talked about :)
http://mormonisminvestigated.co.uk/2014/03/31/how-to-witness-to-mormon-missionaries/
http://tilm.org/speaking/sharing-the-seriousness-of-sin/
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