A bit of back ground on me. I was a convert. I was going through rough times when I converted a few years ago. You know how the church is... they "love bomb" you. Well, I left and had my baptism cancelled. I wanted no part in that church. Fast forward to now, I hold no ill feelings against Mormons. I did for a while but I got over it. Getting baptized was so embarrassing because I knew that it was "wrong" only because it felt "wrong" but I so badly wanted to belong to some place. No one outside the church knows about my baptism. I told no one. I want to keep it this way.


I got this message today and want to hear your advice on how to handle Mormons wanting to send the mishies over.


I got this text message today from an acquaintance I met today:
"Would you b intrested in learning more about the lds church? I could arrange 4 missionaries to teach you at home if you want. If not den no worries. It was nice 2 meet you!"


I don't want to be rude. I am debating whether to tell this acquaintance that I am a former member. This blindsided me and I don't know how to respond. Should I give a reason? Tell them I don't stand with the lds church on any issue (racist, sexist, etc.?) I guess I'd like advice on how to proceed? thnx!

How valuable could this acquaintance turn out to be? Go from there, but anything ranging from a simple "not really" to a lot harsher things...

<edit - posted 2x by accident>



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2013 01:27AM by wideawake.

It sounds like this is someone you just met, so I would say a longer explanation is not necessary at this point.

a simple "thank you, but i'm not interested" should suffice.

however, if the topic resurfaces, this person has not taken no as an answer and then I would get into more details, ie, that you were a member and why you left, to varying levels of harshness as you see fit.

if their insistence continued beyond that I would consider severing ties with this person.

I agree, this is a good response.

I'd actually say it's best not to give a reason, unless they specifically reply back asking why.

"Thanks very much, appreciate your confidence, but I'm set."

You know, you really are not responsible for the feelings of others.
Adults take responsibility for their own feelings.

Send your friend the link to mormonthink.

Mormons see that as an invitation to counter your objections. They often show up at the door just to tell you why you're making a mistake in wanting to turn them down.

Say this, "I am not interested. Do not send missionaries."

I think a "no thank you" would be sufficient. No explanation, no mention of any previous contact with TSCC..zip...nada...

Otherwise, you're being disingenuous.

Agreed.

If this is a good friend, then by all means tell them you were a member and WHY you joined in the first place - you wanted to belong to something. YOU did not know their beliefs on much of anything and found out it was all wrong. Then I would say you have no doubt that you will never go back to attend that organization again so please do not ask me about having mishies come over. If that friend is offended then they are not a true friend and sever the relationship.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2013 10:28AM by honestone.

Do NOT tell them you are a former member.
It's no one's business and it will set you up for further targeting.

Simply say "I'm not interested", repeat as needed.

I would just ignore the message and hope they get the hint. If your acquaintance buttonholes you and asks you again, say "No, thank you." Don't explain yourself. Don't let them get to you. Just say no.

I've been out of the Mormon church for 13 years, and to this day I occasionally get these breathless, misspelled queries about my interest in Mormonism. It's best just to give them as little effort as possible.

"I looked into it a while ago and found it wasn't for me. So no thanks."

This is perfect.

I don't have a problem turning down Mormons. Before I resigned, a guy at work (I live in a Utah)came up to me and asked me if I wanted home teachers. The first words out of my mouth were "Fuck no!!!" I never saw any home teachers.

"No thank you, and please do not contact me again."

Your acquaintance misused your trust. I would have nothing further to do with him.

Thanks for your responses. I haven't responded yet. I will give it a few days while I think about what to write.

You say that nobody knows you were ever Mormon.

People who have never been Mormon would generally ignore the email or respond "no thanks." No discussion or explanation needed.

If the person pursues the question further, or God forbid sends Missionaries, the typical response would be outrage and incomprehension of such ridiculous behavior.

In any case, there is no reason at any time to tell anyone that you don't want to tell that you were ever Mormon.

THIS. NeverMos would never do such a thing. Outrage would be appropriate if they are sent to your home anyway. Repeat as necessary.

No thank you.
but I was thinking of building a mall or helping needy children. Which would you think would be more pleasing to God.

Did you have your name removed from the church? Did you officially resign from the church? My mom was for over 10 years inactive and moved outside the usa and somehow they found her and a visiting teacher got her active again. So what I am saying is that maybe your membership record is in your friends ward.

Yes, I had my name removed from church records and officially resigned from TSCC.