Posted by:
nevermo4
(
)
Date: August 14, 2017 07:31PM
Hi guys!As the title suggests, I'm a Nevermo. Always been very interested in Mormonism though, (and predominantly how anyone decides to join Mormonism based on the fact that they had never even heard of J Smith before 2 strangers visited their door with All the answers,wow!)...besides BIC's obviously!
Anyway,I've really absorbed all that's been discussed on this forum over the last number of years.
Based on this, If I was suddenly made head of PR in the morning there is much I would change.
1)Firstly,I note how some of you have mentioned that social occasions such as dances( a few noted San Fran etc.) and basketball games used to actually be fun so I would probably distribute leaflets door to door advertising social(Not religious) events in the chapel.Would inevitably attract a few locals to the chapel.Fun,social stuff-that's what folks love!!
2)Think about it!You want the nice normal families to join!Then don't do/advertise the weird stuff like temple stuff,garments etc.That's weird!Drop it!Don't ask the newbies to do that!If normal people come,focus on God,Jesus etc. at sermons.Stop all the 'Follow the prophet' stuff!It's soo weird.BIC's prob won't care too much if this stuff changes.Just Stop!
3)'Visitors welcome'...no they are not!My local Irish chapel used to have a road sign pointing to the church.Now it's gone.Make signs more visible,advertise times.Do NOT stare at newbies as they enter the chapel.Do not approach them in (intimidating) missionary pairs.Relax.Let them INVESTIGATE THEMSELVES.You could literally walk in off the street to any Catholic(etc.) church without question.Think about it LDS...
I have seen with my own eyes, the bishop circulating the grounds asking the youth after the first meeting(sorry,don't know hat it's called) 'What are you doing here?Are you waiting for people or what?Why aren't you inside?'.
4)Stop being so weird!I remember when I was a young teen,maybe 15,knowing nothing about Mormons,seeing 2 normal ones in my local shopping centre.They walked really slowly,smiling and staring in their senior missionary badges and suits.I knew who they were but most in Ireland didn't.
Smile,be normal,stop that weird proselytising.
5)To say the least,people hate control.Prime examples would be;no more alcohol consumption,meat sparingly,mostly in winter,no caffeine or possibly even hot drinks and wear garments and dress conservatively and give up your Sundays and make your teens go to seminary before a really long day in school and please keep three hours Sunday free.
Also please read all our scripture books and please pay at least 10% gross tithing on your income.
OK??
No this is NOT what newbies want.