Posted by:
Jaxson
(
)
Date: July 19, 2018 01:30PM
Oh, I LOVE having the missionaries drop by. Unfortunately, my house has been blacklisted in the mission so I haven’t had any stop by for quite a while. Word got out two years ago that I had them over one night, grilled up some ribeyes, and then we watched the NBA Playoffs.
I used to bash with them before I realized that nothing I said was penetrating their skulls and in the process I was just reinforcing what they had been brainwashed with all of their lives…that Ex-Mormons are just crazy, bitter, maniacs who will rant on about anything LDS. So, I switched tactics. When they would drop by I would invite them in, if it was close to dinner time I would feed them, and I showed them some kindness. I kept things simple, told them about my personal history (40 years) in the church, and let them know that there was NO WAY I could EVER have a testimony of Joseph Smith.
I told them they were welcome to drop in at any time just to take a break from their missionary lives and be treated like real human beings. Also, that it would be wise for them not to try to re-convert me as I would then try to de-convert them…and I was better armed. I NEVER had a problem with them being “pushy” or failing to respect my boundaries. Instead we got to know each other on a personal level, talked about their experiences, families, plans for after their missions, etc. When it came time for them to leave there was no problem with me turning down their offer of a message and a prayer. When they walk away my goal is for them to be scratching their heads and saying, “Bro. Jaxson would be a GREAT Bishop”. LOL!!!
I believe that setting an example of not needing a god or religion in my life in order to be a good person had an impact on some of them as they kept coming back. Just planting the seed. It was most rewarding when, on their way out (going home from their mission), they would make a point to stop by one last time to thank me for my hospitality. That was always touching.
If I happen to be in the grocery store on a Monday and I spot them, I’ll wait for them to finish picking up their items and then I will pay for their groceries. I explain to them that I am not some answer to their prayers, that in fact I am far from it. Just a guy who knows they are young men struggling in a strange city, more than likely don’t wish to be there in the first place, and would welcome someone doing something nice for them. I tell them to take the money they saved on groceries and go out to a nice place to eat or do something fun.
I hope someday the missionaries will return to my door. In the past they always turned down my offer to use of my computer or cell phone. Rules. But it isn’t against the rules if I call their families with an update (with them standing there), so I would like to offer that to them. Hehehehehe. Then I’ll grill some burgers up for them and watch a baseball game.