Was just curious about what it would be like, so I clicked the chat button on mormon.org. I'm guessing this is a newer version of the call center in the MTC. The church has no idea how horribly they're running this show. The chat was with two sister missionaries (why do you need two missionaries for an MTC chat?) one of which wanted me to do the chat in Spanish. They have no idea what they're doing and can't even answer a simple, easy question. (what programs do you have for youth? took ten minutes before they even mention YM/YW without ever giving a description of what YM/YW is about, other than "learning more about the gospel") Might try again another time and see what happens with actual questions about the church, history, etc.
- They are very, VERY accustomed to being trolled. So accustomed to it, in fact, that certain keywords will get you automatically cut off and get your IP address flagged so they won't talk to you again. This includes any reference to magnets, horses, or Rick Astley. The reason for this is that a few years ago, a website for people who love to troll en masse targeted the mormon.org chat, pretended to be investigators, and spent months playing with them. So now their guards are up; they're naturally suspicious of anyone who seems to be anything but a sincere investigator, and are more than likely to just cut you off without an explanation if they realize you're playing with them.
- They do track your IP address. This is not necessarily so they can figure out your real-life ID, but it's so they can keep track of how often you come to the chat, and if you use different names. This may get you blocked, so play wisely.
- If you want to record your chat session, you'll have to use screenshots. After the aforementioned website made a game of posting mormon.org chats for laughs, LDS Inc disabled the copy+paste function on their chatroom.
- The chatroom missionaries don't know anything. They're not actually there to answer questions. Their purpose is to get you to give them your contact info so they can send other missionaries to your door. They'll usually answer one or two simple questions, and then encourage you to have the missionaries over to learn more. If you push them for more answers, they'll take longer and longer to reply, and then tell you they're really busy and have to go.
- With all that said, it's still possible to have a little fun with them, if you play it right. :)
My husband has done it a couple of times and had a good time. They never answer actual questions. They just provide links to information when you ask the tough questions. My husband asked for their own personal opinion on polygamy and all they did was provide links to information on a website. All they do is provide links and bear their testimony of the BOM. Pretty lame.
Well, having been in their shoes, the reason they don't know anything is because they have zero experience as missionaries. Thhese are the missionaries before they go out into the world. What's really sad is they often know little more when they come back
The pair I talked to were actually Temple Square sisters who had returned from their excursion to other missions. They still didn't know anything and were very socially inept. They followed up with a call. When I asked them if they were really busy there was dead silence.
I've been off and on mormon.org's chat for quite a while now, I've spent 30-40 hours in total on it I'd say. Everything that judyblue said is 100% right. Also, I think I have been blocked from it from my conversation with them today.
I know this is an old thread but I thought I'd ask if anyone has any experience with this.
I've used Mormon chat many, many times to chat with missionaries under various names and identities. So far I don't think they've caught on to my IP address, but I do space these things out pretty well.
Has anyone been banned or caught doing this when not asking antagonistic questions (at least directly antagonistic)? Like do they only flag you if you're acting really suspiciously or pressing them hard, or do they flag you if they see the IP address frequently under different names?
What if you were just a sincere investigator trying to protect your identity (although if they looked through MY records what with the various back stories/personae that's probably not gonna look like the case)?
I think they have a time limit for each investigator; after 15 or 20 minutes they always say they "have to go" and hang up. I logged on again a few minutes later, once, and the same mishie couple greeted me.
I also think they can read what you write BEFORE you hit send; one time I asked them a question and took a minute to hit send. The answer came almost immediately. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this as well.
You guys are right, they don't know anything... they are just there to get your personal info (which I never give out) so they can send local mishies over to pester you.
Reminds me of car dealerships lately. I've been in the market for a new truck and have tried their "chat" function a couple of times. They really didn't answer any questions, but rather got my email (they wanted my phone but I refused) and said someone was going to back to me with answers. And they did, about 20 times a day ever since.
cftexan Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I just don't get the point of people spending > their energy on it. Seems like a waste of time to > me. As if ExMormon.org is a productive use of time? Lol
You're comparing exmormon.org, a place where you can get honest answers and good advice, to a missionary chat app, and claiming they're both equally a waste of time? Seems like a weird comparison from someone who spends time over there, then comes here to complain about it.
Some of the most helpful information I've ever come across, I found here, but I suppose I use this place differently than you do.
Humberto Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > You're comparing exmormon.org, a place where you > can get honest answers and good advice, to a > missionary chat app, and claiming they're both > equally a waste of time? Seems like a weird > comparison from someone who spends time over > there, then comes here to complain about it. > > Some of the most helpful information I've ever > come across, I found here, but I suppose I use > this place differently than you do.
Better relationships with my family, and a happier life, due to following the examples and advice given on this board by people who have gone through similar things, for one.
Humberto Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Better relationships with my family, and a happier > life, due to following the examples and advice > given on this board by people who have gone > through similar things, for one. Good for you. I can't say the same. My partner hates the fact I waste time here.
elderolddog Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hahahaha! You walked right into this one: Many of > us here side with your partner and wished she'd > have her way with you. > > But it's your life to do with as you please, a > privilege we wished you'd extend to us, you ol' > nag, you! Many of us wish you'd quit being an asshole.
The point I was trying to make is that most of what we do on-line, including RfM, is a waste of time. Nobody gives a shit what you have to say. Whats the #1 use of internet? Porn. #2? LOL Cats. So saying its a waste of time is kinda rediculous reason to disparage somebody for asking real questions of the chosen, adult, official, representatives of the institution that exploited me and 7 generations of my family, by perpetuating bald faced lies, without appology, Personally, it does me good to know they have no answers to serious questions about the secual predator whose praises they gleefully sing.
Except that MY use of the internet is NOT at all about
> Porn or LOL Cats.
Probably not yours, either.
I simply was having fun supporting your partner's wish regarding how you spend your internet time. I understand, though, as I get the same thing from La Saucie about some of the things I do online. But then I lock myself in the bathroom and yell out at her, "Hey, it's my life and I'll do what I please!!"
cftexan Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I just don't get the point of people spending > their energy on it. Seems like a waste of time to > me.
I think I broke quite a few shelves trolling it. I'm really good at faking a serious investigator or less active. I can usually get up to an hour with these missionaries while getting them to dig into their own church sources to learn the problematics parts of history and doctrine.
I wouldn't doubt that due to my efforts several of these missionaries are no longer believers. So, at least in my book, not a waste of time for me.