Converting "Mormons"

[JBucky]

Has anybody out there had any luck de-converting members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? Which tactics seem to work? Don't just answer, "I opened there eyes to the Truth" or, "I showed them the scriptures."

How would you do it? What about:

-Tone of voice
-Setting
-Scriptures you would use
-Ratio of Witnesses/Mormon
-Approach tactics
-Etc.

I'm just curious. It doesn't seem like too many of us are changing our minds on THIS forum.

 

[AMMON]

Are you feeling well? You, a member of the Church, asking how one can destroy another member's testimony?

 

[unbound]

If there is a "silver bullet" Id have to say it is the Bible itself. The bible tells us what to embrace and what to run from.

Of course showing inconsistancy in the church or changes and false prophecies doesnt hurt.

Id have to say the mormons descendants are the hardest to catch on. They have the most to loseand to say all your ancestors had been duped is difficult.

 

[Rescued One]

First of all, people don't convert people. The subject is either influenced by the Holy Spirit or a demon.

I've prayed for LDS who have later left the LDS organization.

I'm sure there were people praying for me when I left, but one of the things that led me to leave was the Bible.

 

[JBucky]

Are you feeling well? You, a member of the Church, asking how one can destroy another member's testimony?

I'm doing OK. I'm certainly not looking to leave God's church. I'm just curious what there wintessing efforts are focused on. This board doesn't seem to be changing anyone's mind.

If there is a "silver bullet" Id have to say it is the Bible itself. The bible tells us what to embrace and what to run from.

Be more specific.

 

[Rescued One]

I wouldn't expect LDS who come here to defend Mormonism to be people who are seeking truth. You people believe you have more truth than we do.

 

[JBucky]

I wouldn't expect LDS who come here to defend Mormonism to be people who are seeking truth. You people believe you have more truth than we do.

And you don't think the opposite?!? Most who believe in something, say the world is round, believe they have more truth than someone who believes differently.

I'm not looking for truth, I have it. I'm curious as to how your witnessing "warmachine" works. I'm curious like that.

 

[Apex]

JBucky, Ive come across several pages on the web that are about "witnessing to Mormons". Ill pm you the link, one has and entire day seminar on how to "witness to Mormons". Personally I think it is sick that someone would specificly design an entire day seminar with books, pamphlets, and videos on how to convert a person of a specific religion to ones own.

 

[skylark1]

JBucky, Ive come across several pages on the web that are about "witnessing to Mormons". Ill pm you the link, one has and entire day seminar on how to "witness to Mormons". Personally I think it is sick that someone would specificly design an entire day seminar with books, pamphlets, and videos on how to convert a person of a specific religion to ones own.

Apex,

I have never been to any sort of seminar about converting LDS. But you statement seems a little silly when one considers the number of people as well as the amount of time, resources spent at the MTC in Provo, learning how to convert people from other religions to Mormonism.

 

[christopher123]

Personally I think it is sick that someone would specificly design an entire day seminar with books, pamphlets, and videos on how to convert a person of a specific religion to ones own.

This is priceless coming from a mormon!!!!


Chris <><

 

[happyinhisgrace]

This is priceless coming from a mormon!!!!


Chris <><

LOL, I thought so to. Obviously this person was not present in the 80's when every church lesson had a part focused on "every member a missionary" and ways to convert people.

Priceless indeed. LOL

 

[CaliforniaKid]

Hey JBucky. The best approach I have seen for witnessing to Mormons is outlined in a book and video by pastor Mark Cares called "Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons." Pastor Cares emphasizes building strong relationships with Mormons before talking to them about religion, because protesting in front of the Temple is just lame and doesn't work. He recommends that you don't try to refute their specific doctrines from the Bible and get into a Bible-verse war with them. It's not hard to "win" a debate about what the Bible teaches, but Mormons usually don't care. They have new scriptures that "expand what the Bible says, so it doesn't matter if the Bible contradicts Mormon teachings.

Instead, Pastor Cares recommends comparing the Mormon interpretation of Matthew 5:28 (be ye perfect) with the hard-hitting gospel of Hebrews 10:14: "because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." Pastor Cares notes that it is not smooth talk but the power of the gospel that actually touches people's hearts. Using this approach, we can make ourselves perfectly clear (since Mormons can't redefine perfection the way they do salvation and damnation) about what we mean, and we can let the gospel do the work for us. Pastor Cares recommends not getting too sidetracked from this central discussion. He also says to pray and to persevere, but not to get frustrated. The key point is to do all in love.

-CK

 

[Jason of Wyoming]

Im developing a strategy that mirrors the LDS one.

Developing relationships of trust,

inviting the spirit,

prayer,

and peer-pressuring them into accepting baptism within six short lessons.

Think it'll work?

 

[trinity2359]

It appears to me from reading this board and others as well as checking 'anti' literature, the first concept in the conversion process is to convey the seemingly outlandishness of the LDS church: Gods of our planets endlessly producing spirit babies with multiple wives is the favorite. Basically belittle the LDS's beliefs, distort and misrepresent and cause the member to question their knowledge and faith "My church believes that?!". Drag up out-of-context quotes from long dead prophets and beat the member over the head with them.
Then go in on the 'you need Jesus' speil because you believe in a 'false' Christ using the Trinity (which admittedly, many LDS don't truly understand the 'orthodox' view') arguments and again belittling the LDS beliefs of grace and works 'proving' to the member that in the Church they are 'earning' their salvation and negating the blood of Christ. [I know, where do they get this stuff? They have been reading their own propoganda too much LOL!]
Finally, they want you to accept Christ by saying a few words and send you off to a 'Bible' believing Church after burning your BoM and temple garments.

*all said in jest* *fire suit on*
Trin

 

[Apex]

Apex,

I have never been to any sort of seminar about converting LDS. But you statement seems a little silly when one considers the number of people as well as the amount of time, resources spent at the MTC in Provo, learning how to convert people from other religions to Mormonism.

Youre taking what I said out of context. I said I think it is wrong to teach how to convert people of specific religion. I do not see anything wrong with general missionary efforts from any church. But when a Church, or orginazation like NAMB which is where I found what I stated, begins to produce material on how to convert people in specific religions, like say, catholics, Budihsts(spelling?), Lutherans, Muslims ect... Your teachings, in my opinion, should be the same no matter who you are talking to.

 

[CaliforniaKid]

Apex,

Our teachings are the same no matter who we're talking to. What the seminar is for is to teach us how to communicate those teachings to a Mormon. Unfortunately, the Mormon church redefines every word in the Good Book (salvation, damnation, grace, faith, works, etc.) and it is very difficult to have a conversation with them about religion without getting downright frustrated about the language gap. They're speaking Mormonese, we're speaking Christianese, and the two just don't jive. When you go on your missions, you spend a lot of time learning the language, right? Well it's the same thing with interfaith dialogue. You have to learn the language of the religious culture you're going to.

-CK

 

[CrownCaster]

Has anybody out there had any luck de-converting members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? Which tactics seem to work? Don't just answer, "I opened there eyes to the Truth" or, "I showed them the scriptures."

How would you do it? What about:

-Tone of voice
-Setting
-Scriptures you would use
-Ratio of Witnesses/Mormon
-Approach tactics
-Etc.

I'm just curious. It doesn't seem like too many of us are changing our minds on THIS forum.

Only God can convert one to the truth. We can only hope to be used of Him when He chooses to give the person the opportunity to have their eyes opened and receive salvation. Nothing I do in here will do any good without Jesus Christ at the helm.

 

[CrownCaster]

JBucky, Ive come across several pages on the web that are about "witnessing to Mormons". Ill pm you the link, one has and entire day seminar on how to "witness to Mormons". Personally I think it is sick that someone would specificly design an entire day seminar with books, pamphlets, and videos on how to convert a person of a specific religion to ones own.

Does this apply to the three week course called the MTC? Do not the missionaries attempt to bring Christians to the LDS church?

 

[happyinhisgrace]

Does this apply to the three week course called the MTC? Do not the missionaries attempt to bring Christians to the LDS church?

When I was lds, I volenteered at the MTC. A group of us would voleenter to play the part of "investigators" or just people who got their doors knocked on. The training was VERY detailed and very much a training on how to "convert" people. Even to the point that the "sessions" were video taped, reviewed and gone over on what the missionary did right and did wrong. I reminded me of the training I recieved when I did sales for a staffing service.

 

[Rescued One]

JBucky, Ive come across several pages on the web that are about "witnessing to Mormons". Ill pm you the link, one has and entire day seminar on how to "witness to Mormons". Personally I think it is sick that someone would specificly design an entire day seminar with books, pamphlets, and videos on how to convert a person of a specific religion to ones own.

ROFL! What are you, a stand up comedian?