When Mormon Missionaries Came to My House

Support the channel by visiting:

Shortly after #converting to #Catholicism, my wife and I were living in a neighborhood that had a fairly newly built #LDS or #Mormon church which meant that there was a persistent presence of LDS missionaries in the neighborhood - and considering my openness to wanting to learn about other religious persuasions, I was more than happy to welcome them in for conversation when they knocked on my door.

When they first arrived, I would say I knew very little about them, so I invited them in hoping I could listen to their explanation and become a little more fluent in what it is they teach and believe.

They often came back after somewhat intense discussions with new resources and arguments. In fact, they even brought back someone who, from what I could tell, was a bit of an all-star apologist - to answer my questions. But in the end we kept getting hung up on certain difficulties I had with their claims.

So I thought I’d share what some of those difficulties were in case they might help you if you’re an LDS believer or in case you have an opportunity to dialogue with one.

[BrianHoldsworth]

So, I've noticed a few comments from people who have completely misunderstood the point of the story at the beginning, and that's probably because I didn't explain it well. I'll try to clarify with some extra context. To begin, that exchange took place a long time ago. My wife and I were newlyweds, living in our first rental (yes, the image I portrayed was a joke). So, I was a similar age to the missionaries who I invited in. The reason I tell that story is because it stands out sharply in my memory as an endearing experience and one I was grateful to witness. Secondly, because, it set my expectations for what was to come. Initially, I assumed that they were trained instructors who could teach me about their beliefs, but what I found were two very green young men who had never encountered the kinds of questions I had. I offer that context to point out to my viewers that they, similarly, shouldn't assume that because missionaries can't answer their questions, that there are no answers. I wasn't trying to dunk on them or say, this is how you know Mormons are naive/stupid.

What struck me about the missionary's reaction wasn't that he hadn't seen this painting before. His reaction was far more profound than that. He stood their fixed as if he had been transported to an alien world - as if he was having a religious experience (which I think he was). That's what was so memorable about it - he was literally awestruck by it. And pay attention to what he said. He said, "I've never seen _anything like this_ before." Not just, "I've never seen this painting, " but, "I've never seen ANYTHING LIKE IT." Now if I asked you to tell me what you think are the most famous paintings ever made, even if you couldn't name them, Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel frescos would probably come to mind. This missionary was transported by a work because it was utterly foreign to his visual experience. It's like he had never seen a renaissance painting, of any kind. I got to witness someone view it for the first time with nothing to compare it to and it was so moving to him that nothing else seemed to matter. That was my takeaway and I felt like it was a story worth telling because it was so impactful on me, not because it made me think less of Mormons, but because I was witnessing someone having a profound spiritual moment, and I was glad to be there to witness it.

[canadianeh]

Mormon missions can be rough. They aren't usually treated very kindly by people when door knocking and many of their billets are pretty spartan. If you have time invite them in and offer food and drink. Don't be cruel, they are well intentioned. If you can, lead them back to the Church.

[straubury]

Hey guys. I was a “Mormon” missionary a few years back in Arizona, and I had so many good experiences with Catholics. I feel like you guys are very Christlike, humble, and loving. When I see these types of videos on Protestant channels, the comments are full of hate and vitriol towards us, but I was not surprised to see that most people here are saying to be nice to us, treat missionaries kindly. I love you guys.

Side note but Catholics have some of the most beautiful churches and art in Europe that I wish to see for myself one day.

[albertfuertes]

If you don’t have time for them, just be kind and polite. In our times, anyone who believes in God automatically deserves respect. And we don’t know what path God has planned for them in the future…

[mariekatherine]

We had a joke in our neighborhood about the Mormons and JW’s. They’d work their way down the block but never got farther than #43. There lived a devout Catholic widow, Mrs. Vincenes. Her house was like a shrine, statues, little altars, holy water founts, home thuribles, Rosaries everywhere. She’d invite them in and they’d be there for sometimes hours. They’d leave and never make it to our house, #44, probably because they converted to Catholicism!

[marisajohnson]

What's up Brian! My name is Marisa. I am LDS. I was raised in a home with a deep appreciation for many perspectives. So I actively seek out other religions to learn from them. I also attended a liberal arts high school which increased my appreciation for the Great Books and participating in the philosopher's Great Conversation. I dont consider myself an accomplished reader. I cant say that I've read all of Plato and Thomas Aquinas, though I did try. I was only a junior at the time. I should try it again now. Haha. But I do know the value of it. And in being well versed in historical questions and dialogues. Both in philosophy and in religion.

I have been dabbling in studying Judeo-Christian history and theology this past year, and I know enough at this point to understand why there are at least some of the deep questions that arise like this that you have asked of the LDS Missionaries. I dont feel educated myself enough yet on these subjects to answer the kind of questions you're asking, as they are very deep, built on a lot of theologically complex historical debates (like does God have a body. If He does, how can He also be eternal, which would go back to a very similar debate about the divinity of Christ at the Council of Nicaea with Arius). At this point I would consider myself a beginner at discussing a topic like that, since I am still learning the details of that debate. But there are other people who might be able to address it better. Whether you ended up agreeing or agreeing to disagree, at least you would have more clarity on the topic, so far as what Latter-day Saints actually believe.

If I could recommend someone that you might find interesting, I would recommend Jacob Hansen. He is the creator of the youtube channel Thoughtful Faith. It might be cool to have a conversation with him sometime. Like me, he's an appreciator of both philosophy and religion, and thoroughly enjoys a deep conversation like this.

And while I myself am not a catholic, I have been enjoying your channel and learning about the catholic perspective. And your deep philosophical questions. You create beautiful videos with very interesting content and well expressed ideas.

p.s. And Brian if I can just add that not only are your videos beautiful, but your faith journey, and your religion. I find great wonder and beauty and have a deep respect for Catholicism. When the dark imagery of the priests were shown in this video, I was thinking of Bishop Barron, and the magnificent love that radiates from him. He truly radiates the LIGHT and LOVE of Christ. I love that man. I consider him a profound blessing. Along with all the other priests that pray on behalf of the healing and protection of the whole world! ♥🙏🌎

[zcuric]

Matt Fradd has several ex-LDS guests who became Catholic, they shared amazing stories about their journey.

[Conspiracy]

When they came back they pretty much said to themselves "we need to bring in our strongest mormon".

[HolyMoly]

I have two granddaughters currently serving on missions. Please be kind to them! My husband and were not raised in church and we didn’t raise our kids in church either.

Our son got a degree in history with a religious studies minor at UC Davis, but he fell in love with a sweet Mormon girl, and bought it all hook line and sinker.

Our 7 grandkids were all homeschooled and are just the best kids. I’m so afraid for my sweet 19yo to be going to the Bible Belt next week and what kind of reception she will have.

BTW my husband and I took the Mormon lessons and through their prayers came to Christ - but we chose the Catholic Church instead.

[jonathanduran]

9:33 This is the question that the apostles themselves wrestled with, as I'm sure you're aware. They saw the mission of Jesus very differently prior to his death on the cross. Jesus Christ establishing His church was obviously not for nothing. One the gospel, /the teachings of Christ, even though the church's apostolic authority to conduct it was lost, did change the world and we believe that God was still involved with inspiring certain things like the constitution of the United States. So in other words, the church falling away wasn't a "whoopsie daisy" for God. He's all knowing. This was part of the plan. There needed to be a restoration so that "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him." (Ephesians 1:10)

[ashleyhamman]

I don't normally comment, but as a convert to the church and someone who is going to be serving a mission very soon, you’ve caught my attention! I appreciate how open and respecful you have been, and your questions have given me a lot to think about. The LDS church has some nasty history where there are things that happened that I still am not okay with. However, I am doing the best I can right now to prepare myself for what is to come so seeing this was a big help! If we can have more productive conversations like this, the world will be a better place. Thank you for this. God bless 🙏❤

[reinedire]

My mother always has Jehovah witnesses in for a polite discussion whenever they come knocking. She hasn't been able to convert them to the one true faith yet, but give her some more time and she'll get 'em.

[davidpowell]

I lived in Utah for three years and have fond memories. I found LDS to be some of the nicest people I've met. It's not my religion, either, but I do try to at least return the kindness whenever I cross paths with their missionaries.

[VeronicaBrandt]

The only time we had LDS visit, we ended up talking about the Catechism of the Catholic Church - it was only a few years since it was published, but they hadn't heard of it before and they sounded pretty impressed that we were that organised.

[stroopwafelfalafel]

Hello! I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I finished my mission about two months ago. I spent 8 months as a proselytizing missionary in Arizona, then for health reasons, I spent the next 16 months as a service missionary in my home town in Colorado.

I like this video, and I think there's a lot of interesting things to talk about here.

First, how sheltered many missionaries (and members of the church in general) are from diverse art/ideas/theology. I go to BYU, and in my religion class yesterday, the professor showed us six different paintings of Jesus and asked everyone which one they would want in their home. Almost everyone wanted paintings 2, 3, and 6, while almost no one wanted paintings 1, 4, and 5. The professor then said that you could go to any Christian university and get the opposite result. He then pointed out that paintings 2, 3, and 6 depicted the Savior’s suffering in Gethsemane, while 1, 4, and 5 depicted His crucifixion on Calvary. The professor then pulled up John 15:13, where the Lord himself says that dying for one’s friends is the greatest act of love. My professor’s point was that we as members of the church should have a greater appreciation for the Savior’s death, but my takeaway was that we wouldn’t be in this situation if we spent more time with people outside our religion.

I didn’t know that our belief in premortal life was unique until I taught it to someone and they said “Wow! That makes so much sense!”. I didn’t know what the Nicene creed was until lunch in highschool when my friend told me that I wasn’t Christian because my beliefs contradicted it. One of my missionary companions once couldn’t understand that the person we were talking to was atheistic: he just kept asking, “so which God do you believe in?”. You mentioned the logical problems that arise from believing that God has a physical body of flesh and bone. The missionaries probably didn’t have an answer because they never came across the question because we believe that God organized the world from unorganized matter, not ex nihilo.

Second, the limited understanding many missionaries have of church doctrine/scripture/their own beliefs. I think it’s important to recognize how many missionaries are extremely young in their own faith. I have been an active member of the church for my entire life, but until I moved to college, I was just following my parents’ example. I began my personal spiritual journey/gained a testimony of Jesus Christ in 2022. That was eight months before I began my mission. Some missionaries don’t even have the luxury of an entire childhood of Sunday school to look back on, like I have. As a missionary, I helped teach a 17 year old kid named Jace. He was baptized in March 2023. He baptized his friend in December 2023. He began his mission in Kentucky in March 2024. He only had one year (during his transition to adulthood, which is a hectic time for anyone) to explore his own beliefs before he went out to teach others.

I had a total of three weeks of formal training (one week online and two weeks in person) at the start of my mission before I was sent out to teach. That’s not enough time to become fully versed in theology, scripture, debate, the history of thought, etc. So, we were taught to testify of the simple fundamental truths we did know. I told myself that my role was to plant seeds of truth and pray that the Holy Spirit testified of their truthfulness to peoples’ hearts and minds. If they were receptive to the Spirit and if the conditions were just right, they would begin their own spiritual journeys.

Third, how many contradictions exist in the missionary’s beliefs, and the doctrinal history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Talking about contradictions in scripture and the teachings of modern prophets like Joseph Smith and Brigham Young (who we believe have the authority to write scripture), makes people really uncomfortable. It puts the validity of your entire belief system on the line. I hope that everyone wrestles with these contradictions at some point in their lives.

Here’s how I reconcile the contradictions, and I can’t emphasize enough that my beliefs don’t necessarily reflect official church doctrine: The scriptures, including the Bible and Book of Mormon, aren’t perfect; prophets and their teachings don’t always perfectly represent the will of God; and the Lord, who is the only perfect being, sometimes gives us different directions at different times. I don’t think that the people who wrote the Bible did it perfectly. I don’t think that the people who decided on the books in the biblical canon were evil, but I don’t think they did a perfect job either. I don’t think any translation of the Bible into English is perfect (including Joseph Smith’s). The Book of Mormon itself says multiple times that while the writers did their best and couldn’t find any faults, if any faults are found, know that they’re the faults of men, not of God. I don’t think that the teachings of any prophet, ancient or modern (especially Brigham Young), were perfect. I think that revelation is a difficult process. I think everyone is influenced by the world they’re trying to teach. I think that God uses imperfect tools to accomplish His perfect work.

Most importantly, I think that despite their faults, the scriptures do contain the word of God, prophets are the Lord’s messengers, and following them will lead me to Jesus Christ.

Anyway, I’ve been procrastinating on my chemistry homework for about two hours now, so I should get to work.

[Leocomander]

I kind of wish they came to my door. Seems like the only people that come to my door are sales men.

[SCPN]

Thank you for your respect, I wish I was there as a missionary to help.
I am a Latter Day Saint who is learning about other denominations including catholicism.
I do say in my understanding the Apostacy was about the priesthood, if there is no Apostles then you have no priesthood.

[cindyu]

Be kind to the missionaries. I live in a building with Mormon missionary kids. They are sweet. I am a Catholic. I love Mormons, Shike, Hindu, Jews and everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. It is my job to be kind, loving and helpful. Catholics are to minister to the sick and help the poor.
Be nice to Mormon missionarys! God is watching.
I live in ghetto East Oakland. NO ONE DARES bother the missionaries! God will rain hell on us if something happens to them! God bless the Mormon missionarys. Lord, always protect them.❤🙏

[rbypack]

I can’t address everything you critiqued, but I would like to respond to your first about the nature of God. First I want to say that I have yet to hear a critique of LDS theology that was purely biblical, and not based in creeds.

In the Hebrew, Genesis 1:1-2 does not say that God created the heaven and the earth from nothing, but rather a better translation is that in the beginning such where the conditions when God created our heaven and earth. In other words, when God created the heaven and the earth, it was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep. There is no biblical creation Ex Nihilo, it’s just not there.

Furthermore, the translation of “God” is from Elohim, which is plural and referring to a council of gods, multiple gods, involved in the creation, and which will then be referred to throughout the Hebrew Bible.

As far as God having a body: why would we, from reading the Bible, believe otherwise? Why are one or two verses of scripture given more weight than the MANY verses that clearly state God has a body? The common interpretation of “God is spirit” is lazy, and no different than if I was to say that we must be God, because Jesus prayed that we would become one with God as He and God are one (a verse that is clearly not saying that God and Jesus Christ are literally the same being).

[RKerns]

This was such a good video. My BF is mormon and he's currently in his mission. I really hope people confront him with these questions. Since he left, I've basically gone down a rabbit hole and found every piece of evidence that disproved mormonism and proven Catholicism. Things that literally can't be refuted such as geographical history. He is such a good soul, but also so young and clearly being indoctrinated into this. I'm definitely adding these points into my back pocket in case the need arises. I know these are things he can't answer. Any question I've ever had towards Catholicism had simple answers and all made sense. I'm actually gonna be starting OCIA soon because of this.

The thing about the supposed apostacy yet still using the bible which was compiled after this supposed apostacy literally was a nail in the coffin, and I hope he realizes it. I would always joke with him about how as Catholics, we're the OGs and literally compiled the bible and I've told him the story how Martin Luther removed many books from it, which is what the KJV is based on. Hopefully he puts two and two together soon. I have solid confirmation for God that he will come home early and eventually find the truth, but forgive me for being a little impatient lol.