This weekend, my boyfriend and I spent about an hour with a pair of Mormon Missionaries. He has been in contact with these guys for a couple of weeks and had met with them once before, and invited me join in this time. They wanted to share a message/lesson with us, and we agreed, as long as they were willing for us to share something too. They happily agreed to this, and we sat down to talk.
As we talked, there was much that struck me as odd and different about what they were saying. We read a familiar parable, but their interpretation was different than what I’ve heard before, and they constantly turned to the book of Mormon to explain and supplement the Bible.
But I share this not to critique the Mormons or try to offer a comprehensive explanation of what they believe. I share this because what also struck me during our time together, and as I have reflected on it this morning, is the things that Evangelical Christians can learn from these Missionaries.
The Mormon Missionaries know their scriptures. Certainly, they are well-versed in the Book of Mormon. But I would venture a guess that they even know their Bibles, particularly the Old Testament, better than most Evangelical Christians in our churches. They are well-trained to be able to turn to scriptures to answer questions from those they share with. Do we as Evangelical Christians have such a deep knowledge of our scriptures?
They are eager to share. Why is it that when we see pairs walking through our neighborhoods dressed in shirt and tie that we turn away and pretend we aren’t home? Because we know what they are doing – they are coming to try to share their message with anyone who will listen. But haven’t we as Evangelical Christians been entrusted with a message (THE true message) and commanded to share it as well? Why, then, is there often a hesitancy and unwillingness to share it (yes, in my own heart as well)? Because our message is true, shouldn’t we be all the more eager to share it?
They are not afraid of questions. Partly because they have been so well-trained, the Mormon Missionaries seem not to be afraid to be questioned and to have someone sit down and try to thoroughly discuss what they believe. They never once got defensive during our conversation, even when my boyfriend kept asking questions. They were patient, gracious, and willing to discuss. How often do we as Evangelical Christians get flustered when people ask us questions about what we believe or push back against our message! We ought to learn from the Mormons and study our scriptures well so that we are prepared to give an answer (1 Peter 3:15). And we need not fear the questions when they come – the word of God is the truth, and he will give us the words to say in our time of need (Matthew 10:19-20).
Certainly, the Mormons are misguided, believing and sharing a message that is not true. Nonetheless, their passion, their knowledge of the scriptures, and their boldness are virtues and qualities that warrant our observation and our imitation as Evangelical Christians. I couldn’t help but wonder – if Evangelical Christians were willing to go out in pairs and meet with total strangers to share our message with them…how far would the true gospel spread?