Help from the Mormons

U.S. Protestants tend to practice "comity," i.e., make no effort to convert other practicing Christians. What should they do if a missionary knocks at their door? In the current Presbyterian Tribune, the Rev. Wesley C. Baker of Redmond, Ore. proposed a way to handle one energetic brand of domestic missionaries--the Mormons. Wrote he:

"Practically every community in the land is being canvassed door to door by earnest, energetic, devoted young men and women who present a skillful, studied doctrinal argument, directed toward the proselytizing of any and all ... [They] have volunteered to do this for their church. They are giving, at great sacrifice, two years of their lives at their own expense toward this type of evangelism. They . . . have been trained from childhood to look forward to it as a great honor . . . We can learn something from that kind of devotion! . . .

"If you want to listen to their arguments, do so courteously, but . . . do not argue. They have their own interpretation of Scripture and will not consider yours. If you permit them to talk about the Book of Mormon, they will present 'scientific' proofs by the dozen. Be assured that no accredited non-Mormon scientist was among those who thus committed themselves.

"The Mormon Church is like some others in that it is exclusive; it teaches that true salvation is found only in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. But the Protestant Church by nature is inclusive, welcoming as brothers all who put their faith in Christ . . . Why not meet them on their own purpose and invite them to consider Protestantism? I always ask the missionaries to my study and . . . point out that Jesus never limited His ministry to any people or organization, but answered to all that called on Him; therefore, they suffer an error by limiting His Church to one specific group. Frankly, I do not expect nor do I want the conversion of one Mormon; rather, my purpose is fulfilled when they return with some helpful prophetic thought that will eventually creep into their thinking and perhaps doctrine of their Church . . .

"Certainly, if our doctrine is more correct, we are yet in no sense superior in Christ, as we suffer by comparison in matters of devotion and sacrifice. Therefore, I welcome these missionaries into my community as a help to me."

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