The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1899-09-27
METHODS
Mormon Missionaries
Rev. William r. Campbell.

since the MOrmOns have been III
creasing at such great ratio the past
few years, il is interesting and impor-
tant TO know the secret OF this phe-
nomenal growth.
My twelve years study Of Mormon
ism, while lsboring in the capacity OF
a Christian missionary among the
Mormon people in Utah, together
with several months experience with
the Mormon missionaries who were
making converts in various parts OF
our country outside Of Utah, noting
their methods and their success, has
convinced the writer that Mormonism
grows neither because of it's merits as
a system OF moral or religious truth,
nor alone by appealing to the deprav-
ity Of the human heart.
II Mormon missionaries were hon
est enough TO begin their efforts with
those whom they would convert" by
telling the real truth about Mormon
doctrines and practices, they would
not make a single convert among de-
cent people; but having been trained
in the school OF deception from their
infancy, they come into the homes of
unsuspecting people to lead them in
to the same false ways in which they
have been reared. II is perfectly con-
sistent for them 10 practice all sorts
of cunning and deception, as their
god and their prophets and their
teachers have set them abundant eI-
amples in these lines from the begin
ming. II the reader chooses to make
a careful study Of Mormonism by fol-
lowing up the reading of this article
with careful study of the entire SER
les of which this is the beginning, he
will find that this statement is not
any too strong, however extravagant
il may seem to him at first.
Let no one, however, imagine for a
moment that the writer means to
leave the impression that the Mormon
missionaries are not sincere in their
faith. II they were not sincere, they
could not succeed, as they do, in max
ing proselytes: but, being sincere,
they believe with all their hearts, be
cause they were so trained, that the
end justifies the means, and that any
sort of deception is justifiable, if it
only helps to win converts and save
souls" as they understand.
When Mormon missionaries come
into a new community, they do not
sound a trumpet before them, as they
have found out by long experience
that this does not pay. They often
are in a community for some time be-
fore they make themselves generally
known. Finding Christian people
off their guard, they spy out the
land and find out all they can about
the condition of local church life,
who are protesting christians and
who are not, how consistent are the
lives of those who are church mem
beers, who are lukewarm and indiffer-
ent. AS rule they find little diff
Guilty in PROSECUTING those who are
weak in the faith, or dissatisfied with
the present church relations.
When they are ready to work" or
10 tract" community, they general
ly plan to visit systematically from
house to house, aiming to call at least
three times at each house at short in
tervals OF day or week or two, de-
pending somewhat upon circumstan-
ces and upon the degree of interest or
repugnace manifested by the persons
visited
On the first visit they aim to leave
a tract suited to the "state OF mind
the person may be in, provided they
have had an opportunity TO ascertain
what that state OF mind" is. II the
way is open they will make "friend-
ly call, or even an extended visit, up
ON a person before presenting the
tract. There are generally two OF
them as they aim TO go two by two,
"as the seventies in the days Of the
Saviour" The principal aim in this
first call or visit is to make themsel-
yes agreeable and become acquaint-
ed" to "gain the confidence" Of the
converts" II the Mormon
"elders" or missionaries were TO call
upon you and find you of your guard,
they would make themselves so agree
able that you would be made to feel
that they we're about the most pleas
ant fellows that you have ever met.
They would talk 30 as to arouse your
but at the same time avoid,
as far az possible, giving you any
clear idea Of their real character or
The object Of this meth
ID is to lead you TO welcome them to
your house again in order to learn
more about them.
The leader OF the two generally in.
PRODUCES himself very pleasantly and
asks your name. He then introduces
The other as my friend Mr.. So-and-
So" II you live in small town or
place where you will at once
know them to be strangers in the com
they will probably say; ave