20 Questions

Questions to Ask Mormon Missionaries

Respectful and thoughtful questions that help you understand Mormon beliefs, engage in meaningful dialogue, and learn about their faith while maintaining your own spiritual perspective.

1

What brought you to serve a mission and how has it changed you?

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Why this works

Reveals their personal motivation and spiritual journey. Understanding their calling helps you connect with their genuine desire to serve and share their faith.

2

What do you find most challenging about being a missionary?

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Why this works

Shows their humanity and the difficulties they face. This question demonstrates empathy for their challenges while learning about the realities of missionary life.

3

How do you handle rejection and people who aren't interested?

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Why this works

Reveals their resilience and approach to difficult situations. Understanding how they cope with rejection shows their commitment and provides insight into their faith.

4

What's the most meaningful experience you've had as a missionary?

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Why this works

Shows the positive impact of their service and what motivates them. This question helps you understand the rewards they find in their missionary work.

5

How do you balance your personal beliefs with respecting others' faiths?

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Why this works

Reveals their approach to religious tolerance and respect. This question helps you understand how they navigate interfaith dialogue and respect for other beliefs.

6

What do you miss most about home while on your mission?

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Why this works

Shows their human side and the sacrifices they're making. This question helps you connect with them as people while understanding the personal cost of their service.

7

How do you study and prepare for your missionary work?

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Why this works

Reveals their approach to spiritual preparation and learning. Understanding their study methods shows their commitment to being well-prepared for their service.

8

What's your favorite part of the Book of Mormon and why?

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Why this works

Shows their personal connection to their scripture. This question helps you understand what resonates with them and provides insight into their spiritual perspective.

9

How do you handle questions about difficult topics in Mormon history?

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Why this works

Reveals their approach to challenging aspects of their faith. This question shows their honesty and how they navigate complex historical and theological issues.

10

What do you hope people will understand about your faith?

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Why this works

Shows their desire to share their beliefs authentically. This question helps you understand what they most want others to know about Mormonism.

11

How do you maintain your faith during difficult times?

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Why this works

Reveals their spiritual resilience and coping strategies. Understanding how they maintain faith during challenges provides insight into their spiritual strength.

12

What's the biggest misconception people have about Mormons?

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Why this works

Shows their awareness of how others perceive their faith. This question helps you understand common misunderstandings and provides clarity about their beliefs.

13

How do you approach people who are already committed to other religions?

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Why this works

Reveals their respect for other faiths and their approach to interfaith dialogue. This question shows how they balance sharing their faith with respecting others' beliefs.

14

What role does prayer play in your missionary work?

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Why this works

Shows the spiritual foundation of their service. Understanding their prayer practices provides insight into how they seek guidance and strength in their work.

15

How do you handle criticism of your faith?

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Why this works

Reveals their resilience and approach to opposition. This question shows how they maintain their faith and composure when facing criticism or hostility.

16

What's the most important thing you've learned about yourself on your mission?

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Why this works

Shows their personal growth and self-discovery. This question reveals how their missionary service has impacted their own spiritual and personal development.

17

How do you balance following mission rules with being authentic?

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Why this works

Reveals their approach to structure and authenticity. This question shows how they navigate the requirements of missionary life while maintaining their genuine personality.

18

What advice would you give to someone considering joining your church?

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Why this works

Shows their perspective on conversion and commitment. This question reveals what they think is most important for someone exploring Mormonism.

19

How do you handle homesickness and being away from family?

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Why this works

Shows their human struggles and the personal cost of their service. This question helps you understand the emotional challenges they face while serving.

20

What's the most important thing you want people to know about Jesus Christ?

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Why this works

Reveals their core beliefs about Jesus and their faith. This question helps you understand their theological perspective and what they most want to share about their Savior.

Interfaith Dialogue Guide

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Dialogue Best Practices

Show Genuine Respect

Approach with genuine curiosity and respect for their faith. Missionaries are serving their beliefs with dedication and deserve respect for their commitment.

Ask Personal Questions

Inquire about their personal experiences and motivations. Personal stories create connection and provide insight into their genuine faith and service.

Listen with Openness

Listen to understand their perspective, even if you don't agree. Open listening creates meaningful dialogue and mutual respect between different faith traditions.

Question Sequences

The Personal Journey Series

1
What brought you to serve a mission and how has it changed you?
2
What's the most meaningful experience you've had as a missionary?
3
What's the most important thing you've learned about yourself?
4
How do you maintain your faith during difficult times?

The Faith Exploration Series

1
What's your favorite part of the Book of Mormon and why?
2
What do you hope people will understand about your faith?
3
What's the biggest misconception people have about Mormons?
4
What's the most important thing you want people to know about Jesus Christ?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Focus Only on Controversial Topics

Avoid immediately jumping to difficult historical or theological issues. Start with personal questions that show respect for their faith and service.

Avoid Argumentative Questions

Don't ask questions designed to challenge or debate their beliefs. Focus on understanding their perspective rather than proving them wrong.

Don't Dismiss Their Experiences

Respect their personal spiritual experiences and testimonies. Even if you don't share their beliefs, their experiences are meaningful to them.

Dialogue Templates

The Personal Connection Series

1
Step 1: Start with: "What brought you to serve a mission?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "What's the most meaningful experience you've had?"
3
Step 3: Deepen with: "How has this changed you?"
4
Step 4: Conclude with: "What do you hope people will understand?"

The Faith Understanding Series

1
Step 1: Begin with: "What's your favorite part of the Book of Mormon?"
2
Step 2: Explore with: "What do you hope people will understand about your faith?"
3
Step 3: Investigate with: "What's the biggest misconception people have?"
4
Step 4: Learn with: "What's the most important thing about Jesus Christ?"

Further Reading

"The Book of Mormon" by Joseph Smith
"Mormonism: A Very Short Introduction" by Richard Lyman Bushman
"The Mormon People" by Matthew Bowman

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