Perception of missionaries from LDS church

leonita · #1 02-25-2003, 02:10 PM

Hola! I'm a new visitor to your board, joined because my 21 year old daughter has moved to the DR for the next 18 months. I wanted to know what's happening there, and I've enjoyed reading all of your posts. I do have one question, hopefully, you won't just make fun and will give an honest answer?
My daughter(not me!) is a Mormon missionary, she and her companion are there to talk about God in their own manner and to do service projects also. Can anyone tell me how the Dominicans, who I'm told are primarily Catholic, react to these type of missionaries coming down there? And are the churches actually doing anything to alleviate the chronic poverty, ie; soup kitchens, ophanages, providing work, etc?
Thanks, looking forward to hearing some responses!
Chau!

Tony C · #2 02-25-2003, 02:21 PM

Funny but true story.

In the DR(and many other countries as well) many of the people believe that Morman missionaries are CIA agents.
I won't bother you with my personal view on missionaries but In the DR they are embraced by the populace for the most part. I would not worry about your daughter(Too much at least)!

leonita · #3 02-25-2003, 02:32 PM

Tony,
That is truly funny! Believe me, I also have my own personal views about missionaries, it was her choice to join this church, not our first choice! But, I had never heard the CIA connection before, too funny! Actually, many of the young guys who are Mormon do end up in either the CIA, FBI, DEA, or some other acronym agency where they get to be subtle and reliable, since they don't drink or do drugs . Many of them are bodyguards to the presidents and other officials too.
Thanks for the part about not worrying about her, she has very limited email access, have only heard once in 2 weeks, she loves the DR, she's part Mexican(father) and part Argentine(me), so her Spanish is good, and she loves music, so she's loving it there. She's my only one, so naturally, I was worried about her going so far away, but the apron strings have to be cut sometime!
Mil gracias!

Ken · #4 02-25-2003, 02:40 PM

Tony is right, most Dominicans treat missionaries in a friendly way. It is not uncommon to see LDS and other young missionaries, and I have never seen any indication of hostility toward them. What the official Catholic position is, I don't know. But whatever it is, the people seem friendly.

bob saunders · #5 02-25-2003, 02:41 PM

Many Dominicans are not Catholic and there are missionary groups everywhere. The Mormones are accepted quite well, at least in my wifes home town of Jarabacoa. Where is your daughter?

kjdrga · #6 02-25-2003, 02:46 PM

I can tell you my experience with Mormons in the DR. As a Peace Corps Volunteer you commonly come across Mormons doing their missionary service. We had a couple of young men in the town close to my village. We PCV's tried to talk to them about their work and how they were getting along adjusting and they said they were told not to talk to PCV's. Now why I am not sure. PCV's were commonly percieved to be CIA spys as well.

I do know that on many ocassions I would run into Mormons at the calling centers where they would be chatting away with other missionaries in other countries.

For the most part Mormons are well received. A lot of youth enjoy going to their activites because they provide free food and soda. That's how most things work though. Plus they usually have air-conditioning and a good basketball court that is well maintained.

leonita · #7 02-25-2003, 03:53 PM

Wow! Thanks for the replies, DR1 folks! This is quite fun, I love having all of you who actually live there let me know what the perception and reception is. My daughter just arrived there on Feb.10, and she is currently in Santo Domingo, in a really nice house. She also said they have a young lady who cooks and cleans, she said most of the church people do have hired help. We've never been able to afford that in California, so she's going to be quite spoiled when she returns.
She will be moving down the coast every 2 months, ending up on the border with Haiti toward the end of her mission, which ends in July of 2004.
I'm not sure why they are not supposed to talk to PCV, I honestly wish she had gone down there with the Peace Corps, as I see more value in the help the PC offers as opposed to just the soul saving, but to each his or her own.
I can understand the nicely kept up basketball courts, they really emphasize sports in their religion, and also the free food at events, that's really big wherever they are. I hope they really do provide some true help with daily living, that makes me feel better about the use of her time.
My husband and I plan to pick her up in 2004, so I'll be keeping current on the DR via this board, I can't wait to visit and do some dancing, diving, drinking and eating(told you I'm not Mormon!) She converted because of an attractive Samoan boyfriend!

Tom F. · #8 02-25-2003, 03:57 PM

I find that the Mormans to be quite a friendly bunch if you start up the conversation. They seem to be recruiting a heck of a lot more than they do any sort of development work. A few told me they weren't allowed to swim, dance, or call home. I was told there are/were 300 Mormans from the US doing their missionary work in the DR. Twice the number of Peace Corps volunteers. They are eaily recognizable with the white shirts and ties, sometimes riding bicycles. The joke is, they are always looking for a free meal around noontime. Dominicans view the Mormans as "serious" type people, and that gives you automatic respect. The church probably has a good orientation program, and they always walk in pairs.

Criss Colon · #9 02-25-2003, 05:24 PM

Be proud of your daughter! Think of all the bad choices young people make today! You are blessed.She will come home a better person.I see the "Mormons" all over Santo Domingo.They are at the super markets in large groups,also MacDonalds,Pizza Hut,and Burger King!cris

Hillbilly · #10 02-25-2003, 05:28 PM

No comment.

HB

PS: she is safe and will probably recruit a few more into the LDS band.