THE days of hiding behind your curtains when the Mormons knock at your front door are over as missionaries take their message to the streets rather than the suburbs.
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Americans Rosten McArthur and Chris Howse, missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are also known as the Mormons, are living in Orange as part of a two-year posting to Australia.
The men say Orange residents don’t always welcome their unsolicited door knocks so they’re now trying a different approach.
“People in this area just don’t like it, they find it pushy, especially when they’re busy doing other things,” Mr Howse said.
“If they’re already outside then we find they’re easier to talk to, so door knocking is not our first approach.”
Mr Howse admits many people have preconceived ideas about his religion which he said offers families the chance to be together for eternity.
“Usually their ideas [about the religion] are things they’ve heard from other people,” he said.
Mr McArthur, who comes from Utah, is the eldest of four children and admits it wasn’t easy leaving his own family behind, but having already spent 17 months in Australia, he’ll be heading home soon.
“It’s not easy to leave home but we love our families and know what we’re doing is important,” he said.
Mr Howse agreed while it’s been a sacrifice to leave his parents and 10 siblings behind in Michigan, it’s worth it.
“My parents have a sign up at home that says a missionary is a person who leaves their family behind for two years so that other people can be with their families forever,” he said.
While they’re away contact between the missionaries and their families is limited, they’re only permitted to Skype their families on Mother’s Day and Christmas Day.
They’re also allowed to send an email once a week although their families are able to email them as often as they want.
Mr Howse said he enjoys life in the Central West and meeting Orange’s “friendly” residents.
“People here are very easy to have a conversation with,” he said.
“Generally Australian people are more open minded about our church, but less religious.”
The men, who travelled to Australia shortly after finishing the American equivalent of year 12 studies, say they hope their own children will follow their example and become missionaries.
“We just want to love and serve everyone, regardless of whether they accept our message or not,” Mr Howse said.