u/stareyedheathen

I had a concerning incident involving some young men on mission this evening. I was walking my dog up NW Firwood at just before 9PM, heading toward Robin Hood St.

A young woman was walking a large, rambunctious dog ahead of me. I crossed to the other sidewalk to give her space as I neared. Two young men crested the hill on their bicycles, stopping short when they saw her.

I was far enough down the hill, wearing black with my hood pulled up, and had slowed with my dog that I don't believe they noticed me as they were engaged with her.

They immediately started in with their pleasantries and inviting her to their church for service. She politely deflected, they persisted with the invitation. She declined, saying she had a church of her own, clearly struggling to calm her dog and trying to disengage and walk away.

I had reached the top of the hill, directly across from her on the opposite side, and stood there with my dog until they noticed me.

For context, I am a 6ft tall 40 year old woman. Even when one of the young men noticed me there, he acknowledged my presence with a "hi" and turned back to continue engaging with the young woman.

I stood there with my dog until they both noticed I was still standing there, then they quickly ended the conversation with the young woman and sped down the hill.

She power walked around the corner and down the block, leaving the area quickly while looking around.

Now I am admittedly not a person who is going to be thrilled to be engaged by Mormon missionaries but had these young men tried to engage me, a person in the same situational environment as the one they wouldn't let leave, I would chalk it up to them doing what they are charged to do by their church.

The laser focus on a young woman walking alone at dusk and the persistent engagement despite her deferral by these two young men is pretty alarming, considering I believe they didn't think they were being observed. This kind of behavior in Epstein-era America is not a good look for the LDS Church.