LDS missions

[pam]

Originally Posted by CatchTheRedeye

Missions sound fun. I want to go on one and I'm not even a Mormon.

Well that can be easily changed.

[jimuk]

Can somebody go on a mission full of the spirit if he or she is only going to keep their family happy, i feel one must want to go on a mission for his/her mission to be a success.

I have met some lovely guys and girls who were pushed into a mission, either by family or ward members, i have seen at least three sent home before fulfilling their mission because they were so unhappy, that their heart was just not in it. I do not think heavenly father would be happy with those that done the pushing, but i do know that he would be happy that they were home again and on their way to recovery, Just imagine how they must have felt on arriving home.
I do hope that they were not whispered about and pointed at.

So don't be selfish, in order to look good to others, please show our young that they will be loved no matter what they choose.

As already said, there are lots of good things to be done in our own wards, Push these youngsters and they will fall away, they will resent the church, ok not all those that are pushed fail i know this, but i myself would not take the chance of them falling away because of something i did, for i would not want to be answerable before heavenly father.

"ALL" these young people are the future of "The church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints" God bless them.

[Misshalfway]

Well, I think the church is doing a much better job preparing missionaries to serve and in the screening process too. It is a bit harder to qualify these days. I think the mentality in the church used to be that a mission could fix character flaws or perhaps straighten out a young man. I think the church is learning that this may be true but that it is better to work out testimony issues and other problems at home before entering the mission field.

I also think the church has taken the "glorying" of the missions away....you know, no more big flounsy farewells and homecomings etc. I think this helps take away some of the social pressure.

[jimuk]

"social pressure" thats the words i was looking for, that would have save me all the typing lol.
Thank you Misshalfway.

[Misshalfway]

Originally Posted by jimuk

"social pressure" thats the words i was looking for, that would have save me all the typing lol.
Thank you Misshalfway.

[Moksha]

Originally Posted by CatchTheRedeye

Missions sound fun. I want to go on one and I'm not even a Mormon.

I am still lacking a companion. How do you feel about Altair-3?

[CatchTheRedeye]

Originally Posted by Moksha

I am still lacking a companion. How do you feel about Altair-3?

Sure, we can be companions. Do you snore? Altair-3, right on! You mean the next trip to the moon planned in about 2020, right? I'm all far space exploration. I think they ought to build a Space Elevator and build everything needed for and cheaper resupplying for a lunar colony from it. I just don't want to ever go myself. I don't even like to fly.
The Space Elevator Reference brought to you by SpaceRef

[SisterofJared]

Originally Posted by TheLutheran

What are the "rules" for communicating with missionaries while in the field? (Especially for non-family members.) Can we send $$ directly to him from time to time? I understand and appreciate the benefits of young men and women learning to survive on meager budgets, but, just like our kids in college, a couple of unexpected bucks now and then can really be a boost.

Anyone that your son knew before his mission, he can continue to communicate with. So letters from your daughter or even from anyone else in your family are cool. They ask the missionaries not to send "love" letters. Letters can be loving, but the missionary's focus should be on Jesus Christ. Many people develop a strong relationship during this time by writing of their experiences and their testimony. Missionaries are discouraged from writing men/women they meet while on the mission. A mission is not a time for courtship. Certainly you can send a few dollars as the spirit prompts you to do so. They are always appreciated. Although sending lots of money is discouraged, as too much money sent can hinder a missionary from growing, and also affect his companions.

Originally Posted by TheLutheran

Another question: How "real" or "balanced" are returned missionaries in their fireside presentations? The reason I ask is that we hosted an exchange student from Finland five years ago. He had a very difficult time adjusting to our culture and language. In fact, he was removed from our home for viewing porn on our computers! Yet, he was expected to make the rounds talking up his U.S. experience and did so with gusto! Do returned missionaries "tell it like it is" or are they expected to promote the experience regardless of their personal experience?

All the missionary firesides I have seen have been pretty balanced. Many missionaries don't give firesides at all. Sometimes if they have had an especially exciting call (like to Russia) they might be asked to speak at one or more firesides. Most missionaries give a report in sacrament meeting, but that is different than it used to be. They discuss a gospel principle, and use some mission experiences to illustrate. Their reports tend to be a few experiences thrown in to support a gospel principle they have totally come to love... the power of the priesthood, or something like that. You hear negative as well as positive experiences.

Originally Posted by TheLutheran

Final question: Are there stats available for returned missionaries that remain active? I personally know of a couple of missionaries who, given the restriction on media and reading materials, discovered things they had never known about The Church and its history via approved LDS materials and, subsequently, became inactive (or requested removal from the rolls) after their return from missionary service.

This puzzled me. After a life time of being a member, I have never heard of any restrictions on media and reading materials, especially any that would lead them to discover things about the church and it's history. I went to seminary as a kid, and even back then eons ago I read about things like the Mountain Meadows Massacre in my seminary textbook. Believe me, there are no secrets or forbidden knowledge. Perhaps these young men fell prey to lies and innuendos... which is sad, because it's all there for anyone who wants to read it, and it's much better to read it with the Holy Ghost than to read it when it is presented with the intent to destroy faith. Anything can be made to sound bad if you place it in the wrong context, or mock it enough.

Originally Posted by TheLutheran

The customary term of missionary service (age 19-21 for boys) is such a prime time for self-discovery! I'm sure that some of their maturation would have occurred whether they went to college, began full-time employment or served in the Peace Corps. Too bad there isn't a precise way to decipher which aspects of their experience were directly related to their promotion of the LDS faith and which would have occurred regardless.

Oh, I think it's quite easy to decipher which aspects of their experience were directly related to their missions.... line them up next to some college boys, and see where the light is coming from.

I sent three daughters on missions. From their experience I can answer a few of your questions.... yes, the church pays their way to the MTC. If you drive them, the church will pay mileage. Or the church will send a ticket if they fly. Coming home it's the same thing, although parents are given an option to fly out and pick them up. Even then the church will pay for their ticket home, but will coordinate with the parents so you can all be on the same flight home.

Two of my daughters were given the opportunity to email weekly during their missions. That is nice! It is up to their mission president if they email or not. If so, they do it at the public library, and only on p-day. (preparation day, when they do laundry,etc.)

Also, as to apartments, the church has a new policy now to house the missionaries with members whenever possible. Generally the members are "empty nesters" and do not get paid for housing the missionaries. This isn't in effect all over yet, but started last year, and many missionaries now live with members. For the most part they like it.... and as a missionary's mom, I liked it. The member could and did contact me when it was needed, so I could send my daughter things that were needed without her breaking any rules and calling. And when I called back, the member "mom" gave me an update on my daughter, which was fun! And convenient!

Hope that info is helpful! I can't remember any other questions that haven't been well answers....

I didn't go on a mission myself.... I married at 19. But if I could choose any one experience before I die, I want to serve a mission. I want to serve a proselyting mission, which generally doesn't happen with the senior couples. So I'll serve whatever mission the Lord calls me to!

Sister of Jared