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I’m currently a freshman in college (on the est coast, non church school) struggling with idea of serving a mission. The expectation of missionary service from young men is so prevalent that many people in the church (family, friends, leaders, etc.) seem to be pressing the decision whether they mean to or not. I was raised in the church in an active family, but over the past year or so, as I approached the age of nineteen and began to think about a mission, I started to seriously question my testimony and desire to be a missionary, and after some investigation have a lot of doubts and even more questions. Some days I tell myself I should just set aside my doubts and put in my papers, knowing that most people have positive, testimony-building, horizon-expanding experiences on a mission. Other times I feel like there is no reason I should give up two years of my life, when I have so many other appealing options, to an organization that I feel ambivalent about. It’s been a bit of a rough process so far, but I’m hoping that as I continue to work through with the decision I can find some answers. Welcome. We can’t tell you whether you should or shouldn’t go on a mission, since that’s not our call – and since we differ among ourselves in the advice we would give. I think we all agree, however, that whatever you decide has to be your decision to own and embrace – and to accept as your own decision, not the responsibility of other people, no matter who they are. My daughter just entered the MTC yesterday; I have one son who served a mission and one who will not (through no issues of unworthiness or disbelief, but due to personal circumstances that made him choose consciously not to go). It’s your call, so my only advice is to wean yourself off of borrowed light and figure out what you personally believe at this moment in time – accepting that it hopefully will change and evolve over time until you are my age and older and realize it is different again than it used to be.
It’s a journey; learn to enjoy the ride – or walk – or jog – or however you decide to travel it.
Missions are no cakewalk. I went…i don’t march in time with everyone else well…i survived and learned a lot of valuable lessons. If you want to marry in the church…go on a mission. If you want to live the LDS lifestyle…go on a mission. If you just want out and away? don’t go on a mission.
Million dollar experience I wouldn’t pay another penny for. Go because you want to. If you go for any other reason it will be a waste of time/money. Too many people out there for the wrong reasons.
I won’t tell you that you need to go on a mission, but I will tell you that the two years I served were the most spiritually fulfilling I have ever had. Ask the Lord in prayer. If you feel inspired to go, serve faithfully and for the right reasons. If you don’t feel inspired to go, pursue something good or worthwhile. You can still serve in the church even if you don’t go on a mission. May the Lord be with you with whatever you decide. I think a lot of the advice on here is very sound. Missions are hard work, but then hard work is character building and prepares you for the big things in life.
Perhaps try to decide whether you want to engage with the church as a way of interacting with god and establish what you believe the church gives you that you would want to share with other people.
Hi hzlc, Like others have said, I can’t really give you advice but I can tell you about my own experience. I left on a mission knowing that my testimony was fairly strong but not at the “I Know” stage. At the MTC I had a strong spiritual experience that confirmed that the mission was the right thing for me to do and that Heavenly Father and Jesus exist and love me. Today I sometimes wonder about that experience and where it came from but I can’t deny it.
My mission has helped define my life and has given me a much broader and more colorful way of looking at things (vs black and white). Even though I don’t classify myself as a ‘true believer’ now I am glad I went. That being said, I think it would be difficult to serve a mission for any reason other than a desire to spread the gospel.
Welcome. I can only give you my experience, knowing my personality may be different than yours. I wasn’t sure I wanted to go, but I did feel a sense of obligation and I thought a mission would be an opportunity for growth. I’m glad I did go, while not always the perfect experience it was a meaningful growth experience. I do not regret my mission. However, missions are not easy. It would be especially difficult if you doubt that what you are doing is worthwhile. It is a bad place to try to gain a testimony. I think that all young men need to go through some sort of an experience where they go grow up, become a man, broaden their horizons, figure out who they are, serve a bigger cause than themselves, and decide what they want to do with their lives. Going on a mission, or serving in the peace corp, or even in the military are some ways to do this.
Think through what makes you happy, and what you need to do to be happy in the long run.
You’ve gotten some great advice so far. Don’t be in a hurry, but take your time. If you take some time to determine what you believe and why you believe it, you’ll be a better missionary.
I’m grateful I served a mission. It was the right thing for me to do and the right time for me to do it.
Good luck.
My advice is to only go if you truly feel that’s what the Lord wants you to do and you feel convinced of it. And please know that you can have a life in the church, marry in the church, etc. even if you don’t go. Look to God to give you defining and growing experiences with either decision. He works with us that way. In making a list of the men who I respect the most in my church life, I was surprised to find that those who didn’t serve missions actually outnumber those who did by a small edge. Some of these men were converts but others didn’t go on their missions for different reasons. They had all served in leadership and God had given all of them growth in their own lives. As long as you are consulting God in this decision, you will be okay either way. Tim wrote:I do not regret my mission. However, missions are not easy. It would be especially difficult if you doubt that what you are doing is worthwhile. It is a bad place to try to gain a testimony.
I think that all young men need to go through some sort of an experience where they go grow up, become a man, broaden their horizons, figure out who they are, serve a bigger cause than themselves, and decide what they want to do with their lives. Going on a mission, or serving in the peace corp, or even in the military are some ways to do this.Think through what makes you happy, and what you need to do to be happy in the long run.
This, what Tim said.
Quote:And please know that you can have a life in the church, marry in the church, etc. even if you don’t go.
Amen.
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