- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
I have spent the last few years of my life working in dead-end jobs and not really getting anywhere with relationships etc.; one day, I came across the missionaries, and it just felt so right to hear what they were saying to me. One thing led to another and the next day they were over at my place teaching me the restoration. On from that time, I am now baptized, and living the commandments the best that I can. I love reading my scriptures, have made lots of good changes in my life in order to follow His will. I often go teaching investigators with the missionaries, and have started to fellowship one investigator who is being baptised in a couple of weeks. I’ve really thrown myself at following the Lord’s will; I go to Church every Sunday, attend FHE, Institute and go to YM to help out when they’re short of bodies and love doing family history. I really do love the way that this gospel makes me feel, and I so much want to share that feeling with others. The missionaries suggested that I might go out with them to do a street display last week, and although it was very scary, I loved it. Gave out a couple of BoM’s, and taught a couple of lessons on my own in the street, it made me feel so great!
I turned 24 this year in May, so know that should I go to serve a mission that I’ll be just at the age limit (I can go through for my endowment in July ’16 if I’m ready); I feel so much that I’d love to go on a mission and share this gospel with others; I just worry that I’ll be 27 when I return and that I’ll struggle to settle down and start a family at that age (looking at those in my stake getting married, they’re young RM’s fresh back from the field). Would I be better to stay at home and not serve a mission, go to University and get a degree to better myself or should I go on a mission, return at 27 and go to uni then (graduating at around 30)?
Please help!
:crazy: We can’t tell you what you should do, only offer advice based on our own experiences. First, though, welcome! My oldest son served a mission closer to your age than to the minimum. It was a much better age for him, and he learned a lot. It didn’t solve all of his issues, but he was glad he went.
My second son didn’t serve a mission. Instead, he finished university and got married. It was the best option for him.
So, my advice simply is to make whatever seems to be the better choice for you and be at peace with it. Don’t second-guess yourself, and don’t let others’ expectations be the deciding factor. It is your life, and you and God can make this decision.
You will find support here no matter which path you choose.
Welcome to StayLDS Ukconvert. There are a few people here that have been in a similar position. I joined the church when I was in college and faced a similar decision. I was the age of most RMs at the time I headed out, I was a little younger than you are when the decision came up for me. I certainly don’t regret the decision but at the time I felt young enough to where age didn’t factor into my decision.
During my mission I had a companion that was a convert. He turned 26 while he was with me and I was his second companion. He was of the attitude of being grateful to have been just under the cutoff age. Of course even that situation was different than yours, he was from a place where the church was still relatively “young.” He wouldn’t be considered a himster (male spinster) when he got home, even being as old as several months before his 28th birthday.
:angel: I know DarkJedi and SilentDawning come from similar backgrounds. They may have been right around your age when they decided to serve their missions. Perhaps age considerations factored into their decisions.
I don’t envy you. You’ve got one of those classic hard decisions. Deciding between two good choices. Sometimes those can be the most paralyzing.
As Ray said, we can’t (and shouldn’t) decide for you. I’ll share my own experience, but first I’ll say that revelation usually works more as confirmation of what we decide rather than waiting for God to decide for us. Issuing callings is a perfect example of this. Over the years I have spent quite a bit of time in positions where we consider callings for people. Generally speaking, there is a need to fill a position and we consider the available individuals, although sometimes there are individuals who need callings or change of calling and we are considering it the other way around. Almost always, whichever way it is, we make a decision in council and pray about it. Personally I almost never feel a great manifestation of the Spirit, and in fact I’m more likely to feel nothing at all. I have often felt that God did not particularly care who the nursery leader is and He wants us to pick a qualified worthy person and go for it because no matter who we pick would be able to do the job. There have been times, though, when I have felt strongly about a certain individual in a certain position right then – sometimes even with a position such as nursery leader. I was discussing this idea with a high councilor recently (high councilors are asked to sustain/approve all stake callings), and he said basically the same thing – he said only once had he really felt something strong when a name was presented. If God really wants you to go n a mission he’ll let you know. If you want to go on a mission, He’ll probably approve. My experience: I was a convert at 21 while serving in the army. My military end of service happened a few weeks before my 24th birthday. I did want to serve a mission and submitted the paperwork and entered the MTC about a month and a half after my birthday. I was the second oldest guy in my mission, there was a guy who was 25. Missions were 18 months then, I returned when I was a few months shy of 27. I did finish college and marry when I was 30. I will say that I was sometimes taken aback by the immaturity of my fellow missionaries, and it was clear that some of them were there only because it was expected of them – not because they really wanted to be like I did.
You told us about several factors that figure into your decision – it’s up to you to weigh those and decide.
Welcome. No matter what you decide, I recommend making it your decision and then going with it with complete gusto. A mission isn’t for everyone, and if you are concerned with age, then maybe you don’t go, but instead devote your life to something else that is also awesome, like university. When I served, there were lots of missionaries who had served in their country’s military and were more like 26, so honestly it doesn’t seem out of place to me at all. On the contrary, I think 18 is far too young. You could bring a much needed perspective that other missionaries don’t have. I will tell you that I am grateful that I served a mission (not a sentiment shared by everyone). It can be a watershed moment in a person’s life.
It’s also very difficult; harder than people realize. Most missionaries, though, embrace it and love it, so much so that they have a hard time adjusting when they get home.
My only advice is to choose if a mission is right for you without regard to how other people see it. If you want to do it, you should feel free. If you don’t want to do it, you should also feel free.
There are opportunities on a ward or stake level too. They are not as glamorous or as important in some people’s eyes. My wife & I served as missionary companions in our own ward & in an intercity branch. Both were rewarding experiences.
Unfortunately, they are not viewed on the same level as a full time mission in an exotic location.
We experienced baptisms of people that are still in our ward or stake, many many years later.
I don’t understand why we have the tendency to put value judgements on where & how people serve a mission.
I believe that all are important & needed.
Life offers you experiences…not all the same for each person. So whether you choose to serve a mission or not, seek to gain experiences that make you a better person. I suggest mission life for all that are ready for that. I think it is a unique experience. If you can… go and don’t put it off longer. That’s my advice.
These are considerations. First, when I left on my mission I was 23, and returned at 25. I did notice that there was a bit of a divide between myself and a lot of the young adult females. Due to the age difference. I found some thought I was too old to date. My hair was now thinning and such and I looked a bit older. But I was an RM so that helped. Nonetheless I married a 19 year old who actually liked that age difference. I would consider your own situation and determine whether returning from your mission older will help or hinder your chances of finding a suitable marriage partner If that is what u want. U r likely in an area of the world where there are not a lot of members. So consider the impact of being single at 26 or 27 on your ability to find a suitable marriage partner. Also consider the financial impact of serving a mission. My stake president made me pay for almost all of it. In spite of having non members parents and joining the church at 20. It delayed my leaving by three years during which time I could have been in school or starting my career. I benefited from my mission, but a mission is one of many experiences that can give u self knowledge and helping others. The stigma of not serving a mission will likely not hit u too hard given the fact that u r a convert and an older one in missionary years. I will say that I did grow on my mission spiritually although later life experiences seem to have erased the gains.
Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.