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DevilsAdvocate wrote:Ilovechrist77 wrote:
This is for anyone who’s served a mission. I loved my mission and has some wonderful experiences. I grew tremendously on my mission. There are some experiences I’ve had of feeling Heavenly Father’s and the Savior’s love that have helped shape me who I am today. Although I loved it, there are times I don’t know if I would want to serve another after having a faith crisis and faith reconstruction, considering the things I’ve learned.
I mean if things in the church changed so drastically or the prophet felt such strong inspiration to call me another mission, would I serve again knowing the things I know now?When I think about it sometimes I would say yes and other times I would say no. What do all of you think? I have actually had nightmares about serving a mission again where I didn’t believe in the Church but felt pressured into it so I was trying to go through the motions. Then when I woke up I was always relieved that it was just a dream. Missions are already hard enough if you actually believe in the message but I can’t imagine what it would be like if you don’t agree with much of what the Church is trying to sell people on.
I’ve had nightmares about it too. Maybe if I were further along in stage five it would be different. A service mission would definitely be a different story.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I see the question as, “If I could go back in time would I serve a mission again?”In that regard, I would. I learned to work long hours, to speak Spanish, and have a lot of great memories of people I met. Also how to live on very little money. I’m separated from my wife now and living in a small apartment (used to live in a big, new home) and while I have plenty of resources to live, I’m back to being frugal and cooking for myself. It actually brings back some good memories 🙂 When I arrived in the mission field, it was Texas and the first day I was asked if I spoke Spanish. I have a Spanish surname but didn’t speak it at all. No MTC training–I was out in 2.5 weeks. President asked, “Did you take Spanish in high school?” Nope. “Would you like to learn Spanish?” Well, of course, who wouldn’t. I was handed a set of scriptures in Spanish and “Spanish for Missionaries” and sent on my way
:shifty: I had to learn Spanish on my own. And in Texas, too. It was frustrating at times and difficult, but I did it. And I have used it a lot. In addition to my regular job, I get paid to travel to a Spanish-speaking country every couple months for consulting work. I wouldn’t have these opportunities or a strong work ethic if I didn’t serve a mission.
The “rest of the story” occasionally hits me very hard. I was moved to Spanish-speaking elder on my first day because another missionary had to go home a month early–his father was dying and didn’t have long to live. Out of a horrible, tragic experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone came a blessing.
I would enjoy a service mission with no standard proselytizing. I would also enjoy an inter-faith relationship building mission if I could freely speak my mind without fear of clashing with other members/leaders. Wow, guys, I thought I was the only one who had nightmares about it. Thanks. Sounds like a lot of us had similar experiences. I am truly grateful I went. I had some great experiences. I think I could have had some great experiences by staying home too. In short, I won’t go again.
For those that know. My wife wants to serve a mission together later. I know much can change but, is it possible to do a service mission. I mean can one choose one or is it assigned? I do a lot of service to community already but there is a frequent hard push to share the gospel in those opportunities since hastening the work. Is their also a hard push in service oriented missions? I don’t mind sharing the gospel where appropriate but bit pusher into it. In general I love service to others without asking for anything in return. Can we do this on a service mission and share where appropriate? Thanks in advance. I am VERY grateful for my mission experience. It was life altering and life shaping. And I NEVER want to repeat it again. I don’t know why life-shaping experiences have to be so stressful but mine definitely was. I can see the good that came from it but I wouldn’t want to go back. In fact, for years, I told my wife that there was no way that I would even CONSIDER a mission after we retired. My stance has softened a bit and I probably would consider certain types of missions. But it would have to be the right experience in the right place. Yes, to answer DarkJedi’s question, I was mainly referring to proselytizing missions, but, I guess, if anyone feels inspired to share their comments about other missions, even stake missions, that’s fine with me. I also agree with DarkJedi the structure on those types of missionaries can be too rigid, although that structure helped me in many ways, since I have a mild form of Autism.I agree it’s not as strict for older adults. I agree with nibbler and others that a service mission wouldn’t be so bad, whether it’s for the church or some orginzation. I have known people that have enjoyed serving in Habitat For Humanity and the Peace Corps. I loved my mission. I used to have dreams of returning to Korea as a missionary and I would wake up happy. Now I couldn’t do it. I’m conflicted about whether my kids should go or not. I think I would prefer that they find another way to serve God’s children than be a salesman for one of the very many religions that God appears to be supportive of. I bought the kool aid about living the handbook as the key to success, never felt the spirit, was lied to by my district and then at the very end totally blew it. Wrote a letter of confession and apology to my mission president (BKP) and got back a note signed by the mission secretary. Fifty years ago this September and I’m still not over it. My wife had the same experience after we had a traumatic experience in an adoption. She wrote to person in authority in the church and his secretary sent us a very patronizing letter. She’s still not over that. Many years ago when my oldest son was trying to make decisions on his future, I sat down and told him that he needed to take time out of his life to either serve his God or his country. He chose to do neither. He still struggles in life. I think either of those would have helped him quite a bit. I still think the mission did me some harm but overall it was good for me to go. I hear the same things of people that do military service.
I think this a fun activity to think about. I have changed my mind about this a couple of times the past few days. What it has boiled down to is that I do not regret going and even somewhat cherish that time. However, it would be a miracle if I did it again. In other words, i would have to be physically carried by angels to the MTC to feel comfortable with it…
:angel: About having dreams about serving again….I’ve had a dozen over the last 20 years about being called to serve again (after being married, kids) and going. Then getting into the field and thinking, “What the heck?!?” and planning to return home as quickly as possible. I’m not much for reading a lot into dreams at all, and usually these came out of the blue. Strange is all I can say. I’m very glad I went. No regrets. I’d find a proselyting mission impossible in my current faith perspective. It’s difficult just being the branch mission leader. I notice how black and white the world is for them and how “gung-ho” they are. I don’t have that any more.
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