Young Women Now "Expected" To Serve Missions?

[Deborah]

I think with the lowering of the age a lot of young women want to go on missions. I might have considered it if I didn't have to wait until I was 21 (by which age I was married). I think that this current crop of young women haven't had as much time to prepare however, and many may have the desire but find that life interrupts. Future young women will have time to think about it and prepare. I have one grandaughter who is of age but has no desire to go on a mission but that's because her boyfriend will be home from his in another year and they will likely get married. I can picture another grandaughter who is younger very much inclined to do so.

[Duncan]

I'd go again just so I can put up my opening the call letter on youtube!

[cinepro]

I'd go again just so I can put up my opening the call letter on youtube!

You should just re-enact it.

[Duncan]

You should just re-enact it.

oh yeah right, get called to the Canada Whiskey Gap Mission! No Thank you! (Whiskey Gap is a real town in Alberta) I had enough excitement in Los Angeles thank you very much!

Edited March 26, 2013 by Duncan

[Stone holm]

I think with the lowering of the age a lot of young women want to go on missions. I might have considered it if I didn't have to wait until I was 21 (by which age I was married). I think that this current crop of young women haven't had as much time to prepare however, and many may have the desire but find that life interrupts. Future young women will have time to think about it and prepare. I have one grandaughter who is of age but has no desire to go on a mission but that's because her boyfriend will be home from his in another year and they will likely get married. I can picture another grandaughter who is younger very much inclined to do so.

Yeah, the prior age thing kind of hammered home the "well if you aren't getting married might as well go on a mission thing" -- I would have given a lot to have had my daughter leave on a mission at the age they allow now, it would have helped her in many, many ways. Sigh....

[Glenn101]

all 4 received mission calls but only two are actually serving, as the other two either didn't go or went for a week or something and the came home

Did they receive the call out of the blue, or after they had submitted papers requesting to go on a mission?

Thanks,

Glenn

[Duncan]

Did they receive the call out of the blue, or after they had submitted papers requesting to go on a mission?

Thanks,

Glenn

all four submitted their papers, all four received their call but only two are actually out serving in the field, the other two either didn't go or came home early

[Stargazer]

I'd go again just so I can put up my opening the call letter on youtube!

I had a very vivid dream once that I went on a second full-time mission, to the same country (Germany) but a different mission. This was years and years after my mission. The dream was so real that for a few minutes after I woke up I actually believed I had gone twice.

[halconero]

I see comparing the willingness to serve for Elders and Sisters differently. much like I see the difference between tithes and fast offerings. Both are important, blessings are received, but one has a greater obligation tied with it than the other.

[Damien the Leper]

I'd go again just so I can put up my opening the call letter on youtube!

Duncan, you are hereby called to the Canada PEI mission...

[Duncan]

Duncan, you are hereby called to the Canada PEI mission...

i'd teach Anne of Green Gables!

[EllenMaksoud]

I might have been your source. I shared a bunch of statistics from Elder Perry for when *only one* parent served a mission. They are astounding.

One I remember is that the average number of children when one parent served a mission is 3.7. When neither parent served a mission, it's 1.7 (well below the national average of 2.3).

If I don't remember to re-post them, give me a CFR, and I'll look them up when I'm home . . .

Several times I have "heard" that Sister Missionaries are 40% more effective than Elder Missionaries. Before any one stones me, I do not know in what context that is said. Is it initial contact? Is it in number of Baptisims? As a woman, it is much easier for me to just walk up to a Sister and start talking. Though once a woman can get past the social barriers, Elders are nice.

[cinepro]

Several times I have "heard" that Sister Missionaries are 40% more effective than Elder Missionaries. Before any one stones me, I do not know in what context that is said. Is it initial contact? Is it in number of Baptisims? As a woman, it is much easier for me to just walk up to a Sister and start talking. Though once a woman can get past the social barriers, Elders are nice.

In some ways, I suspect the Sisters are more effective. But if we're talking about finding marriage partners while on their missions, the Elders are at least 40% more effective..

[rongo]

Several times I have "heard" that Sister Missionaries are 40% more effective than Elder Missionaries.

This is one of those "how can anyone even know that, Napoleon?" statistics. How would one even derive an effectiveness percentage?

I mean, really?

When I was a zone leader, we had sisters who were reporting 80 work hours for a couple of weeks. I asked the district leader what they were doing, and he said that they had made a covenant with the Lord that they would work 80 hours a week. How, exactly, were they doing 80 hours? Well, they were leaving their apartment at 7:30 in the morning to ride their bikes for three hours (six hours round-trip) to a remote village to do a couple of hours of door-to-door. Most of the day was spent riding the bikes where there was a slim chance of talking to anybody.

What was their "effectiveness percentage?" I told the district leader to tell them that they were to use their time in actual finding and teaching, not bike-riding so that they could reach their 80 work hour goal.

[Duncan]

This is one of those "how can anyone even know that, Napoleon?" statistics. How would one even derive an effectiveness percentage?

I mean, really?

When I was a zone leader, we had sisters who were reporting 80 work hours for a couple of weeks. I asked the district leader what they were doing, and he said that they had made a covenant with the Lord that they would work 80 hours a week. How, exactly, were they doing 80 hours? Well, they were leaving their apartment at 7:30 in the morning to ride their bikes for three hours (six hours round-trip) to a remote village to do a couple of hours of door-to-door. Most of the day was spent riding the bikes where there was a slim chance of talking to anybody.

What was their "effectiveness percentage?" I told the district leader to tell them that they were to use their time in actual finding and teaching, not bike-riding so that they could reach their 80 work hour goal.

that's what I was thinking too, how could anyone even determine a percentage of effectiveness and what does effective even mean? Plus too, does that percentage go up or down? like are the sisters who were serving in say 1980 better or worse then the sisters in 1955? what about individuality and a million other variables?

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

Someone may have said this, they are allowed to go at an earlier age. But it is not a commanded or "expected", although female missionary applications have increased by 600% as I have heard. On the last mission transfers, 32 new missionaries showed up from the MTC in our mission...I hear that is a record. I also think young women are going to change (or increase) the membership in ways we cannot yet conceive. God bless then all!

[EllenMaksoud]

This is one of those "how can anyone even know that, Napoleon?" statistics. How would one even derive an effectiveness percentage?

I mean, really?

When I was a zone leader, we had sisters who were reporting 80 work hours for a couple of weeks. I asked the district leader what they were doing, and he said that they had made a covenant with the Lord that they would work 80 hours a week. How, exactly, were they doing 80 hours? Well, they were leaving their apartment at 7:30 in the morning to ride their bikes for three hours (six hours round-trip) to a remote village to do a couple of hours of door-to-door. Most of the day was spent riding the bikes where there was a slim chance of talking to anybody.

What was their "effectiveness percentage?" I told the district leader to tell them that they were to use their time in actual finding and teaching, not bike-riding so that they could reach their 80 work hour goal.

I apologise, I intentially threw a lit match into a pan of gasoline.

[rongo]

I apologise, I intentially threw a lit match into a pan of gasoline.

No apology needed. I've heard that sisters are "way" more effective than elders, too, but see no evidence of that. There are good and bad sisters and good and bad elders, so there shouldn't be much generalizing, anyway.

[EllenMaksoud]

No apology needed. I've heard that sisters are "way" more effective than elders, too, but see no evidence of that. There are good and bad sisters and good and bad elders, so there shouldn't be much generalizing, anyway.

I was Muslim when I met the sisters. It would not have happened at all if it had not been sisters. I was very uneasy around Elders. That has since dissipated.

[Tyresias]

In regards to social pressure....

What happens when a young mormon feels like it is their obligation to go on a mission- even though their testimony isnt strong? Are there any self-persuasion tactics that could be employed to build up ones faith?

[Calm]

Are there any self-persuasion tactics that could be employed to build up ones faith?

Do you mean good ones or bad ones?

Are you asking in an abstract sense or a real situation? If it is real, I don't think one should assume that the approach is to use "tactics" of self persuasion, but rather go about the same process of building up one's faith that we are taught to do at other times.

[Michael Sanders]

"We affirm that missionary work is a priesthood duty—and we encourage all young men who are worthy and who are physically able and mentally capable, to respond to the call to serve. Many young women also serve, but they are not under the same mandate to serve as are the young men. We assure the young sisters of the Church, however, that they make a valuable contribution as missionaries, and we welcome their service."

This is a slippery slope...It should come as no surprise when a generation of young women have been brought up in such a system i.e., taking or having thrust upon them "a priesthood duty..." That they might entertain or be tempted to assume other priestly prerogatives.

I come out of the RLDS tradition and have seen firsthand some of the effects of women in the priesthood. In fact, several years ago our little branch made the trek to Kirtland OH where my son was baptized. Our LDS cousins graciously allowed us access to their property so the ordinance could be attended to in the Chagrin river.

The day before the baptism was to take place I had a brief interview with some of the LDS priesthood about our beliefs and rightly so. During the course of the conversation I attempted to discuss the differences in belief between those of us exiled in Restoration Branches and the Community of Christ (formerly the RLDS Church).

He asked if we believed in women in the priesthood - to which I said no. He then stated that the LDS didn't either and would never approve of such. At this point I cautioned, that the LDS Church was also susceptible to some of the same cultural currents that swept our church off its foundations. I briefly mentioned feminism, gender roles, etc...I stated that many of the seeds that later brought forth corruptible fruit in our experience may have been sown within your ranks as well.

I then took the opportunity to point out one glaring example in my view which was the practice of sending out sister missionaries two by two without scriptural warrant (regardless of how well intended). He kinda scoffed at the idea that this could be problematic for the rising generation. I said that I sure hope that proves to be the case.

I thought of this exchange as I've been surveying some of the recent developments about ordaining women in the LDS Church. Unfortunately, it's like a bad nightmare all over again. I would highly recommend looking at what has transpired in the Community of Christ over the last 50 or so years and do everything in your power to not follow that path. These kind of things generally happen by degrees and in the space of not many years things can be turned upside down. Perhaps a look at recent Community of Christ conference actions may show the trajectory of such thought and practice.

Mike Sanders

Book of Mormon Believer

Independence, MO

Edited May 12, 2013 by Michael Sanders

[rongo]

Appreciate the thoughts and the insight, Mike. I don't agree with the specific fear about sister missionaries who proselyte, though. We've had them for (possibly) over a hundred years, so it isn't as if it's a recent trend due to being swept along cultural currents. My great-grandmother was a sister missionary to the Central States (I believe ---- she was mainly in Iowa). I think agitating for ordination is largely among women who have not served missions, actually.

[Gillebre]

I would highly recommend looking at what has transpired in the Community of Christ over the last 50 or so years and do everything in your power to not follow that path.

So, things to avoid doing, in my opinion:

1. Distance ourselves from the reality of the First Vision and the nature of the Godhead.

2. Reject the Book of Mormon in every which way other than outright and obviously disowning it.

3. Succumb to the desires of the world and thereby give the stamp of approval to spiritually destructive interpersonal relationships (same-sex marriage).

4. Reject the name that the Lord Himself gave the Church in favor something other than the will of God.

I mean, it's really not that important to be recognized as The Church of Jesus Christ after all.

That's all I can think of at this late hour that we definitely should avoid doing, based on what I understand of the current state of affairs within the Community of Christ. I base that understanding on news articles read over time, as well as occasional threads here about the subject.

Michael, your words about things happening by degrees are 100% spot on and are exactly what everyone must keep in mind, else they may find themselves led away carefully by our common Enemy.

[Kenngo1969]

So, things to avoid doing, in my opinion:

1. Distance ourselves from the reality of the First Vision and the nature of the Godhead.

2. Reject the Book of Mormon in every which way other than outright and obviously disowning it.

3. Succumb to the desires of the world and thereby give the stamp of approval to spiritually destructive interpersonal relationships (same-sex marriage).

4. Reject the name that the Lord Himself gave the Church in favor something other than the will of God.

I mean, it's really not that important to be recognized as The Church of Jesus Christ after all.

That's all I can think of at this late hour that we definitely should avoid doing, based on what I understand of the current state of affairs within the Community of Christ. I base that understanding on news articles read over time, as well as occasional threads here about the subject.

Michael, your words about things happening by degrees are 100% spot on and are exactly what everyone must keep in mind, else they may find themselves led away carefully by our common Enemy.

My mom always tried to teach me to ask myself a few things before saying anything I was considering saying. She tried to teach me to ask, "Is it true? Is it kind? And is it necessary?" I wonder if this post is consistent with the spirit of chivalry befitting a Knight. Brother Sanders (despite our differing faith traditiions, we're all children of God) bills himself as a Book of Mormon believer. Who are you to question that? I would encourage you to tend to your own garden before looking at the weeds in someone else's. I could say more, but I have a meeting. Tootle-loo! (And happy Mother's Day, everyone!)