New Missionary Applications Rising Dramatically!

[Tacenda]

There are plenty of RMs now that leave the faith, why do you think it will suddenly be different?

Yes, there will be some that do. But the numbers will make a big difference. With the increase of females especially. And females sometimes take the hand of their husbands and guide them into a truer faith. Not all mind you but according to some men in the church they give alot of credit to their wives for keeping them in the faith. Edited November 3, 2012 by Tacenda

[volgadon]

Yes, there will be some that do. But the numbers will make a big difference. With the increase of females especially. And females sometimes take the hand of their husbands and guide them into a truer faith. Not all mind you but according to some men in the church they give alot of credit to their wives for keeping them in the faith.

The reverse is equally true.

[Sleeper Cell]

I've watched over the past several summers as my girls were "giddy" along with the entire youth group - all leading up to the day of their week long mission trip (one of several, smaller ones throughout the year are local). This last trip put them in Luling, TX, with temperatures reaching 105-110 nearly every day. They rebuilt/refurbished 4 houses for elderly people. The kids cannot wait to get there to sweat, exhaust themselves, and be of service to God with their actions. So, I think my wife and I have produced some really great girls along with our church and great youth minister.

I think there are many great LDS youth who devote themselves to their church because they love God but your comments show arrogance and smack with the 'look at us - our church is better than your church and our parents are better than your parents."

I'm sure we could bring up statistics of youth that don't reach full term because of indiscretions and are sent home early. Are those failed parents? NO!

It's great that youth, regardless of denomination, want to go and serve - at any age!

A few years ago, a prominent non-LDS church leader/theologian coined the term “holy envy” to recognize that other churches (even those with whom he has major theological differences) do some good things much better than any other church, including his own.

For example, I have “holy envy” of the Roman Catholic parochial schools and the Salvation Army ministry to those who are utterly destitute. Recognizing that other churches do some good things much better than my church does not demean my church, nor is it arrogant for members of those other churches to take a certain amount of “holy pride” in the fact.

Rather than simply point out the good that your church is doing, you go out of your way to demean the accomplishments of the LDS church. You could have simply said:

I've watched over the past several summers as my girls were "giddy" along with the entire youth group - all leading up to the day of their week long mission trip (one of several, smaller ones throughout the year are local). This last trip put them in Luling, TX, with temperatures reaching 105-110 nearly every day. They rebuilt/refurbished 4 houses for elderly people. The kids cannot wait to get there to sweat, exhaust themselves, and be of service to God with their actions. So, I think my wife and I have produced some really great girls along with our church and great youth minister. …

It's great that youth, regardless of denomination, want to go and serve - at any age

“

Frankly, your comments, as they stand, come across as “unholy envy.”

[Duncan]

There are plenty of RMs now that leave the faith, why do you think it will suddenly be different?

exactley

[Calm]

The reverse is equally true.

Indeed, when both are working toward the same goal, it is much easier not to lose sight of it, whatever that goal may be. Each is there to pick up the other when they stumble and simply knowing someone expects something of you---someone you care about---is a strong motivation. Edited November 3, 2012 by calmoriah

[Calm]

exactley

If a change occurs, it will be a result IMO not due to age at marriage or missionaries being allegedly locked into one lifestyle, unaware of what is out there, but rather the lower divorce rate and higher commitment among couples where both are RMs. Higher numbers of female RMs mean more two RM families out there with all the benefits that have been demonstrated to correspond to them.

[bluebell]

I think that the younger age is going to cement the youth to the church. Once they go on their missions, take out their endowments first, they are totally commited since they have made covenants in the temple. With no opportunity to venture onto another way of life. On their mission they are under the watchful care of a mission president. So independence or freedom to choose what they do without repercussions is not there during the mission. Their life is spelled out for them. Like someone mentioned on here before, it will grow the church.

First-having served a mission, i can attest that there is plenty of opportunity on a mission for freedom and independence. No one makes sure that a missionary follows the rules. They are on their own to follow or not. It's not unusual for a pair of missionaries to be the only missionaries in 50 or more miles and it's not unusual for the mission president to be as much as 500 miles from most missionaries for most of their mission. There is oversight, but typically it is limited.

Second-there is no such thing, in life, as independence or freedom of choice without repercussions. There are always consequences for our choices.

[BlueDreams]

What bluebell said.

Mission life is surprisingly not that supervised on the day to day. It's based heavily on trust, integrity, and personal accountability.

With luv,

BD

[sdc999]

A few years ago, a prominent non-LDS church leader/theologian coined the term “holy envy” to recognize that other churches (even those with whom he has major theological differences) do some good things much better than any other church, including his own.

For example, I have “holy envy” of the Roman Catholic parochial schools and the Salvation Army ministry to those who are utterly destitute. Recognizing that other churches do some good things much better than my church does not demean my church, nor is it arrogant for members of those other churches to take a certain amount of “holy pride” in the fact.

Rather than simply point out the good that your church is doing, you go out of your way to demean the accomplishments of the LDS church. You could have simply said:

I did not demean the accomplishments of the LDS church. I think it's a great accomplishment and might go back and reread but I think I even said something to the effect of any kids who serve are doing great things. What I guess I 'demeaned' was PaPa's phrasing. I read his sentence to several people and they all came to the same conclusion of his 'maybe/maybe not' intended meaning. 'My organization can accomplish this and yours cannot and our parents can accomplish this and yours cannot'. Two were LDS and only one asked if this was in reference to the missionary age.

If we would have simply phrased how proud he was that his organization was able to accomplish this feat and kudos to the parents who have raised fine youth, the sentence would have come off as simply proud. IMHO

“

Frankly, your comments, as they stand, come across as “unholy envy.”

[Calm]

What bluebell said.

Mission life is surprisingly not that supervised on the day to day. It's based heavily on trust, integrity, and personal accountability.

With luv,

BD

There is a reason why so many see a mission as resulting in more mature, self motivated individuals than two years away from home at college or even working for a living, the typical choices post high school. How can a greater lack of independence result in a more independent individual? Edited November 4, 2012 by calmoriah