Paying For A Mission

[Damien the Leper]

First, I feel like by starting 2 new threads that I may come off like a narcissistic douchebag...so I apologize.Kinda.

I decided that want to pay for a young man's or young woman's mission, preferably someone who doesn't exactly have the financial ability to do so themselves. How would I go about this arrangement with the

church?

Also, my only condition is that the person pursue at least a master's degree education. Is that asking too much?

[blackstrap]

In Canada , one cannot contirbute funds to be specifically for a particular missionary.The Stake may be able to indicate a ward that has need of funds to support a missionary.

As to the condition,it might be tough enforcing such.

Now, if the funds were given by private agreement,that is another story.

[Damien the Leper]

Don't tell me that! I want to force Mormon to get a Master's. Jesus would do it!

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

First, I feel like by starting 2 new threads that I may come off like a narcissistic douchebag...so I apologize.Kinda.

I decided that want to pay for a young man's or young woman's mission, preferably someone who doesn't exactly have the financial ability to do so themselves. How would I go about this arrangement with the

church?

Also, my only condition is that the person pursue at least a master's degree education. Is that asking too much?

See the Bishop in your area.

[Tacenda]

Holy crap (sorry, that's the first thing I thought), that is so generous! I know there are needy familes out there, especially with the missionary age drop! My neighbor will have 2 missionaries out here soon and another one in a year. They're already strapped for cash. This is starting to be the norm in my ward, 2 or three siblings out at once with so many women going out now.

Edited February 22, 2013 by Tacenda

[Gillebre]

Not to selfishly plug anything, but I'm about to go on a mission soon, and I intend to pursue a masters or more in college.

lol.

[Stargazer]

When my grandson went on his mission to Brazil, we contributed a regular amount to his ward's ward missionary fund. His ward was aware of what money was to be forwarded to the Church for which missionary.

It's very easy, just go see the bishop of the relevant ward.

As to the masters program, well, there no rule that says you can't make a private agreement (a contract, even) with the prospective missionary that provides for what you want. You would have to enforce it outside the realm of the church, however.

[Sky]

First, I feel like by starting 2 new threads that I may come off like a narcissistic douchebag...so I apologize.Kinda.

I decided that want to pay for a young man's or young woman's mission, preferably someone who doesn't exactly have the financial ability to do so themselves. How would I go about this arrangement with the

church?

Also, my only condition is that the person pursue at least a master's degree education. Is that asking too much?

That's very thoughtful of you. But I'm not sure how you would go about it. Do you have anybody in particular in mind of who you want to do this for? Also, it might look kind of strange if the person is not related to you.

The condition about pursuing at least a Master's Degree is laudable, but on the other hand makes you seem like their parent. It could also create problems if the person decides they want to do other things with their life. Also, a Master's Degree is ambitious and takes time and some may not reach it. Perhaps a more reasonable condition is that they pursue some form of higher education, regardless of what it might be?

[TAO]

See the local Bishop! They'll be able to tell you what you what can be done =).

[Saints Alive]

I think your heart is in the right place but I'm not sure you should include the education requirement. I have no idea what your means are but perhaps you could sponsor a scholarship for return missionaries seeking higher education?

[Calm]

While I totally support the idea of promoting ever higher levels of education (I believe everyone should see themselves as in Perpetual Studenthood), perhaps an alternate approach that might feel your desire to aid others' education would be contributing to the Perpetual Education Fund or some other similar charity which gives funding to those who are often most in need of education and for whom it is most out of reach.

It is very nice though to give a face to the charities we are blessed to contribute to, that is why I always enjoy being able to help out relatives and friends who are going on missions as opposed to simply giving the same amount into the general missionary fund.

PEF: http://http://pef.lds.org/?locale=eng

Edited February 22, 2013 by calmoriah

[Damien the Leper]

I think your heart is in the right place but I'm not sure you should include the education requirement. I have no idea what your means are but perhaps you could sponsor a scholarship for return missionaries seeking higher education?

While I totally support the idea of promoting ever higher levels of education (I believe everyone should see themselves as in Perpetual Studenthood), perhaps an alternate approach that might feel your desire to aid others' education would be contributing to the Perpetual Education Fund or some other similar charity which gives funding to those who are often most in need of education and for whom it is most out of reach.

It is very nice though to give a face to the charities we are blessed to contribute to, that is why I always enjoy being able to help out relatives and friends who are going on missions as opposed to simply giving the same amount into the general missionary fund.

PEF: http://http://pef.lds.org/?locale=eng

I think starting a scholarship would be awesome and a better alternative as opposed to conditionalizing education. Here is the name:

The Moses Thatcher Scholarship for Continuing Education

[Freedom]

Why would you require a masters degree? What would this accomplish? What if this person wants to become a plumber, or start his/her own painting company, or become a teacher. What if this person is worthy and willing to serve but just does not have the academic skills to make it in university? I know many people with masters degrees who are making less than $50,000 and a whole lot with no post secondary education who are earning more than $100,000. I do not have a masters degree, although I have 4 professional designations.

What happens if they commit to getting a masters degree, go on a mission, and are prompted to join the military as a chaplain, or discovers their strengths are in sales where a masters degree (other than perhaps an MBA) would be rather useless? Will you make them pay you back? Peoples talents, and the demands of the global market are to divers to require someone so young to commit to such a specific education path. The greatest gift you can give them is the power to forge their own destiny.

[Saints Alive]

Why would you require a masters degree? ...What happens if they commit to getting a masters degree, go on a mission, and are prompted to join the military as a chaplain, or discovers their strengths are in sales where a masters degree (other than perhaps an MBA) would be rather useless?

US military chaplains are required to hold a masters in either theology or counseling, even if your denomination doesn't require any degree to be ordained.

[BlueDreams]

First, I feel like by starting 2 new threads that I may come off like a narcissistic douchebag...so I apologize.Kinda.

I gave you a rep point just for that sentence.

I decided that want to pay for a young man's or young woman's mission, preferably someone who doesn't exactly have the financial ability to do so themselves. How would I go about this arrangement with the

church?

I'm not sure...I think you'd talk to your local bishop. I know it was a big help to me....most of my mission was not paid by myself or my family. When I have more money to my name, I plan to pay it forward. It is something I take very seriously and with a ton of gratitude. It meant that my savings went largely untouched and I was able to jump right back into school when I returned.

Also, my only condition is that the person pursue at least a master's degree education. Is that asking too much?

Yeah, probably...especially if you don't know them directly. But in continuing in the narcissist spirit, I'm planning on starting my masters this fall....will that count? We are a faith that believes in vicarious works . Besides in some fields a master's degree can be overrated or unnecessary.

With luv,

BD

Edited February 22, 2013 by BlueDreams

[Duncan]

In Canada , one cannot contirbute funds to be specifically for a particular missionary.The Stake may be able to indicate a ward that has need of funds to support a missionary.

As to the condition,it might be tough enforcing such.

Now, if the funds were given by private agreement,that is another story.

I know in like 2010 in Cardston a friend of mine's nephew was going on a mission and he didn't have the cash. His family was dirt poor and the dad was awol and the Mom's living situation basically deteriorated to living with my friend and their family. So, the Kid didn't have any money so my friend offered to pay the whole thing himself but the Bishop said no. My friend was infuriated like what difference does it make where the money comes from? He is a hard worker and lives in Cardston like he needs a break in life. So, this Bishop said save up as much as you can in x amount of months and see where you are at. My friend told his nephew save up whatever and then i'll give you the rest so you won't have to fiddle faddle around with this waiting business so that's what they did and the kid went out, the Bishop thinks this kid came up with the full amount...As you may know in the 3 stakes in Sask and MB only 12% of eligible men ordained to the M. Priesthood actually go on missions with a low activity rate only some years after they come home, which is sad. So a kid wanting to go shouldn't be held back by lack of moolah

Edited February 22, 2013 by Duncan

[rpn]

If you are in the US and you contribute to the church for a missionary, your funds do not go directly to them (because that would remove it from the category of charitable donation and tax deductibility, and put the church in a fiduciary position for the missionary which it wouldn't accept to be in. And in order to have an enforceable contract, there has to be consideration. I don't know how you get that if the missionary is already going on a mission, and already planning to get a masters.

You could just interview the missionaries and decide which you think will go where the Savior wants them to go, and then pay to that ward missionary fund.

[ERayR]

First, I feel like by starting 2 new threads that I may come off like a narcissistic douchebag...so I apologize.Kinda.

I decided that want to pay for a young man's or young woman's mission, preferably someone who doesn't exactly have the financial ability to do so themselves. How would I go about this arrangement with the

church?

Also, my only condition is that the person pursue at least a master's degree education. Is that asking too much?

You can contribute to a missionary's mission by contributing to the missionary's ward and designating on the donation slip that it is for the missionary. Like several others I think the education requirement may be difficult to enforce if one of them has a change of life goals before finishing their degree. Ideally an agreement between you would be their bond and for the most part probably will be but we live in the world and there are a few missionaries who have trouble living up to gospel standards.

I think your plan is laudable and wish you success in carrying it out.

[ERayR]

I know in like 2010 in Cardston a friend of mine's nephew was going on a mission and he didn't have the cash. His family was dirt poor and the dad was awol and the Mom's living situation basically deteriorated to living with my friend and their family. So, the Kid didn't have any money so my friend offered to pay the whole thing himself but the Bishop said no. My friend was infuriated like what difference does it make where the money comes from? He is a hard worker and lives in Cardston like he needs a break in life. So, this Bishop said save up as much as you can in x amount of months and see where you are at. My friend told his nephew save up whatever and then i'll give you the rest so you won't have to fiddle faddle around with this waiting business so that's what they did and the kid went out, the Bishop thinks this kid came up with the full amount...As you may know in the 3 stakes in Sask and MB only 12% of eligible men ordained to the M. Priesthood actually go on missions with a low activity rate only some years after they come home, which is sad. So a kid wanting to go shouldn't be held back by lack of moolah

I can't imagine what his bishop was thinking. Many years ago a ward I knew of was raising building fund money. For several months they unloaded whiskey from trucks at a warehouse. The feeling was that a non-member dollar was worth just as much as Mormon dollar and it was one way to get non-members to help pay for a new church building.