Shocking Missionary Story, Folklore?

[bjw]

I attended a missionary fireside last week and there was a story that an old man gave that I wonder if anyone else has heard it or if it might be missionary folklore. He said that a young man was only about half way through his mission when the doctor told him he had an infection in his leg and needed a surgery where a cadaver bone would be put in his leg to replace the bone, and he would leave his mission to go home and recover. He asked the doctor if there were other options. The doctor said the only other option was to lose the leg and get it replaced by a wooden stump. He chose the amputation just so he could finish his mission. The old man reiterated that the gospel is worth any sacrifice

I was very shocked at the story, not necessarily because the kid would make such a sacrifice, but that the story was told at an event that we were expected to bring potential converts to. I was afraid it might turn off some because they would think we demand too much from our members, even though I love our church I don't know if I would have the guts to make such a sacrifice.

Anyone have an opinion on whether this type of story is appropriate, and has anyone heard it?

Edited April 16, 2014 by bjw

[Duncan]

never heard it before, sounds like a Pirated story though

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

Gonna go with mormon folk lore on this one. The principal taught in this story is correct but...... I would need more evidence before I bought into the story.

[mormonnewb]

I attended a missionary fireside last week and there was a story that an old man gave that I wonder if anyone else has heard it or if it might be missionary folklore. He said that a young man was only about half way through his mission when the doctor told him he had an infection in his leg and needed a surgery where a cadaver bone would be put in his leg to replace the bone, and he would leave his mission to go home and recover. He asked the doctor if there were other options. The doctor said the only other option was to lose the leg and get it replaced by a wooden stump. He chose the amputation just so he could finish his mission. The old man reiterated that the gospel is worth any sacrifice

I was very shocked at the story, not necessarily because the kid would make such a sacrifice, but that the story was told at an event that we were expected to bring potential converts to. I was afraid it might turn off some because they would think we demand too much from our members, even though I love our church I don't know if I would have the guts to make such a sacrifice.

Anyone have an opinion on whether this type of story is appropriate, and has anyone heard it?

I don't know if its true, but I agree that it's probably one of those things we should keep "sacred but not secret." I'd hate to have my EV friends not just checking for my horns, but my wooden leg as well;) SMH

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

I attended a missionary fireside last week and there was a story that an old man gave that I wonder if anyone else has heard it or if it might be missionary folklore. He said that a young man was only about half way through his mission when the doctor told him he had an infection in his leg and needed a surgery where a cadaver bone would be put in his leg to replace the bone, and he would leave his mission to go home and recover. He asked the doctor if there were other options. The doctor said the only other option was to lose the leg and get it replaced by a wooden stump. He chose the amputation just so he could finish his mission. The old man reiterated that the gospel is worth any sacrifice

I was very shocked at the story, not necessarily because the kid would make such a sacrifice, but that the story was told at an event that we were expected to bring potential converts to. I was afraid it might turn off some because they would think we demand too much from our members, even though I love our church I don't know if I would have the guts to make such a sacrifice.

Anyone have an opinion on whether this type of story is appropriate, and has anyone heard it?

A "kid" would not be allowed,to even make that decision...in the early Church, "men" served and spent most of their time getting too and from their missions. But no, never heard of anything like this.

[CV75]

I was afraid it might turn off some because they would think we demand too much from our members, even though I love our church I don't know if I would have the guts to make such a sacrifice.

I'd be more concerned that guests would think it was made up and let that get in the way of progress. I think it is made up but don't let it get in the way of progress. So I would ask them what they thought, deal with whatever their concerns might be, get a chuckle out of it, and move on from there to more important things.

[wenglund]

Never heard it, and I wasn't there, so I can't vouch for it one way or another.

 

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[Kenngo1969]

A "kid" would not be allowed,to even make that decision...in the early Church, "men" served and spent most of their time getting too and from their missions. But no, never heard of anything like this.

I question the genuineness of the story.  I don't know that you're correct that an eighteen-year-old would not be permitted, under U.S.  law, to make the weighty decision under discussion.  In the eyes of U.S. law, for most purposes, anyone over eighteen is considered to be an adult and (absent some question as to his decision-making capacity) is presumed to have the right to make such a decision independently.  In fact, a medical provider who broke that person's confidence to solicit the input of, e.g., a parent, would probably be considered to have violated federal law. 

Edited April 17, 2014 by Kenngo1969

[omni]

I attended a missionary fireside last week and there was a story that an old man gave that I wonder if anyone else has heard it or if it might be missionary folklore. He said that a young man was only about half way through his mission when the doctor told him he had an infection in his leg and needed a surgery where a cadaver bone would be put in his leg to replace the bone, and he would leave his mission to go home and recover. He asked the doctor if there were other options. The doctor said the only other option was to lose the leg and get it replaced by a wooden stump. He chose the amputation just so he could finish his mission. The old man reiterated that the gospel is worth any sacrifice

I was very shocked at the story, not necessarily because the kid would make such a sacrifice, but that the story was told at an event that we were expected to bring potential converts to. I was afraid it might turn off some because they would think we demand too much from our members, even though I love our church I don't know if I would have the guts to make such a sacrifice.

Anyone have an opinion on whether this type of story is appropriate, and has anyone heard it?

 

I'm more concerned with this being used as a faith-promoting story than I am with it veracity.  A prospective missionary could easy interpret this story as what they should do if they were to encounter a debilitating illness or injury.  There is absolutely no loss in honor to a missionary who returns home for medical reasons.

[bjw]

I'm more concerned with this being used as a faith-promoting story than I am with it veracity.  A prospective missionary could easy interpret this story as what they should do if they were to encounter a debilitating illness or injury.  There is absolutely no loss in honor to a missionary who returns home for medical reasons.

I was thinking the same thing. I don't understand why God would expect someone to go through that and why another missionary couldn't be called to fulfill whatever plans God had for potential converts. I also think it shouldn't be used as a faith promoting story.

[Kenngo1969]

I'm more concerned with this being used as a faith-promoting story than I am with it veracity.  A prospective missionary could easy interpret this story as what they should do if they were to encounter a debilitating illness or injury.  There is absolutely no loss in honor to a missionary who returns home for medical reasons.

One faced with such a prospect should seek the Spirit and follow it: it might be right for one missionary faced with serious health challenges to remain in the mission field, while it might be right for another missionary in a similar situation to return home.  (But you're right: an account like this should not be used to attempt to "guilt" anyone into staying in the field. )

[Bikeemikey]

On my mission an elder had an incident with his bike seat that resulted in the loss of a "nut" as in a piece if anatomy (singular).

One day the assistant to the president was having a yell fest at a training conference and was going off about what we hadn't been willing to sacrifice for the missionary effort.

This elder said, assistant so & so, "I've sacrificed my right nut, tell me what you've sacrificed?"

True story... Hilarious as well...

As for this other story, even joseph smith took the time to get surgery to help save his leg!!!

That story is likely untrue, in addition to being dumb!

Edited April 17, 2014 by Bikeemikey

[Garden Girl]

IMO... not true... and it makes me cringe that it was told at a missionary fireside with prospective investigators in attendance.  I don't even find it faith promoting...

 

GG

[Calm]

I can't imagine a mission president not attempting to talk the kid out of having it done.

 

Recovery from amputation to the point of being able to wear a prosthetic takes time and physical therapy to learn how to walk again.  The story must be a fake, there is no way the missionary would recover enough to be walking around on a wooden stump like he used to quickly enough to make it worth it imo.  Even high tech prosthetics take time for the limb to heal enough to be able to be attached and learn to walk as they used to.

 

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Amputation/Pages/Recovery.aspx

Edited April 17, 2014 by calmoriah

[cinepro]

I can't imagine a mission president not attempting to talk the kid out of having it done.

 

Recovery from amputation to the point of being able to wear a prosthetic takes time and physical therapy to learn how to walk again.  The story must be a fake, there is no way the missionary would recover enough to be walking around on a wooden stump like he used to quickly enough to make it worth it imo.  Even high tech prosthetics take time for the limb to heal enough to be able to be attached and learn to walk as they used to.

 

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Amputation/Pages/Recovery.aspx

 

 

That's what my first thought was.  Amputation isn't something that gets done at an outpatient clinic in the morning so you can make your 11am tee time.   It's major, life altering surgery and you aren't walking, cycling or driving any time soon.  It will be weeks or months of recovery. 

 

That guy has got to stop telling that story.

[Senator]

. The principal taught in this story is correct but......

 

No

 

A prospective missionary with such a condition would be denied a full service call.

 

A current serving missionary would be released to get the proper medical care.

[Buzzard]

I LOVE a good faith-promoting rumor. They are so much better than the true ones. 

[rockpond]

A "cadaver bone"?  How old is this story?

[Bikeemikey]

That's what my first thought was. Amputation isn't something that gets done at an outpatient clinic in the morning so you can make your 11am tee time. It's major, life altering surgery and you aren't walking, cycling or driving any time soon. It will be weeks or months of recovery.

That guy has got to stop telling that story.

When is it appropriate to stand up and in the middle of a talk say let's all pretend we never heard that and move on?

[ERayR]

I question the genuineness of the story.  I don't know that you're correct that an eighteen-year-old would not be permitted, under U.S.  law, to make the weighty decision under discussion.  In the eyes of U.S. law, for most purposes, anyone over eighteen is considered to be an adult and (absent some question as to his decision-making capacity) is presumed to have the right to make such a decision independently.  In fact, a medical provider who broke that person's confidence to solicit the input of, e.g., a parent, would probably be considered to have violated federal law. 

 

IMO you are correct and he could have made the choice.  That being said an amputation is a very serious operation requiring a lengthy recuperation and he would have been sent home for medical reasons either way.

 

I see Cinepro beat me to it.

Edited April 17, 2014 by ERayR

[toon]

I attended a missionary fireside last week and there was a story that an old man gave that I wonder if anyone else has heard it or if it might be missionary folklore. He said that a young man was only about half way through his mission when the doctor told him he had an infection in his leg and needed a surgery where a cadaver bone would be put in his leg to replace the bone, and he would leave his mission to go home and recover. He asked the doctor if there were other options. The doctor said the only other option was to lose the leg and get it replaced by a wooden stump. He chose the amputation just so he could finish his mission. The old man reiterated that the gospel is worth any sacrifice

I was very shocked at the story, not necessarily because the kid would make such a sacrifice, but that the story was told at an event that we were expected to bring potential converts to. I was afraid it might turn off some because they would think we demand too much from our members, even though I love our church I don't know if I would have the guts to make such a sacrifice.

Anyone have an opinion on whether this type of story is appropriate, and has anyone heard it?

 

Demanding a member from a member is pretty close to as much as can be demanded.

[daz2]

I cannot imagine that story's being true.

[Garden Girl]

When is it appropriate to stand up and in the middle of a talk say let's all pretend we never heard that and move on?

 

This story is so embarrassingly dumb, I think I would have stood up and said something... simple common sense in regard to the severity of such a surgery, and the months of recuperation time and the time it takes to properly fit a prosthetic device after the leg is healed makes such a story an obvious fabrication.  Perhaps, bjw, you can contact the organizers of the fireside and urge them to not let this happen again...  I mean it!  It's embarrassing. 

 

GG

[Doug the Hutt]

What a horrible story. How offensive to people who do leave their missions for medical reasons. What is the name and address of the man? I REALLY want to talk at him personally.

[cinepro]

This story is so embarrassingly dumb, I think I would have stood up and said something... simple common sense in regard to the severity of such a surgery, and the months of recuperation time and the time it takes to properly fit a prosthetic device after the leg is healed makes such a story an obvious fabrication.  Perhaps, bjw, you can contact the organizers of the fireside and urge them to not let this happen again...  I mean it!  It's embarrassing. 

 

GG

 

There's just no tactful way to publicly "correct" the situation.  At most, I would approach the speaker after the talk and tell him I was interested in learning more about the story and ask for more details (i.e. "CFR").  Then I would try to research it and let the speaker know what I found.

 

But if it wasn't possible to research it properly (or the results were inconclusive), I would just call the speaker a few days later and tell him I had confirmed it didn't happen.