Popular Post smac97 Posted October 20, 2017 Popular Post Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) Here: Quote LDS Church plans to decrease missions; utilize tech savviness to locate religious-minded people By Jason Swensen @JNSwensen Published: Oct. 20, 2017 9:05 a.m. SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced plans Friday to trim its number of missions “to better fit the needs of each region of the world,” to replace the use of tablets in missions with smartphones and to increase the use of technology to help find people interested in religion. Additionally, Church leaders introduced a standard set of interview questions “to be asked of prospective missionaries uniformly across the world,” according to a Mormon Newsroom release. This seems like a significant change in the missionary program of the Church. I wonder what the interview questions are. Quote Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles alluded to such changes in the Church’s vast missionary program on June 28 at the annual seminar for new mission presidents. “The most important thing I can say to you by way of introduction is that we are in an unusual and extremely important transition in our missionary work in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” he said. ... Decreases in missions In 2012, President Thomas S. Monson announced the change in the ages for missionary service. Young men could begin full-time missionary service at 18, while young women could begin at age 19. A surge of missionaries occurred following President Monson’s announcement. The number of elder and sisters serving full-time missions reportedly jumped from 58,000 to 88,000 in just a few years. Five years after the age changes, with missionaries spread throughout more than 400 missions, the Church will be implementing reductions to achieve an overall number “that better fits the total number of missionaries and the needs of each region,” according to Mormon Newsroom. “We’ve leveled off to around 70,000 missionaries — still way up from the 58,000 we had,” Elder Nielson said. “In the orderly process of accommodating changes in our numbers, we’ll be slowly closing missions because we don’t need as many as we required for the great increase we experienced in 2012-13.” That makes sense, I suppose. Quote Utilizing the latest in technology The Church has long recognized that missionary methods and approaches need to be updated “as cultures and technologies shift and change,” according the Mormon Newsroom. After consulting with leaders in the technology world, the number of missions using mobile devices is being increased from 87 to 162. “Tablets are being replaced with smartphones, and in the future, most missionaries will arrive on their mission with a smartphone to assist them in their study, finding and teaching,” the release noted. Church leaders are certain technologies can identify those who might be interested in the gospel. The Church plans to continue utilizing such tools to help those interested in spiritual things connect with the Church’s resources. My son is currently serving as a Church Service Missionary. He works in the Referral Center at the MTC in Provo. He spends most of his days in online text chats with people from all over the world. He is also the Assistant Ward Mission Leader in our ward (he lives at home), so he has had quite a bit of in-person missionary service as well. It's been an amazing experience for him. The times, they are a changin'... Thanks, -Smac Edit to Add: More here: https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865691425/Prospective-missionaries-will-now-answer-a-standardized-list-of-questions-during-interviews.html Quote SALT LAKE CITY — LDS Church leaders announced Friday that all prospective missionaries, worldwide, will now answer a standardized list of questions in their interviews with priesthood leaders. "For those preparing for missions, Church leaders have approved a standard set of interview questions to be asked of prospective missionaries uniformly across the world," according to statement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released on Mormon Newsroom. "The hope is that each young man and woman will be familiar with them years before they formally prepare to serve so they have a more complete understanding of the rigorous requirements of missionary work." ... For bishops and stake presidents, interviewing a prospective missionary is regarded as a sacred experience, "characterized by great love and the guidance of the Holy Ghost," according to a Church letter sent to local priesthood leaders. "As prospective missionaries and their priesthood leaders counsel together, they will discern the ability and capacity of each individual to serve," the letter said. The letter also noted that priesthood leaders should ensure that each prospective missionary and his or her parents or guardians receive and understand the requirements for full-time missionary service well in advance of the missionary candidate's interview. "These questions do not represent any change in the standards for missionary service," the letter added. Questions focus on a prospective missionary's faith in and testimony of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost; repentance from past transgressions; and adherence to gospel standards. In addition a prospective missionary will be asked about his or her physical, mental, and emotional health; debt; and criminal history. The Church also released responses to several anticipated questions about the standardized missionary questions: ... Why are these questions different than for a temple recommend? Many of the interview questions are similar to those asked in a standard temple recommend interview and are included to help priesthood leaders determine whether a prospective missionary is worthy to serve. However, missionary service is far more physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding than is temple attendance. The additional questions help gauge the prospective missionary’s physical, mental, and emotional preparedness to serve. Edited October 20, 2017 by smac97 6
bsjkki Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 Prospective missionaries will be asked 16 new questions before they are able to serve. http://www.sltrib.com/religion/local/2017/10/20/church-unveils-16-new-questions-for-prospective-mormon-missionaries-to-ensure-they-are-ready-worthy-and-able-to-serve/ https://www.lds.org/church/news/church-releases-standard-missionary-interview-questions?lang=eng&_r=1&cid=HP_FR_20-10-2017_dPFD_fCNWS_xLIDyL2_ http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-missionary-changes-2017 http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/multimedia/file/Standard-Interview-Questions-for-Prospective-Missionaries.pdf The Trib links to the actual questions. I was having trouble copying them into this so if anyone else wants to add them to the thread--I've got to run to a meeting. "Gary Crittenden, managing director of the LDS missionary department, said the changes come after the church reviewed how to improve its missionary program. “We really have been focused on looking at absolutely every element of missionary operations, starting from when a missionary is thinking about preparing, through the experience he has on his mission, and even after that,” he said. “And through that we’ve found opportunities where we think we can improve.” Topics merged. OP that was posted first (by 2 minutes) remains. 2
Popular Post Amulek Posted October 20, 2017 Popular Post Posted October 20, 2017 Interview Questions 1. Do you have faith in and a testimony of God the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost? 2. Do you have a testimony that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God and the Savior and Redeemer of the world? Please share your testimony with me. How has the Atonement of Jesus Christ influenced your life? 3. What does it mean to you to repent? Do you feel that you have fully repented of past transgressions? 4. Will you share your testimony with me that the gospel and Church of Jesus Christ have been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith and that [current Church President] is a prophet of God? 5. Full-time missionary service requires living gospel standards. What do you understand about the following standards? a. The law of chastity In reference to the law of chastity, have you always lived in accordance with what has been discussed? If not, how long ago did the transgression(s) occur? What have you done to repent? b. Avoiding pornography c. The law of tithing d. The Word of Wisdom, including the use of drugs or the abuse of prescribed medications e. Keeping the Sabbath day holy f. Being honest in all you say and do Have you lived in accordance with all of these standards? Are you now living in accordance with them? Will you live in accordance with them as a full-time missionary? 6. Do you have any legal actions pending against you? (If yes, ask the candidate to explain in detail possible legal or financial obligations. See Handbook 1: Stake Presidents and Bishops [2010], 4.4.) 7. Have you ever committed a serious violation of criminal law, regardless of whether or not you were arrested, you were convicted, or the record was expunged? (If yes, ask the missionary candidate to explain in detail what happened, the outcome of any criminal charges, whether there are criminal or other legal requirements that have not been completed, and what he or she has done to repent. See Handbook 1: Stake Presidents and Bishops [2010], 4.4 and “Serious Transgressions” in 4.5.2.) 8. Have you ever sexually abused a child in any way, regardless of whether or not you were charged, you were convicted, or the record was expunged? (If yes, and the abuse has not been reported, see Handbook 1: Stake Presidents and Bishops [2010], 17.3.2, for instructions. If the abuse was previously resolved, see Handbook 1, 4.4, for direction.) 9. Have you ever committed any other serious transgression or misdeed that should be resolved before your mission? (If yes, ask the candidate to explain in detail what happened, the outcome of any criminal charges, whether there are criminal or other legal requirements that have not been completed, and what he or she has done to repent.) 10. Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? 11. Do you have any unpaid debts? How will these debts be paid off before your mission or managed while you serve a mission? (See Handbook 1: Stake Presidents and Bishops [2010], 4.4.) 12. Do you currently have or have you ever had any physical, mental, or emotional condition that would make it difficult for you to maintain a normal missionary schedule, which requires that you work for 12–15 hours a day, including studying for 2–4 hours a day, walking or biking for up to 8–10 hours a day, and so forth? 13. Have you ever been diagnosed with or received treatment for dyslexia or other reading disorder? If so, are you comfortable reading the scriptures and other documents aloud? Do you believe that you could memorize appropriate scriptures and other information with the assistance of your companion? In what ways do you now compensate for this disorder? 14. Have you ever been diagnosed with or received treatment for a speech disorder? If so, are you comfortable speaking in front of others? Do you feel that you have adequate tools to help you learn, teach, and communicate? 15. Have you ever been on medication or otherwise treated for any of the following conditions: attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD), anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or autism spectrum disorder (including Asperger’s)? If yes, please explain. 16. If you were being treated for one of these conditions and discontinued treatment, did you do so under a doctor’s supervision? If not, why did you stop? How well have you been functioning without treatment or medication? When was the last time you were on medication for these issues? 5
Amulek Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 These all seem like the sort of things a bishop ought to know about a prospective missionary before recommending him/her for a mission. 3
Kenngo1969 Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 Smac97: My entire post is off-topic, so sue me! (I will waive formal service and will accept service via a PDF copy of your complaint attached to an e-mail. If you will not be representing yourself, tell your attorney that, since I'm poor ... notwithstanding the old adage that an attorney who represents himself has a fool for a client ... I will be representing myself, and s/he's free to contact me directly. Now, with the legal niceties out of the way ... Mega--major-kudos to your son, Sir. Notwithstanding some limitations, I served a "regular" proselyting mission. See here (last accessed today): https://www.lds.org/new-era/1993/02/we-did-it?lang=eng&_r=1. I would not do so under today's "Raised Bar" standards. I was, perhaps, a liability to several of my companions, in more ways than one. In retrospect, I would have benefitted from the "outside-the-box" thinking which has occurred since my mission that has expanded the conception of what it means to be a(n effective) missionary. On the one hand, there were (are) my limitations; on the other, I have some unique strengths, talents, and abilities which could have been employed to great(er) benefit on my mission, had that sort of "outside-the-box" thinking occurred then. Please thank your son for his service, and remind him that, very possibly, he's reaching more people in more ways than you and I ever could have dreamed of doing as full-time missionaries, and that it's not where one serves, but how. Whatever arrangements have been made to maximize his chances for success and to ensure that his unique challenges are met, his sacrifice is acceptable to the Lord, just as anyone else's sincere sacrifice of time, talents, and other resources is. (In fact, given his challenges, it's very possible that the Lord has an even greater appreciation for those sacrifices than he does for the sacrifices of someone without such challenges.) Thanks, -Ken 4
Duncan Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) I wonder what the new missions are now! This mission is HUGE. There are 3 stakes and a district in it-geographically it would make sense to create a new mission here Although it seems that this is raising the bar by actually raising the bar and not just saying it. My opinion is the last time in the early it was just a nice thing to say but nothing ever really changed. Edited October 20, 2017 by Duncan
ksfisher Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 1 hour ago, Amulek said: These all seem like the sort of things a bishop ought to know about a prospective missionary before recommending him/her for a mission. They are usually. It is possible that a young man may move into a ward just prior to putting in his papers. There is also value in asking the questions in an interview setting. 2
stemelbow Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 Quote We’ve leveled off to around 70,000 missionaries — still way up from the 58,000 we had,” Elder Nielson said. “In the orderly process of accommodating changes in our numbers, we’ll be slowly closing missions because we don’t need as many as we required for the great increase we experienced in 2012-13.” It's quite likely and possible, we'd have either rmore missionaries than we have now, without the age change, or about the same amount. Consider: Year M Count % Change from Prev 2010 52,225 .95% 2011 55,410 6.1% 2012 58,990 6.5% 2013 83,035 40.8% 2014 85,147 2.5% 2015 74,079 -13% 2016 70,946 -4.23 Estimation if no age change 2010 52,225 .95% 2011 55,410 6.1% 2012 58,990 6.5% 2013 60,769 3% 2014 63,278 4.1% 2015 66,396 4.9% 2016 69,472 4.2% It could be that the count grew by 6 percent or more too. Meaning in 2016 we could have ended with 75,000 missionaries. Maybe the "revelation" of the age change produced an overall negative?
rpn Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 The difference is in the explicitness about the various disabilities. Lots of missionaries want to pretend they can read when they cannot, or can stay on task, when they struggle ---- sometimes even with medication. Some of the accommodations should be considerably easier with everyone having a smartphone (ability to change the font or background of what you are reading, have the device change text to speech, which improves comprehension for lots of those with reading disabilities. But if the kiddo is too out of shape to walk for long periods of time, or any other condition that may not surface unless directly asked (and for missionaries whose parents have largely advocated for them , may not even know the full nature of the diagnoses), explicit questions that their parents also know about will help avoid setting prospective missionaries up for failure, AND allow the church to send missionaries to where their services will be useful. 2
stemelbow Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 I think young men are struggling with this stuff. The number of sisters, we are told, doubled. Which also suggests there are less young men going then used to. If the Church had revelation to change the age for women and left the men, it is also likely that the number of young men going would have continued to increase, and the number of young women would have increased very quickly, as it did. We might have leveled off at a number, right now, that is over 80,000, if they did that. I think part of the problem with the steep decrease was the unanticipated problems caused by the age change--younger fellows means many who went weren't ready (hopefully a trend that somehow stops or levels off).
RevTestament Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 I'm glad to see the Church finally embracing smart phones. I have definitely noticed a societal shift to their use, and it is not a good business plan to fail to market to smart phone users - speaking from experience. Phone books are literally dinosaurs and to reach customers one literally must reach smart phones. With the advent of social media, this is definitely the wave of the future - at least in the United States. As for the interview questions, I'm wondering if it wouldn't be good to end with an additional question about aspirations or skills of the candidate. In other words maybe something like "Do you feel you have any skills you feel could be put to a particular use in a mission?" Rather than ending on questions about limits/limitations, this would end the interview on a note of hopes and aspirations of candidates, and may prove useful in steering particular candidates into areas where they would be most effective. If asked the right way it shouldn't make a candidate feel inadequate in any way, and could open new doors. 3
Gray Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 34 minutes ago, stemelbow said: It's quite likely and possible, we'd have either rmore missionaries than we have now, without the age change, or about the same amount. Consider: Year M Count % Change from Prev 2010 52,225 .95% 2011 55,410 6.1% 2012 58,990 6.5% 2013 83,035 40.8% 2014 85,147 2.5% 2015 74,079 -13% 2016 70,946 -4.23 Estimation if no age change 2010 52,225 .95% 2011 55,410 6.1% 2012 58,990 6.5% 2013 60,769 3% 2014 63,278 4.1% 2015 66,396 4.9% 2016 69,472 4.2% It could be that the count grew by 6 percent or more too. Meaning in 2016 we could have ended with 75,000 missionaries. Maybe the "revelation" of the age change produced an overall negative? Tough to say. I think the biggest effect of the age change is way more sisters serving. 2
jkwilliams Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 22 minutes ago, Gray said: Tough to say. I think the biggest effect of the age change is way more sisters serving. I agree. The younger age may have resulted in more young men going than previously, but the significant change has been among young women, at least from what I have seen. 1
Jeanne Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 This will surely beat the 60's telephone book calls...my cousin did this in California..grab a phone book and make calls..it was disheartening.
Duncan Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 1 minute ago, Jeanne said: This will surely beat the 60's telephone book calls...my cousin did this in California..grab a phone book and make calls..it was disheartening. I have a funny story about that but it's kinda inappropriate for here........... 1
stemelbow Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 10 minutes ago, jkwilliams said: I agree. The younger age may have resulted in more young men going than previously, but the significant change has been among young women, at least from what I have seen. Well the other byproduct is a significant change in young men going. It's less than it used to be. Also, as tough as it is, the conversion rate and the number of conversions has gone down too, since the age change (as has growth rate, overall, and the rate of children of record).
jkwilliams Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 Just now, stemelbow said: Well the other byproduct is a significant change in young men going. It's less than it used to be. Also, as tough as it is, the conversion rate and the number of conversions has gone down too, since the age change (as has growth rate, overall, and the rate of children of record). I haven't seen any evidence that fewer young men are going, but then I haven't paid attention. I have heard more missionaries (men and women) are going home early. 1
thesometimesaint Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 More missionaries, fewer missions. SEE https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865691210/President-Eyring-dedicates-Provo-MTC-marking-a-new-era-to-accelerate-LDS-missionary-work.html
stemelbow Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 13 minutes ago, jkwilliams said: I haven't seen any evidence that fewer young men are going, but then I haven't paid attention. I have heard more missionaries (men and women) are going home early. It doesn't look like I can use the search feature with my limited status, but some time ago there was a thread on this. The analysis seemed pretty decent to me to indicate with the increase in sisters it is most likely the percent of young men serving is in decline.
jkwilliams Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 Just now, stemelbow said: It doesn't look like I can use the search feature with my limited status, but some time ago there was a thread on this. The analysis seemed pretty decent to me to indicate with the increase in sisters it is most likely the percent of young men serving is in decline. I have no reason to doubt you, but as I said, I haven't seen any evidence of this. Just was wondering if you had a citation.
stemelbow Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 7 minutes ago, jkwilliams said: I have no reason to doubt you, but as I said, I haven't seen any evidence of this. Just was wondering if you had a citation. Can't search, sorry.
Jeanne Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 44 minutes ago, Duncan said: I have a funny story about that but it's kinda inappropriate for here........... Oh....go on...Duncan..tell us!!
Duncan Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) 41 minutes ago, Jeanne said: Oh....go on...Duncan..tell us!! I can't on here! hahahhaha! i'll get kicked out or something! I PM'd you! Edited October 20, 2017 by Duncan
Amulek Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 2 hours ago, ksfisher said: 3 hours ago, Amulek said: These all seem like the sort of things a bishop ought to know about a prospective missionary before recommending him/her for a mission. They are usually. It is possible that a young man may move into a ward just prior to putting in his papers. There is also value in asking the questions in an interview setting. Oh, I agree. Sorry if there was any confusion on that. I posted that comment in the other thread before it was merged with this one. I can see how it could be read as saying 'ought to know [without asking],' but that wasn't my intent. I was merely pointing out that all of the questions seem like reasonable things to expect a bishop to discover the answers to before recommending someone for a mission.
ksfisher Posted October 20, 2017 Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) 17 minutes ago, Amulek said: I was merely pointing out that all of the questions seem like reasonable things to expect a bishop to discover the answers to before recommending someone for a mission. Yes, they are. And I expect that most bishops, having worked with the youth in mutual and on Sunday, will already know the answers that will be given to most of the questions. Hopefully any difficulties will already be resolved before a young man or woman goes into the interview. Edited October 20, 2017 by ksfisher
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