Maybe a mission isn't for everyone

[bsjkki]

This is an interesting video with a Mormon comic. He analyzes the development of the a joke about "maybe a mission isn't for everyone." https://films.radiowest.org/film/mission-joke

I think in all serious, he is correct. With the stricter rules for service and even stricter rules for  those with ailments (physical or mental), the time of every young man serving a mission is ending. I know of two righteous, prepared young men who would make great missionaries who can only serve a service mission while living at home due to a severe allergy and controlled epilepsy. The health requirements in order to serve are getting tighter and  tighter. This change, needs to bring with it a change in attitute toward those that don't serve a regular mission. Both these young men will go to college and live on their own but not be able serve a normal mission. I know a young man who has not served due to his Type 1 diabetes because he can not get his A1C below an 8 or 9...not sure of the exact cut off. I have spoken to parents who told me the church is still tightening up physical and mental health requirements for service. I'm not sure where I would find more information about this. 

[Storm Rider]

6 hours ago, bsjkki said:

This is an interesting video with a Mormon comic. He analyzes the development of the a joke about "maybe a mission isn't for everyone." https://films.radiowest.org/film/mission-joke

I think in all serious, he is correct. With the stricter rules for service and even stricter rules for  those with ailments (physical or mental), the time of every young man serving a mission is ending. I know of two righteous, prepared young men who would make great missionaries who can only serve a service mission while living at home due to a severe allergy and controlled epilepsy. The health requirements in order to serve are getting tighter and  tighter. This change, needs to bring with it a change in attitute toward those that don't serve a regular mission. Both these young men will go to college and live on their own but not be able serve a normal mission. I know a young man who has not served due to his Type 1 diabetes because he can not get his A1C below an 8 or 9...not sure of the exact cut off. I have spoken to parents who told me the church is still tightening up physical and mental health requirements for service. I'm not sure where I would find more information about this. 

I don't think a mission is for everyone - and I sense the stigma has lost some of its sting. My wife's cousin went out on his mission only to return after a few months; emotionally he was capable of serving and he was released honorably from serving and was told that he had fulfilled his calling.  I think there are some youths that will have fulfilled their calling without ever having left home. 

I believe that God knows and understands our abilities and he has many within in gardens that serve in a wide range of capacities. The one that digs a hole is compensated just as well, if not more, than the trained botanist that directs the work crews. The problem is not with the worker that some perceive as doing menial labor; the problem is with those who perceive and demean others based on their role in our Father's garden.  

[smac97]

This November my son will complete his 2-year "Church Service Mission."  He has some health issues that precluded him from serving a full-tim proselytizing mission.  However, he really wanted to serve.  So he has spent his mission working at the Referral Center in the MTC (he lives at home, but works at the MTC during the day).  The sister in the linked video explains her experience serving there (for 9 weeks), which summarizes a lot of what my son has experienced, only over a much longer period (19 months and counting). 

My son has had an amazing experience, while also having sufficient flexibility to accommodate his health issues.  I don't think he would have been able to complete a proseytizing mission because of the logistical difficulties arising from protracted illness or health issues.  As it is, he has taught far, far more people than I did on my mission.  He has been far more effective in reaching other people and helping them (he also serves as the Assistant Ward Mission Leader in our ward, which has given him plenty of in-person teaching and service opportunities).  He has also run into just about every criticism and attack on the Church as exists.  He has learned to cope with such things very well, mostly through his own study and efforts, but also because the MTC provides some resources for him and his companion to use in responding to such messages.  He also has brought a few such issues up with me (I often end up picking him up at the end of his day, so we have had quite a few doctrinal discussions on the drive home).

We also have a relative, a distant cousin, who is also serving a Church Service Mission in Salt Lake.  He too has some health issues.  He spends his days with the Facilities Maintenance folks repairing and maintaining church buildings throughout the Salt Lake Valley.  

There are many ways to serve God and our fellow brothers and sisters, and to do so honorably and with distinction.

Thanks,

-Smac

[JAHS]

It's also not for everyone just for health reasons. This doesn't really apply today but back in the late 60s and early 70s there were many who used a mission as a way of dodging the draft. I had a couple of those for companions who simply did not really want to be there, but they did not want to go to Vietnam more than not wanting to go on a mission.  If there hadn't been that war they would have just been inactive members who no one expected would serve a mission. So it's not like they had that pressure on them to go. 

[HappyJackWagon]

I agree it's not for everyone and I think the church is recognizing that. I've been very pleased to see some creativity in the way many are choosing to serve. We have missionaries serving from my stake  in a variety of ways.

1- traditional 2 year / 18 month mission

2- church service mission

3- specialty stake mission (serving in a traveling music group)

4- Serving 3-6 months in a different nearby stake (organized between SP and the SP acting as the mission president)- I'm not quite sure how this works

5- shorter term 3-6-12-18 month missions based on availability

There are probably others.

[bsjkki]

31 minutes ago, smac97 said:

This November my son will complete his 2-year "Church Service Mission."  He has some health issues that precluded him from serving a full-tim proselytizing mission.  However, he really wanted to serve.  So he has spent his mission working at the Referral Center in the MTC (he lives at home, but works at the MTC during the day).  The sister in the linked video explains her experience serving there (for 9 weeks), which summarizes a lot of what my son has experienced, only over a much longer period (19 months and counting). 

My son has had an amazing experience, while also having sufficient flexibility to accommodate his health issues.  I don't think he would have been able to complete a proseytizing mission because of the logistical difficulties arising from protracted illness or health issues.  As it is, he has taught far, far more people than I did on my mission.  He has been far more effective in reaching other people and helping them (he also serves as the Assistant Ward Mission Leader in our ward, which has given him plenty of in-person teaching and service opportunities).  He has also run into just about every criticism and attack on the Church as exists.  He has learned to cope with such things very well, mostly through his own study and efforts, but also because the MTC provides some resources for him and his companion to use in responding to such messages.  He also has brought a few such issues up with me (I often end up picking him up at the end of his day, so we have had quite a few doctrinal discussions on the drive home).

We also have a relative, a distant cousin, who is also serving a Church Service Mission in Salt Lake.  He too has some health issues.  He spends his days with the Facilities Maintenance folks repairing and maintaining church buildings throughout the Salt Lake Valley.  

There are many ways to serve God and our fellow brothers and sisters, and to do so honorably and with distinction.

Thanks,

-Smac

That sounds like an amazing experience for your son! The service mission opportunities in my area are not the same as for those living in Utah. Do you think a young man who can only live at home and serve a service mission should feel they must serve the whole two years? But to answer my own question...as with most things, it would probably be a matter of prayer, counseling with leaders and personal circumstances. 

[smac97]

Just now, bsjkki said:

That sounds like an amazing experience for your son! The service mission opportunities in my area are not the same as for those living in Utah. Do you think a young man who can only live at home and serve a service mission should feel they must serve the whole two years? But to answer my own question...as with most things, it would probably be a matter of prayer, counseling with leaders and personal circumstances. 

Yes, that would seem to be best a matter left to the individual missionary, his parents, and his local leaders.

[Jane_Doe]

13 hours ago, bsjkki said:

This is an interesting video with a Mormon comic. He analyzes the development of the a joke about "maybe a mission isn't for everyone." https://films.radiowest.org/film/mission-joke

I think in all serious, he is correct. With the stricter rules for service and even stricter rules for  those with ailments (physical or mental), the time of every young man serving a mission is ending. I know of two righteous, prepared young men who would make great missionaries who can only serve a service mission while living at home due to a severe allergy and controlled epilepsy. The health requirements in order to serve are getting tighter and  tighter. This change, needs to bring with it a change in attitute toward those that don't serve a regular mission. Both these young men will go to college and live on their own but not be able serve a normal mission. I know a young man who has not served due to his Type 1 diabetes because he can not get his A1C below an 8 or 9...not sure of the exact cut off. I have spoken to parents who told me the church is still tightening up physical and mental health requirements for service. I'm not sure where I would find more information about this. 

Doing a service mission is still doing a mission.  

There are MANY types of missions out there beyond 2 year door knocking ones, or any formal church component.   Everyone should have a mission, but not everyone's mission involves an LDS name tag.  And even when a formal name tag comes off, your mission isn't over: our service to God and our fellow man is life long call.  Different venues and different assignments at different times, but we are all called to serve.  

[The Nehor]

But if we refuse to stigmatize not going who will I look down on from my Rameumpton in Holy comtempt?

[Guest]

15 hours ago, bsjkki said:

This is an interesting video with a Mormon comic. He analyzes the development of the a joke about "maybe a mission isn't for everyone." https://films.radiowest.org/film/mission-joke

I think in all serious, he is correct. With the stricter rules for service and even stricter rules for  those with ailments (physical or mental), the time of every young man serving a mission is ending. I know of two righteous, prepared young men who would make great missionaries who can only serve a service mission while living at home due to a severe allergy and controlled epilepsy. The health requirements in order to serve are getting tighter and  tighter. This change, needs to bring with it a change in attitute toward those that don't serve a regular mission. Both these young men will go to college and live on their own but not be able serve a normal mission. I know a young man who has not served due to his Type 1 diabetes because he can not get his A1C below an 8 or 9...not sure of the exact cut off. I have spoken to parents who told me the church is still tightening up physical and mental health requirements for service. I'm not sure where I would find more information about this. 

Mission have never been for everyone. True it is what parents should seek to instill in everyone, but everyone will not respond, nor is everyone suited for serving missions.