One Response to “How important is it for a young man to go on a mission? If h…”
Richard
2010-01-23 16:45:11
Missionaries in Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.
As a recent convert, or as a 'seasoned' member of the church the choice to go on a mission is for the individual. We are told by the leaders of the church that all young men who are members and have reached the age of 19 years, should seriously consider serving the Lord on a mission.
In fact from age 12-deacon in the church, young men are prepared from that time to start learning the basics of the doctrine so as to prepare for that day. Boys/men who go on a mission come back telling stories of how it is hard, but more worth it than anything they have ever done in their lives.
As a born-in-the-covenant member of the church, I made choices in my life that took from the the oportunity to serve on a mission, and such I am more than dissapointed in that I wasn't able to serve a mission. I hear stories of return missionaries, and their experiences with God and with his children in service to them both. I also hear their stories and see just how much they have grown by serving a mission. I see that spiritually and intilectually they are matured in years beyond my own, even though I am in mortal measurment, ten years their senior.
Serving a mission is a personal matter between you and God, but if you find that you have ability and means to prepare to serve and do so, the blessings of mind, body, spirit, and peace in this life are far beyond those that don't serve.
For the fun of your question I recomend going, finding, and watching the movie, "The Best Two Years" about a recent convert who goes on a mission and the experience he has. The movie is portrayed as a comedy so parts of it are not all that realistic, but in the overall perpective and spirit of the movie, it is one of the best missionary movies of all time. Even if you or your freinds are not perfectly sure about this church, the movie is funny so nothing lost in the adventure when it's over.
So bottom line; how important? Only you will know after you have made the choice to serve. If you choose not to, than you'll never know, but will have that forever burning question of, 'what if' on your mind.
Webmaster: Thanks for your thoughtful answer, Richard. I would just like to say that, while you may have never been a full time missionary, you frequent and thoughtful answers on this site make you a great virtual missionary in my opinion! :) Thanks for all your effort.
In fact from age 12-deacon in the church, young men are prepared from that time to start learning the basics of the doctrine so as to prepare for that day. Boys/men who go on a mission come back telling stories of how it is hard, but more worth it than anything they have ever done in their lives.
As a born-in-the-covenant member of the church, I made choices in my life that took from the the oportunity to serve on a mission, and such I am more than dissapointed in that I wasn't able to serve a mission. I hear stories of return missionaries, and their experiences with God and with his children in service to them both. I also hear their stories and see just how much they have grown by serving a mission. I see that spiritually and intilectually they are matured in years beyond my own, even though I am in mortal measurment, ten years their senior.
Serving a mission is a personal matter between you and God, but if you find that you have ability and means to prepare to serve and do so, the blessings of mind, body, spirit, and peace in this life are far beyond those that don't serve.
For the fun of your question I recomend going, finding, and watching the movie, "The Best Two Years" about a recent convert who goes on a mission and the experience he has. The movie is portrayed as a comedy so parts of it are not all that realistic, but in the overall perpective and spirit of the movie, it is one of the best missionary movies of all time. Even if you or your freinds are not perfectly sure about this church, the movie is funny so nothing lost in the adventure when it's over.
So bottom line; how important? Only you will know after you have made the choice to serve. If you choose not to, than you'll never know, but will have that forever burning question of, 'what if' on your mind.
Webmaster: Thanks for your thoughtful answer, Richard. I would just like to say that, while you may have never been a full time missionary, you frequent and thoughtful answers on this site make you a great virtual missionary in my opinion! :) Thanks for all your effort.