I think this has been made clear in earlier posts, but in case you're new here (and you probably are) I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. AKA I'm a Mormon. And if you know anything about Mormons, you're probably at least a little bit familiar with Mormon missionaries.
A mission is a two-year commitment to the Lord. When a young man or woman decides to serve a mission, they are assigned an area in the world to teach the people about Jesus Christ, repentance, and baptism. And it is awesome.
I am so proud of all my friends who have decided to serve missions. Just to give you an idea, I currently have about eight close friends out on missions, and only three of those are boys. A bit of background: it is an expectation for all young men to serve LDS missions, and any young women who would like to serve a mission are highly encouraged to do so. And about two years ago, there was a monumental announcement known as "the age change."
Ah yes. The age change. Before this, girls had to be 21 to serve missions and boys had to be 19. Now, boys can serve missions at 18 and girls can serve at 19. I just had my 20th birthday, and so that puts me right at, if not a little bit past, the prime age to serve a mission.
I get asked by so many people if I've served. If I plan of serving. If I've thought about it. I don't really mind them asking, but after a while, it gets old. Especially when they ask if I've prayed or thought about it. The snarky side of me that usually doesn't come out wants to respond: "You know what? I haven't! It's only a huge part of our culture right now and about half of my freshman friends left on missions last year. I'm also super religious and love to share my testimony of Christ. But the thought hasn't even crossed my mind! Thanks for the suggestion." No. Really, I've thought and prayed about it a lot. And the answer I've received is that I need to be here, where I am now.
So here are my thoughts about people serving missions, especially sister missionaries. I. Am. So. Proud. Of. You. You have made such an awesome choice to share the wonderful news of the gospel with everyone in the world. You are doing your part to bring people to God and I know that you are making a huge impact. I love reading your emails, and I can tell that you're really touching lives that maybe can only be touched by you. I love hearing about your mission experiences, and I can't wait to hear more about it once you get back. I encourage everyone to serve a mission if they feel like that is the path for them. I am so happy to see that the gospel is rolling forth in all nations and languages. I love missionary work.
I am also proud of where I am at and I'm proud of anyone who has thought about it, prayed about it, but has decided not to serve a mission because God has another path for them. It does not mean they are less righteous or less worthy. We all have a role in sharing the gospel. For some, it is in Brazil speaking Portuguese. For others, it is in Provo, Utah speaking English. But all of us are speaking with the spirit and that is what matters.
A mission is a two-year commitment to the Lord. When a young man or woman decides to serve a mission, they are assigned an area in the world to teach the people about Jesus Christ, repentance, and baptism. And it is awesome.
I am so proud of all my friends who have decided to serve missions. Just to give you an idea, I currently have about eight close friends out on missions, and only three of those are boys. A bit of background: it is an expectation for all young men to serve LDS missions, and any young women who would like to serve a mission are highly encouraged to do so. And about two years ago, there was a monumental announcement known as "the age change."
Ah yes. The age change. Before this, girls had to be 21 to serve missions and boys had to be 19. Now, boys can serve missions at 18 and girls can serve at 19. I just had my 20th birthday, and so that puts me right at, if not a little bit past, the prime age to serve a mission.
I get asked by so many people if I've served. If I plan of serving. If I've thought about it. I don't really mind them asking, but after a while, it gets old. Especially when they ask if I've prayed or thought about it. The snarky side of me that usually doesn't come out wants to respond: "You know what? I haven't! It's only a huge part of our culture right now and about half of my freshman friends left on missions last year. I'm also super religious and love to share my testimony of Christ. But the thought hasn't even crossed my mind! Thanks for the suggestion." No. Really, I've thought and prayed about it a lot. And the answer I've received is that I need to be here, where I am now.
So here are my thoughts about people serving missions, especially sister missionaries. I. Am. So. Proud. Of. You. You have made such an awesome choice to share the wonderful news of the gospel with everyone in the world. You are doing your part to bring people to God and I know that you are making a huge impact. I love reading your emails, and I can tell that you're really touching lives that maybe can only be touched by you. I love hearing about your mission experiences, and I can't wait to hear more about it once you get back. I encourage everyone to serve a mission if they feel like that is the path for them. I am so happy to see that the gospel is rolling forth in all nations and languages. I love missionary work.
I am also proud of where I am at and I'm proud of anyone who has thought about it, prayed about it, but has decided not to serve a mission because God has another path for them. It does not mean they are less righteous or less worthy. We all have a role in sharing the gospel. For some, it is in Brazil speaking Portuguese. For others, it is in Provo, Utah speaking English. But all of us are speaking with the spirit and that is what matters.