The Need for Young Men to Serve Missions

[Anonymous]

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[_Polygamy-Porter]

I *do* like the idea of 19 year old boys doing something productive with their life, though- join the army, go to college = anything but sleeping until noon, eating all day, laying around their house in underwear and playing xbox.

... and defending the Mormon church on the MA&D board.

[_Inconceivable]

Liz,

We're not talking about what you would be willing to do if you were 20 again. I'm making reference to a believing 19-24 year old Mormon woman. Those that influence this potential bride include every Primary, Young Womens leader, her parents and family, the bishop, SP etc.

Did it ever cross your mind that there may be a few LDS mothers like me, who just might be raising their daughters to look at more than just an RM pedigree?

My daughters are 17 and 20. If they marry someone who is an RM, that's fine, but it is certainly not the most important factor. Kindness, common interests, doing well in school, strong career focus...All of these things come ahead of "the RM factor" for my kids. :wink:

One more point here..Liz and others

Patriarchal blessings are the goggles given to young men and women to view their future through.

Show me a PB that doesn't clearly state that young women need to see these gold stars on their true love:

1) Returned missionary

2) Worthy priesthood holder (In other words's active, tithe paying, temple ready)

A young women is encouraged to read and re-read their PB to find the treasures the Mormon God has given them through His authorized Fortune Teller. Do you really think a PB is all about what lineage one is from?

No one in their right mind would disregard the words of a psychic, would they?

Non RM's (and even non-temple ready RM's) don't have a chance. They are disqualified.

[_Ceeboo]

So, as an ex-member who wants his children to be happy in whatever direction they decide, if they remain in the church they gotta go.

Thoughts?

Hello Inconceivable,

From one Dad to another, may I offer you my deep admiration and respect for you (and IMHO), your clear understanding, compassion, and pure love displayed in your OP for your kids.

You sir, strike me as a FABOULOUS Father. (Just my opinion of course)


Peace to you and yours,
Ceeboo

[_Inconceivable]

So, as an ex-member who wants his children to be happy in whatever direction they decide, if they remain in the church they gotta go.

Thoughts?

Hello Inconceivable,

From one Dad to another, may I offer you my deep admiration and respect for you (and IMHO), your clear understanding, compassion, and pure love displayed in your OP for your kids.

You sir, strike me as a FABOULOUS Father. (Just my opinion of course)


Peace to you and yours,
Ceeboo

Thanks Ceeboo.

It's an evolution. (I think I'll be even better by the time I'm a great grandfather)

[_zzyzx]

It is a right of passage and little more for many who are called and go. Dallin Oaks did not serve a mission. Donny Osmond did not serve a mission. Steve Young did not serve a mission. Cael Sanderson did not serve a mission.

Those who look down on failure to go as failure in life are nuts. Missions are not for everyone and many who go regret it for a number of reasons. In LDS inc culture you have it right, you are forever branded if you don't go... unless you are a big time athlete or cheezy entertainer.

[_Yoda]

One more point here..Liz and others

Patriarchal blessings are the goggles given to young men and women to view their future through.

Show me a PB that doesn't clearly state that young women need to see these gold stars on their true love:

1) Returned missionary

2) Worthy priesthood holder (In other words's active, tithe paying, temple ready)

A young women is encouraged to read and re-read their PB to find the treasures the Mormon God has given them through His authorized Fortune Teller. Do you really think a PB is all about what lineage one is from?

No one in their right mind would disregard the words of a psychic, would they?

Non RM's (and even non-temple ready RM's) don't have a chance. They are disqualified.

My patriarchal blessing does not specifically state that I would marry a returned missionary. It stated that I would marry someone worthy to take me to the temple.

You know as well as I do that you do not have to be a returned missionary to receive a temple recommend.

If your son is already 21, isn't he too old to go? What is the age limit on young men going? He is going to be older than the majority of young men out in the mission field.

Frankly, at this point, I would encourage him to concentrate on school.

Do you live in Utah? Utah is the only state I am aware of where a large majority of young women in the Church are as narrow-minded as you are describing. There is a whole world out there...and there are plenty of LDS women who are more interested in the character of the men they are dating and considering marrying, rather than some pedigree (RM or no RM). And, frankly, if a young woman really does judge someone like that, is that the type of person your son really wants to marry? Or the kind of person you, as a parent, want your son to marry?

Also...you didn't answer my other question that I asked earlier. Does your son want to marry a TBM? It doesn't sound like he is a TBM. Why would he want to marry someone who is?

[_Dr. Shades]

If your son is already 21, isn't he too old to go?

No, not by any means.

What is the age limit on young men going?

I don't know for certain, and perhaps things have changed in the 20 years since I served, but I think 25 or 26 is the cut-off age.

[_Inconceivable]

I believe the cut off for male missionaries is about 24. My family and I live in Mesa, Arizona. It is very much like Utah. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a Mormon.

I talk to my kids about their options. They know how I feel, but they also know my love isn't conditional.

Liz, honestly I don't think you get it. You are a cafeteria Mormon - a fence sitter. What John the revelator said would be spewn from God's mouth (neither hot or cold). You don't take much, if anything in the church, seriously. If you don't like a doctrine you choose to be your own God on the subject. This is hardly mainstream.

It would be nice if more Mormons were as uncommitted as you are. Perhaps the church would then become what you think it is. I would love to see the church less than the suits claim it to be also. But that hasn't happened yet.

This isn't necessarily meant to be a cut, it's simply an observation from one that was actually an authentic TBM. Regardless of whether or not I respect your philosophy (which I really don't).

[_Yoda]

Oh, I do get it, Inc. More than you could ever know. I'm married to a TBM.

You seem to think I'm knocking you if you advise your son to go on a mission. I'm not. If he is not too old to go, he has no immediate school aspirations, and he wants to marry a TBM, then I agree. He should definitely go.

I guess you answered my question without answering it, which was simply...does your son want to marry a TBM? It looks from what you said that the answer is yes.

As far as respect goes...frankly I don't have much respect for you, either. For someone who has left the Church, you are as judgmental as most TBM's.