[Non LDS parents]

3 hours ago, Chilean said:

JUST GO!!

Their hearts will soften as they hear from you talking about how serving others is changing your life, etc. You will learn so many wonderful lessons during your mission, and I'm sure you'll learn to love your parents even more, even when they might not write back.

Ive met a few missionaries where their parents never wrote, no one to call for Christmas or mothers day. BUT other friends where still there cheering them on. I trust that your parents will eventually accept your choice and even join the church. The Gospel brings joy to families, and as years go by and you form your own family,  they'll be able to feel that love that the gospel brings.

So don't get discouraged! You'll be fine!  My parents got divorced before I turned 1 yr old. My aunt took us to church when I was a kid in primary. for about 16 yrs me and my siblings went to church alone. Eventually my mom joined the church. And Ive been able to see how as you keep your covenants and are obedient God will always, always, ALWAYS, bless you. What seems like a trial right now, later you'll look back and you'll see that those trials where just a mountain , to help you see even further. So trust me little brother. You will triumph and will be a great missionary!

Love, your Chilean sister.

Sister thank you so so much for your reply. That was such a great read. I’m so so blessed to be apart of this church. As I said above I want nothing more to bring people unto Christ and let them have the happiness the church gave me  and to be able to have the honor of wearing Christ’s name over my heart.  

What you said about some of the other missionaries was scary to read but it made me realize that some people have if tougher than I and still go ahead with doing a mission.

Thank you so much for your kind words and that push I guess I needed! 

[Non LDS parents]

4 hours ago, e-eye said:

Perspective of my brother-in-law and his conversion story -  

He joined the church and found himself in a very similar situation other than his mom and step dad were Christians.  They did not want him to go on a mission and didn't want anything to do with the church - h went anyway.  While on his mission his parents never wrote him.  His brother would take a red pen, correct all the grammatical errors and send the letter back without ever writing anything to him either.  Half way through his mission his mother came to visit him.  He was excited to see her, and she sat down with him at lunch and asked him if he was done messing around and ready to come home.  She was still mad that he was on a mission.  OF course he finished his mission, was very very, successful in baptizing, AP all that.  - About 5-10 years after he got home got married and had kids, his parents hearts softened - They joined the church and are very, very active and have been for some 20 years now.  His brother never joined but is very favorable to the church.

Family is always first and despite what I or anyone else says - if the Lord is calling you on a mission it will work out.  It will be for the better.  Serving may be hard at times but it will be worth it and the Lord will soften your parents hearts eventually.  

Oh wow, it’s great that it’s relatable and there is a happy ending! That’s all I want to do, to bring Christ unto people and let them experience the happiness the church gave me. Plus having the honor to wear Christ’s name over my head is just so awesome. Thanks you for the advice.

[Non LDS parents]

5 hours ago, prisonchaplain said:

My morbid curiosity arises big time with this. As a Christian pastor who's been here for 12 years, I understand why religious parents might disapprove, but why would atheists care if you believe in God, the BoM, etc.? From a secular perspective, what do they mean by "cult?" What causes them to be so against your new found religion that they would oppose you following your dreams, at 21? You certainly need not speak for them on all these questions, but at the end of the day, what is the main factor about LDS spirituality that causes them to be so strong is their opposition? Do they believe it's just wrong and silly, or that it's dangerous? And then, why?

I don’t know to be honest! Like I was baptised catholic and had Communion and Conformation done. She said she would be happier if I just stayed being catholic. She always brings up that when I was young I was so catholic and now I’ve switched to a “American church”.

She thinks it’s a cult because of what she’s read online. Things like tithing, temple work, the story of Joseph Smith, and she read that missionaries target young people so she thinks that’s why. She also feels like I think of them as family and that they are trying to replace them to lure me in.

There are so so many young people here that don’t believe in God and that’s why she wondering why I believe, it’s very rare here and for me to enjoy church and going to all the activities she finds it weird.

 

[Non LDS parents]

7 hours ago, Jane_Doe said:

Yep, it's actually my in-laws though.  

This isn't something that "won" by words.  Rather, the best evidence is just letting them over time see how your life has improved with Christ-- let the fruit speak for itself.  Still, it's something that can take years-- my husband and I have been together for a decade and were friends for a decade before then, and the in-laws still struggle with it.  Some times love means long suffering patience with them.  In the meantime, I've learned I got to live my own life and let their problems be their problems.  I'm always here if they want to talk about things, I'm always making my love for them and my love for Christ known through everything I do.   

Thank you so much I guess I must continue to show how much the church has changed me in a positive way!

[Non LDS parents]

8 hours ago, MormonGator said:

Yup, my parents are the same way. When I converted to the LDS church my mom even said "Out of all religions,you had to choose the Mormons?!"  (Her words, not mine). I can't blame her. After all, I'm sure a devout LDS mother would say the same thing if their child flipped churches. 

Simply put, the best thing to do is live your own life. They are your parents and they deserve your respect and admiration, but it ends there. You don't have to like them. You are allowed to think independently and make your own choices. 

Yeah I was baptised Catholic and my mum said she would be happier if I stay catholic. I don’t understand because she is atheist yet she wants me to switch back to being a catholic. I think it’s more of a cultural and heritage thing. There aren’t many LDS in Ireland so I can see why she is reserved.

[Non LDS parents]

Hello all,

I was hoping someone would be able to help me with this. I converted to the church about 2 and a half years ago. I’m 21 now and really want to serve a mission, all my branch think I should and my PB said I would serve it. 

 

The only problem is are my parents. They don’t like the church and call it a cult, then when I spoke about the mission they were not happy at all! I really don’t know what to do. I really want to be a missionary but I don’t know how to overcome my parents objections. They refer to the church as a cult and are atheist. As is everyone else in my family, they think it’s strange that a 21 year old believes in God.

 

Has anyone else had this type of experience? How did you overcome it? Did you persuade your parents?

Thanks,