missions

[Jwedel]

alright here is my situation; i am almost 16, the girl i love is mormon. i am not. i realize that her religion is extremely important to her and thats fine. im more than willing to convert and she wants me to. none of that is the issue. my questions is whether or not as a mormon you are allowed to defer your missionary commitment in order to serve. this came up as i was researching missions and other requirements in order to become mormon. is there any truth to this?

[pam]

What do you mean defer your missionary commitment in order to serve? I'm not understanding.

[Jwedel]

could i enlist in the army instead of going on a mission?

[pam]

Yes there is always that choice. While the standard is that all worthy young men serve a mission there are many that don't and for many reasons.

[Jwedel]

how is that honestly interpreted by other mormons? do they think less of someone who chooses to enlist instead of a mission

[john doe]

If I were you I would research whether or not you believe the LDS Church is true or not before worrying about whether you want to serve the Lord on a mission. If you don't believe the Church is true there is no reason to be baptized, and that pretty much makes a mission a moot point. Please, please don't get baptized just because your girlfriend wants you to.

[Dravin]

how is that honestly interpreted by other mormons? do they think less of someone who chooses to enlist instead of a mission

Depends on the Mormon and the reason. Generally speaking converts are given a softer go over by those inclined to do so than those raised in the Church.

[Jwedel]

thanks alot you guys, youve helped tremendously

[pam]

how is that honestly interpreted by other mormons? do they think less of someone who chooses to enlist instead of a mission

You will get a wide variety of answers and opinions on this. My personal opinion? I would not think less of a person who chose to serve their country.

[pam]

But to go back to what John Doe says. You are 15. Don't join the Church because your girlfriend of today wants you to. That's the wrong reason to join.

[jayanna]

You can go on a mission before or after you enlist. You can go on a mission after you retire, you can be a priesthood holder while you are in the military, there are general authorities in the church who have held very high positions in the military. There is info about this on Lds.org I'm trying to put in a link

here: <em>So You Are Going into Military Service?</em> Military Relations Committee

[Uncle_Sam]

Joining the church for anyone else besides yourself is the wrong reason to join. When you decide to be baptized you're taking upon yourself the name of Christ. It's really important that you join only if you feel that it's right to do so.

[Wingnut]

Generally speaking converts are given a softer go over by those inclined to do so than those raised in the Church.

I have found that those who are baptized during the youth years are considered to have adequate time to prepare for missionary service, and might be considered similar to a life-long member. Military service is still a common and acceptable exception, though.

I'll repeat what others have said: don't do it for her. I'll take it a step further, though.

To be blunt: You're 15. I doubt you know what love is. I almost guarantee that you won't marry this girl (whether you convert or not), and it's doubtful you'll still even be together by the time your high school graduation rolls around. Baptism is not something to be taken lightly; it is a major life decision. Keep your hormones out of it.

[Vardos]

how is that honestly interpreted by other mormons? do they think less of someone who chooses to enlist instead of a mission

I served a mission and i never thought less of someone who didn't serve and I've never heard anyone speak less of someone who didn't serve. The only thing that I've ever thought about someone who didn't serve is that the things you experience on a mission can't be replicated anywhere else, because of this, someone who hasn't served misses out on some extraordinary experiences.

That being said, I've known people who served who didn't want to be on a mission and only did so because they thought it was what they were supposed to do and they don't make good missionaries. They are hard on mission leadership, on companions and on flatmates. Because of this, I strongly feel that those who serve should want to serve not feel obligated to do so.

As others have said, don't join the church for anyone else, don't serve a mission for anyone else. Do these things because you want to, because you have a testimony and because you want to share those beliefs with others. Pray for guidance, your heavenly father loves you and will help you to do what is right.

Good luck to you!

[SanctitasDeo]

A mission is an amazing thing, and I count it as the best thing I have ever done. However, I would not look down on someone who did not serve. I will say, though, that on my mission in Russia, I knew lots of elders who both served in the army and on missions (Army service is mandatory, there). They did it in different orders, some before, some after, but they did both. I respect those guys a lot for that.

Joining the church is one of the best things you could ever do, if you are sincere about it. God knows your mind and your heart. If you join the church, you will make a sacred covenant, or agreement, with Him through baptism, promising that you will do certain things. This is not a light commitment. You should enter into it because you understand it, and want to make that commitment, and not for any other reason.

That said, as a member of the church, you can find more joy than anywhere else. I value the relationship that I have with my God higher than anything else, and it has been deepened immeasurably by the convenants I have made with him, and by serving him directly as a missionary. May the Spirit of the Lord guide you in making your decision. You have your whole life ahead of you. Choose wisely.

[Dravin]

I have found that those who are baptized during the youth years are considered to have adequate time to prepare for missionary service, and might be considered similar to a life-long member. Military service is still a common and acceptable exception, though.

Well in my experience people generally aren't too judgmental unless the non-RM is trying to date their daughter, then hackles get raised. You are right though, there are probably diminishing returns on being able to get a pass from being a convert depending on age.