Conversion As A Teen And Missionary Work

[Spiraling]

I'm sixteen years old (going on seventeen), and I'm strongly considering conversion to LDS/Mormonism. However, none of my family are LDS, and only one of my peers is. I'll have enough problems joining as is; I expect it to be a relatively slow, painful process (ultimately worth it, but still). I'll cut to the chase - if I had been born into this religion, I would absolutely expect to become a missionary. If, God willing, I am some day a married Mormon with children, I will absolutely expect my sons to become missionaries. But I'm so close to that point in my life already, and I haven't even really started the entry process, so as far as I can see, it's just not happening for me. I know that missionary work is a firm recommendation rather than an obligation, but am I weak for excusing myself from it in this manner?

[Lakumi]

I'm sixteen years old (going on seventeen), and I'm strongly considering conversion to LDS/Mormonism. However, none of my family are LDS, and only one of my peers is. I'll have enough problems joining as is; I expect it to be a relatively slow, painful process (ultimately worth it, but still). I'll cut to the chase - if I had been born into this religion, I would absolutely expect to become a missionary. If, God willing, I am some day a married Mormon with children, I will absolutely expect my sons to become missionaries. But I'm so close to that point in my life already, and I haven't even really started the entry process, so as far as I can see, it's just not happening for me. I know that missionary work is a firm recommendation rather than an obligation, but am I weak for excusing myself from it in this manner?

I excused myself from it for far less, life doesn't always present the things we want, and its not your fault because of that.

[Guest]

I'm sixteen years old (going on seventeen), and I'm strongly considering conversion to LDS/Mormonism. However, none of my family are LDS, and only one of my peers is. I'll have enough problems joining as is; I expect it to be a relatively slow, painful process (ultimately worth it, but still). I'll cut to the chase - if I had been born into this religion, I would absolutely expect to become a missionary. If, God willing, I am some day a married Mormon with children, I will absolutely expect my sons to become missionaries. But I'm so close to that point in my life already, and I haven't even really started the entry process, so as far as I can see, it's just not happening for me. I know that missionary work is a firm recommendation rather than an obligation, but am I weak for excusing myself from it in this manner?

The missionary age is 18-25. You have up to 9 years to prepare.

But, you're jumping ahead to the 5th lap before you started out the gate. Concentrate on getting yourself ready for baptism first. Get your parents' permission to get baptized and then go get baptized.