Should I go on a mission?

[Rob8547]

Hello,

I am a convert who converted over the summer and I am still very faithful, I love the church. I myself really really want to go on my mission, however I am 22 and I started college late and in all honesty I dont want to be in college until I'm 28, but I want to go on my mission. I have been praying about it for quite some time now and I havent received an answer. Would it be such a bad thing not to go on a mission?

[Guest]

I think the most important thing is going for the right reason. So why DO you want to go on a mission?

[skippy740]

Have you received your Patriarchal Blessing yet?

I would fast & pray to prepare yourself to receive one... and it may answer your prayer for you.

It did for me.

[tubaloth]

Not knowing more then what you have explained. I say --go on a mission.

You will gain a lot more from going on a mission then not going.

Yes you will be older when you finish school. But when you are 35 or 40 years old and you hear people talk about their mission which one do you think you will look back on.

Go on a mission!

[bytebear]

I would go, but after making that decision, I would prepare yourself. You will be serving with people who have grown up in the church. Focus on the basics, but take some institute classes, and study the scriptures and doctrines of the church.

[Quin]

Granted...

- I've been in school for more than 10 years (some part time college when my kiddo was a baby & some postgrad)

- AND started after serving in the military (started school at 23)

- AND was still one of the "youngins" ... Since about 20% of my classmates were 30s & 40s, and there was at least one 50yo in nearly all of my classes (50 still means 15-20 years of work after graduation, more and more 40s & 50s are returning to -or starting- school to get better paying jobs, or after making significant money returning to school to work in a generative field. I met a LOT of stockbrokers & computer programmers, with degrees in finance or compsci, turning toward healthcare/psychology/social work. Add in all the military, 24yos (financial aid reeasons, couldnt afford school until they werent linked to their parents income), etc. meant ANYWHERE in your 20s was still considered young / not late. Even a lot of early 30s (a lot of divorcees & parents whose kids were now all in school) are considered in the young crowd. Only about HALF of the students were 18-22.

Which makes me wonder:

What's the magic number of 28?

Why would it be so bad to be in school at 28, but fine to be in school at 26?

And what about 27? If you have a lag year, or double major, or have to be in school for 5 years for any other reason... Would you just drop out? Even if you'd be paid better with your masters or doctorate... Would you refuse to, to avoid being in school?

I'm just a bit confused.

I'm NOT saying "go on a mission" ... It just seems like a very arbitrary / artificial drop deadline to not be in school at 28.

Kinda "this message will self destruct in 5, 4, 3" or "If I don't have kids by 30 Im going to jump of the Golden Gate Bridge" kind of reasoning... So Im curious as to the rationale behind it.

Q

[yjacket]

Luke 9:23-26

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.

One should go on a mission for the right reasons as one will be more effective by going for the right reasons. However, unless a parent is forcing or manipulating one to go on a mission it is hard to go for a wrong reason. The reason may not be as good, but regardless the benefits of serving a mission will come.

The older I get, the more I become convinced that much of this life is about perspective. It is about putting off the short-term perceived gain for the long-term benefits. I cannot tell you all the insights you will gain, experiences you will have that will enrich your life by going on a mission; I cannot tell you of the things you will not experience by deciding to go to college instead of a mission or visa versa.

I do know that in our day and age, the Prophets have called for every worthy young man to serve a mission, and I know from personal experience a small part of the meaning of v24 and that sometimes we let our fear of the unknown stop us from fully losing our life for His sake. If we have faith (in many ways the opposite of fear) we can proceed to do those things in life that our Heavenly Father has promised will bring us the most long-term happiness in our lives.

LDS.org - Aaronic Priesthood Chapter Detail - Every Young Man Should Serve a Mission

[Robb8547]

Thanks for all the responses, I really appreciate them however the only way I will figure out if I will go or not is to keep prayng and hope for an answer. By the way, is it hard to get into BYU or BYU Idaho as a returning missionary? I can imagine it is but I heard it is getting hard ot get in. Thats where I would go to school if I went of a mission

[Backroads]

Eh, my husband grew up in the church and didn't graduate from college until this past year at the age of 28. It had nothing to do with his mission, but more to do with his situation: He grew up on a ranch in an itty bitty community that wasn't known for college-bound people. He is actually the first person in his immediate family EVER to go to college and graduate. He served his mission, got a job, then entered college considerably later than the expected norm out of boredom. Add in a bunch of military responsibilities and his inability to pass math and, yes, he was in college at 28. My friend's husband is 27 and hasn't picked a major yet. There is nothing wrong with being in college late.

Now, I come from the view that a mission is a priesthood responsibility and if you're single, able, and worthy you ought to go. College will be there when you get back.

Here's a tip if you haven't tried it: Pick one (go or not go) and pray with that intent and see if you receive approval.

And from what I've heard, your mission status has no impact on getting into a BYU school.

[Robb8547]

Luke 9:23-26

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.

One should go on a mission for the right reasons as one will be more effective by going for the right reasons. However, unless a parent is forcing or manipulating one to go on a mission it is hard to go for a wrong reason. The reason may not be as good, but regardless the benefits of serving a mission will come.

The older I get, the more I become convinced that much of this life is about perspective. It is about putting off the short-term perceived gain for the long-term benefits. I cannot tell you all the insights you will gain, experiences you will have that will enrich your life by going on a mission; I cannot tell you of the things you will not experience by deciding to go to college instead of a mission or visa versa.

I do know that in our day and age, the Prophets have called for every worthy young man to serve a mission, and I know from personal experience a small part of the meaning of v24 and that sometimes we let our fear of the unknown stop us from fully losing our life for His sake. If we have faith (in many ways the opposite of fear) we can proceed to do those things in life that our Heavenly Father has promised will bring us the most long-term happiness in our lives.

LDS.org - Aaronic Priesthood Chapter Detail - Every Young Man Should Serve a Mission

I agree and I really do want to go for the right reasons and my parents are manipulating me because I am a convert. I am going to try and do everything it takes to go on one now, hopefully I can.