i cant decide if an LDS mission is right for me...?

Question

im lds, and im turning 18 this month, meaning the big 19 next year... but... i dont know if i want to go on a mission. i dont even know if i believe in the church. my dad and my grandparents all expect me to go on one, and ive decided that the only reason i would go would be for me. any advice on what to say to them would be great. or on if im doing the right thing even... i just dont think i can dedicate 2 years of my life to something i dont know if i believe in...

Answer 1

First off you don't have to decide now, you have a lot of time before you can even turn in your papers, so don't stress quite yet. If I were you I would live so that you could worthily go on a mission, that way, when the time comes when you do have to decide you actually have a choice. In the meantime you should pray and research and determine whether or not you believe the church is true, you'll get your answer.

Also, you don't have to decide as soon as you turn 19. My dad didn't serve til he was 21 simply because he didn't know whether or not the church was true at 19, he wasn't ready. So if you want to let your parents know gently tell them you don't think you are ready yet. You don't have to mention that you don't know whether or not you ever will be.

So find out whether or not you believe in it. It may not be easy, but it'll be worth it no matter which way you decide simply to know of a greater assurity what you believe.

As the prophets have said, our entire religion is based off of whether or not Joseph Smith saw God the Father and the Son. Why don't you pray and see for yourself whether or not you believe that happened. Because as a prophet said (can't remember exactly which one or the exact wording) that if this event happened then this church is the greatest thing currently on the earth, if it did not happen then this church is the greatest scam in all of history.

This is a big decision for you, and despite the fact that I believe to know the truth, you can't base your beliefs off that. Discover for yourself.

Answer 2

Exactly. It used to be that men were urged to go on a mission just because you're expected to by your family. Now it's your choice!

I'm going through the same delima. I'm being baptized in 3 days!!! And I feel the spirit so strong and I know this church is true! I've been investigating for over 5 years!! I thought it only had been 3, but we were talking about it with the missionaries today and it's been over 5 years! It's amazing I resisted it that long!

Anyway! All I can do is share with you my testimony that I know this church and the gospel is true. If you want to know what made me realize the church was true than you can email me and let me know!

Of course, the standard answer is you need to read and pray about it. You may not get an answer right away, or you may not receive and answer for or against your mission, or even if the church is true. When this happens it's because God knows you have sound judgement and you'll know whether the church is true or not.

I like what the amish do, when the girls and guys turn into adults all the rules stop and they're allowed to go into the world and experience it. Then they can either decide to return home, or to stay out of the community. You'll be 18, and I'm not sure if you're in a heavily populated LDS community or not...but I am not. I'm in a branch!!! When I heard there were wards with over 15,000 people in them I was absolutely amazed!!!

Anyway! Email me, and I'll tell you how it happened and how I knew the church was true, and the same thing may work for you as well!

Answer 3

I didn't go on a mission until I was almost 21, for a few reasons. Mainly though, because, like you, I didn't have a testimony. I had a difficult time even believing in God, let alone a specific religion. After I had a few enlightening and maturing experiences, I was able to decide for myself what was right. My parents understood my choices and stood by my side through it all. I imagine your parents will do the same, as long as you communicate your concerns and thoughts on the matter. I wouldn't trade my mission experiences for anything. But I also don't suggest trying to gain a testimony by serving a mission. Like Brian G. said, that is a prerequisite.

Good luck and God Bless

Dane

Answer 4

First off, you just received a lot of REALLY BAD ADVICE. Some are just plain insulting! Please don't listen to them.

I have a son that was in your situation. He struggled, studied and prayed. He worked hard to gain a testimony. He was almost 20 when he was called to the Utah Ogden mission. (He got razed a bit about going to Utah.)

On his mission he touched the lives of many people and we say a huge difference in him. We went back to his areas to meet some of the people.

While he was struggling with his decision to go, once he made the choice, he was fine and ready to go!

My youngest got back from the Canada Montreal Mission last Wednesday! He knew what he wanted to do and entered the MTC one week after he turned 19.

Dedicating 2 years of your life is difficult - also for your parents! The growth a missionary can get is tremendous but it's up to you. Your parents are there to support you - let them help. They love you lots!

Good luck, "Elder."

Answer 5

well I am not sure id want you spending two years of your life dedicated to something you dont believe in myself.

This is not to say you shouldnt go. You should go. Its the right thing to do. But now is the time for you to find out for yourself that its true. Seek out the Holy Spirit and the second you have that witness youll want with all your heart to go out and serve others. You have plenty of time to learn. I didnt learn till i was 18. But learning the truth and starting to live it has changed my life ever since.

And let me tell you, seeing the lives you change serving the Lord and testifying of the truth on the mission is so worth it. Id do anything to go on a mission again. But make sure you are prepared to go. You have plenty of time to get ready.

Answer 6

Everyone has to be converted in their own way. I wasn't completely converted until I went to the temple for the first time. I've heard of some who are converted while on their missions. And others who fell completely away from the church after a mission and temple marriage. As long as you know you believe that Christ is the Savior and paid for every sin ever committed in this world, then pray for guidance. Our Heavenly Father will guide you to do what is right for you.

Answer 7

Why don't you read the Book of Mormon and try praying about it. Also read D&C 88:77, 110:11 and 133:37 Isnt that what all your advisors tell you? First if you go with out having a testimony it will be the longest 2 years of your life. But if you will read the B of M and truly pray about its truthfullness you will gain that desire to go on a mission and it will be the greatest two years of your life! You will be in a different country with amazing people and wonders beyound beleif. A country that you will wish to return too and maybe even live in.Trust God (yes that is a prophesy from me to you)

Answer 8

I am 18, and will turn 19 in 5 months. I am LDS and am currently planning on serving a full time Mission. I remember feeling the exact same way when I turned 18. But the last 7 months have helped me grow and change a lot, and now I know I am ready to serve. Set a goal to try and find out for yourself and gain a testimony about the Church. You are gonna learn a lot regardless of your decision. I try not to look at my mission as something I HAVE to do, but something I am choosing to do, and I am excited to experience how it will help me grow as a person. Good luck, and God Bless!

Answer 9

Well, first you have to decide if you believe the Church is true. I served a mission, only to find out later that the Church isn't true.

Do I regret my mission? Absolutely not. It was a great time. If I had known then what I know now, I may even still have gone. However, I really would have changed the way I taught people. I would have focused much more on a good Christian life, the positive principles of the Church, and the benefits of membership rather than teaching an acquired dogma about why Joseph Smith's experience makes our church the converts' only hope of scoring the Celestial Kingdom.

I really don't like the missionary lessons the way they are. It only promotes the dogmatic approach that makes for cookie-cutter converts. If you can find a way to reconcile the Missionary Lessons with how YOU believe the Church to be true, then I say why not give it a try. Seeing as how they may not let you go if you don't believe the official version of Joseph Smith's story, however, it may be an uphill battle.

I served as AP in my mission and learned a lot of great stuff about the church in the Mission Office, which actually helped quite a bit in my conclusions. Missionaries generally aren't allowed to read History of the Church or Journal of Discourses, let alone Lectures on Faith, etc, but they were available at the Mission Office for our reference. Who knows, if I hadn't gone on a mission, maybe I'd still be stuck questioning and wondering, rather than having a solid idea of what I believe and the direction I feel God would want my life to go. I still attend church, and I still leave room for new knowledge to modify my beliefs, but I no longer feel guilty about doubting Joseph and Brigham's calling as true prophets. I don't need to believe that in order to lead a happy LDS life.

Answer 10

Do NOT go on a mission if you do not KNOW the Church is true. Get a testimony FIRST, and then worry about whether to serve a mission. One of the prerequisites for even serving a mission is to have a testimony of the restored Gospel.