All About Missionaries!

Friends have asked me before what exactly missionaries from our church do. I could never seem to put it into the right words, until I read a post from a friend on Facebook, explaining perfectly the answer to that question. With her permission, here is that answer:

About those Mormon Missionaries...

1. These wonderful young people take 18 months (girls) or 2 years (boys) out of their lives to provide service to others. They put off college, careers, sports, scholarships, relationships, and more to serve and bring others a message of God's love for them.

2. This service is not free. These missionaries and their families work and save to pay their own way. A mission costs about $400 per month plus other expenses. They (and their families!) end up feeling the experience is priceless.

Once, when I was talking to a friend about how I had bragged about seeing a new superhero movie to the missionary I'm writing, they questioned, "Wait, missionaries from your church can't go see movies?" And the answer is: NOPE! (Even if they could, I don't think they would have the time!)

3. Missionaries give up television, video games, popular music, movies, most recreational activities, casual clothes, independence and privacy (They are with their companion 24 hours a day!), social media, texting, calling, and seeing friends and family when they want, and other things that most of us take for granted. Some give up daily showers, comfortable beds, driving, 3 meals a day, and even clean clothes. Could you make that sacrifice for the Lord?

4. Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints get up at 6:30 every morning and go to bed at 10:30 every night, only are allowed two telephone calls home a year to family (Christmas and Mother's Day), have one day a week where they can write letters/emails to family and friends (Preparation Day or "P-Day), and do not date or spend any alone time with members of the opposite sex. 

5. They don't get to choose where they will go, what language they will speak, or who their companion will be! They could go to Siberia or Salt Lake City, could learn a language that they have never even heard of (in as few as 6 weeks!), and could be partnered with someone they do not necessarily get along with. Missionaries are often immersed in a brand new culture, stretched to their limits like never before! Hopefully they like the food too, no matter how exotic, because after a long day's work, they'll be hungry, that's for sure :)

6. Missionaries face rejection on a daily basis. Doors are slammed in their faces and many people are unkind. Mormon missionaries can be spit upon, yelled at, and ridiculed in public. Yet, they still look forward to going out again the next day!