It's now or never

 This paper was an assignment for my writing class but i felt it was very applicable and important to today! Especially for those thinking about serving a mission. It's a strong opinion because it was required we were very blunt, so i hope it doesn't offend anyone but it's a very important topic! I'd love to get your opinions and feedback on this topic as well...

It’s now or never

Phones ring off the hook, text messages overwhelmingly fill inboxes, and tears stream down the faces of youth around the world as Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, boldly pronounces “that all worthy and able young men who have graduated from high school will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18, instead of age 19…. (also), worthy young women who have the desire to serve may be recommended for missionary service beginning at age 19, instead of age 21.” At that instant futures changed, colleges decreased in enrollment and the dynamic of LDS youth changed dramatically.

A sudden rush. A quickening haste. Mission call-openings. Farewells by the dozen. Everyone’s leaving. Everyone’s gone.

But me.

I should go on a mission- It’s now or never.

This milestone in Church history has completely changed the idea of the mission itself and has greatly altered the church’s curriculum to accommodate this change. It’s here, it’s fresh, and it is purely exciting. However, due to this change, social influences and intertwining emotions from this announcement pressured teenagers to serve a mission, skewing the truly important motivations for serving. The one valid motivation to serve a mission should be because one has felt the power of the Atonement in their life and has the desire to help others experience that same power.

An acquaintance from High School, currently 19 years old, submitted his mission papers soon after the announcement was made and has been in the MTC for a little over four weeks now. Without enough spiritual preparedness or personal desire to serve a mission, outside pressure of friends and family put him into the MTC. He struggles immensely and plans to quit his mission soon.

Do we decide to serve at these “standard” ages for fear of being perceived as a “Bad Mormon” if we don’t, or do we prayerfully choose to go based on the correct timing and the extent of our spirits readiness?  First hand, I have seen the combination of these intense emotions and the opportunity of serving early, motivate a large majority of young adults to put in their papers right now. But, this excitement or haste to go should not mask the promptings of the Spirit whispering if a mission is truly in our timetable. Predictably, after this buzz dies down, the percentage of incoming missionaries will decrease as teenagers begin to see the more seriousness of this option rather than reacting to a thrilling explosion of change.

The missionary age change has also had a tremendous influence upon the young women now that they have a more accessible option to serve. Social pressures from young men to have that “returned missionary” sentiment in a wife has been a huge factor in this increase. The young men have voiced that young women should choose to go, therefore, young women are more susceptible to serve for that reason. Several of my friends, without admitting it, are going sooner than later, in order to “beat the crowd” and protect themselves from judgments of peers and fellow church members who may perceive them as unworthy.

Starting your mission papers, getting excited for where you get called, and the thought of serving a mission is in some cases all working up to the parties, the mission call openings, the farewells, and the celebration of leaving. However, once in the field, that motivation you once possessed is replaced by the reality and seriousness of this work, which leaves you handicapped because you didn’t fully realize what a mission is all about.

A mission is not to better yourself, though it may do that. A mission is not to explore the world, though it may bring you to new cultures and lifestyles. A mission is not to please your girlfriend at home or your group of friends, though it may do that as well. But a mission is a personal sacrifice to share the gospel, and in order to be the most effective, missionaries should primarily serve at the right time and for the right reasons, rather than checking off a box on the bucket list. Do not serve a mission if you are not ready. Maximize your mission experience and go if and when the time is right. 

Also, reference:  https://www.lds.org/topics/missionary-preparation/when-should-i-serve?lang=eng