Church Struggles to Place Increased Missionary Applicants

[_Craig Paxton]

One of my inside COB sources has informed me that the church is struggling to find mission openings to place all of the missionary candidates caused from a surge in missionary applications created by the new guidelines. More specifically, the church was caught off guard and unprepared by the number of women who applied for a mission calling and the increase in 18 year old men who applied once they also became eligible.

As a result of the increase applications…those who get their application in now will have about an 80% chance of being called to a state side mission rather than a foreign mission…because the church just can’t get that many applicants through the process required to place them in foreign missions….visas, security, etc. Also they don’t have room for this increase capacity at the MTC foreign language school.

I’m sharing this with you so you may inform anyone of your family who may wish to go on a foreign mission to hold off for a while until the gopher works its way through the snake’s belly.

You can draw your own conclusions…

[_Yoda]

Frankly, I would say this is good news. I would much rather have my child go on a state-side mission than a foreign one. It is simply much safer, and easier to gain contact if needed.

[_Fence Sitter]

I would rather have served a foreign mission. I do not see safety as much of an issue nor communication in this day and age. Yes a foreign country may be less safe than the U.S. but the chances of a missionary being hurt are so small that I don't think it is worth consideration. Plus the added bonus of a foreign language and culture are huge benefits. I am sure my wife would disagree. Mom's tend to be a lot more protective.

It seems the Church leadership underestimates how literal members take suggestions from the top. Unmarried girls 19 and older are going to feel more pressure to serve. Boys will be expected to leave straight out of high school.

[_Equality]

Looks like another revelation FAIL. The Prophet and Seer could not see that this would be the result of announcing the changes re: missionary age? Why is Mormon God so stingy with the revelations to his chosen mouthpieces?

[_RockSlider]

Craig Paxton

Thank you for sharing this insight

[_just me]

It seems the Church leadership underestimates how literal members take suggestions from the top.

The mind boggles that they don't see this.

[_Fence Sitter]

One of my inside COB sources has informed me that the church is struggling to find mission openings to place all of the missionary candidates caused from a surge in missionary applications created by the new guidelines.

I was under the impression that the area a missionary served was based on a calling from the Prophet. Shouldn't God know where they can be sent?

[_Yoda]

I would rather have served a foreign mission. I do not see safety as much of an issue nor communication in this day and age. Yes a foreign country may be less safe than the U.S. but the chances of a missionary being hurt are so small that I don't think it is worth consideration. Plus the added bonus of a foreign language and culture are huge benefits. I am sure my wife would disagree. Mom's tend to be a lot more protective.

It seems the Church leadership underestimates how literal members take suggestions from the top. Unmarried girls 19 and older are going to feel more pressure to serve. Boys will be expected to leave straight out of high school.

I suppose I am coming at this from the aspect of a Mom!

Foreign language and culture training can also be helpful for some stateside missions as well. There are many areas, for instance, where Spanish is a prominent language spoken. There are also places in Northern California where Chinese and Korean are prominent, particularly among shop owners.

I agree completely with your comment about how literal members are taking suggestions from the top. How else are they supposed to take them?

[_sock puppet]

I agree completely with your comment about how literal members are taking suggestions from the top. How else are they supposed to take them?

"Supposed" to? Literally, of course.

But, a spoonful of common sense helps the 'medicine' go down.

[_Fence Sitter]

I suppose I am coming at this from the aspect of a Mom!

Foreign language and culture training can also be helpful for some stateside missions as well. There are many areas, for instance, where Spanish is a prominent language spoken. There are also places in Northern California where Chinese and Korean are prominent, particularly among shop owners.

I agree completely with your comment about how literal members are taking suggestions from the top. How else are they supposed to take them?

I don't recall exactly what Pres Monson said when he made the announcement, but he did phrase it in terms of the boys being prepared and the girls being optional. What the members will hear is "blah-blah-blah... boys at 18. . . blah-blah-blah... girls at 19". It isn't so much leadership that will pressure the kids as it will be their peers and parents.