Finally Someone Asked the Question..."Are Missionaries Safe"

[_KevinSim]

I am not sure whether the right comparison is being used. One should not look at death rates for young US men in general, but at death rates for young white middle-class men who do not smoke, drink, or do drugs, and live in places like Provo. Sending someone like that to walk the streets in Guatemala, or in a Chicago housing project, is likely to be a substantial increase in risk compared to their normal life at home or college. And they are getting younger ...

Agreed. Also, whether or not one missionary is lost or 20, those lost are still lost under the LDS Church's watch.

So is the LDS Church somehow responsible for everybody who dies on one of its missions? If so, why do you think so?

[_madeleine]

And still no mention of the Elder who allegedly committed suicide in Mexico...Oh yeah...suicide victim don't warrant mention...

Or those who commit suicide shortly after their return home, as my BIL did.

[_madeleine]

Agreed. Also, whether or not one missionary is lost or 20, those lost are still lost under the LDS Church's watch.

So is the LDS Church somehow responsible for everybody who dies on one of its missions? If so, why do you think so?

Of course, all the planning and training in the world won't prevent that one terrible accident. But to say the LDS Church has no responsibility, is irresponsible. Can't just throw your hands up in the air and say "crap happens" or "statistics happen".

[_KevinSim]

So is the LDS Church somehow responsible for everybody who dies on one of its missions? If so, why do you think so?

Of course, all the planning and training in the world won't prevent that one terrible accident. But to say the LDS Church has no responsibility, is irresponsible. Can't just throw your hands up in the air and say "s*** happens" or "statistics happen".

The LDS Church bends over backwards to make missions as safe as possible. That doesn't change the fact that, no matter how safe you make it, life is fragile, and things can happen anywhere to threaten it. I don't think anyone can criticize the LDS Church for deaths of missionaries, when there was a higher chance they would have died had they not gone on missions than there was if they had.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

Wow! scary stuff, Doc! Especially the Shining Path folks. I understand they like to take hostages and hold them for years. Glad you survived.

Do you think Karate should be taught in missionary training?

Ha! No... No way.

I simply believe the Church leadership looks at missionary losses as a cost versus benefit thing... As long as the cost doesn't outweigh the benefit they'll keep doing it.

I do believe most members share my mother's perspective, and are willing to put their children's lives on the line for Christ.

- Doc

[_SteelHead]

Anyone who has served in a 3rd slum would view statements about the church bending over backwards for security as a blatant lie.

Anyone paying medical bills for maladies contracted in the service of the church would also have a different view. It is quite common for sick missionaries to be sent home for medical care wherein their families are expected to pick up the tab.

[_Bazooka]

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/56909327-78/missionaries-missionary-died-church.html.csp

They get it wrong.
11 missionaries have died this year.
They neglected to count in the recent suicide of a missionary.

The question isn't "Are Missionaries safe?"
The question is "What is done to ensure Missionary safety, and is it enough?"

[_Jonah]

I don't think anyone can criticize the LDS Church for deaths of missionaries, when there was a higher chance they would have died had they not gone on missions than there was if they had.

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can GUARANTEE you that my son would be much safer walking the streets here in his hometown than he is walking the streets in Mexico City. LOL!!!!!!!!!!

I have a friend who told me stories of his son serving in Russia. He said that his son was held up at gun or knife point nearly every week. His son quit wearing watches and jewelry, and as long as he handed over a few bucks to the robbers he only got slapped around and roughed up a little. Of course the son only shared these stories AFTER he returned home.

I also know of a very close friend of our family who was MURDERED while serving in a dangerous part in Africa. Is the church responsible? Most definitely when these missionaries are assigned to dangerous parts of the world whether it be crime or unsanitary conditions. I have another friend who to this day, some 30+ years after his mission, still suffers digestive problems from the parasites he picked up on his mission. Do you want to tell me that he still would have had these problems had he not gone? Don't be foolish. My son went months living in an insect infested, no running hot water, filthy piece of crap apartment. Do you think the Mission Prez or visiting G.A. would tolerate living in such conditions for even five minutes? Yet this is what the church accepts for it's workforce? You would think that for all the hours spent in service of the church, the church would provide and demand a better place than some shithole to come home to at the end of the day.

Of all the places my son could have been sent, I am O.K. with Mexico City. I still have my fears and worries but push them aside and just live week-to-week. If he would have been sent to a border town or a more dangerous place, I probably would have put my foot down or kidnapped him to keep him from going.

[_EAllusion]

The numbers given suggest it is a relatively safe activity. It's less safe than some other options, of course, but no one thinks risk is or ought to be evenly distributed through all jobs. Spending huge amounts of time doing door to door sales is going to increase the risk of transport related accidents. What you want is to make sure everything that can be reasonably done to enhance safety on the job is being done in proportion to the tasks at hand. Obviously I think proselytizing on behalf of the LDS Church is a waste of time, but I think we can bracket that part of the issue. I agree with Bazooka who said, "The question is "What is done to ensure Missionary safety, and is it enough?"

[_Quasimodo]

The numbers given suggest it is a relatively safe activity. It's less safe than some other options, of course, but no one thinks risk is or ought to be evenly distributed through all jobs. Spending huge amounts of time doing door to door sales is going to increase the risk of transport related accidents. What you want is to make sure everything that can be reasonably done to enhance safety on the job is being done in proportion to the tasks at hand. Obviously I think proselytizing on behalf of the LDS Church is a waste of time, but I think we can bracket that part of the issue. I agree with Bazooka who said, "The question is "What is done to ensure Missionary safety, and is it enough?"

I know a nurse in the Navy reserves that spends a few weeks at Camp Pendleton every year while the Marines are doing maneuvers (war games). She says that there are always three of four deaths every year due to accidents, etc.

Whenever you have a few thousand kids rushing around heavy equipment (tanks, personnel carriers, helicopters) there are always accidents.

I guess that's the price the country needs to pay to have a well trained military and I suppose that I can accept that because of it's importance (I doubt the families of those poor kids feel the same way).

I'm not sure I can accept the death of missionaries (no matter how few) that give their lives to increase the number of tithe payers.