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Church pleads for more senior missions, why are people ignoring the Lord’s call?
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2026 5:40 am
by I Have Questions
In a seemingly
desperate reminder to Mormons who are currently shunning the idea of a mission in favour of living their life by convenience…
“But along with them are marvelous senior missionaries who have answered the pleadings of prophets and apostles for more missionary couples.”
These senior missionaries “are young in spirit, wise and willing to work,” said Elder Nelson, adding: “These dear members are willing to serve and strengthen the lives of others. Even if these seniors don’t know the local language, their accomplishments are great and their spirit of sacrifice is precious.”
But the request and pleadings are falling on deaf ears.
Most recently, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke in October 2023 general conference of sitting down to assign missionaries to their fields of labor. When he turned to the senior missionary couples, there were 10 couples to fill 300 requests.
“That sobering moment has stayed with me: 10 couples to fill 300 requests,” Elder Rasband related.
As an Apostle of Jesus Christ, Elder Rasband said: “I ask you to serve as a missionary in the gathering of Israel and perhaps even serve again. We need you — we need you. … I now invite you to take your know-how, coupled with your time-honored testimonies, and go on a mission.”
Why are those senior people finding excuses to not serve a senior mission, rather than trusting in the Lord and taking the plunge? Why do they lack the courage of their convictions? It is noteworthy to me that the more vocal a senior is in defending the church online, the more likely they are to find excuses for avoiding serving a senior mission.
Re: Church pleads for more senior missions, why are people ignoring the Lord’s call?
Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2026 2:31 am
by Dr. Shades
I Have Questions wrote: ↑Tue Oct 20, 2026 5:40 am
It is noteworthy to me that the more vocal a senior is in defending the church online, the more likely they are to find excuses for avoiding serving a senior mission.
LOL!!
As I've said before, I'm convinced that the reason so many senior couples are refusing the call to serve is because they're getting smart: More and more of them are recognizing that senior missions are a scam to get people to do work for free that the church would normally have to pay professionals top dollar to do.
Re: Church pleads for more senior missions, why are people ignoring the Lord’s call?
Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2026 5:22 am
by Philo Sofee
Dr. Shades wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2026 2:31 am
I Have Questions wrote: ↑Tue Oct 20, 2026 5:40 am
It is noteworthy to me that the more vocal a senior is in defending the church online, the more likely they are to find excuses for avoiding serving a senior mission.
LOL!!
As I've said before, I'm convinced that the reason so many senior couples are refusing the call to serve is because they're getting smart: More and more of them are recognizing that senior missions are a scam to get people to do work for free that the church would normally have to pay professionals top dollar to do.
Not only that, but now the world is genuinely getting harder to get back home in with all the wars and inflation, etc. Why take that kind of chance if you want to preach, do it online in safety. There is literally no actual reason to physically go to Russia on any kind of mission. Nor to Ukraine. Nor to any of the Gulf states. Nor to Canada, Greenland, Mexico, or Venezuela. Nor to Africa. Nor to India, Pakistan or either Korea. Foreign missions these days are quite literally a potential life sentence.
Re: Church pleads for more senior missions, why are people ignoring the Lord’s call?
Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2026 6:20 am
by huckelberry
Probably have other things to do.
Re: Church pleads for more senior missions, why are people ignoring the Lord’s call?
Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2026 8:05 am
by I Have Questions
huckelberry wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2026 6:20 am
Probably have other things to do.
I’m sure they do. That’s what I mean when I say they have chosen to live by convenience rather than by covenant. My point is that on the one hand you’ve got seniors online defending the belief that when an Apostle speaks, that’s really the Lord speaking. But those same individuals, when hearing Apostles pleading for them to serve senior missions, suddenly it’s not the Lord speaking, or suddenly they go deaf. It’s the inconsistency of their position in pointing out. And the more vocal the defender is online, the less likely they are to serve a senior mission. That juxtaposition is very noteworthy. It shows that when it comes to the crunch, they lack the courage of their blowhard convictions. They say they’re committed to the Gospel, the covenant path, but they show that they’re not.
Re: Church pleads for more senior missions, why are people ignoring the Lord’s call?
Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2026 8:12 am
by Dr. Shades
Philo Sofee wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2026 5:22 am
There is literally no actual reason to physically go to Russia on any kind of mission. Nor to Ukraine. Nor to any of the Gulf states. Nor to Canada, Greenland, Mexico, or Venezuela. Nor to Africa. Nor to India, Pakistan or either Korea. Foreign missions these days are quite literally a potential life sentence.
Yeah, but what about to Liechtenstein, Uruguay, or Papua New Guinea?
Re: Church pleads for more senior missions, why are people ignoring the Lord’s call?
Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2026 12:40 pm
by Philo Sofee
Dr. Shades wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2026 8:12 am
Philo Sofee wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2026 5:22 am
There is literally no actual reason to physically go to Russia on any kind of mission. Nor to Ukraine. Nor to any of the Gulf states. Nor to Canada, Greenland, Mexico, or Venezuela. Nor to Africa. Nor to India, Pakistan or either Korea. Foreign missions these days are quite literally a potential life sentence.
Yeah, but what about to Liechtenstein, Uruguay, or Papua New Guinea?
Well, ya got me there. Shall I put in my papers?
Re: Church pleads for more senior missions, why are people ignoring the Lord’s call?
Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2026 12:46 pm
by Shulem
Philo Sofee wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2026 12:40 pm
Dr. Shades wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2026 8:12 am
Yeah, but what about to Liechtenstein, Uruguay, or Papua New Guinea?
Well, ya got me there. Shall I put in my papers?
Do you have any plans to resign from the Church or await excommunication if they revive that punishment?
I'm curious.
Re: Church pleads for more senior missions, why are people ignoring the Lord’s call?
Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2026 12:51 pm
by Philo Sofee
Shulem wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2026 12:46 pm
Philo Sofee wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2026 12:40 pm
Well, ya got me there. Shall I put in my papers?
Do you have any plans to resign from the Church or await excommunication if they revive that punishment?
I'm curious.
No. I'd rather focus on writing my book. That kind of paperwork is my favorite for now.
Re: Church pleads for more senior missions, why are people ignoring the Lord’s call?
Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2026 12:56 pm
by Shulem
Philo Sofee wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2026 12:51 pm
No. I'd rather focus on writing my book. That kind of paperwork is my favorite for now.
Well, okay, that's your personal preference and there is nothing wrong with it. But it doesn't take too long to formerly resign and the process is easy. I was all too glad to get my swipe in before the Church could get its last slap on me. I held my own court and excommunicated the church!
he he