I know quite a few of the posters on the board went on missions. I know some were a disaster and bring back distressing memories and others of you enjoyed your missions immensely.
I see some positive and negative aspects to the mission experience just as an outside observer. I would think a positive is taking a young man or woman and having them become familiar with a different culture. The negative part may be the pressure exerted on missionaries in differing ways. I always wondered if missionaries were able to really appreciate the different culture they may find themselves in or if the focus on converting seemed to damper this ability.
Anyone have any stories they want to share?
Mission Stories
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_Thama
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I think my experience was overwhelmingly positive. I had my moments of depression, but I conquered those as my motivations shifted from caring about "serving the Lord" to caring directly about the people I was around.
Of all the experiences within the Church I had, the mission was the most valuable to me personally and practically. The benefits include: learning a (very useful) second language, learning self-discipline and work ethic, learning how to be self-reliant and budget efficiently, developing the people skills to deal with troublesome companions, ward members and investigator families, and learning the value of compassion.
There were certainly many things I could have done to serve that would have helped people more than teaching them about Mormonism, but I think that most of those I found were people who liked the Church because it filled particular social and psychological needs for them... it certainly wasn't a negative. And for my personal growth, the commandment to serve a mission was all that kept me going during the hard parts at the beginning, and those hard parts were necessary for my growth. I have a hard time thinking of a secular motivation that would have produced as much transformation in me at that particular time.
I think a lot of the missionary experience has to do with the sort of mission president you have... those who were miserable I frequently find were subject to some degrading and absurd mission rules and indoctrinations.
Of all the experiences within the Church I had, the mission was the most valuable to me personally and practically. The benefits include: learning a (very useful) second language, learning self-discipline and work ethic, learning how to be self-reliant and budget efficiently, developing the people skills to deal with troublesome companions, ward members and investigator families, and learning the value of compassion.
There were certainly many things I could have done to serve that would have helped people more than teaching them about Mormonism, but I think that most of those I found were people who liked the Church because it filled particular social and psychological needs for them... it certainly wasn't a negative. And for my personal growth, the commandment to serve a mission was all that kept me going during the hard parts at the beginning, and those hard parts were necessary for my growth. I have a hard time thinking of a secular motivation that would have produced as much transformation in me at that particular time.
I think a lot of the missionary experience has to do with the sort of mission president you have... those who were miserable I frequently find were subject to some degrading and absurd mission rules and indoctrinations.
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_Analytics
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As a missionary, I would spend a couple hours every morning reading Mormon books. Reading the local newspaper or any other local publication was against the rules. I’d go out and spend my day trying to convert people to my culture. I’d walk from house to house humming “Come Come Ye Saints” to keep thoughts foreign to my culture out of my mind. I wasn’t there to learn about or experience their culture—I was there to save them from it.
It reminds me of what Homer Simpson once said. “Come on, Marge, I want to shake off the dust of this one-horse town. I want to explore the world. I want to watch TV in a different time zone. I want to visit strange, exotic malls. I'm sick of eating hoagies. I want a grinder, a sub, a foot-long hero...I want to live, Marge! Won't you let me live? Won't you please?!”
It reminds me of what Homer Simpson once said. “Come on, Marge, I want to shake off the dust of this one-horse town. I want to explore the world. I want to watch TV in a different time zone. I want to visit strange, exotic malls. I'm sick of eating hoagies. I want a grinder, a sub, a foot-long hero...I want to live, Marge! Won't you let me live? Won't you please?!”
It’s relatively easy to agree that only Homo sapiens can speak about things that don’t really exist, and believe six impossible things before breakfast. You could never convince a monkey to give you a banana by promising him limitless bananas after death in monkey heaven.
-Yuval Noah Harari
-Yuval Noah Harari
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_beastie
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I loved becoming fluent in French (although sadly, I long ago lost that). I have always loved the french language, even toyed with majoring in it for a while, but fluency was delicious. I swore to retain my fluency and teach my children to be bilingual, but I began to quickly lose confidence in my mastery of the language after returning home and having zero opportunities to continue speaking french.
I mourn the fact that I was not able to visit the most notable sites in France, because we were not allowed to go outside our district area on the one day we could sight see (our preparation day), but I did see some fabulous things even with that restriction. I will never forget the shocking blueness of the Caribbean sea. I'd never seen anything like it. And the fact that we could just stumble onto an ancient monastery or some other ruin...cuz they were everywhere...I so want to go back to france one day, but have become more and more travel phobic as I age, so I begin to doubt I will ever see it again.
And the food!!! YUM!! The bread is out of this world. All the types of cheeses.. and french people tended to cook by flavor, and I think their food was just BETTER than US food (although I did miss a plain old hamburger by the end).
It was so interesting to talk to people from all over the world, with so many different ideas. I will never forget leaving a "discussion" with an atheist and feeling fearful, because I recognized the atheist's arguments made much more sense than mine did... all I had, at that point, was my "testimony" to reassure me I was right, despite that. I'll also never forget meeting the moonie couple - If I recall correctly, the woman was french and the man english, and they didn't speak each other's language. They'd been assigned to marry each other in one of those big group weddings the moonies have. I couldn't believe they were that "brainwashed". I remember meeting moonies in the airport, too, and talking to them about our respective "missions", and thinking that there, but for the grace of god, go I... brainwashed in a false religion. LOL. But I think one of the most life-changing experiences I had was "Bible bashing" with a JW (they were popular in france), and suddenly realizing that we were like two sides of the same mirror... so sure we were each right... with our arguments constructed to defend that belief...
But the problem was that people really weren't interested in talking to us all that much. If they had been, if I could have had those conversations every day, it wouldn't have been so bad.
But other than my love affair with france, my mission was miserable. My MP was on a conservative binge, because he'd been somewhat liberal his first year and had missionaries doing wild things, so the higher-ups told him to reign us in, so he was very tight on us. (the "wild things" were things like going outside district boundaries on P day to ski) I hated, absolutely hated, having to be with one person 24/7. I especially detested it when I had nuttier companions who translated that mandate very literally and wouldn't leave the room without me, except to go to the bathroom. I'm sorry, I just don't like anyone that much. Ack. And if you had the misfortune of being assigned to a neurotic (or outright nutty) companion, you were screwed. I think we all had that honor at least once.
But the worst thing was the endless tracting. French people had too much sense (and cultural loyalty) to have the slightest interest in Mormonism, with very few exceptions. (they still viewed protestanism as heretical) So we knocked on doors hour after hour, had door after door slammed in our face, were cussed at (I didn't know some of the curse words, but I could tell by the tone and expression what they were), and "peeped" at (through the eye-hole) all day long. And all with the same person. Just how much was there to talk about???? Lord. It was boring, it was miserable. And then we were subjected to harangues by our leaders for not baptizing enough. We were sacrificing years of our lives, engaged in truly miserable work, and then yelled at for not being good enough for God to help us out. If only we had enough faith, God would lead us to the golden converts... so since we were nothing but door-knockers, obviously we didn't have enough faith. It was a mind-f**k. I became so depressed in the middle of my mission I could barely leave our tiny, one room apartment without bursting into tears.
It's funny, I've been through some really hard times in my life. I was married 15 years to an emotionally disturbed, abusive man... and yet it still didn't feel as horrible as my mission did, because at least I could escape him 7 hours a day at work. I've been through horrible illnesses of my children, and the death of a good friend. Yet nothing felt quite the same as that mission - I think it was because there was no escaping it, not even for one day, not even for a few hours. It was total control. Mormon missions ARE cultish, even if regular Mormonism is not. If there is a God, and he wants to send me to hell, all he will have to do is slap that name tag on me and tell me to knock on doors.
by the way, I noticed long ago that there seems to be quite a few RM from french missions that end up on RFM. heh.
I mourn the fact that I was not able to visit the most notable sites in France, because we were not allowed to go outside our district area on the one day we could sight see (our preparation day), but I did see some fabulous things even with that restriction. I will never forget the shocking blueness of the Caribbean sea. I'd never seen anything like it. And the fact that we could just stumble onto an ancient monastery or some other ruin...cuz they were everywhere...I so want to go back to france one day, but have become more and more travel phobic as I age, so I begin to doubt I will ever see it again.
And the food!!! YUM!! The bread is out of this world. All the types of cheeses.. and french people tended to cook by flavor, and I think their food was just BETTER than US food (although I did miss a plain old hamburger by the end).
It was so interesting to talk to people from all over the world, with so many different ideas. I will never forget leaving a "discussion" with an atheist and feeling fearful, because I recognized the atheist's arguments made much more sense than mine did... all I had, at that point, was my "testimony" to reassure me I was right, despite that. I'll also never forget meeting the moonie couple - If I recall correctly, the woman was french and the man english, and they didn't speak each other's language. They'd been assigned to marry each other in one of those big group weddings the moonies have. I couldn't believe they were that "brainwashed". I remember meeting moonies in the airport, too, and talking to them about our respective "missions", and thinking that there, but for the grace of god, go I... brainwashed in a false religion. LOL. But I think one of the most life-changing experiences I had was "Bible bashing" with a JW (they were popular in france), and suddenly realizing that we were like two sides of the same mirror... so sure we were each right... with our arguments constructed to defend that belief...
But the problem was that people really weren't interested in talking to us all that much. If they had been, if I could have had those conversations every day, it wouldn't have been so bad.
But other than my love affair with france, my mission was miserable. My MP was on a conservative binge, because he'd been somewhat liberal his first year and had missionaries doing wild things, so the higher-ups told him to reign us in, so he was very tight on us. (the "wild things" were things like going outside district boundaries on P day to ski) I hated, absolutely hated, having to be with one person 24/7. I especially detested it when I had nuttier companions who translated that mandate very literally and wouldn't leave the room without me, except to go to the bathroom. I'm sorry, I just don't like anyone that much. Ack. And if you had the misfortune of being assigned to a neurotic (or outright nutty) companion, you were screwed. I think we all had that honor at least once.
But the worst thing was the endless tracting. French people had too much sense (and cultural loyalty) to have the slightest interest in Mormonism, with very few exceptions. (they still viewed protestanism as heretical) So we knocked on doors hour after hour, had door after door slammed in our face, were cussed at (I didn't know some of the curse words, but I could tell by the tone and expression what they were), and "peeped" at (through the eye-hole) all day long. And all with the same person. Just how much was there to talk about???? Lord. It was boring, it was miserable. And then we were subjected to harangues by our leaders for not baptizing enough. We were sacrificing years of our lives, engaged in truly miserable work, and then yelled at for not being good enough for God to help us out. If only we had enough faith, God would lead us to the golden converts... so since we were nothing but door-knockers, obviously we didn't have enough faith. It was a mind-f**k. I became so depressed in the middle of my mission I could barely leave our tiny, one room apartment without bursting into tears.
It's funny, I've been through some really hard times in my life. I was married 15 years to an emotionally disturbed, abusive man... and yet it still didn't feel as horrible as my mission did, because at least I could escape him 7 hours a day at work. I've been through horrible illnesses of my children, and the death of a good friend. Yet nothing felt quite the same as that mission - I think it was because there was no escaping it, not even for one day, not even for a few hours. It was total control. Mormon missions ARE cultish, even if regular Mormonism is not. If there is a God, and he wants to send me to hell, all he will have to do is slap that name tag on me and tell me to knock on doors.
by the way, I noticed long ago that there seems to be quite a few RM from french missions that end up on RFM. heh.
We hate to seem like we don’t trust every nut with a story, but there’s evidence we can point to, and dance while shouting taunting phrases.
Penn & Teller
http://www.mormonmesoamerica.com
Penn & Teller
http://www.mormonmesoamerica.com
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_krose
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Beastie:
France, eh? You and Saint Mitt. I love France also, having been there four or five times as a tourist (although I've spent more time in Germany and Spain). Paris is fun to visit for short periods, but I really like the south (central and west).
Did you have any baptisms at all there? I understand that's pretty common in Western Europe (my brother had none in Germany).
France, eh? You and Saint Mitt. I love France also, having been there four or five times as a tourist (although I've spent more time in Germany and Spain). Paris is fun to visit for short periods, but I really like the south (central and west).
Did you have any baptisms at all there? I understand that's pretty common in Western Europe (my brother had none in Germany).
"The DNA of fictional populations appears to be the most susceptible to extinction." - Simon Southerton
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_KimberlyAnn
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How serendipitous to come home from a Mormon Missionary encounter and find this thread!
Only a few minutes ago, I was driving home from the kennel with my dog, Daisy, and saw two LDS missionaries walking in the rain, sans umbrellas! They were walking in the mud alongside a busy side street, being splashed by passing cars. I felt sorry for them, so I turned around, pulled up next to them and rolling down my window, asked, "Elders, would you two like a ride? I don't mind dropping you off at your destination. I hate to see you walking in the rain."
They said, "Thanks for the offer..." and looked at one another, so I added, "I'm not a member, but I once was, and I still have a soft spot for missionaries. Let me give y'all a ride."
"No, we're fine walking, but thank you so much for the offer," was the reply.
"OK, then. Be careful boys," I said, rolled up my window, and drove away.
Just a few months ago, Annie and I ran into some missionaries at Taco Bueno and I bought their lunch and visited with them a bit. They didn't seem to mind. I wonder why the missionaries today wouldn't take my offer for a ride? I know they didn't pose a threat, and I don't think they believed I did. I've given missionaries rides before.
I'm wondering if was because I'm a woman, or because they aren't supposed to accept rides in general, or if it was because I said I was a former member?
At any rate, I feel sorry for them out in the rain, and wonder what they're doing out, on foot, in stormy weather like this. It's really not safe.
KA
Only a few minutes ago, I was driving home from the kennel with my dog, Daisy, and saw two LDS missionaries walking in the rain, sans umbrellas! They were walking in the mud alongside a busy side street, being splashed by passing cars. I felt sorry for them, so I turned around, pulled up next to them and rolling down my window, asked, "Elders, would you two like a ride? I don't mind dropping you off at your destination. I hate to see you walking in the rain."
They said, "Thanks for the offer..." and looked at one another, so I added, "I'm not a member, but I once was, and I still have a soft spot for missionaries. Let me give y'all a ride."
"No, we're fine walking, but thank you so much for the offer," was the reply.
"OK, then. Be careful boys," I said, rolled up my window, and drove away.
Just a few months ago, Annie and I ran into some missionaries at Taco Bueno and I bought their lunch and visited with them a bit. They didn't seem to mind. I wonder why the missionaries today wouldn't take my offer for a ride? I know they didn't pose a threat, and I don't think they believed I did. I've given missionaries rides before.
I'm wondering if was because I'm a woman, or because they aren't supposed to accept rides in general, or if it was because I said I was a former member?
At any rate, I feel sorry for them out in the rain, and wonder what they're doing out, on foot, in stormy weather like this. It's really not safe.
KA
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_beastie
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- Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:26 am
France, eh? You and Saint Mitt. I love France also, having been there four or five times as a tourist (although I've spent more time in Germany and Spain). Paris is fun to visit for short periods, but I really like the south (central and west).
Did you have any baptisms at all there? I understand that's pretty common in Western Europe (my brother had none in Germany).
I had two baptisms, which was considered quite successful in my mission. Many missionaries went home without a single baptism. One of my baptisms was a young girl who was in love with the elders, and we sisters were only called in because the elders weren't allowed to teach young, single girls if sisters were available. She didn't even want to listen to the discussions, she only wanted to talk about the elders. I really think she thought she'd marry one of them and move to the US (not an uncommon fantasy). My other baptism was a lovely, sincere young lady who went inactive almost immediately.
So, despite my MP telling me how lucky I was to have two baptisms, I didn't feel like it was a success at all.
KA - missionaries are not supposed to ride alone in vehicles with members of the opposite sex.
We hate to seem like we don’t trust every nut with a story, but there’s evidence we can point to, and dance while shouting taunting phrases.
Penn & Teller
http://www.mormonmesoamerica.com
Penn & Teller
http://www.mormonmesoamerica.com
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_Moniker
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Thama, I forget, at times, the aspects of the mission that seem to stress quite a bit of responsibility for people so young. I'm glad you had an overall positive experience. Do you mind saying where you served? No problems if you don't want to divulge. :)
Analytics, thanks for your reply. I wondered if, for some, there was that lack of ability to appreciate a new culture and their beliefs since the missionaries are there to specifically sell their own culture and beliefs.
Analytics, thanks for your reply. I wondered if, for some, there was that lack of ability to appreciate a new culture and their beliefs since the missionaries are there to specifically sell their own culture and beliefs.
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_Thama
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Moniker wrote:Thama, I forget, at times, the aspects of the mission that seem to stress quite a bit of responsibility for people so young. I'm glad you had an overall positive experience. Do you mind saying where you served? No problems if you don't want to divulge. :)
Long Beach, CA, Spanish speaking. I was the lucky bastard that got to go tract out Compton. :D