Senior missions vs. cafeteria Mormonism

[huckelberry]

I may not understand but I find it weird for people to sort of guilt pressure folks about senior mission. Part of it is that my brother and his wife are off to Germany on a senior mission. I hope it is nonpressured decision that they are glad and happy to do. As a result of that hope I hope there are people who feel completely OK not doing a senior mission. I do not know what percent of seniors are doing senior mission but I hope every day folks at home are not pressured by folks wondering if they have the real faith.

[Rivendale]

I may not understand but I find it weird for people to sort of guilt pressure folks about senior mission. Part of it is that my brother and his wife are off to Germany on a senior mission. I hope it is nonpressured decision that they are glad and happy to do. As a result of that hope I hope there are people who feel completely OK not doing a senior mission. I do not know what percent of seniors are doing senior mission but I hope every day folks at home are not pressured by folks wondering if they have the real faith.

That same reasoning can be used for every single pressure the church uses on people. It creates cafeteria Mormonism. That being said I can see how enticing it could be for people in the faith and looking for a change of scenery while simultaneously feeling emboldened by the idea you are doing the lord's will.

[huckelberry]

I may not understand but I find it weird for people to sort of guilt pressure folks about senior mission. Part of it is that my brother and his wife are off to Germany on a senior mission. I hope it is nonpressured decision that they are glad and happy to do. As a result of that hope I hope there are people who feel completely OK not doing a senior mission. I do not know what percent of seniors are doing senior mission but I hope every day folks at home are not pressured by folks wondering if they have the real faith.

That same reasoning can be used for every single pressure the church uses on people. It creates cafeteria Mormonism. That being said I can see how enticing it could be for people in the faith and looking for a change of scenery while simultaneously feeling emboldened by the idea you are doing the lord's will.

Is there something wrong with cafeteria Mormonism? Making individual decisions is an important part of life. Used to be important to Mormonism, at least I thought.

[malkie]

That same reasoning can be used for every single pressure the church uses on people. It creates cafeteria Mormonism. That being said I can see how enticing it could be for people in the faith and looking for a change of scenery while simultaneously feeling emboldened by the idea you are doing the lord's will.

Is there something wrong with cafeteria Mormonism? Making individual decisions is an important part of life. Used to be important to Mormonism, at least I thought.

I would venture to say that every Mormon - at least those living in the real world - is a Cafeteria Mormon. I can't imagine how it could possibly be otherwise. Or perhaps I was just a particularly poor example.

[Dr. Shades]

That same reasoning can be used for every single pressure the church uses on people. It creates cafeteria Mormonism. That being said I can see how enticing it could be for people in the faith and looking for a change of scenery while simultaneously feeling emboldened by the idea you are doing the lord's will.

Is there something wrong with cafeteria Mormonism?

Yes. The prophets have spoken out against it. If you disagree, please refer us to a single Conference talk or Ensign article wherein a prophet has encouraged the members to pick and choose which of the Lord's commandments they will or won't follow.

Making individual decisions is an important part of life.

Everyday life, yes. But absolutely NOT when it comes to the church.

Used to be important to Mormonism, at least I thought.

You thought 180° incorrectly.

[I Have Questions]

President Nelson in 2016 said

The truth is, no senior missionary finds it convenient to leave home. Neither did Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, or Wilford Woodruff. They had children and grandchildren too, and they loved their families just as we do. But they also loved the Lord and wanted to serve Him. Someday we may meet these stalwarts who helped to establish this dispensation. When we do, we will rejoice that we did not seek the shadows when we should have served.

Peterson and MG 2.0, for example, have opted to seek the shadows rather than serve.

[Fence Sitter]

I have no problem with seniors who want to serve missions, especially those who choose service missions. Instead of simply vacationing through their senior years, they are out there working to fill a need—often enjoying it as much as if they were on vacation. My parents served three proselytizing missions and were thrilled and energized by each one. So, if a bit of guilting is used to motivate them to go, I don’t have any more problem with that than I would with a doctor guilting a senior patient into being more active using similar methods.

I’m in that age range myself now, and while I lost my TBM wife a few years ago, I would have been happy to go on a service mission with her (if they allowed non-members or unbelieving members to participate).

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

Too many who are retired sit around watching TV—doing nothing. I feel the Lord would want them to go on a mission—not just sit around. We need couples. It is a wonderful experience for them and a great blessing to the Church.”
— “To the Elderly in the Church,” Ensign, November 1989

——

We call upon all senior couples who are physically able and financially able to respond to a call to serve. We urge bishops and stake presidents to recommend such couples for missionary service. … Let us hasten to the work.”
— “When the World Will Be Converted,” Ensign, October 1974

[Rivendale]

That same reasoning can be used for every single pressure the church uses on people. It creates cafeteria Mormonism. That being said I can see how enticing it could be for people in the faith and looking for a change of scenery while simultaneously feeling emboldened by the idea you are doing the lord's will.

Is there something wrong with cafeteria Mormonism? Making individual decisions is an important part of life. Used to be important to Mormonism, at least I thought.

The church is not a place to experiment with faith. It is a set of rigid expectations as outlined in baptismal and temple recommend questions. Big tent Mormonism can't exist with the current cultural and administrative infrastructure.

[MG 2.0]

I may not understand but I find it weird for people to sort of guilt pressure folks about senior mission. Part of it is that my brother and his wife are off to Germany on a senior mission. I hope it is nonpressured decision that they are glad and happy to do. As a result of that hope I hope there are people who feel completely OK not doing a senior mission. I do not know what percent of seniors are doing senior mission but I hope every day folks at home are not pressured by folks wondering if they have the real faith.

No, they're not. That's cool that your brother and his wife are off to Germany on a mission!

Regards,
MG