LDS football player changes mind on serving mission ....

[_RockSlider]

Hey liz,

I sent two son's on foriegn missions during my inactive years. I'm with you that my boys grew from the good experiences ...

However, I wonder how much more they would have grown, if say I'd sent them to the same countries with say a student exchange program.

I have a feeling there would be no comparision to the experience gained/net outcome.

I think the extreme control on what they could and could not do severly limited the potential of the experience.

[_Yoda]

Hey liz,

I sent two son's on foriegn missions during my inactive years. I'm with you that my boys grew from the good experiences ...

However, I wonder how much more they would have grown, if say I'd sent them to the same countries with say a student exchange program.

I have a feeling there would be no comparision to the experience gained/net outcome.

I think the extreme control on what they could and could not do severly limited the potential of the experience.

Oh, I agree that a lot of missions are run like "big brother". Even my TBM husband got frustrated with the strictness of some of the rules.

I also don't think that a mission is necessarily for everyone. My brother didn't serve a mission. He just didn't want to go. He was busy with school at the time. My Dad said that he would pay for it if he wanted to go, but it was his decision.

I don't think there should be any shame or stigma attached with NOT going on a mission. That is one thing that I would really like to see change within the LDS culture.

My argument was more about the comparison between LDS parents and suicide bombers.

[_Dr. Shades]

Heh. That's because BYU's season opener is against my Sooners.

What the Hell is a "Sooner," and what does the mascot look like??

[_TAK]

liz3564
I don't think there should be any shame or stigma attached with NOT going on a mission. That is one thing that I would really like to see change within the LDS culture.

Which goes to my point that kids are often pushed into missions by others and don't really want to be there but feel they had no choice.

liz3564
My argument was more about the comparison between LDS parents and suicide bombers.

Which was not my point except to show what parents/ culture are capable of doing ..

[_The Nehor]

But they won't learn that Joseph Smith married Orson Hyde's wife while he was off to Palestine.

Imagine if Joseph Smith had the internet (hat tip to Sister Mary Lisa)

OrsonHide: hi Joe
nastyboyJS: Orson! guess what?
OrsonHide: what?
nastyboyJS: ur going to jerusalem!
OrsonHide: WTF? A mission?
nastyboyJS: as revealed to me by god
OrsonHide: but what about Marinda?!
nastyboyJS: ur wife'll be taken care of. TRUST ME.
OrsonHide: i guess if god wills it.....
nastyboyJS: oh he does, he does.

fook

What a strange fantasy life you have.

[_zzyzx]

Which LDS 'World Class' athletes have served a mission and come back to great success? Something like that shown by Steve Young and Merlin Olson in football? Cael Sanderson in wrestling? I won't use Shawn Bradley because he is the only athlete I know to have a furniture line named after him.. LaZyboy.:)

Missionary tours hurt top athletes. Be a bit below the top level and maybe you can get away with two years off. Try for that top level and many sports are hurt by the layoff. An injury layoff of that time is less harmful to a career as one can still work mentally and spend a lot of time in preparation, study and efforts directly related to the goal of being the best in their chosen sport.

Two years off hurts any top athlete. If they are willing to settle for second best, go on a mission. If their priorities are to God and their Church, go on a mission... for those the athletic gift is secondary. I believe the two years can be of benefit but will keep them from the top levels of most athletic endeavors.