Now for those who don't know, serving a mission is not an obligation. It is a choice that these 19 year old young men make and 21 year old if you are a female. Missions are paid for by those going on the mission, or by parents, or sometimes by others contributing to help the youth go.
The young men's president decided to ask us parents who have missionaries on missions to write their responses to the concerns of the 16-17 year olds. So here is what Joe wrote back:
Not knowing the language if you get sent foreign – it comes, you´re on the lords errand
Being on my own- you are never on your own, you always have your companion and the holy ghost
Leaving family- they are always with you in heart and spirit
Weird/know-it-all companions – There are weird/know it all people everywhere, get used to it
No freedom to do what or go where I want. – That is a lie, you get to do a bunch of stuff you want, it is a mission not prison
Changes at home while I am away – there will be changes at home if you stay
No friends when I return- whatever! All your friends will probably leave on missions and you make a ton of new friends on the mission
EVERY single thing is spiritual – Mosiah chapter 2 last verse. read it
Homesickness - wears off after 3 months
Two years is a long time - It will be two years later with or without you. It is like a Popsicle. You can eat it and its gone, or you can not eat it, and it melts and its gone. Either way it goes, so you might as well take advantage of it.
It’s not where I wanted to go / where will I go. - There is no such thing as a bad mission.
It’s expensive – there is no price on salvation for OTHERS, the price of souls is great in the sight of God
Leaving the girl- If she is the one she will wait
Losing out on school- You will be better at your school when you get back if you go.
The commitment – be a man, that is a dumb excuse
Will I fail- it is better to try and fail than to fail to try
My diet –You can find good food all over the world.
Shyness/fear of speaking, lessons, being in front of people- God gives us weakness so we can be strong. If you are shy the mission is an awesome opportunity to overcome that
Lack of confidence (what if I don’t know what to do?) – Follow the spirit, your leaders, and preach my gospels, the scriptures.
Medications I need to have – talk to brother Sykes(Pharmacist)
Losing faith- You are more likely to loose faith out of the mission than on the mission, because you do the things that will build your faith every day
Worthiness - being sent home early for not clearing things up properly.- clean things up and get back out. If that is your fear before you go,than clear things up properly before and that wont matter.
Joe is so straight forward, I love it! No excuses!
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