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Frequently Asked Questions

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Nick answered...

"Required" is an interesting word when it comes to faith and religion. In the Mormon Church no one is "required" to serve a mission. Church membership is not revoked for not serving a mission. In this sense, they are not required, yet serving a mission is encouraged at many stages in life and in many different capacities throughout the world. Missionary service is a tremendous blessing, a challenge, and one of the main focuses of the faith. The life of Jesus Christ was the life of a missionary in many respects. Performing service for one another, preaching the glad message of the gospel, and increasing the faith and dedication of God's children are exemplified in Christ's life and mirrored by those in missionary service. To dedicate a portion of one's life in service propels those who serve and those who are served into a better life. During my two year mission to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and during my two year service mission with LDS Family Services, I was greatly blessed and strengthened. (I hope those whom I served found some value in my service as well.) That strength has taught me to better navigate this life, has kept my family relations intact, and has been the method of helping others overcome their trials as well. Spiritually speaking, I don't find value in reflecting on what my life would be like without serving a mission. Instead, I rejoice in knowing that without that time in missionary service my life would be significantly less happy and productive. In my life, serving a mission has taken on many of the characteristics of a "required" act since I can't picture myself progressing very far without having served as a missionary. While not required to be a member of the Mormon church, missionary service has been a critical and welcome part of my life and growth spirituality. I will be forever grateful that I had the opportunity to serve missions, and look forward to serving in many more. Show more Show less

Taylor answered...

Quite simply, no. The young men of the church have been strongly encouraged to serve a mission at age 19, and the sisters are able to serve at age 21, but no one is required to serve. We do it because we want to! Who in their right mind would give up two years and pay that's right, missionaries pay their own way to go somewhere they had never been and do all that they do? We serve missions becuase we know that Jesus is the Christ, and we want the happiness that knowledge bring to be available to everyone! So no, Mormons are not required to serve a mission. It's a personal choice to share the happiness and joy they've received from the Gospel. Show more Show less

In whom should we have faith?

Warren answered...

For our faith to lead us to salvation it must be centered in Jesus Christ. Faith is one of the most important principles of the gospel, our faith will lead us to do anything else that God commands us. If we do not have faith in Christ as our Savior then we would have no reason to repent, be baptized, and obey His other commandments. In the Book of Mormon we are taught that Christ is the only way, the only path, which can lead to Eternal Life. We also believe in faith as a principle of action. Because we know that Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself to pay for our sins, we must do all that we can to live worthy of that gift. Our faith leads us to repentance and obedience to the commandments of God because we know that these things will bring us closer to Him and we have faith that we will be blessed for our sacrifice. Show more Show less

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Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

In whom should we have faith?