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Why do Mormons go on missions?

  • Craig

    Mormons believe that they have a unique and important religious message that most people are unfamiliar with. Because we believe that that message brings great joy to those who accept it, we desire to share it. Thus, a Mormon mission is an expression of love for mankind. I went on a two-year mission to Paraguay when I was 19 and there enjoyed the most formative experience of my life. Through teaching and serving the people I came in contact with, I felt that I was able to share with them a small portion of the love God has for each of us. Show more

  • Adam

    Frequently, I've come across people who think that missionary service is mandatory to all Latter-day Saints. While missionary work is a part of our faith, full-time missionary service is by no means compulsory. When I was 18, I was faced with the decision as to whether or not I wanted to serve a mission. At the time, I was halfway through my collegiate education, and was anxiously awaiting going into my chosen profession. While I aways took serving a mission for granted, I realized I now had to make the choice of whether or not I would actually do it. It was only through the answer of diligent prayer that I found my answer. During an evening of contemplation and study, I received one of the clearest answers to prayer in my life. I knew that I needed to serve a mission, and I needed to do it as soon as I could. This answer was as clear as if the Lord had come to me personally and called me on a mission. I did not serve a mission because it is part of the Mormon culture. I did not serve one because both my parents did. I served a mission because I had a testimony that God lives, that He loves us, and that He had a work for me to do as a full-time missionary. While this experience was extremely personal for me, I also know that it is not a unique experience. Many Mormons, like me, have decided to serve a mission because they too prayed, and learned that that is the course the Lord would have us take. Show more

  • Emily

    Serving a mission is a great thing young people can volunteer to do. I took time off of my college career for 18 months because I want to share what I treasure about the Church with other people. I know my life has changed for the better because of our message, and I've never been happier than I am now. Part of our belief is that when we have found a recipe for our joy, we don't want to hide it and keep it to ourselves. I want you to get in on it yourself! If you see Mormon missionaries in your area, go up and talk to them! Like me, they probably have traveled far to be there, learned another language and given up being with family and friends for 18-24 months. And why? Because talking to you about the gospel and Christ is worth every bit. Show more

  • Robert

    We go on missions to share the Gospel with everyone. We are to Invite others to come unto Christ. This message is sacred and of the utmost importance. We should be shouting it from the rooftops and telling all of our friends how this gospel can change their lives just as it has mine. I've seen more spiritual things happen on my mission than any other time so far. It is so amazing to watch someone you've been teaching enter the waters of baptism! Show more

  • Elder Jonathon Yukon

    I've changed so much since I've been on a mission and my testimony has grown more in this past year than it did in the first 23 years of my life. Before I came on a mission a majority of my friends were and are still not members. Those friends always introduced me as their “Mormon” friend and I didn’t do the best job at representing what members of the church believe. As I’ve been serving the Lord I’ve really come to find out what I truly believe. There are many reasons why missionaries choose to serve. The reason I came on a mission, to be honest, was kind of selfish. I was unsatisfied with the direction my life was taking me and knew I needed a change. I knew the church was true but I wasn’t living its standards. I knew that happiness was most likely achieved when founded upon the principles of the gospel. I knew I needed to draw closer to my Savior. What better way to draw closer to our Savior than to put yourself in His shoes, and go out to proclaim His gospel? I came out to change the direction my life was taking me. Though as I've been out it has become less about me and more about the people I serve and teach. I want everyone the find the happiness I’ve found in the restored Gospel of CHRIST. Guess you could say I found what I was looking for…. Show more

  • Annie Moyes

    I am on a mission to proclaim that I know that God lives and that Jesus Christ is His Son; my Savior and Redeemer. I am on a mission to share the message of peace and happiness that this gospel brings into this world. I know that this is only possible through the restoration of the Holy Priesthood power (Power of God) that is possible becuase of the restoration of Jesus Christ's church on the earth TODAY. I am not a mission to sell anything. I am not on a mission to help statistics. I am on a mission because I have been blessed with this truth in my life, and I KNOW with all my heart that if you pray and ask with a sincere heart, you too, WILL come to know the love of God and the love He has for His children on the this earth. He wants us to be happy. This is why he has blessed us with the Book of Mormon; to give us guidance and comfort as we learn and grow throughout this life. He has enabld His power on this earth so that, if we have faith in Him, we can recieve special blessings, perform ordinances, and make sacred covenants...all necessary to return to our Father in Heaven again. When you discover an amazing restaurant, wouldn't you share it with your friends, too? This isn't an amazing restaurant, though...this is eternal life and happiness, and I want everyone to know it and have it, too. Show more

  • Karin

    Missionary service was taught by Jesus Christ--He instructed his apostles to take the gospel to all the world. He gives us the opportunity to assist in that work today. All four of our sons served 2 year missions--one in Pennsylvania, the other three in South America. They went out, full of faith, with testimonies that the gospel is true, but without much experience teaching and preaching. 3 hadn't lived away from home before, none of them spoke Spanish, 2 left serious girlfriends, all left school and scholarships, each one paid their own way. They'd known all their lives they would go, but it was still a little daunting! They each had wonderful opportunities to teach and bless others. When you have something wonderful and vitally important, how can you not share it? We all have a serious responsibility to share the truths we hold dear. Our sons built lifelong friendships. None of them baptized hundreds, but each of them worked hard and learned so much. It is a character building experience and they came home fully converted to the gospel, ready and able to continue serving at home. My husband and I plan to serve a mission, probably more than one. We hope to strengthen and bless others, helping teach the gospel, spreading the message of truth, the good news of Jesus Christ, wherever we are called. Many of our friends are already doing this and finding great joy and satisfaction in this great missionary work. Show more

  • Ryan

    I can't speak for everybody, but I really wanted to go on a mission. I served for two years in California and it was the time of my life. I was able to love and serve people with no thought of reward. I was able to get outside of myself and grow up, become more independent, and focus on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Church encourages all young men and women to go on missions. We also want to see lots of older couples go on missions. In fact, we love to say that every member is a missionary. Full time missions are an amazing privilege. They are not required. Sometimes life takes us a different way. President Monson who is the President of the Church had other Church obligations when he was a missionary aged man. That opportunity did not come his way, but now he is the President of the Church. He has filled many missions, although it may not have been the same as mine. My wife served a mission as well. She did a lot of wonderful things. She chose to go because she loves to share the Gospel and it has blessed our home. I love my mission experience. I love that I chose it for myself and worked to be worthy of it. It has brought me a lot of happiness. Show more

  • Sabrina

    Everyone is different, but I know why I went. :) I was 23 when I felt like it was time. I had never wanted to go before; I'd always felt shy about sharing my beliefs and things I held sacred. I was working and saving money for an expensive pedal harp I'd picked out, and had saved almost enough to pay for it in cash. One night I had the strongest feeling ever that I needed to go on a mission; and I needed to go as soon as I could. I felt so warm and happy and like my heart was on fire - this feeling had never happened so powerfully before. I filled out the paperwork and was shocked when I opened my mission call and saw that I'd be going to Slovenia, a small country in Eastern Europe where the church was relatively new. I paid for my mission out of my harp fund. I felt like this was a huge sacrifice for me because I wanted a harp so badly, but I wanted to serve God more. Also, my mom had been having a lot of health problems at the time, she'd been told she might not make it beyond a few months. When I left for my mission, I wondered if I would ever see her again in this life. I knew that if I really believed in the plan of salvation, that families are eternal and I *would * see her again, then I could go on my mission. I felt like this was such a defining experience for me. I knew that God was aware of me, He was aware of my mom, He knew the situation, and if He wanted to take her, He could. I left with the faith that I would see her again - either in this life or in heaven. I felt like I had to make two great big sacrifices of things that I loved - music and my mom - but I was so blessed to have amazing experiences, to see miracles happen every single day and see how God loves every person, regardless of their past. Thankfully my mom survived and is still alive, and I've been able to continue playing the harp. I'm grateful for God's blessings in my life, and I count family, music, and my mission as some of my highest blessings. Show more

  • Kent Romney

    I know I went on a mission because I have this great gospel of Jesus Christ that has blessed my life tremendously and I want others to have that same joy that I have. Also it is a commandment from Jesus himself. He told his Apostles to go out and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. I'm just trying to fulfill that Apostolic mission. Show more

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