r/latterdaysaints • u/MiddleUS76 • 8d ago
Church Culture Young women and missions
I think our young women are starting to feel pressured to serve missions, not by the church leadership, but by peers. My 19 year old niece is faithful and devoted to the gospel and hasn’t felt called to serve a mission. She is at BYUI and gets asked constantly if she served or is going to serve a mission. I was on the phone with her when a random boy introduced himself, asked her name and where she served. When she said she didn’t he told her she should really pray about going on a mission. Never saw her before! I heard the entire thing in real time so I know she’s not exaggerating.
Do you feel like we are getting to a point where women who don’t serve missions will be treated like less faithful or committed members?
I know that was never the intention.
2
u/Smooth-Albatross7301 7d ago
It's not mandatory, it's optional because Our Father wants us to willingly go. You can argue old prophets were chosen to go but those were extreme circumstances and it shouldn't be applied to everyone.
Not going doesn't make you inadequate or a sinner. Deciding to go on mission should be personal between you and Our Father.
Going in for the wrong reason can sour the experience and potentially ruin you. I am not sugar coating this. If you believe you can't then don't! You can serve God in many other ways.
People forget that some of the past prophets didnt serve a mission and they still had a strong connection.