Ask a Mormon, Part 3

[Eran of Arcadia]

It doesn't matter, since the migration of a small group of Israelites to the New World:
a) happened after that mummy was made, I think (600BCE)
b) was a one-way trip
c) involved a small group - it is not official LDS doctrine that all New World natives are descended entirely from the Lehites.

 

[downtown]

How often do people who were raised Mormon come to reject it in adulthood? It obviously happens all the time with other different sorts of Christians, but I don't hear it about Mormons much.

I don't think we really keep data on that sort of thing. It does happen...and I bet its more likely in some demographics than others. Apparently, it is *most* likely to happen with Missionaries who return home before their two year commitment, even if it wasn't their fault (like with me, and my traumatic injuries).

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I remember being told in a zone conference (or maybe by another missionary, which makes this data dubious) that 40% of returned missionaries would go inactive (ie stop attending church) at some point or another - and they are from a group that had already made the decision to stay active long enough to go on a mission.

(Anecdotally, there was a kid from my ward who came home with a knee injury, drifted in and out of activity, and eventually committed suicide. But he had been only partially active to begin with, and had depression and other problems. So I don't know.)

 

[downtown]

I remember being told in a zone conference (or maybe by another missionary, which makes this data dubious) that 40% of returned missionaries would go inactive (ie stop attending church) at some point or another - and they are from a group that had already made the decision to stay active long enough to go on a mission.

(Anecdotally, there was a kid from my ward who came home with a knee injury, drifted in and out of activity, and eventually committed suicide. But he had been only partially active to begin with, and had depression and other problems. So I don't know.)

I got personal phone calls from offices in Salt Lake when I returned. They told me that over half of the elders that go home early leave the church...I guess lots feel either tremendous guilt (even though its usually not their fault), or the circumstances requiring their departure were so traumatic that they end up being really bitter at the church/God. Salt Lake wanted to keep checking up on me to make sure I was okay.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Hmm, didn't know they did that. Who called you, exactly? Missionary Department employees?

 

[LucyDuke]

It happens, although I don't know the exact numbers - there are at least 3 ex-Mormons who post at CFC that I know of personally, one of whom is my brother. There are a few famous or semi-famous former members (Katherine Heigl, Eliza Dushku, Jewel, Paul Walker - I think). I also met plenty on my mission, usually by knocking doors. I think it is most common between the ages of 18 and 30, obviously.

I'm not looking for numbers, just wondering whether you think it's a similar proportion as those who leave any other religious group. I have the impression that it's a lower number than, say, Catholics, but I don't really have anything to base that impression on.

How effective at conversion are the missions? (That's the purpose, right?)

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I'm not looking for numbers, just wondering whether you think it's a similar proportion as those who leave any other religious group. I have the impression that it's a lower number than, say, Catholics, but I don't really have anything to base that impression on.

I think the overall number is probably similar to other religions, but the number who go on to be active in another faith (as opposed to ceasing to be religious, or to consider oneself Mormon but never attend services) is probably lower than, say, Catholicism.

How effective at conversion are the missions? (That's the purpose, right?)

That's the main purpose. About 200-300,000 people join the Church through conversion every year. How effective an individual mission is depends on geography - lots in Latin America, very few in Europe.

 

[warpus]

Do you send missionaries to Muslim countries?

Is that safe?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Do you send missionaries to Muslim countries?

Is that safe?

Missionaries are sent only to nations that legally allow us to send missionaries. There are a few majority Muslim countries that allow it (like Indonesia and Malaysia) but the kinds of proselyting activities are restricted - no tracting (knocking on doors) and the like.

 

[warpus]

Missionaries are sent only to nations that legally allow us to send missionaries. There are a few majority Muslim countries that allow it (like Indonesia and Malaysia) but the kinds of proselyting activities are restricted - no tracting (knocking on doors) and the like.

Is being a missionary an important part of every Mormon's life? It seems like a lot of you guys do this kinda thing.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Is being a missionary an important part of every Mormon's life? It seems like a lot of you guys do this kinda thing.

It is pretty strongly encouraged, especially for men of the right age (men can serve starting between the ages of 19 and 26, women from the age of 21 up). It is a pretty big committment, but since I believe so strongly that my religion is true, it would make sense to want to share it. There are other benefits in addition, such as (in my case) learning a foreign language.

 

[warpus]

It is pretty strongly encouraged, especially for men of the right age (men can serve starting between the ages of 19 and 26, women from the age of 21 up). It is a pretty big committment, but since I believe so strongly that my religion is true, it would make sense to want to share it. There are other benefits in addition, such as (in my case) learning a foreign language.

So hey, is there any point at which this missionary stuff is going to end? I mean..

Is the goal here to convert everyone (except the Muslims, I guess).. or at least attempt to convert everyone?

I mean, I understand that there aren't many Mormons in the world right now, and this probably isn't a concern, but fast forward 200 years into the future... and say half the world is Mormon. Would the missions continue?

Is that a stupid question? I'm tired.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Well, they send missionaries to Utah, so yeah, we are going to keep sending missionaries out as long as we exist. We will even send them to Muslim countries when we can.

 

[warpus]

I just have this weird image of my head.. 300 years in the future, everyone's Mormon. One Mormon turns to another.. "Ok.. Now what?"

 

[Huayna Capac357]

Well, they send missionaries to Utah, so yeah, we are going to keep sending missionaries out as long as we exist. We will even send them to Muslim countries when we can.

Did you go missionarizing? Where (if you don't mind me asking)?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Did you go missionarizing? Where (if you don't mind me asking)?

The California Arcadia Mission (Spanish-speaking), August 2002-August 2004.

And yes, that does account for half my username.

And yes, that is what we call the geographical areas that make up missions - nation or state first, then city. Arcadia (and the mission it covers) is to the east of Los Angeles.

 

[El_Machinae]

I just have this weird image of my head.. 300 years in the future, everyone's Mormon. One Mormon turns to another.. "Ok.. Now what?"

On with the baby-making!

 

[downtown]

Did you go missionarizing? Where (if you don't mind me asking)?

Sacramento California area.

 

[eastsidebagel]

Are there even some mentionable Mormon communities in such exotic places like China, India or the Middle East?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

There are a significant (not huge, but big enough to have a temple) number in both Taiwan and Hong Kong, but I think in the other places the numbers are pretty small. There are maybe a few hundred in all of India.

(My stake president's son in on a mission in India currently.)