Mormom Questions???

Hi, I am LDS (a mormon). I have 3 boys who want to go on missions with my oldest being 17 next week. You can't see him but he is allowed to call home on Mothers Day and Christmas. You can send all the mail and care packages you like and he can email once a week. The reason is so they can focus on why they are there. I know it will be hard but it will be so worth it. He will grow and mature into such a fine young man from this experience. You won't regret it.

Hi, my son went on a church mission, For the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, and we sent letters and sent care packages, and he was able to call home, but he served his mission in the States, and it was such a great time for him, the young men, learn to work together, and live on a budget, but the most important thing, they learn to use their faith, and beliefs, and become so secure in their decisions that they make for the rest of their life, and become such a blessing to those people who they love, and have are such a source for their loved ones.
My son went on to accomplish things in his life to help others and become a great source of stength and love for the family, and I do feel that, serving on a mission, was his growth, yes he left home at an early age,(19), but he was with others, his own age and he learn so much, that he was protected, in an situtation that gave him the protect of yet people who believed the same things as he, but with goodness and love and guideness, and I suggest that you talk with the Missioners in your area, and just ask any questions, that you want to know, the phone number is in the phone book, Under Churches, Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, and they will be a great help to you.
P.

K.~
I am mormon and my dad, brothers and hubby all went on missions. You can write and send all the care packages you want. Your step son will love you for it! They call it "dry box" when there is no mail. I have pictures of both my brothers and husband where they put their cameras into the empty mailbox and take a picture of their "sad" faces because of no mail. On the other hand, if you don't get mail from your boy, you can call his misson president and he will get on him about it. I've even heard of Mission Pres. brining them into the office and making boys write home! It is true however that the strongly discurage you from visiting them while they serve. The idea is to keep the missionaries more focused on being missionaries. Having family and friends physically there would be a great distraction, which is why when they go, they serve in another state or country, not in there own area. I hope this has helped you understand a little better! If you have anymore questions or concerns, feel free to ask! ____@____.com

E.

I have corresponded with many Mormon missionaries and the only thing that you can not do is visit them on their missions. You are welcome to write them, send them packages, some have access to e-mail once a week. They are allowed to call home on Mothers day and Christmas, I don't remember if they can call on Fathers Day. I have sent tape recordings instead of letters (you can definitely have fun with that). It is a hard thing not to see them for 2 years, but once you get into the swing of communicating with him in other ways it will go by fast and before you know it they are back. The Cool thing is you get to hear some pretty interesting stories and see them grow from boys to men. One thing to remember it is his choice ultimately whether or not he goes and I am sure that he would love your support what ever he decides. :-)

I'm LDS (Mormon) and a mom of 4 kids, ages 14, 10, 5, & 3. Two of my three brothers went on missions, and for them it was a really great experience. My husband went, also, and has great memories of his time in Italy and a great love for the Italian people and culture.

You can definitely send letters, care packages, and usually emails to your stepson while he's gone. In fact, family support and love gives missionaries a lot of strength. He'll be able to call at certain holidays. It's not about keeping him away from you--it's about him fully immersing himself in the language, culture, people, and work where he is. It's kind of like the Peace Corps, the "toughest job you'll ever love."

When missionaries come back, they usually grown and matured a great deal beyond their peers who haven't given up two years to something beyond their own self-interests. I've also noticed that they have a greater appreciation people and cultures different than the one they grew up in, and more compassion for people in general. I've had friends (and siblings) who've gone and some who haven't, and in general the ones who did were more mature, more interesting, and more focused on what they wanted to do with their lives.

I hope this helps. If you have any more questions, I'd be happy to try to help.

Hi. I'm LDS (Mormon) and could tell you anything you want to know about it. All my brothers served missions. If your stepson is Mormon, he probably will want to serve a mission (a norm for LDS boys). It's true that when they go there are pretty strict "rules" about contact with family. They do this so the missionary can focus on the mission and serving the people there rather than worrying about friends and families back home. Everyone I know who has served has said that it was hard at first, but actually really helpful to them for that time. It's especially easy to be homesick when you live in a totally new culture with complete strangers, and phone calls and visits from family doesn't actually help.

You can write, send care packages, email, etc. You stepson would be able to write you (or email, depending on where he serves) and send packages as well. He can also call you on Christmas and Mother's Day (or in an emergency or something).

It's always really hard for a family to send a son (or daughter) away for a while knowing you can't see or talk to them regularly, but it's an incredible experience for the missionary. Whether you agree with the church aspect of it or not, the skills and growth a young person gain from it is incredible.

You mentioned that he's being "pushed" to go. Obviously I don't know the situation, but I'll just offer some inside perspective for you on that. Of course sometimes boys are pushed to go, and everyone is going to feel differently about how much "pushing" is appropriate (not much, in my opinion, but that's just me). But you have to realize also that if he is Mormon, and intends to continue to be Mormon, he probably really wants this for himself. It's almost a rite of passage for Mormon boys, and he is probably aware that he would be missing out on an experience all his peers had if he chose not to go. It's also something girls pay attention to, which will be a big deal to him.

On the other hand, if he really doesn't want to go, I would hope and expect that his local leaders would pick up on that and not send him off. They do have a pretty high standard about who they will send, and they want to make sure a young man has his own motivation. I personally really believe it should be a personal choice (but within the church, it's a bit like choosing whether to go to college. A parent would certainly encourage a kid to do it. And some kids need encouragement to point them in the right direction, whatever that is). Again, I would stress that regardless of whether you agree with the church or its teachings, it's an incredible experience and opportunity for growth for him, so I wouldn't worry too much.

Good luck! I'd be happy to give you any more insider info if you want it.

Hello! I found a couple of resources for you=)
"One of the greatest sacrifices is being away from family and friends. Missionaries may write weekly, but only call home twice a year, on Mother's Day and Christmas."
This quotation was found on... http://dearelder.com/index/inc_name/Mormon_Missionaries/
This also had some info:
http://www.mission.net/en/main_missionfaq.html
I had a lot of LDS friends in high school, and at least back then (17 years ago)one couldn't communicate via phone or see one another in person. I remember friends writing boyfriends frequently, sending many a care package, and speaking on audio cassettes and sending those. One friend's boyfriend was able to call home (and call her briefly) when his parents divorced.
If your stepson is active in the church, he is likely getting pressure (albeit a friendly type) from everyone there. Well, maybe not pressure, but a kind expectation. It's quite rare for a young man to be active in the church and not serve a mission. However, he also has your family as influence, and he's young. Most men don't go on a mission until they are 19, and a lot can change for him between now and then =)
I have this clear memory of a fellow I knew having this big good bye party before he left for his mission, and his parents promptly went on some exotic vacation after saying good bye. They were in shock to find him at home when they returned! He left for the training and came back in a few days! He never did complete that mission...

HI,
I can tell you that the missionaries are allowed to call home twice/year, on Mother's Day and Christmas. They can receive mail and care packages. If you want further details I suggest calling up some LDS missionaries in your area, and asking them to explain how it all works. :-)
Hope this helps.
L

Hi,
Boys who are 19 years of age head out to a mormon mission. They preach the gospel for 2 full years. Families can send them packages, letters and are permitted to talk on the phone with their love ones on special occations. It's a way for them to learn to help others while they are learning themselves to be independent.

Hope your day is well.

I'm not sure about the care packages but otherwise communications are pretty restricted. You'll probably find the Wikipedia article on Mormon (note it ends in N, not M!) informative. The article is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon_missionaries&quot;&gt....

I am not Mormon but lived in Salt Lake City for 5 years, and have Mormon in-laws. I honestly think the missionary service is a neat opportunity for young people (assuming they are religious believers!), especially if they're placed internationally. Most of the ex-missionaries I met (male and female) had good things to say about their experience.

I grew up in a Mormon family, and my younger brother went on a mission. I am no longer a member of the church, but I CAN answer your questions about the mission!

The missionaries are only permitted to phone their mothers on Mother's Day, and can call their families on Christmas. That's IT for phone calls. Letters and care packages are ok anytime, but there is really very little contact other than that. Hope this helped!

Yes, packages can be sent but use care because many things get stolen in the mail in other countries.
Two years will prepare him for almost anything life can throw his way and teach him to get along with lots of different kinds of people. I think it only helps a young man to be a good person and future husband. Anything else you need or want to know?
I am a grandma of 14 one on the way. I sent three sons on missions and two of them went to Iraq. That was much worse than a mission...I'll tell ya! Good luck with your pregnancy.

Hey K.!

A couple tidbits of info....

I have had a couple friends who went on missions, and while they do have many restrictions, you can still have contact with them. You can write as many letters as you want!! And they can write letters back, and also email. You can also send care packages, but they are limited to the ammount of things they can have/do. When my friends went, which has been about 10 years, I remember my friends being allowed to call home to talk to their parents on xmas, and maybe mothers day(I think). You won't be able to visit them, which ultimatly is better for them because it helps to keep them focused. Hopefully some of this helps. Good Luck!

Missions are a true blessing and a wonderful experience for anyone who goes. But I also believe that the best experience are for those who truly want to be there. He will know in his heart if that is something he wants to do. They are able to write and receive letters as well as care packages. They really look forward to those. There are occasions that they can speak to their parents by phone.

Hi,
Both my brothers went on Mormon missions and it is true that you probably won't be able to see them as they are often sent to an area different from where they live. I know that we were able to talk to them by phone on Holidays and maybe even anytime by email (not sure about the email part). You can also send them care packages and letters anytime. It can be a really good opportunity for learning and growth.
I hope this helps.