Comments on: What’s the Deal with “Missionary Week?”

By: Peter LLC

Peter LLC — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:37:57 +0000

Thank you cheryl and makakona. That’s what the elders I work with have reported to me.

By: Paradox

Paradox — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:12:41 +0000

Teenagers are dumber than they have any right to be, especially in the US. Asking them to obey mission rules AND do the service and/or proselyting that goes along with them would overwhelm their simple, hedonistic mindsets. (Exceptions to the rule do not disprove the rule.)

Sounds like the idea behind this one is to let them make converts out of themselves via mission rules. Not a bad idea if you ask me. Sure, it’s self centered. By why not let them (especially the young men) get that part of the process out of the way so by the time they hit the mission field, they’re ready to apply mission rules the way they’re supposed to?

Just throwing that out there.

By: makakona

makakona — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:51:45 +0000

yep, facebook is a mission president rule, not a general one. our last mission president assigned his niece to keep up on all of the missionaries on myspace. some of them were committing no-nos, posting it on their myspace, and several got busted for it.

isn’t this also “turn off the tv week,” or whatever they call it? that might be playing into it. as described, i don’t see anything wrong with the missionary week, but yes, they are missing an opportunity to do more.

By: cheryl

cheryl — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:40:35 +0000

Actually, missionaries can use Facebook to update their status and check messages –just like how they use email. As far as spending lots of time on there? It’s the same as with email (one mass email to family, etc.). However, this could differ depending on the Mission pres…

By: esodhiambo

esodhiambo — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:19:51 +0000

Peter LLC–OK, let’s put it this way: I am pretty sure missionaries ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO USE FACEBOOK.

They are not supposed to surf the internet. They are only supposed to use their church-issued web-based email address and that is all. They are not supposed to check their yahoo accounts or read or write blogs (many have families put their letters on blogs for others to read).

I would guess that exceptions are made for missionaries who, near the end of their missions, need to re-apply to schools.

By: MCQ

MCQ — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:42:50 +0000

Yeah, for those of you that have actual missionary activities during the week, I’m all for that. I’d even be supportive if they just taught the kids how to be missionaries. But that’s not what’s happening. It’s just the rules, with no actual spreadin’ the gospel stuff. I think that’s sad, and it really has nothing to do with being a missionary. I can tell you that it’s not making the kids want to go on a mission. Quite the reverse.

By: s'mee

s'mee — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:21:21 +0000

We did a missionary week, with *some* of the rules, and others left out. No tv, no inappropriate music-but not as restrictive as a missionary, study by yourself and then with a friend, do an hour of service, yada yada yada….the big thing for us was having them BE MISSIONARIES. (who knew?) yup The big idea was for them to dress a bit nicer at school invite their friends into discussions about the Gospel, invite them to a special mid-week activity at Mutual, and such. If they followed the tv rule, etc., woohoo, but if not, we they still being a missionary? That’s where our kids got *brownie points*. After all, not all of us are set apart full time missionaries, some of us are still living real lives…but expected to live the “every member a missionary” life.

We had a lot of fun, the kids really liked it and in the long run we had a couple of investigators and one baptism. But more than following the rules was *being* a missionary.

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:56:40 +0000

My kids have had missionary week sponsored by seminary. In addition to some of the things in the post, they have also been encouraged to invite friend to mutual and share a book of mormon. My kids have enjoyed the experience. I think it helps them to think about sharing the gospel now, and in the future when/if they serve a mission.

And my kids are learning about Paul and his missions right now in seminary, so missionary week goes along with that.

Also, I have been told by my kid’s seminary teacher that they encourage the kids to dress nice that week and the teachers at the school (even those who are not members of the LDS church) say they feel a difference in their classrooms during missionary week. And they appreciated it.

By: Tim J

Tim J — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:41:41 +0000

Seeing how I’m not a fan of missionary rules for missionaries, I’m not a fan.

By: Peter LLC

Peter LLC — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:16:04 +0000

I am pretty sure missionaries do not use facebook

Huh. Since facebook became available to the masses, I haven’t met one that hasn’t.