My Mormon Mission was a Waste

Ever wondered what Mormon missionaries do all day? Or why they dress the way they do? Did you know most missionaries fund their mission themselves? Serving a mission was supposed to be a pivotal, enriching experience, but for me, it felt like a significant waste.

As a former missionary, I’ll take you behind the scenes to explore the intense daily schedule, the rigorous rules, the emotional and psychological challenges, and why my 18-month mission was a waste.

My Mormon Mission was a Waste (Video)

What is a Mormon mission?

A Mormon mission is all about dedicating a chunk of your life—two years for men and eighteen months for women—to spreading the teachings of the church. This practice is deeply rooted in the church’s history and emphasizes converting people to Mormonism.

From its early days, missionary work has been seen as a divine mandate, with the first missionary, Samuel Smith, hitting the road as early as 1831. While there are senior missionaries who usually serve in auxiliary functions to younger missionaries, my focus is on younger missionaries.

The primary goal of every mission is conversion. This is seen as a more compassionate gift than even building schools or digging wells, because the gospel is considered everlasting.

How are mission locations assigned?

Receiving your mission call is believed to be a divine revelation from church leaders. Personally, I felt a powerful spiritual prompting that I would serve in Italy, but I was instead assigned to Denver, Colorado.

This discrepancy was jarring and made me question the process right from the start. It turns out, many missionaries experience a similar disillusionment when their expected divine guidance leads them to places they never imagined.

Daily life as a Mormon missionary: routines and rules

Missionaries follow a strict daily schedule, starting with waking up at 6:30 AM, followed by hours of study, proselytizing, and ending the day by 10:30 PM. One of the toughest rules is the constant companionship requirement—you must always be within sight and sound of your assigned companion.

This rule ensures adherence to the mission’s strict guidelines, acting as both a support system and a surveillance mechanism. The mantra “exact obedience brings miracles” underscores the importance of following rules to the letter.

Inviting people to be baptized is a key part of the mission, often done in the very first meeting, which can be overwhelming for both the missionary and the potential convert.

Challenges and disappointments in the field

The psychological toll of constant companionship and a highly regimented schedule can be significant. Mental health struggles are common, as missionaries deal with the stress of strict rules and frequent rejection.

I experienced various challenges, such as living with host families who weren’t always supportive or even friendly. There were times when I stayed in really tough conditions, like living with a hoarder, which felt dehumanizing and neglectful of the church.

The pressure to hit high conversion numbers and the competitive nature of the mission work were stressful and discouraging. Missionaries are often compared to each other, with those achieving higher numbers of conversions being praised, while others feel inadequate.

What kind of living arrangements do missionaries have?

Missionaries often live with members of the church who open their homes, but this can come with its own set of challenges. Host families may impose strict household rules, adding to the missionaries’ burden.

For instance, some hosts expected us to follow their exact cleaning schedules or restricted our activities in their homes. This could make an already rigid and stressful experience even more difficult. Experiences with housing vary widely, from supportive environments to difficult living conditions, adding to the unpredictability and stress of mission life.

The financial burden: do Mormon missionaries get paid?

Serving a mission is not only unpaid but also requires a significant financial contribution from the missionaries themselves. The cost can be around $15,000 for two years, which covers basic living expenses but does not account for the personal sacrifices made. This financial burden is a considerable strain, which is upsetting given the church’s substantial wealth.

Many families struggle to afford this, and it often requires significant sacrifice and savings. The church, with its estimated worth in the billions, still requires these young people to pay their own way.

Reflecting on my mission: was it worth It?

Looking back, my mission felt like a waste of time and effort. The strict rules, mental health challenges, and the financial burden were significant drawbacks. While some argue that the mission helps young people grow and learn responsibility, I believe there are many other ways to achieve personal growth without the intense pressure and dogma of a mission. For instance, the psychological toll of constant surveillance and the stress of meeting conversion quotas often outweighed any potential personal growth.

There were moments when I questioned the church’s teachings and practices, but the mission environment made it difficult to address these doubts openly. Instead, I often felt isolated and pressured to conform. The experience left me with lingering doubts and a sense of disillusionment that eventually led me to leave the church.

Personally, I don’t think a Mormon mission is worth it

My Mormon mission was a challenging and ultimately disillusioning experience. It highlighted the strict control and significant sacrifices expected of missionaries. For those questioning their faith or considering a mission, it’s crucial to be fully informed about what it entails.

Personal growth and faith should not come at the expense of mental health and autonomy. Reflecting on this experience, I encourage others to critically evaluate the demands and implications of such commitments and to seek paths that truly align with their well-being and values.