We all know that the typical mission age male (and possibly females too, now that they've loosened restrictions on female missionaries) are treated like -- how shall I say it? Stinky fertilizer? -- if they try to stay in school, instead of go on a mission.


But is this true of the elite level athletes -- the ones like Steve Young, who have prospects in big money athletics after school?


Just wondering.

Yes.

I have a cousin whom BYU wanted to play for one of their elite teams. He was nowhere near as good as Steve Young, had no chance of playing beyond college and would probably have been a backup at the Y.

When he was deciding whether to go on a mission, BYU had a GA visit him for a talk. The GA said, "maybe your mission is to play football for BYU."

My cousin went on his mission and did not continue with sports. He is no longer a believer.

The GA said, "maybe your mission is to play football for BYU."

I've heard that before as well. Most non-RM's would be shunned, but girls don't seem to mind if they're going to be rich.

I've heard a similar rationalization for the obscene amount spent on the mall. "Maybe Jesus wanted the mall as a missionary tool." WTF!!!

Most people don't know this but Steve Young had a brother who was probably a better QB than Steve. Steve's brother did go on a mission and picked up a parasite which ruined his career as he never fully recovered.

Yes, anyone who can give them good face at the mainstream level has the rules bended for them.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/10/2014 02:03PM by ldsidiot.

Of course they get a pass. It's rationalized away by saying that they're putting themselves in a position to be like "ambassadors" for the Church and Mormons everywhere because they'll be in the spotlight. Let's get real, the church wants their money as tithing.

I don't understand this mindset...Guys like Steve Young and the B-Ball player Jimmer Freddette...not going on a mission and instead being an "ambassador" for the Mormons.

I never heard them talk about it during their playing career(s). Young's is over but Fredette is waiting to be cut from the Sac. Kings....

They don't proselytize, they don't "ambassadorize"....EXCEPT for those who........ALREADY KNOW THEY ARE MORMON...like other Mormons.

You never hear ESPN or any sports group/network...OUTSIDE OF UTAH mention their religion





What a strange way to live a life....completely wrapped up in a bubble like that..

There is a person that attends our (shameless plug here) Sunday Morning Meetup at Harmons Bangerter Crossing store at 10:00am who is related to former BYU Football team captain, Brad Martin (deceased). She said he was told the same thing... skip the mission, you're an integral part of the team, so don't even think about it.

I remember when I was in the MTC Donny Osmond came to speak. He talked about when he was our age, he was looking at going on a mission and was advised that he did the church more service by being in the public spotlight and identified as Mormon than he would do knocking door to door.

That doesn't account for David Archuleta of course, but who knows.

Well in fairness, BYU football players probably don't help convert anyone, which put them on par with the vast majority of missionaries.

Probably 20,000 Japanese schoolgirls got baptized because of him

Of course none of them are active now.

Everyone does, it's not manditory for anyone

You need to go back and read what Spencer W. Kimball commanded.

Because what you say bears no resemblance to the situation here on earth.

Of course a mission is mandatory. It has been ever since Spencer's day, and the penatly for not fulfilling that duty is ostractization, looked down upon, rejected by Mormon girls, treated as a second-class citizen - literally being exiled from the community or excommunicated.

Wasn't David Archuleta dropped form his record company? Is that why he went on his mission or is that just a nasty rumor?

I know of a 19 year old kid from a prominent S. Alberta hockey family who is playing out his career in the Western Hockey League (major junior-equivalent to NCAA div.1) before he goes on a mission. Should he get in the NHL draft, who knows.

Ron Burr