Posted by:
LehiExMo
(
)
Date: September 21, 2010 01:25AM
Apparently a computer at the church looks as the qualifications of a missionary and assigns a mission that has planned vacancy. Then someone at church HQ prays to be sure he has no funny feelings about the assignment. Then form letters are sent. It is uncanny how often the "computer" assigns the attractive female missionaries to temple square. UNCANNY!
http://www.mission.net/ has lists of missions. The boundaries change from time to time, so not sure how you'd get a map. Some missions cross several regions beyond their "home" region. However, each mission is organized. They do not overlap and you are not allowed to cross the boundaries in to another mission.
Stories of missionaries being sent to extremely remote places seems rare. I know of a missionary in my home ward that had his 24 month mission extended 10 months because he was able to learn several dialects among natives tribes in South America (I can't recall his specific mission). The villages were remote enough he had to backpack in. He didn't wear a white shirt and tie. His father showed me pictures of him on the trail. Shorts and a t-shirt. Still had the missionary tag though.
This missionary's father was my scout leader. His Dad was a highly skilled outdoorsman. His son was similarly experienced. The reason for the unusually long extension was that they had a hard time getting other missionaries who could do it. I guess they had a replacement for him, but that guy ended up getting really sick so he had to train a new guy. He was assigned a local resident to be his companion and guide who helped locate remote villages. I guess he needed a local resident so that he did not get killed in the process (which they apparently might do if you're a white guy from Utah walking around). I talked to him a few years ago, and he said that they have two native born missionaries in that area now.
Yes, everyone is expected to pay tithing as a basic tenant of the doctrine. If you don't make a cash income, you're expected to give 10% of your "increase" (chickens, cows, grain, etc).
Mormons believe that paying tithing will bring you blessings from God. In fact, many LDS believers feel this is one of the most concrete personal 'proofs' that God is watching out for you. If this is your belief, then you want to encourage others to pay their tithing so that God will bless them. Especially so for those that are poor or impoverished.