Having escaped the idiocy of Mormonism prior to my marriage to a NeverMo, my kids have not been exposed to crazy Mormon practices. The only Mormon relatives they have are on the other side of the world deep behind the Zion curtain.

They occasionally tell me about things posted on Facebook- I don’t partake-,and ask if certain things are real in what their relatives do or believe. They tell me that they’re relieved they don’t have to be part of it.

A new level of astonishment arose recently. The cause!

The opening of the mission call letter! With a cast of thousands and live-streaming and comments as if there had been some major achievement.

It’s impossible to try to convey to a “ normal” young person that this is a Mormon rite of passage/ milestone. Even my teen child could see this was about Mummy bragging as much as the child. Meanwhile one of my kids is eating up her higher degree ( Allow me my moment of Mummy bragging) But this cuts no ice against a “ mission” with TBM’s.

I suppose it is similar to college admissions. To be fair, the letter does decide where a missionary goes and there is a big difference between Alabama, Alberta and Argentina.

The letter tells you where two of your formative years will be spent. Even if you don't agree with the religion, it's a big deal.

Roger Connery Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Even if you don't agree with
> the religion, it's a big deal.

Knowing that it is just part of an indoctrination process. Accomplishes nothing of real value that couldn't be gained in more productive ways.
Risks the life and safety of a teen for nothing.
Will probably bring future stress and misery to the people you "help."
And is all to keep the money flowing upstream. Makes it just a big eye rolling manifestation of cult behavior when I see it.

Roger Connery Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>... there is a big difference between Alabama, Alberta and Argentina.
>

There is also a big similarity. They all start - and end - with an a.

Mission call opening live streams are almost as lame as gender reveal parties.

We're happy for you, and know it's a big deal in your circle, but what the hey?

This to me is reason for gratitude, that your kids were not raised to believe opening a mission call was more meaningful than opening a college acceptance letter.

I don't know how to explain it but I suspect that more Mormon kids are attracted to missions as their world becomes more secular. It seems now a way to show your commitment to the church.

Unfortunately just promising all that you have and your very life isn't enough.

Try explaining the temple rituals to non-Mormon people.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/13/2021 11:56AM by Elder Berry.

Many of us opened that letter (it's really a giant manila envelope with a packet of information) by ourselves with little fanfare.

My folks were relieved that I was being sent stateside, then my Mom secretly met with her insurance agent and ordered additional policies for imminent death and possible dismemberment.

I guess God doesn’t always answer prayers. Where’s a serial killer when you really need one?

Coming home is a big hoopla too. Balloons, congratulation signs strung up on houses There are lights,cake,talk of a future wedding and girls to date.

At least that is what goes on in Utah.

All of it is and was very bizarre to myself. The whole charade of it all.

Social Media has made being an attention whore available to the masses. Accomplishment is not the goal, the spotlight is. Any accomplishment will do. Even scoring that hard to get Mission call-- available to only tens of thousands a month. Harder to get one than win the lottery. Oh, wait . . .

One behavior that is both bizarre and annoying is that the parents of missionaries (at least in Utah), tie yellow ribbons on their trees, fences, and street signs when a missionary is back home.
This is, of course, only for the most worthy returnees.

Weren't both the story and the song that sprung from it about someone returning home after a stint in prison? I can see the parallels between a mission and a prisons sentence, but I didn't realize TBMs were recognizing it.

The story of the song -

https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/story-behind-the-song/2018/11/09/tie-yellow-ribbon-tony-orlando-dawn-l-russell-brown/1895280002/

It became associated with people returning home from Viet Nam. It was later used for other military deployments.

But it says in the lyrics that he just did a three years stretch and that if she won’t take him back, it’d be the same as staying in prison.

And everyone knows that the female he’s singing about is his mom . . .

Right?

I read that, too, Susan. The protagonist was a soldier from Pennsylvania who did time in an Andersonville military prison. I wouldn't think members of the one true church would go out of their way to equate voluntary missions with prison, military or otherwise.

I've always despised the kitschy melody.

My guess is there are very very few that have ever researched it. Research just ain't a thing LDSInc is big on. Most things are monkey see, monkey do. I have never been a fan of the song either.