LDS Freedom Forum

I'm hearing persistently that American missionaries are being called to State-side missions predominately, and that European missions are being combined into larger geographical areas as the number of American missionaries abroad is being reduced.

But is this true? In particular -- Is the number of LDS missionaries abroad being reduced?

Not trying to start a rumor by any means -- just trying to get the facts. I wonder how one goes about getting the answers, also, about current missionaries' callings and the number/size of missions...

There was an article in the Church News about this a couple months ago. They reiterated that the number of missionaries called abroad was the same, they were just combining some missions - maybe because baptisms were down in those areas? And they are splitting other missions. My son is serving in the Nicaragua mission right now and as of July 1 there will be 2 missions there, so over the past several months many more missionaries have been called to that mission in anticipation of needing enough missionaries to cover the 2 missions. If you are aware of Betty Pearson, the owner of the Missionary Moms email group site (she lives in Lehi) she might be a good person to ask.

minuet1 wrote:There was an article in the Church News about this a couple months ago. They reiterated that the number of missionaries called abroad was the same, they were just combining some missions - maybe because baptisms were down in those areas? And they are splitting other missions. My son is serving in the Nicaragua mission right now and as of July 1 there will be 2 missions there, so over the past several months many more missionaries have been called to that mission in anticipation of needing enough missionaries to cover the 2 missions. If you are aware of Betty Pearson, the owner of the Missionary Moms email group site (she lives in Lehi) she might be a good person to ask.

Wow, when I was in the Central American Mission 1964 to 66, we had about 12 to 15 missionaries in Nicaragua, we averaged a little over 300 missionaries in all of Central America, Mexican Border North, to and including Columbia in the South. Amazing what 40+ years can accomplish!

Bob

Thanks, Minuet1. Is there a reference to the Church News article?
I guess the main question has to do with AMERICANs called to European missions.

Here's the link to that Church News article on combining/diving missions:

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/5 ... areas.html

I read through the article -- very informative.

Minuet1: "There was an article in the Church News about this a couple months ago. They reiterated that the number of missionaries called abroad was the same, they were just combining some missions"

But I didn't find support in the article you referenced for the statement, " They reiterated that the number of missionaries called abroad was the same" -- and I'm particularly wondering about this, if recent callings of Americans to Europe has decreased...

I'm just wondering if missionaries called "home", could have anything to do with where possible, missionaries are called to serve in their home countries. Such as, when the Haiti earthquake occurred, we all wanted to know if the missionaries where okay. We were told that they were okay, and that the missionaries were actually from Haiti.

But I didn't find support in the article you referenced for the statement, " They reiterated that the number of missionaries called abroad was the same" -- and I'm particularly wondering about this, if recent callings of Americans to Europe has decreased...

Dr. Jones, I remember reading that somewhere, guess it wasn't in that article. Hmm, I'm going to have to do a little digging.

Book of Ruth wrote:I'm just wondering if missionaries called "home", could have anything to do with where possible, missionaries are called to serve in their home countries. Such as, when the Haiti earthquake occurred, we all wanted to know if the missionaries where okay. We were told that they were okay, and that the missionaries were actually from Haiti.

Yes, that is what I was trying to say... you said it better.

Thanks, Minuet1.

We were just told by our mission president that the church has 8000 fewer missionaries than only a few years ago. We live in one of the missions that has been consolidated from 2 to one and from 200 missionaries to 140 here in the midwest.

The number of missionaries has decreased about 10,000 since the late 90's. This does not bode well. The ex-mormons indicate this as the saturation point due to the internet and fewer men serving missions due to inactivity. This maybe true, but its also indicative IMO of the times of the Gentiles quickly drawing to an end.

The number of missionaries has decreased about 10,000 since the late 90's.

The number of missionaries serving since the 1990's has certainly decreased, but according to this chart published in the Church News of the week ending March 20, the number has only decreased by 3,000-3,600. Which represents a 10 percent drop.

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/5 ... stics.html

(Greetings, new to this forum)
A good friend has been called to Switzerland, he went last October. My daughter has several friends who've been called to Europe - she took German and studied in Vienna with BYU abroad, so she was hyper aware of so many friend going to German speaking missions. They are either there now or going soon, chosen most likely 'cus of their ability to speak German.

I personally do not think we will need to ask if the missionaries are being called home when it actually happens. It will be very obvious. Then God will preach his own sermons.

I would bet we are pretty close. Can you imagine being a white American missionary walking into a Hispanic community right now?

Today we had a Canada wide Stake conference. Three of the speakers, including Elder Ballard and Preident Uchdorf councilled members to encourage youth to make inspired decisions about missionary service and to start preparing now. Their comments and demeanor suggested that missionary work needs to increase, and we need to prepare the youth and help them gain thier own testimonies so they can confidently do the work.

2wet2burn wrote:Today we had a Canada wide Stake conference. Three of the speakers, including Elder Ballard and Preident Uchdorf councilled members to encourage youth to make inspired decisions about missionary service and to start preparing now. Their comments and demeanor suggested that missionary work needs to increase, and we need to prepare the youth and help them gain thier own testimonies so they can confidently do the work.

True, but I was sorely disappointed at the reality painted by Elder Pace, who told of his daughter who went south for what was obviously "spring break" with nothing but her member friends. Of course at one point the activities turned to drinking, drugs, and of course, immorality. I listened intently as I expected to hear that the crew of young women turned around and went home. I don't know what I was thinking, but it shocked me to the core when he told us only his daughter chose the alternative course of leaving while the other young women apparently were left to engage in who knows what. I know the same thing applies here on Vancouver Island. I was told by my wife's cousin that the stake president in a neighboring stake would be shocked if he know how few virgins were left in the stake. We, our family, have withdrawn from public life to an extent, and we find we must, unfortunately, withdraw from general activity within the membership as Elder Pace's daughter did in order to fulfill our duty to God, and if that means telling the Young Men's president Avatar is not a good choice as a movie, so be it, and if we suggest to the Ward mission leader playing face cards in the chapel is not right, we will do it, and if we suggest to the temple president that selling caffeinated drinks in the temple should be avoided, we will do it. My point is, we can meet and talk as we did today conference wide, but if the members aren't willing to step it up, there will be fewer and fewer missionaries to teach the gospel if we aren't even living it ourselves.

My opinion is that we will continue to send our youth on missions, but there will come a day where there will be an abrupt call for them to return to their home countries... possibly even be released. When an economic collapse occurs, does it take long for things to turn sour? I'm talking about international travel being interrupted, police, firefighters, hospital personnel not showing up to work because they won't receive paychecks, etc...

We, our family, have withdrawn from public life to an extent, and we find we must, unfortunately, withdraw from general activity within the membership as Elder Pace's daughter did in order to fulfill our duty to God, and if that means telling the Young Men's president Avatar is not a good choice as a movie, so be it, and if we suggest to the Ward mission leader playing face cards in the chapel is not right, we will do it, and if we suggest to the temple president that selling caffeinated drinks in the temple should be avoided, we will do it. My point is, we can meet and talk as we did today conference wide, but if the members aren't willing to step it up, there will be fewer and fewer missionaries to teach the gospel if we aren't even living it ourselves.

Wow. It's like we're in the same ward, but I'm 1,000 miles south of the border. The specific incidents are different, but the same kind of stuff goes on here. We feel a bit alone at times. I appreciate hearing that others are experiencing the same things, but I really don't wish this on anyone.

I believe some of the most trying circumstances are when the popular thing to do among church members is something we know to be wrong. It takes a lot of Moroni-like courage to stand alone even among members of the church.
I have two children that were not accepted by their peers at church. They were shunned and ridiculed at times. They brought a lot of it on themselves and contributed to it at times. However, if the others would have lived their religion, they could have been the means of helping my two lost sheep back into the fold.
Ten virgins headed the call, but when the Groom slumbered, five ran out of oil.

Our Ward has 2 Elders out. They both just left, one in Germany and one in Kentucky. We also just had a Sister come home from Poland.

I think part of the down turn in Missionaries is due to the higher standards that are being enforced to go out. When I went out things were a bit more relaxed in going out and what your situation was. If I was to try to go out now being in the same situation I was many years ago, I would be told to ether not go or wait and get your life in order.

We also have some going into the Military instead of Missions. There are also more Missionaries being called from out side the US then there has been before.

My son is currently serving in the Scotland Edinburgh Mission. It is both being reduced in number by about 25% and also combined with the Ireland Dublin Mission. So it certainly is happening in this part of the world.

What is the scriptural justification to assume the church will stop preaching the gospel through missionaries or that they will be "called home"?

Carlos wrote:What is the scriptural justification to assume the church will stop preaching the gospel through missionaries or that they will be "called home"?

There is none. It is based upon something Brigham Young said. Frankly, I don't give it a lot of weight.

About ten years ago, my husband and I were living in Florida and we were called to be Ward missionaries. We primarily worked with the full time elders at that time. During one of the large mission meetings we attended, we were told that one day there would be no "full time missionaries" here in the U.S....that missionary work would be the responsibility of each Ward and its members. So I'm thinking that there will probably be a push to teach all of us how to be better missionaries. The "Preach My Gospel" manual seems to be a precursor for that....although that is just my opinion. I can also see where full time missionaries around the world might remain in their own countries since they are the ones who can speak the language fluently and are aware of the customs and culture of their own country.

The higher standards have definately made an impact on the number of missionaries leaving from this area. I think those standards are absolutely necessary, however, I think the Church has done a VERY poor job in getting the word out as to what those standards are. For instance...

Weight (more than 30 for women and its a no go)
Braces (teeth) (gotta get taken off or no go)
Health issues like asthma (stateside mission)
Porn (no go without a 1 1/2 or 2 year wait)
Sex (same as porn) and no go if more than one partner or over an extended period of time.
Abuse Perscription drugs (no go)
No vaccinations (no go)(at least that's what we were told by the missionary department)

The list is long. It comes down to the fact that we as parents and leaders in wards to not actively attack the problem. We want to step quietly and "sweetly". For instance, how many young men don't have activities at Mutual, only basketball where the leaders are to lazy to put together a plan to get those youth on missions. Or the Young Women: how many nights are spent in absolutely unimportant junk.

Our Bishop has finally attacked, and with graphic detail and in a loving spirit, starting teaching the youth about the requirements for temple marriage and missions. He started by getting the youth to the temple at least 6 times a year (allowing for 10 interviews...6 for the temple, and 1 for birthday, and 1 for 6th month. This has cut down the number "problems", so he reports. The other surprise, was the choice of teachers for the youth. It wasn't the perfect, holy types. It was those that had "interesting" lives, but had chosen the gospel and changed, gained a testimony, and keep their temple covenants. From humble beginnings....

So, in short, the Lord is culling the ranks. If missionaries are declining in number, then its up to us that help them get their lives in order and become temple worthy and then if possible (rule wise) help them on missions. I mean us, that sit in Sacrament Meeting with all the other members. It takes a village to raise a child ......Consolidating missions in unproductive areas (perhaps Europe and some areas in the US there aren't many left to be gathered).