Do Mormons have to serve missions? Is mission service viewed with fear?
Mission service is voluntary. No force is used in the Church, but family and friends create expectations for righteous living, for mission service, for faithfulness in marriage, and so forth. I find that righteous expectations can have a very positive effect on young people’s lives, but the choice to serve is still made by the individual. About 30% of our young men choose to go on a mission, and perhaps about 10% of our young women go. Many famous Mormons like Donny Osmond, Steve Young, and J. W. Marriott did not serve missions. The men who don’t go on missions aren’t ostracized by the Church, and families and members are taught to still love and minister to those who choose not to go. Many significant Church leaders never went on missions. Many of our fine local leaders did not – but they often wish they did. Those who do go experience great growth and many wonderful blessings as they sacrifice two years of their lives for unpaid service as representatives of Christ. I know of no grea
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- Do Mormons have to serve missions? Is mission service viewed with fear?
