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I write to you, young men
Aimstories.com ^ | May 11, 2013 | Mike Delorenzo

Posted on 05/13/2014 3:33:43 AM PDT by chajin

“Two thirds of active missionaries are married couples. Another third are single women. The rest are single men.”

This is not exactly a statistic, per se. It’s a sentiment, and sometimes a joke, expressed by mission leaders, mission recruiters, and most recently, by a bunch of twenty-something singles in my living room. It is a sentiment that reveals a striking truth about missionary work today: There are very few single men choosing to go.

The real statistic is this: For AIM and other similar organizations, somewhere between 80 and 85 percent of all single missionaries are women. For every 10 singles sent, only 2 are men. The disparity is great enough that there’s a noticeable gap on many mission fields. The men are missing, and a cadre of single women have taken up the work, sometimes doing jobs that a male presence would be better suited to.

Why is there such a difference between men and women who choose missions in their single years? And does it matter?...

(Excerpt) Read more at next-mission.com ...


TOPICS: Charismatic Christian; Evangelical Christian; Ministry/Outreach; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: millennials; missions
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1 posted on 05/13/2014 3:33:43 AM PDT by chajin
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To: chajin

Good article.


2 posted on 05/13/2014 4:10:55 AM PDT by Tax-chick (If I offended you, you needed it.)
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To: chajin

Without reading the whole article, I’ll go so far as to say that I don’t know that these mission organizations would necessarily want today’s crop of young men. They are apathetic, uninspired, and lazy. Most men today are born to single mothers with no paternal guidance.


3 posted on 05/13/2014 4:49:05 AM PDT by rarestia (It's time to water the Tree of Liberty.)
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To: chajin

They’d be filling the “coffers” of missionary work if there was a draft. Tons of men went into the Peace Corps to avoid Viet Nam - Chris Matthews, I mean you!

How many men have been involved in missionary work compared to women in the last 100 years?


4 posted on 05/13/2014 4:52:38 AM PDT by miss marmelstein (Richard Lives Yet!)
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To: chajin

Thanks for this. Good insight.


5 posted on 05/13/2014 5:13:26 AM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He turn to you His countenance and give you peace.)
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To: chajin

Thanks for the article Chajin. I sometimes wonder if the cultural stew that comes with the internet is a factor in the male/female missionary ratio.

It is nice to see AIM unexpectedly pop up on my browser. Keep up the good work.


6 posted on 05/13/2014 5:21:40 AM PDT by Tom Bombadil
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To: chajin
There are very few single men choosing to go.

Well; would YOU like to shack up with some OTHER dude for a YEAR???

7 posted on 05/13/2014 5:53:01 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: chajin
There are very few single men choosing to go.

Well, I don't understand why they'd be so reticent about it...


The Rules

  1. Learn and obey all missionary rules.
  2. Keep your thoughts, words, and actions in harmony with the gospel message.
  3. Read only books, magazines, and other material authorized by the Church.
  4. Don't debate or argue.
  5. Center your mind on your mission.
  6. Dress conservatively. Elders: white shirts, conservative ties, and business suits. Sisters: conservative colors and skirts that cover your knees. No floor-length skirts or dresses.
  7. Cut your hair regularly.
  8. Keep your hair clean and neatly combed at all times in the approved style.
  9. Be neat and clean.
  10. Bathe frequently.
  11. Use deodorant.
  12. Polish your shoes.
  13. Iron your shirt and business suit.
  14. Arise at 6:30 A.M.
  15. Study for 2 hours every morning.
  16. Proselytize for 10 hours between 9:30 A.M. and 9:30 P.M.
  17. Turn off your lights at 10:30 P.M.
  18. Exercise regularly.
  19. Write in your journal regularly.
  20. Follow the "Missionary Gospel Study Program" (31157) for your personal study.
  21. Regularly study the Missionary Guide and the Discussions.
  22. Attend Sunday priesthood or Relief Society meetings, Sunday School, and sacrament meeting.
  23. Attend the general session of Stake Conference.
  24. Attend general conference broadcasts if available.
  25. Avoid all other church meetings unless you have a special assignment or are brining an investigator.
  26. Proselytize as much as possible on weekends and holidays because this is when you'll find people home.
  27. End your preparation day at 6:00 P.M. and proselytize from 6:00 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.
  28. Wear your missionary uniform in public on preparation day while not engaged in recreational activities.
  29. Arise at 6:30 on preparation day and study for 2 hours from the approved books.
  30. Take care of your physical preparation for the week on preparation day: wash your clothes, clean your apartment, wash your car, get your haircut, and shop for groceries.
  31. Write to your parents every week on preparation day.
  32. Write less frequently to your siblings, friends, and acquaintances.
  33. Don't communicate with any friends or acquaintances that are within or close to your mission boundaries, except as a part of official mission business.
  34. Plan safe, wholesome, and uplifting activities for preparation day.
  35. Stay with your companion during all activities.
  36. Do not go on road trips.
  37. Do not leave your assigned area without permission
  38. Do not watch television.
  39. Do not view unauthorized videocassettes.
  40. Do not listen to the radio.
  41. Do not listen to unauthorized audiocassettes or CD’s.
  42. Do not participate in musical groups.
  43. Do not participate in athletic teams.
  44. Do not sponsor athletic teams.
  45. Do not engage in contact sports.
  46. Do not engage in water sports.
  47. Do not engage in winter sports.
  48. Do not engage in motorcycling.
  49. Do not engage in horseback riding.
  50. Do not engage in mountain climbing.
  51. Do not embark on a private boat.
  52. Do not embark in a private airplane.
  53. Do not handle firearms.
  54. Do not handle explosives.
  55. Do not swim.
  56. Do not play full court basketball.
  57. Do not play basketball in leagues.
  58. Do not play basketball in tournaments.
  59. You may play half-court basketball.
  60. Never be alone.
  61. Seek advice from your mission president if your companion is "having difficulties".
  62. Be loyal to your companion.
  63. Ask your mission president for help if your companion doesn’t obey the rules.
  64. Pray with your companion every day.
  65. Study with your companion every day.
  66. Plan your work with your companion every day.
  67. Take time at least once a week for companionship inventory.
  68. Seek to be one in spirit and purpose and help each other succeed.
  69. Always address your companion as Elder or Sister.
  70. Sleep in the same bedroom as your companion.
  71. Do not sleep in the same bed as your companion.
  72. Do not arise before your companion.
  73. Do not retire after your companion. (apparently, being together is more important than getting the correct amount of sleep that your unique body requires.)
  74. Frequently study with your companion the Missionary Guide section on companions.
  75. Never be alone with anyone of the opposite sex.
  76. Never associate inappropriately with anyone of the opposite sex (conversely, they don't mention whether or not it is against the rules to associate inappropriately with anyone of the same sex).
  77. Do not flirt.
  78. Do not date.
  79. Do not communicate via phone or letter with anyone of the opposite sex living within or near mission boundaries.
  80. Do not visit a single or divorced person of the opposite sex unless accompanied by a couple or another adult member of your sex.
  81. Try to teach single investigators in a member’s home or have missionaries of the same sex teach them.
  82. Always follow the above rules, even if the situation seems harmless.
  83. Use the commitment pattern to get referrals from members.
  84. Keep your dinner visits with member briefs and during the customary dinner hour in the area.
  85. Remember to say thank you to those who feed you.
  86. Visit members and nonmembers only at appropriate times.
  87. Do not counsel or give medical treatment.
  88. Do not stay in the homes of people when they are on vacation.
  89. Only write letters to family members and friends at home.
  90. Do not telephone parents
  91. Do not telephone relatives.
  92. Do not telephone friends.
  93. Do not telephone girlfriends.
  94. Contact your mission president in case of an emergency.
  95. Take problems and questions to your mission president.
  96. Do not write to the President of the Church or to other General Authorities. Letters from missionaries to General Authorities are referred back to the mission president
  97. Respect the customs, traditions, and property of the people who you are trying to convert.
  98. Obey all mission rules.
  99. Obey the laws of the land.
  100. Do not get involved in politics.
  101. Do not get involved in commercial activities.
  102. Do not give any information about the area.
  103. Respect the customs and cultures of those who you are trying to convert to your own customs and culture.
  104. Respect the beliefs, practices, and sites of other religions.
  105. Do not say or write anything bad about the political and cultural circumstances where you serve.
  106. Do not become involved in adoption proceedings.
  107. Do not suggest or encourage emigration. (This rule is a bit ironic, given the now-defunct doctrine of gathering the believers to Zion)
  108. Be courteous.
  109. Provide community service.
  110. Do not provide community service that isn’t approved by your mission president.
  111. Do not provide more than 4 hours a week of community service.
  112. Do not provide community service during the evening, weekend or holidays—those are peek proselytizing times.
  113. Your mission president must approve your housing.
  114. Keep your housing unit clean.
  115. Do not live with single or divorced people of the opposite sex.
  116. Do not live where the spouse is frequently absent.
  117. Your living unit must have a private bath and entrance.
  118. You may occasionally fast for a special reason, but generally the monthly fast is sufficient.
  119. Do not fast longer than 24 hours at a time.
  120. Do not ask friends, relatives, and members to join in special fasts for investigators.
  121. Maintain your health.
  122. Eat a healthy diet.
  123. Sleep from 10:30 to 6:30.
  124. Follow the approved exercise program.
  125. Keep your body, clothes, dishes, linens, towels and housing unit clean.
  126. Dispose of your garbage properly and promptly.
  127. Follow the safety rules for all of your stuff.
  128. Seek medical care if you are in an accident or become sick.
  129. Be immunized.
  130. Spend your money only on things relating to your mission.
  131. Budget your money carefully.
  132. Keep a record of what you spend.
  133. Do not spend more than your companion.
  134. Do not loan money.
  135. Do not borrow money.
  136. Keep a reserve fund of $50 to $100 at all times for transfers.
  137. Pay your bills before leaving an area.
  138. Pay cash for all resale literature and supplies ordered from the mission office.
  139. Do not waste money on souvenirs.
  140. Do not waste money on unnecessary items.
  141. Be a frugal photographer.
  142. Do not accumulate excess baggage.
  143. Obey custom laws and regulations.
  144. Pay fast offerings each fast Sunday to the bishop or branch president where you serve.
  145. Pay tithing on outside sources of income (i.e. interest) to your home bishop or branch president.
  146. Evaluate your funds a few months before the end of your mission. If you have more than you need, ask that less be sent so that you can return home without excess money.
  147. Do not drive without a license.
  148. Drive only Church-owned vehicles.
  149. Do not drive members’ cars.
  150. Do not drive nonmembers’ cars.
  151. Do not give rides to members or investigators in Church-owned cars.
  152. Use cars only on approved mission business.
  153. Use cars only within the assigned geographical area.
  154. Be conscious of safety at all times.
  155. Drive defensively.
  156. Wear your seat belt.
  157. Pray for the Lord’s protection while driving.
  158. If your companion is driving, assist him or her.
  159. Do not tamper with the vehicle’s odometer.
  160. Know bicycle safety rules.
  161. Use extreme caution on your bicycle.
  162. Do not ride your bicycle after dark.
  163. Do not ride your bicycle in heavy traffic.
  164. Do not ride your bicycle in adverse weather conditions.
  165. Go directly to your new area when transferred.
  166. Find your new companion without delay when transferred.
  167. Have a maximum of two suitcases and a briefcase.

8 posted on 05/13/2014 5:54:16 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: chajin
...I don't understand why they'd be so reticent about it...


After all...



What is your church doing to help the male to stay true?
 




prophet kimball"All of this should be conveyed without having priesthood leaders focus upon intimate matters which are a part of husband and wife relationships. Skillful interviewing and counseling can occur without discussion of clinical details by placing firm responsibility on individual members of the Church to put their lives in order before exercising the privilege of entering a house of the Lord. The First Presidency has interpreted oral sex as constituting an unnatural, impure, or unholy practice. If a person is engaged in a practice which troubles him enough to ask about it, he should discontinue it."
- Official Declaration of the First Presidency of the Church, January 5th, 1982


spencer kimball"Prophets anciently and today condemn masturbation. It induces feelings of guilt and shame. It is detrimental to spirituality. It indicates slavery to the flesh, not that mastery of it and the growth toward godhood which is the object of our mortal life. Our modern prophet has indicated that no young man should be called on a mission who is not free from this practice. What is more, it too often leads to grievous sin, even to that sin against nature, homosexuality. For, done in private, it evolves often into mutual masturbation-practiced with another person of the same sex and thence into total homosexuality...."
- Prophet Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, Pages 77-79, 81-82

"Among the most common sexual sins our young people commit are necking and petting. Not only do these improper relations often lead to fornication, [unwed] pregnancy, and abortions - all ugly sins - but in and of themselves they are pernicious evils, and it is often difficult for youth to distinguish where one ends and another begins. They awaken lust and stir evil thoughts and sex desires. They are but parts of the whole family of related sins and indiscretions. Almost like twins, 'petting' and fornication are alike."
- Prophet Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, page 65


spencer kimball"Also far-reaching is the effect of the loss of chastity. Once given or taken or stolen it can never be regained. Even in a forced contact such as rape or incest, the injured one is greatly outraged. If she has not cooperated and contributed to the foul deed, she is of course in a more favorable position. There is no condemnation where there is no voluntary participation. It is better to die in defending one's virtue than to live having lost it without a struggle."
-
Prophet Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, page 196


"And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth." (Genesis 4:9-14.) That was true of murder. It is also true of illicit sex, which, of course, includes all petting, fornication, adultery, homosexual acts, and all other perversions. The Lord may say to offenders, as He did to Cain, "What hast thou done?" The children thus conceived make damning charges against you; the companions who have been frustrated and violated condemn you; the body that has been defiled cries out against you; the spirit which has been dwarfed convicts you. You will have difficulty throughout the ages in totally forgiving yourself."
-Prophet Spencer W. Kimball, "Love Versus Lust", BYU Speech January 5, 1965. Often-used quote still used today in LDS seminary classes.


kimball"I do not find in the Bible the modern terms "petting" nor "homosexuality," yet I found numerous scriptures which forbade such acts under by whatever names they might be called. I could not find the term "homosexuality," but I did find numerous places where the Lord condemned such a practice with such vigor that even the death penalty was assessed."
- Apostle Spencer W. Kimball, "Love Versus Lust", BYU Speech January 5, 1965


"If adultery or fornication justified the death penalty in the old days, and still in Christ's day, is the sin any less today because the laws of the land do not assess the death penalty for it? Is the act less grievous? There must be a washing, a purging, a changing of attitudes, a correcting of appraisals, a strengthening toward self-mastery. There must be many prayers, and volumes of tears. There must be an inner conviction giving to the sin its full diabolical weight. There must be increased devotion and much thought and study. And this takes energy and time and often is accompanied with sore embarrassment, heavy deprivations and deep trials, even if indeed one is not excommunicated from the Church, losing all spiritual blessings."
-Prophet Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, Page 155


"How like the mistletoe is immorality. The killer plant starts with a sticky sweet berry. Little indiscretions are the berries -- indiscretions like sex thoughts sex discussions, passionate kissing, pornography. The leaves and little twigs are masturbation and necking and such, growing with every exercise. The full-grown plant is petting and sex looseness. It confounds, frustrates, and destroys like the parasite if it is not cut out and destroyed, for, in time it robs the tree, bleeds its life, and leaves it barren and dry; and, strangely enough, the parasite dies with its host."
- Apostle Spencer W. Kimball, General Conference Address, April 1, 1967.


9 posted on 05/13/2014 5:55:24 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: chajin
Why is there such a difference between men and women who choose missions in their single years? And does it matter?...

Iff'n they wuz Catholic; we'd hear they were poorly catechized.


Maybe the SCHOOLS are falling down a bit in their instruction methods...


 
 
Professor Robert Millet        teaching at the Mission Prep Club in 2004  http://newsnet.byu.edu/video/18773/  <-- Complete and uneditted

 
 
Timeline...    Subject...
 
0:59           "Anti-Mormons..."
1:16           "ATTACK the faith you have..."
2:02           "We really aren't obligated to answer everyone's questions..."
3:57           "You already know MORE about God and Christ and the plan of salvation than any who would ATTACK you."


10 posted on 05/13/2014 5:58:18 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: chajin
I write to you young men BECAUSE YOU ARE STRONG, and the Word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1John 2:14



The BACKstory...


1 John 2:12-14

12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake.
13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.
I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.
14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning.

11 posted on 05/13/2014 6:04:22 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie
109.Provide community service.
110.Do not provide community service that isn’t approved by your mission president.
111.Do not provide more than 4 hours a week of community service.

????

What if you are in the middle of community service when the clock chimes 4 hours? “Sorry, I can't finish cutting your lawn, I've done enough community service for this week!”

12 posted on 05/13/2014 6:11:07 AM PDT by Gamecock (The covenant is a stunning blend of law and love. (TK))
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To: chajin

Most of the male missionaries whom I know are risk takers and I am not sure that we are bringing up our boys in this same mold.

Many of them are former high school and college athletes and are they are used to winning, losing and getting thoroughly banged up in the process of athletics.


13 posted on 05/13/2014 6:13:37 AM PDT by buffaloguy
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To: Elsie

Probably the best way to make sure that we field men in missions is to send your sons and grandsons on short mission trips. Many of them will figure out that this is the important work.

I would also add that when you are on mission be a guy not a panty waste holy man. Hunt, fish and play the local sports on site with your friends. Good things happen when you become involved in other people’s lives and men are extremely well suited to this task.


14 posted on 05/13/2014 6:36:50 AM PDT by buffaloguy
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To: chajin

Eh, I went to Jesuit, and there’s a couple of the guys from there who went on some missions. There’s a bunch who did stuff around town/at Jesuit after graduating. But overall, the overseas missions stuff just wasn’t all that popular.

One of my old girlfriends went on a couple mission trips, and their group was mostly females. Same thing with another girlfriend’s dad. Couldn’t tell you why.


15 posted on 05/13/2014 6:39:08 AM PDT by Svartalfiar
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To: buffaloguy
Most of the male missionaries whom I know are risk takers and I am not sure that we are bringing up our boys in this same mold.

Many of them are former high school and college athletes and are they are used to winning, losing and getting thoroughly banged up in the process of athletics.

The press used to trot out stories of "Vietnam vets gone bad" all the time.

However, I have met a very large number of Vietnam veterans who are missionaries, relief workers or medical workers in developing countries. Far more than the number of "Vets gone Bad" that I have personally met.

One possible reason for the disparity in single men vs single women missionaries is, to be blunt about it, testosterone. Potential missionary men really do not want to think about a life of celibacy. At the younger age of most Bible college students, most of us are still enamored with the Hollywood idea of a desirable female. It takes a bit of maturity to recognize quality in a woman.

Thankfully, I met Mrs NB at Bible school AFTER my tour in Vietnam. I had developed a 6 or 8 item checklist. She scored 100%. Plus, she was a real looker, to boot!

We have a number of friends who spent years on the field as single lady missionaries. One had become a widow after six months of marriage. Another spent about 12 years working as a nurse in a very remote, difficult area. Both are among the finest people I have ever known.

God also provided them both with outstanding husbands, in due time.

Too often, we men tend not to trust God to provide the very best wife for us at the best time, but not necessarily on our timetable.

His gift is well worth the wait!

16 posted on 05/13/2014 7:24:40 AM PDT by BwanaNdege ( "For those who have fought for it, Life bears a savor the protected will never know")
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To: BwanaNdege

Thank you for your service in both roles.

Yes, most missionaries do get married to others who are either missionaries or who catch the fire.

Testosterone is needed in the field for difficult times when leadership is required and I hope that more young men will sign up and go help people and teach the word. They will not regret it.

We are leaving an in country mission assignment and my thoughts are turning to Africa. Lots of work needs to be done and there is much fertile ground to be plowed, seeded and harvested.


17 posted on 05/13/2014 8:47:50 AM PDT by buffaloguy
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"The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision
of what is before them, glory and danger alike,
and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it."

~Thucydides




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18 posted on 05/13/2014 8:48:10 AM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Elsie

Those rules must be from the 1800s. Sheesh. Why not just disappear into the woodwork.


19 posted on 05/13/2014 8:50:51 AM PDT by buffaloguy
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To: BwanaNdege

I do know a lot of vets who have become missionaries. I thought it was just me and my own circle of friends.


20 posted on 05/13/2014 8:53:05 AM PDT by buffaloguy
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