Well, I’m sure the MTC has changed a lot since I was there 30 years ago.
I just wanted to commend on a few things Pastor Jeff said. I love watching Pastor Jeff’s videos on Hello Saints. I have commented on a number of them. I think he did a very good job explaining what he saw and was very kind with the things he said about the missionary program in general. I enjoyed this video.
First, LDS missionaries are NOT trained to debate the gospel, be apologists, or anything of the sort. They are taught to share our basic beliefs. This was spot on.
Second, he mentioned how in Utah and in the LDS culture, a mission is almost a right of passage. It is common for people to ask where you served your mission. Especially if you speak another language. I was at my physical therapist today. He must be in his 50’s or 60’s. I heard him speak fluent Spanish and my first thought was, where did you serve your mission. That is totally an LDS thing. This is more likely to come up in conversation getting to know someone better. You don’t go around just asking everyone where they served.
There is a bad side to this, it is that some served, some didn’t and some came home early. There are people who didn’t serve or came home early who have felt judged. I hope most of that is past us as a culture. There are many reasons why someone might not serve or might come home early and it isn’t our place to judge them.
Third, Pastor Jeff discovered the missionary guide. Now he knows where to find all our secrets.
Last, I was so impressed with the compassion Pastor Jeff expressed for the missionaries. These missionaries are sons and daughters that have in most cases, barely graduated from High School and never lived away from home. They are all experiencing life on their own for the first time. In a lot of cases, their testimonies are small. Yet they have chosen to serve God. Be kind to them and get to know them. They are each amazing people.
I cannot express all the love and admiration I have for missionaries. It takes a lot of faith and sacrifice to serve. Every one of you deserves all of God’s blessings.
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