pressure to serve

[EAG]

it seems to me that culturally there is an extreme pressure for young men to serve, while i understand the importance of missionary work, this seems to cause young men to either serve when they are not ready to and come home early or those who dont serve seem to be second class citizens and end up falling away or resenting the church. is the pressure put on young men a good thing? would it not be better for them to serve because the want to and not out of fear of the social consequences associated with not serving?

[Admin]

I guess you are talking about the culture of Church. I believe Young Men should be encouraged and not pressured. Usually when anything is pressured there is a build up of rebellion that eventually needs release. Encouragement is different, but not everyone knows how to encourage, so they instead "nag" for want of a better word at the moment.

[Happy_LDS]

Well, serving a mission for a Young man is a commandment so I guess it is very important that they can be encouraged to do so, but I agree we should not pressure them to do so. At the same time, I guess parents, friends and leaders do not want to see their loved one missing such opportunity.

[EAG]

its deffinatly a wonderful opportunity, i've always found the commandment part a little weak (its seems that the use of should serve instead of must or is requiered denotes less than commandment status) almost a double standard. most of the men i've seen who where baptised after they were 17 or 18 seem to have little to no pressure put on them. obviously thats a big step for a new member but if it is a commandment shouldn't they be encouraged just as strongly?

[Happy_LDS]

They cannot put it in stronger terms because there are cases of men who would love to serve but for instance serious health concerns may stop them (there is a list of illnesses or medical conditions that may stop someone from serving a regular mission).

[Admin]

i've seen who where baptized after they were 17 or 18 seem to have little to no pressure put on them.

Depends a lot on the past. There are more stringent requirements now than before. It is also a big commitment, something a new member might not grasp the concept of just yet.

[EAG]

i still think we put too much pressure on these young men, i mean gosh have you seen the suicide stats on young men who come home early. and i really feel for them all the young men i've seen that didn't go or came home early were treated like second class citizens.

[Admin]

"We"? I think maybe some pressure, but I do not think Members stand in a circle pointing fingers. Some pressure is actually healthy, it makes you stronger and helps you to decide where you stand in life.