Serving an LDS mission with an anti-mormon family?

I too am LDS, but I have not yet served a mission. This is a tough situation and your family may not be happy with your decision if you decide to serve. I reminds me of a story about a boy who was probably in his teens. He was going to get baptized, but if he did he would lose his job, his home, and the support of his parents. While discussing this before he was baptized he was asked if he really wanted to do this since he would lose so much. He responded to this question with yet another question, "It's true. Isn't it?" The man who had asked if he wanted to go through with the baptism replied that it was. "Then what else matters?" the boy said. I think this applies to you too. Pray about it and you will know if you should serve a mission or not. I know this will all work out the way it is supposed to. Good luck with whatever happens.

I am a convert to the church, was baptised a year and nine months ago. I plan on serving a mission by June. No one in my family is a member, and if anything, they're hardcore Catholics. I have given up my career to serve this year, and for that they weren't happy. They would rather see me be successful in the line of profession I chose rather than serve an honourable mission. But my mum is very supportive of my decision, although I know and I can see that she doesn't want me to go. You could say that I am blessed with such a selfless mum. But I have prayed to Heavenly Father to know whether serving a mission was the right thing to do. Amazingly things are going my way, and I believe those things were signs from God to tell me that I need to pay it forward. Even my Catholic relatives are hoping that I get sent in CA, where they all live, to think that they were totally against it at first.

Know that if it is God's will for you to serve a mission, he WILL make a way for things to happen. I know that to be true. Serving a mission to preach the gospel and share your happiness and your testimony is a great thing to do. I do hope everything goes well with your plans.

I'm glad that you are considering a mission. Sometimes it is hard to make the decision to go against your family and do what you feel is right in your heart, but doing the right thing does take allot of courage.

I would suggest that you go on the mission and let the chips fall where they may. Remember when Jesus is talking to Nicodemus and he tells the Lord that he has kept all the commandments from his youth, the master then invites him to sell all that he has and come follow him. Nicodemus was not strong enough to do this. His riches were more important to him.

Now the Lord is calling you. Is the price too dear to pay, or will you follow him? Be courageous and put Christ first, everything else will fall in place. Trust him!

I had a companion whose parents thought he was wasting his money, and when he left his parents didn't even know where his mission was. They never even wrote him. And he never really did pick up english. I believe that his mission brought him very close to the Lord. I haven't heard from him since I left the mission but I know that the Lord has seen the sacrifices he made and will not forget them. His sister wrote him regularly and I wouldn't be surprised if all sorts of opportunities were opened for him and his family when he got home.

Thank you, Tonya for starring the question for me to contribute. I am surprised by the answers from apostatized missionaries. I served in Brazil from 1970 to 1972. I submitted my papers a couple months before I turned 19 and had my call on my 19th birthday with departure only one month later. My endowments were received two weeks prior to departure. I was prepared for my mission by four years of seminary and a freshman year at BYU. I wouldn't change any of that. I would have changed some of my youthful mistakes but not my preparation. I didn't leave anything behind that I needed nor did I take anything extra that I should have left home. As for serving differently, it is hard to say. I suppose the one thing I could have done differently, would have been to be more humble. My early companions felt that I was hard to get along with because I felt that I was right and they were wrong. The seniors did not respect their juniors and that rubbed me wrong. I told them so and the seniors decided that they could not get along with me thereafter. Ultimately, I prevailed and the seniors were reprimanded but I did examine myself to remake my image. I studied how I could come across more honestly without appearing to be proud or overbearing. Now, to add my testimony as the other respondents have also done. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is indeed the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth today. The gift of revelation is real. The Holy Ghost does testify to us of what is true and right. Prophets live and lead this Church. Each and every one of us is entitled to personal revelation to cover our own responsibilities. I have learned to pray with faith and sincerity for answers and know the answers when I get them. Follow the counsel in D&C 6, 8 & 9. These verses explain how to recognize revelation in answer to our prayers. Serving others is the best way to strengthen your own testimoney while helping others to gain a testimony. P.S. the quickest interview to mission I ever heard of was three weeks. A young man from Canada went to his bishop for a wedding interview and three weeks later he was serving a mission in Southern California. He was in my ward so I know this first hand.

My family was inactive in the church, and had been inactive for many years when I decided to go on a mission. Suprisingly, my parents supported me in my decision. I had started returning to church a few years previous, and had gained a testimony that it was the Lord's church. After I left, one of my sisters started going to church, and then the other one. My parents gradually had a change in heart, and started going to church and living the gospel once again. Somehow, my going on a mission had a great effect on my family. I can only say that the Lord blessed us.

1. "Not to the point of hate per-say, but they don't like it" does NOT equal "anti-Mormon".

Compare the term "anti-Semetic". Would you call someone who disagrees with the Jewish faith, but doesn't hate Jews an "anti-Semite"?

You're using charged language to fuel your persecution complex and demonize anyone who disagrees with you. That's not going to win you any points with anyone, least of all your family, or people you might attempt to convert on your mission.

2. You're an adult. Do whatever the hell you want. But I suggest you remember that 11th Article of Faith thingie that all the kiddies have to memorize in primary: “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."

And then ask yourself if knocking on people's doors unannounced and telling them their religions are wrong and that they all have Joseph Smith-shaped holes in their lives that they didn't know about until you showed up is really practicing what you preach.

I knew someone once a long time ago that joined the church, despite his parents' objections. He ended up going on a mission. At first his parents hated it and tried to talk him out of it. But he was determined and went anyway. He had been gone for about 6 months and his parents wrote him a letter apologizing to him for their treatment of him. The never joined the church, but they respect his belief. Go for it. You'll be glad you did.

I'm not LDS.But, I think that is wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you can afford it I think you should do it.It would be such a powerful witness to your family.Like the saying goes"We may be the only Christ the world ever sees".I have "heard" of this happening though.Some did get to go on missions, and loved it! I took the discussions,went to a few ladies things,etc.My husband was super opposed to the church,very rude to the sisters, and finally threatened to divorce me.So, I ended up dropping out of it all.Maybe someday it will be different.I'm not saying I would have joined.I do struggle to understand some doctrines.But, I was really enjoying all of it.God Bless you so very much!

my uncle was in your shoes and over came the bias from the rest of the family. we were a fairly devote catholic fam. and he caught hell for quite some time. but he stuck it out and the majority of the fam. came to accept it for his choice. I think that if you have a belief or faith in something and its true. you will be successful in your life and if your family loves you it should not matter what you believe. P.S. I am a large critic of the the lds church and of organized religion in general. I am proud that my uncle kept his faith and beliefs it helped him immensely. Good luck to you.