Also, I don’t think it is fair to say that these kids are volunteering per say when they are required by their religion to partake in community service whether by actual doctrine or unspoken tradition and wishes and pressure from their family and the congregation. While yes, I agree having a boy or girl coerced with tons of pressure from their family and church/temple/wherever and probably the fear of burning in hell to mow a lawn is better than another crack head teen, I don’t really think it is fair to say its because they are all “willing”.

To set the record straight – young men in the church are strongly encouraged to serve a mission when they turn 19 years old. For girls, you go when you are 21. It is a two year stint for guys and 18 months for girls, and – get this – you have to pay for it yourself! You are expected to save for your mission at the same time you are saving money for college.

You also don’t get to pick where you go. Of my female friends who have gone, two went to Bulgaria, one to Brazil, one to Detroit, one to DC on a Vietnamese speaking mission, one to Japan (think how much a 6ft white woman stands out there) and two to southern California. My brother went to Utah (yup, they have missionaries in Utah) and my husband served in Peru. I didn’t serve a mission.

The other thing to keep in mind is that these guys voluntarily give up TWO YEARS to go out and serve their church and their God. They don’t get to watch tv, or date, or even be alone with a member of the opposite sex. It’s not some cushy summer camp. Oh, and they are required to do a certain amount of community service every week too. Want them to weed your yard? They’ll do it. Want them to wash windows? How many 19 year old boys do you know that are so willing to go out and serve. Maybe people should find real things to complain about rather than people trying to do a little good in the world.

I hear they’re sending creating a new crack proselytizing team for the more dangerous areas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXOh4g_FLIM

a few of my Mormon missionary stories:

Years ago, the husband was walking home from the bus. (this was before he grew a beard, and long before said beard went grey) Mormon kids had been out and about in the neighborhood. A guy chased him down the street. “Excuse me, excuse me sir! Are you one of those late-day saints? ’cause I’ve got some questions.” “Sorry, I’m not.” Guy gets all embarrassed, “Oh, sorry, can’t believe I did that, oh sorry (repeat for a good long time)” and eventually leaves.

Also years ago (she passed at least 10 years ago now), Ms Peoples was out on her porch, when the Mormon boys came by. They walked up the steps. “Ma’am, we’d like to talk to you about Jesus.” This may not have been the best thing to say to a sweet Baptist lady. “Oh, Jesus, he’s my friend!” The boys didn’t get a word in edgewise for the next 2 hours. They didn’t come back.

And many years before either of these happened, I was waiting tables at a pizza place in Mt Pleasant, now long gone. The Mormon boys all lived at the Woodner (for all I know,. they still do). They would come in for lunch every day (we had a cheap pizza and salad buffet). They didn’t tip at all. They would leave leaflets, and would try to convert us. I still think they should be trained on how not to piss off potential converts.