It is a moment in the culture of Mormonism that has a profound influence on the men and women that participate in it. Families and friends gather in living rooms or various other places as young men or women open a packet that arrives in the mail. With eager anticipation, those involved await as the words are read aloud: “You are hereby called to serve in…” Ten years ago today (April 19, 2002) I finished that sentence with “the Ohio Cleveland Mission.” For the few people that will read this, regardless of what you think of Mormons, I would like to reminisce about what I learned on my mission. Some lessons that may or may not surprise people.
1) Crazy things happen in the world. Not a shocker, I know. Many people view Mormon missionaries as these young men that leave their “bubbles” of Utah or Idaho with zeal to spread their faith to the world. If I am honest, that is not a full-blown stereotype. There is a lot of truth to that. But how much worldly reality does any 19-year-old western American young man know?
Having had my so-called “bubble” (if you will) burst was a great benefit of my mission even if it wasn’t all that pleasant of news. Within a month or two of living in Ohio I was welcomed to witness a lot of things you may or may not write home about to your mother. Domestic violence in the apartment beneath me, a man jaywalking and getting hit by a car of teenage girls going 40 plus miles per hour, drug deals, de facto segregation, and an immense amount of poverty in my own country were but a few of these bubble bursting moments. I soon found myself understanding things that were oblivious to me as a teenager. To name a few; The real importance of good family relationships, the reality of how fragile life is, and just how awful the ever-increasing gap between wealth and poverty in America really is (and with the way the economy is now it is probably worse than it was then).
2) A love of ALL religions- Seriously? Yes! Sure I was a Mormon going around talking to people about my own religion. Yes, I was inviting people to become a Mormon. However, I learned a vast amount of respect for people of other religions (and no religion at all). I am thankful to the many people who sat down and talked with me about their faith and convictions, and at the same time let me tell them about mine. I saw first hand how religion could bless the lives of others in tremendous ways. That religion was not just Mormonism for these people, but many others as well.
3) Service- Some of the best times on my mission were the weekly service projects. I will never forget helping clean up a YMCA facility in Toledo, the weekly service in Youngstown of giving out food to those in need at a food bank, and the times I helped organize indoor bowling for several seniors in a nursing home so they could have a little bit of exercise. The community service times were amazing. I recently heard Yeah Samake, a presidential candidate in Mali state, “When you care for people, you are cared for.” I think this is the heart and the value of service. All are benefited.
4) Mormon History- I admit this doesn’t classify as a lesson per se. However serving around Kirtland, Ohio and being encouraged to learn about the history of Mormons in that area developed in me an interest to know and study more about Mormon history. It is for this reason that I am now engaged in Mormon Studies. I am working to further Mormon Studies research; not to convert anybody but to build understanding of a relatively young faith. In the academic setting I am also engaged in a study of many other religions and denominational beliefs. My mission influenced me in this regard as well (see #2).
5) Caring for the Poor and Needy- This has already come up in two of my five items in this post, but it really deserves its own spot. The biggest thing that has always stuck with me about my mission is seeing poverty in my own country. The things that many affluent and comfortable middle class families probably don’t fully realize are going on in this country. And for all purposes they wouldn’t unless they have a family member in this situation, or are part of some religious organization or community outreach group that deals directly with poverty issues. I won’t be a Warren Buffett, especially in the field that I have chosen. But I have committed myself to get into a career and work hard, so that when I obtain the means to help in some small way the poverty situation in my country and elsewhere I can do so.
I also know that spiritual and emotional needs are just as important as physical. This is why I am starting to research religious violence and peace studies. I firmly believe that understanding religion and the opportunities (which cynics might not see) that religion can bring to the peacemaking table are profound. There is a world of tension and chaos, and in that I have learned the importance of caring for those in need.
My Mormon faith and mission has greatly blessed my life. It has taught me too many things to write here. As I look back ten years on the day I opened my mission call I realize that my life has taken a fun and life changing direction. How grateful I am for that opportunity in my life.
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