Should I Serve a Mission?

Now that the age requirement for sister missionaries has been lowered, the world has seen an influx of sister missionaries to the field. The mission I live in just received their first group of 19 year old sisters and it couldn't be more exciting. As a friend of mine mentioned, this is truly a sign of the last days as efforts are increased to bring the gospel to the whole world.

Though I don't believe that missions are for every sister, I do think that many sisters will benefit from the growth and blessings that come from serving full-time. So how do you decide whether a mission is right for you? The January 2013 Ensign has an article that gives some nice perspectives on the decision.

No one can make the decision for you. This is a deeply personal decision between you and the Lord. For me, I had ever really had plans to serve a mission, but the idea came on to my radar when I turned 20 and had friends around me making decisions to serve. A higher priority for me at the time was doing a service internship in a poverty-stricken country. However, as I prayed about these opportunities, I kept my heart open to a mission as well. As I prayed, fasted, studied the scriptures and the words of the living prophets, and attended the temple, the answer became clear that a mission would be the best for me. In one particular instance as I read a talk from Elder Richard G. Scott, the spirit confirmed to me that a mission would be the best thing for my life at that time. It truly was.

Good luck as you make that decision for yourself! Remember, "If ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work" (Doctrine and Covenants 4:3), whether it's home or abroad.