Rumors of 19 year old females going on missions

[Color Me Badd Fan]

how is inactive defined?

No TR?

How about goes to Sacrament every week, Sunday School 50% and then never goes to priesthood?

[Dwight Schr-ute]

Classic.

LDS Mission Call trade?
Looking to find someone with a foreign LDS mission call that does not want to go foreign. I have a stateside one to Chicago, Spanish speaking that I will trade you. If we are both willing to trade I bet there is a way to talk to the mission presidents, or someone, and get our calls traded. Please, I need this.

https://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/wan/5375604923.html

[falafel]

Classic.


https://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/wan/5375604923.html

Chicago Spanish speaking was my mission.

[LiveCoug]

Chicago Spanish speaking was my mission.

LOL. Couldn't find a real missionary to swap with?

[falafel]

LOL. Couldn't find a real missionary to swap with?

I posted it on the ride-swap bulletin board in the Wilk! Craigslist didn't exist back then...

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Classic.


https://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/wan/5375604923.html

Post deleted by author, I guess mom or dad saw it.

[Dwight Schr-ute]

Post deleted by author, I guess mom or dad saw it.

Probably already found his (or her) match.

[PaloAltoCougar]

At a recent high council meeting--of which I was not a part but I have excellent sources--it was reported that there has been a big drop in the number of missionaries. When asked if this is the result of the exceptionally large slug of female missionaries returning home, the answer was no. The cause is a very substantial number of missionaries coming home early. Apparently, the dropout rate is now around 35%; in the San Jose Mission it's currently running around 30%. This surprises me. One reason given is high stress levels--a question has been added to the stake president interview sheet that inquires about the candidate's ability to deal with pressure, stress, deadlines.

My personal theory is that the biggest cause is "screen separation." Going from near constant contact with one's friends (including many hundreds on FB) to being 24/7 with only one person with whom one is probably poorly matched has to be very difficult.

Are those dropout rates accurate?

[Moliere]

Those rates seem high compared to my anecdotal experience but it's definitely higher than before the age change.

I don't disagree with the screen separation theory but I think the bigger issue is kids not living away from home for any sort of extended period before they leave on a mission. I suffered from home sickness for my first couple months and it would have been much worse had I not spent a semester away at school.

[Uncle Ted]

At a recent high council meeting--of which I was not a part but I have excellent sources--it was reported that there has been a big drop in the number of missionaries. When asked if this is the result of the exceptionally large slug of female missionaries returning home, the answer was no. The cause is a very substantial number of missionaries coming home early. Apparently, the dropout rate is now around 35%; in the San Jose Mission it's currently running around 30%. This surprises me. One reason given is high stress levels--a question has been added to the stake president interview sheet that inquires about the candidate's ability to deal with pressure, stress, deadlines.

My personal theory is that the biggest cause is "screen separation." Going from near constant contact with one's friends (including many hundreds on FB) to being 24/7 with only one person with whom one is probably poorly matched has to be very difficult.

Are those dropout rates accurate?

Wow, 35%. There was a blog posting about this some time ago but it didn't really say what the percentage was:
http://www.cougarstadium.com/showthr...=1#post1121368

It seems all the missionaries here now have iPads. Of course, I don't think they are on Facebook and other social media all the time. It seems they could easily abuse whatever mission rules about staying in contact with friends if they wanted to, however.

I have to wonder, like Moli, if not spending any time away from home before missions contributes to missionaries coming home early. Maybe the maturity level of the younger missionaries is also a factor.

[BigPiney]

Those rates seem high compared to my anecdotal experience but it's definitely higher than before the age change.

I don't disagree with the screen separation theory but I think the bigger issue is kids not living away from home for any sort of extended period before they leave on a mission. I suffered from home sickness for my first couple months and it would have been much worse had I not spent a semester away at school.

This is the main reason I want my son to go to at least one semester of college before he goes on a mission. He is only 15 now, but my wife and I have already told him that would be best. Plus think of ratio of 18 year old girls to boys at BYU. Maybe he will talk to one.

[Jeff Lebowski]

At a recent high council meeting--of which I was not a part but I have excellent sources--it was reported that there has been a big drop in the number of missionaries. When asked if this is the result of the exceptionally large slug of female missionaries returning home, the answer was no. The cause is a very substantial number of missionaries coming home early. Apparently, the dropout rate is now around 35%; in the San Jose Mission it's currently running around 30%. This surprises me. One reason given is high stress levels--a question has been added to the stake president interview sheet that inquires about the candidate's ability to deal with pressure, stress, deadlines.

My personal theory is that the biggest cause is "screen separation." Going from near constant contact with one's friends (including many hundreds on FB) to being 24/7 with only one person with whom one is probably poorly matched has to be very difficult.

Are those dropout rates accurate?

I have a hard time believing it is that high.

There are already substantial filters in place to screen potential problems with stress, anxiety, etc. during the application process. Hopefully, the bishops are learning to be more careful.

Our stake (Heritage Halls - Freshman) produces a huge number of missionaries. Only 3% of our missionaries return early. Part of that is because they are truly exceptional, high-achieving kids. But I think it also has to do with the fact that they have all put in at least one semester at BYU before leaving (most attend a full year). I am 100% in favor of kids attending a freshman year before serving. It makes a huge difference in terms of maturity and learning how to live away from mom and dad.

[kccougar]

I also can't believe the percentage would be that high. I only have missionaries from my Stake to measure, but we've had one kid come home early in the past 5 years. Observing the kids in our Stake that attend our Mission Prep classes each year I've concluded that they are in general far better prepared to serve than I was at that age, or even a year older.

[jay santos]

Our ward sends out about 10 missionaries per year, maybe a little more. I think we have 23 out right now, and we've been in the high 20's recently. Over the last five years, I know of three that came home early. 30% is way too high. I would be surprised if it was over 10%. When my kids that have served or are serving now talk occasionally about someone going home early, it's in the context that it's a rare event. Not something that happens to 1 out of 3 or 5 kids.

[imanihonjin]

At a recent high council meeting--of which I was not a part but I have excellent sources--it was reported that there has been a big drop in the number of missionaries. When asked if this is the result of the exceptionally large slug of female missionaries returning home, the answer was no. The cause is a very substantial number of missionaries coming home early. Apparently, the dropout rate is now around 35%; in the San Jose Mission it's currently running around 30%. This surprises me. One reason given is high stress levels--a question has been added to the stake president interview sheet that inquires about the candidate's ability to deal with pressure, stress, deadlines.

My personal theory is that the biggest cause is "screen separation." Going from near constant contact with one's friends (including many hundreds on FB) to being 24/7 with only one person with whom one is probably poorly matched has to be very difficult.

Are those dropout rates accurate?

My father-in-law just returned from being an Area Medical Adviser (he was responsible for overseeing the medical needs of some 2800 missionaries) and while he was surprised at how many missionaries were going home, I don't believe the number was anywhere close to 35%. Granted, what he saw didn't account for missionaries that went home from the MTC.