Why do Mormons go on missions?

I answered this question on my tentative mission preparation blog, but it didn't really kick off... so I'm going to post it on here as well:

Q: Why do you feel it's appropriate to try to convince people to join your religion? What is the purpose of religion? Are members of your religion encouraged or expected to teach their children the religion? What is your religion's opinion of parents who allow their children to choose their own religion and expose them to many different kinds?

I'm starting with these questions because they personally are the most relevant to me in this stage of my life, and I feel inspired to answer them first.

What is the purpose of religion? Well, I'm sure there are countless peer-reviewed articles, documentaries, and anthropological studies on this question, so let's narrow it down a bit. What is the purpose of the Mormon religion?

The purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is to help people return to live with God. It does so by:

• providing a refuge from the rest of the world, where we can lift each other up and grow in spirituality (i.e. the weekly meetings we attend),
• gathering God's children through missionary work,
• caring for the poor and needy,
• and "enabling the salvation of the dead by building temples and performing vicarious ordinances." (See lds.org - the Purpose of the Church)

Missionary work is important to me and to the rest of the Church - not because we want to take over the world, or have the most members, or make the most money, or any similarly trite reason - because everybody is a child of God, and everybody deserves the opportunity to hear the truth about returning to Him. It is our responsibility as members of the Church, as people who know the truth, to offer it to those that do not yet have it. 

But isn't that infringing on their personal choice? Why not let people live their lives the way they want to? 

Of course people can live their lives the way they want to! That is the greatest of God's gift to us here on Earth: We can choose everything. We can choose what or in whom to believe. We can choose what we wear, what we eat for breakfast, our attitudes. We (as Mormons) never force anyone to be a part of our church. It goes against our beliefs to force yours.

Nevertheless, we want to offer it to you. Let me quote a chapter from the Book of Mormon that I think illustrates this principle effectively. Bear with me, and I think you will understand our viewpoint a little more. Starting with verse 2:

"And it came to pass that while my father tarried in the wilderness he spake unto us, saying: Behold, I have dreamed a dream; or, in other words, I have seen a vision.

And behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in the Lord because of Nephi and also of Sam; for I have reason to suppose that they, and also many of their seed, will be saved.

But behold, Laman and Lemuel, I fear exceedingly because of you; for behold, methought I saw in my dream, a dark and dreary wilderness.

And it came to pass that I saw a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and he came and stood before me.

And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him.

And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste.

And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies.

And it came to pass after I had prayed unto the Lord I beheld a large and spacious field.

And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.

And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.

And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.

And as I cast my eyes round about, that perhaps I might discover my family also, I beheld a river of water; and it ran along, and it was near the tree of which I was partaking the fruit.

And I looked to behold from whence it came; and I saw the head thereof a little way off; and at the head thereof I beheld your mother Sariah, and Sam, and Nephi; and they stood as if they knew not whither they should go.

And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit.

And it came to pass that they did come unto me and partake of the fruit also.

And it came to pass that I was desirous that Laman and Lemuel should come and partake of the fruit also; wherefore, I cast mine eyes towards the head of the river, that perhaps I might see them.

And it came to pass that I saw them, but they would not come unto me and partake of the fruit.

And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood.

And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world.

And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood.

And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.

And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost.

And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.

And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.

And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.

And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.

And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.

And now I, Nephi, do not speak all the words of my father.

But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.

And he also saw other multitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building.

And it came to pass that many were drowned in the depths of the fountain; and many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads.

And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of scorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not.

These are the words of my father: For as many as heeded them, had fallen away.

And Laman and Lemuel partook not of the fruit, said my father.

And it came to pass after my father had spoken all the words of his dream or vision, which were many, he said unto us, because of these things which he saw in a vision, he exceedingly feared for Laman and Lemuel; yea, he feared lest they should be cast off from the presence of the Lord.

And he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them.

And after he had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto them of many things, he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord; and he did cease speaking unto them." - 1 Nephi 8:2-38

Do you see now? We want to share the gospel with you because we have tasted it, and we know it is good; we know it is of God. It is not out of a selfish desire to elevation or authority that we do missionary work. We do it because we love you. 

And as we love you, even more so do we love our children, and want them to return to God's presence eventually. So we teach them the principles of the gospel as they grow, but encourage them to seek for truth themselves. We do this in the faith that we have the complete truth of Jesus Christ. 

Because my parents have faith in me and faith in Christ, they always encouraged me to search out truth for myself. If I wanted to, I could have attended other church services and my mother would have said, "It's your choice." I remember times when I was tired or lazy and did not want to go to church. I'd go up to my mom with some poor excuse: "My throat hurts :(  I don't think I can go to church today." or, "I have a huge project due on Monday. Can I stay home from church and work on it?" And she never forced me. She told me, "It's your choice, Serena. Do what you feel is right."

I think most other young Mormons can attest to having similar experiences growing up. And my opinion of parents who allow their children to choose their own religion? I think it's great! I am a strong pursuer of truth and knowledge, and will always uphold that search. Nevertheless, I think it's important that parents in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints set an example of faith and obedience for their children, and encourage them to do the same.