Why Aren’t Mormon Missionaries Doing What Jesus Commanded?

When Jesus called people to preach the gospel, both during His time on Earth and also in more recent revelation, He told missionaries to follow a practice that has since been abandoned. But why?

[ED-wired]

The best advice I received before my mission was to not use extra funds from home. I served in Central America with Latino companions my first year. They were used to living on very little and taught me to do the same. I felt united with them and we had the spirit because we were one temporally. I think missionaries living off extra from home miss out on this experience. I know we were blessed because of it. Just an additional thought

[Whnthwickdrul]

This is actually quite annoying to me. People used to question me on that particular subject as well while on my mission. I wondered have they never read the Bible from front to back before. Because the audience they were instructed to go to without purse or script, coat, etc. was to an audience that was ignorant. Then when they were to go among the scriptorians, they were given a different commandment.

"35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."

They were even commanded to buy a sword! So it really irks me that they even ask this question. Tell us you have never read the Bible without telling us that you have never read the Bible from cover to cover!

[rogerlisa]

One of our sons served in Honduras and another one served in southern Brazil. It seemed as if every single one of their companions was in great need and they literally did come to the mission field with only the clothes on their back and their scriptures. I was so grateful that we could help them and get them more of the things they needed. Our sons were very blessed for having those companions, and we tried to do something in return to show our appreciation to them…because we were thousands of miles away providing monetary support was the only thing I could think of that would really help them. We always told our sons if you’re eating out or buying food on the street, buy also for the companions. There was never a problem with this and all the companions were appreciative. I think they always understood that we viewed them as our sons also.❤❤❤❤

[sisterstarseed]

I chose to endure tutorials instead of being active in the church during the official missionary years… but I can definitely attest to the truth of your message since I’ve been back! God has sent me out without purse or script numerous times to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and it has been a strong witness to me of how God really does take care of us through His true disciples. How else can the Lord see who is truly for Him?

There is an old Native American theory that I have had difficulty finding again in recent years— but it says something about how God sends some out as “strangers” so He can see “whom is fit to sit amongst the ancestors.” This has always resonated with me in the deepest of ways.

Great message! I so very appreciate your example to us Saints 🙏

[reppi]

I really appreciate your musings. I miss church a lot because of recurring health issues. Back in the day we had cable AND got a satellite dish just so I would have access to BYU. The Sunday programming was ALL gospel oriented and it helped me when I couldn't be at church. When BYU came into our cable options, we got rid of the satellite. Now there is no need for cable access either because the programming is so people focused instead of gospel focused. I really appreciate content creators who have me thinking and grabbing my scriptures! Thank you!

[allanburton]

1984-86 in Orange County, California, we missionaries lived with members to reduce the high cost of living.

[shootergavin]

Without purse or script would only work today if we abandon the idea of having tens of thousands of missionaries in the world. I just don't see how the Church could keep track 70, 000 missionaries when they are have no set place where they live. Also young men and woman just out of high school to handle everything involved would be too much for them. The world is just so different than it was in the 1830s. Perhaps a missionary force of say 5000 missionaries who are older could do this today effectively.

[wufflerdance]

i served in utah in 2013-2015 and i came home dangerously underweight...no one in my mission gained weight...hungry was a normal 120 bucks a month ans only being able to shop at walmart or winco didnt go far...some areas we had dinners...some areas we didnt really....and sometimes people didnt feed us much...grateful for those that fed us a big meal cause we were always hungry biking and walking all day....ill never forget at the end of a fast sunday and we hadnt eaten much the day before we got to the members house and they said "we always hear from our grandkids on missions how fat they are getting on missions eating with members so todqy we made a nice salad" and by salad they didnt mean a weird utah jello salad...but a lettuce salad and that only....we were so
body got used to starving.

had it not been for food pkgs from home probably wouldnt died of starvation and malnutrition...had a lot of physical problems and illnesses on the mission and when hit by a car while on my bike mission refused to allow me to go find care until my parents called and threatened them to let me go...my family would be paying for it anyway but i wasnt bwing allowed to go...i only got permission to go to 1 chiropractor visit a week after the accident and no follow up.
Id been knocked out by car and concussed and hurt a lot....

the church as q whole doesnt care for missionaries...some members do and are a godsend...my mission pres was a monster and abused hundreds of missionaries ...even members knew he was q bad guy

[microgardenmom]

If going without purse or scrip was required of senior missionaries or mission presidents, we might not have very many of them. My understanding is that the prophet gets a certain amount of money for living expenses, plus a place to stay for free etc... Can't really ask missionaries to do what he won't. I for one, am extremely grateful that I didn't have to rely on others for a place to stay. The type of people most likely to give 2 young sisters a place to stay in this day and age probably are NOT the type of people 2 young sisters Should stay with. Come to think of it, the same goes for 2 young elders. There are simply too many crazy people out there.

[pajabesa]

Dude, I am just grateful when the missionaries today have enough sense to call on their cell phones to confirm their dinner appointment even if they are running late cause they have to drive 15 minutes from their last appointment 😅

[dinocollins]

I think the underlying principle is leaving our worldly possessions, cares, worries, ambitions behind, and in this respect the law still very much remains in force.

[davincimen]

Haha. Oh man, I’m smiling to see this fresh in my feed to listen to now, and your ever bringing up questions that are worthy to be asked.

[jennifertheobald]

I have to say that when I served in South America, I was able to leave all my mission gear there—even shoes that had minimal
Wear that my mother had sent me from the US (because I couldn’t get my size shoes down there) and I was able to bless other native missionaries and members by giving them of my sustenance.

I believe that in today’s world, going without “purse or scrip” can refer more to walking away from the world and setting ourselves apart to provide spiritual guidance to those we teach.

I came across a wonderful talk by Elder Benson (later became President Ezra T Benson) where he said “we cannot take every man out of the ghetto, but we can take the ghetto out of the man and he can take himself out of the ghetto.” (Terrible paraphrasing there) but this quote guided me in my mission. Now some 30 years later, I can see the fruits of our humble work among the humble people we served. Now they have started businesses themselves, are supporting and building amazing families, and have strengthened and built up congregations around the areas where I served. (Northeast of Brazil) it’s very important that we not forget that it is still a sacrifice for us to leave the comforts of home and serve.

Also, I take issue with you calling missionary outfitters “scrip” because they help prepare missionaries physically so they can focus on the spiritual aspect of missions. We don’t always need to physically suffer to gain great spiritual strength. The mental and spiritual wrestle is enough for many of these generations.

[weightelk]

It's almost like a 2000-year old book about itinerant preachers is not very relevant in the year 2024 🤷‍♂️

[artwriter]

That was from a different time. Things can adapt in acceptable ways, which is one reason why prophets are necessary and give counsel for their time. For example, the members of the original church wear different clothing instead of pioneer clothing, they have modern education, modern jobs, etc. Things can adapt appropriately.

[brandonl]

Maybe it’s just what pops into my feed, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a positive and uplifting video from you. They are all “let me complain about the church and tell you how the leadership is wrong and I am right” for an hour. Is there anything you actually like about the church?

[stefanylclark]

When we show up in impoverished countries with nice clothes and stuff, here's what happens: 1. You get robbed. Sometimes at gunpoint or knifepoint. 2. You realize how good you've had it all your life and now have a guilt complex. 3. Your foreign companion hates you, your nice clothes, your watch and camera. 4.They get the impression that money grows on trees in America and you never had to work a day in your life. 5. Then when you say you've been blessed for keeping the commmandments, they figure God's greatest blessing is wealth. 6. You become a target for every beggar on the street.

[remember]

The image of LDS missionaries on foot or on pushbikes really impacted the local community in all countries and made the people who saw them, aware of God. Once they were travelling in cars, that image was deleted and the vibe of the missionaries changed as they became more self reliant.

[kevinparkin]

OK boys and girls, let's get real. I departed Salt Lake City, in 1977, on a 747 non-stop to Geneva Switzerland. I brought 1) a bunch of books to read - Do Not do that 2) a bunch of clothes - Do Not do that 3) a tape recorder - Do Not do that 4) a film camera and 3 lenses - that's ok. Today's cameras are smaller and require only one lens. In other words, travel light.

Take not purse nor script = Travel Light, which is good advice for every traveler.

[daisymae]

You can't really be serious. There are already missionaries developing eating disorders, experiencing malnutrition and living in unsafe conditions. Living without puse or scrip would only endanger them.
A better solution would be to drop the rhetoric that they are required to serve. Make missions optional and blast out the cultural judgment facing those who don't serve. Then, only those who really want to serve will go.