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Original poster

Depressed Mormon Missionary.

66 replies

speakout · 03/06/2018 15:07

He has been told to "pray more". Currently in Belfast, only 19 years old has been suffering depression off and on for a year. Now so bad he can't function.
Denied medical treatment- Bishop has told him to pray .
Any thoughts?

OP posts:
OddS0ck · 03/06/2018 16:34

If you can be a friendly voice you may be someone he can turn to. At least ask about him, show an interest and kindness without urging him on to work hard and have faith!

If he thinks you're encouraging him to "apostatise" he'll drop you like a hot potato. So utmost diplomacy required.

Original poster
speakout · 03/06/2018 16:36

OddS0ck

Yes of course.
You make a good point. And is why I am holding off.
It's probably not my place.

OP posts:
OddS0ck · 03/06/2018 16:50

It's your place inasmuch as you care about a young person who has been raised in a cult like organisation and is now suffering at the hands of that cult.

I certainly wasn't trying to put you off, quite the opposite. Rather I was trying to give you a heads up on what might happen.

I think it's great that you care about him.

Original poster
speakout · 03/06/2018 16:58

OddS0ck

Thanks. I will email him tomorrow, I think part of my concern is that he has told other people that he has found solace in me- bizarre as I am atheist .
I did facilitate my mothers baptism- his first- her fear of water, so took a few attempts and he asked me for guidance while drowning the kitten.

OP posts:
LANDALES · 03/06/2018 17:04

I've read enough.
Fact: He can contact his parents by email. Most have been assigned with smart phones to enable them to do this.
FACT: He can contact his ward mission leader in first instance and if need be the Stake mission leader.
FACT: Plenty of missionaries male and female have been sent home when they wish to be. They are encouraged to stay on because the families/themselves pay for them to go on the missions.
He is probably homesick and does need a friendly hug which he can't get from a female.
FACT: The companions are there for emotional support as they're going through the exact same thing.
FACT: They have their own passports as they need them for move calls and can't go all the way to the mission home before each move.
FACT: They are all assigned local GPs.

Regarding the cult aspect every religion can be considered a cult.

Original poster
speakout · 03/06/2018 17:07

Landales-
"'Ive read enough."

Are you Mormon?

OP posts:
SD1978 · 03/06/2018 17:13

Missionaries can see GP’s, they can have and are allowed to take medication, and without more detail on the talk he had with the mission president I would t make a judgment. Usually mission president is very supportive- all the ones Ive known have been. It rough being in a foreign county- and away from family for the first time- and usually there is a lot of support for these young men and women. Mission president is not necessarily throwing him under the MH bus. I hope he gets the help he needs soon- but if he wants to see a doctor- he would t be physically or emotionally stopped.

Original poster
speakout · 03/06/2018 17:15

FACT: They are all assigned local GPs.

How the hell does that happen?

I moved home 4 years ago and still can't be registered in a local GP practice, closed to new patients I still have to travel 8 miles to visit my GP

OP posts:
LANDALES · 03/06/2018 17:16

Ex. I know the faults.
Plus the companions are there for their own safety after the Manacled Mormon Case in 1977.

Original poster
speakout · 03/06/2018 17:18

SD but if he wants to see a doctor- he would t be physically or emotionally stopped.

But realistically they are. That't the problem.

OP posts:
LANDALES · 03/06/2018 17:18

The Ward has it registered with the local GP after explaining there will be a revolving door policy on them so they only need to make an appointment saying one of the missionaries need to be seen.

Anasnake · 03/06/2018 17:18

Landales - they are 'assigned' mobiles , are they not allowed their own ?
'He is probably homesick' - not depression then ???

LANDALES · 03/06/2018 17:20

They aren't stopped physically or mentally. All they need to do once having an appointment made is contact the ones they were supposed to meet with that day and make it for another day.

LANDALES · 03/06/2018 17:27

I didn't say he wasn't depressed. He probably had it before he went. I said he was probably homesick as a lot can be once they hear from home especially if there is trouble back home.
They will be assuming they are a burden on others and worried that if they request to be sent home that he will be a disappointment and worried over the lost money.
Where as if he truly said his worries to his family and after 'praying'/giving it careful consideration he needs to go home as he is so unhappy.
Not all missionaries are made up for being away from home. They may seem eager to have an adventure like a gap year except it's 2 instead of 1 and then find out they can't handle negative comments etc from outsiders when they try to convert them.
It's a lot better than it used to be before it was a letter home once a month if they were lucky. Now they can contact them once a week. Their local ward should be having them in for dinner or just to hang with.

LANDALES · 03/06/2018 17:28

They have their own email addresses and are allowed to skype home also so they can see a friendly face.

Anasnake · 03/06/2018 17:31

But not their own devices ??

LANDALES · 03/06/2018 17:32

Wards also let the missionaries parents know where they are via facebook in pics and videos. So if the missionary is in dire need of help when he is doing this on a weekly basis then he is lying to his family's face. They don't have their companions when doing skype or email as those sessions are private.
I allow one in my bedroom and one in my livingroom when skyping. I also let the parents know who I am if they want to contact me or keep up with moves as I keep my finger in the church as there are some I see as friends. However their beliefs.

LANDALES · 03/06/2018 17:34

Actually they do have their own mobile phone. But when going on calls they are encouraged to use the mobile provided as that's for missionary business.

LANDALES · 03/06/2018 17:36

Plus LDS don't believe they'll inherit their own planet in case some of you watched that episode on Young Sheldon.

LANDALES · 03/06/2018 17:38

Most families in the ward especially those with children tend to kind of adopt the missionaries and try to make their time away from home bearable as they hope someone would show the same kindness for their family.

Anasnake · 03/06/2018 17:39

Do you believe that Jesus appeared to the native Americans between the crucifixion and resurrection ? I went to a pageant in Salt Lake City that was about that.

Anasnake · 03/06/2018 17:41

Or was it after the resurrection? (I can't remember )

LANDALES · 03/06/2018 17:41

In response to the original poster. When he speaks to his parents tomorrow he needs to speak honestly with them and say he wants to go home after he's 'prayed'/thought deeply he's came to that conclusion. An unhappy missionary is the wrong image for the church. The same as any unhappy person is the wrong image for any place.

LANDALES · 03/06/2018 17:51

Me personally? No. I think it was people anti their own colour/beliefs. People who were conquering and taking over lands that they have/had no business doing so. People can gauge the lay of the land and then spout things to get others worked up to follow their ways. Most big despots do that.