Depressed Mormon Missionary.

[speakout]

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?

Missionaries are very strongly discouraged from telling their families if they are having difficulties whether they are physical or mental problems or any other.

They can also be discouraged from seeking medical help. They might not be "physically prevented" from doing so, but anyone with experience of abusive relationships knows how strong those mental chains are.

The"missionary in manacles" was a thing but that's not why missionaries are in pairs. That was done in the earliest of days and although it gave them some physical protection it is now so they can monitor each other. Why else do they have to share bedrooms, even when there are other bedrooms available.

A missionary isn't "lying to his family's face" if he doesn't tell them he's distressed. He's being an obedient member, following instruction.

I was a Mormon for 3 decades (I got better!) and we were always told we would have our own planets. But they try to brush that under the carpet now.

Can you send him some St Johns Wort teabags?

He is an LDS not a MORMON. Completely different.

Latter-Day Saints broke off from MORMONS. LDS do not believe in inheriting their own planets. Never have.

Fine he isn't lying to their face and no they're not discouraged/forced in any way not to think or ask questions. I was always encouraged to do so. Not just from my ex ward leaders but those outside the ward.

@LANDALES

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.

Because image is everything isn't it. I note you have no concern for the actual missionary here. I wonder what your "calling" is and who alerted you to this thread?

Regarding cults, here is an interesting article about characteristics of a cult, studied by a former Harvard professor. Mormonism ticks every box. Still, in the present day.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2009/may/27/cults-definition-religion

There are many more studies on cults which also identify characteristics of the Mormon "church".

If lds and Mormon are different why do they carry around the Book of Mormon ?

I have no calling.
I am a female and that was one of the main things I grew disenchanted about as I didn't want a "nurturing position" I wanted ward clerk. They only ever do that is there is a shortage of males in that ward.
I was thinking of the missionary and said what he should actually say to them. I have depression myself so know the dark pools that can pull you under. If he wants to go home he needs to tell his parents tomorrow and his ward mission leader. It's our own minds that will make us feel a failure and worried over how much was spent from savings. His family will love him regardless if he serves the full mission or not. I would tell him this myself if I knew his name and actual ward. In case you also wondered I'm not Irish either.

The LDS and MORMON's believed Joseph Smith that he discovered the "Golden Plates" They believe the words in them. The same as they believe in the bible.
I didn't say they didn't tick the box of cult. I said every religion fits that description.

OddS0ck I so appreciate you input- and actually the poster with the most insider knowledge here.

I see this young man as tied. He was raised in Utah, a big Mormon ( and I will still call it that) family.
Focused misguided, puritanical.

And this young man is lost.

His family will love him regardless if he serves the full mission or not

Absolute nonsense. If he is lucky they will, but I've known of missionaries who have come home early and been shamed and shunned. I've known it lead to suicide too, more than once.

Especially in Utah where his employment, friendships and romantic relationships will melt away. I have known of this happening. You only have to listen to the men at the top of the hierarchy, speak of how a member should treat their unbelieving child, to know he is unlikely to get a warm welcome home.

Where have you seen this? His family will love him. They will not disown him. They aren't jehovah's witnesses. I was in the church actively for 30 years so yes I know their faults more than a 3 year stint.
I have known other ex missionaries who left early and some who did the full 2 years and still left the church. They weren't ostracised. The family were sad but respected their decision.

I was saying the image part specifically to you.

@LANDALE I too was active in the Mormon organisation for 30 years, I don't know what you mean by "3 year stint". I very much wish it had been a 3 year stint. If I had put as much energy, time and creativity into my career as I did "building up the kingdom of heaven on Earth" I'd be a wealthy woman. Let alone the 30 years of tithing!

Anyway, I saw early returning missionaries shunned both in the UK and USA. I can hardly tell you the details of the young men who killed themselves, but I knew them and/or their families.

When I spoke in sacrament meetings about loving my "wayward" son, how I loved him as much as any of my children, his worth as just him made him precious to me, I would always be approached by tearful people who would tell me I was the first person to say that. That they had a son or daughter who had left the Mormons and the parents had been judged and condemned themselves. It was excruciatingly painful for them. Often their leaders had told them to cast out that child.

LDS certainly do believe in inheriting their own planets and always have done. I was taught it in LDS lessons, lesson manuals and broadcasts for 30 years. I really don't know why you think they don't believe it or ever taught it.

I think when you say LDS broke away from Mormons you are referring to the Re-organised LDS. Who broke away from who is a good question, both groups believe they are the original, with "priesthood authority" passed down from Joseph Smith. The original falling out was over who had that "authority".

@speakout, all is not lost. He may be having a grim time now but it doesn't mean he won't escape the mormon's clutches. Plenty of people do. I did! It was very hard, I was shunned and lost friends but all my children are out now.

Realising the lie of it and how duped I'd been was shattering, but I've educated myself. I had an abusive childhood and was very vulnerable when the Mormons came knocking. I can understand that now and forgive myself for being so bloody trusting and gullible.

In the age of the internet and freely available information, the Mormons are finding it harder and harder to cover up their shocking last and present. Or to isolate those who no longer believe. There's lots of us out there.