An LDS mission is commonly called “the best two years” of one’s life. Most missionaries understand the difficulties, pressure to perform, mission politics, boredom, depression, emotional demands, and physical hardships of a mission. However, there is an unwritten rule never to speak negatively about one’s mission. Consequently, homecomings are typically uplifting pep talks, and candid discussion of one’s mission often provokes hostility. This session will explore the explicit and implicit pressure to spin missions positively and how this affects people, as well as offer ideas about how to acknowledge unpleasant reality in a culture that frowns on bluntness.

John K. Williams, J. Frederick (Toby) Pingree