I didn’t feel excessive pressure, but went out of a sense of duty. (Served ‘87 & ‘88 in Italy.) my patriarchal blessing didn’t play a role in my decision. So glad I served. I learned so much about what’s real & important.

Yes and no. I didn’t feel pressure, but because I was 20 (pre-age lowering) I had people asking me all the time if I was going to serve.

Serving a mission was 2 of the best years of my life.

Ex-mo here- I personally wasn’t pressured, but I was also a girl and the age was 21 until my senior year of high school. I have two younger brothers, the older of the two was lightly pressured by my mom but not my dad (convert). The younger was never pressured (he’s autistic and likely wouldn’t thrive). I don’t know that either of them even got their patriarchal blessing 🤷🏻‍♀️

I didn't feel pressure. I was the only active member in my family. A mission wasn't on my radar until I went to BYU. I saw everyone getting a call and got caught up in that. I wasn't ready. I spent much of my childhood not active and I had never read the Book of Mormon. I liked the Church, but can't say I had a true testimony. My advice is serve a mission when you're ready. Read the Book of Mormon, pray about its veracity and about serving a mission. A mission is a wonderful experience if ready

Growing up in the church I always thought men who didn’t serve mission were losers and not respectable. I thought it was a way of proving my manhood. But the only thing my mission confirmed was how gay I was 😅 I loved it but probably for the wrong reasons

I did not, but being a female is probably a large part of that. Also, I was already in the process of my paperwork when I received my blessing. My reasons for going probably weren’t the best, but I felt it was going to better prepare me for the real world. I knew I was weak spiritually and I wanted to change that. Going on a mission was my way of doing that cause I didn’t think I had the discipline to grow spiritually on my own. It ended up being the best thing I could have done for myself

No pressure, didn’t serve a mission because it wasn’t for me.

Idk if it was excess pressure but my blessing def said I would. It was literally the worst experience of my entire life and I’ve survived a self unaliving attempt.

Absolutely, I’m 3rd of 30 something grandchildren and the first not to serve a mission. My decision set the precedent & several of my cousins made the same choice. Ultimately, I decided there are other ways to be of service that don’t involve a focus of conversion.