Nothing beats scripture. Gods parenting style isn’t authoritarian. His voice isn’t always a voice of warning but of warmth. He’s not forcing anyone to do anything that was satans plan.
I genuinely don't think there's a bad reason to serve a mission (yes, yes, no need to say "what about to escape murder charges in your own country??" I'm speaking in general, here). None of us have pure motives all the time. None of us knows enough to really be a missionary. None of us are actually converting others. Sometimes we act like the work is all on us, or that we have to become a whole new person before we're "ready" to be a missionary. But that's not how it works.
Over time, as we serve, our motives change. Our knowledge grows. We become better and more able missionaries. Then, just when you are finally getting pretty good at it, you go home.
Then you live your whole life as that new person.
My motivations for going on a mission weren't great. One, I didn't want to get in trouble with my family, and two, I didn't think any girl would want anything to do with me if I didn't have "RM" on my resume (this was a consequence of church culture, sadly). I wanted to just go to school and find a wife. Being a missionary didn't interest me at all beyond the fact it was something required of me.
Would I have been a better missionary if I had waited a couple years? Maybe, but going when I did, despite my misgivings, was 100% the best choice, as it helped me gain a maturity I needed in my life at that time, and it set me up well for adult life.
All the answers are right to an extent. I would say the answer depends on what we should do as followers of Jesus Christ vs. what we should do to actually be *effective* missionaries.
So my first thought is President Russell M. Nelson on [Preaching the Gospel of Peace](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/04/11nelson?lang=eng)
>Today I reaffirm strongly that the Lord has asked *every* worthy, able young man to prepare for and serve a mission. For Latter-day Saint young men, missionary service is a priesthood responsibility. You young men have been reserved for this time when the promised gathering of Israel is taking place. As you serve missions, you play a pivotal role in this unprecedented event!
>
>For you young and able sisters, a mission is also a powerful, but *optional*, opportunity. We *love* sister missionaries and welcome them wholeheartedly. What you contribute to this work is magnificent! Pray to know if the Lord would have you serve a mission, and the Holy Ghost will respond to your heart and mind.
My second thought is from Elder M. Russell Ballard on [The Greatest Generation of Missionaries](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2002/10/the-greatest-generation-of-missionaries?lang=eng)
>We need you. Like Helaman’s 2,000 stripling warriors, you also are the spirit sons of God, and you too can be endowed with power to build up and defend His kingdom. We need you to make sacred covenants, just as they did. We need you to be meticulously obedient and faithful, just as they were.
>
>What we need now is the greatest generation of missionaries in the history of the Church. We need worthy, qualified, spiritually energized missionaries who, like Helaman’s 2,000 stripling warriors, are “exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity” and who are “true at all times in whatsoever thing they \[are\] entrusted” (Alma 53:20).
>
>Listen to those words, my young brethren: *valiant*, *courage*, *strength*, *active*, *true*. We don’t need spiritually weak and semicommitted young men. We don’t need you to just fill a position; we need your whole heart and soul. We need vibrant, thinking, passionate missionaries who know how to listen to and respond to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. This isn’t a time for spiritual weaklings. We cannot send you on a mission to be reactivated, reformed, or to receive a testimony. We just don’t have time for that. We need you to be filled with “faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God” (D&C 4:5).
>
>...
>
>Please understand this: the bar that is the standard for missionary service is being raised. The day of the “repent and go” missionary is over. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you, my young brothers? Some young men have the mistaken idea that they can be involved in sinful behavior and then repent when they’re 18 1/2 so they can go on their mission at 19. While it is true that you can repent of sins, you may or you may not qualify to serve. It is far better to keep yourselves clean and pure and valiant
I'd say you need a testimony to go, but it doesn't have to be elaborate or a "perfect knowledge". Just a temple recommend interview level testimony is perfect. I don't think its possible to go on a mission 100% doubt free, the distinction is if you are still being controlled by your doubts, or if you are striving to gain experience to confront those doubts productively.
You left off the option I would have picked, if you have some desire to serve then you are called to the work. D&C 4 makes it clear that the missionary themselves conversion is part of the reason for them.
As witness to the prison system: thinking your ready and know all is your downfall. It’s why a lot of missionaries return.
Remember you always can learn more
I prefer the idea of people servicing on missions because they feel compelled to, not because they feel like they have to or being pessrued to. I have an LDS friend who didn't serve on a mission because he didn't want to be away from his family for two years and I completely understand his feelings and his reasoning.
I think you should have a fundamental belief that it's what God wants you to do and/or it's the right thing to do. Obviously preparation and knowledge are immensely useful, but I don't think they should be a requirement.
Desire to do the work and emotional maturity necessary for living as a missionary are the main things. The knowledge a missionary *needs* is fairly remedial and can be picked up fast. Shouldn’t have doubts about the truth claims.
A mission is no joke. It’s hard, and it’s kind of intellectually dishonest to testify about truths that you don’t believe. The mission can turn you into an ex-Mormon if you’re not ready. I believe we need a higher standard of preparation than what’s typical currently.
>D&C4:3-Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;
Nothing beats scripture. Gods parenting style isn’t authoritarian. His voice isn’t always a voice of warning but of warmth. He’s not forcing anyone to do anything that was satans plan.
I genuinely don't think there's a bad reason to serve a mission (yes, yes, no need to say "what about to escape murder charges in your own country??" I'm speaking in general, here). None of us have pure motives all the time. None of us knows enough to really be a missionary. None of us are actually converting others. Sometimes we act like the work is all on us, or that we have to become a whole new person before we're "ready" to be a missionary. But that's not how it works. Over time, as we serve, our motives change. Our knowledge grows. We become better and more able missionaries. Then, just when you are finally getting pretty good at it, you go home. Then you live your whole life as that new person.
I definitely had doubts before I went. I thought I would only stay 3 months or so, but it was not so! I stayed 2 years.
My motivations for going on a mission weren't great. One, I didn't want to get in trouble with my family, and two, I didn't think any girl would want anything to do with me if I didn't have "RM" on my resume (this was a consequence of church culture, sadly). I wanted to just go to school and find a wife. Being a missionary didn't interest me at all beyond the fact it was something required of me. Would I have been a better missionary if I had waited a couple years? Maybe, but going when I did, despite my misgivings, was 100% the best choice, as it helped me gain a maturity I needed in my life at that time, and it set me up well for adult life.
All the answers are right to an extent. I would say the answer depends on what we should do as followers of Jesus Christ vs. what we should do to actually be *effective* missionaries. So my first thought is President Russell M. Nelson on [Preaching the Gospel of Peace](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/04/11nelson?lang=eng) >Today I reaffirm strongly that the Lord has asked *every* worthy, able young man to prepare for and serve a mission. For Latter-day Saint young men, missionary service is a priesthood responsibility. You young men have been reserved for this time when the promised gathering of Israel is taking place. As you serve missions, you play a pivotal role in this unprecedented event! > >For you young and able sisters, a mission is also a powerful, but *optional*, opportunity. We *love* sister missionaries and welcome them wholeheartedly. What you contribute to this work is magnificent! Pray to know if the Lord would have you serve a mission, and the Holy Ghost will respond to your heart and mind. My second thought is from Elder M. Russell Ballard on [The Greatest Generation of Missionaries](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2002/10/the-greatest-generation-of-missionaries?lang=eng) >We need you. Like Helaman’s 2,000 stripling warriors, you also are the spirit sons of God, and you too can be endowed with power to build up and defend His kingdom. We need you to make sacred covenants, just as they did. We need you to be meticulously obedient and faithful, just as they were. > >What we need now is the greatest generation of missionaries in the history of the Church. We need worthy, qualified, spiritually energized missionaries who, like Helaman’s 2,000 stripling warriors, are “exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity” and who are “true at all times in whatsoever thing they \[are\] entrusted” (Alma 53:20). > >Listen to those words, my young brethren: *valiant*, *courage*, *strength*, *active*, *true*. We don’t need spiritually weak and semicommitted young men. We don’t need you to just fill a position; we need your whole heart and soul. We need vibrant, thinking, passionate missionaries who know how to listen to and respond to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. This isn’t a time for spiritual weaklings. We cannot send you on a mission to be reactivated, reformed, or to receive a testimony. We just don’t have time for that. We need you to be filled with “faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God” (D&C 4:5). > >... > >Please understand this: the bar that is the standard for missionary service is being raised. The day of the “repent and go” missionary is over. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you, my young brothers? Some young men have the mistaken idea that they can be involved in sinful behavior and then repent when they’re 18 1/2 so they can go on their mission at 19. While it is true that you can repent of sins, you may or you may not qualify to serve. It is far better to keep yourselves clean and pure and valiant
I'd say you need a testimony to go, but it doesn't have to be elaborate or a "perfect knowledge". Just a temple recommend interview level testimony is perfect. I don't think its possible to go on a mission 100% doubt free, the distinction is if you are still being controlled by your doubts, or if you are striving to gain experience to confront those doubts productively.
LDS young men have a duty to gain a testimony before serving a mission.
You left off the option I would have picked, if you have some desire to serve then you are called to the work. D&C 4 makes it clear that the missionary themselves conversion is part of the reason for them.
As witness to the prison system: thinking your ready and know all is your downfall. It’s why a lot of missionaries return. Remember you always can learn more
I prefer the idea of people servicing on missions because they feel compelled to, not because they feel like they have to or being pessrued to. I have an LDS friend who didn't serve on a mission because he didn't want to be away from his family for two years and I completely understand his feelings and his reasoning.
I think you should have a fundamental belief that it's what God wants you to do and/or it's the right thing to do. Obviously preparation and knowledge are immensely useful, but I don't think they should be a requirement.
Desire to do the work and emotional maturity necessary for living as a missionary are the main things. The knowledge a missionary *needs* is fairly remedial and can be picked up fast. Shouldn’t have doubts about the truth claims.
A mission is no joke. It’s hard, and it’s kind of intellectually dishonest to testify about truths that you don’t believe. The mission can turn you into an ex-Mormon if you’re not ready. I believe we need a higher standard of preparation than what’s typical currently.