a few thoughts on missions

In light of the Clarissa's announcement re mission, I thought it apropos to add a few thoughts. This isn't an attempt discourage her or anyone else from serving a mission. There are, however, substantial differences in mission prep since Trina, Eric, Laurel, Jared and I went on our missions and what is now required. Since the major changes occurred while I was on my mission, I might be able to illuminate a few of the key changes.
In the old system, everyone was accepted as a missionary. That's not to denigrate anyone who served under that system. But anyone could be on a mission within 18 months of making a decision. It was once said "A mission makes a bad man good and a good man better." However, things are much different now. The transition began about midway through my mission. Most of our zone conferences during my last year were focused on bringing us up to the new standard. During one of the meetings, a DVD of a training session in Salt Lake was played. In that video, Elder Ballard explicitly referenced the previous quote and said that it no longer was accurate. Missions should no longer be considered rehabilitation or a place to teach good habits. Instead, the missionary must be up to speed before they enter the MTC. Elder Bednar gave a really great talk in GC a few times back where he discussed this difference. While most members of the church have seen the cosmetic results of this change (new way of teaching/studying), the entire system depends on missionaries entering the MTC at the same spiritual and mental level that missionaries used to go home at.

So, while this isn't an attempt to discourage anyone, I do hope that Clarissa and anyone else that you may know who is considering a mission take the time to thoroughly prepare before they go, since missionaries don't have time anymore to use the MTC and the first few months in the field as preparation. And, out of random curiosity for the young lady who uses "Random" as her website label, why do you want to go on a mission?