Returned missionary

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Return missionary, often abbreviated RM, is term used by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often referred to as the Mormon Church) to refer to men and women who have served as missionaries. For young Mormons, and most especially for young male members, serving a mission is seen as a rite of passage into adulthood.[1] Young men who have not yet served on a mission are generally discouraged from dating seriously, as this would distract from the goal of serving a mission. Once they return home, RMs are generally encouraged to begin dating seriously and to seek to get married, since marriage is highly esteemed in LDS culture.

While technically a neutral term referring to any person who has returned from a mission, RM is most often used when referring to men who have returned. This is partly because in Mormonism, all young men are expected to serve a mission, whereas women may, but have no such expectation.

In Mormon culture, many stereotypes and jokes abound regarding newly returned missionaries most dealing with their difficulties in handling the reverse culture shock or learning to speak their native language again if they served a foreign-speaking mission. Other stereotypes revolve around the fact that as missionaries, they lived highly structured, disciplined lives and avoided contact with members of the opposite sex, so many RMs have difficulty readjusting to social life and dating.[2] Other stereotypes include the supposed rush of many RMs to get married as soon as possible. Many families whose daughters are old enough to marry encourage them to date RMs since they are judged to be the most eligible.

As returned missionaries, these young men and women are frequently called to assist in the local missionary effort and are encouraged to stay active within the LDS Church through callings and service.[3] RMs who served in the same mission frequently stay in touch and gather for mission reunions held in Salt Lake City to coincide with the semiannual LDS General Conference.