If you haven’t seen Donny Osmond’s website, you should check it out! You can see where he’s performing, or buy his latest CD, which is what you’d expect at any singer’s website. Something special about Osmond’s site is that you can also read all about his religious beliefs. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Osmond has informally represented the Church for decades. He continues this tradition online by devoting a special section of his website to sharing his faith.
In the “My Beliefs” page of his website, Osmond shares his testimony and answers questions from fans about his religion. With his characteristic warmth and candor, Osmond discusses many facets of the Church. We’ve selected one excerpt on missionary work. Enjoy!
Question: Do I Serve a Mission?
“For as long as I can remember, I have been watching you preform Joseph on the screen. You’re so good. I can honestly say, you are one of the people I have always looked up to. You are so strong in the gospel, and in music, it makes me want to be better too. Like you, music is my life. It means everything to me. I am in high school and have yet to experience the pressures of this world. I’ve heard about how you wanted to leave on a mission, but you were loved by the world tremendously. I am a member of the church and still have a few years before I can go. I’m not sure if the Lord feels that I need to go. But then again, I feel as though I need to devote my time to academics. But how do I choose between what I feel I need to do? And what Heavenly Father wants me to do?”
Donny Osmond’s Answer:
“Four of my sons have gone on missions and the fifth is planning to go. As I see the wonderful growth in each of them, I feel a twinge of regret that I did not go on a full time mission. At that time, some church leaders encouraged my brothers and me to continue to perform because we were getting a lot of attention as “Mormons” and yes, it did bring a lot of attention to the Church and may have even caused some to investigate our faith, but I still missed the personal experience of serving.
“I would advise any young member to prepare themselves to serve a mission by studying the scriptures and the Preach My Gospel missionary manual and remaining morally worthy. I believe that serving a faithful mission is the best possible thing that any young member of our Church can do.
“‘And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father.’ (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 15:6)
“‘And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! 16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!’ (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 18:15 – 16)
“I was thrilled to see the age for the young women of the Church lowered so all who would like to serve can go without delaying their families. What a great blessing this will be for the Church and for the future mothers who will have the mission experience behind them as they rear their children.
“Being loved by the world cannot compare with the joy that comes from loving and following the Lord.
“Let me know what you decide.”
