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David Archuleta: Called to serve

When pop singer David Archuleta announced he would be serving a 2-year, full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, many of his fans were likely surprised by the news.

After all, his music career was taking off, and serving an LDS mission would require him to put his success on hold.

Archuleta made that announcement at his “My Kind of Christmas” tour in Salt Lake City.

“It’s not because someone told me I was supposed to do it and not because I no longer want to do music anymore,” he said. “It’s because it’s what I feel I need to do next in my life. It’s the same feeling that I’ve always tried to follow in my life — the feeling that’s allowed me to have the opportunities I’ve had, the challenges and the blessings, too. And I’ve learned to trust that feeling and answer when it calls. That’s the reason why I know I have to do this in my life.”

He ended up serving in Chile, although the specific location was never revealed.

“A lot of people told me, well, you don’t have to go on a mission; you’re doing a lot of good in what you’re doing,” Archuleta told KSL-TV. “And, it was really a conflict because I had always wanted to go on a mission when I was little.”

The Church Missionary department partnered with KSL to create the special David Archuleta: Called to Serve.