David Archuleta announced this week that he is going to go on a hiatus from music to complete a 2-year mission as a Mormon.

A little over two years ago, Nov. 28, 2009, Idol Chatter interviewed Archuleta prior to his initial performance in Santa Rosa.

Here is what he had to say then about going on a mission for his church:
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David Archuleta is Mormon by faith. And at some point Mormons go on a mission to spread that faith.

So, will Archuleta, who turns 19 next month, ever do that?

Here is his explanation:

“A Mission? You know, I wasn’t kind of expecting this to happen. I was 16 and it (his music career) started early in a way.

“Seeing all the things that have happened and the stories I heard. It wasn’t like I was preaching or stuff when I was singing on the show (American Idol) …but with Imagine (the song), people would come up and say how it affected them.

“Every single letter I got during the show …they would say how they felt something and wanted to thank me.

“They felt something in my music and that is a big part of my belief. It was good to feel like people were feeling the same thing I was and to share that with people. Just to see how powerful of a tool music can be.

“I feel like the Lord surprises you. Like, ‘Hey I need you here and will you commit to being the best with the talent I have given you and the opportunity I have given you.

“I owe so much to Him and I give it back to Him cause He’s given me so much. Whatever way I can serve Him is what I want to do. It’s just figuring out the best way to do that. It all plays a big part of my life.

“It’s not exactly a mission, but it’s a way of doing missionary work.

“It is amazing to see how much of an example you can be for other people. People will pay attention to the example you set. It always amazes me. It’s very cool to see that. That has been one of the coolest things of this whole experience.”