David Archuleta puts musical career on hold to become a missionary

David Archuleta is putting his music career on hold to serve as a Mormon missionary.

The American Idol star and Utah native is preparing to go off the grid for two years in a bid to reconnect with his faith and carry out his religious duty as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

It is not yet known where the 20 year old will be called to serve his mission, but he'll be required to adhere to a strict set of rules and refrain from contacting his family - except for twice-yearly phone calls.

Announcing the news to fans ahead of his My Kind of Christmas Tour stop in Salt Lake City on Monday (19Dec11), he said, "I would like to make a special announcement: that I've chosen to serve a full-time mission. It's not because someone told me I was supposed to do it and not because I no longer want to do music anymore. 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."

The news comes shortly after the star was dropped from his record label, Jive Records, earlier this year (11).

Archuleta is still scheduled to complete the last stretch of his holiday tour - he'll perform his final gig in Beaver Creek, Colorado on Wednesday (21Dec11).