A tearful David Archuleta announced last night that he is leaving the music business behind, at least temporarily, to go serve a higher purpose in life.

The former American Idol season 7 runner-up told his fans in Utah that he will soon be starting his obligatory two-year missionary work for the Mormon church. He said:

“It’s not because somebody told me that I was supposed to do it, it’s not because that I no longer want to do music anymore, but it’s because it’s the feeling that I felt that I need to do next in my life.”