American Idol star David Archuleta has revealed that he will be putting his music career on hold to serve a "full-time" two-year Mormon mission. 

The singer, who was the runner up on season 7 of the popular vocal talent show, made the unexpected announcement at one of his recent concerts in Salt Lake City where he told the applauding audience:

"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."

Fighting back the tears, an extremely emotional Archuleta continued: "It's just 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 I have overcome 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 need to do this in my life."