How to Be a Member Missionary

This is a sweet conversion story, as well as comforting advice for parents of missionaries. It is shared by Deana Ross, who currently has a son serving a mission in Portland, Oregon. Here are her words:

My husband is a convert. He joined the Church while he was in Guam, serving in the Navy. This was over 32 years ago. How grateful I am for parents who teach their young men and young women to stand for the truthfulness of the Gospel.

Steve is the first of his family to join the Church. His sister and his parents still live in Kansas City and Windsor, Missouri. Over the years they have come to see the church in a different light than that taught in their own church.

Whether your children serve full-time missions or serve their country, they have such great influence on others. It was difficult to send our oldest son on his mission, but also a "relief". Now someone else could keep their eye on him.

He served well and did a lot of growing up. He and his dad kind of had power struggles and I was beginning to think the reason the Lord called missionaries at age 19 is so their mothers don't kill them (I don't look good in vertical stripes.) He served in the Adelaide Australia Mission and when you are half a world away and out in the "bush", it gives you time to think. The people he served were very poor, humble people, who appreciated everything the Lord blessed them with and he fell in love with the people and the culture. When Jeff returned he was a humbled young man, who had worked hard and there was no longer the power struggle with his dad.

That was ten years ago. He is now married and has two children and still serves faithfully. It wasn't as difficult sending our second son to the Auckland New Zealand Mission. Chris was always a hard worker and everybody's friend. He too fell in love with the people and the culture.

Now, we have sent our youngest son, Will, to the Portland Oregon Mission. This was very difficult! He was our companion, our "to do" list, our social life. I told my husband we need a jar titled "conversation starters" so we have something to talk about. Before it was always about what Will was doing or where he was or something.

Between these boys, we had two daughters. They are married with families of their own. So my husband and I are officially "empty-nesters." I can hardly wait to get home from work on Thursday's to read Will's email. I can only say, I am thankful for each experience each of our sons brought to us through serving their missions; and for our daughters and their eternal companions (husbands.)

For those of you with sons and daughters on missions, hang in there. This time will not only be sweet to you, but glorious to those who find the church through our missionaries. I was born and raised in the church and often took it for granted. When I married Steve, and listened to his conversion story (which I never, ever get tired of hearing, even after 30 years of marriage) and realized how dramatically his life was changed, I too became "converted."

The church is true. What comfort this knowledge brings to my heart. How humbled I am at the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. No matter were our sons and daughters serve, they take the teachings of our homes with them: our "traditions", our family home evenings, our counsels, our prayers, our love.

These experiences change people's lives, even if it's half way around the world or as close as Portland Oregon.

~ Deanna Ross

I just flew home from Utah, completely exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. Yesterday was one of the highlights of my life - I put my first of four sons in the Missionary Training Center, heretoafter known as the MTC. I knew it was going to be both brutal and fantastic. I came prepared with a purse full of tissue and a prayer in my heart that I would be strong and not collapse in a heap of pitiful tears in front of my son and the entire MTC.

When my husband, son and I drove up to the MTC we were excited to see scores of soon-to-be-missionaries and their families pouring onto the grounds. We later learned that 256 missionaries were to enter that day. We followed the signs to the special parking area which was reserved for new missionary families. There was a palpable air of excitement.

My son said, "This seems so unreal!"

His big day had finally arrived. We had talked about it, prayed about, saved for it, and even sung about it his entire life and now it was finally happening.

We stopped at the cross-walk with a few other families and I couldn't help but ask, "Elders! Where are you going?"

We quickly met one young man going to Washington DC, another going to Switzerland, and another going to Bulgaria. At the other side of the cross-walk we played cameraman for each other next to the famous Missionary Training Center sign. Every time another missionary walked by I'd shout out the same question and get an excited "Hong Kong! Brazil! New York!" It was so exciting to watch the ranks of God's newest army file in.

It has been 23 years since I entered the MTC myself, headed for the Spain, Madrid mission. So many wonderful feelings came flooding back into my mind and I wished I could join these new missionaries and do it all over again. What a privilege it was to be a full-time missionary for the Lord.

The instant we stepped foot on MTC soil we were greeted by at least a dozen smiling volunteers, directing the way we should go. We first dropped off my son's luggage in the designated spot and took more pictures next to each landmark we deemed important and/or entertaining, such as the famous "Missionaries on Bikes" statue.

We then walked to the front doors of the MTC where signs directed the parents to enter one door and the missionaries to enter a different one. I stopped dead in my tracks, saying, "Wait! We have to say goodbye already?"

Another volunteer kindly explained the separation was only for 30 seconds so the missionaries could register and get their name tags. I was relieved and grateful I didn't have to use my year's supply of tissue hidden in my purse yet.

Once inside, my son was given his first official name tag with a big red dot on it, indicating to all within a square mile that he was a "Greenie," in other words, he was a brand new missionary! We were told that it was tradition for a loved one to put his name tag on. The thought of that significant deed was too emotional for me to handle so I let my husband do the honors while I caught the historical moment on video.

We wandered around the lobby taking pictures for a while and then finally went to the chapel just down the hall where some of those touching "Mormonad" commercials were playing...as if we weren't teary-eyed enough already! Between commercials short slides were shown that shared interesting statistics about the MTC and missions around the world.

The chattering crowd quickly quieted down as the MTC 1st Counselor greeted us and began the meeting. I was doing great until he invited us to sing the traditional missionary hymn "Called To Serve." That's when the tissues first made their appearance. I remember singing that song in Spanish in the MTC so many years ago, surrounded by a sea of enthusiastic and humble missionaries who were preparing to go forth unto every nation. Everyone always sang in their mission language, resulting in an awesome "Day of Pentecost" sensation. My heart couldn't handle the immense joy I felt to be able to bring my own son to this sacred place and have the same spiritual, life-changing experiences. What an honor it was to be there again in the midst of these fishers of men.

The MTC President, his wife, his counselor and his wife all spoke loving words of advice and comfort and then they showed us a sweet video of missionaries going all over the world to serve. The moment of separation finally arrived as the 1st Counselor suggested the wisdom of what he called "the Bandaid Technique" for saying goodbye: it's less painful to do it quickly.

Many tears were shed and loving words spoken as we hugged our wonderful missionary good-bye. A true bitter-sweet moment. I've never been so proud of him as I was that moment. He was well-prepared and anxious to serve. Thoughts raced through my mind of when my son was first placed in my arms and I fell in love with his sweet little face. What a privilege it has been to be his mother and watch his life unfold to this very moment.

The MTC President shared a scripture with us that I will keep in my heart during the next two years. It is found in Doctrine and Covenants 6:20 which says

"Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love."

He assured us parents that as our missionary was leaving our arms, he was entering the arms of the Savior. There is no better place to be.

If you're a mother of a missionary, then you're probably already counting down the days and minutes until you get that long-awaited phone call from your son or daughter on Mother's Day!

When it comes to talking to your missionary on the phone you need to keep a few guidelines in mind. Your son or daughter is a missionary of the Lord and needs to stay focused. Be positive and encouraging on the phone. Dallas H. Bradford served as a mission president and shared some good counsel for parents:

"If you are not careful, these phone calls can have a distracting effect upon your missionary." ...

"As with your letters, we encourage you to focus these conversations on the well-being of your missionary, the status of the work in his or her area, and the investigators and new members he or she is teaching." (Dallas H. and Marjorie S. Bradford, “Helping from Home,” Ensign, Jul 2003, 48–53)

I remember when I served a mission that it was often difficult to return my thoughts to my work after hearing about all of the fun things that were going on at home. Be sure that the things you share in your phone conversation help the missionary remain confident that being on a mission is exactly where he or she needs to be at that time.

The Lord set the standard for full-time missionary service when He said,

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." (Luke 9:23-24)

Encourage your missionary to give it his all during his two years, because the time will quickly come to an end and he'll have the rest of his life to reflect on how he spent his time in the service of the Lord.

My son's mission call finally came! Woohoo! If you've just started following my blog, then you know that my oldest son recently sent in his mission papers and was patiently waiting. Notice that I didn't say I was the one patiently waiting? I was going crazy with anticipation! It almost felt like when I was pregnant, excitedly waiting to meet this new little person who would forever be a huge part of my life. I knew that wherever my son would be sent would play a big role not only in my son's life, but also in that of our entire family.

Well, if you read the title of this post, then you already know the punch-line...drum roll please....He's going to Argentina! YAY! It's the Argentina, Rosario mission to be exact. We're all completely thrilled! I served my mission in Spain, so I was secretly hoping he would get to serve in a Spanish-speaking mission. Yeah, he took Spanish in school, but you know how that is…he can say “Yo quiero Taco Bell” with a great accent, and that’s about it.

He’s supposed to enter the MTC on March 26. We’ve got a lot to do to get him packed and ready to go! We’ve already spent a fortune in those missionary stores and still need to purchase a few more items on the list he was given. One thing that surprised me was how outrageously expensive the shoes were. Of course, we were offered three choices of various price ranges and we inevitably chose the wallet-buster style. The shoe salesman first showed us the cheap shoes that will fall apart within a few months, then the moderately-priced shoes that will fall apart in a year, and finally the obscenely expensive shoes that are supposed to actually last for 2 years of daily abuse on dirt roads. I remembered how much I walked on my mission and how many cheap shoes I tore through in only 18 months, so we bit the bullet and actually bought the expensive ones. Three pair!

A scripture instantly came to my mind as I forked over the huge sum of money for his footwear: “And then shall they say: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings unto them, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings unto them of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion: They God reigneth!” (3 Nephi 20:40)

I used to be able to hold my son’s little feet in the palm of my hand. I love the image in my mind of my son walking down a dusty road with his black name tag on his sweat-soaked white shirt, Book of Mormon in hand, big smile on his face, eager to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the beautiful people of Argentina. At the end of the day, he’ll take off his dirty, worn shoes and know that he did what the Lord commanded. From now on, Argentina will be holy ground for our family.

“Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.” (Acts 7:33)

Hi! My name is Trina Boice and I’m new to this site, although not new to the subject of missionary work! I served a full-time mission in Spain and LOVED it! If you keep reading all of my blogs then you will learn more than you ever wanted to about Spain and read some of my wonderful experiences there. Serving a mission was one of the best, hardest, most spiritual, challenging, and thrilling times of my life.

But this blog isn't just about full-time missionaries...it's about all of us as member missionaries too! The Lord has declared that missionary work is the responsibility of all who follow Him (see Matthew 28:19–20; D&C 88:81). The Church's web site says "When we experience the blessings of gospel living, we naturally want to share those blessings with others." The Lord spoke of the joy that comes into our lives when we share His gospel:

"If it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

"And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!" (D&C 18:15–16).

As a young missionary, I was so excited to go and had decided when I was about 12 years old that I would serve a mission. I remember hearing a sister missionary speak in Sacrament upon returning home from wherever she served and I was so impressed. I told myself “I want to do that!” I have no idea who she was but I’ll never forget the warm pounding in my heart that told me I would have the privilege and blessing to serve a full-time mission. When I was 16 years old I received my patriarchal blessing and was promised that I could go on a mission, mentioning some specific and wonderful things that would happen. I practically had my bags packed and ready to go before I left high school, but I had to patiently wait until I turned 21. I was so proud to a part of “God’s Army", serving on the front lines.

Since then I married a Returned Missionary and now have 4 sons of my own. I can’t believe I’m even old enough to have a 19 year old son, but my oldest son’s birth certificate proves that all of those years have flown by. He just finished submitting his own mission papers online last week and we are all anxiously awaiting to see where he is going to be called!! I can’t stand the anticipation! It’s so exciting!

What’s interesting this time around is that I have real mixed emotions as a mother. I’m absolutely thrilled for my son to serve a mission and so proud of him for choosing to lovingly dedicate two years of his life to serve the Lord and his fellowman. However, now that I’m a mother I can’t imagine being without my son for so long and am surprised to hear myself pray “Heavenly Father, don’t you think two years is asking too much? Are you sure I can’t go with him? Are you kidding that he can’t call me more often? Will you please help me let him go?”

I’m so extremely happy and excited for him, but can’t stop crying when I picture us saying goodbye in the MTC. This is going to be quite an adventure for both of us. Strap on your seatbelt and join me for the ride!

Full-time missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spend their days teaching about the doctrines and beliefs of the Church. Most often, they teach within the homes of people who express interest in hearing their message and discussing their religious beliefs with the missionaries.

Once you have invited the missionaries into your home, they will want to talk to you about your faith and religious beliefs and they will share theirs as well. They will invite you to read scriptures from the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon. They will invite you to pray with them, as a family and/or privately about your discussions with them. They will also invite you to read some passages of scripture between meetings.

There are a variety of ways you can invite the missionaries to come talk to your family. Here are six options available:

1. If you have a friend, family member or neighbor who is a member of the LDS Church, tell her you are interested in meeting the missionaries from her church.
2. Go to the LDS Mission Network (not an official website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and look for the mission in your area. Call the mission office to tell them you are interested in meeting the missionaries.
3. If you chance to meet a missionary for the Church, invite them into your home.
4. Go to Mormon.org and click on Basic Beliefs in the top menu. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Click on the Request a Copy link next the picture of the Book of Mormon. When the missionaries contact you, invite them in.
5. Look up the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Yellow Pages. Look for an address closest to you and call the number listed.
6. Contact one of the writers here at LDSBlogs. We will be more than happy to help you connect with the missionaries in your area.

The missionaries will return to your home as many times as you desire to have them there. The entire purpose for full-time missionary work is to be out teaching others about the gospel of Jesus Christ as well as the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When scheduling meetings with the missionaries, give them clear answers to your availability and they will work around your schedule. They will also come at the frequency you desire.

Simply be open with the missionaries about your needs when they visit your home. If I had a better understanding of full-time missionary work when the missionaries were teaching me about the church, I would have had them visit more often and at times that were more convenient for me.

The first Sunday that I attended church with a new friend, who happened to be raised in a Latter-day Saint (LDS) family, I saw two young men walk in and sit up front with the Bishop and his assistants (Counselors). They were dressed in suits and wore black name tags. Not one other person in the congregation nor leadership was wearing a name tag -- only those two young men.

I asked my friend, "Who are those guys?" He explained that they were full-time missionaries for the Church. Having been intrigued by missionary service since I was about 10 years old, I then expressed interest in learning what the missionaries do. I was especially interested in what two missionaries in the United States do. My view of missionary service was going out into the wilderness of Africa or something of that nature.

My friend mentioned that sometimes his family had the missionaries over to their home for dinner, which prompted me to say, "Hey, next time they are over at your house, let me know. I'm interested to find out what they do." Ironically -- or planned that day after church -- I found myself sitting across the dining room table from those two young men.

As we spoke of what they do and why they were doing it, they explained that they share a message about Jesus Christ and asked if it would be okay if they shared it with me. Believing that they were simply practicing on me, I said, "Sure!" I was also interested to hear what they had to say.

That is what any proselyting missionary does: share a message about Jesus Christ. Full-time missionaries share this message, sun up to sun down, for 18 to 24 months. Most are between the ages of 19 and 26 years old but older single women and married couples also serve as full-time missionaries.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sends missionaries to many countries all over the world to share not only the message of Jesus Christ, but also the message of the restored gospel and a living prophet and apostles. This is what Latter-day Saints call proclaiming the gospel.

Full-time missionary service begins in the Missionary Training Center (MTC). The Church has 17 training centers in various parts of the world. The most well-known is the center in Provo, Utah. New missionaries are trained in the study and application of the scriptures in their own lives, how to talk about the scriptures with others, and how to effectively teach about the basic beliefs of the Church. If they are to go to their missions speaking in their native language, the missionaries usually spend only a few weeks in the MTC. Those who are to go forth to teach in a new language usually spend two months in the MTC, and their training includes language instruction.

Once in their assigned area, called a mission, the new missionaries are assigned to a companion who has been serving as a full-time missionary for several months and is well-trained. Whether new or seasoned, all full-time missionaries spend their days seeking out people who might be interested in their message, teaching those who have invited the missionaries into their homes, and completing community service inside their designated area within the mission boundaries.

After a period each morning of personal and companionship scripture study and planning, most missionaries are out working by 9 a.m. and work until about 9 p.m., breaking only for meals and performing service. Part of one day each week is set aside as a Preparation Day where the missionaries are encouraged to write letters to their family and friends, buy their groceries, do their laundry and rest.

Single full-time missionaries are assigned a partner or companion -- usually in pairs but occasionally in threesome partnerships. Every 1-4 months, the companionships are shuffled so that a full-time missionary will have 3 or more companions by the end of their service. Married full-time missionaries serve their entire mission service together.