Recovery to Mormonism
Mormon Missionaries
Most people think of Mormon missionaries and think of two young men—clean-cut, dressed in suit in ties, and walking or biking down the sidewalk. Or knocking on their door. This isn’t inaccurate! But it is incomplete. Not all missionaries are men—or young. Young women also go on missions, as do older couples (although older couples don’t always go on preaching missions). All missionaries share this in common, though: every one of them has left behind home and career, friend and family, to serve the Lord for eighteen to twenty-four months.
Mormon missionaries always travel in pairs, rather than alone—they always have a companion. They wake up at 6:30 A.M. and leave their apartment at 9:30 A.M. What happens in the three hours between? The missionaries study the gospel, both together and privately. They spend time in prayer. They also, of course, have breakfast. And after they leave their apartment, their day will not end until 9:30 at night (with breaks for meals, of course). Although most famous for going door to door, the missionaries also preach in public places—their goal and desire is to find the interested. Another part of the Mormon missionary’s day is visiting individuals and families who earlier expressed interest and made appointments to learn more. The Mormon missionaries teach these people lessons (also called “discussions”) about the doctrines of the Church. Because of the importance of families in the Mormon religion, missionaries try to make appointments for times when the entire family can gather to listen.
A missionary’s usual transportation involves either feet or bikes. Missionaries rarely have access to cars. They perform missionary work twelve hours a day, six days a week . . . and Sunday is included. The missionaries’ one day off is occupied by such things as doing laundry, shopping, writing letters, and playing appropriate games with other missionaries. Several hours a week, additionally, are spent in community service. The missionaries are allowed to call home twice a year—Christmas and Mother’s Day.
Missionaries are not paid—nor are their missions paid for. They pay their own way. Many save up for years to go, although their families often help them with the cost. And, beyond a few weeks in a Missionary Training Center (of which there are 17, placed around the world), they are untrained. The brief training they do receive focuses on how to preach to and teach strangers. If they’re bound for a mission in which the people speak a different language, they learn that language as well—all in the Center.
How does one go on a mission? Young men who wish to go on a mission must be at least 19. A young woman must be at least 21. They must submit their name to their local bishop, indicating their willingness to serve. This done, they’re interviewed to make sure they have a testimony of Christ and His Church and that they’re following His commandments. Next, their name is submitted to the headquarters of the Church in Salt Lake City. There, Mormon Church leaders pray over the names submitted, and also about the needs of the Church in various areas. The missionaries are assigned (or called) to missions based on inspiration. These missions are located all over the world.
The missionary receives his or her call through the mail. The call details where the missionary will be going, whether it be to Idaho or Japan. The opening of this letter is a small celebration in itself. The entire family of the missionary often makes a point to be present when the letter is opened.
Once in the field, male missionaries have the title of Elder, and female, Sister. There are over 55,000 missionaries, male and female, Elder and Sister, in 165 countries.