What all do missionaries do? Is it true they leave for two years and can only communicate through mail and call on Mothers Day and Christmas? I also heard that they have to take some kind of test. What is that?
One Response to “What all do missionaries do? Is it true they leave for two y…”
Webmaster de AllAboutMormons.com
2008-01-18 05:06:20
Of all of the Church's humanitarian efforts, its missionary program is by far the greatest. I was a missionary in Brazil for two years, so I know a bit about it. Mormon men usually serve missions for two years, during which time they are called "elders." (Ironic, I know, seeing as how most of them are only 19 years old. It's a title, not a descriptor!) Mormon women can also serve missions if they choose, usually for a year and half. They are called "sisters" during the time of their missionary service. Additionally, retired couples can serve missions.
There are two kinds of missionaries. Most missionaries are "proselytizing missionaries," meaning they try to find people who are trying to connect with God so they can teach them about Jesus Christ. Additionally, "proselytizing missionaries" also engage in a lot of community service. "Service missionaries," the other kind of missionary, engage almost exclusively in community service. You can read about the Church's humanitarian program at https://www.allaboutmormons.com/mormon_humanitarian_service.php
It‘s true that missionaries typically call their families only on Mothers' Day and Christmas. In some missions, like mine in Brazil, missionaries also call on Fathers' Day. Missionaries are strongly encouraged to write home every week, either by regular mail or email. While weekly telephone calls are too much of a distraction from missionary service, missionaries should not cut off contact with their families. Weekly letters are essential.
There's no test required to be a missionary, although there is a Bishop's interview. Each Mormon congregation has a local leader, called a Bishop. Among his many duties, he meets with potential missionaries to make sure they are living right. Think what a disaster it would be if the Church sent out missionaries to teach people about Jesus Christ when those very missionaries were not even living the teachings Jesus taught! The interview is not stressful of difficult; it's only to make sure the candidate is trying his or her best to follow Jesus Christ.
There are two kinds of missionaries. Most missionaries are "proselytizing missionaries," meaning they try to find people who are trying to connect with God so they can teach them about Jesus Christ. Additionally, "proselytizing missionaries" also engage in a lot of community service. "Service missionaries," the other kind of missionary, engage almost exclusively in community service. You can read about the Church's humanitarian program at https://www.allaboutmormons.com/mormon_humanitarian_service.php
It‘s true that missionaries typically call their families only on Mothers' Day and Christmas. In some missions, like mine in Brazil, missionaries also call on Fathers' Day. Missionaries are strongly encouraged to write home every week, either by regular mail or email. While weekly telephone calls are too much of a distraction from missionary service, missionaries should not cut off contact with their families. Weekly letters are essential.
There's no test required to be a missionary, although there is a Bishop's interview. Each Mormon congregation has a local leader, called a Bishop. Among his many duties, he meets with potential missionaries to make sure they are living right. Think what a disaster it would be if the Church sent out missionaries to teach people about Jesus Christ when those very missionaries were not even living the teachings Jesus taught! The interview is not stressful of difficult; it's only to make sure the candidate is trying his or her best to follow Jesus Christ.