Mormon Missionaries 
 

      Mormon missionaries are seen in the streets of many cities around the world. In the Bible, Matthew 28:19-20 reads: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…" And in Mark 16:15 it reads: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

      Jesus Christ gave us this basic command: that of preaching the gospel to everyone. Those who belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as Mormons), believe that every young man should serve a mission and teach all how to come unto Christ. When we as members of the Church feel the joy that only the gospel can bring, it is natural that we would want to share it with the world.

      In the fulfillment of the Savior's command in Matthew 28:19-20, Mormons feel that every young man in the Mormon Church has a duty to prepare himself spiritually, physically, emotionally and financially to serve a full time mission.¹ A full time mission means that two years of the young man's life is spent in total service to the Lord and he will usually serve from the ages of nineteen to twenty-one.

      As a side note; it is not required that a young woman serve a mission, but if she has reached the age of twenty-one and is not married, she may serve an eighteen month mission. Also, there is always a great need for senior couples or seniors to serve a mission. They add much to the mission field with their maturity, experience and knowledge of the gospel.

      This preparation to serve a mission does not begin at the age of nineteen when the Mormon missionary is leaving, but it begins when he is a small child. He is taught by his parents to keep the commandments of God. This will help him to draw close to his Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and to live a righteous life and to be a good example to all.

A future Mormon missionary is prepared spiritually by:

      1) Reading and studying the Bible and the Book of Mormon

      3) Learning how to pray

      4) Bearing testimony of those principles that are impressed upon his

          heart and mind to others. 

      5) Be a good role model for others. Surrounding himself with those

           who will help him in his goals

He is prepared physically by:

      1) Taking responsibility for his physical well being.

      2) Eating properly

      3) Exercising

      4) Learning how to take care of his clothes, doing laundry, sewing a

           button on, etc.

      5) Learning how to cook

He is prepared emotionally by:

      1) Putting his education on hold for two years

 2) Defer relationships with friends and those of the opposite sex

 3) Learning to love those you teach

      4) Realizing that he is there to serve the Lord and not for his

               own gratification.

He is prepared financially by: (a Mormon mission for a young man is

            supported financially by himself and his family)

      1) Getting a job as soon as he is able.

      2) Opening a savings account early; setting aside money from

           his allowance and his job.

      3) Learn how to budget on what he earns²  

      As a Mormon missionary serves those in the world, he learns how to become a truer follower of Jesus Christ and also a leader. He learns how to get along with others and how to be patient with those who do not believe as he does.

      Mormon Missionaries are never seen alone; they are always with another missionary called a companion. They know that if they are obedient to the mission rules, which include staying with his companion almost 100% of the time, he will be blessed by the Lord.

      When a missionary is done with his two years of full time service, he knows that the lessons he learned on his mission will carry with him throughout his life as he marries, has a family of his own and works with those in the community. The leadership skills he learned on his mission will carry with him and he will become an asset to the church, the community and to the world.  

¹True to the Faith, gospel reference, pg. 105

²New Era; youth magazine for Mormon youth, January 1992 by Casey Null and Aaron Randall Buhler