Doctrines Pertaining to Missionary Service
Qualifications for Missionary Service
Missionaries who represent the Lord and His Church must be properly called and set apart (see D&C 42:11; Articles of Faith 1:5). They also should meet the qualifications revealed in section 4 of the Doctrine and Covenants:
"O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day...
"And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.
"Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence" (D&C 4:2, 5-6; see also D&C 12:8; 88:121,123-26).
The Lord counseled those who teach His gospel that they must first learn it (see D&C 11:21). Missionaries are also required to be morally clean (see D&C 38:42).
The Missionary's Responsibilities
Missionaries are to teach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, testify of its truth, and warn people of the need to repent and prepare for the coming judgments of God (see D&C 88:81-82; see also D&C 15:6; 38:41; 43:15).
Missionaries are to teach the first principles and ordinances of the gospel and the glad tidings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ (see D&C 42:12). They are to say "none other things than that which the prophets and apostles have written" (D&C 52:9). Missionaries are also to teach people the commandments of God "after having made known unto them the plan of redemption" (Alma 12:32). They should deliver this message "in mildness and in meekness" (D&C 38:41).
Missionaries are to seek the Spirit "by the prayer of faith" (D&C 42:14). They are to teach as they are "directed by the Spirit" (D&C 42:13). If their teaching is not directed by the Spirit, "it is not of God" (D&C 50:18; see also 50:13-22).
In 1839 the Quorum of the Twelve counseled:
"Preach the first principles of the doctrine of Christ -faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance towards God, baptism in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
"When you go forth to preach, and the Spirit of God rests upon you, giving you wisdom and utterance, and enlightening your understanding, be careful that you ascribe the glory to God, and not to yourselves. Boast not of intelligence, of wisdom, or of power; for it is only that which God has imparted unto you; but be humble, be meek, be patient and give glory to God" (History of the Church, 3:396).
Preparing Full-Time Missionaries
Full-time missionary service is a privilege, not a right, for members who are called through inspiration by the President of the Church. Missionary service is literally service to the Lord and His Church. Its objective is not primarily the personal development of a missionary, although righteous service invariably produces that result.
Priesthood leaders have an important responsibility to help identify and prepare worthy, qualified members for full-time missionary service. Leaders teach prospective missionaries about the joys and blessings of missionary service. Leaders also inspire them to prepare spiritually, financially, emotionally, and physically. Such preparation includes being worthy and living an exemplary life. It also includes studying the gospel and building a testimony. Leaders encourage youth to attend seminary to assist with this preparation.
Because all worthy, able young men should serve full-time missions, leaders give special attention to helping them prepare, particularly those who seem uncertain about serving.
The bishopric calls youth leaders who love missionary work and who will help youth have experiences that build faith and cultivate a desire to serve the Lord. Exemplary returned missionaries should also be invited to speak about missionary work in sacrament meetings and other meetings.
Leaders should provide opportunities for prospective missionaries to serve in the Church. Leaders also should encourage them to work with full-time missionaries and to friendship nonmember friends and relatives. In addition, prospective missionaries should receive training through home teaching, the Teaching the Gospel course, and a missionary preparation class.
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High priests group meetings, elders quorum meetings, and Relief Society meetings should occasionally be used to teach parents how to help their children prepare to serve as missionaries.
Age and Term of Service for Full-Time Missionaries
Men
Church leaders should encourage all worthy, able, single men ages 19 through 25 to serve full-time missions. Full-time missionary service is a priesthood responsibility of these young men. They are called to serve for 24 months.
In some instances, single men ages 26 and older may be called to serve locally in nonproselyting assignments. These assignments are outlined on page 88.
Women
Worthy, able, single women ages 21 through 39 may be recommended to serve full-time missions. They are usually called to serve for 18 months. These women should not feel obligated or be urged unduly to serve full-time missions. Bishops should not recommend them for missionary service if it will interfere with imminent marriage plans.
Worthy, able, single women ages 40 and older may also be recommended to serve full-time missions. They are usually called to serve for 12 months. In exceptional cases, such as where a language ability or other special skill is needed, they may be called to serve for 18 months. Bishops and stake presidents should take special care to ensure that these women are in good enough health to serve effectively as full-time missionaries. Assignments are outlined on page 88.
Couples
Bishops and stake presidents should prayerfully consider which couples in their units could be called to serve as full-time missionaries. Bishops may interview them to determine availability, ask them to prepare for a full-time mission call, and help them complete and submit the recommendation forms.
Couples normally serve for 12, 18, or 24 months. A 6-month term of service will be considered only for those in special situations such as agricultural occupations. Couples serving outside their native land are called for at least 18 months. Assignments for couples are outlined on page 88.
Couples who are recommended for full-time missionary service must no longer be engaged in full-time employment. If the couple will be serving away from home, they must not have any dependent children living at home. Bishops and stake presidents should take special care to ensure that couples are in good enough health to serve effectively as full-time missionaries.
Members Who Are Not Eligible for Full-Time Missions
Members in the following situations are not eligible to serve full-time missions:
When members do not qualify for full-time missionary service, priesthood leaders should give them appropriate Church callings in their stake or ward, or recommend them as Church-service missionaries (see pages 88-89), to help them grow and experience the joy of service.
Ensuring Worthiness and Ability to Serve
The bishop and stake president are responsible to confirm that each full-time missionary candidate is worthy and qualified for full-time missionary service. If they are not able to recommend a person without reservation, they should not submit the recommendation papers. This will help avoid the devastating feelings that can result if a recommendation is returned or a missionary is sent home for failure to meet these standards.
Interviews
The bishop and stake president conduct thorough, searching interviews with each missionary candidate. If they have questions about a person's worthiness or ability to serve, the stake president may inquire of the Area Presidency.
Only in the most urgent cases when the stake president or bishop is absent may either of them authorize a counselor to conduct a missionary recommendation interview.
Worthiness
Repentance of Serious Transgressions
A prospective missionary who has been guilty of adultery, fornication, heavy petting, homosexual activity, other sexual perversions, drug misuse, serious violation of civil law, or other serious transgressions must repent before he or she may be recommended for missionary service. The member must also be worthy to enter the temple before he or she may be recommended.
The bishop and stake president confirm that the member is free of transgression for sufficient time to manifest genuine repentance and prepare spiritually for a mission call. This period could be as long as three years for multiple serious transgressions and should not be less than one year from the most recent serious transgression. Mere confession does not constitute repentance. There must also be evidence of a broken heart and contrite spirit and of a lasting change of behavior
Bishops and stake presidents teach prospective missionaries that to qualify for the needed guidance of the Spirit, they must resolve transgressions before entering the mission field. Unless there are unusual extenuating circumstances, missionaries who are found to have entered the mission field without resolving serious transgressions with the bishop will be released early and returned home (see page 86).
Predatory Pattern of Serious Transgressions
If a person has established a predatory pattern of repeated serious transgressions, he or she may not be called to full-time missionary service.
Homosexual Activity
If a person has participated in homosexual acts during or after the last three teenage years, he or she will not be considered for full-time missionary service unless the bishop and stake president see strong evidence of lasting repentance and reformation, with at least one year free of transgression.
If a person was victimized or participated in early-age experimentation and has no current indication of homosexual tendencies, he or she may be considered for full-time missionary service.
Physical, Mental, and Emotional Disabilities
Missionary work is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. Members who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities that would prevent them from serving effectively are not called to full-time missionary service.
Candidates for missionary service who have previously had significant emotional challenges must be stabilized and confirmed to be fully functional before being recommended. A candidate who is dependent on medication for emotional stability must have demonstrated that he or she can fully function in the demanding environment of a mission before being recommended.
If the bishop and stake president are unsure about recommending a member who has a disability, they may consult with the Missionary Department (telephone 1-801-240-2179 or 1-800-453-3860, extension 2179).
If members who have serious disabilities strongly desire to serve full-time missions but do not qualify, the bishop or stake president expresses gratitude for their willingness to serve. He explains that because of their circumstances, they are honorably excused from full-time missionary service for their own benefit and to avoid placing undue demands on mission leaders and companions.
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Medical Limitations
A prospective missionary who has a serious medical limitation due to injury or illness can be considered only with the recommendation and advice of a competent medical authority. Before submitting the recommendation papers, the stake president should consult with the Missionary Department (telephone 1-801-240-2179 or 1-800-453-3860, extension 2179).
Financing Full-Time Missionary Service
Missionaries and their families should make appropriate sacrifices to provide financial support for a mission. However, worthy members should not be prevented from serving missions solely for financial reasons when they and their families have sacrificed according to their capability.
Bishops should explain to missionary candidates and to others who contribute missionary funds that these contributions are not refunded (see page 135).
Countries with Equalized Missionary Contributions
The Church has equalized the contributions required to cover the service-related expenses of many missionaries from the United States, Canada, and some other countries. These equalized contributions apply regardless of where such a missionary serves. Equalized missionary contributions do not apply to full-time missionary couples, full-time single missionaries who are not serving proselyting missions, and Church-service missionaries. To the extent they are able, these missionaries pay their expenses directly from their own resources.
For each single full-time proselyting missionary from his ward, the bishop ensures that the monthly equalized contribution is available in the ward missionary fund. The current amount is identified in instructions from Church headquarters. These contributions are made by individual missionaries or by their parents, families, and friends. If necessary, the stake president or bishop may ask stake or ward members to help support these missionaries by contributing to the ward missionary fund. However, Church leaders are not to solicit funds for any purpose, including the support of missionaries, outside the boundaries of their own Church units. Budget and fast offering funds may not be used for missionary support.
Each month Church headquarters or the local administration office withdraws the equalized contribution from the ward missionary fund and sends the amount approved for the mission to the mission president. Each mission president distributes to his missionaries the funds necessary to cover their service-related expenses. He has discretion to distribute the money according to established policies and his understanding of the needs of the mission.
Ward missionary funds should not be used to send additional money to missionaries who are covered by the equalized contributions. Nor should they be used to fund any other ward or stake missionary activities.
Missionaries who are not covered by equalized contributions may be assisted from the ward missionary fund if they do not have adequate means and if the funds are available. However, they may not contribute to the ward missionary fund for their own use.
Countries without Equalized Missionary Contributions
In countries where missionary contributions are not equalized, missionaries who are able are asked to contribute either the equivalent of the U.S. dollar equalized contribution or the amount of the mission base of the mission in which they serve, whichever is less. Instructions will be sent from the Missionary Department.
If missionaries who are called from these countries need financial assistance to supplement contributions from themselves, their family, and the ward missionary fund, bishops may request partial financial support from the General Missionary Fund. This assistance is available only to single elders ages 19 through 25 and single sisters ages 21 through 39. To request it, the bishop submits a Request for Supplemental Financial Assistance for Full-time Missionary form with the missionary's recommendation papers.
Medical Expenses
General Instructions
All missionaries are strongly encouraged to maintain their existing medical insurance during their missions. This conserves Church funds and helps missionaries avoid having to prove insurability after their missions.
The Church does not pay for routine eye or dental care, eyeglasses, or nonprescription medicines for any missionaries.
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Bishops and stake presidents should see that a fully completed Missionary Personal Insurance Information form is included with the missionaries' recommendation papers.
Single Elders and Sisters Younger Than 40
For treatment of pre-mission conditions, the missionary or family pays all medical expenses (including prescriptions). A pre-mission condition is any injury or sickness with signs or symptoms, a diagnosis, or treatment within the two years before the missionary began serving, regardless of whether the symptoms were present when the missionary began serving.
For proselyting missionaries who are serving in the United States, medical expenses for illnesses or accidents that occur during the mission are managed by Missionary Medical, the medical professionals who assist mission presidents in medical matters. The missionary pays a copayment for each visit to a health care provider and for each prescription. Missionary Medical pays the medical bills and, if the missionary or the family has insurance coverage, submits claims for reimbursement from the insurance carrier.
For proselyting missionaries who are serving outside the United States, medical expenses for illnesses or accidents that occur during the mission are paid by the mission. If the missionary or the family has insurance coverage, they are asked to submit a claim and reimburse the Church for any benefit paid.
Nonproselyting missionaries pay all their own medical expenses.
Couples and Single Sisters Ages 40 and Older
These missionaries are responsible for their own health care expenses and must have health insurance adequate for their mission assignments. If the insurance coverage of those living away from home is not adequate for their assignment, Deseret Mutual Benefits Administrators (DMBA) will send them information on additional insurance that they may purchase. Missionaries who need additional coverage but do not enroll in the DMBA plan must provide proof of adequate coverage before their service begins.
Submitting Recommendation Papers for Full-Time Missionaries
The bishop and stake president ensure that missionary recommendation papers are prepared completely and accurately. The bishop or stake president sends these papers to the Missionary Department 60 to 90 days before the prospective missionary is available to begin a mission. Instructions are provided on the recommendation form.
When recommending couples for full-time missions, leaders may confidentially recommend specific assignments for consideration. However, they should not make commitments about the assignment a member will receive. Missionary candidates should be willing to accept any assignment.
Missionaries are called from their home wards. However, the bishop of an away-from-home ward, such as a student ward, may process a Missionary Recommendation form for the home ward. To do so, he must (1) obtain permission from the bishop of the home ward, (2) ask him about the candidate's worthiness, in preparation for conducting a worthiness interview, and (3) ask him for a letter endorsing the recommendation. The name of the home ward and stake, the names of the bishop and stake president of those units, and the unit number of the home ward should be included on the recommendation.
The procedure outlined above helps ensure that all issues pertaining to worthiness, physical and emotional health, financial support, and point of departure have been resolved before a recommendation is submitted to the Missionary Department. The president of the away-from-home stake ensures that this procedure is followed and that the letter from the home-ward bishop is submitted with the recommendation.
If the bishop of the home ward processes a recommendation for a missionary who has not lived in the ward continuously for at least one year, he should confer with the bishop of the away-from-home ward before proceeding.
Neither the stake president, the bishop, the prospective missionary, nor the family should make any announcement before a missionary call is received.
After Full-Time Missionaries Are Called
The bishop continues to monitor the missionary's progress after the call is received to ensure that he or she remains worthy of the sacred calling. Bishops and stake presidents must instruct prospective missionaries plainly regarding the seriousness and the consequences of immorality after a missionary has received a call.
The bishop ensures that newly called missionaries continue to prepare to serve. He also ensures that they comply promptly with all instructions they receive from Church headquarters, such as securing passports, applying for visas, and acquiring appropriate clothing for the mission assignment. Newly called missionaries should also read or reread the Book of Mormon before beginning their missions.
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Sacrament Meetings, Open Houses, and Publicity
The bishopric may invite newly called full-time missionaries to speak in a sacrament meeting before they depart. The bishopric plans and conducts these meetings. As in all sacrament meetings, talks and music should be worshipful, faith promoting, and gospel oriented. The missionary should have sufficient time to deliver a spiritual message. If there is time for other family members to speak, preference is usually given to the missionary's parents. It is not necessary that all family members participate in the program. The regular time of the sacrament meeting should not be extended.
Although it is valuable to have missionaries speak in sacrament meeting, such programs should not dominate the sacrament meeting schedule to the exclusion of other valuable subjects and speakers. If a ward sends out many missionaries, the bishop could consider having more than one departing or returning missionary speak in the same sacrament meeting.
Members should avoid practices that may detract from the sacred nature of a mission call or create unnecessary expense. Such practices include holding open houses for missionaries (except for family gatherings), sending formal printed announcements or invitations, printing special programs, and forming reception lines at the meetinghouse after sacrament meeting.
Bishops review these guidelines with newly called missionaries and their families well before the departure date.
Personal Temple Endowments
The stake president sets apart all full-time missionaries before they depart for a missionary training center (MTC) or directly to the field. Only in the most urgent cases when he is absent may the stake president assign one of his counselors to set apart a full-time missionary.
A young man should have the Melchizedek Priesthood conferred upon him and be ordained an elder before he is set apart as a missionary. If he needs to be set apart before his ordination can be sustained in a stake conference or stake general priesthood meeting, he is presented for a sustaining vote in his ward sacrament meeting. His name is then presented in the next general stake meeting to ratify the ordination.
The missionary is set apart as near as possible to his or her departure date. Even if the missionary will be traveling for some time between departure from home and arrival at the MTC or in the field, the stake president should not expect MTC leaders or other priesthood leaders to set apart the missionary.
A day or two before the missionary is set apart, the stake president conducts an interview to determine whether he or she is still worthy. This interview is also a good time to review the missionary's current medical status. If the missionary is not worthy or if there are serious unresolved medical problems, he or she is not set apart. The stake president notifies the Missionary Department.
The setting apart should be a special occasion. The missionary's family and close friends may attend. The stake president speaks briefly to help them feel the sacredness and importance of the missionary's call.
The stake president follows the usual procedure for setting apart (see page 39). First he sets the person apart as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints assigned to labor in the mission to which he or she has been assigned. Then he adds a priesthood blessing as the Spirit directs. He may invite worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holders, such as the missionary's father, to stand in the circle.
The setting-apart blessing should not be recorded word for word. However, the missionary is encouraged to record in a personal journal the setting apart date, the name of the stake president who officiated, and the words of blessing and counsel that were especially meaningful.
The stake president advises the missionary that after being set apart, he or she is a missionary and is obligated to live by missionary standards.
Within a week after a missionary is set apart, the stake clerk gives the ward clerk the date of the setting apart. The ward clerk records the appropriate information on the membership record.
Transportation
The Church pays the expenses of full-time missionaries to travel to and from the field. For those who attend an MTC, the Church pays for their travel to the MTC and to the field, Travel arrangements are sent soon after the mission call.
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Couples and older individuals who are serving in their native land may take their own vehicle with them. They are responsible for maintaining it, including insurance, repairs, and fuel.
Couples who drive their own vehicle to or from the field will be given an established reimbursement for travel expenses.
Transporting Items to a Mission
Occasionally members ask missionaries to take items such as medications or special eyeglasses to the mission field if they are not available there. If such requests are made, the bishop or stake president should direct them to the Missionary Department. Missionaries should not transport personal belongings of others to a mission.
Full-Time Missionaries in the Mission Field
Meals and Housing
About two-thirds of the monthly expense for missionaries is for meals and housing. These expenses can be reduced greatly if Church members, in the spirit of Doctrine and Covenants 84:90, (1) provide some meals for missionaries and (2) house missionaries in their homes at reasonable rental rates.
Meals
Under the direction of the Area Presidency, mission presidents and stake presidents confer to determine whether and to what extent Church members may provide meals for missionaries. If members provide some meals, the mission and stake presidents ensure that the circumstances are appropriate for the missionaries and the members. Such meals should be coordinated through ward mission leaders. Consideration should be given to inviting part-member and less-active families to provide meals.
Missionaries should not eat at the same members' homes frequently. Visits should not last longer than one hour Missionaries must be able to leave members' homes early enough that the visits do not interfere with prime proselyting time.
Housing
Mission presidents and stake presidents confer to determine whether and to what extent Church members may rent parts of their homes to missionaries. Such housing must meet the requirements outlined in the following paragraphs. Each housing arrangement requires the approval of the mission president.
When missionaries rent part of a member's home, they must have living quarters separate from the members' living area, a private bedroom with two beds, and a private bathroom. They also should have access to separate cooking and food storage facilities. They should not have access to a television or radio.
Elders may live in homes where married couples or widowers ' live. They may not live in homes where teenage or single adult females live or where the husband is away frequently. Sister missionaries may five in homes where married couples or widows live, They may not live in homes where teenage or single adult males live.
Members who provide housing for missionaries should understand the missionaries' schedule: arise by 6:30 A.m., be out working by 9:30 A.M., and be in bed by 10:30 P.M. The family should not call on the missionaries for assistance (except in emergencies) or expect them to spend time with the family.
Local leaders review these instructions with each member who is interested in providing housing for missionaries.
Placement of Missionaries
The mission president determines the placement of missionaries within the mission. However, stake presidents should recommend the number and location of full-time missionaries to be assigned within the stake.
Interviews of Missionaries
The mission president conducts regular interviews with missionaries. He also may ask stake presidents to interview or provide counsel to specific missionaries as needed.
Full-Time Missionaries Teaching Less-Active Members
Under the direction of the Area Presidency, mission presidents and stake presidents work together to make full-time missionaries available to assist local leaders in their efforts with less-active members. The mission president informs the stake president of the missionary support that he can make available. The stake president, in consultation with bishops, determines how much missionary support is needed. Under the direction of the bishop, the ward mission leader coordinates the assistance of full-time missionaries in fellowshipping and teaching less-active members.
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Requests to Support Members Financially
Full-time missionaries and their families must not be asked to provide financial support for members who live in the area where the missionaries are serving.
Fasting
Missionaries should not ask friends, relatives, or members of their home wards to join them in special fasts for investigators.
Medical Release and Medical Leave
If a missionary who is in the field (including a missionary training center) suffers a physical or emotional disability that prevents effective missionary service, he or she is returned home for treatment. If the condition would keep the missionary from performing meaningful missionary service for the remainder of the mission, he or she is given a medical release. If treatment may enable the missionary to return to missionary service within a reasonable period of time, he or she is granted temporary medical leave.
A missionary on medical leave has not been re leased. He or she is subject to the normal rules of missionary conduct and the standards governing relationships with others, as far as medical circumstances allow.
A missionary on medical leave is under the supervision of the stake president and bishop. They outline a plan to help the missionary maintain the spirit of a mission. The plan could include personal study, regular interviews, and working with local missionaries. They periodically evaluate the missionary's condition. The stake president keeps the Missionary Department informed of the missionary's health. For counsel about arranging for medical care for a missionary on medical leave, stake presidents in the United States may contact Missionary Medical (telephone 1-800-777-1647).
After a missionary on medical leave undergoes a period of treatment, the bishop and stake president evaluate whether he or she again qualifies for missionary service. To do this, they obtain a written evaluation from a competent medical authority and conduct their own thorough review. If they feel that the missionary should return to the field, they submit a recommendation to the Missionary Department.
If the disability continues for an extended period of time, or if the missionary returns to the field but later fails to withstand the demands of missionary service, the stake president, in consultation with the Missionary Department, issues a medical release. if the bishop and stake president later determine that a released missionary has recovered sufficiently, they may recommend that the missionary return to the field.
If a missionary who has been granted a medical release or medical leave does not have adequate insurance or other personal resources to pay for necessary medical care for an illness or accident that originated in the mission field, the Missionary Department may provide assistance for up to 90 days. In such situations, all medical care must be arranged through the stake president. In the United States, the stake president coordinates these expenses through Missionary Medical (see the telephone number on this page; see also "Medical Expenses," pages 82-83). After 90 days, expenses for medical assistance may be paid by the ward or stake, according to established Church principles governing welfare assistance.
Belated Confessions
If a full-time missionary confesses a serious transgression that he or she committed before entering the mission field, the mission president reviews the matter with a member of the Area Presidency, the missionary's stake president, and the Missionary Department. Unless there are unusual extenuating circumstances, the missionary will be released early and returned home. Bishops and stake presidents should ensure that missionary candidates understand this. Any early release must be approved by a General Authority in the Missionary Department.
A stake president may recommend to the Missionary Department that a member who was sent home after a belated confession return to the mission field after having repented fully. Such a recommendation must include an explanation of why it is considered justified.
Serious Transgression in the Mission Field
If a missionary commits a serious transgression in the mission field, the mission president convenes a disciplinary council (see page 92). Before doing so, he reviews the matter with a member of the Area Presidency and must receive authorization from a General Authority in the Missionary Department.
Unless there are unusual extenuating circumstances, the missionary will be released early and returned home. Family members, priesthood leaders, and others should provide support and fellowship, helping the missionary repent and enjoy the full blessings of the gospel.
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Such missionaries do not normally return to the mission field. Exceptions require approval of the First presidency.
Membership Records and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
Missionaries Who Serve under the Direction of a Mission President
The home ward keeps the membership records, accepts any tithing contributions, and records the tithing status of full-time missionaries who serve under the direction of a mission president. Missionaries who pay fast offerings should pay them through the ward in which they are serving.
Missionaries Who Do Not Serve under the Direction of a Mission President
Full-time missionary couples and older individuals who serve in their native land and are not under the direction of a full-time mission president should have their membership records moved to the ward where they will live. Normally they pay their tithing and other offerings through that ward. However, they may pay tithing through their home ward if necessary. The bishop of the ward away from home interviews them for temple recommend renewals and provides any needed counseling.
Full-time missionary couples and older individuals who serve outside their native land and are not under the direction of a full-time mission president should keep their membership records in their home ward. They pay tithing through their home ward but pay fast offerings and other contributions through the ward where they live while serving.
Release of Full-Time Missionaries
Missionaries should complete the full term of service for which they are called. Under normal circumstances, neither they nor their parents should request early releases or extensions of service.
Missionaries should travel directly home from their missions. Exceptions may be allowed only if a missionary will be accompanied by at least one parent and the travel is limited to no more than one or two weeks. The parents' plans must be based on the release date determined by the mission president and not on travel commitments. Parents should advise the mission president as early as possible of such plans.
Missionaries must dress and conduct themselves according to missionary standards during travel from their missions because they are not released until they report to their stake presidents. They should not impose on members, missionaries, or other missions as they travel home.
Temple Recommends
Mission presidents issue temple recommends to worthy full-time missionaries at the time they are released. Such recommends require only the interview of the mission president and the signatures of the president and the missionary.
If a missionary who is sent home early because of a belated confession or a disciplinary action holds a temple recommend, the mission president asks for the recommend. The bishop and stake president may issue a new temple recommend when the person is worthy.
Interviews, Reports, and Callings
The stake president releases returned missionaries from missionary service and gives them the release certificate he has received from the mission president. At this time he also interviews them. He commends them for their service and invites them to report on their mission. He inquires about their conduct while traveling home. He discusses how they can build on the strengths and good habits they have developed. He helps them set goals that will enable them to continue feeling the Spirit daily. He encourages them to prepare for marriage in the temple, choose and prepare for their life's work, commit to always be full-tithe payers, continue to be active in the Church, and serve faithfully in Church callings and assignments. He counsels them to live worthy of a temple marriage, but he should not suggest or imply that they should be married within a specified time.
Missionaries also report to the stake priesthood executive committee (stake presidency and high council). Soon after this report, the bishopric of the home ward schedules missionaries to speak in a sacrament meeting. The stake presidency may also assign them to speak in other sacrament meetings as companions to high councilors.
The stake president counsels returned missionaries to teach the gospel in talks they give. As they speak in sacrament meetings, they should share experiences that strengthen faith in Jesus Christ, build testimonies, encourage members to live and share the gospel, and illustrate gospel principles. They should avoid travelogues, inappropriate stories about the companions or others, disparaging remarks about the areas in which they served, and other matters the would be inappropriate for a servant of the Lord discuss in the sacred setting of a sacrament meeting.
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Priesthood leaders should promptly call recently returned missionaries to Church positions. Elder quorum and Relief Society leaders also should assign every returned missionary as a home teacher or visiting teacher.
Tuberculosis Testing
Missionaries who serve in areas that have a high risk of tuberculosis should be tested when they re turn home. When a returning missionary is to be tested for tuberculosis, the mission president sends Missionary Tuberculosis Screening Report form to the missionary's stake president. The stake president and missionary should follow the instructions on the form.
Assignments for Full-Time Missionary Couples and Older Individuals
This section applies to the following missionaries who serve full time (at least 32 hours per week) away from home or at home:
Full-time missionary couples and older individuals are called by the President of the Church. They should be willing to serve wherever they are called. They may be given one of the following assignments, or other assignments as necessary:
These missionaries serve under the direction of a full-time mission president unless the letter of call indicates otherwise.
Release letters and certificates are prepared by the mission president or department coordinator. As with all full-time missionaries, these missionaries are released by their stake president.
Church headquarters distributes to stake presidents and bishops a bulletin listing full-time missionary opportunities for couples and older individuals. Stake presidents and bishops can use this bulletin to identify opportunities for members who might be recommended to serve.
Church-Service Missionaries
Church-service missionaries are part-time missionaries. They serve at least 4 hours a week but less than 32 hours. They are called by their stake president as outlined in the following paragraphs. These callings are normally for 6 to 24 months. The use of Church-service missionaries is not intended to diminish emphasis on full-time missionary service.
Church-service missionaries work for Church departments at Church headquarters or at other locations throughout the world. For example, they may be called to work in the Church Educational System, in mission offices, and in departments such as Family History, Finance and Records, Materials Management, Physical Facilities, Public Affairs, and Welfare Services. Except for those serving in mission offices, Church-service missionaries do not usually serve under the direction of a full-time mission president.
As with full-time missionaries, the bishop and stake president ensure that each prospective Church-service missionary is worthy to hold a temple recommend. They also ensure that he or she is physically and emotionally able to perform the duties of the calling. Prospective missionaries should also be able to support themselves financially, including all medical expenses.
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Recommending Church-Service Missionaries
The director of Church-service missionaries, in the Human Resource Department at Church headquarters, regularly distributes a bulletin of Church-service opportunities for the United States and Canada. Where warranted, similar bulletins may be prepared in other areas under the direction of the Area Presidency.
The bishop interviews members who may be interested in serving as Church-service missionaries. When he and a member identify a suitable Church-service opportunity on the bulletin, he contacts the director of Church-service missionaries to determine whether the opportunity is still available and would be appropriate. If so, the bishop completes the Recommendation for Part-Time Church-Service Missionary form. He notes the recommended service opportunity and forwards the form to the stake president. The stake president reviews the form, interviews the person for worthiness, signs the form if he approves, and sends it to the director of Church-service missionaries.
Calling Church-Service Missionaries
Church-service missionaries are called by their stake president and set apart by their bishop. When arrangements have been finalized at Church headquarters, the stake president is notified so he can extend the calling. The stake president advises the bishop of the calling and asks him to set the missionary apart.
After the calling is issued, the department Church-service coordinator contacts the missionary to work out pertinent details.
Bishops and stake presidents should give appropriate recognition to members who are called as Church-service missionaries. This includes communicating their callings to members of the ward or stake. It also could include inviting them to report on their service in appropriate meetings.
Transportation
Church-service missionaries provide their own transportation.
Training and Supervision
Church-service missionaries are supervised by and trained under the direction of the department in which they serve. Normally they are not trained at a missionary training center.
Medical Expenses
All Church-service missionaries are entirely responsible for their own medical needs, including dental and eye expenses and prescription drugs.
Extensions
Near the end of the assigned period, the term of service may be extended if the missionary wants to extend and the service is still needed. The extension may be for varying increments, not to exceed 30 months in total service. The department coordinator reviews the extension request with the stake president. If the stake president approves the request, he advises the missionary and notifies the missionary's bishop.
Release of Church-Service Missionaries
Toward the end of a Church-service mission, the department coordinator informs the stake president when the mission will end. At the conclusion of the mission, the stake president releases the missionary and advises the bishop.
At least six months should pass before those who are released receive another Church-service missionary call. Exceptions must be approved by the stake president.
Church-Service Missionaries in Stake and Ward Callings
Church-service missionaries may also serve in stake or ward callings at the discretion of local leaders as long as these callings do not interfere with the Church-service missionary assignment.
Volunteer Service
Many opportunities for Church service are available for members, including those who do not hold a current temple recommend, and for nonmembers. These individuals are volunteers rather than missionaries. They may serve in areas such as Family History Centers, family record extraction, welfare production projects or canneries, and Scouting if qualified for Scout registration.
Stake Mission