Missionary Work
Mormon missionaries can be seen on the streets of hundreds of major cities in the world as well as in thousands of smaller communities. They serve in pairs, teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and baptizing believers into the Church. Missionary work in the Church is voluntary and missionaries fund their own missions.
Lenny - The Book of Mormon Provides Answers to Life's Questions
(1:39)
When I was 16 I was searching for truth. My friends met some Mormon missionaries and told me about their experience. I was intrigued and met with them. They told us about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. I read it and knew it was the word of God.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is actively involved in teaching the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, with more than 50,000 volunteer missionaries throughout the world sharing the joy they have found in the gospel. The Savior taught, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (
Missionaries generally begin serving when they are from 19 to 21 years old, though many retired men, women, and married couples also choose to serve missions. Missionaries serve voluntarily for either 18 months or 2 years, receiving no payment for their service as official representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In fact, missionaries pay their own living expenses as they serve throughout the world.
Before serving a mission, a person is interviewed by a Church leader to determine worthiness to serve, and then completes an application and submits it to Church headquarters. Then the person receives a call from the prophet to serve in a designated area. The missionary then enters one of 15 missionary training centers around the world for three weeks of training (nine weeks, if the missionary will learn a foreign language).
Missionaries teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and perform community service in the areas they are called to serve and are instructed to have the deepest respect for the laws and customs of the countries where they serve. Some missionaries take special assignments to assist with health, welfare, or other needs. Many missionaries are far from home and welcome the opportunity to visit with and learn about the people they are serving.
Members who share the gospel experience joy as they appreciate how precious and meaningful it is to them, and they have the Spirit of the Lord more abundantly. As they obey the covenant they made at
