Can you talk about the missions of the Church and your participation in them?

Michael answered…

The church has four missions proclaiming the gospel, perfecting the saints, redeeming the dead, and caring for the poor and needy.

Proclaiming the gospel is essential to our faith. Because of the great joy and fulfillment that we experience in our lives it is only natural that we would share this with others. I share the gospel for the same reason that I recommend a good movie or a great book. Jesus admonished his disciples, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" Matthew 2819

Perfecting the saints refers to the personal journey of each member through life. The Savior commanded, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Matthew 548. I know that perfection is impossible through my own efforts. Although I strive daily to improve myself and repent of my sins I continue sin. Through my baptismal coventant which I renew every week as I partake of the Lord's Supper the Sacrament the Atonement of Jesus Christ remains active in my life and I obtain forgiveness of my sins.

"Redeeming the dead" is often taken out of context by those who don't understand its meaning. This is really an extension of proclaiming the gospel, because it is extended to all of God's children, including those who have already passed away. Because many have died without a knowledge of Heavenly Father's plan, we research them through our own geneaology, and perform sacred ordinances on their behalf in the holy temples. In their current state they have the blessings of the gospel made available to them through this vicarious work.

Caring for the poor and needy is a basic principle of the gospel. Christ showed through his example and frequently through his teachings that caring for the poor is essential to living the gospel. We are encouraged to give generously, and to serve the needy.

Michael Johnston answered…

I didn't participate in a mission, but I was involved with the Referral Center Mission, because Elder Bryan Sabin was the missionary who first taught me about the church. This summer, I took a trip with a local Mormon family to Utah to attend their son's wedding festivities, and while in Utah I received the opportunity to meet Elder Sabin. What a blessing, and exciting opportunity to meet and personally thank the man who brought this Gospel to me! He is the missionary in my profile picture!

It was so cool, I hope I can be like Elder Sabin on my mission. Sincere, loving, and friendly.

Keli'i answered…

One of the missions of the Church is to take the gospel to all the world. I served as a full-time missionary for the church for two years in the California Arcadia Mission. These were the best years of my life thus far. It was such a great blessing to be involved in the service of the Lord full-time. I know that the work I did during that time period truly was the Lord's work. I felt his hand in my life, leading and guiding me. I continue to receive blessings because of the service that I gave.

Bradley answered…

I successfully participated in the church's volunteer service program. I was able to serve full time for two years. I learned a foreign language and culture as I taught gospel principles and shared personal appreciation for having lived the gospel principles. As much as I enriched the lives of others I also benefited significantly from the service opportunity. I would not be where I am at today in all aspects of my life if I had not gone through the experience. I matured over the two years and learned to serve others, communicate and teach. These skills have greatly enrich my life as a professional. The experience is irreplaceable.

E. Johnson answered…

Young men and young women serve missions for a period of 18-24 months. Senior adults who no longer have children living at home can serve missions together as a couple too! Missionaries are an important part of the Church. Because we have strong testimonies of the Restored Gospel and what it has done to bless our lives, we are delighted at the opportunity to serve the Lord by inviting others to learn about the things we believe, and to invite them to follow the example of our Savior Jesus Christ through faith, repentance, baptism by immersion, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.

Missionaries are assigned to areas throughout the world through a call that comes directly from the President of the Church through inspiration from Heavenly Father. Missionaries are trained at one of several Missionary Training Centers (MTC's) throughout the world. There they study and learn about gospel doctrine, practice teaching, and learn the language native to the area they will serve. After a few weeks in the MTC a missionary is prepared to enter the mission field and will serve in different cities or areas throughout the mission until their service is finished.

I received my call to the Georgia Macon and South Carolina Columbia missions and will serve for 18 months in areas all throughout Georgia and South Carolina!

Thomas answered…

I served a mission in China, Hong Kong. I had not idea where I would live for two years. I found out by mail. Today's living Apostles and Prophets selected where I went. Learning Chinese wasn't easy. Living on the other side of the world was quite the experience. But that's not why I wen't. I served a volunteer mission, paying monthly to be supported, to serve God. I would have gone anywhere. It was a privilege to share the important message to the world that God does in fact live. I wanted to tell everyone I could that Jesus Christ called more Apostles and Prophets in our day to guide us and lead us to know God's will, to bring back His true Church back on the earth once again. It's so amazing the happiness the true Gospel brings. We shared this message with the people of Hong Kong, and many came to know these truths.

Mark answered…

Worthy young men and women take between two years or eighteen months of their lives and they dedicate themselves to teaching the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and to helping others come to Christ. The missionaries aren't paid for anything and they provide for everything with their own money, but the rewards of serving are out of this world! As i served in Chile I felt a greater love for Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the word of God as i talked and taught tons of people. Maybe you have seen these two black figures dressed up with ties and white shirts walking endlessly in the streets where you live. They are giving two years to God to help others feel the joy and happiness of coming to a knowledge of the greatest truth in the whole world. They are not out there just to solicit or to sell something. The missionaries just want you to know something that could change your life for the better! I loved serving God in those two years and i know that I in turn have had a greater change of heart towards life and my fellow man. So the next time you see them on the street or when they come to your door give them just a few minutes of your time to hear what they have got to say! I promise you that it will be worth it.

Josh answered…

Male members of the church are encouraged to serve a two year, full time, proselyting mission when they turn 19. These missions are located all over the world, and each young man is called by the prophet and apostles to serve in a specific area and language. When I was 19 I was called to serve in the California Long Beach Mission speaking Spanish. What an amazing experience! I learned so much about myself, and came to better appreciated and love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I developed a stronger testimony of, and a closer relationship with my Savior. Through service as a missionary, i was able to catch a glimpse of what God sees. I learned to love and serve the people in California. I gained many close friends who are now stalwart examples for me. The days i spent serving in the streets of California were long, hard, and life changing. I wouldn't trade my two years as a missionary for anything.

Joe. answered…

I can honestly say that the one event that has blessed me the most in my life and prepared me the most for being a father, husband, and priesthood leader in the Church is the opportunity to serve a mission in Japan. I learned to love, to sacrifice my will for that of others, to rely on the Lord, to recognize and trust the promptings of the Holy Ghost, to work, to value the power in the scriptures, and to pray.
I am so grateful that my son is now having the same experience that I had and is having the opportunity to put on the whole armor of God and take off the natural man. He is blessing the lives of so many people and in turn, is having the rough edges polished off and becoming a man of God.
We sure do miss him, but just knowing that he is bringing another family in Arizona the peace and happiness that we enjoy through the gospel is extremely comforting and satisfying. 

Rob answered…

I served a 2 year full time mission for the Church in the Fresno California area and did so focusing my efforts specifically on the Spanish speaking people. The mission is such a challenging yet rewarding experience. You dedicate 100% of your time for 2 years to the teaching of the gospel mostly to people not members of the Mormon church. It solidified my testimony, allowed me to spend much more time immersed in reading the scriptures (Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon), and taught me the joy that comes from serving other people. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. I think I got more out of it than anyone I may have helped.

Neil Lo answered…

I love the missions of the church

Steve answered…

When I was nineteen I left college and spent two years as a missionary in Mexico on the Yucatan peninsula. I had saved money to be able to pay for this along with help from my family. I had the opportunity to meet many people, to serve them and to teach them about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Since then I have had many opportunities to use the Spanish that I learned. Spending two years serving God has laid an important foundation in my life. I now realize that serving as a missionary has blessed me much more than any sacrifices that I made.

Daniel Ernest answered…

I served a mission in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in South America. I served two years in the mission. It was not an easy experience, but it was worth all the effort and I met some of the greatest people of my life. The first two months I spent at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, learning the Spanish language and learning more about the Savior. The rest of the mission I spent in Ecuador in large cities and in small towns in the banana fields. We work from morning to night to share the message of our Heavenly Father's plan for his children, along with Jesus Christ's divine role as the Savior and Son of God with everyone we can. We work in companionships and work in an assigned geographical area until we are asked to switch companions or go to a new area by our mission leaders. We not only teach the gospel to those who will listen, but we have the opportunity to give service, such as making houses, clearing fields, teaching English, and helping people move. There is no condition for the service. We help anyone who is willing to have our help. We are not paid by the church. I saved money for a good portion of my mission and my family helped fund the rest. I've also had the chance since I've been home to help contribute to missionary funds for those who may be struggling to help fund their expenses on their own as missionaries from our area as well.

Caleb answered…

I served a mission for two years in Mexico City. Those were definitely some of the most formative years of my life. I left when I was 19 and went to the Church's Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT. I spent a couple of months there learning Spanish and how to teach people about the Gospel, and then I headed to Mexico.

I spent my days and evenings teaching about the Savior for two years. What better way for to spend your time at 19 years old? These two years definitely served as a corner stone for the rest of my adult life. Sometimes I think my life now is a good reflection of the hard work and great rewards I saw during those two years serving others. 

Natalie answered…

A mission is when a member of the Church decides to leave his or her daily life/responsibilities for an extended period of time between 1.5 and 3 years to dedicate himself/herself fully to teaching other people about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the restoration of His church on the earth. It is a voluntary service, and once the person fills out the necessary paperwork, he or she is “called,” or assigned, to a specific area in the world for the entire time of his or her mission. In 2009 I decided to serve a mission and I was called to serve in Panama from August 2009 to February 2011. Although it was difficult at times, serving a mission was the best decision I have made and it gave me more satisfaction than I could have ever imagined. I learned to love and care about the Panamanian people and culture and I enjoyed seeing their lives change in positive ways as they embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Avery answered…

My mission was 2 years long and I served in Georgia. I served in 5 cites and each one had very different economics, race, and social statues of people. As missionaries we are on the streets teaching and trying to get people closer to Christ. We do all sorts of different actives but common is going door to door knocking yes I was of them who knock on your door at random time of the day. We have three main types of actives we do one going door to door and talking to you on the street another is helping member and teaching member of our own local congregations and the third is service, we try to help those in need or team-up with other groups who help the local people. I will be ending my full time mission December, 20 2011. I can tell you as a missionary we have a message of great news that can help both you and your family I know this because I’ve seen it happen right before my eyes. I’m happy to go back to my friends and family but I will miss all the people I’ve meet and helped here in Georgia.

Frank answered…

There are thousands of young full-time missionaries out there to preach the gospel and try to share their testimony and happiness with our Heavenly Father's children around the world. I served my mission in Brisbane, Australia for 2 years. After mission, I continue to help with missionary work by living the way I am supposed to live. I am not afraid or shamed to introduce myself to my friends and the people who I work with as a mormon. I tried to answer all of their questions and misunderstanding about our faith in my best knowledge.

Jacqueline answered…

I served as a missionary in Chicago for 18 months. I learned some Spanish while I lived in certain parts of Chicago.

My mission taught me to be very disciplined. The missionary schedule is intense: Missionaries around the world wake up at 6.30am and they exercise, prepare for the day and they study the scriptures, prepare for lessons and they do language study if needed. Then they work hard all day long teaching principles such as the love of God, the purpose of life, the commandments and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. They also offer service in the communities in which they live. This continues all day everyday until 9.30pm and then they retire at 10.30pm.

Missionaries work in pairs of 2, called companionships. They reside and work together for a certain period of time. I for instance was companions with 7 other sister missionaries.

I learned a great deal about myself, life and God during my mission and I met and made friends with many people all over the South-side of Chicago.

Carrie answered…

I had the opportunity to leave home and serve a full-time mission for the mormon church in the Chicago area for a year and half. I quit my job, put college on hold, and went out to teach others what I know to be true.

It was a life changing experience for me. I met so many amazing people and grew in so many ways. I was able to go door-to-door and talk to people about our beliefs each day. I worked along side another sister missionary. We taught the basic beliefs and doctrines of our faith to those who were interested in hearing our message. We also had the opportunity to do community service on a weekly basis.

Missions are hard work. But, the reason I chose to serve is because I love my Father in Heaven and I know the message I shared is true. I encourage you to locate the full-time mormon missionaries in your area and see what our church is about.

Guillermo Sanchez answered…

I served a full-time 2-year mission in 1979 in the California Ventura Mission, when I was still single. I put my life on hold for two years, which included my new career job as a Firefighter for the City of El Paso, TX. During this 2-year period, I met with many wonderful people and taught them about Jesus Christ and his Gospel. These were very happy years and I will forever be grateful to have had the opportunity to meet so many nice people.

Kieffer answered…

Nearly two years ago, I embarked on an adventure that, as I previously have said, changed my life forever. I was called to serve in the Brazil Recife Mission, as a full-time missionary speaking Portuguese. And I'm one of tens of thousands.

One day, as my companion and I sat down with a rather intelligent man named Ronaldo, we began to fill his curiosity with the wonders of God and His plan. As we moved into the importance of Prophets, I began the telling the history of a boy named Joseph. If you don't know or aren't familiar, He was visited by God himself, and the Living Son Jesus Christ in a sacred apparition. A moment that changed the world forever. As I told the story in Joseph Smith's words and explained the power of the Book of Mormon while holding it in my hands, I began to cry. I felt something within me that after a years of being a member of the Church I had rarely felt. It was warm and comforting, and testified of the truthfulness of my words.

Ronaldo looked at me with watery eyes and said "I know this is true. Because I see it in your eyes and the way you hold that book. What you are doing is the most important thing anyone could ever possibly doing right now. Spreading this beautiful message." Three weeks later he was baptized and now is a faithfully attending member.

I love Ronaldo, for he taught me more than I could have ever taught him. He showed me the importance of missionaries in the world. How it takes simple genuine actions and not just powerful words to really see the truthfulness of the Gospel. I know that missionary work is crucial to God's perfect plan.

Bob Tanner answered…

 My mother is a convert to the church. My wife is a convert to the church. My mother in law is a convert to the church. Having these women in my life as converts has strengthened my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and also how I see things from a different perspective.  

Aaron answered…

 I served as a missionary in the Philippines from June 2005-07. I gained a love for the people and their culture. The experiences I had were both challenging and interesting. I talked to people everyday who had seen struggles I will never face and it inspired me. Through hard work and faith, we, my companions and I, saw miracles. The miracles we encountered were mostly the drastic changes people made in their lives to live in harmony with true principles we had taught. My mission was unlike anything and it made me a better person.

Ryan answered…

I served a mission in upstate New York. I absolutely loved it. When I turned 19, I had a choice to follow my childhood dream to play college basketball or to serve a two-year LDS mission. I chose to serve a mission and I've never regretted that decision.
One of the places I served was in Syracuse, around the Campus of Syracuse University. I was there from my 3rd to 6th month of service. It was a hard place to work because most of the people were my age and most of these people laughed at or made fun of our message. Being dismissed by a peer group from which I normally felt acceptance was uncomfortable for me and caused me to seriously consider what I was doing. I prayed a lot and considered more carefully if the work that I was doing was really inspired by God and if I was where I was supposed to be. Through the Spirit of God I came to understand even more deeply that the work was true, that Joseph Smith really was a prophet, and that God can be involved in every aspect of our lives if we desire that. I learned this in the way that Paul describes--that spiritual things are "spiritually discerned." (1 Cor 2:14)
There are not adequate words to describe the growth and value that came to me as I served as a missionary. I gained invaluable experience in teaching the gospel. I saw very literally, that miracles still happen daily and that God is not far away if we will believe in Him.
The foundation of faith and action that I gained in this effort outweigh in every way the small sacrifice that I gave to go serve a mission. I thank God for the privilege I had to serve.

Ariel answered…

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints firmly believes in missionary work. This is because we can't keep it to ourselves. We are a community of people who have been changed by the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and as a result, we want everyone to know, and feel and experience this power too. We know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will answer any personal, family, business, or other concern. We know that there is a prophet on the earth today, and we want everyone to heed his council so they too can be blessed. This is, to us, the greatest message in the world, so you can imagine our excitement.
Because of this spirit, we have missions organized throughout the world. Thousands of young men and women and senior couples serve voluntarily and full-time for 18-24 months in any of these missions throughout the world. They talk to everyone about the good new of Jesus Christ. They learn to discipline themselves and lead and serve. They learn to love and grow a lot personally during these months and years.
I have a special place in my heart for the missionaries of the church, because I recently returned from my service in the California Roseville Mission. My experience was the greatest of my life. It was the hardest work I have ever done. I was exhausted more times than not. I learned and grew in ways I never thought I would or could. I grew to love the individuals I helped teach with all my heart.
My favorite experiences involved seeing lives change. People changed their lives as they came to exercise their faith in Jesus Christ, as they read and studied the Book of Mormon, and as they made prayer a part of their lives. Everyday I witnessed miracles that confirmed to me the reality that God knows and numbers every man, woman and child on the earth.
That is why we are a church of missionary work. We want EVERYONE to know, every nation, every race, every person and family.

Joe answered…

I lived among the general population in the northern cities of the Dominican Republic as a missionary between 2000 and 2002. I walked the streets daily sharing my beliefs with the people interested in my message. My message was that God has called prophets currently to lead his church on the earth just as he called prophets thousands of years ago to lead his church as recorded in such records as the bible.

John answered…

Sure. No reason not to. The Church is a worldwide church, made for everyone, therefore there is no reason to exclude anyone from knowing what it is about.

Ginner! answered…

For sure! right now i'm serving in a mission; it's awesome! never in my life i had felt the Lord nearer to me; helping others to know about the church and doing all possible to help their homes; Doing service, meeting new people every day; knowing more about the savior in my personal and companionship study; testifying the He lives!.. i love it.. if someone ask to me if i'd like to do a mission again; i'll say: "Yes, i do" :)

Darwin answered…

As a member of Christ's true Church I try to accomplish His purposes.

We believe that Jesus Christ is a God of Love to ALL of Our Heavenly Father's children. Because of that, we regularly share the gospel with those around us. We want them to feel the peace and happiness that comes to us as we live His great plan of happiness. That is why we invite our friends to meet with our missionaries to discuss how they too can enjoy the joy of living Our Father's plan.

Many of Our Father's children won't have the opportunity to hear the gospel during this mortal phase of our growth and progression. That is the reason that God has placed special buildings that we call "Temples" around the earth. We have one not far from us in Mesa, AZ. We go there frequently to perform ordinances there for those who have already passed on to the spirit world. The Temple is a place of peace. At present there are some 140 temples throughout the earth where members can go to feel the peace of Christ and feel close to those who have passed on before.

During this life we spend time trying to become more like our Savior. We want to learn to love like He Loved! That is what the Church is all about. God's Love! It's how we improve our lives, day by day and week by week. God knew that we would make mistakes, so the Church is like a hospital for sinners. There we can renew our baptismal covenants and make commitments to improve our lives. When we attend regularly, we feel God's love and peace, and over time we can see how God has changed us.

I know that as we repent and seek to know Our Savior that we can be filled with His love and peace.

It's all true... all of it!

Katie answered…

I'm currently serving as a full-time missionary for the church in the state of Wisconsin. As I have had the opportunity to share my beliefs with many, I can see the need to tell people about the gospel. There are currenlty over 52,000 missionaries across the entire world who are trying to find those who are looking to learn more about Christ and his church. We want to give everybody the opportunity to learn and to know what they need to do to return to live with their Father in Heaven, or God. It has been such a wonderful experience for me to find those who have a desire to learn, then excercise their faith in God by reading the Book of Mormon and praying to know it is true, then once they receive their answer they are willing to take the step of preparing to be baptized by someone who holds the priesthood (or authority to act in God's name).

Donnie answered…

The Missions of the Church first off are Proclaiming the Gospel, Perfecting the Saints, and Redeeming the Dead.
I am doing the first one, Proclaiming the Gospel, write now as I am on a mission for the Church and telling people about the wonderful news of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and helping others feel the same joy and peace that I feel. It is a great opportunity to serve the Lord for 2 years and to dedicate my life to him. I have learned that people are, generally, good people who are seeking for the truth. And it brings me great joy when I am able to help them find it.
The second one, Perfecting the Saints, is part of Missionary work as well. We, as members of this Church, are trying to be like Jesus and follow his ways. We are always looking for ways to improve ourselves. Are we saying we are Perfect? Not by any means, for no one is or can become perfect in this life. "For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God." -Romans 3.23- But we are striving to do the best we can and we know that as long as we give it our all Christ will make up the rest.
The Last one, Redeeming the Dead, is also a influential part of our lives because we believe that we need to help those that have passed on to know of the truth as well. For we believe that all those who did not here of Christ or get the chance to except him in this life will receive the chance in the next life. For it is unfair to think that those people who have not received the chance to except Christ or those who have never even heard his name should be cast off at the last day. So for this cause we labor diligently to do the work for our ancestors who did not get the chance to except Christ. Now it is still there choice to except the work we do in their behalf, for we force nothing upon anyone. 

Joshua Wallace answered…

I had the opportunity to serve as a missionary for my church in Hong Kong from May 2009 to June 2011. For three months I went to a training center in Provo, Utah to learn Cantonese and how to use it to teach the gospel to others. After that I was a full-time volunteer in Hong Kong to teach whomever we could find that wanted to learn more about the good news of Jesus Christ. I loved my time there! Of all the things I have done in my life, I feel like my mission has had the most influence on the most people, including myself. I would go back out and serve again if given the opportunity! To see the change come over someone else as they learn about and apply the power of Jesus Christ in their lives, there is nothing more rewarding. I wasn't on a mission to add numbers to the membership of the church; I was there because I loved those people and wanted so much to bring them with me to church on this earth and to the eternal throne of Jesus Christ in heaven above, so that we may be eternally happy.

Nate answered…

There has been no greater joy in my life that to serve our Savior as a missionary. I have learned and grown far more than I have at any other period in my life. My love for the Christ and all of mankind is sure. The mission has changed my very character in such a way that I have no desire to return to wickedness, but to proclaim peace and love to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. I am gateful to our Savior and our Heavenly Father for this opportunity.

Hayley answered…

 I haven't gone on at 18 month mission yet but I was able to go on kind of a "mini mission" this past summer! I participated in the Hill Cumorah pageant in Palmyra, NY where Joseph Smith found the plates. It was the best 3 weeks of my entire life. Before the pageant each night, as members of the cast we were assigned a companion and we were able to go out and teach members of the audience! That was my favorite part of the pageant, sharing the gospel with the people that came and feeling the spirit so strongly as they agreed to fill out a referral card or just the look they get in their eyes when someone is testifying to them. I so admire all the full time elders and sister missionaries, they are so brave!!

Jordyn answered…

Well the missions of the Church are all designed to share what has helped us out so much. We want all men everywhere to know, feel, see, and experience what we do as we have the blessings of the Restored Gospel. That is why missionaries such as myself go out for 2 years to talk to everybody they can about it. Yup, that's right. Those guys in white shirts and ties are not there to bug you but they are young men who sincerely want to help you and your family. Now, they might give it a shot through some yard work and what not but I'll tell you that there is more help than you'd ever imagine coming your way if you allow missionaries such as myself into your home to share the gospel with you. We love to answer questions and we love to help it make sense for you. You, you, you. You are who we want to help, the thing is though, you've gotta let us before we can. Go ahead though, you'll never regret it!

Bob answered…

I had the opportunity to serve in the Seattle Washington area as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was a blessing to teach and work with many wonderful people from that area. I saw many people join the Church and watched them grow as they accepted the Church and made Jesus Christ a central part of their life.
This experience helped me gain so much experience and direction for the rest of my life that I could not have found in any other way.

JB answered…

I chose to serve a mission to share my testimony of Jesus Christ and the Church with others. I served my mission in Finland, a small country north of Denmark and east of Sweden. It's a beautiful place with a quiet and peaceful people. My testimony was strengthened beyond measure in Finland. I learned to trust the Lord, to understand the blessings of obedience, to love others, and to bless others. I came home with experience in leadership, community-building, and interpersonal relationships. Above all, I came home with a stronger testimony of the Church and gospel of Jesus Christ than ever before.

Today as a branch president I work with our local mission and local missionaries to continue building the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in my area. Those skills I learned in Finland have been very valuable as we work together to help people learn more about our faith and Jesus Christ. Today, more than ever, people need the comfort and blessings of the Lord in their lives and I am grateful the missions of the Church act to bring those blessings to so many people.

JD answered…

Absolutely! I served a 2-year mission in Fresno, California. While it may not sound as exciting as South America or Africa and even though I didn't learn a new language it was a life altering experience that has impacted my life on a daily basis. When I was serving as a missionary I was very focused on serving others and helping them change their lives for the better, but since returning home I have seen that the greatest change wrought was in me. The sacrifice has been repaid tenfold or more.

Rich answered…

I was fortunate to serve a mission in the Netherlands. I developed a great love for the people and was able to strengthen my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I also believe that serving a mission was the cornerstone that has helped me to become the person I am today

Golden answered…

The Church has 3 main missions. They are to teach the gospel to everyone, help each member come closer to Christ, and to redeem the dead. Each member has the responsibility to help in each of these areas. Because of my position in the church now, my main responsibility is to help other members come closer to the savior in their personal lives. I help to encourage and teach other men about the gospel. However, teaching others who aren't members of the Church is always on my mind and I am always looking to share what I feel to be true. I also help to redeem the dead, which means performing baptisms and other ordinances for those who have passed on but haven't learned about the full gospel of Jesus Christ. We perform these ordinances in our temples.

Robert Wayne answered…

Because I was not raised attending Church, a mission wasn't in my plans. I joined the military at age 18. Soon after, I was reactivated and my wife joined the Church. We were stationed in England, and were called to the Mission Board of the Central British Mission as coordinators for genealogical work and scheduling for the London Temple. I feel that we served a mission. We traveled throughout central England and all of Wales, speaking at conferences, visiting branches, and published a monthly newsletter about genealogy. We were so young and inexperienced. On the title page of the first issue of the newsletter, I spelled genealogy as geneology! What a start!
But we made sure our sons could serve full-time missions. Our Eldest Son served in Argentina in a Spanish and Welsh-speaking area of Patagonia. The lessons he learned as he traveled over 1000 miles across the mission from the Andes to Tierra Del Fuego, have served him well. He speaks over 6 languages and is a professor at Brigham Young University where he is a Bishop's Counselor. He and his wife travel the world presenting conferences and seminars in his field. His mission besides being a tremendous spiritual experience has brought continued blessings. Our youngest son served his mission in Hungary. Besides teaching the gospel, he also was in charge of obtaining visas and lodging for all missionaries in the country. This involved extensive travel in Hungary, finding housing and preparing leases and getting permits from local authorities. This experience has served him well in the field of business. He owns his own company and is an expert in web-development.

Al answered…

Personally, I've chosen to serve a mission because of how much God has done for me. There are many people who don't have the privilidge of knowing the things that I know about God and his son, and the Restoration, and it's the least that I can do to share them with the rest of God's children. So... I suppose I went on a mission out of gratitude.
We are asked to go because what we've been given is so important. But I wasn't forced, it was my decision, and I chose to do it. And my life, and the lives of countless others have been made better because of it.

Stephen answered…

The missionary program of the Church is a wonderful program. It is a program where mostly young members of the church from 19 to 25 serve and teach others about the gospel of Jesus Christ. As wonderful as this is I feel the biggest thing it does is develop leaders out of young men and women. It also forces these young people to gain self-discipline and self-reliance. As they serve obediently they are separated from influences of the world. They only communicate with home by letter and e-mail once a week. They don't read the newspaper, they don't watch TV or movies. They don't date or socialize with members of the opposite gender. This 18 month to 2 year process allows them to focus on the teachings of Jesus Christ and focus on serving others. They learn who they are and how to use the talents to help others.

My experience was in Idaho. What a great blessing it was in my life. While I tried to serve with obedience my family was blessed immensely. I grew in confidence and knowledge that has benefited my life for over the last 20+ years. While I served my father was baptized a member of the church, an answer to a lifetime of prayers. What a blessing that I gained in my life.

Johnny answered…

Missions are for one purpose. To bring others unto Christ. To let people know of the wonderful truths that are here on this earth today. Through the restoration of Christ's church through a latter day prophet. I am lucky enough to be apart of this wonderful call. I am currently serving as a FULL-TIME Missionary and loving every second of it. I get to watch people change their lives. I see the change in how they live and who they are. It is a blessing to watch the love of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father be experienced in their lives.

Steve answered…

I served a volunteer mission to Sweden for the Mormon Church from 1980-82. It was a great experience for me. I was assigned to that country after demonstrating a sincere interest and willingness to participate. Being a missionary volunteer involves being a representative of Jesus Christ. As such, we spent most of our time in activities he would do, such as talking with people, donating service, and answering questions about our beliefs.

Bryce Holland answered…

I served a two year mission through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Southern California. The missionaries in the church work in groups of two or three called companionships. One missionary will have several different companions throughout their mission. My companions and I would teach people in the community about the gospel of Jesus Christ and share our personal experiences of how the gospel has improved our lives. One of the greatest things I learned on my mission was that God knows every person, and has a plan for each of them to have peace and joy in this life and the next, if they choose to follow Him. 

Valerie Jean answered…

There are approximately 344 different missions of the church throughout the world and over 50,000 missionaries. I did not serve a mission because I chose to get married instead. My husband served a mission and it was one of the best experiences of his life. He has said it was difficult, but rewarding in many ways. One way we try to support the missionaries is to have them over for dinner from time to time. I have not been as good about this as I'd like to be. Our sons are planning on serving a mission when they turn 19 years old. Our daughter, if she is not married by then, plans on serving a mission when she turns 21 years old. Much effort is put into the missionary program. As members of the church we have a great desire to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We do this, first and foremost, out of love for our fellowman. But also it is because we are commanded to. One day, when my husband and I are retired, we would like to serve a mission. We would be happy to go where ever we are called. It will be an honor and a privilege to serve the Lord in this way.

Ben answered…

Jesus told His disciples to go spread the Gospel to all the world, and that mandate is still in force today. For this reason, our church sends missionaries all over the earth with the purpose of bringing people closer to Christ. I've known close friends and family who have served in Argentina, Brazil, the U.K., Ukraine, Peru, the West Indies, and other places. I myself had the honor of serving in South Carolina for two years. It was a hugely rewarding experience and a blessing in my life to see the message that I helped to share touch and change people's lives for the better. I've seen many people come unto Christ, and I had the opportunity to serve countless people. It was the best thing I’ve ever decided to do.

Lisa answered…

There are two things you can do when you find something that makes you happy. Take for example, when you find the best ice cream place in town, or read a really good book. You can either share it with others or you can keep it to yourself. The natural reaction, especially with friends, is to want to share. "Hey, let's go get ice cream. I found the perfect place!" or "Have you read this book? You won't be able to put it down!" The sharing of that experience makes both you and your friend happier and brings you closer together.

Some people wonder why in the world those young men or women walk around in their Sunday clothes all day, riding bicycles, knocking on doors in the heat or cold or rain. I, myself, was one of those young women. I served my mission in Oregon-mostly the Eugene area-where it rained a good part of the year. I can tell you, though, there's nothing that has made me happier in this life than sharing the happiness of the truthfulness of this Church.

The purpose of our church is to bring people closer to God and Jesus Christ through faith, repentance, baptism, and keeping God's commandments. For these things he promises us the continuing guidance of the Holy Ghost to be with us throughout our lives, like Christ spoke of in the Bible John 14:26, 15:26 KJV. We believe these things are important to everyone's happiness in this life and after. We also believe that all people should have the opportunity to hear and decide whether they want this happiness for themselves, too. This is why missionaries serve. This is why we go all over the world and knock on your door and talk to you. Christ loved us all enough to die for us and we love him enough to share his message.

I wanted to go on a mission ever since I was little. One of my childhood church teachers went on a mission to Russia. She was a great example to me. As I grew older, I always knew that if the opportunity presented itself, I would serve a mission, and I did. Not all women get to serve a mission, so I feel fortunate. It was hard to quit my job and then to pay my own way to be a missionary. Hardest of all was leaving my family and the familiarity of my home, but I did it because I wanted to help people and I knew God also wanted me to. I went door to door in the rain and cold and mud, getting chased by dogs, splashed by cars, and being rejected time and again. But the difficulties were overshadowed by the little miracles God performed every day before my eyes.

One lady I helped teach changed so much by the end of my mission. The only reason she had heard of Mormons was because her sister was one. When I first helped teach her, she was pretty much bedridden. She has many health problems. Because of health issues, she needed a lot of sleep and could only eat certain foods. She also had a lot of social anxieties, and emotional problems. These things made it difficult for her to come to church and to participate in church activities. The change started with her desire to learn. She couldn’t read very well, so we borrowed a recording of the Book of Mormon for her to listen to. We came into her bedroom and sat around her bed to teach her about the church and God’s plan for us. Eventually, she was ready to commit to coming to one hour of church. She sat in the very back row with her therapy dog at her feet. She became good friends with one of the women in the congregation and began slowly coming to activities when she was well enough to participate. Her health improved. She didn’t have to sleep as long, and she seemed to have more energy. More than a year after we began teaching her, she made the decision to be baptized. This was a difficult decision because of her health and her emotional problems, but she was happier than I’d ever seen her on that baptism day. Although she still has many difficulties, she has changed so much since the day we first began teaching her.

I know that this church is true because I have witnessed in my life and in the lives of others the change that comes when you begin to live its teachings. They are God’s teachings, from a living prophet. This is why I became a missionary, and why I still want to share it today. If you see the missionaries, take the time to listen. They are trying to show their love for you and for God.

Sean! answered…

The missions of the church are a commandment from the Lord Himself to spread the Gospel to all the world. We as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints willingly and voluntarilly submit two years of our lives at ours and our families expense to share with others the joy which we have received. I am sure there are many in the world that have received some incredibly fantastic news and had a great desire to share it with others, well it is the same, we as Latter Day Saints have received blessings from God and desire more than anything to allow others to receive the same. The missions of the church are world wide, almost in every nation. The promises of God will be fulfilled when one day every nation will open its doors to the message of Jesus Christ and His prophet Joseph Smith. I love the missionary program, it's influence has impacted millions of homes, we will continue to press forward, sharing this message with all who seek truth. I bear my witness that the words of the missionaries you may come in contact with are directly called of God to meet you. Listen to and live their words. The missions continue to help us young men develop skills, attributes and determinations that will carry with us throughout our lives and into our future families. My mission has given me more of a desire to be a life long disciple of Jesus Christ Himself. He is my Master. If you contemplate going on a mission, GO! If you know missionaries, listen to them. If you haven't use this website to meet them. It will be for your benefit. I promise.

Cindy answered…

One of the missions of the Church is to unite families through the generations. They do this through the Family History program, encouraging members and non-members alike to research their families and leaarn more about their ancestors. I participate in this by helping with the Family Search Indexing program. The Church is microfilming genealogical records throughout the world. They then make these records available online for researchers and others who want to find their ancestors. The indexing program helps in this effort by volunteers reading these records over their computers, and then typing in the information they see so that others can find the information digitally on their computers, without having to search through the many, many records for their individual ancestors. Everyone is welcome to be part of this indexing program, whether or not they are members of the Church.

Bradley answered…

I went on a mission to San Diego California. I loved serving my mission. I meant great people and was able to see such changes made in others lives. I met my future wife and her family while on my mission. While I had no idea she was going to be my wife and had no contact with her afterward the Lord works through others and a friend of hers told me to contact her. I did and it changed my life we now have a great family and share a very happy life together. I think for a 19 year old boy to go on a mission can be a sure way to give him direction and purpose at a turning point in life.

Anna-Lisa answered…

I was a missionary in the Tampa Florida mission, and worked specifically with the Spanish-speaking population there. As a missionary, I taught those interested in learning more about Jesus Christ and about our church. I also participated in weekly community service.

The missions of the church are designed to help share what we believe with those who want to know, to foment a spirit of love and service within the community, and to make the missionary a better and more selfless person. Perhaps the most impressive part of missionary service is that the missionaries give everything up to serve God. No TV, no radio, no calls home, no movies, no dating, etc. They leave behind family, school, work, and girlfriends/boyfriends to serve others. They forget about themselves and focus completely on those around them. It's an incredibly unique phenomenon.

Alan answered…

The missions of the church are to proclaim the gospel, prefect the saints, redeem the dead and care for the poor and needy. These missions support the overall mission of our Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. God assists us in our efforts to complete these missions if we give our whole heart and soul to his work. On one occasion as a missionary, I was retiring with my companion to our apartment for the night as it was near 1000 pm, the time that the mission indicated we should be in our apartment. As we began to leave the area where we typically would meet with people, I felt a need to stop and turn around. In the distance, a few blocks away, there was a porch light on. I was prompted to go to that house even though it was late. We walked to the house and upon arriving, found the front door part way open. After we knocked, a woman came to the door and welcomed us in. She said that her family was waiting for us to come and teach them. Her husband had talked with other missionaries that week who said that someone would come teach them this evening. Heavenly Father heard and answered this family's prayer. Missionary work is a very important part of the missions of the church. So important that Heavenly Father frequently assists those doing this work.  

Jenny answered…

I served a full time mission in London, England. The greatest lesson I took from my time and service there was a new knowledge and understanding of how the Spirit of God works. I was blessed to be able to serve in an area of diverse cultures. What I saw in working with so many different people is that Heavenly Father knows us each individually and He knows how to speak to us in a way that we will be able to recognize based on our culture. To give one example— the people of Africa believe in visions and dreams. As I came to know and love my brothers and sisters from Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, etc. through teaching them of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, I witnessed their testimonies growing as a result of the answers they received through dreams and visions. They sought truth and as they went to their Father for direction he spoke to their hearts and minds in the way that they needed.

Br Gary answered…

I am a convert to the Church and never served a full-time mission. I do not know the exact number but I know we have over 50,000 missionaries serving throughout the world in more than 300 different missions. I have assisted in missionary work by accompanying missionaries to visit and teach non-members. I have assisted in missionary work by inviting friends of family into my home to meet with missionaries. Missionaries have been called to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all who will listen. It has been my privilege and a true blessing to assist many missionaries in sharing the Gospel. Sometimes, I have been asked if I would help teach. Other times, the missionaries do the teaching but ask if I will share my thoughts on something that they have just discussed. Other times, I have shared my conversion process and my testimony with those we have visited.

Jeff answered…

I am currently serving a mission for the Church in southeast Texas. As I have come to know the truth of the gospel and the Church for myself my desire to share it with others has grown. Missions are 2 years for young men and 18 months for young women. We give of our time and money to show our love for God and His children by bringing them to Him and inviting them to make covenants with Him so that they can recieve the blessings that He wants to give them. The Church and it's teachings, the gospel, have influenced my life in every way. As I live the gospel I am truly happy as I come closer to Christ, become more like Him, and feel of His love for me. I have seen these same blessings in the lives of those that accept the gospel and choose to follow Christ.

Brandon answered…

Well, I'm still on a mission in the Florida Jacksonville Mission so I'd love to talk about it. Nothing in this world can make a person question their beliefs than testifying to others that they are true and having them attacked on a nearly day to day basis. Whenever I, as a missionary, promise someone else that they too can know for themselves that this message is true, I am always faced with a strong feeling of introspection. Do I truly believe what I am telling this person? Do I know that this is true? And as I have aligned my life more closely to the will of God, the answer I receive from the depths of my soul is a resounding yes! I could not continue to confidently tell people that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and Thomas Monson is the current Prophet of God if the Holy Ghost had not confirmed those truths to my mind and heart again and again. My participation in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ has helped to understand how much God really does love His children and how He looks out for them, even when it may not seem like it.

Terri answered…

I have not personally served a mission, however I have benefited so much by missionary service. I was taught by missionaries when I was 18 years old and subsequently joined the LDS church. After I was married my husband and I had 5 sons. We have been fortunate that all 5 chose to serve a mission. We have had a missionary serve in Chile, Idaho, Spain, Honduras and North Carolina. It was been a wonderful blessing for our family to have our sons share their belief in Jesus Christ, the restored gospel and the blessings of eternal families with those they were able to teach.

Nick answered…

In the service(so to say) is amazing. Everyday I talk about the very best thing every, how Jesus Christ died for my sins and that others can know this to. I love seeing the change in people when they find out for themselfs that the church is true, and the light that radiates of them as they feel the truth. Also I have seen and bear witness that Jesus died on the cross for everyone, and anyone who will come unto him. I know that to serve a mission is one of the most important things i have ever done, and there is not anywhere i should be right now then on one.

Michael answered…

Having served the US Army inGermany, I went home to ask my Bishop about serving a mission. He was surprised. I was older & he thought I would get on with public life after military service. I was sure that what the Lord wanted me to do was delay my college career a bit longer. I interviewed, took a language aptitude test, & was convinced through conversations with church leaders that I would go to Germany as a missionary because of my basic attempts to learn the language when I had been there in the military.
I received a mission call to go to Japan!
My first thought was... raw fish!!!
I accepted the calling, & was one of the first missionaries to go through the training mission in Provo, rather Hawaii where others had gone before. I didn’t go through any homesickness or lack of self-assurance because I had already spent several years away from home. I was concerned that I wasn't accomplishing what I needed to do in teaching the gospel & seeing more investigators being baptized once they gained a personal testimony of the gospel. My first two weeks of being in Japan, I met a young man in high school, who took the discussions, & received permission by his Buddhist family to be baptized. At the end of my mission, he was the only person I had had the privilege to baptize. That was in 1975. Returning home, I studied & got a license to teach music. Later on I got a license to teach Japanese at the request of a school district. I later was hired to start a Japanese program in another school district. The summer of 1998, I took a group of students to Japan, & wanted to look up the branch where I served. I found he was an active member of the church, having served a mission, married a returned missionary and had four sons, two of whom were preparing to serve missions within a year or two, & younger ones looking forward to when they could be Missionaries. I understand better what it means for things to be done in the Lord’s way and in the Lord’s time.

Collin Johnson answered…

Missions for the church are fully optional you volunteer for them and dont get paid. A mission is something that will absolutely change your life for the best.
To be able to serve a mission i needed to lose 70 lbs because of some physical restrictions. This process was long and very difficult but because i knew it was the right thing to do and i knew that this is something that i needed to do i would have the Lord on my side to help me.. Lo and behold i'm out in the field now and loving it!

Alene answered…

When I was 21, I served as a missionary in Ecuador for 18 months. During my mission, I learned to sacrifice and serve in a way that I had not known before. And my own faith was strengthened as I received answers to prayers and saw the dramatic difference that the gospel can make in people’s lives. Currently, two of my sons are serving two-year missions, one in California and one in Chile. When they were getting ready to leave, people would often say to me, “Two years is such a long time.” “Won’t you miss them?” “That is a huge sacrifice.” It is hard for someone who has not served as a missionary to understand what it's like or why we do it. It may seem an unreasonable burden to have to give up two years of college and pay your own way to knock on doors and face a lot of rejection and misunderstanding. But it's a life changing experience. My two boys are learning things that I never could have taught them. I am astounded at the maturity, spiritual growth, and genuine concern for others that they have developed on their missions. And they are touching lives. Almost every month I receive a phone call or email from someone they have taught or baptized, telling me about the light and happiness that my boys have brought them. What could be better? When I weigh the costs and benefits, a mission is not a sacrifice it’s a privilege and an unbelievable blessing.  

Steven answered…

I served as a missionary for the church in Sacramento, California. I was called to speak Hmong and thus worked very closely with that community for the two years of my mission. I love to see the global outreach of the church and how the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ can change the lives of people from any religious or cultural background.

Many of the Hmong people I met had never heard about Jesus Christ and we had wonderful opportunities to teach and share our beliefs. In addition to teaching lessons to those who were interested and inviting people to join the church through baptism, we were also devoted much of our time to serving the Hmong, Laotian, and Cambodian low-income communities we lived near. This service included free piano lessons, English speaking and writing lessons, as well as Hmong writing lessons for the young Hmong who were not able to read and write in their language.

I learned many things as a missionary. First, God is with us when we seek to love and serve His children. There were so many times when I felt the Holy Spirit guiding me to specific individuals to help them in specific ways. Second, our Heavenly Father wants us all to come closer to Him. Much of the great work that occurs as missionaries is actually helping missionaries to gain a greater conviction of the love our Savior has for each of His children. Finally, I learned that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the single most effective way for people to find lasting peace and joy in this life. Any problem, any difficulty, and trial can be overcome through the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Karla. answered…

There are several ways to serve a mission for the Church. Probably the most common are the young men wearing suits and riding bikes all around town. My oldest son left 17 months ago to serve a mission in Canada. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do was to send him off to a far away place knowing I wouldn't get to see him or talk to him in 2 years! He can send weekly emails and when I see the personal growth in him, it makes it worth every bit of sacrifice on my part!! I know he loves the Lord by the way he serves in his area. His letters inspire me to want to share the gospel with every person I meet!

Chris answered…

The missions of the church.... where do i begin? Well lets start with missionaries; first, I am one. As a missionary, I spend all of my time going around finding people and talking to them about our Savior Jesus Christ and his church. We teach people about how the church can help bring them closer to Christ, and how, through the Preisthood authority (the authority to act in Christ's name), we can be Baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and receive all the other things that we, as children of God, need to be saved from our fallen state. As Missionaries, we also teach people about God's plan for us which answers the questions where did we come from, why are we here, and where are we going? Quite simply, we do our very best to bring the light of Christ to people so that they can feel it and come unto Christ in the manner which he has specified.

This work that we do as missionaries is so amazing and brings so much happiness to everyone, that we can't help but share it with the world, quite literally. These "missions" we talk about are all over the world. For example, there is at least one in every state of the U.S. there are some in Japan, Africa, Austrailia, New Zeland, and in many other contries across the Globe. A mission is a group of missionaries that can range from fifty to hundreds under the leadership of a "president". That president is in charge of all the missionaries who have been called by the lord to serve him. He helps to maintain their spiritual and physical well being and to give them guidence and encouragement on how to best go about their service.

I know that the message that we share is the true word of God, and that any who will hear us and pray about the things we share, can and will know for themselves that this is so. So next time you see some missionaries or they come knocking, let them share with you their message and see for yourself that we are simply spreading the word of God. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Jared answered…

The missions of the church are to help everyone. We offer service to all and we try to help everyone. We also share the gospel with all we meet because we know that it will help them. Even those people who feel that they do not need to learn anymore will learn and know more of the love of God if they would but listen. Everyone needs to hear the glad message that God has given us. I myself am serving as a missionary in the Houston area of Texas, I am also learning Spanish at the same time so that I can help the hispanic community.

Heather Annette answered…

I love missionaries! I had the opportunity in 2007 to serve in the Argentina Resistencia mission. I absolutely loved it. I have such a deep love for the Argentine people and their culture. I met so many wonderful people who I will never forget. I saw so many little miracles each day as a missionary. It was amazing to see people who had been through so much in their lives, people who were once bitter, people who once unsure about a living God ~ come into waters of baptism. It was a blessing to see the Spirit of God change their lives completely. Being a full time missionary changed my life. My testimony of the Gospel and Jesus Christ were strengthened even more than I could ever imagine. I felt the power of God each day as we shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with our brothers and sisters in Argentina. I felt the love God has for EACH of his children. I know missionary work is of God and He wants more than anything for each of his children to come unto Him, to be baptized in His church, and to obey His commandments. It is through Him and His gospel where we can truly find happiness and peace. I am grateful for missionary work throughout the world!

Kolter answered…

Serving a mission is one of the hardest things i have done in my Life! As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we are asked to share the gospel. So we by choice leave or families and friends for two years that we give to the Lord. We put everything off so that we can help others feel and know about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Colton answered…

I had many great experiences on my mission in Oregon. I saw the lives of others change when they listen to the simple message that we have to share. I have come to know Jesus Christ a lot better from my experieces. I understand what rejection feels like, I understand the joy that comes when we see someone choose to follow the Savior, and I understand what happiness is. I could not have said that before my service as a full-time missionary. I understand that God has a specific plan and that I am simply just a tool in his hands. Serving a mission is one of the greatest blessings of being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Paden answered…

During my service as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I truly found who God wants me to be here on earth, and who to become. It was because I was so focused on others and helping them find and live the Gospel, the true source of happiness; that those selfless two years of my life helped me to love others as I've felt of God's love for me, especially through His son Jesus Christ.

Jonathan answered…

This is a great question. Many of you have probably seen Mormon men or women dressed as missionaries with plaques bearing the full name of the Church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Without pay, they go from door to door and offer to preach the restored message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As far as I understand the term, to restore means "to bring back" or "to return something to its original form." The main, important message that missionaries bring to people is that Christ has placed His Church back on the earth again in its original form through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Through direct revelation, God restored the Church in its entirety to Joseph Smith. This includes the authority that Christ gave to His servants, or apostles, while he was on the earth. It also includes all the saving ordinances like baptism and confirmation that we need to "enter in at the straight gate" on our journey back to the presence of Heavenly Father.

From 2005-2007, I had the privilege of being one of these missionaries. I learned Spanish and a Mayan dialect and taught these truths to many people in Guatemala. The people of Guatemala are full of faith, and many of them are in better spiritual shape than I am, but I can tell you that the Spirit testified to them of the truthfulness of this message. Missionaries do not forcibly convert people. It is through gentle promptings that come from the Spirit of the Lord that people become convinced of the truthfulness of the Mormon Church. I have witnessed this process of conversion many times, and it is a wonderful thing.

Brad answered…

One of the central missions are the Church is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all of the world. Members of the Church are encouraged to share what they believe with their friends and family. When young men become 19 years of age, they can become "full-time" missionaries to preach the Gospel in a specific part of the world for a period of two years. This is an extremely important responsibility for all young men, although one could choose not to go. Women, at the age of 21, can also serve as missionaries if they so desire, but are not expected to as are the young men. The call to serve a mission for the Church is given by its leaders through inspiration from God. I was a missionary in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Espirito Santo, Brazil. This experience changed my life. God is our Heavenly Father, and as such, all human beings are brothers and sisters. I learned to have charity, the true love of Christ, and to give all that I could to help others to come unto him.

Andrew Godard answered…

I served a mission for the church in Minnesota. I was assigned to learn Spanish so that I could teach Spanish speakers there. Missionaries voluntarily serve for a year and a half to two years as full time representatives for the church. On my mission, I met with people who were interested in the message we share, taught them about Jesus Christ and His gospel, and assisted various congregations throughout the Minnesota/Wisconsin area.

Millie answered…

I was privileged to serve a full time mission for eighteen months in the Texas Houston South Mission. I'd anticipated serving my whole life, and when I reached the minimum age, (21 for women), I received my call from the prophet of the Lord to serve in that particular mission. All of the south Houston area was split into dozens of different areas, five of which I had opportunity to serve in with various companions, all young women like myself who wanted to serve. We spent every single day of those eighteen months devoted to finding and teaching those who wanted to come closer to Christ and learn about his restored gospel. We had rules to follow that kept us safe and allowed the Holy Ghost to guide our work. I was always worried previous to my mission that I'd feel like a salesman, but I found that when you're "selling" something you really believe in and know will help others, it's easy! Sure it was difficult wearing skirts on bikes in the heat of the summer, not watching t.v. or talking to friends and family on the phone, and having very little (if any) leisure time, but it was the greatest experience of my life!

Alan answered…

The mission of the Church is the mission defined by the Lord: "To bring to pass the immorality and eternal life of man." Within this mission are four dimensions: 1) The preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the world; 2) The perfection of God's children who choose to be baptized and confirmed members of His Church her on earth; 3) The redemption of the dead who did not have the opportunity to receive the gospel in this life; and, 4) Providing for the needs of the poor by helping them acquire the basic needs of sustenance and enthrone in their lives the principles of work, self-reliance, and personal and family preparedness.

No other joy exceeds the joy of watching my family and our Father in Heaven's other children learn, accept and receive the blessings of the gospel and the happiness these bring into our lives. Sharing the gospel, improving daily and helping others improve, seeking these blessings for our ancestors, and having compassion on the poor among us sharing with them our substance and blessings according to their physical and spiritual needs is what Jesus would do, if He were here. Doing what He would do helps us come to know Him better and partake of the abundant life that He came to bring to all of God's children. Its an honor and blessing to follow Him!

Clarence answered…

In December 2008 i had placed an order in for the Joy to World Dvd...and in bout three days i had two missionary girls bring it to me and from that day on my life has been bless learin bout the church and our great prophets....and by doin missionary work....that was has insipered me to serve a mission...and i have my heavenly father to think for that!

Derek answered…

When I was 19 years old I received a call to serve in Novosibirsk, Russia. It was a new mission in Siberia that had started not long after Russia became more open to those from the West. For me it was a dream come true, as I’d been fascinated by Russia from a young age and had even had the rare chance to study the Russian language in High School.

I have many fond memories of the wonderful people of Russia who opened their hearts and homes to us and kept us warm through the cold, dark winters. My favorite memories all stemmed from seeing the change in people’s lives as they accepted the Gospel and became fearless champions of it, even amid a skeptical and largely godless society. Most areas that I served in didn’t have any members when we arrived. It was always clear that the Lord had prepared people well before our arrival, and he had a way of leading us to them either through the direct promptings of the Holy Ghost or through our diligence at knocking on thousands of doors. The joy and appreciation of those who accepted the gospel far outweighed the challenges we encountered of hostile people, separation from family, and the comforts were used to. I still feel privileged to have witnessed the miraculous way in which the Lord introduced the gospel to a people that nobody expected would be able to receive it in my lifetime.

Nicole answered…

I actually got to serve a mission myself in Argentina! I lived there for 18 months and taught people from every walk of life about Jesus Christ and His gospel. I loved it and gained a love for cultures beyond my own. More than anything, I loved seeing people want to be happier and then finding that happiness from the doctrines we taught. No one person can give happiness--weighing all personal joy on a human being can be dangerous. But learning to understand meaning in living will naturally change sentiments. If my husband were to pass away, I would have an understanding beyond just immediate living to help buoy me up, and that's what I taught people--that the meaning of life goes beyond the people living in it now and that living well now will help join us all together in the next.

Weldon answered…

I served a two year mission in Russia almost 20 years ago. All of the greatest blessings in my life have come from that decision to serve the Lord - my success in college and my career, my marriage, my children.

Not only did I learn to be responsible and accountable at a young age, living in a foreign country with adult leaders several hours away by train, but I learned to feel and recognize the influence of the Spirit in all that I did. I focused so much effort in trying to do what the Lord wanted me to do during that time, that I gained a much better understanding of how to involve the Lord in the rest of my life. That lesson of learning to listen to the Spirit has been so helpful as I returned home to finish college, finding a good woman to start a family with, and in the challenges of working and raising our children. I am so grateful for the chance that I had to spend two years volunteering as a missionary to teach people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Fred answered…

As Branch President, I've worked with members, helping them solve problems in their lives. As a fmaily history advisor, I've run a LDS branch family history library. As scoutmaster, I've helped young men set and accomplish goals, and acquire skills.

Mandy answered…

I served in the Russia Samara Mission from 2001 to 2002. It was thrilling to go halfway around the world to a place so different from where I grew up. I shared the gospel, taught English to Russian students of all ages, and served in countless other small ways - cleaning the house of an invalid, helping to prepare for a funeral, being a friend to someone who was sad or lonely, etc. Serving the wonderful people of Russia in both temporal and spiritual ways helped me feel like I was able to do something of use for both the Lord and His children. I quickly came to love the Russian people and their culture. Seeing so many of them embrace the gospel and find peace and joy in it lifted my heart immeasurably. I made so many wonderful friends there. It was also the greatest adventure of my life! I was stalked, interrogated by the Russian military police, and almost kidnapped - all in the first six weeks. But I always felt perfectly safe, knowing the Lord was watching out for me. And I learned that sometimes the trials of life make things a little more interesting - especially when writing letters home.

Rj Javier answered…

Missionary work in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is really important. The church focuses on programs that will spread the gospel letting other know about the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ in this dispensation. Every young man at the age of 19 are commanded to serve a two-year mission for the church. Young women at the age of 21, if they desire, can also serve a year and a half mission. Each are going to be assigned to a specific area. It can be within or outside their own country.
I am grateful that I have become a part of the missionary program of the church. I served my mission in the Philippines Tacloban Mission. There I have learned to speak to different kinds of people and to serve them by sharing the things I know to be true. I developed a deep love to everyone because of my mission. I was taught how to become a good leader, and to become a good servant of the Lord and his people. I will never forget my missionary experience. Now, I am still actively involved in many church activities that will help the church grow and others to know the truth. Although I am not a full time missionary, I still keep my commitment to my Heavenly Father that I will help build his kingdom here on earth.

Justin answered…

Yes. Actually I'm a missionary right now, or I guess I was as I wrote this. I served in Mississippi, Louisianna, Texas, and Arkansas. From Texarkana to Vicksburg, to Picayune. I loved being a missionary. You may wonder why we go on missions in the south, after all the south is a very religious place. Well the reason is very simple, it's all about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We believe that God has called a modern day prophet and restored what was lost with the death of the apostles of the early church. It's a great blessing to be involved in the spreading of the Gospel.

Bryan answered…

I think one of the things that people think about when it comes to Mormons are their missionaries that go around door to door talking about their beliefs. However, there is so much more to the missions of the Church than just door to door teaching. One of the missions of the Church is to help care for the poor and the needy. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a huge Humanitarian Aid Program that helps not only members of the Church but people all over the world. We send food and supplies to countries where natural disasters occur. Such instances have been in the case of Hurricane Katrina, and the earthquake in Haiti. I served a door to door mission for my Church in Ohio and we were encouraged to do community service regularly apart from that. I can never forget for several months as a missionary volunteering at a local food bank and helping give out groceries to those in need. I have also sat in a room with many other people and helped make hygine and supply kits for the Church's Humanitarian Aid to send all over the world.
It is a very important mission of the Church to share our beliefs. After all its members have felt very blessed by the teachings of Christ it contains and they feel that since it has blessed their lives that they know it can bless others. That is why you will see men and women in name tags going door to door. However, it is also important to know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints works hard to not only bring people closer to Christ, but to help people in their temporal and physical need as well. That means that the Church works hard to build up all people, regardless of whether they are and choose to be members of the Church or not.

Dustin answered…

I had the opportunity to serve a 2 year mission in southern Brazil. It was a wonderful opportunity to share the truth of the gospel with God's children in that part of the world. Being able to see people's lives change as they implemented the principles of the church in their homes further strengthened my foundation as a member of the church. It was a great blessing to serve those people.

Esteban answered…

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Melanie answered…

A mission is a time when young adults dedicate 18 months to 2 years of their life to teaching others about the gospel of Jesus Christ. They focus on teaching about when the Church of Jesus Christ was restored through Joseph Smith, Jr. and why the church needed to be restored. They also teach about how our families can live together forever through the gospel of faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then persevering to the end of our lives to live the teachings of Jesus Christ.

I served a mission in Barcelona, Spain. I lived in various cities for 3-6 months and talked to everyone that I met on the street, in the subway, or in their homes. As a missionary, I met with individuals and families in their homes and taught them small lessons explaining the doctrine that Jesus Christ taught and how we can and should those teachings today. I grew to call the people that I taught and served my family.

As a missionary, service of any kind is key. I spent time preparing and teaching English language classes, but I also asked everyone if they needed help with anything from taking out the garbage to moving.

Molly answered…

I served as a missionary in Alabama and I LOVED it! As missionaries we devote 1 ½ or 2 years of our lives to serving the Lord and teaching His gospel. One of the things I love most about that South is the deep love the people have for their Savior, Jesus Christ. At times it is challenging to be a missionary because there are many people who do not want to hear what you have to share. One of the scriptures that helped me when I was a missionary is found in the Book of Mormon in Moroni chapter 7, verse 13; “…that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing that inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.” It reminded me that I was out inviting people to come closer to God, to love Him and serve Him and I was therefore inspired by God. Now that I am back in my life as a “normal person” I strive to continue to act in a way that I can be assured that I am being inspired by God. I continue to do good in the world and bring people closer to God by the way I live.

Ethan answered…

I served a mission in the Italy Milan Mission. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I woke every morning with a sence of pourpose. I was given the oportunity on a daily basis to study the scriptures for several hours. The best part was the oportunity to go out and share the message of the restauration with people. There is nothing more gratifying than seeing people take hold of the gospel message. You can see a light about them as they make changes in their lives as they start living gospel principles. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to give two years of my life in the service of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Charley answered…

missionaries are verry special to me. i love them becaes they bring a message of hope, love, and happyness. many years ago5 i sat down and listend to the missionary disscussions. they tought me to truly pray to listen and to feel. i was able to recive the gosple from them and join the church. since then i have tought with them and helpped them teach others about the true existance of god and the hope he brings. every time i went with them i loved it more and more. now i am a missionary bringing the gift i have recived to others all arround idaho. i love it because i know im helpping the peole come to christ and change there lives. i love misionaries.

Chris answered…

I went on a Spanish speaking mission to the Ventura California Mission. I went because I wanted to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, that He lives, and His church has been restored today through the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. That the priesthood ordinances are here on the earth again. I wanted people to know that Jesus loves them and that we are all children of God.

Dave answered…

I served a full-time mission in Uruguay for two years, at my own expense (several hundred dollars per month). I served about 70 hours per week for two straight years. I taught many people. Some listened, felt the spirit and truthfulness of the gospel and joined the church. Others ridiculed us, threw rocks and trash at us, and shouted profanities. But serving my brothers and sisters in Uruguay, and seeing some of them join the church and being a path that will lead them back to their Heavenly Father with their families really makes the "bad times" not seem as "bad" and the "good times" seem even better.

Ryan answered…

Our mission is to help one another. Life is very difficult, and inside and outside the church we are confused, scared, selfish and seeking direction. Everyone inside and out of the church can add value to accomplishing that. The missions of the church is just a clearer more direct way for me to know what God wants us to do for eachother.

Jonathan answered…

The Church calls full-time missionaries to serve in any of numerous places all over the world. Full-time missionaries are volunteers, and pay their own way. Young men who are worthy and able are expected to serve a mission, and young women who wish to serve as full-time missionaries are permitted to do so as well. Older married couples may also serve as full-time missionaries. A mission is typically eighteen to thirty-six months in length. I myself served in the Michigan Lansing Mission, speaking English. I am from Southern California, so Michigan was very different from what I was accustomed to. I very much enjoyed my mission, including the blizzards and sub-zero temperatures in the Winter months. Serving a mission helped me greatly with understanding and gaining a testimony of the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I learned to love and serve others, and was blessed with being able to teach several people who decided to convert and become members of the Mormon Church. I also helped members of the Church who had fallen into inactivity to become active in the Church again, and spent many, many hours serving others in a number of other ways. Overall I think serving as a full-time missionary for the Mormon Church was one of the best decisions I ever made, and I am extremely grateful to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for allowing me and helping me to serve as a representative of their Church.

Jeff answered…

Church missions have always been a part of the Lord's kingdom on earth. Jesus sent His apostles out to preach the gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people and to rescue the lost sheep.

Missionary work is an integral part of the the overarching mission of the Church, to bring souls to Christ. Our prophets have asked that all worthy and able young men, when 19 or older, serve a full-time mission for the church. Young women can also serve if they choose to do so, but are not under the same mandate as the young men.

I was able to serve a mission in Missouri and Illinois during during 1981-1983. This allowed me to devote my full time and attention to serving the Lord, attempting to serve my fellow men and teach them about the restored gospel of Christ. I had great experiences seeing individuals and families change their lives for the Savior. As a side benefit, I was changed myself. I grew immensely from that experience in knowledge, faith, testimony, and love for God's children.

My wife also served a mission in Houston, Texas and I have appreciated sharing that common experience with her. We in turn have wanted our children to give back to the Lord by participating in missionary work. Our oldest daughter recently returned from Arizona, where she spent 18 months teaching the Latino people in their native Spanish language, the gospel of Jesus Christ and had many rich and fulfilling experiences. Our oldest son has accepted a call to serve in Brazil for the next 2 years and just recently participated in the baptism of one of his good friends prior to his departure to the mission field. Our other children try to be missionaries by sharing their faith and testimonies and invite their friends to participate with them in their church activities, social events, camps and conferences. We look forward to our younger boys serving full-time missions when they turn 19. We have been blessed beyond measure by seeing others accept the message of the gospel.

Amber answered…

Before I met my husband, I had the opportunity to serve a mission for the Church in Ukraine. I wasn't even sure where Ukraine was except I knew it was cold there and I am not good in the cold! But, I knew I had been called by a Prophet of the Lord and so off I went for 18 months. While there, I had so many amazing experiences. I can't relay them all. I became a world traveler, I learned another language, and I got to make some really exceptional, lifelong friends. I got to use my talents to arrange and perfom operatic concerts. And, best of all, I got to bring people to Christ through baptism and improve their lives with the Gospel.

Ann answered…

I served a mission in Southern California and loved getting to know the people there. I found that there were many cultures and ethnicities while I lived there for a year and a half. I grew to love the people that I shared the gospel with and my knowledge of the scriptures was challenged by discussing topics with others who were of different faiths. I loved those people too because they were willing to listen to what I had to say and for the most part, we both had a love for the Savior. People respected what we were doing and the lives we lived. Missionaries have no contact with family except for letters while they are on their mission and members of the church fed us almost every night. It was amazing to have people who we just met take care of us while we away from home. I loved them for that.

C. Watson, Jr answered…

I was blessed to be called to serve in the heart of Mesoamerica...Guatemala. The people of Guatemala are beautiful and wonderful. They are hungry for truth and, when prepared by the Spirit to receive it, will grab hold of it with both hands and never let go. The promises in the Book of Mormon to the people of Latin America are sure and are being fulfilled every hour. I feel privileged to have been a part of making those promises a reality.

Ryan answered…

Members who volunteer for missionary work are sent all over the world to provide service to the areas they serve. Missions are traditionally 18-24 months long, but some are shorter depending upon the purpose and the age of those that serve. The service provided on missions, vary from place to place depending upon the needs of the area and the talents each missionary possess. By providing service, the giver and receiver are both benefited bringing them closer together with a deeper love for one another.

I was honored to serve a mission in the Mississippi/Louisiana states. For two years I was able to leave my family, college studies, employment and all other aspects of my life while I served people of the south. I was able to help many people find more happiness in their life and also mine in kind. It was a time that I was fortunate to have and long for a time when I can return to do it again.