Preparing to Serve as a Mormon Missionary

Preparing to be a Mormon missionary starts at a young age. There are specific requirements that must be met by young men and women or senior missionaries before they can serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These requirements include active participation in the Church, worthiness to enter the temple, obedience to the Word of Wisdom, and moral cleanliness.

When a worthy young man reaches the age of 19 or a young woman age 21 they can become a Mormon missionary for the Mormon Church. For men a mission is a two year commitment and for women a year and a half. Mission lengths vary for older couples and senior missionaries depending on the type of mission they serve. 

When a prospective Mormon missionary submits an application to the Church members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles review it. They then through divine revelation assign the missionary to a specific mission. 

Before serving as a Mormon missionary men are given the Melchizedek priesthood, which is the power of God. This enables them to act in the name of God and perform all necessary ordinances. When possible young men and women are both encouraged to attend a Mormon temple and receive their endowments.

Mormon missionaries are expected to pay for their mission through their own funds and with the help of family and friends. The cost for every Mormon missionary, regardless of where they serve, as of 2006 is $400 a month, which covers all necessary expenses. If a Mormon missionary cannot cover the amount they can receive help from their local congregation or general Church fund.

A Mormon missionary begins his/her mission in one of almost two-dozen missionary training centers. If a missionary is speaking their native language they spend three to four weeks being trained in how to teach and use the proselytizing materials, as well as proper conduct. Emphasis is placed upon personal scripture study and prayer. Mormon missionaries who are learning a different language spend eight to ten weeks in a missionary training center. The largest MTC is in Provo, Utah. 

Mormon missionaries are required to dress, look, and act a certain way. Men are required to wear white shirts and ties and have their hair cut short. Women wear dresses or skirts and are asked to maintain a neat and comely appearance. Both men and women wear nametags identifying them as missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All Mormon missionaries are required to obey certain rules while on their mission including no inappropriate contact with members of the opposite sex, no media unless Church authorized, and staying with their assigned companion.

For more information about Mormon missionaries visit the sites below:

Mormon Missionaries - LDS.About.com

LDS Mission Network

Mormon Missionary - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

DearElder.com - A fantastic way to write your LDS Missionary

Columbia News Service: A Token Sermon: Manhattan Mormon Missionaries

Mormon Missionary Work - Lightplanet

Mormon Missionary: Information from Answers.com

Mormon Missionaries - AboutMormonism.com

LDS Missions.com