When most people think about Mormon missionaries – they think of two clean-cut young men in suit and ties, walking or biking down the sidewalk.  Or knocking at their door.  This isn’t an inaccurate picture so much as an incomplete one.  Not all missionaries are male and not all missionaries are young.  Women go on missions, too, as do older couples (although missions for older couples are more varied).  But all missionaries share this in common: they have all left behind their homes, careers, relationships, and families to serve the Lord for a period of eighteen months to two years. 

Mormon missionaries always travel in pairs – every missionary has a companion.  Their day starts early, at 6:30 A.M.  They wake up early to allow themselves time for gospel study, both together and privately, and prayer . . . as well as breakfast.  The missionary companionship leaves their apartment at 9:30 A.M.  This is when the work begins – and does not end until 9:30 at night, aside from breaks for lunch and dinner.  Mormon missionaries are best known for going door to door, looking for people interested in their message, although they may also preach in public places, if possible.  Another part of the day of a Mormon missionary is visiting those individuals or families who expressed interest earlier and made appointments with the missionaries to learn more.  In these visits, the Mormon missionaries teach lessons (also called “discussions”) about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Because the Mormons place great importance on the family, appointments with families are often made when the entire family can be together to listen.

Mormon missionaries do usually travel by biking or walking.  Driving is comparatively rare.  Their missionary work spans six days a week, twelve hours a day – including Sunday.  They receive one day off to do laundry, shop, write letters to family and friends, and play appropriate games with other missionaries.  They also spend several hours a week in community service.  Twice a year (on Christmas and Mother’s Day), they are allowed to call home.

Mormon missionaries are not paid clergy – the Mormon Church has no paid clergy.   Missionaries pay their own way and may have saved up for years to go on their mission – although many are helped financially by their families as well.  Likewise, Mormon missionaries are not trained beyond a few weeks in one of the 17 Missionary Training Centers placed around the world.  In these training centers, they learn how to preach and teach to strangers.  Often (depending on where they are sent), they learn a foreign language as well. 

To go on a Mormon mission, a young man of at least 19 or a young woman of at least 21 must submit their name to the Bishop, to show that they want to serve.  They are interviewed to make certain they’re keeping the commandments and have a testimony of Jesus Christ and His Church.  After the interview, the would-be missionary’s name is submitted to Church headquarters in Salt Lake City.  Church leaders pray over both the names and the needs of the Church in various areas.  The would-be missionaries are assigned, then, to “Missions,” which are situated all over the world.  This assignment is also referred to as a “call.”  (As in, “I’ve been called to Minnesota” or “I’ve been called to Japan.”  The call is a source of great anticipation and excitement for a prospective missionary.  When the letter comes in from Salt Lake City, the entire family often gathers around to see where the young man or woman is going.)

Young men usually serve for twenty four months, young women eighteen.  Once in the mission field, male missionaries take on the title Elder, female missionaries Sister. 

There are over 55,000 missionaries, male and female, in 165 countries.