Frequently Asked Questions

Who Should Serve|Types of Missions

Should I serve a mission?

The Lord asks every worthy, able young man to prepare for and serve a mission. For Latter-day Saint young men, missionary service is a priesthood responsibility (see Doctrine and Covenants 36:1, 4–7).

The Lord also welcomes worthy, able young women to serve missions if they desire. For young women, a mission is a powerful, but optional, opportunity. Preparing for a mission will bless a young woman whether she decides to serve as a missionary or not. “Pray to know if the Lord would have you serve a mission, and the Holy Ghost will respond to your heart and mind” (Russell M. Nelson, “Preaching the Gospel of Peace,” Liahona, April 2022).

Senior missionaries are also needed and invited to serve (see General Handbook, 24.0).

For the most recent prophetic guidance on this question, see “Preaching the Gospel of Peace” by President Russell M. Nelson.

Are there different types of missions?

Yes. Young missionaries and senior missionaries can serve either proselyting or service missions. Whichever type of mission you serve, the Lord is pleased with your sacrifice in helping to gather Israel. In his general conference address “Preaching the Gospel of Peace,” President Russell M. Nelson stated: “You are each vital to the Lord. He has held you in reserve until now to help gather Israel. Your decision to serve a mission, whether a proselyting or a service mission, will bless you and many others. We also welcome senior couples to serve when their circumstances permit. Their efforts are simply irreplaceable.”

Visit the young service missionary website and senior missionary website to learn more about these opportunities.

Preparing to Serve

How can I best prepare spiritually to be a missionary?

Preparing spiritually for a mission includes strengthening your conversion to Jesus Christ and His restored gospel (see General Handbook, 24.3.1). Preach My Gospel chapter 5 states: “The Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, is your most powerful resource in conversion. It provides powerful evidence for the divinity of Christ. … As a missionary, you must first have a personal testimony that the Book of Mormon is true.”

Commit to study the Book of Mormon daily to strengthen your testimony of its divine power and truths. You should also become familiar with Preach My Gospel, especially chapters 1 and 3.

To learn how to be a missionary, you could share the gospel with a friend, go to teaching appointments with the full-time missionaries, or ask recently returned missionaries about their experiences in the mission field. For additional ideas on how to “love, share, and invite” others to come unto Christ, explore these resources to help members share the gospel, as well as Elder Gary E. Stevenson’s April 2022 general conference address, “Love, Share, and Invite.”

How can I best prepare emotionally to be a missionary?

How will I pay for my mission?

When should I receive the temple endowment?

What exactly will I need? Is a list provided?

Submitting Your Papers|Receiving Your Call

When should I begin my missionary service?

How do I start the recommendation process?

How early can I submit my missionary papers?

How are missionaries called?

Every young teaching missionary is called to serve by the President of the Church. A specific mission assignment is given by revelation to an Apostle (see General Handbook, 24.2). Learn more by reading “The Divine Call of a Missionary,” Elder Ronald A. Rasband’s April 2010 general conference address, and “Called to the Work,” Elder David A. Bednar’s April 2017 general conference address.

What to Expect on Your Mission

What will my missionary training center (MTC) experience be like?

As a missionary in the MTC, you will participate in guided instruction and personal and companion study. You will also have dedicated time for meals, exercise, and temple attendance.

For most missionaries, the MTC experience now includes at-home training and on-site training at one of the 10 MTCs worldwide. When you receive your mission call, you will receive specific instructions regarding your MTC experience on the Missionary Portal and in your call packet. To learn more about what to expect during the at-home portion of your training, see these frequently asked questions.

What is a typical day like for a missionary in a proselyting mission?

How will I communicate with family and friends?

Additional Questions

I have additional questions about missionary service. Who can best answer them?