Come, Follow Me

Called of the Lord

Doctrine and Covenants 77–80

article on missionary callings

Like Jared Carter and Stephen Burnett (see Doctrine and Covenants 79 and 80), modern missionaries also need a witness that they are called of the Lord.

Thousands of missionaries had their mission calls changed because of the coronavirus. For example, Curtis and Ramona Miller were reassigned to a different mission because of the virus. They testified: “We have a strong testimony that it does not matter where we serve but that we are willing to serve. As we allow the Savior’s hand to guide our life, He qualifies us for this work.”

Jared Carter (1801–49)

• Baptized by Hyrum Smith in 1831 in Colesville, New York.

• Preached in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Vermont in 1831 and 1832.

• Went to Hiram, Ohio, to ask Joseph Smith what the will of the Lord was for him.

• Joseph Smith received a revelation directing him to preach again in the eastern United States (see Doctrine and Covenants 79).

Stephen Burnett (1813–85)

• Baptized by John Murdock in 1830 in Warrensville, Ohio.

• Ordained a high priest at age 17.

• Appointed to preach with Eden Smith (see Doctrine and Covenants 80:2), but Eden became ill.

• Began his mission instead with Eden’s father, John Smith.

Curtis and Ramona Miller

• Looking at options on the Church’s senior missionary website, the Millers selected eight possible locations—most of which were in Polynesia and Europe.

• Their call came to serve in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

• They would need to learn French.

• After three and a half months in Africa, the Millers were reassigned to serve in Georgia, USA, because of COVID-19.