2

Service Missionary Organization and Activities

2.0

Introduction

The Lord said, “Ye shall organize yourselves and appoint every man [and woman] his [or her] stewardship” (Doctrine and Covenants 104:11). This section describes the mission organization. It also explains how you can best serve others with the pure love of Christ as you participate in service missionary assignments and activities (see Moroni 7:44–47).

Note: In this handbook the terms stake president, bishop, stake, and ward also apply to district presidents, branch presidents, districts, and branches, respectively.

2.1

Mission Leadership

As a missionary, your most important responsibility is to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. You will be blessed as you follow the counsel from your leaders and as you develop loving relationships with them.

2.1.1

Mission Leaders

Your mission president and his wife serve together as your mission leaders. They are called of God and set apart to lead the mission. Together they love and serve you, help you fulfill your purpose as a missionary, and help you keep yourself safe and happy.

Your mission president sets the spiritual and behavioral expectations of your mission. He also approves a custom missionary experience for your service. He works closely with service missionary advisers in doing this.

Your mission leaders and service missionary advisers share many responsibilities for the mission. They work together in counsel to:

• Support and encourage you.

• Listen to your concerns.

• Answer your questions.

• Assess your progress.

• Give you counsel.

• Help you grow spiritually.

When you have an interview with your mission president or one of his counselors, you may invite your parents, guardians, or service missionary advisers to be present.

2.1.2

Service Missionary Advisers

Your service missionary advisers serve together as co-leaders under the direction of your mission president. They are called of God and set apart to lead the service missionaries in your assigned area. Together they love you, serve you, and help you fulfill your purpose as a missionary. Working closely with your mission president, service missionary advisers:

• Help identify opportunities for you to give Christlike service.

• Help develop your customized missionary schedule and assignments.

• Meet with you weekly.

• Assess and support your progress in your service and as a disciple of Christ.

• Support and encourage you.

• Listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and give counsel.

• Use inspiration and revelation to help you succeed as a missionary.

In summary, service missionary advisers have the day-to-day responsibility to work with you to help you have a life-changing mission experience. These leaders can help you grow as a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ.

When you meet weekly with your service missionary advisers, you may invite your parents or an on-site support supervisor to be present.

2.1.3

Stake President and Bishop

Because you are a member of a ward and stake, your bishop and stake president have priesthood responsibility for you.

Your bishop and stake president are responsible for worthiness interviews. Because your bishop and stake president hold priesthood keys, they act as common judges. Serious sins (such as sexual transgression) should be confessed to your bishop and when necessary your stake president, rather than your mission president. Be completely honest with your bishop. He loves you and will help you experience the joy of repentance (see Mosiah 26:29–30).

At the end of your mission, your stake president will release you and thank you for your missionary service.

2.1.4

Service Missionary Leadership Organization

Your mission president and service missionary advisers use inspiration to organize the work. They may assign missionaries to be leaders to other service missionaries. You may also be asked to lead or provide training in your operation or community assignments.

2.1.5

Responsibilities of Young Missionary Leaders

Depending on your mission circumstances, you may have young missionary leaders that include zone leaders, sister training leaders, and district leaders. Like all missionaries, they follow the counsel of Jesus Christ to “serve [God] with all [their] heart, might, mind and strength.” These leaders “remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence” (Doctrine and Covenants 4:2, 6).

Leadership assignments do not indicate special recognition or advancement. Nor do they reflect the worth of a missionary.

Missionary leaders have the responsibility to:

• Set an example as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

• Set an example of missionary standards for behavior (see section 3).

• Help train other missionaries as directed by the mission president or service missionary advisers.

• Love and befriend other missionaries.

• Help other missionaries recognize the value of their efforts.

• Listen to other missionaries’ concerns and share needs with service missionary advisers.

• Account for their leadership duties to the service missionary advisers.

• Help organize and conduct conferences, meetings, and activities under the direction of the mission president or service missionary advisers.

Elders and sisters with leadership assignments should lead as the Savior would. If the conduct of any missionary, including missionary leaders, seems inconsistent with the commandments and missionary standards, discuss this with your service missionary advisers only. Do not discuss it with other missionaries, parents or guardians, or friends.

2.1.6

Personal Responsibilities

“Magnify [your] office unto the Lord” (Jacob 1:19). Learn to become spiritually self-reliant, and “act for [yourself]” by trusting the Lord and following the Spirit (2 Nephi 2:16).

• When you have questions or concerns, apply the teaching to “study it out in your mind; then … ask me if it be right” (Doctrine and Covenants 9:8).

• Seek guidance through personal revelation, prayer, study of the scriptures (especially the Book of Mormon), the teachings of living prophets, and the service missionary standards.

Talk with your bishop or stake president about worthiness issues. Talk with your service missionary advisers about immediate safety concerns, such as assault, abuse, or other issues.

There may be times during your mission when you find it difficult to focus on your service assignment due to current challenges, personal or family matters, or past experiences. Do not hesitate to share your concerns with your service missionary advisers, stake president, or mission president.

Remember the Savior’s invitation: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:36–37).

2.2

Serving Together

From time to time, you may be assigned with other service missionaries to the same location. You may also be assigned to accompany teaching missionaries in teaching visits. As missionaries serving together, you should:

• Become united in the work and serve as the Savior would.

• Support each other’s spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.

• Be mindful of each other’s safety.

• Be accountable to each other in keeping service missionary standards.

2.2.1

Companions

Your mission president or service missionary advisers may assign companionships to improve structured gospel study and social interaction during your mission. Companions may be assigned across service missionary areas, in teaching visits, at service locations, or for special service activities.

Always remember the following as you interact with other missionaries:

• Love, respect, and strengthen other missionaries.

• Be humble and recognize the strengths in each other.

• Treat each other as you would like to be treated.

• Recognize the good in other missionaries.

• Avoid criticism and contention.

• Avoid speaking negatively about each other to other service missionaries, Church members, or family and friends.

If you notice any inappropriate situations or behavior, discuss it with your service missionary advisers.

2.3

Meetings, Conferences, and Councils

Meetings, conferences, and councils should invite the Spirit of the Lord and be a time for seeking revelation (see Doctrine and Covenants 6:32). Gathering as missionaries also provides you the opportunity to support each other and rejoice together (see Doctrine and Covenants 43:8; 50:22).

As missionaries, you counsel together as you give and receive training. You also counsel together as you plan and coordinate your service with leaders and other missionaries.

Missionary meetings are held under the direction of your mission president and service missionary advisers. Regular meetings you may attend include:

• Zone conferences.

• District meetings.

• Weekly or monthly meetings.

• Mission leadership councils.

2.4

Assignments and Schedule

Be faithful and diligent in following your missionary assignments and schedule.

2.4.1

Customized Assignments

You are called as a missionary by the Lord. He asks that you serve with all your heart, might, mind, and strength (see Doctrine and Covenants 4:2).

You are assigned to serve in a customized mission experience uniquely chosen for your talents, abilities, and gifts. During your mission, you may serve in multiple assignments. These may include approved charitable organizations, Church operations, temples, teaching visits with teaching missionaries, and stake-assigned service opportunities.

You may serve in more than one place during the week. At each location, you will report to a supervisor who will provide the training, tools, and support you need to fulfill your responsibilities.

Arrive at your assignment on time and prepared to serve well. Be reliable and dependable. Follow directions from your supervisors carefully and completely.

Do your best to contribute to the Lord’s work in meaningful ways. Be a positive and uplifting influence on those with whom you serve and interact. Work safely, and always try to improve.

2.4.2

Assignment Transfers

Working closely together, your mission president and service missionary advisers may adjust your service assignments during your mission.

2.4.3

Daily Schedule

Working closely together, your service missionary advisers, with input from you, will create a daily missionary schedule. Your mission president will approve the schedule. It may include assignments and activities in the following areas of development:

• Spiritual

• Social

• Physical

• Intellectual

Be consistent and reliable in following your daily missionary schedule. This will bring you greater growth, joy, and spiritual blessings during your missionary service.

Your daily schedule may include:

• Setting and reviewing your service missionary goals.

• Preparing for and completing your assignments each day.

• Studying the scriptures (especially the Book of Mormon), teachings of the living prophets and apostles, Adjusting to Service Missionary Life, relevant sections of Preach My Gospel, and other approved resources (see 2.4.5).

2.4.4

Sample Daily Schedule

Work with your service missionary advisers to make a general written schedule. Include your time at assignments and the times when you use your agency to determine how you will serve, improve, and grow (called “agency hours”). Identify a day each week as your preparation day. Review and follow your plan each day.

The daily schedule for your mission may look something like the following example:

Morning
[start time]	Rise and pray.
[start time]	Exercise for 30 minutes. (Consult with your health care professional about what is best for your physical health and circumstances.)
[start time]	Shower, eat breakfast, and finish preparations for the day.
[start time]	Take part in devotional or gospel study.
[start time]	Report to your assignment on time. (Attend a prayer meeting or devotional before your service if one is scheduled.)
Afternoon
[start time]	Eat lunch.
[start time]	Serve until your assignment time is completed.
Evening
[start time]	Eat dinner.
[start time]	Follow your personal activities plan from your daily schedule. This should include an hour of personal gospel study. It may also include temple attendance, institute classes, young single adult (YSA) activities, and family chores.
[start time]	Record your feelings and special experiences in your journal.
[start time]	Prepare for bed. Pray and go to bed.

Even when you are not serving at your assigned location, you are still a missionary. Your conduct, thoughts, and actions should reflect this and your devotion to Jesus Christ.

2.4.5

Study Sessions with Other Service Missionaries

Where possible and as approved by your service missionary advisers, study with another service missionary. Someone may be assigned to you by your mission president or service missionary advisers. Studying with another missionary is normally done virtually. However, you can study in person when circumstances allow.

Focus on the scriptures (especially the Book of Mormon), the teachings of living prophets, Adjusting to Service Missionary Life, relevant sections of Preach My Gospel, and this handbook. These approved resources can strengthen your knowledge and testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and help you prepare to meet the needs of those you serve.

2.5

Events, Activities, and Preparation outside of Service Assignments

Your missionary schedule should include a preparation day each week. On preparation day, attend to your personal and family needs. These may include chores at home, medical appointments, family time, and appropriate wholesome recreation. Preparation day is a time to “organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even … a house of order” (Doctrine and Covenants 109:8).

Remember the Lord’s timely warnings: “Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength” (Doctrine and Covenants 10:4). “Retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:124). Taking breaks to rest and prepare yourself will help sustain your ability to serve others and fulfill your missionary purpose.

2.6

Sabbath-Day Activities

Plan activities on the Sabbath that help you fulfill your missionary purpose to help others come unto Christ through Christlike service. Remember the Lord’s teachings about the Sabbath day in Doctrine and Covenants 59:13–19.

Working with your service missionary advisers, your local priesthood leaders may give you a ward or stake calling that enhances your mission experience. You may also serve as a ministering brother or sister.

2.7

Service in the Community

“Ye are the light of the world. … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16). One way to learn to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ is by serving as He did. Your service missionary advisers will help identify opportunities for you to serve others in the community (see Mosiah 2:17).

Serve with a sincere desire to help others without any expected outcomes. Through your Christlike service, you demonstrate your love for God and His children.

Certain assignments require additional training or supervision. Unless the charitable organization in which you are serving has submitted a specific training plan to your service missionary advisers, you should not engage in any of the following restricted activities:

• Interacting with children or vulnerable adults

• Operating machines, equipment, or vehicles

• Handling any cash or valuables

• Providing a professional opinion

Always remember, do not proselyte while you are serving in charitable organizations.