young man smiling

To the Mentor

You have been assigned to help a recently released missionary successfully transition from life as a service missionary to post-mission life. Released missionaries have had many experiences while serving that have taught them how to live principles such as faith in Jesus Christ, hard work, diligence, and service. As a mentor your role is to help this released missionary continue to live these principles.

During the last few weeks of their mission, missionaries take an online course called My Plan for Service Missionaries. As part of this course they set goals and make plans that they will act on once they have been released as missionaries. After the missionaries complete the course, a copy of the plan is sent to their service mission leaders, stake president, and bishop. This plan includes:

• Developing a one-year vision for their future.

• Setting goals and making plans for how they will develop spiritually, serve others, gain an education, secure employment, and date and prepare for temple marriage.

As a mentor your primary responsibilities are to:

• Love, listen to, and support the missionary during this challenging transition.

• Help the released missionary work toward achieving the goals in his or her plan, concentrating on the areas most relevant to him or her, such as pursuing formal education, finding a trade to support oneself and one’s family, or dating to find a spouse.

• Meet with the released missionary as needed and discuss the topics in this guide.

To start fulfilling your responsibilities as a mentor, ask the released missionary for a copy of his or her plan and determine a time and place to meet so you can review together the My Plan topics provided in this guide. You are encouraged to provide regular support to the released missionary and to contact him or her either in person or through text messages, phone calls, or social media.

When you meet to discuss one of the following topics, begin and end with prayer. Take turns reading aloud the content under the heading “Read.” Then discuss the questions, complete the activities, and extend the invitations using the guidance of the Spirit and your best judgment. This guide is meant to be flexible. Instead of following the outline exactly, tailor each meeting to the needs of the released missionary.