Finding the One
If a young person was previously released some time ago, can they now be reconsidered for a service mission?
Yes. The stake president sends an email to reinstatements@ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
What is the role of the Development Counselor? Which missionaries have an assigned Development Counselor?
The Development Counselor's role is to assist the missionary's vocational development. They may be called upon at any point during the mission but are assigned to make contact with the missionary 90 days prior to release to offer assistance. The DC has a battery of standardized tests to help in the process.
All SMs have an assigned Development Counselor.
May an early-return missionary who is reassigned to be a service missionary ever return to being a proselyting missionary?
No. It's a one-way street. Service missionaries are never reassigned/transferred/called to a proselyting mission.
Do SMLs need to act upon email notifications from Church training departments, such as ourstandardsofconduct@ChurchofJesusC hrist.org.
Yes. As members of the Church’s “mixed workforce,” SMLs are requested to take the listed on-line courses. The courses are important, instructive, and brief.
What are the guidelines for service missionary travel and family activities?
Missionaries are not limited to a specific geographic area. If parents feel there is a significant need for the missionary to participate with the family in a vacation, they should counsel with their SML couple.
What is “as close to full-time as their circumstances allow”? Who determines this?
The stake president ultimately makes this determination, based on information provided by the SML, medical professionals, parents, and the missionary. The default is for service missionaries to serve for “up to” 18/24 months, unless the stake president determines otherwise.
How can SMLs find which Development Counselor is assigned to each service missionary?
• SMLs have access, via the Portal, to the DCS Service Missionary Cross Reference List.
• Additionally, SMLs may inquire via email to SMDCS@ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
• Finally, on the missionary's record in the SM System, under Review Opportunities, the assigned development counselor is often listed in one of the general notes.
Are assignments to work in the temple stake assignments? With whom do SMLs need to coordinate?
1. Assignments for service missionaries to serve as temple patrons are approved by the stake president. (These are entered into the SM System as “Stake Assigned,” and then, a description of each assignment is entered in the “Comments” field.)
2. Assignments for service missionaries to serve as temple workers (i.e., ordinance, baptistry, initiatory, laundry, cafeteria, grounds) need to be coordinated in advance with the temple presidency or recorder. (These individual assignment types are found in the SM system list under the name of the temple.)
What expenses related to SML roles are reimbursable by the Church?
1. Personal miles used in performance of SML responsibilities.
2. Office supplies (paper, postage, envelopes, and toner/ink cartridges).
3. Travel mileage, meals, and hotels in support of SML responsibilities away from the SML’s home town/city. (For longer trips, SMLs may use a rental car, if they so choose.)
4. Expenses related to missionary gatherings and activities For expenses related to travel and missionary gatherings, please provide advanced notice to the Support Adviser couple. This is not advance approval, but it provides the opportunity to provide guidance, if needed.
How should a service missionary adjust his/her lifestyle while on the mission?
Anything that detracts from the Spirit should be avoided. Receiving a call from the prophet implies a level of sacrifice and consecration that become the guiding principle. Please refer to the Service Missionary Handbook, p. 19.
Where it appears highly likely that a prospective new candidate would be assigned as a service missionary, are all the medical exams still required in the missionary application process?
Yes. This provides an objective, consistent basis for all missionary applicants, which allows the Missionary Department to conduct the necessary rigorous screening and evaluation process. This is especially important for those who will be assigned as service missionaries, to permit their service mission leaders to better support them on their mission. Priesthood leaders and supporting Service Mission Leaders should assist any candidates or parents who have concerns about the impact of the application process. They can do this by answering questions, helping alleviate concerns and potential misconceptions, and finding ways to make the process more manageable for the new candidate.
For reassigned missionaries, who decides when a missionary is sufficiently stable to serve?
The stake president makes the decision, based on inspiration, advice from professionals, parents, and the SML Couple
How should SMLs respond if a community organization does not want service missionaries to wear name badges while serving there?
SMLs should seek to understand why they are concerned about the badges, then explore with them ways to resolve their concerns. It may be helpful to offer that these service missionaries have grown up looking forward to serving the Lord as a missionary and wearing the name badge. If the organization’s concerns are not resolved, patience in laying the foundation of Christ-like service may prompt moving forward without the missionary badges.
What if a desired Church operation needed for a service missionary assignment is not in the drop-down list in the SM System?
Contact your support advisor to request it to be added to the list. All Church operations are approved and require no vetting.
May service missionaries join the local proselyting missionaries in their meetings and conferences?
No. Service missionaries and proselyting missionaries should meet independently from each other. Moreover, service missionary gatherings should not include proselyting missionaries. Also, service missionaries should not attend zone conferences or mission conferences sponsored by mission presidents, with the exception of a service missionary whose assignment is in the mission office, where the assignment includes supporting such meetings.
May a temple-worthy young man/woman serve a service mission if he/she was previously not permitted to serve a proselyting mission due to a past worthiness issue?
Yes, if the past worthiness issue was not among the categories of transgressions that permanently disqualify a person from serving any type of mission.
Are SMLs required to report on the health and well-being of service missionaries?
Yes, a monthly Functional Assessment report is required. Each missionary is ranked 1-4 or T where 1=Good to Excellent, 2=Acceptable, 3=Borderline, 4=Limited Function, T=Too early to assess.
May a proselyting missionary who plans to return to his/her mission after an extensive period of rehabilitation serve a service mission during the rehabilitation period at home?
No. However, the missionary may serve as a volunteer during this period and the local SML couple may assist in finding a service opportunity. Such a volunteer is not tracked in the SM systems. He/she may participate with service missionaries in missionary gatherings and activities.
May a stake president call a member to be a mentor to a service missionary to provide local support?
Yes, in coordination with the SML. The calling and setting apart of that person would be the stake president’s responsibility. This “Stake Service Mission Specialist” can also help in other ways with service missionary work in the stake.
If the home life is not good for a service missionary, could he or she live elsewhere while serving?
When a missionary is assigned to be a service missionary, he or she may live with parents, guardians, or family members in the local community where they will serve.
Can a service missionary keep a job or attend school while on their mission?
No, unless the education or work is non-elective (as required for some government funding programs or as needed for prescribed therapy), in terms of the missionary's therapy or development, and the stake president is inspired that such would be a necessary modification to the missionary's assignment plan.
Where can I find the publication Adjusting to Missionary Life?
Is there a counterpart publication, Adjusting to Service Missionary Life?
The Adjusting to Missionary Life publication is available on the Gospel Library app on iPhones and Android smart phones.
The Adjusting to Service Missionary Life publication is under development. To view a draft copy, contact your service advisor.
What should be the length of a service mission?
The missionary's call letter reads "You will serve for a period of up to [18/24] months." Under inspiration, you and the missionary's stake president should counsel together and fit the mission length to the capacity of the missionary.
What four key statistics (i.e. "service missionary measurements") are SMLs to report each month?
1. No. of missionaries successfully completing their weekly assignments.
2. No. of missionaries receiving weekly contacts by Service Mission Leaders.
3. No. of missionaries who met with their priesthood leader (e.g. stake president or bishop) during the current quarter.
4. No. of missionaries who completed their assignment mission term this month.
May a service missionary:
- Date?
- Go swimming?
- Attend a YSA dance?
Dating - no.
Swimming - yes.
Attend YSA dance - no.