The Financial Costs of Senior Missions-and the Tender Mercies that Make Them Possible For some senior couples contemplating missions, financial costs may be an intimidating factor. Unlike the younger single missionaries who pay one single cost no matter where they are sent, senior couples pay the full cost of their mission depending on where they go. Because every mission has its own individual cost, this can be a confusing unknown for the prospective missionary couple. A crucial and comforting fact to remember is that the couple will state on their missionary recommendation the monthly amount of money that they have available. This will be taken into account as they are assigned their mission. They may be assigned a mission where the costs are less than they put on their application, but never will they be assigned a mission where the costs are more than their available amount. The Church missionary website says, ” No calls will be issued that are inconsistent with the health, safety or financial capability of the missionary .” Costs for missions throughout the world vary widely. There are still a few places in the world where costs are below $1,000 per month. These include some missions in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines and places such as the Buenos Aires Temple, the Johannesburg Temple and the Mexico City Temple Missions. In contrast the most expensive mission in the world currently is the England London South Mission at $3,500 per month. Other missions throughout the world that are $3,000 or more include Bermuda ($5,000) Cyprus, Angola, Russia Moscow, Scotland Edinburgh, Spain Barcelona, Switzerland, Zurich, the Asian Area Office, Cote D’ivoire Abidjan, Ireland Dublin, Italy Milan and Tahiti Pupeete among other places. Missions within the USA that cost $3,000 or more per month include specific California locations, the Florida Ft. Lauderdale Mission, and the New York New York South Mission at $4,000 per month . Other missions throughout the world fall between the ranges of $1,000 and $3,000 per month. The Church website states: ” The costs include apartment rental, utilities, and food and transportation. These costs DO NOT include prescriptions, tithing, fast offerings, long distance calls, cell phones, automobile expenses, personal care items, apartment set-up costs, etc. As couples begin computing their financial capabilities for missions, sweet tender mercies often occur. Just as tithe payers often have miraculous experiences as they faithfully pay tithing even in impossible circumstances, so those who are willing to serve the Lord on missions will find that funds become available and that they are blessed in amazing ways if they will prayerfully seek guidance as to how they can best fund their missions. Mike and Jackie Richardson from Florence, Oregon, give a wonderful example of how they were financially directed by Heavenly Father. While they were on their first mission which was a proselyting mission to Bahia Blanca, Argentina , Jackie had the strong impression that they should sell their home in Juneau, Alaska. Jackie states, “I resisted the impression for many months, not wanting to leave my beloved home. I resisted so strongly that I was finally feeling like the Spirit was pounding on me continually. Finally, I asked my husband if he was getting the same impression. He said that he was, so I resigned myself to the reality that we were going to sell our home and move someplace else. And the pounding from the Spirit was gone in an instant.” As the Richardsons returned from their mission to their home in Alaska in 2005 they began the process of applying to go on another mission because the first one had been so satisfying. They also began emptying their six bedroom home of thirty years. Giving away most of their belongings, they packed what was left in a U-Haul truck and stored it in a 10×10 unit in Oregon. They sold their home in Alaska, signing the final papers on the day they entered the MTC to go on their second mission, a humanitarian mission to Turkey. As they served this mission they decided that Florence, Oregon would be their new home when they returned. They returned from Turkey in 2008 and bought a home in Florence. Jackie describes the miracle that the Lord directed in their life: “We were told by the Lord to sell our home in Alaska in 2005 (a seller’s market). Then we bought our new home with the cash we had gotten from the sale of that home in 2008 (a buyer’s market). If we had not heeded the promptings of the Spirit we would now be sitting in Alaska trying to sell a home that we no longer needed. Instead, we now own a home and do not have to worry about a mortgage or monthly payments. What a great blessing that is!” The Richardsons are now in Arequipa, Peru serving their third mission. Another couple (who prefer not to be named) began having urgent feelings that this was their time to serve a mission, but they still had a mortgage on their home and could not reconcile their mission expenses with a large monthly house payment. As they prayerfully sought an answer to this dilemma , the idea came to cash in a whole life insurance policy that they held and which would just pay off the mortgage. They proceeded to do so. As they returned from their mission, transpiring events made it apparent as to why they needed to serve when they did rather than waiting. They state that financial blessings which have come have more than made up for the insurance policy which they cashed in. They also bear strong testimony that the Lord will guide and direct each individual couple who has a desire and a willingness to serve the Lord in knowing how to proceed with their affairs at home and with financial help for their mission. A third couple, Marv and Sue Leavitt from Mesa, Arizona, were quoted in a previous article as to their financial preparations: “Ten years prior to my husband’s retirement, we began putting into place firm plans to serve a mission as a senior couple. We realized that our finances had to be sound and our health good. We were prompted to do things that at the time made us wonder why. The “why” was answered as we received our mission call… in January 2007.” As these examples show, Heavenly Father answers prayers in many different categories. He will bless us even without our asking, especially if we are on His errand. If we have not thoroughly prepared, but are willing to serve, He will open ways for us if we ask and listen. And-if we carefully prepare years ahead of time, then we can plan and order our life with assurance and peace of mind. D&C 29:5-6 states, “Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst, and am your advocate with the Father; and it is his good will to give you the kingdom, And, as it is written-Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith, being united in prayer according to my command, ye shall receive.” * * * * * * The following is a request for missionary volunteers from the Missionary Department’s Website: American Sign Language There is an urgent need for 3 ASL trained couples to work with deaf members in California, New York and Florida. 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May 23, 2026
May 23, 2026
