The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced an update to guidelines regarding communication between full-time missionaries and their families.
Effective immediately, missionaries may communicate with their families on their weekly preparation day via text messages, online messaging, phone calls and video chat in addition to letters and emails. Previously, missionaries relied primarily on email and letters for communication. See the official notice to Church leaders.
“Regular communication with their families is an important part of a missionary’s service,” said the First Presidency in a statement. “One of the major purposes of this adjustment is to encourage families to be more involved in their missionary’s efforts and experiences.”
Under these new guidelines, missionaries are encouraged to use judgment in determining the length of phone calls and video chats and to be considerate of their companions. Additionally, to avoid disruption to missionary schedules, family members are asked not to initiate calls or chats but instead should wait for the missionary to contact them on his or her weekly preparation day. If a missionary’s parents live in different locations, he or she may contact each parent separately.
With so many advances in technology, this communication should take place at little or no cost. In those locations where families or missionaries do not have access to computers or phones, missionaries will be encouraged to continue using their current means of communication.
“We encourage missionaries to communicate with their families each week using whatever approved method missionaries decide,” said Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and chairman of the Missionary Executive Council. “This may vary based on their circumstances, locations and schedules for that week. It is not expected that all missionaries will call or video chat with their parents every week. The precise manner of communication is left up to the missionary as he or she decides what will best meet their needs.”
In addition to weekly communication, missionaries are also encouraged to contact family on other special occasions such as Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, parents’ birthdays and other culturally significant holidays.
Elder Uchtdorf said the new guidelines offer several additional benefits, including accommodating varied family circumstances as well as better supporting those missionaries who would benefit from increased personal contact with family at home.
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Currently, more than 65,000 missionaries serve throughout the world in a variety of countries and cultures as representatives of Jesus Christ. Serving full-time, they study the gospel and teach its life-changing principles to people who are interested. Young men serve for 24 months beginning as early as age 18, and young women may serve for 18 months as early as age 19. They gain valuable and life-changing experiences along the way, giving of themselves and serving others.
“We love the missionaries and know the Lord values their selfless service,” said Elder Uchtdorf. “We continue to try to find the best ways to support and help them and their families while they serve.”
NicholeenFebruary 18, 2019
I think this will be a great way for missionaries to share the missionary spirit with home more. Many missionaries have family members who are no longer active or who are not members of The Church. This new method of communication, directed by the Spirit, could really help missionaries testify to their family members and strengthen bonds there, while at the same time still preaching the gospel in their assigned area. I think it's beautiful! Also, writing emails and letters can take some missionaries more time than just having a quick chat, which will fit more into their missionary schedule. When chats are each week, they won't feel so rare, and can be kept short. I think it's a great thing!
MichaelFebruary 15, 2019
Why has this new policy been adopted? I have 2 ideas. First, I think a large number of missionaries experience depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses that debilitate them, some to the point of not being able to continue their missions. An increase in family connectedness and contact might help with these problems and identify them earlier when intervention might save an otherwise doomed mission. The other one is less obvious. Until now a missionary sent a single message home often by email. The distribution of this message widely was easy. We were on lists with as many as 40 people. Sometimes a frustrated or immature missionary would describe something humorously or colorfully but perhaps not as dignified as suited their calling. This would reach dozens of people and if outrageous enough might be shared with many more. A momentary minor lapse in decor could explode into an audience of thousands. Now most communication from missionaries will probably be by phone and seldom shared beyond the immediate family any more than a typical phone call between family members. We will miss all the weekly missionary emails which are not forbidden but will probably decrease. Any church researchers of Mormon culture and lore need to collect and preserve some of these communications as they represent a unique window into our missionary experience for a season that is now ending.