“Jesus did not say to go back and remember every little thing you did wrong. He said to arise and walk,” my mother said, as I sat discouraged during my service mission. That moment marked the beginning of healing in my life. As I transitioned from a teaching (proselyting) mission to a service mission, my mother’s faith in Jesus Christ and her consistent support became a crucial source of strength.
This article is about the powerful role parents can play in supporting their children through service missions. By offering encouragement, affirming their child’s divine worth, and recognizing the value of their calling, parents can help reduce stigma, strengthen testimony, and inspire purposeful service.
The Growing Service Mission Program
According to the Church’s 2023 statistical report, there were 3,884 service missionaries serving around the world—an increase from 2,736 the year before. I was one of those missionaries in 2023.
After returning home early from the Korea Seoul Mission due to severe anemia, I spent time in the ICU and was later called as a service missionary. This unexpected change came with many challenges—both physical and emotional.
Facing Stigma and Finding Strength
When I first joined the service mission, I was excited to occasionally join the teaching sister missionaries. But I quickly felt the difference in how I was perceived. One sister jokingly said, “Let’s take a picture with the service missionary,” in a tone that made me feel small. My cousin in North Carolina, also a service missionary, was told after a basketball game, “That’s pretty awesome—for a service missionary.”
These comments reflect a cultural misunderstanding within our Church—that service missions are somehow “less than.” My mother helped me reject that false idea. She reminded me that God still had work for me to do, and that my calling mattered.
My parents chose their words carefully. Instead of saying “proselyting missionaries,” they used “teaching missionaries” to emphasize that both types of missions have sacred value. They called me “Sister Whiting” even at home, affirming that my calling was real and important. These small, consistent actions helped reduce the feelings of stigma in my heart.
A Mother’s Voice at the Right Time
Research supports the importance of parent-child conversations, especially in times of transition or difficulty (Wareham & Salmon, 2006). One moment stands out in my memory. While recovering from anemia in an oxygen chamber, my mom leaned over and softly whispered, “Don’t give up, Hannah. It’s going to get better.” She probably thought I was asleep—but I heard her. Those words, filled with hope and faith, touched my heart deeply.
My mother’s testimony of Christ, her emotional strength, and her simple encouragement helped me continue to “wrestle” in faith. She didn’t solve every problem, but she walked with me through the journey. As Tang and others note, a mother’s role is complex—but its impact is profound (Tang et al., 2014).
Staying Present in the Mission God Gave Me
Like many who transition from a teaching mission to a service mission, I wondered if I made the right choice. Should I have gone back to Korea? Was I doing enough?
But my mother gently helped me stay grounded. She encouraged me to be fully present and to find meaning in the service I was giving. Together, we talked about where I felt inspired to serve. I ended up working at the Family History Center, Scripture Central, Helping Hands, and even received a special assignment in the Korean ward in Utah.
In that ward, I translated during appointments and helped a dear Korean sister prepare for baptism. The ward had not had a baptism there for 5 years. Multiple followed after her in that next year. Miraculously, the Lord enhanced my Korean speaking ability as I served as the only Korean speaking missionary in the Utah Orem Mission. Later, I was asked to translate for a large group of Koreans touring the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple open house. These sacred moments reminded me that God knew where I needed to be.
And through it all, my parents supported me—not by solving everything, but by being present, prayerful, and steady.
A Word to Moms and Dads
To all the parents of service missionaries: your support matters more than you might realize. You are in a unique position to lift, guide, and testify. Your words can help your missionary feel the Savior’s love and understand their divine purpose, and they will feel the spirit as they serve in their various opportunities.
Do not let discouragement enter your heart. Your child’s mission is valid and valuable. As you support them with Christlike love and perspective, you will help reduce the stigma, strengthen their testimony, and point them toward inspired service.
References
Service missionary. Service Missionary. (n.d.). https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/service-missionary?lang=eng
Statistical report of the Church of Jesus Christ, 2023. newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. (2024, April 6). https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/2023-statistical-report-church-jesus-christ
Statistical report, 2022. Homepage – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (2023, May 1). https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2023/05/statistical-report-2022?lang=eng
Tang, C. T., Reeb-Sutherland, B. C., Romea, R. D., Bruce, M. D. (2013). On the causes of early life experience effects: Evaluating the role of a mom. Elsevier.
Wareham, P., Salmon, K. (2006, July 3). Mother–child reminiscing about everyday experiences: Implications for psychological interventions in the preschool years. Clinical Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2006.05.001
Harvey HiggsJuly 10, 2025
My wife and I recently returned from a Senior mission. On occasion we worked with the service missionaries. They performed a valuable service to the community and to themselves. Their spiritual growth became evident during 'homecoming' talk in sacrament meeting. A service mission can be a wonderful thing.