New Provo MTC expansion is changing the way LDS missionaries study
When entering one of the new buildings at the Provo Missionary Training Center, missionaries encounter a life-size mural of the Book of Mormon prophet Nephi. A scripture accompanying the mural helps missionaries ponder on Nephi’s experience: “And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do” (1 Nephi 4:6). […]
Beyond email: New service helps parents listen to their LDS missionary’s experiences
The idea is simple: On P-days, a missionary calls a toll-free number, talks to a machine for five minutes, then hangs up. A link to the recording is then emailed to the missionary’s friends and family. The implications are exciting: Families can hear their missionary’s voice, the missionary doesn’t have to spend as much time on email, […]
A look at LDS mission presidents: 6 interesting stats
By Lindsey Williams and Matt Bennett Black name tags dot the globe as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints share the message of the restored gospel. The statistical report at April 2016 General Conference reported there were more than 74,000 missionaries in this vast Army of Helaman. But every army needs […]
The blessings of welcoming home a missionary
No doubt, it’s difficult to say goodbye to your son or daughter when they leave on a mission. But when they come home after two years or 18 months, it’s even better than you can imagine. If you’ve experienced it, you know exactly what I’m talking about. I know this firsthand because my oldest son […]
Utah-Tube: David Archuleta releases first original pop song since LDS mission
David Archuleta returned to the pop music scene on Thursday with a new song, “Numb.” A lyric video on YouTube shows the message of the song — continuing through life despite the pain and trials that accompany the journey. In February, Archuleta blogged about the difficulty of returning to music as a career when music […]
Opening the call: Missionaries approach milestone differently
It’s been weeks since your papers were submitted, and the day has finally come — your mission call has arrived! What now? For many newly called missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opening the mission call is an important milestone that the missionary will share with friends and family. For others, the occasion […]
Mormon missionary meets President Obama
Earlier this year Elder Brendan Bailey traded in his basketball shoes for a black LDS missionary name tag and boarded a plane to Washington, D.C. When his father’s former college team came to the city to visit the president, Elder Bailey went along. In 1983, North Carolina State University won the NCAA championship but did […]
Changing the night to day: Learning from rejection as a young missionary
While I enjoyed my two-month experience at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, I couldn’t wait to arrive in Chile to begin teaching the gospel. Along one of my first legs of my series of flights, I sat next to a bearded, 20-something man and we struck up a conversation. Naturally, I started teaching him the […]
The (not) farewell: 5 unique ways to celebrate your departing missionary
In 2002, President Gordon B. Hinckley, who was then president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, mentioned the common practice of hosting a missionary “farewell” on a Sunday prior to the departure of a full-time missionary. These often included talks and special musical numbers from members of the missionary’s family and concluded with an […]
Elder Mason Wells shares details of priesthood blessing and missionary work done in aftermath of blast
Elder Mason Wells did seven media interviews from his hospital bed in Brussels yesterday, but he hasn’t seen his face on any TV screens because he is keeping the LDS mission rules. Mason has been serving for 19 months and his family was scheduled to come pick him up when he finished his two-year mission in August. […]
Elder Holland shares missionary age change insights at YSA Face to Face event
https://youtu.be/ZwIULpPZhcQ?t=40m50s Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, an apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, provided a small insight into the discussion surrounding the decision to change the missionary age in 2012 during the LDS Face to Face event Tuesday night. During the social media forum, young adults across the world asked Elder Holland; […]
Of fleas and faith: Encouraging words from Elder Scott to a discouraged young missionary
In recent months, three beloved apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have passed away. That reality will really hit home the first weekend of October for general conference, as Elder L. Tom Perry, Elder Boyd K. Packer and Elder Richard G. Scott will be conspicuously absent. I’ve been strengthened by the […]
15 more cringeworthy Mormon Valentine’s Day cards
By Matt Bennett and Rebecca Lane How do you say “I love you” to a Mormon? With a Valentine’s Day card that puts the cheese in cheesy, of course. Here are 15 Mormon Valentine’s Day cards that say, “I hope you laugh this Valentine’s Day.” 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. […]
Larger than life BYU football prospect Motekiai Langi broke the Internet on National Signing Day
Yesterday was signing day in college football and the star wasn’t a five-star recruit that chose Alabama or USC, it was a 6-foot-7, 410 project from Tonga named Motekiai Langi that no one had heard of (and some didn’t believe existed) until BYU tweeted out his specs. Below are some highlights of the reactions to […]
Orem residents start Facebook comment war over Orem City’s LDS mission announcement
On Thursday afternoon, the City of Orem posted an announcement on its Facebook page announcing that the LDS Church would be creating an Utah Orem Mission. Within minutes, the sounds of angry comments were fired on the post. The initial announcement shared what the city posted as a “cool tidbit” about the LDS Church creating […]
10 things to remember when your missionary comes home
The sisters who left for their missions shortly after the October 2012 announcement lowering the minimum age for missionary service are on their way home. The boys will follow soon behind. It’s an exciting time for parents, siblings, friends and Church leaders everywhere. But the efforts of well-meaning admirers can quickly become tiresome to recently returned missionaries, who might not adjust […]
UVU will be ready when missionaries come home
Utah Valley University is poised for a new boom — the Student Life and Wellness Center was recently completed, the new 244,000-square-foot Classroom Building is on track to be finished this fall, the roundabout at UVU’s entrance is being improved and the school got $21 million in new ongoing funding from the state this year. […]
14 cringeworthy Mormon Valentine’s Day cards
By: Matt Bennett, Rebecca Lane and Amy McDonald Because love doesn’t always need to be expressed in a sincere way — sometimes you just need to express your love with cheesy LDS references. Try these new, “spiritual” ways of saying, “Be my Valentine.” 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. […]
All I want for Christmas: Missionary edition
When your full-time “work” is spreading the gospel — and when all your belongings fit inside two suitcases — writing a Christmas wish list is no easy task. To find out what LDS missionaries most want for Christmas this year, we polled two elders, one sister missionary, three missionary moms, one mission president’s wife (and […]
5 ways to make your home a pre-MTC
More than 80,000 missionaries now serving in the field began their service in one of 15 missionary training centers. In the MTC, missionaries practice teaching, study the scriptures, “Preach My Gospel” and other materials, and (in some cases) learn another language. But there isn’t nearly enough time for missionaries to learn everything they need to […]
Lifelines from home: Package ideas for sister missionaries
With “enthusiastic and unprecedented” numbers of sister missionaries serving for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there are enthusiastic and unprecedented numbers of members brainstorming package ideas for their granddaughters, daughters, sisters, nieces and friends. Here are some words to send by: Think like a kid. We know these girls are all grown […]
Everyday Missionaries highlights new possibilities
Orem resident Michelle Linford understands that being a member missionary in an LDS-saturated community poses unique challenges, but she doesn’t let that stop her. Sponsored by the More Good Foundation, Linford started her own “missionary-minded” website in January 2008 and developed a strong online presence. “Because I’ve been around for a while and have some […]