SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, June 5, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on Monday that it is surveying its missionaries on safety issues they face in their daily routines.
“This survey is to help us better understand the day-to-day experiences and perceptions of missionaries around the world related to physical safety,” says a statement released by the LDS Church.
“We want to understand the risks to safety our missionaries experience or perceive.”
The survey will be sent to missionaries around the globe, according to the prepared statement.
“We intend to use the results to review and modify, as needed, missionary safety guidelines and instructions,” it says.
“Missionaries are divinely watched over in the work they perform. However, we believe it’s important to understand their circumstances and make appropriate adjustments when needed.”
The news release does not specifically link the survey or potential updates to recent terrorism attacks. Three Utah missionaries were caught up in a terror attack on March 22, 2016 at the Brussels Airport bombing. All survived with varying degrees of injuries.
Muggings of missionaries and exposure to mosquito-borne diseases also have made recent headlines.
Changes also could be made to existing safety guidelines established for missionaries by the LDS Church.
Read Monday’s full statement below:
The safety of missionaries is of great importance to the Church. Missionaries are taught principles to keep themselves safe, and in areas where missionary safety may be at risk, we may alter assignments or provide them with more specific guidelines to enhance their safety.
This survey is to help us better understand the day-to-day experiences and perceptions of missionaries around the world related to physical safety. The questions from this confidential survey are detailed and specific. It is being sent to each of our young missionaries around the world. We want to understand the risks to safety our missionaries experience or perceive.
The data from this survey will help us identify areas or circumstances where missionary safety may be at the greatest risk. We intend to use the results to review and modify, as needed, missionary safety guidelines and instructions.
Missionaries are divinely watched over in the work they perform. However, we believe it’s important to understand their circumstances and make appropriate adjustments when needed.
