Sept. 5, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Wednesday that young men and women and senior couples preparing to serve as full-time missionaries will now receive their mission calls online instead of in the mail.
This process has been tested in various parts of the world for the past several months and will now be expanded to all of Utah and Idaho, the LDS Church said in a news release.
By the end of 2018, it is anticipated that nearly all missionaries around the world with internet access will receive their calls online to serve in one of the Church’s 407 missions in more than 150 countries.
“Technology is there, and it’s so easy to do,” said Elder Brent H. Nielson, executive director of the Missionary Department. “We just put it online and they can read it in a matter of minutes. “Previously, missionary candidates received their mission calls by mail. With this new process, they will receive an email and, in some cases, a text message informing them that their call is ready to open.
In addition to cutting down on waiting time, Nielson said the move will help the Church expedite visa applications and save on postage costs.
In Fruit Heights, 17-year-old Billy Elliott was at work when he received a text message saying his missionary assignment was available to view.
“I had to go work for like three more hours, so that was kind of difficult,” he said. “I was so excited.”
Later, Billy used an iPad to open his call in front of family and friends. He was assigned to serve in the Peru Chiclayo Mission, departing in November.
“It was really cool to be able to experience that,” Billy said of the online call process. “It was pretty simple.”
Besides the call letter, missionaries can immediately access all mission materials online, including maps, country information and lists of items to bring. Call letters and related materials can also be printed and downloaded.
Missionaries for the LDS Church serve as volunteers at their own expense, the news release said. Young men ages 18 and older serve for two years, while young women who are 19 and older are in the mission field for 18 months. Senior missionaries generally serve from six months up to two years, after their retirement from the workforce.
