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I Hope They Call Me on a Mission

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“I Hope They Call Me on a Mission” is a favorite Mormon missionary themed song for LDS children.

Lyrics to I Hope They Call Me on a Mission

1. I hope they call me on a mission
When I have grown a foot or two.
I hope by then I will be ready
To teach and preach and work as missionaries do.

2. I hope that I can share the gospel
With those who want to know the truth.
I want to be a missionary
And serve and help the Lord while I am in my youth.

Words and music: Newel Kay Brown, b. 1932. © 1969 IRI
Children’s Songbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 169

[one_third last=”no”] Download MP3 Vocals of  I Hope They Call Me on a Mission[/one_third][one_third last=”no”] Download MP3 of Music for I Hope They Call Me on a Mission[/one_third][one_third last=”yes”] Download Sheet Music of  I Hope They Call Me on a Mission[/one_third]

I hope they call me on a mission kids

Picking Up Missionaries

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Mormon missionaries flying homeThe Church discourages parents from traveling to pick up their missionary son or daughter when he or she is finishing their mission. Nevertheless, if parents request this privilege, the Church does allow it, provided they follow the guidelines below.

Typical Missionary Return Travel

A missionary’s travel to return home after their mission is coordinated by the Missionary Travel Office and the cost of it is already included in the missionary’s monthly payments. When the mission president assigns the release date he advises the Church travel office who then arranges the missionary’s flight home. Parents will then be notified of the travel plans.

Missionaries generally travel directly home from their missions. Any other travel is permitted only when the missionary is accompanied by at least one parent or guardian. While traveling, missionaries should continue to dress and conduct themselves according to missionary standards. Remember, missionaries are not released from their missions until they report to their stake presidents back home.

When missionaries arrive home, usually at an airport, it is recommended that only immediate family members go to pick up them up. The stake president is also advised of missionary travel plans. He usually makes plans with the parents to meet with the missionary soon after he gets home to release him.

Picking Up Missionaries

If the parents or guardians of a missionary want to travel to pick up their son or daughter, the Church asks that they:

  1. Inform the mission president and Missionary Travel Office at least three months in advance of the plans.
  2. Make travel plans based on the release date established by the mission president.
  3. Do not request a change in the missionary’s release date to accommodate travel plans.
  4. Make and pay for their own travel arrangements, including lodging and meals.

The missionary travel information on LDS.org has lots of details and answers to questions about picking up missionaries. Here is what they say there:

“Parents should contact the mission office where their missionary is serving to find out the release date and visa requirements, if applicable. Then parents should contact the Missionary Travel Office to obtain the travel allowance amount. This will assist parents as they move forward with their travel plans. Parents will need to make travel arrangements for themselves and their missionary and inform the mission and the Missionary Travel Office of these plans. Missionary Travel will mail parents a reimbursement check in the amount that Missionary Travel quoted, or if the ticket the parents purchase is less, Missionary Travel will reimburse the lesser amount, approximately four weeks prior to the release date.”

Missionary Dress and Grooming Standards

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Missionary Dress and Grooming StandardsPlease note: The Church announced on Dec 20, 2018 that sister missionaries in all missions around the world now have the option to wear dress slacks. I will update this article as soon as I can to reflect those changes.

In July 2013, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints published a new, more up-to-date and modern, set of dress and grooming standards for missionaries. Most notable is the lighter colored suits and slacks allowed for the young men: light gray and tan suits, along with khaki dress pants, are now permissible for Elders. Some major changes also took place with the Sister missionary wardrobe with the last couple of years, with nylons becoming optional and the minimum dress length going from mid-calf to the knee. For both men and women, lighter, brighter colors are now allowed.

The official missionary dress and grooming standards are found on the Dress and Grooming section of the LDS.org page for missionaries. This Church website has volumes of very detailed information, including hundreds of pictures, describing appropriate dress and grooming of missionaries. When you are ready to buy clothes for you mission, review the Church site on missionary dress and grooming, following the missionary clothing list you’ll get in your call packet, also be aware of the area specific information you will get from your mission president.

Sister Missionary Dress and Grooming Standards

  • Sister Missionary Dress StandardsPersonal Grooming: “Be neat and clean. Keep your clothes clean, mended, and pressed. Bathe daily, use deodorant, and wash your hair frequently. If you choose to wear perfume or scented lotion, make sure it is not distracting or overpowering.”
  • Hair: “The style, color, and length of your hair should be attractive and easy to manage and should not draw attention. The color of your hair should look natural and conservative.”
  • Modesty: “Maintain a high standard of modesty…You should present a dignified, clean, well-groomed appearance and be feminine and professional in style.”
  • Outfits: “Because of budget and luggage restrictions and limited closet space, you should plan and purchase your clothing carefully…Choose colors and patterns that you can mix and match with a variety of outfits.”
  • Underclothing: “Choose bras that are white or cream colored, durable, comfortable, and modest. Make sure you have slips that coordinate with the color and length of your skirts…Patterned nylons or tights should be subtle and simple in design and should not be made of any kind of mesh, fishnet, or lace material.”
  • Fabrics and Care: “Your clothing should be made of materials that are durable and easy to care for…A durable weave of cotton, wool, or polyester blends will wear well. Do not wear denim, corduroy, [or] leather.”
  • Shoes: “Shoes and boots should be practical, comfortable, attractive, and appropriate for the climate…Shoes with low heels are preferred…You may use shoe inserts to increase comfort and support. Wear a dressy pair of shoes for Sunday meetings.”
  • Accessories: “Handbags, jewelry, and other accessories should be simple and conservative…Earrings should not hang longer than approximately one inch below the earlobe. Do not wear more than one earring in each ear…Choose belts that are simple and conservative in color and design.”
  • See Female Missionary Dress and Grooming Guidelines for more details.

Elder Missionary Dress and Grooming Standards

  • Elder Missionary Dress StandardsPersonal Grooming: “Be neat and clean. Keep your clothes clean, mended, and pressed. Do not wear clothing that is casual, wrinkled, or sloppy. Bathe, shave, and brush your teeth each day…Your appearance should never distract from your message.”
  • Hair: “Always maintain a conservative hairstyle. Keep your hair relatively short and evenly tapered on the top, back, and sides…Unacceptable hairstyles include faux hawks, crew cuts, mullets, and styles that are spikey, messy, or permed.”
  • Clothing: “In general, your missionary wardrobe will consist of business-style suits, white dress shirts, ties, slacks, shoes, socks, and belts…You are not required to wear a suit during regular everyday proselyting activities. On these occasions, wear a white shirt, tie, durable and comfortable dress shoes, and professional dress slacks.”
  • Suits: “Wear business-style suits in conservative colors. If you wear lighter-colored suits, choose shades of grey or brown… Suits with pinstripes or patterns should be simple and subtle in design. Do not wear sports coats or slim-style suits.”
  • Shirts and Ties: “Wear only white, conservative-style dress shirts…Ties should be simple in color and design and professional in style…String, bow, skinny, or wide ties are not acceptable.”
  • Shoes: “Shoes should fit well and be comfortable, breathable, and durable. Choose polishable shoes in conservative colors. Do not wear casual or trendy shoes or shoes made of suede, canvas, or other soft materials… Do not wear cowboy boots or hiking boots.”
  • Accessories and Belts: “Accessories should be simple and conservative and should not attract attention…You may wear one simple ring and an inexpensive, conservative-style watch…Belts should be simple and should match the color of your shoes. Do not wear large belt buckles or buckles with logos or caricatures.”
  • Outerwear: “Staying dry and warm while proselyting in wet and cold climates is very important. During regular proselyting activities you may add any of the following layers over your white shirt and tie as needed: Sweater, Suit coat, Rainwear, Winter coat…Coats, jackets, and sweaters should be in solid, conservative colors and be business professional in appearance. Do not wear hoodies [or] sweatshirts.”
  • See the Male Missionary Dress and Grooming General Guidelines for more details.

Senior Missionary Dress and Grooming Standards

Standards for dress and groom of older missionaries are relatively the same as those for younger missionaries. For specific senior missionary dress and grooming guidelines, visit the Provo MTC website.

An Ambassador of the Lord

As a missionary, you are an ambassador, or representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. The dress and grooming guidelines websites reminds future missionaries that “as an ambassador of the Lord you are to wear professional, conservative clothing that is consistent with your sacred calling and that will clearly identify you as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” To sister missionaries, Thomas S. Monson once said, “You can dress attractively without being immodest. Within the Lord’s guidelines, there is room for you to be lively, vibrant, and beautiful both in your dress and in your actions.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland reminds us, “we have always been invited to present our best selves. … We should be recognizable in appearance as well as in behavior that we truly are disciples of Christ.” I pray that all LDS missionaries will do this, and that through their appearance, example, and teachings, more of God’s children will desire to follow Jesus Christ and come unto Him.

The Work of Salvation Broadcast: Two Big Announcements on Facebook and Tours of Church Buildings

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missionary in front of lds church buildingYesterday’s “The Work of Salvation” broadcast by the LDS Church included a renewed emphasis on member-missionary work, as well as two big announcements for full-time missionaries: Missionaries will use Facebook and other online proselyting tools during slow times, and our church buildings will now be opened to investigators for guided tours by the missionaries.

Both announcements came during Elder L. Tom Perry’s talk:

“During less-productive times of the day—chiefly in the mornings—missionaries will use computers in meetinghouses and other Church facilities to contact investigators and members, work with local priesthood leaders and missionary leaders, receive and contact referrals, follow up on commitments, confirm appointments, and teach principles from [the missionary guide] Preach My Gospel using Mormon.org, Facebook, blogs, email, and text messages.”

“As missionaries enter this new age where they will use computers in the work of the Lord, we invite the young and the old, the adults, the young adults, the youth, and the children everywhere to join with us in this exciting new work by becoming Facebook friends with the missionaries in your area on your own computers and sharing their gospel messages online and by becoming involved in missionary work yourselves.”

Elder Perry also touched on a subject that I think is long overdue regarding our church buildings. I have often thought it a bit strange that our houses of worship say “visitors welcome” on the front, but they are empty most days and many nights and there is no formal way to receive visitors. Elder Perry confirmed that a complaint often received from people interested in the Church is they build up courage to stop by an LDS meetinghouse only to find it locked and empty. He said that LDS Church meetinghouses will now begin to be opened for guided tours by our missionaries. I think this is a wonderful and inspired move that is sure to build good will and lead to growth in the Church.

Sisters Serving Missions

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Sisters Serving Missions

Below are some quotes from the prophets regarding young women and sisters servings missions.

When President Monson announced the lower age requirement for young women to serve as sister missionaries, he said: “We affirm that missionary work is a priesthood duty—and we encourage all young men who are worthy and who are physically able and mentally capable, to respond to the call to serve. Many young women also serve, but they are not under the same mandate to serve as are the young men. We assure the young sisters of the Church, however, that they make a valuable contribution as missionaries, and we welcome their service.” (Welcome to Conference, President Thomas S. Monson, October 2012)

Regarding this same announcements, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “those [women] who do serve are stunningly successful and we enthusiastically welcome your service…Personally, I am absolutely delighted if this change in policy allows many, many more young women to serve.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “Regarding single sisters serving as missionaries: We need some young women. They perform a remarkable work. They can get in homes where the elders cannot. But it should be kept in mind that young sisters are not under obligation to go on missions. They should not feel that they have a duty comparable to that of young men, but some will wish to go. If so, they should counsel with their bishop as well as their parents” (“To the Bishops of the Church,” Worldwide Leadership Training).

Mormon Sister Missionaries

Here are some other posts related to young women and sisters serving missions that you may want to check out:

Joseph Smith’s First Vision

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I was in a recent stake conference priesthood leadership meeting where Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve presided and spoke. He opened up the meeting to questions, and one brother asked for his advice in preparing young people for a mission. Elder Nelson gave two pieces of advice: one, study the word of the Lord in the scriptures, and two, gain a testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith. I’d like to focus on the latter today, particularly on Joseph Smith’s First Vision.

Joseph Smith's First VisionMany of the important gospel truths that LDS missionaries teach were restored through Joseph Smith–that we lived with God before our birth, the importance of gospel ordinances, the necessity of priesthood authority,  that families can be together forever, and much added depth of understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. One of the most profound truths restored through Joseph the Prophet was about the nature of God and Jesus, and much of that was learned in the First Vision.

Summary of Joseph Smith’s First Vision

In the spring of 1820, after much meditation and studying of the bible, 14-year-old Joseph Smith followed the counsel in James 1:5 that “if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.” Joseph desired guidance in his life, he wanted to know which church was correct, and he desired to be cleansed from his sins. He left his home one morning and found seclusion in a grove of trees and prayed. In response to this prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith. This sacred experience was the beginning of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It led to other visitations by angelic messengers, to the coming forth of new scriptures such as the Book of Mormon, and to the establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with priesthood authority from God.

Four Accounts of the First Vision

Some young people are surprised to learn that Joseph Smith wrote, or dictated, his First Vision experience four times. Each account of the First Vision was written in response to different needs and addressed different audiences. The four accounts were written in 1832, 1835, 1838, and 1842 respectively. Critics of the Church like to focus on the differences in these tellings of the First Vision and use such differences as they can find to attack Joseph Smith. But I have found that the four accounts of the First Vision are rather complementary of each other, and come together in beautiful harmony. Each emphasizes different aspects of his experience, and gives different insights about Joseph and his interaction with Diety.

  • 1832 Account: Though it was written twelve years after the experience, this is the first written account we have. It was part of Joseph’s autobiography and emphasized his search for religious truth and his desire to be forgiven of his sins.
  • 1835 Account: This one comes from a conversation Joseph Smith had with a visitor to Kirtland, Ohio and was recorded in his diary by one of his scribes. One detail unique to the 1835 account is Joseph’s statement that in addition to two personages, he saw many angels.
  • 1838 Account: This is the version found in LDS scriptures, in the Pearl of Great Price. It is clear that the Prophet Joseph more carefully prepared this account and intended it to be the primary one used in the telling of the history of the Church. The emphasis of this description of the First Vision is Joseph’s initial confusion regarding the various religions and God’s declaration regarding the true Church.
  • 1842 Account: The fourth account by Joseph Smith was included in a letter he wrote in 1842 to a newspaper editor named John Wentworth. In this account, Joseph included a statement implied in the other accounts but not specifically stated—that he was told “that the fulness of the gospel should at some future time be made known unto me.”

For more information, please refer to the gospel topic article called Accounts of the First Vision on LDS.org or the article appearing in the Ensign magazine in January 1985 called Joseph Smith’s Recitals of the First Vision.

The First Visitation

Though we call it a “vision”, the Mormon scholar Truman G. Madsen liked to refer to it as a “visitation” to emphasize that it wasn’t just a dream that Joseph made up in his mind, but that he was truly visited by heavenly beings. Furthermore, we call Joseph’s experience the First Vision, because it was the first in a series of heavenly visions, revelations, and visitations. But to Joseph Smith at the time it was not the First Vision. It was an answer to his prayer. It was a message of forgiveness and it gave direction to his life. Joseph said his “soul was filled with love and for many days I could rejoice with great Joy and the Lord was with me.”

Another LDS scholar named Richard Lyman Bushman noted in his book, Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling, that at the time of the First Vision, Joseph didn’t tell many people, not even is family initially,  much about the experience. He seems to have viewed it as a personal religious experience. The day of the event, Joseph only reported, “I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, ‘Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.’ I then said to my mother, ‘I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.'” (JSH 1:20)

I was in a meeting once where Elder David A. Bednar spoke. He mentioned the scripture above and pointed out that a key doctrine in that verse is that Joseph Smith learned the truth for himself. Learning the truth for ourselves is something we all must do. Missionaries especially must gain their own testimony that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the Restoration, that the Book of Mormon is true, and that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.

My Testimony of the First Vision

During my two years in Rosario Argentina as a missionary, I bore my testimony countless times of the Prophet Joseph Smith and of the truthfulness of his First Vision. I had the following scripture memorized from the frequent telling of the experience:

“I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me…When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (JSH 1:16-17)

I knew it then and my testimony is even stronger now. I know that this event really happened. Joseph was personally visited and called by God to be a prophet and to be the instrument in the Lord’s hand in restoring the full gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth.

I highly recommend that all future missionaries memorize this verse now. As you do so, your testimony will grow. Your purpose as a missionary is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ as restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon is powerful convincing evidence that Jesus Christ lives and loves us, that Joseph Smith is a true prophet, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God’s true church. I pray that you can develop your own testimony of these things and “learn for yourself.” The gospel will bless individuals and families, it will help meet their spiritual needs, and it will help them gain their deepest, truest desires in this life and in the eternities. And as a missionary you will have the pleasure of being an instrument in the Lord’s hands to deliver those blessings. 

A New Eliza R. in the World

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Eliza Ruth SmithThis week we welcomed Eliza Ruth Smith into our family. She’s our fifth baby and second girl. She weighed in at 6 lbs 13 oz. My wife, Heather, and Eliza are both doing well. We love them both so much.

Eliza is named after three great women: Eliza comes from LDS pioneer Eliza R. Snow, and both my wife and I have grandmothers named Ruth.

Brief Biography of Eliza R. Snow

Eliza R. Snow was the second president of the Relief Society and served in that capacity 21 years, from 1868 to 1887. Many people called her “Zion’s Poetess” because she wrote so many poems and songs. In fact 10 of her songs are in the present day LDS Church hymnal. Eliza was instrumental in the organization of the Young Women’s and Primary organizations in addition to her work with the Relief Society.

Joining the Church

Eliza R. Snow was among the first people to join the Church in these latter days. Joseph Smith visited the Snow home in 1831 and baptized Eliza’s mother and sister that same year. Eliza wasn’t baptized for a few years later, however, in 1835. She moved to Kirtland, Ohio, at that time and there lived with Joseph and Emma Smith working as their family school teacher. in 1836, Eliza’s brother, Lorenzo, decided to join his family in Kirtland. He joined the Church that year, and eventually succeeded Joseph Smith as the fifth prophet and president of the LDS Church.

Organization of the Relief Society

Eliza R. Snow was present at the first Relief Society meeting in Nauvoo in 1842. She is credited with suggesting the name that was finally settled on by the group: The Female Relief Society of Nauvoo. She departed Nauvoo with many of the other Saints in the winter of 1846, and carried with her the records of those first Relief Society meetings on the long journey west.

Re-organization of and Presiding over the Relief Society

Eliza R. SnowIn 1866, Eliza was called by Brigham Young to help reorganize Female Relief Society. She traveled all over Utah encouraging sisters to join Relief Society “for the good of the poor,” for “saving souls,” and “for the accomplishment of every good and noble work.” Among the programs instituted by the Relief Society during Eliza’s tenure as president were a grain-saving program, and a special emphasis was placed on hygiene and nursing. Also during this time, Eliza and other LDS women published their literary writings in the Women’s Exponent. Relief Society news and national political updates, often related to women’s suffrage, were also included in the publication. (see Mormon Wiki’s article on Eliza R. Snow)

Trip to Jerusalem

In 1872, President Brigham Young called his First Counselor, George A. Smith, to go to the Holy Land and dedicate the land to the Lord. Lorenzo Snow, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his sister Eliza R. Snow were among those who traveled with President Smith. The group left Utah in October 1872, traveled to New York, and then took a steam ship to Liverpool England. The group visited Rome and Naples, Italy, Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt, Athens, Greece, and other sites in Europe and the middle east. In due time, the group arrived in Palestine and beheld the city of Jerusalem. The group slept in tents and traveled by horseback on roads that Eliza R. Snow described “uneven” and George A. Smith called “a rocky, barren and almost desolate country.” (See The Path of Jesus on LDS.org) All this took place in Eliza’s seventieth year.

The delegation of Church leaders had been sent to Europe and Palestine to see what opportunities there might be for preaching the gospel and to rededicate the Holy Land for the return of the Jews. Orson Hyde had conducted a similar mission in 1840–41 but had been forced to go alone. Now the Brethren felt it was time to reassert the great interest the Church had in a regathering of the Jews to Palestine while the Saints were gathering to a new Zion in the West. On March 2, 1873 both President George A. Smith and Elder Lorenzo Snow offered prayers of dedication on the Mount of Olives (see Church History in the Fulness of Times Institute Student Manual Chapter 32). The group returned to Utah in July 1873, nearly a year after leaving.

Eliza R. Snow was a dedicated, faithful, stalwart Latter-day Saint and servant of the Lord, and we hope our new Eliza R. follows in those footsteps.

Day of the Week Mission Calls are Issued and Mailed Out

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LDS first presidency march 2018

Please note that the Church made an announcement on September 5, 2018 that by the end of the year, they anticipate that most mission call letters will be delivered electronically. This will likely necessitate changes in the process outlined in the article below, which deals with the Church mail room and sending out mission call packets via snail mail. Until it is determined what those changes are, I’ll leave the post below as it, but please note that the new electronic process for sending out mission calls will likely speed things up. 

I am frequently asked about steps in the LDS mission call process and a couple of the common questions are about what day of the week the apostles meet to make the mission assignments and subsequently, what day of the week does the mission call letter and packet will get mailed out. The answer to both of these questions is that it depends. Let me explain.

What day of the week do the apostles meet to make mission calls?

In most weeks, the member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will meet and make these call assignments on Friday. But depending on their schedule, that day can vary. Thursdays are the second most common day in which they meet, but it’s not unheard of for them to make the assignments on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

The missionary call assignment meeting is held weekly and is presided over by one of the twelve apostles. While all mission call letters are signed by the prophet and president of the Church, we should remember that each of the Twelve Apostles are also a prophet, seer, and revelator, and the Church president has delegated to them the responsibility to make mission assignments. In the weekly meeting, the apostle reviews new missionary applications and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God, assigns each missionary to a specific mission. President Henry B. Eyring once spoke about this process when he was explaining how each call is inspired. Elder Ronald A. Rasband also explained this process and how missionaries are called by God in his April 2010 General Conference talk.

What day of the week does the mission call letter go out?

On most weeks, the call packets are received by the Church headquarters mail room on Tuesday, and are mailed out that same day. Because Tuesday is the most likely day for the call packets to be mailed out, those living near Salt Lake City, will usually receive it one day later, on Wednesday. Those living further away from Utah, should plan accordingly for additional days for the call packet to arrive. Remember, however, that there is variation to that schedule and the day that the mission call letter is mailed out could be different than the norm if the day the called was issued was different in that week, or based on other factors unique to individual missionaries, mission circumstances, holiday schedules, and if translation needs to be involved.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have other questions.

LDS Quorum of 12 Apostles April 2018

LDS Church Websites’ Traffic Stats

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Though this isn’t exactly related to Mormon Mission Prep, I thought this would nevertheless be a good forum to publish a summary and highlights of official LDS Church Website traffic. As some of you may know, I work for the LDS Church and I am in charge of their Web analytics. Therefore people often ask me, both in my professional and personal life, for data, facts, and figures about Church’s Web presence. For some, it’s a matter of curiosity, for others, they want to use the information in firesides, or fifth Sunday lessons. With the Church’s permission, I’m happy to provide a few data points. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Download One-Page Summary of LDS Church Websites’ Traffic Stats

How many people visit Church sites?

top-ten-lds-church-sites-monthly-visitorsThe family of official LDS Church sites (LDS.org, Mormon.org, FamilySearch.org, etc.) gets about seven million unique visitors per month.

What are the biggest LDS Church sites?

FamilySearch.org is our biggest site with about 3.5 million visitors a month. The LDS.org Home Report Suite* gets about 2.5 million visitors a month. The Gospel Library, which has current and past magazine articles and other content, gets about 1 million visitors each month.

*The LDS.org Home Report Suite includes the home page and several other miscellaneous pages, but it excludes other major site sections such as the Scriptures and General Conference.

How many websites does the Church operate?

top-ten-lds-international-sites-monthly-visitorsThe LDS Church operates over 100 different websites. We have international sites for about 65 countries around the world, plus more than 50 other official Church sites (and the number keeps growing).

What are the top international sites?

Brazil’s site is our biggest international site with almost 40,000 visitors each month. It is followed by Argentina, Mexico, Japan, and Germany.

What are some of the newest official LDS Church sites?

What time of the week do LDS Church sites get the most traffic?

Weekends see the most traffic. LDS.org usage peaks on Sunday mornings, with about to 35,000 visitors per hour. There is also a peak on Saturday nights with about 30,000 visitors per hour. Fridays are the lowest day per week in traffic.

Has mobile traffic been on the rise lately?

Yes, the volume of mobile visitor traffic to Church websites has more than doubled over the past year. The Sunday spike in Church traffic is even more pronounced in relation to mobile, with Sunday traffic from mobile devices about three times the volume of the average day of the week. Sundays see about 45,000 unique mobile visitors, while weekdays generally have about 16,000. The iPhone and iPad are the most frequently used mobile devices browsing Church websites.

LDS Church Websites, Dec 2010
Mobile Device %
Apple iPhone 29.0%
Apple iPad 16.7%
Apple iPod Touch 10.2%
HTC Nexus One 7.1%
HTC Evo 3.7%
HTC Droid Incredible 3.3%
Motorola DroidX 2.3%
Motorola Droid2 1.9%
RIM BlackBerry 8530/Curve 1.7%
Motorola Droid 1.5%

Mission Papers Online: AKA the Missionary Online Recommendation System

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missionary recommendation online systemMission papers can be filled out with the physical paper application forms, or in many parts of the world young people, bishops, and stake leaders can complete the mission papers online. The Church refers to this online mission papers website as the Missionary Online Recommendation System, and it can also be accessed at lds.org/mss. The online process is similar to the offline process in most respects except that the information is put in the internet-based system rather than the paper mission application form.

In order to log in and get started with the online mission application, a prospective missionary needs to have an LDS Account.  LDS Account is the username and password you use to access personalized tools on LDS.org such as your ward and stake calendar and directory. If you don’t have one, go here to register for an LDS Account. You will need to know your Church membership number, which you can get from your ward clerk, to complete the process of getting an LDS Account.

Missionary Online Recommendation System HomepageWhen you are ready to begin the process of getting your mission call, talk to your bishop and he will log into the mission papers website and make it so you can log in. Even with an LDS Account, if your bishop hasn’t granted you access, you cannot get into the Missionary Online Recommendation System.

Once you’re in the online missionary application system, you’ll be able to fill in all the paperwork electronically for your bishop and stake president to see. Once your application has been sent to Church headquarters (by the stake president), you’ll be able to log into this same online system to track the progress and status of your mission call.

Good luck. Let me know if you have any questions. And God bless you in your mission preparation.