What do missionaries do on a daily basis?
A typical day in the life of a Mormon missionary varies from day to day. The area in which they are serving can have a great impact on what they do on a daily basis. A missionary might spend half of his mission in an urban area and the other half in a rural area. Missionaries who serve out of the country may engage in methods of proselyting that missionaries within the United States may not. The daily life of a Mormon missionary is not the same for everyone.
Most missionaries will spend time going door to door, looking for people who want to learn more about the Mormon Church. Missionaries travel in pairs of two, called companionships. Missionaries are never to leave the side of their companion. Going door-to-door is the most common way that Mormon missionaries seek to find people interested in the church. You may have had a missionary knock on your door before. Some can find this approach intrusive. But all the missionaries want to do is get to know you and share a message of Jesus Christ with you. If you are interested and want to learn more, they can set up an appointment with you. If you are not, they will simply thank you for your time and leave a blessing with your home. Mormon missionaries are not trying to sell you on anything or force you to join their church before you are ready. Most Mormon missionaries are just your average twenty-year-old and you probably have more in common with them that you may think.
Mormons rely heavily on member referrals for people to teach. Since sharing the gospel is so important in Mormonism, Mormons will often refer their friends if they are interested to the missionaries. Missionaries have found that member referrals are one of the most effective ways of finding people to teach. Missionaries might also spend time on street corners. Missionaries strive to follow the spirit in deciding where to go and who to approach. Mormon missionaries can also be assigned to work in church offices or visitors centers. Some missionaries throughout their mission will serve as clerks, dealing with paper work and other office jobs.
Missionaries spend their days reading the Book of Mormon and other Mormon scripture. They hold the priesthood, so they might also be asked to give blessings or perform baptisms. Mormon missionaries are not allowed to engage in any “worldly” activities throughout their missions. They must refrain from watching television, movies, or listening to music. Church movies and music are allowed.
Once a week, Mormon missionaries are allowed to take a day off of laboring and have a “preparation day.” Because the daily routine of a Mormon missionary is so rigorous, mission presidents allow their missionaries one personal day out of the week to have personal time. Many missionaries spend “preparation day” or “P-Day” writing letters to family, doing laundry, and relaxing. Rarely do missionaries use “P-Day” to teach. Mormon missionaries are encouraged to exercise throughout the week.
The life of a Mormon missionary is spiritually and emotionally exhausting as well. Mormon missionaries must get used to facing a lot of reject throughout their mission.